.000374% of guns in America used for crime

There's a post up at Sharp as a marble inwhich Robb endeavors to change some minds with facts, history, and numbers.

Worth sending to your anti friends to get the conversation started. Don't be afraid to engage in a battle of wits regarding gun control; gunnies have facts and history on their side. Be sure to do your homework so you know what your opponent will say.

When you divide the number of crimes or homicides by the sheer number of actual guns owned, you'll see that the percentage of firearms used in these instances are so minute to be almost statistical noise.

look up the numbers for yourself. Is .000374% really worth trampling on everyone's rights? And what for? To get that number to .000369%? In economic terms, the ROI simply isn't worth it. Besides, guns are used by the citizenry to prevent crimes in upwards of 2 million times a year

but what about this lady? How many times do you hear of jealous ex's who can't take "No" for an answer killing out of jealousy? That 24 hours could mean life and death for some people, and it's quite common. VT wasn't as much tragic as it was sensationalized. For every Cho, there are thousands of these types of stories. In your quixotic effort to combat .000374%, you harm the many that truly do need a gun right then and there.

There are also some great things in the comments.

Tyranny in Red Tights

A must read.

If you could only read one thing today, make it this.

Guns in Schools

Terrorists sneak into an Israeli high school, and attack two counselors. They are quickly put down as the counselors return fire.

Americans don't like the idea of teachers carrying guns, because they think it's icky.

They proudly support the Air Marshal program, and undercover security guards in malls; agreeing that a trained individual with a firearm can surprise and stop a determined killer. But when you ask them about schools they curl into a ball on the floor, suck their thumb, and paw angrily in your general direction until you leave.

They know shootings happen at schools, and that terrorists have made their plans to attack American schools known, but they just don't want guns in schools, because it makes them uncomfortable. It's not that they don't trust armed citizens in schools, because they're against armed security guards too.

They just don't like the idea of living in an America where anyone in a school would have any NEED to be armed.

When told about other countries that have had success arming their teachers they counter; "Well, that's not America." How many more children need to die before you realize America has changed, and we need to socially evolve.

All the wishing in the world isn't going to change reality.

I wish no one had ANY reason to carry or own guns other than for recreation. But there is plenty of reason, and so there are plenty of people who do. Loudly countering, "Yeah, but that couldn't happen here." is the same as when people watch the evening news and tell themselves, "That could never happen to me." These people need to be reminded that it's not THEIR lives at stake, it's the lives of their children.

It's really not that complicated...

Would you vote for a Democrat with an "R" in front of his name?

Yes

OR

No

Improved homemade oil lamp

I saw a simple oil lamp on MAKE blog today, and thought it was a neat idea. After reading more about it I saw that the oil level had to be maintained as best as possible to keep the wick from burning out, and it suggested adding marbles to compensate for dropping oil levels. I tried to think of a solution that wouldn't require monitoring, and wouldn't have trouble pulling oil up the wick as the oil level fell.

I came up with a floating wick holder


It's pretty simple


Simple coat hanger metal bent into a wick remover



The floating wick is three sections of cork cut 1/4" thick, strung together with some craft wire, with a short piece of wick shoved through the middle. Use a bit of foil with a hole in the middle for the wick to keep the cork from burning.


Should work for a long time, and be easily refilled without extinguishing the flame. The wick can be rolled up twine as recommended at the link, but I just used a rectangle of shirt cotton rolled up. For different flames experiment with thickness of wick, and how much the wick sticks out of the cork. Should work with most oils, but apparently olive oil burns cleanly. Dunk the wick in the oil and heat the wick for a while until it starts burning, it might take a bit the first time. Extinguish it smokelessly by dunking it in the oil with the wire wick remover.

Stock up on that veggie oil for reliable emergency lighting.

Consider adding some craft wires sticking horizontally out of the wick in three directions to keep it centered in the lamp.

Klötzchenbeförderer will kill your pets.

This is amazing. Keep your eye on the gray disks.



Via MAKE

Portal: A Day in the Life of a Turret

The insanity is strong in this one.

Banana Phone is played very frequently in the NOC. Usually for extended periods of time... Very extended.

Me: *Queues up Banana Phone*
Coworkers: *sing along a bit*

20 minutes later

Coworker: You know, I'm pretty sure that's slowly driving me mad.
Me: Really? It makes me stronger.

EPOCH FAIL!

Damn hilarious!

UPDATE: Hint to google searchers; It's a wordplay on "Epic Fail!" and Epoch time (Posix/Unix time).

Ow ow ow ow, OW!!!

Doesn't matter how trained you are.

Doesn't matter how skilled you have become.

Doesn't matter if your friend said it was unloaded.

Complacency in firearm safety leads to accidents.

In addition to double checking my chamber, I think I'll start septuple checking.

Open up; Police!

Would you open your door to a stranger? Probably not.

Would you open your door to a stranger in a police uniform? I hope not, because it just got you shot in the chest.

It's very simple, identify the people through a window or peephole, and when they indicate or imply they are law enforcement officers, ask them which department, and then call that department with 411 to confirm they are who they say they are. Ask for badge numbers and last names, and confirm with the station. Use 411 or your yellow pages, don't call a number they give.

It's not something a lot of people think about (myself included up until a few years ago), but it's a safety thing. If the cops get indignant, tell them to fuck off, and call 911. Seriously.

While we're talking about people in uniforms, you know what happened when a bunch of fed ex uniforms went up on ebay? They sold out instantly. This is why you should have a handgun on your person when answering the door when you are not expecting visitors.

DJ Tiesto sucks

Update 10/8/08: I'm full of shit! I had some wires crossed when I posted this, and posted that he made sandstorm. Well, as one of the commenters pointed out, Sandstorm was done by Da Rude, who really had a mediocre sound (save the original Sandstorm, of course). But that didn't stop me from playing his CD until it was no longer playable. My experience with Tiesto was from one of his earlier CDs, where he sounded just as I described. Uninspired, and underdeveloped. Shitty progression, overused sounds, basically simple shit trance. His newer stuff is MUCH better. In fact, I'd rate it as above average. (which says a bit coming from a snob like me) So, let the record show that DJ Tiesto doesn't suck. Anymore.

I posted the video because I thought it was amusing, but took minor issue with the fact that the video doesn't address the issues I had with his music; rather, it seems to take umbrage to trance in general. Personified by a popular European trance DJ, Tiesto.

Original post follows below
-----------------------------------

Yes, you made sandstorm, and probably most of the 30,000 remixes of that song. Other than that original, you suck. Your uninspired, underdeveloped music gives trance a bad name.

Semi-coders and pseudo-code

Coworker: Hey, really quick, I need you to write a quick script to generate a config file for, like 800 elements.
Me: Give me the data, and an example of the output you want, and give me three minutes.
Coworker: Three minutes? Ok, only if it's really quick, though.
Me: I'm waiting for the data really quickly.
Coworker: Yeah yeah...

Minutes pass

Me: Hey, I'm almost done.
Coworker: Huh?
Me: Actually, I'm not, because you haven't sent the data over.
Coworker: Ahh, shaddap... So, can you just send me an example of your code so I can write it?
Me: What?
Coworker: Just send me an example, and I'll just write it. I just need an example of a loop.
Me: You want me to send you an example of the most basic programing function a language could have, so you can write some pseudo-code and then make me troubleshoot it when it doesn't work? No deal.
Coworker: But-- fine.

Shin Chan is the shit

It's so full of inuendo and idiocy, I giggle like an idiot whenever watching it.



Shin Chan official website

Compromise for everyone but RP

Many say they love RP and everything he stands for, BUT they won't vote for him because of his stance on the war.

However, in the next breath they'll talk about how they are accepting the lesser of two evils in an alternate candidate, becuase they know that politics is a game of compromise.

They feel that the war on terror is too much of a negative to ignore.

I happen to feel the deviation from the ideals of the framers of this nation is doing more damage to America than Osama Bin Laden could ever do.




I don't understand how some people don't notice.

Why don't they get it?

Coworker: Hey, wouldn't it be cool if we could have something show up in the monitoring software to show the current weather?
Me: Give me 10 minutes.
Coworker: Seriously?
Me: Yes, seriously. I keep telling you this, but if it's on a computer, I can write a probe for it, and we can monitor it.
Coworker: What about, like, the local traffic?
Me: Dude. If it's on a computer... We can monitor it.
Coworker: Huh. Cool.

8 minutes later

Me: Done!

I bitch about it, but Nimsoft's NimBUS API is pretty cool. (once you figure out all the undocumented features)

"It's the Economy, Stupid!"

Stop what you're doing right now, click on the title link and watch the whole thing--it takes a little under 9 minutes.

Yikes.



Via David.

Real men of genius; Mr Cable Management Guy

Are you ready?

No, really. Are you ready?

I don't think you're ready.

Take a moment, and prepare for a mild aneurism...

... well?

... ready?

If you're sure you're ready...

Clicky.

Mr. Cable Management Guy; we salute you, you magnificent asshat.

Vote Hillary for a better 4 years from now.

Just one Conservatarian's humble opinion.

If a Republican wins two things will happen. First, the incredible "Bush hate" will turn into "Rudy/Romney/McCain hate" because it was never "Bush hate," it was Republican hate. Secondly, Republican leaders will remain in the apparent coma they've been in, and continue the "cut taxes and spend like drunken sailors" fiscal policy.

Hillary will be torn to shreds by the end of her "service." Sending Democrats (and likely women, unfortunately) back years in the minds of most Americans. This is likely because her presidency would follow a Clinton bent, as her campaign has, and she lacks the slick-shit charm that old BJ (Bill Jefferson) had to get out of the numerous scandals that spilled from his office. It's likely she'll resort to using Bill's charm to get her out of trouble one (hundred) too many times, and Americans enamored with slick Willy will wise up. Also, she'll lack the Republican majority that kept the insane spending in check. By the end of her presidency, uttering the word "Hillary" should leave Americans reaching for a drink to wash the bad taste from their mouth.

Hillary will impose (and I do mean impose) her free lunch health care scheme, which will immediately cause a severe drop in the level of health care available to everyone except the rich. And by everyone, I also mean Democrats. This will slap the socialist idealists (who seem to be in the majority) in the face and remind them that when the government tries to do anything except waste money, it fails miserably. This is the only risky venture since prolonged use of this system threatens to severely damage the the best health care industry in the world. Hopefully this doesn't stick for 8 years. *shudder*

Hillary will increase taxes to pay for her pet programs early, which is a pinch majority of Americans are willing to accept because they feel guilty for working hard (for some damn reason). However, this pinch will be made significantly harder with the instant, unstoppable bloat that will be caused by the "free" health care. Americans will feel the pinch, then they'll feel pliers digging and twisting. Hillary will refuse to cut her programs for as long as possible, opting to raise taxes on the rich (you know, the people who make jobs and pay people) until we near a recession.

Hillary will strengthen clandestine information gathering powers and technologies under the guise of Homeland Security, and likely misuse them (as Clintons are wont to do). She will be skewered by the privacy and government watchdog groups that grew powerful watching Republicans. She'll suffer the monster she helped create when the anti-war and pro-privacy groups she chanted with against the Bush administration turn on her. This will be fun to watch.

Hillary will rub America the wrong way. She'll play a Carter, and with any luck, our Reagan will appear.

Vote Hillary for a better 4 years from now.

That's what I'm worried about

Fucking blogger. Click here to view.

Like you and me, only better... Old Chap.

SO! How's banning guns working out for you blokes across the pond?

'It's not safe to walk the streets after dark', admits Home Secretary skewered in kebab farce

Seems the Home Secretary over in Merry Old England decided to she had a hankering for a kabob, but feared for her safety after dark and brought a (no doubt armed) guard with her to keep her safe on those dangerous streets she gets paid to keep safe.

So, the streets are not safe, but citizens should continue to believe that the government is doing a great job. Got that guys?

Oh, and don't be afraid for her; she has taxpayer funded armed guards accompanying her on her trips out of her bubble of delusion protection.

Asked why she would not feel safe on Hackney's streets at night, the Home Secretary replied: "Well, I just don't think that's a thing that people do, is it, really?"

Sure, a single mother working two jobs might be in danger walking home to make dinner for her kid, but she should probably just hire some private security.

Miss Teather, member for the London constituency of Brent East, added: "To think that people don't walk around late at night, and to think that everybody goes around in a cocooned ministerial car with a couple of policemen watching, is absolutely astonishing.

Too right.

Back to my original question; just how are things going with your little experiment in law-abiding citizen disarmament?

The Home Secretary made her admission in an interview at the end of a week when three teenage thugs were convicted of murdering father-of-three Garry Newlove, kicked to death outside his home.

Oh bugger. I suppose things are just peachy other than that, right?

The controversy raged as Ministry of Justice figures revealed the steep rise in the number of under-18s convicted or cautioned over violent offences.

Total offences for ten-to-17-year olds climbed steadily from 184,474 in 2003 to 222,750 in 2006, the last year for which figures are available - a rise of 21 per cent.

But the increase in violent offending was steeper, while robberies rose even more dramatically, up 43 per cent over the three years.

But they still don't need guns. They've got TASERS! They're COMPLETELY safe.

One other man has died in the UK after being shot by police with a Taser and a baton round but a post-mortem examination concluded the death was due to natural causes.

See that? Natural causes.

Tasers have been used 450 times in the past five years in Great Britain and up to now police say there have been no fatalities or serious injuries.

Looks like they've got everything under control. Nothing to see here, move along.

I see why Kevin calls that place the petri dish.

Overheard at work. Just another Wednesday.

Everyone's working on something, soft keyboard clacking, and occasional mouse clicks are all that can be heard.

Coworker: K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-YYYEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! I'M DOCTOR ROCKSO, THE ROCK AND ROLL CLOWN, AND I DO COCAAAAIIINNNE!!!!

Silence returns, soft keyboard clacking, and occasional mouse clicks are all that can be heard.

Code Monkey

This is why I'm glad I can turn "programmer mode" on and off.

Why must management oppress my people?

Quote of the me!

Breaking the law is not something someone should tell you to do.
~ Me!

Like herding fucking cats!

It is said that getting programmers to work together on a project is like herding cats.

UPDATED

My boss told me to try to get a workaround up for the programmer who was dragging his feet, because in the meantime, we're getting burned. I call one of the programmers who is busy with other stuff for more info.

Me: Hey, would it be better if I set up the database like this or like that?
Programmer: Kinda depends on what data you're storing.
M: It's the data coming across right now.
P: The first way would be best. Why are you storing that data? That's what [feet dragging programmer] is doing.
M: Yeah, but we need something storing the data so we can review it until [FDP] finishes his part.
P: Who asked you to do that?
M: The boss did. We keep getting burned for missing these alerts, and he wanted something up until the project was finished. It'll be kind of a kluge, but it'll work until [FDP] finishes up.
P: But we're done. All we need is [cursory bit of data] from you.
M: *astonished noise*

The whole reason I was SPENDING time on this was because [FDP] looked like a deer in the headlights at our last status meeting. He barely understood what was going on, and we were considering dropping him because he had NO results or measurable progress

M: That was what was holding you up?!
P: Yeah.
M: All you need is [cursory bit of data] from me, and it'll be done?
P: Yeah.
M: Why didn't you ask me for it?
P: We were going to, at the next meeting.
M: Are you unaware of how long we've wanted this done, and how long we've been caught up in stupid development issues?
P: What do you mean?
M: If you need something from me, CALL ME. If I'm holding up development, CALL ME. If you need me to dance a jig for you to finish this project, call me and I'll dance the damn jig! We need this project DONE! No, wait, we needED this project done MONTHS AGO!
P: ... So you're sending that?
M: Yeah, you'll have it within the hour.
P: OK.
M: And it'll be done?
P: Well, not done done.
M: ...

UPDATE:
I understand how the data in this project is supposed to flow, I understand what part does what, and what language each part will be written in. This is why I know when information required to proceed is really unimportant, and should not bring development to a standstill. After sending that cursory bit of data over I called back and asked him to clarify on "done." His version of "done" means "done with the overall view." I pressed him on an ETA, and he asked me for some redundant information. I told him he already had that info, and anything I send will be out of old because I've already made the changes he requested at the last meeting. He replied that he needed that information so he could make sense of the information I sent last week. I told him that he shouldn't, because the two pieces of data were UNRELATED.

P: Well, you just send it over anyways.
M: OK, but I really need an ETA.
P: Once we have that data, we'll have a better picture of the overview and we can work up a timeline.
M: Ok, but I need to know if it'll be a week or two months, because I need to know if I need to continue working on this workaround.
P: You did that yourself, you do whatever you want.
M: *urge to kill rising* *deep breath* Oookayyy... I'm going to call you a bit after I send that over. I will need a broad timeline.
P: Ok, you just send that over.

The Governator's Guns

Governor discusses his weapons
Get login here

"I have around 20 swords, from samurai swords to broadswords to everything from axes and spears from the Conan movies," he said. "All the weapons, from Uzis to machine guns, shotguns and pistols and revolvers . . .

"Remember how many law enforcement people I have played and military people I have [played]. I was the Terminator, with the gun that with one hand you cock and spin. All those things I have."

It must be good to be king.

Ugh! So much fail! I can see forever!

For some damn reason, we can't find a freaking .NET programmer who understand SQL, and can finish a goddamn project!

We've gone through THREE! Every one flaked out or just dragged their feet.

If there are any .NET coders out there looking for some contract work, leave a comment!

I do NOT want to have to learn .NET so we can get this simple project done!

Playing SEALs and robbers

Marko has an incredible post up about the dangers of the militarization of the police.

It's too good for me to post quotes, all of it is perfect.

If you read nothing else, read this.

Suspicious person

Xavier relates a story of danger, preparedness, and humor.

Worth the laughs, give him a click

James does not discriminate

James is known for picking up strays, and notes that while many expect an outdoorsman and self defense advocate to own big dogs, he does not discriminate.

Enter Fuzzball


James thinks this poor fellow was attacked by a previous owner with a tire iron since Fuzzy has an unnatural fear of them. He also relates his reasoning for choosing stray dogs;

To paraphrase Mark Twain, if you give a stray dog a home he will never bite you. I have found that they will literally jump into the jaws of death just in the hope you will be able to run away while they are being eaten. I'm not sure that it would be possible to live with such devotion every day and not become emotionally attached.

Good man.

Opie and Anthony: Anthony on home protection

Anthony's Office - Episode 1 - Watch more free videos

BeatBearing sequencer

Via MAKE

on call

fucking son of a can't believe I have to won't answer their fucking phones gotta drive all the way down to damn hell crap murder

I keeed, I keeed, I rather like my job.

Quote of the YEAR

This quote needs to be tattooed on people's foreheads.

Backwards.

In fact, it's so good, I'm going to increase the font size.


Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it.
~ Milton Friedman


(and for the poor, poor IE users;)
Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it.
~ Milton Friedman

Via Joe Huffman

Citizen, arm thyself

Found at Laurel Zimmer's blog.

A disturbing call to 911 from a frantic woman who had a stalker trying to break into her house. The audio goes from beginning to end. Listen carefully to the audio and try to guess how much time has passed since the beginning of the call; at one point the operator says how long the call has been.

It's a somber reminder that calling 911 doesn't guarantee safety; a gun in the hand does.

"Don't get stuck on stupid!"

Retiring general aims to create a culture of U.S. preparedness
As Lt. Gen. Russel Honore gets ready to retire from the Army and hand over his command on Friday, he says he wants to spend the rest of his life creating a "culture of preparedness" to prevent another post-disaster disaster.

"There's an attitude everywhere else that people are smarter than they are in New Orleans and in Mississippi. They're not," the 60-year-old general said at his office at Fort Gillem, just outside Atlanta. "What happened in New Orleans could have happened anywhere on the Eastern Seaboard."

"In this new normal, with the possibility of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and industrial accidents, we need this culture of preparedness," he said. "A vast part of America still thinks, '`That couldn't happen where I live.' And they are dead damn wrong."

A good message from someone I hope to hear more from in the future.

Keep your fork.

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There's Cake!

HABERDASHERY!

It's more likely than you think.

The Bill that no one will talk about

Blogonomicon has a post up on The Bill that no one will talk about. Passing overwhelmingly in the house, and expected to pass in the senate, no one wants to talk about this bill. Except one man who did NOT vote for it.

Read up. These are important times, and these are important issues.

Various Engine Animations

This is very cool!

Example:

This is fucking hilarious!

Actually, this is WAY more hilarious!

.... candygram...

Land Shark - Saturday Night Live - Season 1

Posted Dec 01, 2006

In this classic SNL skit, a shark attacks on land.

What's the difference between 9/11 and a cow?

Rudy Giuliani doesn't know how to milk a cow.

But I live in a good neighborhood part 8

Police: SJ Newlyweds Bashed By Dozen Teenagers
Teenagers Attack Newlyweds On Way Home From Church Party

Just driving home with your new spouse and friend, after leaving the church new year's party...

Even non-gun grabbers are sometimes taken aback at the notion of carrying a gun to church. They view it as the height of paranoia. Attacks on churches are very well documented, and these same people often forget that carrying a gun to church also means having it with you on the way to and from church.

This is unnerving to read because it reveals the harsh truth.
Random acts of violence can visit anyone, at any time, and irrevocably shatter lives.
Act accordingly.

What really gets me is that this would likely have ended instantly if one of the victims had simply brandished a gun. Instead, their lives are forever changed.

The quotes are raw, and still carry the fear of the victim. If you've got the stomach; read on.

"My heart was racing. It was like something out of a scary movie where someone is after you," said Maria. "I was thinking, God please stop. Why us? Why us? Who are they? I was terrified."

"(I felt) just fear, absolute fear. I've never been through anything this traumatic in my life," Jason said. " The driver's side has the biggest damage of the door below the handle. That blow was aimed towards her head. That's the force they were aiming at her head."

Dan was beaten the worst, Fadipe reported.

Doctors said his injuries would take a year to heal.

"I took one to the forehead, one to the back of the head -- a couple to the arm (and) to my back," said Dan.

"They were going for his head with these weapons," said Jason.

"They almost killed a man," Jason said. "They could have killed my wife, and they had complete utter disrespect for any human life or anything. It was relentless disrespect, relentless violence."

The couple said police officers have told them their case is not a top priority because the department is understaffed.

SWAT team busts in, takes son for checkup.

SWAT officers invade home, take 11-year-old at gunpoint
Cops demand boy go to doctor because of fall during horseplay

This is unreal.

Nearly a dozen members of a police SWAT team in western Colorado punched a hole in the front door and invaded a family's home with guns drawn, demanding that an 11-year-old boy who had had an accidental fall accompany them to the hospital, on the order of Garfield County Magistrate Lain Leoniak.

The paramedics were allowed to see the boy, and found no significant impairment, but wanted to take him to the hospital for an evaluation anyway. Fearing the hospital's bills, the family refused to allow that.

The sheriff said the decision to use SWAT team force was justified because the father was a "self-proclaimed constitutionalist" and had made threats and "comments" over the years.

However, the sheriff declined to provide a single instance of the father's illegal behavior. "I can't tell you specifically," he said.

Can you not tell us because its sooooper seekrit??? Or could it be because he didn't do anything illegal, and was only guilty of making you uncomfortable? I suppose you can't answer that question specifically either...

"He was refusing to provide medical care," the sheriff said.

However, the sheriff said if his own children were involved in an at-home accident, he would want to be the one to make decisions on their healthcare, as did Shiflett.

"I guess if that was one of my children, I would make that decision," the sheriff said.

Wow. Sometimes you just wonder if people can hear themselves talk. You just want to record the conversation, and play it back for them until they understand the deep disconnect in their line of thinking. At least, you HOPE it's a disconnect, and not just a rationalized double standard. "I'm the ONLY ONE qualified to make that kind of decision!"

"While people can debate whether or not the father should have brought his son to the ER – it seems like this was not the kind of emergency that warrants this kind of outrageous conduct by government officials," a spokesman said.

The crux of the issue. Should society be allowed to infringe upon people's rights simply because their choices and decisions make other people uncomfortable. Last I checked, the bill of rights doesn't enumerate those rights for everyone unless you're weird. In fact, that's why we live in a republic, so minorities cannot be oppressed by majorities simply because of numbers. But hey;
"The United States can't be so fixed on our desire to preserve the rights of ordinary Americans..."
~ William Jefferson Clinton, March 1, 1993
There you have it.

"Now I'm hunting for lawyers that will take the case … I'm going to sue everybody whose name was on that page right down to the judge," he said.

Godspeed, from another American who believes in the constitution, and makes "comments."

How to Escape Microcar-Attacking Ninjas on Roller Skates

It just could save your life...

Quote of the current socio-political landscape

'Need' now means wanting someone else's money. 'Greed' means wanting to keep your own. 'Compassion' is when a politician arranges the transfer. ~ Joseph Sobran

My addiction, exposed!

James of Hell In a Handbasket heard my cry for help, and layed it all out for me.

Most of the stuff that we perceive as being spicy hot has zero nutritional value. So why would anyone crave it physically? It certainly doesn't help the body keep going in any way.

Sugary and fatty foods are calories, and even if the body doesn't need them right away those foods are easily broken down and stored as fat in case they are needed later. But hot spices?

I was reading an article about 25 years ago, when the fascination with hot spices and different kinds of peppers was just taking off in the US. The author speculated that the appeal was because the hot taste caused the release of endorphins in our brain. (Brain: "3rd degree burns on the tongue! Release endorphins to try and stave off the onset of shock!")

So you wanted to put Tabasco in your too hot soup because you are a filthy junkie.

Might as well just mainline a chipotle, and then you're going to start turning tricks on the street for jalapenos. You'll spend all your money on nachos at the local 7-11 because they let you put as many peppers on as you want, and you'll be kicked out of your house because you can't make rent. It won't be long after that you start going through the dumpster at the Taco Bell, sucking almost empty packets of "Fire" sauce for the last few drops. Eventually the cops will find you frozen to death on a park bench with a half eaten habanero clutched in your fist.

Spice addiction. I've seen it before. It is always ugly when it finally ends.

James

It's not an addiction! I can quit whenever I want! ... I-- Just don't want to, that's all!


... BACK OFF!

But seriously, I was rolling on the floor when i read this, thanks James!

The 360 is back

... and I'm trying really hard not to expect the police. :)

It's 9:30, and we're pounding away on the drums of rock band and having a great time.

Good to be back.

Fantaisie Sign - Ian Pooley Remix

Don't watch the video. Just hit play, and scroll down.










Further...












...A bit more...










That should do it.

...

...soooo... what's up?

Hey wait!

Fuck the remix, the original is way better!

You can actually watch this video.

Be sure of your target, and what's behind it!

This is disgusting.

Cops get reports of someone shooting into the air on new year's, they arrive and see the shooter. Shooter points gun at officers and flees into a house which had a party going on inside. Officer fires 11 shots into the house wounding four including one man shot in the face, and a 9 year old.

Towandaa Austin, 18, a neighbor, said she was outside and yelled at police: ” ‘Stop shooting! There’s kids in there!’ They said shut the f- up.”

You can shoot through cover if you are VERY sure the dangerous assailant is on the other side, AND is an immediate threat, AND must be subdued immediately.
Now listen closely, because this part is important;
You may NOT shoot through cover if that cover is a 9 year old.

Hat tip to David

What the fuck is wrong with me?

Seriously?

I love spicy food, but it wasn't until a recent event that I began to wonder if I love it a bit too much.

My mom made some posole, but added too many habanero peppers and apologized for making it so hot. I assured her it was no problem, and thanked her for making it so spicy. I quickly filled a bowl and went to town. She was right. It was hot. I eat a lot of spicy things, and this was extremely spicy. It was a challenge to finish the bowl, and was a very enjoyable (somehow).

A few days later, I returned to finish the soup and mentally prepared myself as I prepared the soup. I also commented aloud at the spicy damage I was about to inflict upon myself. I withdrew the reheated soup from the microwave and placed it on the table, sat, and stared at the hazardous soup.

Then, in what hindsight can only conclude as an attempt at self torment, I formulated a sentance that must have originated from a deeply detached part of my brain, and understanding fully how this soup treaded dangerously upon my limit for spicy food, said;

"Maybe I should add some Tabasco."

My girlfriend looked at me in disbelief, "What?!" It took a little bit for me to realize the implications of what I'd just suggested out loud. I say a lot of weird things, but this really confused me. "What the fuck is wrong with me???"

Why DO I like spicy food? I usually order the spice level of my food with words like, incapacitating, deathly, or coma-inducing. This crossed a line somehow. Why do I do this?

Yeah? Well, your MOM...

It should be obvious...

CLICKY for full size.

Repost is a repoooost!

Flinch - Why shooting isn't like the movies

Carteach has a great post up with pictures and videos explaining flinch.

If you've never shot before, or if you're new to shooting, managing flinch is a huge part of shooting accurately. This post is definitely worth your time.