Friday, February 26, 2010
Paul Ryan hands Obama's ass to him
[direct link]
Paul Ryan continues to impress!
I'm waiting to hear that he eat babies, because once they start attacking him personally, we'll all know he has become a viable candidate.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Amber Lamps is immune to your emotions.
From Know Your Meme, which is a great site to go to if you're not at work, and don't want to stifle laughter for hours at a time until everyone looks at you, and asks what you're looking at, and I have to make something up because I know they won't get it.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Personal day
One of those days where there are specific reasons why you need to go to work, and you know that not going in will only cause more work for your later, but some part of me completely refused to go, no matter the consequences.
One of those days.
I'll probably just wind up running errands today, but I just can't go in today.
One of those days.
I'll probably just wind up running errands today, but I just can't go in today.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
FEMA instructor says founding fathers were terrorists
Or, so the video says.
Can't find anything else about this, or any indication that this guy is from FEMA, but that's what the video title says.
Don't terrorists need to attack civilian targets to be called terrorists? The point is to terrorize the populus, right? Legitimate military targets do not a terrorist make.
This video shows a severe misunderstanding of the word "terrorist."
But that wouldn't be the first time, would it?
Can't find anything else about this, or any indication that this guy is from FEMA, but that's what the video title says.
Don't terrorists need to attack civilian targets to be called terrorists? The point is to terrorize the populus, right? Legitimate military targets do not a terrorist make.
This video shows a severe misunderstanding of the word "terrorist."
But that wouldn't be the first time, would it?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Business paperwork reveals the idiocy of California's management
Since California is running out of money, they've started furloughing state workers from many agencies. Usually closing down the agency or office two Fridays a month.
While the furloughs are necessary as a cost-cutting measure, there are still some politics to be played with the furloughs.
By purposely making the furloughs take place on services the tax-paying public uses (park management, DMV, etc) they can make the furloughs more visible to the public, in order to remind them that if they want to continue using these services unfettered, they should approve the tax increases they failed to pass previously.
But true to California form, there had to be a way to mess this up.
They furloughed the state franchise tax board.
The arm of the state government that processes a large amount of the income that comes into the state has to be closed twice a month because they're not getting enough income in.
I swear, if California was in charge of providing the state with fresh air, we'd all have suffocated long ago.
Well, we ARE running out of water...
While the furloughs are necessary as a cost-cutting measure, there are still some politics to be played with the furloughs.
By purposely making the furloughs take place on services the tax-paying public uses (park management, DMV, etc) they can make the furloughs more visible to the public, in order to remind them that if they want to continue using these services unfettered, they should approve the tax increases they failed to pass previously.
But true to California form, there had to be a way to mess this up.
They furloughed the state franchise tax board.
The arm of the state government that processes a large amount of the income that comes into the state has to be closed twice a month because they're not getting enough income in.
I swear, if California was in charge of providing the state with fresh air, we'd all have suffocated long ago.
Well, we ARE running out of water...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Obama to NASA: Reach out to Muslim countries
I wish I was creative/stupid enough to make this kind of shit up.
Truth is always stranger than fiction.
Truth is always stranger than fiction.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
DIY Cardboard Rabbit Toy
It's a few strips and squares of cardboard assembled so it is a rough sphere on the edges. The result is a cardboard assembly that can roll roughly, and easily be moved around by your rabbit, while being a toy it can safely chew on.
Be sure to remove any tape or other materials from the cardboard before you use it.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Tweet your Starbucks support
I just Tweeted my Starbucks support.
I just came back from Starbucks, showing my support, and realized that companies like Starbucks track social networking sites like Twitter. So Tweet your support of Starbucks with your receipt!
If you choose not to participate in this social networking silliness, save your receipt, and e-mail a picture/scan of it, or snail mail the actual receipt to them with a note of support!
Give them some actual dollars and cents of value for their support of Open Carry!
http://twitpic.com/13jgf7 Starbucks BUYcot for open carry support! +$9.15
I just came back from Starbucks, showing my support, and realized that companies like Starbucks track social networking sites like Twitter. So Tweet your support of Starbucks with your receipt!
If you choose not to participate in this social networking silliness, save your receipt, and e-mail a picture/scan of it, or snail mail the actual receipt to them with a note of support!
Give them some actual dollars and cents of value for their support of Open Carry!
Feb 21st is Starbucks Appreciation Day for gun rights supporters!
I said earlier that we need to support Starbucks' refusal to bend to the will of the Brady Campaign with our money, but this idea is even better!
I think it's important that you tell the manager if you can.
Get the word out!
I'll be there! Will you?
Therefore I would like to announce that one week from today on Sunday February 21 gun owners should have a Starbucks Appreciation Day.
I would like to suggest we do this without an overt display of firearms. Our message of Starbucks Appreciation will be overshadowed by the known presence of firearms if we make having a firearm on our person the point of the message. Let's keep it simple and let the barista and manager know why we're making a purchase that day.
You can get the message across just as well by saying something like:
Please know I'm here because firearm owners across the country want to show Starbucks our appreciation for your decision not to ostracize customers who own and carry guns.
I'm going to be consuming Starbucks products on a regular basis now and would like for other gun rights supporters to do the same. But next Sunday we should make a point of telling them why and explicitly telling them thank you.
I think it's important that you tell the manager if you can.
Get the word out!
I'll be there! Will you?
Some Tombstone memories
I was digging through cold storage, and found some old pics from Tombstone Paintball.
I like this shot because it looks like I'm in a third-person shooter.
These kinds of hits are acceptable. It's the hits in the areas you are not supposed to expose for a shot (chest, stomach, knee, shin, ass) that are bad.
Playing in the mud.
sm.JPG)
[clicky for full picture]
Me and the wife. I was watching the last row of bunkers for an opening. When I saw one, she gave me covering fire while I ran up and bunkered the last bunch of players. I took out four before I got shot out.
1200x800(sized).JPG)
I like this shot because it looks like I'm in a third-person shooter.
These kinds of hits are acceptable. It's the hits in the areas you are not supposed to expose for a shot (chest, stomach, knee, shin, ass) that are bad.
Playing in the mud.
.JPG)
[clicky for full picture]
Me and the wife. I was watching the last row of bunkers for an opening. When I saw one, she gave me covering fire while I ran up and bunkered the last bunch of players. I took out four before I got shot out.
Cheap long lasting light - Jesus Candles
I remember these candles from when I was a kid, and remember that they would routinely last around 24 hours. So when I saw a set of them on sale for 80 cents each, I grabbed one for testing.
We only lit it when we could monitor it, so we managed to get one 8 hour stretch, and a few other single hour, totaling around 12 hours of usage in the test. At this point the candle was about 1/3 of the way down, estimating around 36 hours of total light for 80 cents.
There are a few quirks to Jesus Candles. They don't always provide the best light; they're wrapped in a sticker depicting Saint Somesuch, with prayers on the back, so that should be removed for best light (use a razor blade to make long cuts into the label, then soak it in hot water, the label will come right off). Their flame is irregular; sometimes the flame will burn low and slow, sometimes it will burn tall and bright, so while it may not always throw off the best light, they will provide enough to navigate a dark house or work on something. They are completely enclosed in glass; carrying them in your hand is easy, and you don't have to worry about hot wax dripping down the side, it all burns. They are wind resistant; designed to be placed at memorials outside, they burn well in windy conditions.
Got Jesus Candles?
Staying above the water line!
Thanks to Riverwalker, whose format I copied because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery :) Give him a click, he has a great preparedness blog.
Quote of the helped him like I wish somebody had helped me
I said "I've had the same one of those for 25 years, it'll last ya forever."
The shit was on. He was just getting starting reloading and started asking questions. What do I need, what would I be wasting money on, what does this do?
Fuck me running. I remember wanting to know the same shit when I first got started and having nobody to ask. Whattya gonna do, right? So I helped him like I wish somebody had helped me.
Two HOURS later, he was set. That poor fucker was down $300, I was down $70 but he was set up to load 45s and 223s. And he had the best set-up he could afford. I started to give him my cell number in case he ran into any problems but I was afraid his wife would use it track me down and throttle me.
~Wirecutter
Those of you familiar with Wirecutter know that he could be described as ornery. He's not someone who you might expect to go out of his way to help you. But he went out of his way here because he knew what it was like.
Follow Wirecutter's example, and go out of your way for a shooting newbie.
I'm pulling out the heroes tag for this one to remind us all that you don't have to save someone from a burning building to be a hero. Well, that and, TWO FRICKIN' HOURS!
For those of you who doubt Wirecutter's heroism in this situation, I ask you to go to the reloading section of your local shop, and try to ask the customers there for help. Try not to get cut by the daggers they shoot at you. What the fuck is wrong with most gunnies that makes them such douchebags?
Obama Admin raiding medical marijuana growers after Obama said they wouldn't
Denver Post: Owner who bragged of large medical-pot operation jailed in DEA raid
Yet here we are.
Obama promising to stop the raids pre-election, and Obama's AG, Holder, saying ending medical marijuana raids is policy one month after his inauguration.
What is up with this Administration?
Who's in charge here?
A memo in October from Deputy U.S. Attorney General David Ogden said federal agents should not target people in "clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana." The memo led many in Colorado's medical-marijuana community to believe that federal agents would no longer raid medical-marijuana dispensaries or growers.
Yet here we are.
Obama promising to stop the raids pre-election, and Obama's AG, Holder, saying ending medical marijuana raids is policy one month after his inauguration.
What is up with this Administration?
Who's in charge here?
Friday, February 12, 2010
Rights are like muscles...
...They disappear if you don't use them.
"What illegal activity do you suspect me of?"
"I have no idea."
"That's not probable cause."
"Right now sir, I'm pretty sure you're a terrorist. [laughter]"
How droll.
[direct link]
A few things...
I'm not sure if he is required to pull off the road for secondary inspection. But by staying on the road and blocking traffic, he gave them an incentive to let him go. Off the road, this may have gone on for hours. He could have pulled off the road, submitted to secondary inspection, and sued for harassment after they found nothing since there was no probable cause, but how successful that may have been is in doubt. Note the numerous attempts to get him to say that he wasn't going to move. Had he said he wasn't going to move, he would have been obstructing traffic, which is against the law. Instead he insisted he wanted to leave, but was being detained by them.
He knew he had to stop, and stopped. There was no probable cause beyond that, because refusing to answer questions is not probable cause. If he had answered in any way, the agents could use their experience to determine whether or not he was lying, but not on a refusal.
At the end where he was asked to provide a drivers' license, I'm not sure if he was really required. Whenever you are operating a motor vehicle, you are required to provide the license to (state?) law enforcement officials (possibly also proof of insurance, registration). But I'm not sure if federal border patrol agents have the power to demand to see his license, and I'm not sure if they can detain him at a border patrol checkpoint, and then ask him to provide his license for operating a motor vehicle. If those troopers the BP said were on their way arrived, he would have had to provide his license and registration, but I'm not sure how you transfer custody of someone being detained for a BP checkpoint to a traffic cop. They could have had the cop pull him over after they said he was free to go, but then the cop needs PC, and then he'd only be required to provide his documentation, and demand his ticket.
Also, note the repeated lies told to him by border patrol agents. There is no legal requirement for them to tell citizens the truth, it is the citizen's duty to understand the law, and act within it. The agent accuses him of interfering with a federal investigation, which is a felony. Were that the case, they could force entry, arrest him, and charge him with that crime. They did not. Note the agent attempts to put words in his mouth, "So you're refusing to show valid ID?" A lack of answer, or an affirmative answer results in probable cause. Note that questions were answered with questions, this is a common tactic because the agent doesn't have to answer questions, but their authority implies that you do. Technically, "Am I being detained?" "Are you a US citizen?" Could be repeated for hours. If the citizen attempts to leave prior to being approved to leave, he will be arrested for fleeing a detainment. The last little part where the agent is "just trying to make conversation" is still questioning. There is no "going off the record" in this conversation. I'm guessing this was the last tactic recommended by the agent's superior before telling him to leave.
Did you notice the little scoff at the end? "Did you get the idea to do this from checkpointusa.org, sir?" First he's a suspicious character, then he's trafficking contraband, then he's a terrorist, then they ask if he got the idea from a web site that talks about American citizens refusing to submit to these checkpoints? He knows he's legal. They know he's legal. They're just wasting his time so they can measure their authoritative penis. They basically admit it at the end when they say their superiors feel that they have better things to do than play this game with him. That's how they view this person exercising his rights. As if he's playing a game, and they want to play right back.
At the end of the video he is told he is free to go, and confirms he is free to go, but he is not allowed to leave because the agents were standing in front of his car. At this point, he could have called 911, and told them he was being falsely imprisoned by officers who specifically said he was free to go, and he feared for his life. If I tell you that you are free to leave a room, and physically block the exit, and refuse to move, that is imprisonment.
"What illegal activity do you suspect me of?"
"I have no idea."
"That's not probable cause."
"Right now sir, I'm pretty sure you're a terrorist. [laughter]"
How droll.
[direct link]
A few things...
I'm not sure if he is required to pull off the road for secondary inspection. But by staying on the road and blocking traffic, he gave them an incentive to let him go. Off the road, this may have gone on for hours. He could have pulled off the road, submitted to secondary inspection, and sued for harassment after they found nothing since there was no probable cause, but how successful that may have been is in doubt. Note the numerous attempts to get him to say that he wasn't going to move. Had he said he wasn't going to move, he would have been obstructing traffic, which is against the law. Instead he insisted he wanted to leave, but was being detained by them.
He knew he had to stop, and stopped. There was no probable cause beyond that, because refusing to answer questions is not probable cause. If he had answered in any way, the agents could use their experience to determine whether or not he was lying, but not on a refusal.
At the end where he was asked to provide a drivers' license, I'm not sure if he was really required. Whenever you are operating a motor vehicle, you are required to provide the license to (state?) law enforcement officials (possibly also proof of insurance, registration). But I'm not sure if federal border patrol agents have the power to demand to see his license, and I'm not sure if they can detain him at a border patrol checkpoint, and then ask him to provide his license for operating a motor vehicle. If those troopers the BP said were on their way arrived, he would have had to provide his license and registration, but I'm not sure how you transfer custody of someone being detained for a BP checkpoint to a traffic cop. They could have had the cop pull him over after they said he was free to go, but then the cop needs PC, and then he'd only be required to provide his documentation, and demand his ticket.
Also, note the repeated lies told to him by border patrol agents. There is no legal requirement for them to tell citizens the truth, it is the citizen's duty to understand the law, and act within it. The agent accuses him of interfering with a federal investigation, which is a felony. Were that the case, they could force entry, arrest him, and charge him with that crime. They did not. Note the agent attempts to put words in his mouth, "So you're refusing to show valid ID?" A lack of answer, or an affirmative answer results in probable cause. Note that questions were answered with questions, this is a common tactic because the agent doesn't have to answer questions, but their authority implies that you do. Technically, "Am I being detained?" "Are you a US citizen?" Could be repeated for hours. If the citizen attempts to leave prior to being approved to leave, he will be arrested for fleeing a detainment. The last little part where the agent is "just trying to make conversation" is still questioning. There is no "going off the record" in this conversation. I'm guessing this was the last tactic recommended by the agent's superior before telling him to leave.
Did you notice the little scoff at the end? "Did you get the idea to do this from checkpointusa.org, sir?" First he's a suspicious character, then he's trafficking contraband, then he's a terrorist, then they ask if he got the idea from a web site that talks about American citizens refusing to submit to these checkpoints? He knows he's legal. They know he's legal. They're just wasting his time so they can measure their authoritative penis. They basically admit it at the end when they say their superiors feel that they have better things to do than play this game with him. That's how they view this person exercising his rights. As if he's playing a game, and they want to play right back.
At the end of the video he is told he is free to go, and confirms he is free to go, but he is not allowed to leave because the agents were standing in front of his car. At this point, he could have called 911, and told them he was being falsely imprisoned by officers who specifically said he was free to go, and he feared for his life. If I tell you that you are free to leave a room, and physically block the exit, and refuse to move, that is imprisonment.
Security Guards provide neither security nor guard
So how many places do you go where you see people in jackets that say SECURITY? Did these jackets make you feel safer? Maybe just a little bit? Did their presence make you think the area was less likely to be targeted for crime or violence? Whoops.
Maybe they can just make stickers that say "False sense of" and put them above the "SECURITY" on their jackets.
UPDATE: We're talking about this on the channel, and some interesting points came up. Kicking someone in the head is widely considered attempted murder, and is therefore a felonious act. If a bystander with a CCW permit was nearby, had a shot, and took it safely, either wounding or killing the attacker, we wouldn't be hearing about how this person saved this 15 year old girl while security did nothing, we'd be reading about how this dangerous, possibly racist vigilante murdered one of two teens during a minor dispute. Remember, this is Seattle.
Maybe they can just make stickers that say "False sense of" and put them above the "SECURITY" on their jackets.
UPDATE: We're talking about this on the channel, and some interesting points came up. Kicking someone in the head is widely considered attempted murder, and is therefore a felonious act. If a bystander with a CCW permit was nearby, had a shot, and took it safely, either wounding or killing the attacker, we wouldn't be hearing about how this person saved this 15 year old girl while security did nothing, we'd be reading about how this dangerous, possibly racist vigilante murdered one of two teens during a minor dispute. Remember, this is Seattle.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Quote from some work I will probably never finish
James, who seemed to be unmoved by the conversation finally spoke, "You know the difference between you and me? You look up at that building and see a Monolith. A huge, overbearing structure assembled by the will of powerful architects. Representing the unshakable dominance of the kings that commissioned it. Daunting. Intimidating. Invincible. You know what I see? I see people. Simple people with simple jobs. People made of flesh, and muscle, and bone. Fragile people. People who do their job not because they believe in what they are doing, or the ends of their efforts, but because it's their occupation. People easily dissuaded. People easily scared. People easily killed. With those people shuffled off or scared off, the monolith becomes a husk. It may still stand upright and tall, but it is lame. A decaying symbol of a dead power. The shadow of kings."
Oh noes! It finally happened!
The intarwebz has crossed over into the real world!
Today, a demotivator poster, tomorrow lolcats!
We can't let this stand! We must destroy this nexus between the intertubes and the real world before it's too late!
OH NO! IT'S TOO LATE!
Look behind you!
A POPUP! AAAAAHHHHH---!!!
Today, a demotivator poster, tomorrow lolcats!
We can't let this stand! We must destroy this nexus between the intertubes and the real world before it's too late!
OH NO! IT'S TOO LATE!
Look behind you!
A POPUP! AAAAAHHHHH---!!!
Et tu, Bill Nye?
Question climate change and Bill Nye The Science Guy will question your patriotism.
They say to never meet your heroes.
Today I met one of mine.
A sad day, indeed.
They say to never meet your heroes.
Today I met one of mine.
A sad day, indeed.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tombstone Paintball reopens in Colton!
Tombstone Paintball Park
This is exciting news! Tombstone was forced out of Corona along with 1,500 other businesses by the Prado Flood Control project in preparation for the 100 year flood (Still waiting on that horrifying flood, guys. Good thing you kicked out all those businesses!). Leon, the owner of the park, fought against several socal counties to get another park opened closer to populated areas, and was eventually able to open a somewhat limited indoor field called Splat Factory.
Recently, Leon closed Splat Factory and opened Kart Factory in its place. For those of you who knew Leon, this should come as no surprise since he was a rally car driver.
I only today found out that Leon was opening a new park with the same name as the original in Colton. It's a bit farther away, but it still looks great. I can't wait to try it out!
On a more somber note, James Scarcella recently passed away.
James (left), Leon (right)
I talked to James a lot while I reffed Tombstone, and found him to be a helluva guy. It's been a long time since I've seen or spoken to him, but as soon as my friend said "James" I could immediately remember his goofy smile and his laugh. That was the kind of guy he was. Memorable.
Judge stalls prisoner early release in Sac. due to safety, confusion
CBS: Judge Halts Early Release Of Inmates In Sac County
The prisoner early release program has been temporarily stalling IN SACRAMENTO ONLY. All other prisons in all other counties are still scheduled for releases.
I had heard that it was particularly confusingly written, but all that nonsense is confusingly written to me. They're not even sure if the county prisons are supposed to participate in the early release program.
So far, all those released have been from county prisons. The release of state prisoners is where most of my concern lies, and none have gone out just yet.
If I were one of the legislators who pushed this bill, I'd be in constant communication with the people on the review board, and I'd be pulling the initial charges of those up for early release to make sure assault and robbery didn't get pleaded down to robbery for an easy guilty plea.
Who do you think the people are going to blame after the first person is killed?
Were I a more cynical man, I might take issue with Sacramento passing this threat to public safety, and then making it not apply to them.
The prisoner early release program has been temporarily stalling IN SACRAMENTO ONLY. All other prisons in all other counties are still scheduled for releases.
I had heard that it was particularly confusingly written, but all that nonsense is confusingly written to me. They're not even sure if the county prisons are supposed to participate in the early release program.
So far, all those released have been from county prisons. The release of state prisoners is where most of my concern lies, and none have gone out just yet.
If I were one of the legislators who pushed this bill, I'd be in constant communication with the people on the review board, and I'd be pulling the initial charges of those up for early release to make sure assault and robbery didn't get pleaded down to robbery for an easy guilty plea.
Who do you think the people are going to blame after the first person is killed?
Were I a more cynical man, I might take issue with Sacramento passing this threat to public safety, and then making it not apply to them.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Media Malpractice at the March for Life
No matter your position on the issue, there is no way you can support this kind of media denial.
[direct link]
But there is hope. The people still showed up, even though they knew there would be little, no, or contradictory media coverage.
The media do the politicians they strive to support a disservice by failing to warn them of the size of the swell approaching the shore.
[direct link]
But there is hope. The people still showed up, even though they knew there would be little, no, or contradictory media coverage.
The media do the politicians they strive to support a disservice by failing to warn them of the size of the swell approaching the shore.
Obama calls for an end of petty politics...
...the same day his press secretary makes fun of Obama's political opponents.
I know he has very little control over the democratic congress, but does he have any control over his own administration???
I know he has very little control over the democratic congress, but does he have any control over his own administration???
Monday, February 08, 2010
Quote of the at least waste it on something cool
[about the government's purchase of superbowl ad time]
It's like finding out that not only have you been robbed, but the burglar used your money to buy a baggie of oregano and lawn clippings.
~Tam
World At War: A New Germany
I've been watching the World At War series recently on the Military Channel, and have found it interesting in its detail and chilling in its candor.
This is the first episode, about an hour long. See if it's something you want to watch more of.
I highly recommend it.
[direct link]
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
This is the first episode, about an hour long. See if it's something you want to watch more of.
I highly recommend it.
[direct link]
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
2.5 million tax dollars went into this ad
[direct link]
What information does it relay?
1. The census is a "snapshot of America"
2. ???
No, really. I saw the first ad, where the same people propose the idea and in dry, uncomfortable, The Office-like humor, but even having seen both, the point remains... What information did this relay???
How about just paying some half-celebrity to sit on a stool in a dark turtleneck and talk about why you should participate in the census?
Instead we've got 2.5 million tax dollars spent in a tremendous recession with the ultimate accomplishment of telling us that the census is a "Snapshot of America."
How exactly does calling the census a "Snapshot of America" make people want to participate anyway? Is the idea that people like having their picture taken? What person out there saw this ad, and thought, "Snapshot of America? I want to be in the picture!"
What a waste.
Friday, February 05, 2010
300 prisoners out on the early on the release program so far
OC Register: Get out of jail early: thieves, prostitutes
The article describes the inmates that will be released early, and most of them I don't have a problem with. The issue is the .3% of those released that actually will hurt others.
So the question is; what is an acceptable number of murders for the fiscal savings to the state?
1? 10? 100? 1000?
Remember, the total number they want to early release is 40,000.
Guess we'll just find out how many lives the fiscal savings was worth to the state legislature...
Don't let yourself or your family be one of those lives.
The article describes the inmates that will be released early, and most of them I don't have a problem with. The issue is the .3% of those released that actually will hurt others.
So the question is; what is an acceptable number of murders for the fiscal savings to the state?
1? 10? 100? 1000?
Remember, the total number they want to early release is 40,000.
Guess we'll just find out how many lives the fiscal savings was worth to the state legislature...
Don't let yourself or your family be one of those lives.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Innocents Betrayed
What single type of entity murdered 170,000,000 innocent people in the 20th century?
Government.
Different governments of all kinds murdered a total of 170 million innocent people in the 20th century.
There was one thing that happened before each and every instance of government-sponsored genocide.
The disarmament of private citizens.
The video is about an hour long, and was produced by the Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership. It covers almost every instance of state-sponsored genocide in the 20th century.
It is a horrifying video, but it must be watched.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES OF GENOCIDE
Source material for the numbers
No one can predict the future of this nation, but what we can do is remember never to give up our only effective means of personal defense.
Many of these genocides didn't happen in 6 months, or 6 years. Some took decades to lead up to the resolution of the plan. Building popular anger for years before beginning the first intentional step toward their ultimate goal of genocide. So don't give up your arms for anyone at any time.
Because it usually happens that right after the time when you need them least, you will need them most.
Also remember that many of these horrifying acts took place with popular support, or out of the public eye. This means if you are one of those targeted, you can expect to either have everyone around you against you, or you can expect to have everyone around you not believe you.
You will be alone. But alone is better than in a crowd on a train car being carted somewhere.
One cannot be paranoid about everything. There just isn't enough time in the day. So try to only worry about the worst case scenarios.
Being a Jew in late 1930s Germany is one of the worst.
Never allow yourself or your family to be in that position.
Never allow someone to tell you it could never happen.
Never allow yourself to be convinced to give up your personal arms, even if tyranny seems impossible.
Never--
Never--
NEVER give up your future ability to fight.
"Who could predict?" Is a question that you ask when it's too late.
Government.
Different governments of all kinds murdered a total of 170 million innocent people in the 20th century.
There was one thing that happened before each and every instance of government-sponsored genocide.
The disarmament of private citizens.
The video is about an hour long, and was produced by the Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership. It covers almost every instance of state-sponsored genocide in the 20th century.
It is a horrifying video, but it must be watched.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES OF GENOCIDE
Source material for the numbers
No one can predict the future of this nation, but what we can do is remember never to give up our only effective means of personal defense.
Many of these genocides didn't happen in 6 months, or 6 years. Some took decades to lead up to the resolution of the plan. Building popular anger for years before beginning the first intentional step toward their ultimate goal of genocide. So don't give up your arms for anyone at any time.
Because it usually happens that right after the time when you need them least, you will need them most.
Also remember that many of these horrifying acts took place with popular support, or out of the public eye. This means if you are one of those targeted, you can expect to either have everyone around you against you, or you can expect to have everyone around you not believe you.
You will be alone. But alone is better than in a crowd on a train car being carted somewhere.
One cannot be paranoid about everything. There just isn't enough time in the day. So try to only worry about the worst case scenarios.
Being a Jew in late 1930s Germany is one of the worst.
Never allow yourself or your family to be in that position.
Never allow someone to tell you it could never happen.
Never allow yourself to be convinced to give up your personal arms, even if tyranny seems impossible.
Never--
Never--
NEVER give up your future ability to fight.
There is one situation, though, where I tell a woman to fight to the death. That's when the man pulls out a pair of handcuffs and says, 'Come on, I promise I won't hurt you, this is just so you won't flail around and hurt either of us by accident. Come on, I just want to talk, get in the van and let me handcuff you to this eyebolt here, and I promise I won't touch you' ... But if she gets in the van and puts her wrists in the handcuffs, she has just given up her future ability to fight, and now it is too late.
~John Ross author of Unintended Consequences
"Who could predict?" Is a question that you ask when it's too late.
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.
~George Washington
Outlaw cyber bullying?
Boston Globe: Bullying legislation gains new urgency
Once this passes, the question will be, "Why not outlaw regular bullying?" Then, "What constitutes bullying?"
Then we'll see a flurry of local and federal bills banning eye contact, raised voices, and furrowed brows.
Seriously, what ever happened to teaching your kids to have thick skin?
If all it took for you to off yourself is some harsh text messages, I submit that you weren't going to last long anyways.
Shame on the parents for not teaching their kid that there are people in the world who make themselves feel better by making others feel worse, or identifying the signs of an increasingly desperate teenage girl.
It's a shame all this girl's potential had to be lost because no one told her that there are bad people in the world.
One of the hidden dangers of liberal ideals.
Once this passes, the question will be, "Why not outlaw regular bullying?" Then, "What constitutes bullying?"
Then we'll see a flurry of local and federal bills banning eye contact, raised voices, and furrowed brows.
Seriously, what ever happened to teaching your kids to have thick skin?
If all it took for you to off yourself is some harsh text messages, I submit that you weren't going to last long anyways.
Shame on the parents for not teaching their kid that there are people in the world who make themselves feel better by making others feel worse, or identifying the signs of an increasingly desperate teenage girl.
It's a shame all this girl's potential had to be lost because no one told her that there are bad people in the world.
One of the hidden dangers of liberal ideals.
Fallout: New Vegas
An entirely new Fallout game by Bethesda!
Fallout 3 is my game of the year for 2008 and 2009. Between my wife and I, we have about 500 hours into that game, and easily another 100 into the expansions we got.
500 hours of entertainment for $59.99? Helluva deal!
Can't wait for New Vegas to come out.
Fallout 3 is my game of the year for 2008 and 2009. Between my wife and I, we have about 500 hours into that game, and easily another 100 into the expansions we got.
500 hours of entertainment for $59.99? Helluva deal!
Can't wait for New Vegas to come out.
Support Starbucks!
45Superman tells us that Starbucks is now the subject of a Brady Campaign of threats and political pressure to exercise their right as a private establishment to ask that no legally open carried firearms be allowed in their coffee shops.
Good for Starbucks for not kowtowing to the sensationalist threats of this paper tiger.
Lets show our support by sending them a note letting them know we approve of their decision, and will spend money there, and encourage others to do the same.
For more news on Open Carry in California, and some good videos, go here, and watch. Got that link from Adam, who's busting my chops. :)
Good for Starbucks for not kowtowing to the sensationalist threats of this paper tiger.
Lets show our support by sending them a note letting them know we approve of their decision, and will spend money there, and encourage others to do the same.
To whom it may concern,
I'm writing to let your know that I support your policy of allowing customers to visit your establishments who are also open carrying a firearm in accordance with local laws. I was made aware of the Brady Campaign's attempt to force you to bend to their will, and applaud your refusal to submit to their threats.
I hope that you continue to allow law abiding citizens to exercise their rights on your property, and for as long as you do, I will visit your establishments more frequently, and encourage others to do so too.
-*********
For more news on Open Carry in California, and some good videos, go here, and watch. Got that link from Adam, who's busting my chops. :)
OPPORTUNITY
THIS I beheld, or dreamed it in a dream:--
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel--
That blue blade that the king's son bears, -- but this
Blunt thing--!" he snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.
~Edward Rowland Sill (1841-1887)
From Gunblogger Conspiracy IRC Channel. And, no, you don't have to be a gunblogger to join in the fun.
There spread a cloud of dust along a plain;
And underneath the cloud, or in it, raged
A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords
Shocked upon swords and shields. A prince's banner
Wavered, then staggered backward, hemmed by foes.
A craven hung along the battle's edge,
And thought, "Had I a sword of keener steel--
That blue blade that the king's son bears, -- but this
Blunt thing--!" he snapped and flung it from his hand,
And lowering crept away and left the field.
Then came the king's son, wounded, sore bestead,
And weaponless, and saw the broken sword,
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand,
And ran and snatched it, and with battle shout
Lifted afresh he hewed his enemy down,
And saved a great cause that heroic day.
~Edward Rowland Sill (1841-1887)
From Gunblogger Conspiracy IRC Channel. And, no, you don't have to be a gunblogger to join in the fun.
Can we stop complaining about direct impingement gas systems yet?
Some people will see this, and think, "Gee, I guess DI isn't really that much of a problem."
While others will think, "Well, yeah, but if it had a piston, it could have gone for a million rounds!"
I know of no way to reconcile to two.
I guess you can either imagine a situation in which you have to fire your fully automatic light patrol carbine 1000 times in one firefight (probably 1500-2000 in semi auto), or you're someone who doesn't use the wrong gun for the situation.
While others will think, "Well, yeah, but if it had a piston, it could have gone for a million rounds!"
I know of no way to reconcile to two.
I guess you can either imagine a situation in which you have to fire your fully automatic light patrol carbine 1000 times in one firefight (probably 1500-2000 in semi auto), or you're someone who doesn't use the wrong gun for the situation.
I cried because I had no shoes...
...until I met a man who had no feet.
Occasional guest poster at The Firearm Blog, Y-Man, is a Nigerian firearms enthusiast with severely (government) limited access to firearms, and even certain types of ammo. It's even difficult for him to get parts for his firearms.
In spite of those restrictions, he is fabricating parts for his Mossberg 500A, and changing birdshot into self-defense capable slugs.
The ingenuity is excellent, and goes to show; you can't keep a gunny down.
Check out his posts, and his latest one with videos!
It may also serve as a reminder to gun grabbers that the genie is out of the bottle. Unless you can wipe the memory of the world, enterprising individuals will always find a way.
Cheers Y-Man, from the other side of the world!
Betcha he's better with his one shotgun than most American gunnies are with any one of their dozens of guns.
Occasional guest poster at The Firearm Blog, Y-Man, is a Nigerian firearms enthusiast with severely (government) limited access to firearms, and even certain types of ammo. It's even difficult for him to get parts for his firearms.
In spite of those restrictions, he is fabricating parts for his Mossberg 500A, and changing birdshot into self-defense capable slugs.
The ingenuity is excellent, and goes to show; you can't keep a gunny down.
Check out his posts, and his latest one with videos!
It may also serve as a reminder to gun grabbers that the genie is out of the bottle. Unless you can wipe the memory of the world, enterprising individuals will always find a way.
Cheers Y-Man, from the other side of the world!
Betcha he's better with his one shotgun than most American gunnies are with any one of their dozens of guns.
Enjoy your fail, Anon.
In a strangely specific, and slightly confusing comment, Anonymous attacked my post about the Ca. prisoner early release program. The comment reminded me of this one. Once I hit my sitemeter, it all came together.
I made my reply, but it ran long, so it gets its own post.
Anonymous,
First; nice try playing the impartial concerned citizen when you have a dog in the fight. My sitemeter indicates you came from "Los Angeles Unified School District" and you came here on a search for "california prison early release 2010 -quinn -texas -florida -illinois." You know as well as I do that the single most costly thing in California is the teachers' union. But you did a good job diverting attention by bashing the police unions, and complaining about reducing spending.
My advice for next time? Do your little "comment spam will change the hearts and minds" project from home, say things like "the police unions" instead of "LAPD union (LAPPL), California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA)" (but I guess that wouldn't hit all the google searches you wanted), and try to stick with the parlance of the original post. I wrote "special parole" and you wrote "non-revocable parole," which is the correct terminology, and indicates you are more well versed with the issue than Joe Citizen. Don't pretend you know the author either. That last bit about the only criminals I don't charge is the politicians? Yeah. No. Just tells me you don't read the blog, and are trying to push an agenda.
Now that it has been established that you are a employee of the state, and support spending reductions on everything but your section of the budget (which is also the largest section of the budget), we can get started on your comment.
You are right on the first bit, he would have been tried anyway had he not been on non-revocable parole. I kind of had that realization in the middle of the post, and was unclear on that. However, that statement stands for lesser crimes. Drug possession, associating with gang members, trespassing, and other minor violations that would put parolees back into prison, are instead treated by cops with a slap on the wrist, or not identified at all. You see, when you're on parole, you can be searched at any time for any reason, and if found in violation, you go back to jail. On non-revocable parole, cops don't even know the parolee is on parole, because he's not in the system as a parolee. So not only are they not scrutinized as much, minor violations go unpunished (bigger fish, and all that. not saying I agree with it). If they had to bring every parole violation into court, the courts (already stressed) would be years, if not decades behind in processing. And you know you can't hold someone for 10 years before a trial. They'd be released. Parole violation was the vehicle for skipping that serious flaw in our justice system. But it's not there now.
Had you read the article, you would have known the inmate WAS released early as part of this program. Honestly, it was not that much earlier, but the facts remains. This guy would have violated had he been released 16 days early, or 16 days late, but the point is that he was an obvious danger, and he was still eligible as a "low risk" offender. The point of this post is to show that the bureaucratic definition of "low risk" is not the same as the victim's definition of "low risk."
As for "unless all the facts don't support your point of view," you were right on saving money with a parole violation on this particular case, but in every other case, the county would have to try each violation they would normally simply toss under parole violation. That does cost money. The danger is that the county will simply NOT try these cases. I will admit this case was anomalous in that the violator was going to do what he wanted no matter the threat. I'm not really worried about the guys who get caught their first day out. I'm much more worried about the violators who spend 6 months testing the system after they get out, confirming, and getting used to not being treated by the cops like they're on parole (most have been on parole 100% of the time they are out of prison since their teens), and grow bolder when they realize they can carry drugs, or knives, or guns without being searched every time the police drive by, and elevate their crimes with a feeling of invincibility. I think it'll really take six months before we truly start feeling these guys at our doors, and throats. This is something you should be concerned about too, Anon. You're a Californian too.
While I don't support the money the unions are getting, it's not their fault. All they did was their job, try to get better pay and benefits for their members. That's what unions are supposed to do, and you can't complain about them doing what they are meant to do. The real problem is the politicians who agreed to these contracts knowing they'd get free union money for reelection, and be termed out before the pension bomb went off, living fat on their retirement/investments. They're the real criminals. However, the unions are not blameless. They are the ones who kept asking for more money, and CONTINUE to ask for more money (yours included) even though the state has spent all it could borrow, and run out of credit. But the unions in this case are more interested in the unions than the members. When the money runs out, and your paychecks start coming as IOUs, they'll just tell you to go on strike, and let you twist for what would have to be decades of fiscal recovery.
But don't worry, with the union teachers on permanent strike, the state will be forced to offer serious tax breaks for private schools, which will begin popping up all over the state mere months after the strike starts. This will solve the education crisis in California, and in a generation or two, we just might be back at the top of our game again.
Enjoy your fail.
I made my reply, but it ran long, so it gets its own post.
Anonymous,
First; nice try playing the impartial concerned citizen when you have a dog in the fight. My sitemeter indicates you came from "Los Angeles Unified School District" and you came here on a search for "california prison early release 2010 -quinn -texas -florida -illinois." You know as well as I do that the single most costly thing in California is the teachers' union. But you did a good job diverting attention by bashing the police unions, and complaining about reducing spending.
My advice for next time? Do your little "comment spam will change the hearts and minds" project from home, say things like "the police unions" instead of "LAPD union (LAPPL), California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA)" (but I guess that wouldn't hit all the google searches you wanted), and try to stick with the parlance of the original post. I wrote "special parole" and you wrote "non-revocable parole," which is the correct terminology, and indicates you are more well versed with the issue than Joe Citizen. Don't pretend you know the author either. That last bit about the only criminals I don't charge is the politicians? Yeah. No. Just tells me you don't read the blog, and are trying to push an agenda.
Now that it has been established that you are a employee of the state, and support spending reductions on everything but your section of the budget (which is also the largest section of the budget), we can get started on your comment.
You are right on the first bit, he would have been tried anyway had he not been on non-revocable parole. I kind of had that realization in the middle of the post, and was unclear on that. However, that statement stands for lesser crimes. Drug possession, associating with gang members, trespassing, and other minor violations that would put parolees back into prison, are instead treated by cops with a slap on the wrist, or not identified at all. You see, when you're on parole, you can be searched at any time for any reason, and if found in violation, you go back to jail. On non-revocable parole, cops don't even know the parolee is on parole, because he's not in the system as a parolee. So not only are they not scrutinized as much, minor violations go unpunished (bigger fish, and all that. not saying I agree with it). If they had to bring every parole violation into court, the courts (already stressed) would be years, if not decades behind in processing. And you know you can't hold someone for 10 years before a trial. They'd be released. Parole violation was the vehicle for skipping that serious flaw in our justice system. But it's not there now.
Had you read the article, you would have known the inmate WAS released early as part of this program. Honestly, it was not that much earlier, but the facts remains. This guy would have violated had he been released 16 days early, or 16 days late, but the point is that he was an obvious danger, and he was still eligible as a "low risk" offender. The point of this post is to show that the bureaucratic definition of "low risk" is not the same as the victim's definition of "low risk."
As for "unless all the facts don't support your point of view," you were right on saving money with a parole violation on this particular case, but in every other case, the county would have to try each violation they would normally simply toss under parole violation. That does cost money. The danger is that the county will simply NOT try these cases. I will admit this case was anomalous in that the violator was going to do what he wanted no matter the threat. I'm not really worried about the guys who get caught their first day out. I'm much more worried about the violators who spend 6 months testing the system after they get out, confirming, and getting used to not being treated by the cops like they're on parole (most have been on parole 100% of the time they are out of prison since their teens), and grow bolder when they realize they can carry drugs, or knives, or guns without being searched every time the police drive by, and elevate their crimes with a feeling of invincibility. I think it'll really take six months before we truly start feeling these guys at our doors, and throats. This is something you should be concerned about too, Anon. You're a Californian too.
While I don't support the money the unions are getting, it's not their fault. All they did was their job, try to get better pay and benefits for their members. That's what unions are supposed to do, and you can't complain about them doing what they are meant to do. The real problem is the politicians who agreed to these contracts knowing they'd get free union money for reelection, and be termed out before the pension bomb went off, living fat on their retirement/investments. They're the real criminals. However, the unions are not blameless. They are the ones who kept asking for more money, and CONTINUE to ask for more money (yours included) even though the state has spent all it could borrow, and run out of credit. But the unions in this case are more interested in the unions than the members. When the money runs out, and your paychecks start coming as IOUs, they'll just tell you to go on strike, and let you twist for what would have to be decades of fiscal recovery.
But don't worry, with the union teachers on permanent strike, the state will be forced to offer serious tax breaks for private schools, which will begin popping up all over the state mere months after the strike starts. This will solve the education crisis in California, and in a generation or two, we just might be back at the top of our game again.
Enjoy your fail.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Overreactions to Rahm's "retarded" comment are retarded.
1. "Retarded" is a real word with a real meaning.
2. Who cares?
3. Don't we have more important things to worry about?
2. Who cares?
3. Don't we have more important things to worry about?
9 days after prisoner early release begins, first offender returns after almost raping woman 12 hours after release
9 DAYS!
12 HOURS!
CBS: Inmate Released Early Arrested On Rape Charges
A scant 9 days after the California prisoner early release program, which is in the process of releasing 6,500 "low level" offenders over the next year, the first "low level" offender has returned to prison.
12 hours after being released, he walked into a counseling office, and sat down with a female office worker in a room, in a full office, in the middle of the day, and attempted to rape her. Fortunately, she was able to call for help, and he was interrupted before he could complete the attack.
Now, normally he would have been tossed back in jail for a parole violation, but since these early release prisoners are on "special" parole ("special" now apparently being used interchangeably with the word "not"), he has to be tried on this new case, at the mere cost of tens of thousands of dollars the county already doesn't have.
Wonder if they'll give him bail?
But why would he try to rape this woman? He's a "low level" offender! Oh wait...
So this brilliant early release program to save the state money and make us safer, is going to cost the counties more money, and threaten the safety citizens all across the state.
Government: If you think our problems are bad, you should see our solutions.
But don't worry, there's money to monitor cow farts. The news radio story said it was budgeted $400,000, but I can't find any links with that figure. I can't imagine it's too far off.
Oh yeah, by the way, LA is so low on money they're considering laying off police, and freezing police hiring.
Hey, California legislature? Be honest... Your actually trying to destroy this state, aren't you?
I say we just give everyone a coach gun, and let this shit sort itself out. Sure, it would be a rough couple of months, but it would solve the inmate problem for a generation!
12 HOURS!
CBS: Inmate Released Early Arrested On Rape Charges
A scant 9 days after the California prisoner early release program, which is in the process of releasing 6,500 "low level" offenders over the next year, the first "low level" offender has returned to prison.
12 hours after being released, he walked into a counseling office, and sat down with a female office worker in a room, in a full office, in the middle of the day, and attempted to rape her. Fortunately, she was able to call for help, and he was interrupted before he could complete the attack.
Now, normally he would have been tossed back in jail for a parole violation, but since these early release prisoners are on "special" parole ("special" now apparently being used interchangeably with the word "not"), he has to be tried on this new case, at the mere cost of tens of thousands of dollars the county already doesn't have.
Wonder if they'll give him bail?
But why would he try to rape this woman? He's a "low level" offender! Oh wait...
"Certainly, everyone would agree that to strike someone with a broomstick is a violent act, but under the specific provision set forth by this emergency declaration of law... it does not qualify," McGinness said.
So this brilliant early release program to save the state money and make us safer, is going to cost the counties more money, and threaten the safety citizens all across the state.
Government: If you think our problems are bad, you should see our solutions.
But don't worry, there's money to monitor cow farts. The news radio story said it was budgeted $400,000, but I can't find any links with that figure. I can't imagine it's too far off.
Oh yeah, by the way, LA is so low on money they're considering laying off police, and freezing police hiring.
Hey, California legislature? Be honest... Your actually trying to destroy this state, aren't you?
I say we just give everyone a coach gun, and let this shit sort itself out. Sure, it would be a rough couple of months, but it would solve the inmate problem for a generation!
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Congrats to the middle class for making more than $250k a year!
Wait, the middle class is not making over $250K a year?
Then why is Obama going to raise their taxes?
But it's OK, see, he's not going to "raise" taxes, because he's just going to let tax cuts expire!
He's not "raising" taxes on the middle class, it's just that the middle class taxes go higher. Think of it as a negative tax cut.
So he's definitely not breaking any campaign promises then...
Who's tax cut for the middle class was that anyways? Hmmm... His name started with "B" and ended with "USH..." Damnit, it's right on the tip of my tongue...
Then why is Obama going to raise their taxes?
But it's OK, see, he's not going to "raise" taxes, because he's just going to let tax cuts expire!
He's not "raising" taxes on the middle class, it's just that the middle class taxes go higher. Think of it as a negative tax cut.
So he's definitely not breaking any campaign promises then...
Who's tax cut for the middle class was that anyways? Hmmm... His name started with "B" and ended with "USH..." Damnit, it's right on the tip of my tongue...
Monday, February 01, 2010
Some fun from the channel
This kind of stuff comes up all day on the Gunblogger Conspiracy IRC Channel. And, no, you don't have to be a gunblogger to join in the fun.
Murder on the Dancefloor - Sophie Ellis Bextor
direct link
Little known fact about ET: he is required by some irreversible part of himself to love disco. Also, mariachi music. Don't ask him to explain it. He can't.
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