Stock "Folded."
Ready for my drive-by bayonetting! You also need to get your own sticker and stop borrowing mine.
Scoped.
FuzzyGeff had commented: Yes, that will do nicely.
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29 November 2008
FuzzyGeff's Gun In Full Non-Compliance
Better iron sights for the purpose at hand and a bayonet lug.
Stock "Folded."
Ready for my drive-by bayonetting! You also need to get your own sticker and stop borrowing mine.
Scoped.
FuzzyGeff had commented: Yes, that will do nicely.
Stock "Folded."
Ready for my drive-by bayonetting! You also need to get your own sticker and stop borrowing mine.
Scoped.
FuzzyGeff had commented: Yes, that will do nicely.
28 November 2008
M16 30-Round Magazine Follower Conversion
Top to bottom, front of follower to the right:
Magpul Anti-Tilt
USGI current issue.
USGI original issue.
Same followers from the bottom.
The legs on the ends prevent the follower from rotating, or tilting, inside the magazine body. The spike in the center of the USGI followers is supposed to prevent overfilling the magazine. Magpul's longer legs serve that function as well as preventing tilt.
Magpul Anti-Tilt
USGI current issue.
USGI original issue.
Same followers from the bottom.
The legs on the ends prevent the follower from rotating, or tilting, inside the magazine body. The spike in the center of the USGI followers is supposed to prevent overfilling the magazine. Magpul's longer legs serve that function as well as preventing tilt.
Welcome Anglave
We extend a hearty welcome to Anglave, now a member of The Hive.
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
One of us!
Thag's Incoherent Political Wish List
No gun control. Make ATF the tax collectors they are supposed to be. Building an illegal machinegun should be tax evasion not possession of a forbidden device. Letting the tinkering types tinker on the problem with machineguns gave us Browning (pbuh), Gatling, Lewis and Maxim. Since trying out an idea is so tightly regulated, you have to get a prohibitively expensive license before you can even begin to see if your idea works, that many otherwise talented gun designers have focused their energy elsewhere. Our three main machineguns we issue to the troops are the M2HB, M240 and M249. One is over 60 years old, the other two are from Belgium.
End victim classes. Are you people or not? Are you my equal or not? No more affirmative action. No more "hostile work places". You demanded entry into this world, play as an equal or admit you can't compete and go home. If I am expected to have only my merits to work with, so shall you. Give as good as you get. And making the prior victims equal does not mean punitive awards against the former oppressors. Especially since many of us in the "oppressor class" didn't do it. Lots of us came to America after slavery ended. Lots of us do not think of women as objects or baby factories. Reversing the roles is not going to do what you think it will. Run the reversal long enough and we now have a victim claim against you. And if we never can claim it, then you aren't talking about justice at all. Vengeance is not justice.
Once there are no victim classes, there's no more hate crime. And let's face it, someone getting beat up because they are gay is not being beaten by someone who like them. Assault is a hate crime regardless of the identity of the victim. This would not even be on the list except a group of black people can murder a white guy and get manslaughter. A group of white guys beat the stuffing out of a black guy, who makes a full recovery, gets many, many years in jail. The laws must be equal. All people must be treated the same or it's not equal.
I can't ban your church if your religion offends me. You don't get to use your church to ban the things that offend you if you can merely stay home and never see the offensive material. This means places like adult bookstores and titty bars. This means TV shows. If you don't wanna see nekkid people, don't go into the store. If you don't like the show on TV, change the channel! If I hire porn actors to fuck on your alter, you have a case. To get freedom, you must grant freedom.
The market is better at deciding what something should cost than the government; get them out of the economy as much as possible. The recent example of people whose income was smaller than their mortgage payment receiving loans because the were in a victim class illustrates what is wrong with government interfering with business and having victim classes.
Free trade, to a point. Comparative advantage is real, but we do have to think about home. Recall, I said get the government out of the economy as much as possible. There are some legitimate economic functions for the government in the economy. Think along the lines of "governs least, governs best".
Deunionization. Quick news flash about unions, when the company you are striking against can find enough non-union labor to fill all the jobs, you've lost your bargaining position. All of the unions started out from skilled trades, people of extra-ordinary training or skill. People who could not be replaced by just anyone walking in off the street. To put it another way; when the janitor makes $27 an hour the manufacturer deserves to fail.
Excessive executive compensation. Not strictly a political item, but if a CEO screws the pooch, he should not have a reward coming. It's like putting an ejection seat in a 747, "No matter how bad this gets, I'm safe!" I want the pilot to share my fate if he's going to make a lawn dart.
Energy. Since the last 1% of any tech development costs 90% of total development, we should really start thinking about stopping at 99%. The main problem in energy now is we're at 99% on not making pollution. 100% perfect combustion is CO2 and water. If you ban making CO2, you are banning burning.
Military. We need one and it needs to be strong enough to defend our interests where ever they happen to be. That does cost money, but we are spending too much because there's a distinct lack of competition in the defense industry. There were once thirty companies making military aircraft, there are now three (2.5 really). A 90% reduction in competition that came about from the government interfering with the economy. We don't design our own guns because of interference with designers. We're having trouble making enough ships for our Navy because we have killed our shipyards with environmental laws that don't do anything but kill off industry. We are killing our aviation industry because we let Congress Critters leave Congress and begin lobbying for the defense contractors.
End victim classes. Are you people or not? Are you my equal or not? No more affirmative action. No more "hostile work places". You demanded entry into this world, play as an equal or admit you can't compete and go home. If I am expected to have only my merits to work with, so shall you. Give as good as you get. And making the prior victims equal does not mean punitive awards against the former oppressors. Especially since many of us in the "oppressor class" didn't do it. Lots of us came to America after slavery ended. Lots of us do not think of women as objects or baby factories. Reversing the roles is not going to do what you think it will. Run the reversal long enough and we now have a victim claim against you. And if we never can claim it, then you aren't talking about justice at all. Vengeance is not justice.
Once there are no victim classes, there's no more hate crime. And let's face it, someone getting beat up because they are gay is not being beaten by someone who like them. Assault is a hate crime regardless of the identity of the victim. This would not even be on the list except a group of black people can murder a white guy and get manslaughter. A group of white guys beat the stuffing out of a black guy, who makes a full recovery, gets many, many years in jail. The laws must be equal. All people must be treated the same or it's not equal.
I can't ban your church if your religion offends me. You don't get to use your church to ban the things that offend you if you can merely stay home and never see the offensive material. This means places like adult bookstores and titty bars. This means TV shows. If you don't wanna see nekkid people, don't go into the store. If you don't like the show on TV, change the channel! If I hire porn actors to fuck on your alter, you have a case. To get freedom, you must grant freedom.
The market is better at deciding what something should cost than the government; get them out of the economy as much as possible. The recent example of people whose income was smaller than their mortgage payment receiving loans because the were in a victim class illustrates what is wrong with government interfering with business and having victim classes.
Free trade, to a point. Comparative advantage is real, but we do have to think about home. Recall, I said get the government out of the economy as much as possible. There are some legitimate economic functions for the government in the economy. Think along the lines of "governs least, governs best".
Deunionization. Quick news flash about unions, when the company you are striking against can find enough non-union labor to fill all the jobs, you've lost your bargaining position. All of the unions started out from skilled trades, people of extra-ordinary training or skill. People who could not be replaced by just anyone walking in off the street. To put it another way; when the janitor makes $27 an hour the manufacturer deserves to fail.
Excessive executive compensation. Not strictly a political item, but if a CEO screws the pooch, he should not have a reward coming. It's like putting an ejection seat in a 747, "No matter how bad this gets, I'm safe!" I want the pilot to share my fate if he's going to make a lawn dart.
Energy. Since the last 1% of any tech development costs 90% of total development, we should really start thinking about stopping at 99%. The main problem in energy now is we're at 99% on not making pollution. 100% perfect combustion is CO2 and water. If you ban making CO2, you are banning burning.
Military. We need one and it needs to be strong enough to defend our interests where ever they happen to be. That does cost money, but we are spending too much because there's a distinct lack of competition in the defense industry. There were once thirty companies making military aircraft, there are now three (2.5 really). A 90% reduction in competition that came about from the government interfering with the economy. We don't design our own guns because of interference with designers. We're having trouble making enough ships for our Navy because we have killed our shipyards with environmental laws that don't do anything but kill off industry. We are killing our aviation industry because we let Congress Critters leave Congress and begin lobbying for the defense contractors.
26 November 2008
I Am An Enabler
Much to FuzzyGeff's distress, his rifle had only one AWB evil feature, a flash hider.
He wanted to add a collapsible stock, but it was very important to him that the forearm match the grip and stock color. This was a problem since the stock he wanted to use is out of stock in black. Luckily for him, I had the stock and grip he wanted in black and was willing to change to another color to facilitate the change.
He gets my old black stuff, I get his newly bought OD green stuff.
His gun:
He's got a bayonet lug gas block coming so that he can be in full non-compliance.
My gun:
To my shame, Dottie is not in full non compliance. That's a muzzle brake, not a flash hider.
He wanted to add a collapsible stock, but it was very important to him that the forearm match the grip and stock color. This was a problem since the stock he wanted to use is out of stock in black. Luckily for him, I had the stock and grip he wanted in black and was willing to change to another color to facilitate the change.
He gets my old black stuff, I get his newly bought OD green stuff.
His gun:
He's got a bayonet lug gas block coming so that he can be in full non-compliance.
My gun:
To my shame, Dottie is not in full non compliance. That's a muzzle brake, not a flash hider.
Abortion
To my Religious Right buddies,
I will grant, for the sake of argument, that once the sperm enters the egg that is now a human being and that killing it is murder.
Given #1. Abortion is murder.
Happy?
Do you know how many people voted for Obama because of the abortion issue? Do you know how many times I spoke to someone about his positions and they agreed that everything bad I had to say about him was likely true, but they didn't want to see abortions banned.
They are far more afraid of the Republicans owing the religious fundamentalists favors than most anything else.
How many abortions in the USA every year? CDC claims about 1.3 million a year (A lot more than I thought there would be!). OK, religious types, if this is indeed 1.3 million murders a year, that's a holocaust, and why are you sitting there doing, essentially, nothing? Isn't God on your side enough for a bloody revolution?
Well, you did manage to do one thing. You managed to get a Republican who couldn't get elected nominated and once he was in place, you got out the vote for his opponent.
I pray for the day when the Religious Right is recognized as the liability that it most certainly is.
I seek a return to a constitutionally limited democratic republic. I will not get that when I have socialist on the left screwing me on the 2nd amendment and religious fanatics on the right aiming at my 1st amendment rights by going for a theocracy!
The whole "when is it human?" question is a religious one. I'm of the opinion that it's not a human until it can live exposed in the atmosphere. Some say it's not human until it starts paying more than it's using (I know some rather old folks who fail this test of humanity).
If the rate of abortions is what's really the issue, I have a couple of things that would likely help. Some of it would be pleasing to the religious too.
Morality. Bringing a common code that society enforces outside of the law would go a long way towards reducing the number of pregnancies that someone wants to be rid of. The trick with such a moral code is not making a theocracy out of it. This would require some fundamental changes in US law as well because at the moment we cannot refuse to associate with someone we find repugnant because of discrimination laws.
Affluence. I am aware of at least one abortion where the parents simply had too much on their plate to add another child to the mix. If they'd been more wealthy, they would have had a larger plate. Has anyone done a serious study comparing wealth and abortion? I'm going to guess that the really poor and really rich don't have them. I think that the really poor see that child as a means of getting financial aid and the really rich are not substantially burdened with a child. I'm going to guess that the middle is where most of the abortions are happening, and because the addition of a child to their lives is ruinous. Loss of at least one income. Increase in expenses. Extra stress at home. And this assumes a 100% healthy child.
I will grant, for the sake of argument, that once the sperm enters the egg that is now a human being and that killing it is murder.
Given #1. Abortion is murder.
Happy?
Do you know how many people voted for Obama because of the abortion issue? Do you know how many times I spoke to someone about his positions and they agreed that everything bad I had to say about him was likely true, but they didn't want to see abortions banned.
They are far more afraid of the Republicans owing the religious fundamentalists favors than most anything else.
How many abortions in the USA every year? CDC claims about 1.3 million a year (A lot more than I thought there would be!). OK, religious types, if this is indeed 1.3 million murders a year, that's a holocaust, and why are you sitting there doing, essentially, nothing? Isn't God on your side enough for a bloody revolution?
Well, you did manage to do one thing. You managed to get a Republican who couldn't get elected nominated and once he was in place, you got out the vote for his opponent.
I pray for the day when the Religious Right is recognized as the liability that it most certainly is.
I seek a return to a constitutionally limited democratic republic. I will not get that when I have socialist on the left screwing me on the 2nd amendment and religious fanatics on the right aiming at my 1st amendment rights by going for a theocracy!
The whole "when is it human?" question is a religious one. I'm of the opinion that it's not a human until it can live exposed in the atmosphere. Some say it's not human until it starts paying more than it's using (I know some rather old folks who fail this test of humanity).
If the rate of abortions is what's really the issue, I have a couple of things that would likely help. Some of it would be pleasing to the religious too.
Morality. Bringing a common code that society enforces outside of the law would go a long way towards reducing the number of pregnancies that someone wants to be rid of. The trick with such a moral code is not making a theocracy out of it. This would require some fundamental changes in US law as well because at the moment we cannot refuse to associate with someone we find repugnant because of discrimination laws.
Affluence. I am aware of at least one abortion where the parents simply had too much on their plate to add another child to the mix. If they'd been more wealthy, they would have had a larger plate. Has anyone done a serious study comparing wealth and abortion? I'm going to guess that the really poor and really rich don't have them. I think that the really poor see that child as a means of getting financial aid and the really rich are not substantially burdened with a child. I'm going to guess that the middle is where most of the abortions are happening, and because the addition of a child to their lives is ruinous. Loss of at least one income. Increase in expenses. Extra stress at home. And this assumes a 100% healthy child.
Gun Owners Are The Only Ones Doing Their Patriotic Duty
Guns are selling.
Ammo is selling.
Gun accessories are selling.
Us gun folks are single handedly keeping the economy going!
Ammo is selling.
Gun accessories are selling.
Us gun folks are single handedly keeping the economy going!
25 November 2008
Creative Nostalgia
In 1988, Game Designer's Workshop released this book for their Twilight 2000 line:
Today, I recreated the scene.
First Attempt.
Bwah hahahahahahahahaha!
Today, I recreated the scene.
First Attempt.
Bwah hahahahahahahahaha!
22 November 2008
21 November 2008
20 November 2008
AR15 Barrel Profile Comparison
16" Carbine profiles from top to bottom.
Lightweight with Troy Medieval flash-hider.
Heavy with DPMS 5.5" Slip-Over flash-hider.
M4 with YHM folding front sight and M16A2 flash-hider.
20" Military Profile from top to bottom.
M16A2 without a flash-hider.
M16/M16A1 with M16A1 flash-hider.
16" Heavy and 20" HBAR.
Top: HBAR with YHM folding sight and DPMS 5.5" Slip-Over flash-hider.
Bottom: Heavy with DPMS 5.5" Slip-Over flash-hider.
The M16A2 barrel is only heavier than the M16/M16A1 barrel from the front sight to the muzzle threads. This change was made because of soldiers using their rifles as pry-bars.
The M4 has the same basic profile as the M16A2, but 5.5" shorter in the mil-spec version (4" as shown here). The narrow section between the muzzle and the front sight is for mounting an M203 grenade launcher.
The heavy barrels were developed for National Match target shooting. In the 20", the HBAR is 1.5 pounds heavier than the M16A2; in 16" the HB is 1 pound heavier than the lightweight.
Lightweight with Troy Medieval flash-hider.
Heavy with DPMS 5.5" Slip-Over flash-hider.
M4 with YHM folding front sight and M16A2 flash-hider.
20" Military Profile from top to bottom.
M16A2 without a flash-hider.
M16/M16A1 with M16A1 flash-hider.
16" Heavy and 20" HBAR.
Top: HBAR with YHM folding sight and DPMS 5.5" Slip-Over flash-hider.
Bottom: Heavy with DPMS 5.5" Slip-Over flash-hider.
The M16A2 barrel is only heavier than the M16/M16A1 barrel from the front sight to the muzzle threads. This change was made because of soldiers using their rifles as pry-bars.
The M4 has the same basic profile as the M16A2, but 5.5" shorter in the mil-spec version (4" as shown here). The narrow section between the muzzle and the front sight is for mounting an M203 grenade launcher.
The heavy barrels were developed for National Match target shooting. In the 20", the HBAR is 1.5 pounds heavier than the M16A2; in 16" the HB is 1 pound heavier than the lightweight.
18 November 2008
This Is Why I Don't Think The Government Can Handle It
The Boy is home again today.
The school, with a staff, facility, equipment, training and budget cannot accomplish what little old me can.
Gods but I wish I could just call someone when I don't feel like doing my job anymore and have them take over. Someone who I can have arrested for failing to come take over when I no longer feel like working.
For you to convince me that handing the government the power to control all the things it keeps trying to control, you're going to have to show me that you can handle the job. Start in the schools, where you've got the level of autonomy you claim is required to "get things done."
The school, with a staff, facility, equipment, training and budget cannot accomplish what little old me can.
Gods but I wish I could just call someone when I don't feel like doing my job anymore and have them take over. Someone who I can have arrested for failing to come take over when I no longer feel like working.
For you to convince me that handing the government the power to control all the things it keeps trying to control, you're going to have to show me that you can handle the job. Start in the schools, where you've got the level of autonomy you claim is required to "get things done."
15 November 2008
Just Got Back From The ERLHGS* In Lakeland
*Evil Racist Loop-Hole Gun Show
The place was packed! Most people were buying ammo. There was not a single round of M855, XM855 or SS109 to be had. M16 magazines with USGI green followers were still $20 each, and most people were buying them by the six-pack.
A couple of places still had lower receivers. One vendor had assembled CMMG lowers with mil-spec M4 stocks for $260. He had stripped DPMS for $160.
Spike's Tactical and Shoot Straight get the gouger award. Spike's went from $110 to $179 for their stripped lowers. Shoot Straight added $1,000 to the price of 7.62x51mm and $600 to the price of anything that took an M16 magazine. I know, supply and demand and all, but damn.
I feel like I have enough EBRs to make it for a while, so I bought some .50 cal cans to organize the ammo a bit better. I should really get about five more cans to do it right. A while back I got a nifty Dymo label-maker to mark what's in the ammo cans too. Since they are all OD green and the same size...
The place was packed! Most people were buying ammo. There was not a single round of M855, XM855 or SS109 to be had. M16 magazines with USGI green followers were still $20 each, and most people were buying them by the six-pack.
A couple of places still had lower receivers. One vendor had assembled CMMG lowers with mil-spec M4 stocks for $260. He had stripped DPMS for $160.
Spike's Tactical and Shoot Straight get the gouger award. Spike's went from $110 to $179 for their stripped lowers. Shoot Straight added $1,000 to the price of 7.62x51mm and $600 to the price of anything that took an M16 magazine. I know, supply and demand and all, but damn.
I feel like I have enough EBRs to make it for a while, so I bought some .50 cal cans to organize the ammo a bit better. I should really get about five more cans to do it right. A while back I got a nifty Dymo label-maker to mark what's in the ammo cans too. Since they are all OD green and the same size...
14 November 2008
Wildlife In The Back Yard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opossum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Opossum
The tires we were saving for landscaping/planter duty have become habitat!
It was doing its best to scare me off while I dismantled the stack of tires.
After most of the cover was gone it calmed down a lot and seemed resigned to me taking away its hiding place.
After we had it in the last tire, I lifted the tire onto its tread and then the possum ran off.
We think that Shi Shu had chased it into the tires. He was certainly right there with us until we locked him inside to take the tires down.
We think that Shi Shu had chased it into the tires. He was certainly right there with us until we locked him inside to take the tires down.
12 November 2008
The Oddities Of ATF Regulation
For fun I have been researching what it would cost to make an accurate look-alike of an XM177E2.
This is a Vietnam era short barrel version of the M16.
Any barrel on a rifle shorter than 16" make it a Class III short barrel rifle and at 11.5" the XM177E2 qualifies.
To go all in, it would cost about $1,300.
There is a way to make this without paying the $200 tax and filling out an ATF Form 1. The flash hider on these things are 4.5" long. There are a couple of vendors that make the 11.5" barrel with the flash hider permanently attached. Some dimensions are stretched a little bit to get to 16" overall, but unless you set it next to an SBR, you can't tell. By not paying the $200 tax and the $70 engraving fee, it comes to $1,200.
Avoid spending $270 to save $100!
Grrrrrrr!
By accepting some further anachronisms, one can get the price down to $900 on the non-SBR. What you really have to hope for is to find a complete M16A1 upper for a song, that can save $200-$300.
This is a Vietnam era short barrel version of the M16.
Any barrel on a rifle shorter than 16" make it a Class III short barrel rifle and at 11.5" the XM177E2 qualifies.
To go all in, it would cost about $1,300.
There is a way to make this without paying the $200 tax and filling out an ATF Form 1. The flash hider on these things are 4.5" long. There are a couple of vendors that make the 11.5" barrel with the flash hider permanently attached. Some dimensions are stretched a little bit to get to 16" overall, but unless you set it next to an SBR, you can't tell. By not paying the $200 tax and the $70 engraving fee, it comes to $1,200.
Avoid spending $270 to save $100!
Grrrrrrr!
By accepting some further anachronisms, one can get the price down to $900 on the non-SBR. What you really have to hope for is to find a complete M16A1 upper for a song, that can save $200-$300.
Kipling Corner
Tommy; Rudyard Kipling:
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.
I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.
Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.
We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.
You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!
11 November 2008
Quick Breakdown
Memorial Day - Dead Soldiers.
Armed Forces Day - Live, Active Soldiers.
Veteran's Day - Live, Former Soldiers.
Soldier in this case means any member of the military, be it Soldier, Sailor, Coastie or Marine. Hell, I'll even be generous and allow for Airmen! ;)
Armed Forces Day - Live, Active Soldiers.
Veteran's Day - Live, Former Soldiers.
Soldier in this case means any member of the military, be it Soldier, Sailor, Coastie or Marine. Hell, I'll even be generous and allow for Airmen! ;)
Veteran's Day
Take one to dinner.
Get one laid. Lay one!
Say thanks to the people between the horrors of war and home's fires.
Get one laid. Lay one!
Say thanks to the people between the horrors of war and home's fires.
10 November 2008
It's That Time Again
And the hull broke open
And they all drowned like rats
As their lungs filled
With Wat ERRRRRR
And they all drowned like rats
As their lungs filled
With Wat ERRRRRR
07 November 2008
A Selfish Request For The President Elect
Mr Obama, please swear in as Barack Hussein Obama. If only to spare us years of the blogosphere screeching that you are not legally president because you took the oath of office under an assumed name.
Thanks!
Thanks!
06 November 2008
On Lead
There seems to be a lot of confusion from the media, and thus it translates down to the populace, about lead.
One of the noteworthy things about elemental lead is its lack of reactivity. Lead alloys do not change this property at all.
What is dangerous to consume is lead compounds. The lead compounds are reactive and often leave the lead in a reactive form, the new lead compound can be absorbed by the body and cause lead poisoning. Lead-Oxide, is not one of these compounds, and it's the most common form of lead found at a shooting range after the unreacted elemental lead. The digestive tract is not powerful enough to steal lead from oxygen.
Lead pellets that are consumed with meat are harmless and pass through without harming the diner. It's a bit odd to hear them hit the porcelain though.
Lead at a shooting range just sits there, where the bullet landed. The lead-oxide is a crust around the elemental lead and it's not water soluble.
Remember what I said about our digestive system being not strong enough to liberate lead from oxygen? Birds have an even less powerful system than we do.
Basically the lead scares associated with hunting are the environmentalists lying. Again. Remember, you can't spell environmentalist without mental!
One of the noteworthy things about elemental lead is its lack of reactivity. Lead alloys do not change this property at all.
What is dangerous to consume is lead compounds. The lead compounds are reactive and often leave the lead in a reactive form, the new lead compound can be absorbed by the body and cause lead poisoning. Lead-Oxide, is not one of these compounds, and it's the most common form of lead found at a shooting range after the unreacted elemental lead. The digestive tract is not powerful enough to steal lead from oxygen.
Lead pellets that are consumed with meat are harmless and pass through without harming the diner. It's a bit odd to hear them hit the porcelain though.
Lead at a shooting range just sits there, where the bullet landed. The lead-oxide is a crust around the elemental lead and it's not water soluble.
Remember what I said about our digestive system being not strong enough to liberate lead from oxygen? Birds have an even less powerful system than we do.
Basically the lead scares associated with hunting are the environmentalists lying. Again. Remember, you can't spell environmentalist without mental!
Tremble In Awe Puny Mortals
For I have purchased a Barrett!
Barrett magazine for Dottie, that is.
Full 30 round capacity, just a bit longer than the C-Products 25 rounders. Highly recommended by the "serious operators".
And just plain purty!
The blue tape is so we can tell the 5.56 mags apart from the 6.8, even in the dark.
Barrett magazine for Dottie, that is.
Full 30 round capacity, just a bit longer than the C-Products 25 rounders. Highly recommended by the "serious operators".
And just plain purty!
The blue tape is so we can tell the 5.56 mags apart from the 6.8, even in the dark.
05 November 2008
Election Results
I am only finding the election results for fifty states. What about the other seven?
04 November 2008
It's Wrong I'll Tell You What
Got a phone call yesterday from the state LGBT org. Asking me to come to the polls to support Obama because he'll support "our" rights (assuming this means gay rights), fix the economy and reduce crime with reasonable restrictions on gun ownership. Way to torpedo an ally with a phone call.
Those who know me personally know I am a supporter of gay rights. Lots of friends who are gay and so forth. The Pink Pistols have received funds from us.
What I hate are the LGBA groups who seem to think that promoting gay rights means they have to oppose gun-rights. What the hell does one position have to do with the other?
Today I voted for this, (One-Man One-Woman Marriage Amendment) I do not agree with it. But the national orgs support for people who will take my guns away has forced me to oppose this stuff.
I don't get my rights because of you, then you will not get yours because of me.
I believe in liberty for everyone, not your liberty at the expense of mine. So, I have voted against you this time. Perhaps you will reconsider your position next time around. Lots of gay gun-owners out there. http://www.alphecca.com/ Jeff is a gay gun-owning blogger. Not the stereotype at all. Does the stereotype even exist?
Those who know me personally know I am a supporter of gay rights. Lots of friends who are gay and so forth. The Pink Pistols have received funds from us.
What I hate are the LGBA groups who seem to think that promoting gay rights means they have to oppose gun-rights. What the hell does one position have to do with the other?
Today I voted for this, (One-Man One-Woman Marriage Amendment) I do not agree with it. But the national orgs support for people who will take my guns away has forced me to oppose this stuff.
I don't get my rights because of you, then you will not get yours because of me.
I believe in liberty for everyone, not your liberty at the expense of mine. So, I have voted against you this time. Perhaps you will reconsider your position next time around. Lots of gay gun-owners out there. http://www.alphecca.com/ Jeff is a gay gun-owning blogger. Not the stereotype at all. Does the stereotype even exist?
01 November 2008
Linguistic History
Chickenshit is not a synonym for coward. It means worthless.
It was coined by the fine members of the US military before they began their groundbreaking work with the word 'fuck'.
It was coined by the fine members of the US military before they began their groundbreaking work with the word 'fuck'.
31 October 2008
Range Day
Here's me shooting the S&W 640. .357 Magnum, 7 yards. Five shots at a time. Aiming for center, top 7 and top 8. I am not used to DAO revolvers and this much recoil. I have a lot to learn.
I am a great deal more comfortable with the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. .32 ACP, 7 yards. 8 shots at a time. Shooting at the numbers.
Not bad for a 96 year old gun. John Moses Browning, (pbuh) accept no substitute!
I am a great deal more comfortable with the Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless. .32 ACP, 7 yards. 8 shots at a time. Shooting at the numbers.
Not bad for a 96 year old gun. John Moses Browning, (pbuh) accept no substitute!
30 October 2008
An Enjoyable Read
From here:
http://taxes-stupidity-and-death.blogspot.com/2008/10/open-letter-to-barack-hussein-obama.html
Excerpt:
"To those of you who are seeking something to believe in, or a government to give you things: Grow up. Really. I mean that. If your life is so empty that you need to have a politician to believe in, then you need to work on yourself, because something is sorely lacking in you. Politicians, and especially Obama are not to be trusted. They will whisper pretty words in your ear, and tell you all the things they will do for you, in order to get your vote. They will make you slaves for that all-important vote. If you think that the government's purpose is to provide you with things, then you too, have a problem, because you get what you pay for."
http://taxes-stupidity-and-death.blogspot.com/2008/10/open-letter-to-barack-hussein-obama.html
Excerpt:
"To those of you who are seeking something to believe in, or a government to give you things: Grow up. Really. I mean that. If your life is so empty that you need to have a politician to believe in, then you need to work on yourself, because something is sorely lacking in you. Politicians, and especially Obama are not to be trusted. They will whisper pretty words in your ear, and tell you all the things they will do for you, in order to get your vote. They will make you slaves for that all-important vote. If you think that the government's purpose is to provide you with things, then you too, have a problem, because you get what you pay for."
28 October 2008
Communication Problem
When I post, I assume that you've read all the preceding material and remember it. Mostly, because I remember it.
When something doesn't make any damn sense, it's likely a continuation of an earlier post. Or it really doesn't make any damn sense and it's just steam escaping.
This blog's primary purpose is to keep me off the local water tower. Demanding I prove my position to your satisfaction will not lead to that end.
If you have enough time to research every little thing I misspoke or got wrong, then you certainly have enough time to post to your very own blog. If you don't have a blog already, you should get one.
I am not good at debate. I never have been. Debate has rules that can be used to bury the truth or facts in a discussion. Debate does not allow for shooting my opponent between the eyes and yelling, "Rebut that motherfucker!" This is why I am not on a debate team.
A link to a web site will never trump my lying eyes. The argument there would have to be insanely good to convince me that I didn't see what I saw. Try to remember I was on the line in West Germany often on the Inter-German and Czechoslovakian borders, in 1987-89. I've seen what Communism looks like and don't want it imported here. Try not to make too much fun of the angry old man.
Much of my anger has to do with being punished for the actions of others.
On the topic of gun control: The core issue is that my guns have killed no one, let alone murdered someone. No gun control law yet passed affects the criminal more than me.
On racism: I've never owned a slave. My family has never owned slaves in recorded history. My family arrived here too late for the Civil war. I and my family have never oppressed. Therefore you are mad at someone else. Using the government to get even with "Whitey" is only tarring me with the same brush.
On Socialism/Communism: The only entity I owe money to is the bank holding my mortgage. I certainly owe my friends things and they owe me. Those associations are entered into freely and openly. I do not owe anyone else anything, nor do I think they owe me. I resent that my taxes are taken to feed and shelter people I don't know. Other than sucking O2, what have they done to earn it? This is punishing me because they are lazy.
On Equality: I have absolutely no objection to equal. But equal is where I draw the line. I will not abide a reversal of positions just because my Dad and Grandfather were racists or sexists (they weren't racists). Go after them, not me. But things must be equal.
Now! If you want to not trip my trigger, when you are part of a group that espouses that I must be punished for the trespasses of others, you must be crystal clear that you are not just rephrasing what the greater organization said in a new and novel way. Without such a clear statement, when a black Democrat talks about the civil rights movement, redistribution of wealth and the Constitution being a barrier, it gets read as reparations to slaves. By the way, the last slave died years ago.
I care far more about what people do than what they say. For example, I have heard from Michele Evermore that Sen Harkin is pro-gun because he's told her that. I know that he votes anti-gun though. There's a dissonance between what he says to her and what he does on the Senate floor.
When something doesn't make any damn sense, it's likely a continuation of an earlier post. Or it really doesn't make any damn sense and it's just steam escaping.
This blog's primary purpose is to keep me off the local water tower. Demanding I prove my position to your satisfaction will not lead to that end.
If you have enough time to research every little thing I misspoke or got wrong, then you certainly have enough time to post to your very own blog. If you don't have a blog already, you should get one.
I am not good at debate. I never have been. Debate has rules that can be used to bury the truth or facts in a discussion. Debate does not allow for shooting my opponent between the eyes and yelling, "Rebut that motherfucker!" This is why I am not on a debate team.
A link to a web site will never trump my lying eyes. The argument there would have to be insanely good to convince me that I didn't see what I saw. Try to remember I was on the line in West Germany often on the Inter-German and Czechoslovakian borders, in 1987-89. I've seen what Communism looks like and don't want it imported here. Try not to make too much fun of the angry old man.
Much of my anger has to do with being punished for the actions of others.
On the topic of gun control: The core issue is that my guns have killed no one, let alone murdered someone. No gun control law yet passed affects the criminal more than me.
On racism: I've never owned a slave. My family has never owned slaves in recorded history. My family arrived here too late for the Civil war. I and my family have never oppressed. Therefore you are mad at someone else. Using the government to get even with "Whitey" is only tarring me with the same brush.
On Socialism/Communism: The only entity I owe money to is the bank holding my mortgage. I certainly owe my friends things and they owe me. Those associations are entered into freely and openly. I do not owe anyone else anything, nor do I think they owe me. I resent that my taxes are taken to feed and shelter people I don't know. Other than sucking O2, what have they done to earn it? This is punishing me because they are lazy.
On Equality: I have absolutely no objection to equal. But equal is where I draw the line. I will not abide a reversal of positions just because my Dad and Grandfather were racists or sexists (they weren't racists). Go after them, not me. But things must be equal.
Now! If you want to not trip my trigger, when you are part of a group that espouses that I must be punished for the trespasses of others, you must be crystal clear that you are not just rephrasing what the greater organization said in a new and novel way. Without such a clear statement, when a black Democrat talks about the civil rights movement, redistribution of wealth and the Constitution being a barrier, it gets read as reparations to slaves. By the way, the last slave died years ago.
I care far more about what people do than what they say. For example, I have heard from Michele Evermore that Sen Harkin is pro-gun because he's told her that. I know that he votes anti-gun though. There's a dissonance between what he says to her and what he does on the Senate floor.
A Rules Change I Just Noticed
When I was in the Army there was a rule about using the heavier guns on people.
The .50 was for equipment. Not personnel. We joked that a belt buckle or uniform was "equipment".
There's a lot of TADS footage from Apaches using their gun on people. That's a 30mm; more than double the bore size of the .50 I was told was too heavy for troops. And the 30mm is HE not just a slug like Mother Duece fires.
Since this TADS footage would have to be cleared for distribution, I assume the rules are changed enough to allow the heavier guns on troops.
Like they weren't going to be used like that back in 1988...
The .50 was for equipment. Not personnel. We joked that a belt buckle or uniform was "equipment".
There's a lot of TADS footage from Apaches using their gun on people. That's a 30mm; more than double the bore size of the .50 I was told was too heavy for troops. And the 30mm is HE not just a slug like Mother Duece fires.
Since this TADS footage would have to be cleared for distribution, I assume the rules are changed enough to allow the heavier guns on troops.
Like they weren't going to be used like that back in 1988...
A Glimmer Of Hope?
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/story?id=6099188&page=1
ABC News! That's a mainstream media! They need more guys like this I think.
ABC News! That's a mainstream media! They need more guys like this I think.
Consider The Sacrifice That Made You Free Before You Demand I Pay Your Bills. UPDATED
"If you look at the victories and failures of the civil rights movement and its litigation strategy in the court. I think where it succeeded was to invest formal rights in previously dispossessed people, so that now I would have the right to vote. I would now be able to sit at the lunch counter and order as long as I could pay for it I’d be o.k. But, the Supreme Court never ventured into the issues of redistribution of wealth, and of more basic issues such as political and economic justice in the society. To that extent, as radical as I think people try to characterize the Warren Court, it wasn’t that radical. It didn’t break free from the essential constraints that were placed by the founding fathers in the Constitution, at least as its been interpreted and Warren Court interpreted in the same way, that generally the Constitution is a charter of negative liberties. Says what the states can’t do to you. Says what the Federal government can’t do to you, but doesn’t say what the Federal government or State government must do on your behalf, and that hasn’t shifted and one of the, I think, the tragedies of the civil rights movement was, um, because the civil rights movement became so court focused I think there was a tendency to lose track of the political and community organizing and activities on the ground that are able to put together the actual coalition of powers through which you bring about redistributive change. In some ways we still suffer from that."
Barak Hussein Obama, NPR 2001. http://www.vinceautmorire.mu.nu/images/od-010118.ram
Update to bring the newbs up to speed: There has been a movement inside the civil rights movement for quite a long time that believes that because their grandparents were once slaves that society at large, especially white people, owe them financial compensation for "their" suffering.
Something I want to address about his "grievance": Us white folk paid in blood to free y'all black folk. Paid more than can ever be repaid, just so you can be free. We don't owe you anything. If anything, you owe us for fighting and dying for that freedom. We didn't ask to be repaid for the service we rendered unto you, we did it because we thought it was the right thing to do. For you to demand payment now after the sacrifices made for you? How dare you, sir? How dare you?
If you were not slaves, then you would be in Africa. Checked the politics there?
If predominately white men had not fought and died to grant you freedom, you would still be enslaved. Be grateful, take the gift go forth and prosper!
Barry, your father was not the descendant of American Slaves, nor are you. You don't get to put on that mantle. It's not your heritage.
UPDATE
Oh, by the way, the Service Oath I took way back in 1987: I, (McThag), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Support and defend the Constitution of the United States Barry. That document you are finding in your way. Shall I put you in the foreign or domestic category? We had classes on lawful orders and several of us (not me at the time) asked about what would happen if the President issued an unlawful order. "Unlawful is unlawful, and the order does not have to be obeyed," is what the Drill Sergeant told us.
Barak Hussein Obama, NPR 2001. http://www.vinceautmorire.mu.nu/images/od-010118.ram
Update to bring the newbs up to speed: There has been a movement inside the civil rights movement for quite a long time that believes that because their grandparents were once slaves that society at large, especially white people, owe them financial compensation for "their" suffering.
Something I want to address about his "grievance": Us white folk paid in blood to free y'all black folk. Paid more than can ever be repaid, just so you can be free. We don't owe you anything. If anything, you owe us for fighting and dying for that freedom. We didn't ask to be repaid for the service we rendered unto you, we did it because we thought it was the right thing to do. For you to demand payment now after the sacrifices made for you? How dare you, sir? How dare you?
If you were not slaves, then you would be in Africa. Checked the politics there?
If predominately white men had not fought and died to grant you freedom, you would still be enslaved. Be grateful, take the gift go forth and prosper!
Barry, your father was not the descendant of American Slaves, nor are you. You don't get to put on that mantle. It's not your heritage.
UPDATE
Oh, by the way, the Service Oath I took way back in 1987: I, (McThag), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Support and defend the Constitution of the United States Barry. That document you are finding in your way. Shall I put you in the foreign or domestic category? We had classes on lawful orders and several of us (not me at the time) asked about what would happen if the President issued an unlawful order. "Unlawful is unlawful, and the order does not have to be obeyed," is what the Drill Sergeant told us.
It's Alive ALIIIIIVE
Got the Mac Pro hooked up and running!
Yes, those monitors are freakishly huge.
Yes, those monitors are freakishly huge.
27 October 2008
25 October 2008
Home Improvements Continue Apace
Got the new vanity in and started on the walls.
Marv, Pam, and The Lovely Harvey holding the paneling up while the liquid nails set.
The Vanity itself.
The paneling.
Harvey will begin laying tile to cover the terrazzo soon.
Marv, Pam, and The Lovely Harvey holding the paneling up while the liquid nails set.
The Vanity itself.
The paneling.
Harvey will begin laying tile to cover the terrazzo soon.
Attempting To Say What I Mean
Here goes.
I cannot recall all of the experiences that led me to my beliefs. I do know I have not encountered anything that has altered them significantly. I definitely cannot express the point of view I have into words.
I can try with some things. I saw East Germany. Germany invented the car. Democratic West Germany had BMW, Mercedes, Daimler and Volkswagen. Communist East Germany had the Trebant. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebant ) Trebbies made Yugos seem like well designed and built cars. The disparity between East and West was shocking. West Berlin was like any other West German city. East Berlin still showed damage from World War Two. The inhabitants were depressed and downtrodden in a way that I cannot convey.
The Germanys started at the same place at the end of WW2. The three sectors controlled by the democracies (France, Great Britian and the USA) became West Germany. The Soviet controlled sector became East Germany.
Just how bad East Germany was seems to have sucked down the memory hole.
I saw it first hand. This is what Communism does.
Communism is a form of Socialism. Specifically, it's Socialism that comes from the top down instead of the worker up. There are other definitions, of course, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism ) but this one makes a usable distinction from what Marx put down. The Democrats have gone Socialist, and I must fight against it and them.
Until recently, the Republicans were not Socialists. Republicans In Name Only (RINO) are Socialist Lite. McCain is sort of halfway between the old Republicans and the RINOs. Not that he's really taking a middle stance, he just swings across the entire range and it averages to halfway.
My Great Grandfather Natto fled Italy one step ahead of the secret police in the 20's; he left behind at least three children. He pounded into our little heads when he saw us playing 'war' that Communists, Facists and Socialists were all leftists.
I know I have belabored the point before, all the leftists when they take power become totalitarian. The first step down that road is gun control. Notice that every single anti-gun measure introduced in the last 74 years has been started by a Democrat. Would you trust them? The few repeals of the gun crap we've had have been spearheaded by Republicans, including their Supreme Court nominees.
The Constitution is a ridiculously simple document. Read it, it only takes about an hour. Now, consider the humor in the ACLU worrying about the border patrol's "Constitution Free Zone". Dude, it's the entire fucking country and it's been like that since around FDR. Do a bit of searching for what's been justified under the commerce clause. Don't forget to check out (http://www.stoptheaclu.com/ ); especially the ten reasons they founded and the 10 myths about the ACLU. The first thing I want you to notice in those lists is when they make a statement, they give a link right there in the text to their supporting information. This sort of thing is common in the right wing blogs and is almost entirely absent in the left, almost like they don't want you do your own research because if you do you will not find concurring information.
I started noticing this back around 1993. That's my domestic political awakening. 15 years of seeing this country creep ever closer to East Germany. I feel like a trapped, caged wolf and people keep poking me with a stick. I alternate between "oh what NOW?" and "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Lately, I have felt that we could turn it around and reverse the bullshit from FDR to now. We just need time. But more importantly, we need to keep the Democrats from getting both houses and the presidency at the same time. My favorite snob refers to the Dems as "The Evil Party" and the Republicans as "The Stupid Party". They are apt descriptions. Want evil or stupid? Me either, but we have to choose one.
Voting for a third party is a defacto vote for the winner from the major two, as is not voting. Your best hope is to get involved locally and hope you can get people who agree with you in and they keep moving up the hierarchy. The Democrats have a problem from this direction in what is called a "Blue Dog Democrat". It hasn't caught on in the large cities, but it might be getting larger.
That's it for now. This is as rational as I can put it.
I cannot recall all of the experiences that led me to my beliefs. I do know I have not encountered anything that has altered them significantly. I definitely cannot express the point of view I have into words.
I can try with some things. I saw East Germany. Germany invented the car. Democratic West Germany had BMW, Mercedes, Daimler and Volkswagen. Communist East Germany had the Trebant. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebant ) Trebbies made Yugos seem like well designed and built cars. The disparity between East and West was shocking. West Berlin was like any other West German city. East Berlin still showed damage from World War Two. The inhabitants were depressed and downtrodden in a way that I cannot convey.
The Germanys started at the same place at the end of WW2. The three sectors controlled by the democracies (France, Great Britian and the USA) became West Germany. The Soviet controlled sector became East Germany.
Just how bad East Germany was seems to have sucked down the memory hole.
I saw it first hand. This is what Communism does.
Communism is a form of Socialism. Specifically, it's Socialism that comes from the top down instead of the worker up. There are other definitions, of course, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism ) but this one makes a usable distinction from what Marx put down. The Democrats have gone Socialist, and I must fight against it and them.
Until recently, the Republicans were not Socialists. Republicans In Name Only (RINO) are Socialist Lite. McCain is sort of halfway between the old Republicans and the RINOs. Not that he's really taking a middle stance, he just swings across the entire range and it averages to halfway.
My Great Grandfather Natto fled Italy one step ahead of the secret police in the 20's; he left behind at least three children. He pounded into our little heads when he saw us playing 'war' that Communists, Facists and Socialists were all leftists.
I know I have belabored the point before, all the leftists when they take power become totalitarian. The first step down that road is gun control. Notice that every single anti-gun measure introduced in the last 74 years has been started by a Democrat. Would you trust them? The few repeals of the gun crap we've had have been spearheaded by Republicans, including their Supreme Court nominees.
The Constitution is a ridiculously simple document. Read it, it only takes about an hour. Now, consider the humor in the ACLU worrying about the border patrol's "Constitution Free Zone". Dude, it's the entire fucking country and it's been like that since around FDR. Do a bit of searching for what's been justified under the commerce clause. Don't forget to check out (http://www.stoptheaclu.com/ ); especially the ten reasons they founded and the 10 myths about the ACLU. The first thing I want you to notice in those lists is when they make a statement, they give a link right there in the text to their supporting information. This sort of thing is common in the right wing blogs and is almost entirely absent in the left, almost like they don't want you do your own research because if you do you will not find concurring information.
I started noticing this back around 1993. That's my domestic political awakening. 15 years of seeing this country creep ever closer to East Germany. I feel like a trapped, caged wolf and people keep poking me with a stick. I alternate between "oh what NOW?" and "LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Lately, I have felt that we could turn it around and reverse the bullshit from FDR to now. We just need time. But more importantly, we need to keep the Democrats from getting both houses and the presidency at the same time. My favorite snob refers to the Dems as "The Evil Party" and the Republicans as "The Stupid Party". They are apt descriptions. Want evil or stupid? Me either, but we have to choose one.
Voting for a third party is a defacto vote for the winner from the major two, as is not voting. Your best hope is to get involved locally and hope you can get people who agree with you in and they keep moving up the hierarchy. The Democrats have a problem from this direction in what is called a "Blue Dog Democrat". It hasn't caught on in the large cities, but it might be getting larger.
That's it for now. This is as rational as I can put it.
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