Sterling engine to be precise.
Click here to submit $0.00 US for a lifetime subscription
Posts
All Comments
30 March 2012
The Car Is Detailed!
The Precious (golumn golumn) has been cleaned from stem to stern.
Ready for Daytona.
I'm ready. Just need to get some sleep and get on the road. Hours from now.
I even remembered to put my phone's windshield mount on so I can record my pace lap at the track.
Ready for Daytona.
I'm ready. Just need to get some sleep and get on the road. Hours from now.
I even remembered to put my phone's windshield mount on so I can record my pace lap at the track.
TSA
I am struck, over and over again, that we would not need the TSA if we'd just not let people who are from places who hate us into the country.
Think about it.
All of the aviation terrorism has been foreign nationals.
Simply not letting those people fly would cure the problem, wouldn't it?
Might even be a renaissance for the surface passenger industry.
Think about it.
All of the aviation terrorism has been foreign nationals.
Simply not letting those people fly would cure the problem, wouldn't it?
Might even be a renaissance for the surface passenger industry.
Schools
When people are supporting more money for schools they are supporting more money for teachers.
For better teachers who will facilitate their children's learning.
What they don't care about is:
More administrators.
Spending three times as much on Apple than PC's. I checked, Apple doesn't donate near as much any more.
Special parking spaces for low emission vehicles.
New buildings in lieu of repairing old buildings.
Add your likes and dislikes to the list.
For better teachers who will facilitate their children's learning.
What they don't care about is:
More administrators.
Spending three times as much on Apple than PC's. I checked, Apple doesn't donate near as much any more.
Special parking spaces for low emission vehicles.
New buildings in lieu of repairing old buildings.
Add your likes and dislikes to the list.
29 March 2012
Car Show In Daytona Saturday!
Going to take the Vette and get some pics on the track, they're letting us do a pace lap; that should be fun.
Of course, that means that the cleaning starts today.
Bug removal in preparation to wash has been completed.
Brake dust has been washed out of the inside of the wheels.
As soon as the sun goes down, main washing.
Then the interior.
Then a quick detailer and waxing.
Detailer as needed until departure Sat morning.
Ponies and burgers for supper!
Of course, that means that the cleaning starts today.
Bug removal in preparation to wash has been completed.
Brake dust has been washed out of the inside of the wheels.
As soon as the sun goes down, main washing.
Then the interior.
Then a quick detailer and waxing.
Detailer as needed until departure Sat morning.
Ponies and burgers for supper!
SCOTUS
I am getting a bit sick of the Supreme's and their "don't make waves" method.
Waves need to be made. If something is unconstitutional, you say so, strike and let the chips fucking fall!
Refusing to make waves is why we have 77 years of unconstitutional gun control. When the court refuses to do anything for 70 years you will have to make waves or admit the constitution is meaningless.
You refused cert for decades on welfare and medicaid and now it's come to a head. There is no ruling that will not toss an apple cart. Time to do your damn jobs because the equilibrium is going to be restored. You nine can do it with a pen.
Waves need to be made. If something is unconstitutional, you say so, strike and let the chips fucking fall!
Refusing to make waves is why we have 77 years of unconstitutional gun control. When the court refuses to do anything for 70 years you will have to make waves or admit the constitution is meaningless.
You refused cert for decades on welfare and medicaid and now it's come to a head. There is no ruling that will not toss an apple cart. Time to do your damn jobs because the equilibrium is going to be restored. You nine can do it with a pen.
Lex
Lex was put to rest on Tuesday.
I did my level best to distract myself from this.
He's buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery as befits someone of his rank and stature. He's in good company.
It feels so strange that he is gone. I miss his wit and command of the language.
It's also strange to miss someone whom I had never met in person so much.
Clear skies, Sir; good hunting.
I did my level best to distract myself from this.
He's buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery as befits someone of his rank and stature. He's in good company.
It feels so strange that he is gone. I miss his wit and command of the language.
It's also strange to miss someone whom I had never met in person so much.
Clear skies, Sir; good hunting.
28 March 2012
Opening Up The AR Way-Back Machine
5.56x45mm has gotten a bum rap.
What's wrong with it?
The problem is that its problems have been tied up with and confused with the launcher.
In Vietnam the complaint wasn't that the round was failing to stop the bad guys but that the rifle stopped running when you wanted to shoot bad guys. M193 will kill people and has killed a lot of people.
There are many detail improvements to the M16A1 between 1967 and 1974 that eliminate the issues. Of note, the Air Force's M16 did not take part in much of the improvements and did not encounter most of the problems. It's been theorized that the Army's dislike of the M16 caused them to make changes to the detriment of the design of the XM16E1. The M16 and M16A1 are very different rifles in detail.
None of the those problems were carried into the M16A2 and M4.
The M16A2 introduces a new negative to the 5.56x45mm equation. The M855 round. It's not a traditional ball round. It's a steel core surrounded by lead with a copper jacket, and a small air space in the nose. the reason for the steel was because NATO had a requirement that any STANAG rifle round be able to penetrate an M1 steel helmet at 600m. Then there were accuracy requirements.
The M16A2 with M855 passes those tests. Someone seems to have forgotten that it needs to kill people.
Military 5.56 ammo is dependent on the round flying apart on impact, known as fragmenting. M855 drops below the velocity that this reliably occurs before M193 and it also comes apart later on impact than M193. What this means in the real world is that people who live at starvation levels can have a round pass all the way through them before it fragments; making M855 no more effective than .22LR. The .22LR like performance is also true at ranges past the fragmentation velocity drop-off.
A valid criticism of the M4 is that with the 14.5" barrel the initial velocity is that much closer to the drop-off velocity making it even less effective against the kinds of people we are shooting at today.
Something of note in the debate, Israel is staying with 5.56 even though they are on their third rifle design that uses it. I don't see them sticking with a useless round because they are likely to be needing effective fire.
Both M193 and M855 are creatures of treaty. Their bullet construction is constrained.
I can buy hunting ammunition that expands to nearly .45 caliber makes a much scarier wound channel than anything military.
My carbines are not affected by many of the reliability issues the M4 encounters simply because my carbines are all semi-automatic.
Do not hate 5.56. Understand it. Learn its strengths and limitations. Then decide if it can do what you need done. I decided I needed the extra die of damage and 320 yards of 1/2 damage range I get from 6.8. ;)
What's wrong with it?
The problem is that its problems have been tied up with and confused with the launcher.
In Vietnam the complaint wasn't that the round was failing to stop the bad guys but that the rifle stopped running when you wanted to shoot bad guys. M193 will kill people and has killed a lot of people.
There are many detail improvements to the M16A1 between 1967 and 1974 that eliminate the issues. Of note, the Air Force's M16 did not take part in much of the improvements and did not encounter most of the problems. It's been theorized that the Army's dislike of the M16 caused them to make changes to the detriment of the design of the XM16E1. The M16 and M16A1 are very different rifles in detail.
None of the those problems were carried into the M16A2 and M4.
The M16A2 introduces a new negative to the 5.56x45mm equation. The M855 round. It's not a traditional ball round. It's a steel core surrounded by lead with a copper jacket, and a small air space in the nose. the reason for the steel was because NATO had a requirement that any STANAG rifle round be able to penetrate an M1 steel helmet at 600m. Then there were accuracy requirements.
The M16A2 with M855 passes those tests. Someone seems to have forgotten that it needs to kill people.
Military 5.56 ammo is dependent on the round flying apart on impact, known as fragmenting. M855 drops below the velocity that this reliably occurs before M193 and it also comes apart later on impact than M193. What this means in the real world is that people who live at starvation levels can have a round pass all the way through them before it fragments; making M855 no more effective than .22LR. The .22LR like performance is also true at ranges past the fragmentation velocity drop-off.
A valid criticism of the M4 is that with the 14.5" barrel the initial velocity is that much closer to the drop-off velocity making it even less effective against the kinds of people we are shooting at today.
Something of note in the debate, Israel is staying with 5.56 even though they are on their third rifle design that uses it. I don't see them sticking with a useless round because they are likely to be needing effective fire.
Both M193 and M855 are creatures of treaty. Their bullet construction is constrained.
I can buy hunting ammunition that expands to nearly .45 caliber makes a much scarier wound channel than anything military.
My carbines are not affected by many of the reliability issues the M4 encounters simply because my carbines are all semi-automatic.
Do not hate 5.56. Understand it. Learn its strengths and limitations. Then decide if it can do what you need done. I decided I needed the extra die of damage and 320 yards of 1/2 damage range I get from 6.8. ;)
Epiphany
This has happened before!
6.8 SPC in its SAAMI form is not safe with ammo that assumes 6.8 SPC II chambers and rifling.
I just remembered why that seemed familiar!
.38 Super is dimensionally identical to .38 ACP but it's not safe to put .38 Super ammo in a .38 ACP gun.
I wonder if this is the tack that 6.8 people need to start mentioning. The .223 Remington v 5.56x45mm NATO comparison is less apt.
6.8 SPC in its SAAMI form is not safe with ammo that assumes 6.8 SPC II chambers and rifling.
I just remembered why that seemed familiar!
.38 Super is dimensionally identical to .38 ACP but it's not safe to put .38 Super ammo in a .38 ACP gun.
I wonder if this is the tack that 6.8 people need to start mentioning. The .223 Remington v 5.56x45mm NATO comparison is less apt.
Well Poop
As much as it pains me to say it; I think with the introduction and industry support that .300 AAC Blackout is getting that 6.8x43mm SPC is a dead round walking.
The only people carrying 6.8 stuff anymore are the expensive boutique type places.
It failed, just barely, to make it to the mainstream.
All from one small mistake in the leade dimensions submitted to SAAMI.
Unless you use the SPC II chamber dimensions, you can't use the ammo that really lets the round shine. Ammo companies were understandably reluctant to load ammunition for the SPC II spec since it would chamber and fire in SAAMI chambers; at dangerous pressures.
.300 AAC Blackout is not better than 6.8 by many metrics.
But it is available and it will be cheaper.
Dammit.
PS: The 6.8 forum turning into a surly old-boy's club does not help new people considering the round. I asked a simple question there and was treated like an idiot. The snob level is very high; it wasn't always.
The only people carrying 6.8 stuff anymore are the expensive boutique type places.
It failed, just barely, to make it to the mainstream.
All from one small mistake in the leade dimensions submitted to SAAMI.
Unless you use the SPC II chamber dimensions, you can't use the ammo that really lets the round shine. Ammo companies were understandably reluctant to load ammunition for the SPC II spec since it would chamber and fire in SAAMI chambers; at dangerous pressures.
.300 AAC Blackout is not better than 6.8 by many metrics.
But it is available and it will be cheaper.
Dammit.
PS: The 6.8 forum turning into a surly old-boy's club does not help new people considering the round. I asked a simple question there and was treated like an idiot. The snob level is very high; it wasn't always.
To The US Supreme Court
Yup, the authors of Obamacare forgot to include severablity language.
Yup, Congress passed it without amending such language into it.
Yup, the President signed it without such language.
Yup, that means if you strike anything you're striking the whole thing.
I know you're used to that language being in every single law, but it's not there this time.
Do your duty. If something is unconstitutional, you must strike it. Even if that means taking out a huge portion that is constitutional without the struck portion.
It really is simple. It's only complicated if you make it so, it is not inherently thus.
Yup, Congress passed it without amending such language into it.
Yup, the President signed it without such language.
Yup, that means if you strike anything you're striking the whole thing.
I know you're used to that language being in every single law, but it's not there this time.
Do your duty. If something is unconstitutional, you must strike it. Even if that means taking out a huge portion that is constitutional without the struck portion.
It really is simple. It's only complicated if you make it so, it is not inherently thus.
Possession
If it's in your back pack, and it isn't yours, there's only a couple of options for how you came to be in possession of it.
No matter how it got there, you're responsible for it once it's in your back pack.
It it's stolen, and you didn't steal it, you are an accessory to the crime with only a limited number of outs.
Outs, that I notice you did not avail yourself of.
No matter how it got there, you're responsible for it once it's in your back pack.
It it's stolen, and you didn't steal it, you are an accessory to the crime with only a limited number of outs.
Outs, that I notice you did not avail yourself of.
27 March 2012
26 March 2012
Don't Believe Everything You Read On The Internet
Wondering about the shell elevator on the Mossberg 500 led me to this comparison between the 500 and the 870.
They state (about the 870 Express):
Perhaps this is all true of NEW ones.
My Express:
They mention the dimpled magazine tube to prevent one from adding a magazine extension. When I bought my gun I specifically looked for a gun with the normal ratcheting cap. The dimpled one uses a plastic part that slides into the tube and has grooves that lock into the dimples with a 1/4 turn. The end cap has teeth that engage on the plastic part to keep it from unscrewing.
The normal one has a ball detent that engages teeth on the cap.
I think they missed that the original Express was just a finish option and not a mechanical change. Yes, later Expresses are very cheap, but that was not always the case.
Of course, my 870 Express didn't come with an 18" cylinder bore barrel, ghost ring sights and a heat shield. That means that anything can be fixed!
They state (about the 870 Express):
- No finish machining (burrs, sharp edges, etc. aren't removed)
- Has a less expensive finish
- Uses a longer fore-end (the Police uses Speedfeed stocks)
- Different barrel lock system
- Uses the "ISS" safety which allows the user to lock the cross-bolt safety in the SAFE position
- Plastic trigger guard (breaks easier)
- Cast extractor and ejector (breaks easier)
- Lighter sear spring (less predictable)
- Shorter magazine spring (less reliable feeding)
- Lighter carrier dog spring (less reliable feeding)
Perhaps this is all true of NEW ones.
My Express:
- Has been deburred.
- Has a less expensive finish.
- Uses the same fore-end my friend's Wingmaster used.
- Standard barrel locking system (if they're talking about how the magazine extension or end cap ratchets).
- No locking safety.
- Metal Trigger guard.
- Standard extractor and ejector.
- Standard sear spring.
- I replaced the magazine spring when I added the extension.
- Standard carrier dog spring.
They mention the dimpled magazine tube to prevent one from adding a magazine extension. When I bought my gun I specifically looked for a gun with the normal ratcheting cap. The dimpled one uses a plastic part that slides into the tube and has grooves that lock into the dimples with a 1/4 turn. The end cap has teeth that engage on the plastic part to keep it from unscrewing.
The normal one has a ball detent that engages teeth on the cap.
I think they missed that the original Express was just a finish option and not a mechanical change. Yes, later Expresses are very cheap, but that was not always the case.
Of course, my 870 Express didn't come with an 18" cylinder bore barrel, ghost ring sights and a heat shield. That means that anything can be fixed!
That Tier One Thing Again
Colt is listed as a Tier One company in all those lists.
You know, the same Colt who everyone was vilifying during Vietnam about their shitty rifles?
If Colt can be redeemed, so can anyone else.
You know, the same Colt who everyone was vilifying during Vietnam about their shitty rifles?
If Colt can be redeemed, so can anyone else.
Gate Loaded Tube Magazines
It was once the very most common magazine for centerfire repeaters.
It's most Winchester rifles and every pump shotgun. Even a couple of bolt actions, like the French Mle.1886 Lebel and Mauser Gew. 1871/84.
Winchester Rifle:
Pump Shotgun (Here a Remington 870)
It's most Winchester rifles and every pump shotgun. Even a couple of bolt actions, like the French Mle.1886 Lebel and Mauser Gew. 1871/84.
Winchester Rifle:
Pump Shotgun (Here a Remington 870)
Oh?
OK, you claim you're a Goth.
That's all well and good.
Ostro or Visi?
What were you doing while the rest of us were sacking Rome?
That's all well and good.
Ostro or Visi?
What were you doing while the rest of us were sacking Rome?
From Merlin...
Everyone is familiar with the Trinity Hellstorm and the Antarctic Hellstorm.
That's what happens when you try to induce nuclear fission. Both cases a sub-critical mass was used and a
What everyone forgot was that fission had occurred naturally in several places before Oppenheimer's "little cantrip."
Everyone except the increasingly desperate people of Rhodesia in 1975.
They knew they were losing their war for independence when South Africa started turning its back on them. They needed something dramatic to turn the tide.
They found it.
They'd become very adept at smuggling in small arms and other military material. They discovered that smuggling one thing was much the same as anything.
What they smuggled was yellow-cake uranium. The hope was to build a NEMA reactor to make better material for the war effort. What went wrong was the spell they were using for purifying the uranium did not account for keeping the now critical mass separated from itself. The mass went critical, but did not create a new hellstorm. What Rhodesia got was a typical reactor's weakening of the walls of reality, but this time it was a gateway to another world.
A world much like our own, in fact. The first weakening that did not cause an influx of demons. Suddenly who controlled Rhodesia mattered a great deal to the first world powers. The United States flush with its recent victory in Vietnam, stepped in to support the break-away colony; provided that a path to majority rule be established.
By 1987 the bush wars had finally ended and by 1990 the first election by the full population had occurred. That vote confirmed the previous policies of Rhodesia and began putting pressure on South Africa to follow suit. Rhodesia became a shining example of post colonial Africa where the decendents of both Europe and Africa would live and work together harmoniously.
The darker history is what was happening on the other side of the gateway from 1978 through 1989...
That's what happens when you try to induce nuclear fission. Both cases a sub-critical mass was used and a
What everyone forgot was that fission had occurred naturally in several places before Oppenheimer's "little cantrip."
Everyone except the increasingly desperate people of Rhodesia in 1975.
They knew they were losing their war for independence when South Africa started turning its back on them. They needed something dramatic to turn the tide.
They found it.
They'd become very adept at smuggling in small arms and other military material. They discovered that smuggling one thing was much the same as anything.
What they smuggled was yellow-cake uranium. The hope was to build a NEMA reactor to make better material for the war effort. What went wrong was the spell they were using for purifying the uranium did not account for keeping the now critical mass separated from itself. The mass went critical, but did not create a new hellstorm. What Rhodesia got was a typical reactor's weakening of the walls of reality, but this time it was a gateway to another world.
A world much like our own, in fact. The first weakening that did not cause an influx of demons. Suddenly who controlled Rhodesia mattered a great deal to the first world powers. The United States flush with its recent victory in Vietnam, stepped in to support the break-away colony; provided that a path to majority rule be established.
By 1987 the bush wars had finally ended and by 1990 the first election by the full population had occurred. That vote confirmed the previous policies of Rhodesia and began putting pressure on South Africa to follow suit. Rhodesia became a shining example of post colonial Africa where the decendents of both Europe and Africa would live and work together harmoniously.
The darker history is what was happening on the other side of the gateway from 1978 through 1989...
When To Shoot?
Florida law may not require me to flee when danger is mounting, but I intend to.
There's only a couple of exceptions.
I am not leaving my home to get away.
I am not abandoning loved ones to get away.
I am not abandoning property to get away.
There's only a couple of exceptions.
I am not leaving my home to get away.
I am not abandoning loved ones to get away.
I am not abandoning property to get away.
Reaction
The way Western Culture responds to something they've become ashamed of is to stop doing it and speak of it no more.
The important thing is that the shameful practice has stopped.
The speaking of it no more portion is an acknowledgement that stopping was admirable, but since the practice was shameful we may not be proud.
A problem has developed with our coping mechanism.
One group who was shamefully treated is not really part of our culture, and do not want to be fully part of it. They will not shut up about it.
They repeatedly bring up the shame, over and over. They never mention that the activity has ended. They never mention the sacrifice in blood made to right the principle wrong. They never mention the ethnicity (notice I don't say race?) of the people who worked at fixing the remaining injustices.
It was something that they could not fix themselves because they were powerless to do so. It was fixed because it became known as being wrong and the people in power decided to end the shameful practices.
What the groups representing the recently liberated ethnic group are doing is making the majority who did the hard lifting on their behalf regret their decision to do so.
The shutting up about it is not asking for thanks, but surely we deserved better than the blood dancing ethnic baiting rent seeking behavior we are getting.
We most certainly could have left you in chains. It was an option on the table. Ironically they can thank the Confederate States for firing on Fort Sumter for taking it off the table.
Speaking of that war, do any of the racist bastards dancing the blood this past week think they would have been better off if the 365,000 men who died to free them had refused to fight?
Since you've got my hackles up "gentlemen" I think it's time we started talking about reparations. What's the weregild on a Union soldier with 151 years of interest?
The important thing is that the shameful practice has stopped.
The speaking of it no more portion is an acknowledgement that stopping was admirable, but since the practice was shameful we may not be proud.
A problem has developed with our coping mechanism.
One group who was shamefully treated is not really part of our culture, and do not want to be fully part of it. They will not shut up about it.
They repeatedly bring up the shame, over and over. They never mention that the activity has ended. They never mention the sacrifice in blood made to right the principle wrong. They never mention the ethnicity (notice I don't say race?) of the people who worked at fixing the remaining injustices.
It was something that they could not fix themselves because they were powerless to do so. It was fixed because it became known as being wrong and the people in power decided to end the shameful practices.
What the groups representing the recently liberated ethnic group are doing is making the majority who did the hard lifting on their behalf regret their decision to do so.
The shutting up about it is not asking for thanks, but surely we deserved better than the blood dancing ethnic baiting rent seeking behavior we are getting.
We most certainly could have left you in chains. It was an option on the table. Ironically they can thank the Confederate States for firing on Fort Sumter for taking it off the table.
Speaking of that war, do any of the racist bastards dancing the blood this past week think they would have been better off if the 365,000 men who died to free them had refused to fight?
Since you've got my hackles up "gentlemen" I think it's time we started talking about reparations. What's the weregild on a Union soldier with 151 years of interest?
25 March 2012
Held Harmless
One of the important reforms here in Florida that many commenters are missing.
If one is found to have defended oneself lawfully there are no civil penalties coming. Held harmless is the term.
If I pop a perp and I am found to have acted in self defense there is no follow-up civil action for shit like wrongful death.
Please take note of that before commenting further about the repercussions of self defense.
If one is found to have defended oneself lawfully there are no civil penalties coming. Held harmless is the term.
If I pop a perp and I am found to have acted in self defense there is no follow-up civil action for shit like wrongful death.
Please take note of that before commenting further about the repercussions of self defense.
Something Lighter
When I was a kid and until about ten years ago I built model airplanes.
1/72 scale was my favorite. There are more planes available in this scale than almost any other.
I did not build them to set them on the shelf and admire them. I did not blow them up.
I played with them! With sound effects and everything! Yes, I am a child at heart.
I stopped a while ago.
I didn't grow up. I got flight sims.
They scratch the itch the models were.
I was playing pretend with the models, and I still am with the video game.
1/72 scale was my favorite. There are more planes available in this scale than almost any other.
I did not build them to set them on the shelf and admire them. I did not blow them up.
I played with them! With sound effects and everything! Yes, I am a child at heart.
I stopped a while ago.
I didn't grow up. I got flight sims.
They scratch the itch the models were.
I was playing pretend with the models, and I still am with the video game.
Reversal
The more I read about the Zimmerman case the more convinced I am that minority groups do not want equality at all.
They want reversal.
They wish to inflict the same injustices on their former oppressors as was inflicted on them.
They have no regard that modern individuals had nothing to do with the historical oppression.
I will advocate and fight for equality. I will advocate and fight against oppression.
It is hard to relate my feelings without sounding racist here. Not because I am racist, but because the language of the topic has been so subverted.
It also doesn't help that the behavior of many minority "advocates" is so entirely textbook as according to the texts of racist organizations.
When the Klan is giving an accurate prediction of how you act, what have you won?
They want reversal.
They wish to inflict the same injustices on their former oppressors as was inflicted on them.
They have no regard that modern individuals had nothing to do with the historical oppression.
I will advocate and fight for equality. I will advocate and fight against oppression.
It is hard to relate my feelings without sounding racist here. Not because I am racist, but because the language of the topic has been so subverted.
It also doesn't help that the behavior of many minority "advocates" is so entirely textbook as according to the texts of racist organizations.
When the Klan is giving an accurate prediction of how you act, what have you won?
24 March 2012
What I Did Today
I went out for a cruise with the SS American Victory.
The Treasure Island Sport Kite Klub puts on a display of WW2 target kites; I helped out and got a crew spot.
Many pictures below the fold.
The Treasure Island Sport Kite Klub puts on a display of WW2 target kites; I helped out and got a crew spot.
Many pictures below the fold.
23 March 2012
Goodness!
Today has been a day of self revelation, hasn't it?
Kinda gloomy, isn't it?
This stuff was so far in the past for me it's just an amusing anecdote for me.
How's about some fun stuff!
March 31st I think I am going to be in Daytona for the big ass car show. I need a picture of The Precious on the track.
Always do some cruising on A1A and dinner in the area.
Blog meet?
Kinda gloomy, isn't it?
This stuff was so far in the past for me it's just an amusing anecdote for me.
How's about some fun stuff!
March 31st I think I am going to be in Daytona for the big ass car show. I need a picture of The Precious on the track.
Always do some cruising on A1A and dinner in the area.
Blog meet?
How I Broke My Legs
In person this story is hilarious.
It was late '89.
We were doing a 72 hour alert while covering for some unit of the 11th ACR while they at Graf doing their gunnery quals.
It was the night the Berlin Wall was coming down. We drew ammo like we were going to war and sat in our assembly points on a 72 hour alert. I misremembered the date and circumstances for quite a while. Let's call it a fugue state.
I had been awake for three straight days. Yippie!
Being short a man on the tank I was filling in for the loader on the maintenance tasks.
The last task on the list was to check the oil; then I could sleep!
To check the oil you have to rotate the turret so the gun is pointed to the side, this exposes the "bitch plate" which is an armored cover over the engine.
We were a quart low on turboshaft so climbed up from the back deck to the turret to grab a can.
The TC saw this and assumed I was finished and he rotated the gun back forward.
I didn't notice the turret rotating, grabbed a quart and hopped right off the side of the turret.
It should have been a short jump. It wasn't. The back deck was no longer there, but a nice deep ditch was!
I fell a total of about 25 feet. Through a crust of ice at the bottom of the ditch.
The TC immediately asked where I'd gotten to.
"I fell," I replied.
"Fell where?"
"Down here, I think I'm stuck!"
The TC and the driver began figuring out how to get down to me and help.
Right about here I noticed a boot sticking up out of the ice. Right away I noticed that it was an expensive boot because I had just spent a lot of money buying a pair just like it! My first thought was that someone had lost their spare pair off the top of some vehicle, and figured that both boots had to be around here someplace! Free boots! Free, expensive, boots!
So I grabbed the boot in front of me and tried to pick it up, but it was stuck on something. Thinking that maybe it was tied to the other boot and that was stuck down in the ice, I felt down around the boot. Odd, it felt like there was a leg in it. A body? Ewwwww! But I felt further. The leg, as it turned out, was MINE!
I had a dizzy moment here, but I was not in pain. I did some talking around this time, but I am not clear on what I talked about. I don't remember going from the ditch to the top of the tank again. I remember a bit of the ride to the medic track.
The medics were professional and hardly turned gray at all when they saw my twisted legs. They strapped me down and secured me so I wouldn't move around and make it worse. The pain was starting about here, so that was important.
What happens next is a classic military moment. They wanted me out of there, since this was a serious fracture and there was a good chance an artery would be nicked by a bone. They called for some form of transportation. We couldn't get a helicopter because of the weather and the dark, they couldn't drive the M113 because it was too rough for me and they couldn't get a normal ambulance in because of the terrain. I would have to wait for the weather. "OK, can we get some morphine for him?" "NO!"
Turns out the bad old days of the druggies running the dark corners of the Army were still fresh in the minds of many. Guys who served in the '70's all confirm it to me. They would not bring drugs out to the dark scary field out of fear of being beaten, or worse. They all but called the medics liars.
So I got to spend a very long time writhing in agony, strapped super tight to the stretcher. I screamed, I cried, I begged. I passed out. I would awake, lucid for a few moments without pain thinking the whole thing was a bad dream. Then the pain would start again. More begging to be put out of my misery, more screaming, more crying. I am assured it was not more than a couple of hours.
I remember being moved from the track to the chopper. I remember the change in lighting from the landing pad to an emergency room.
I woke up. No pain, but now I knew it was coming. I sat up. I was no longer restrained!
Someone in scrubs walked in. I pulled my pistol out of my shoulder holster, pointed it at the poor hospital person (found out later it was a real doctor) racked the slide and said, "MORPHINE!" Without batting an eye the person in scrubs opened up their cart, prepared a shot and gave it to me. As I passed out in the sweet relief I noticed he was taking my gun away. Did I mention we had ammo because we were on the border and things were stupid tense for some reason? The doc assumed that I was not pointing a loaded gun at him and had a bad moment when he checked it after taking it away from me.
I've related some of the next part here before. The breaks were really bad. Six on the right and eight on the left, evenly split between the tibia and fibulas. They scheduled surgery and put me back together, and were forced to use a specialist from the German economy. That man was an artist! I have a limp and only lost 15% motion in my right ankle.
This was enough to get me out of the Army if I wanted. At this point in my Army career, I wanted out. So I did a year of physical therapy at VA hospitals instead of Army hospitals.
I'm much better now.
Zimmerman
I was neutral about it until Al Sharpton opened up his racist mouth.
SIGH.
Actually, I'd been doing a damn good job of avoiding hearing his baiting. Alas, the damn cat laid down on the remote and dialed in the news.
Isn't he old enough to retire?
As others have said, the condemnation of Zimmerman is premature. There are scant few facts available and the only counter narrative we have is hearsay from Martin's girlfriend.
Lots of good analysis out there on the gun blogs. Sadly, the paid media is not participating in this thoughtful direction.
SIGH.
Actually, I'd been doing a damn good job of avoiding hearing his baiting. Alas, the damn cat laid down on the remote and dialed in the news.
Isn't he old enough to retire?
As others have said, the condemnation of Zimmerman is premature. There are scant few facts available and the only counter narrative we have is hearsay from Martin's girlfriend.
Lots of good analysis out there on the gun blogs. Sadly, the paid media is not participating in this thoughtful direction.
Quote of the Week
"Obama didn't inherit the enconomy. He asked for it, campaigned for it, spent millions to acquire it and promised to change it."
Hat Tip: Blue
I Am A Veteran
I was in the Army. It was during the cold war.
I saw a wee bit of action. It was before desert storm.
I was not special forces. I was a tank crewman first and kinda-sorta an intel puke later. I am not sure how to best describe my involvement with the Green Berets officially.
The best way to describe the reality is someone decided that a tanker would be best at evaluating what Soviet tanks could do. So they sent a fully qualified tanker. Me. It was literally, "here's a camera, take lots of pictures, follow those guys, do what they say, see you when you get back."
One of them had to show me how to work the Nikon.
They were less than thrilled to have me along. I was woefully unprepared for what they were doing. I won't say we. We would imply that I was useful to the tasks they had planned. I tagged along, I took pictures, I came back. I don't think I caused them to fail in their mission (mostly because they brought me back with them).
What I learned. I don't care for high altitudes. I confirmed I don't like being cold. I learned that being shot at is a remarkable experience that it difficult to remark on. I learned that I had never really been afraid before. I learned to hate hiking and camping. I learned I am not a good photographer. I learned that I could do a great many things that I thought were impossible; even if I didn't like doing them. I learned that I am not a hero nor a coward. I learned that I had changed enough to no longer fit in well in some places where I once had. I learned that people would judge my experiences without any basis to do so. I learned that my reality was fantastic and unbelievable.
I learned, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry."
I saw a wee bit of action. It was before desert storm.
I was not special forces. I was a tank crewman first and kinda-sorta an intel puke later. I am not sure how to best describe my involvement with the Green Berets officially.
The best way to describe the reality is someone decided that a tanker would be best at evaluating what Soviet tanks could do. So they sent a fully qualified tanker. Me. It was literally, "here's a camera, take lots of pictures, follow those guys, do what they say, see you when you get back."
One of them had to show me how to work the Nikon.
They were less than thrilled to have me along. I was woefully unprepared for what they were doing. I won't say we. We would imply that I was useful to the tasks they had planned. I tagged along, I took pictures, I came back. I don't think I caused them to fail in their mission (mostly because they brought me back with them).
What I learned. I don't care for high altitudes. I confirmed I don't like being cold. I learned that being shot at is a remarkable experience that it difficult to remark on. I learned that I had never really been afraid before. I learned to hate hiking and camping. I learned I am not a good photographer. I learned that I could do a great many things that I thought were impossible; even if I didn't like doing them. I learned that I am not a hero nor a coward. I learned that I had changed enough to no longer fit in well in some places where I once had. I learned that people would judge my experiences without any basis to do so. I learned that my reality was fantastic and unbelievable.
I learned, "The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry."
Encyclopedia Brittanica
It's going out of print.
Well being printed on paper, it's still going to be available digitally.
What I love most about real, printed, books is nobody can come amend the words later on.
Grab an old dictionary and look up Stalin and Hitler. Or infringed. Compare those to a brand new dictionary.
Is Stalin a Communist Dictator or a Russian politician?
Is the usage of infringed as relates to the second amendment even there? If it is there is it noted as archaic or obsolete?
With digital copies of this information the publisher can amend the entries to the current fashion and unless you were familiar with the entry; you'd never know it had changed!
What if you used a particular entry as a citation and it changed in a way that no longer supported your argument?
A partial defense is a digital copy needs a comprehensive revision history, but that doesn't protect you from silent editing.
Well being printed on paper, it's still going to be available digitally.
What I love most about real, printed, books is nobody can come amend the words later on.
Grab an old dictionary and look up Stalin and Hitler. Or infringed. Compare those to a brand new dictionary.
Is Stalin a Communist Dictator or a Russian politician?
Is the usage of infringed as relates to the second amendment even there? If it is there is it noted as archaic or obsolete?
With digital copies of this information the publisher can amend the entries to the current fashion and unless you were familiar with the entry; you'd never know it had changed!
What if you used a particular entry as a citation and it changed in a way that no longer supported your argument?
A partial defense is a digital copy needs a comprehensive revision history, but that doesn't protect you from silent editing.
22 March 2012
Longest Shot
Tam reminded me of it in a round about way.
The longest shot I have ever made with any sort of gun was 3,000 meters while moving at a target that was also moving.
It seems impressive, doesn't it?
Prepare to be underwhelmed.
I made that shot with an M68 105mm cannon from an M1(IP) tank. The target was the size of a car.
What reminded me of this shot was Tam mocking the term weapon system as applied to a pistol.
The Abrams is a true weapon system. It is several distinct components all working together to be greater than their sum. Several sensors feed data into a computer that computer gives aiming cues to the gunner, other sensors compensate for movement of the vehicle and target. All of this adds up to making the shot at incredible ranges.
That's a weapon system. A pistol is merely a gun.
The longest shot I have ever made with any sort of gun was 3,000 meters while moving at a target that was also moving.
It seems impressive, doesn't it?
Prepare to be underwhelmed.
I made that shot with an M68 105mm cannon from an M1(IP) tank. The target was the size of a car.
What reminded me of this shot was Tam mocking the term weapon system as applied to a pistol.
The Abrams is a true weapon system. It is several distinct components all working together to be greater than their sum. Several sensors feed data into a computer that computer gives aiming cues to the gunner, other sensors compensate for movement of the vehicle and target. All of this adds up to making the shot at incredible ranges.
That's a weapon system. A pistol is merely a gun.
Blastomatic™
I carry a 1911 unless it's entire too hot to wear enough clothes to hide it.
My rationale for choosing the 1911 may be specious in light of more current data and developments in bullet technology.
What I have discovered is that I have become vested in the thing.
I have holsters for it. I have magazines for it. I have ammo for it. I am accustomed to the weight. I know where the controls are and I can literally clean it with a blindfold on.
To change to a "superior" handgun would require a significant investment in time and money.
My days of chasing the unicorn for the perfect gun are through. I am OK with my "good enough" choice.
My rationale for choosing the 1911 may be specious in light of more current data and developments in bullet technology.
What I have discovered is that I have become vested in the thing.
I have holsters for it. I have magazines for it. I have ammo for it. I am accustomed to the weight. I know where the controls are and I can literally clean it with a blindfold on.
To change to a "superior" handgun would require a significant investment in time and money.
My days of chasing the unicorn for the perfect gun are through. I am OK with my "good enough" choice.
21 March 2012
Causing Problems
At the range the other day I noticed something.
My Springfield GI model has been running flawlessly. I'm quite pleased with it.
The guy in the next lane was not having any fun with his Kimber.
I offered to help and we took it apart to see if there was anything obviously wrong.
There wasn't but I was struck with how different the innards looked between our guns.
Mine has tooling marks galore; his was perfectly smooth on every machined surface.
I've noticed this before. In the Army the Remington-Rand guns were always rougher inside than the Colts (not that there were many Colt M1911A1 left in 1987).
I am now wondering that in the quest to make it pretty if they're ignoring critical dimensions.
My Springfield GI model has been running flawlessly. I'm quite pleased with it.
The guy in the next lane was not having any fun with his Kimber.
I offered to help and we took it apart to see if there was anything obviously wrong.
There wasn't but I was struck with how different the innards looked between our guns.
Mine has tooling marks galore; his was perfectly smooth on every machined surface.
I've noticed this before. In the Army the Remington-Rand guns were always rougher inside than the Colts (not that there were many Colt M1911A1 left in 1987).
I am now wondering that in the quest to make it pretty if they're ignoring critical dimensions.
It Has A Name
What is the name for the situation where you discover a media source to be in error because you are knowledgable in the subject yet assume they are correct in areas where you are not knowledgable?
20 March 2012
2x 1911
Top, an Iver Johnson Safety Hammer Automatic (3rd Model) made in 1911.
Bottom, a Springfield Armory M1911 A1 GI designed in 1911.
It's amazing how enduring guns are. It's also interesting that .32 S&W was considered perfectly adequate for self defense back then and it's beneath contempt today. I've read that the main reason for the shift is the advances in trauma medicine over the years. In 1911 transportation to the hospital might be a lot slower than today and even if you got there in time; an infection could end you even if the bullet didn't do it directly. It made one more reluctant to get shot in the first place, I expect.
19 March 2012
Iron and Wood Comparison
This is Vanessa; she's a 1916 made SMLE #III* from the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. She mostly lives on my wall since ammo is expensive.
I don't have a later pattern bayonet for the Garand; I accept donations.
I think the third photo is very interesting since in 1941, the M1 was technologically one of the most advanced infantry rifles in the world. In 1950, however, it was no longer state of the art with the Soviet Union having replaced the Mosin with the SKS then AK-47. The US replaced the Garand very shortly with a Garand derivative; the M14.
The histories of these specific guns are a bit shrouded.
Vanessa was made during The Great War and would almost certainly have seen action. But I have no idea where or with whom. With all the weapon shortages during WW2, it seems likely that she was either still in service or was returned to service. My bayonet is an Indian pattern item, I keep meaning to get a proper British model. She's been out with me as an impression of a Blackwatch soldier twice and once as a trooper from the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers. I learned I am not so much into reenacting from those experiences; but at least WW1 reenacting will let you keep your beard!
Catherine was issued to a Marine in the Pacific Theater. He was the best shot in his platoon, so he got the marksman's rifle. He carried from issue in 1943 through the end of the war and took it home with him. It sat in his closet for the next seventy years. His son sold it to me. I don't have a scrap of paperwork to verify that story. I just have an old man on oxygen telling me about his experiences with a blurry globe and anchor tattoo. And an astounded son who'd never heard his dad tell some of those tales. I've bumped into this before, some stories are for "members of the club" only.
Rosie is a late 1944 gun. She's really in too good of shape to have been issued in WW2. She's marked with arsenal marks from Red River Army Depot indicating she'd be arsenal refinished in 1962. She may have been to Korea, she may not have. I tend to think she didn't since we gave the ROK army a lot of Garands I believe almost all of the guns we took over there for the conflict remained.
Svetlana is from 1942 and the Soviets weren't in the habit of letting useful materiel sit about unused. She was almost certainly issued and was definitely arsenal refinished sometime after the war.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)