9X19 Dan

So, the 1911 has a Birthday...

2011-03-29T12:04:00.015-05:00

(of sorts) today and some folks want to trot out their examples and well wishings. Never one to miss a gathering, I humbly submit my small family of 1911s...

Clockwise from top left is a Smith & Wesson PD, a Sig Sauer Blackwater, a Colt Defender and finally, a Kimber Pro Raptor II. All in .45 ACP and all similar in their 1911ishness.

Notably missing is an early 1940 era Colt that I am still searching for. That, is my project for this year... find a WW II Colt 45... lots a luck cowboy. ;)

I do note that my birthday is in a couple of days, perhaps the planets will align causing it to rain vintage 1911 pistols in Alabama. ;)

Happy 100th birthday 1911...

Home... before it was home

2011-03-11T12:26:00.007-06:00

Article forwarded to me via e-mail, appreciate it Momma... Devil's Tower, WY in 1890... picture courtesy of the Denver Post & the Library of Congress and taken by John C.H. Grabill. It looks like it is taken from about 180 degrees away from the one in the header.

An expanded answer to a question...

2011-03-08T21:32:00.004-06:00

posed here... "Would you prefer a selection of guns in common calibers that shared ammo and parts? Or would you want a wide variety of weapons in as many calibers as possible so that you could take advantage of anything that might come your way?"

My original plan was to be able to use one caliber in a pistol / carbine combination and ultimately gravitated toward Beretta and 9 x 19mm. As of today, I own two Beretta pistols (both of them in 9 x 19mm) and a couple carbines (notably in .30 Carbine and 5.56 NATO, not 9 x 19mm).

As the collection has matured, I seem to have ended up with something that shoots just about anything. Having said that, it appears, from a recent purchase, that anything in .40 S&W will grab my attention. And, truthfully, I have migrated to the .40 S&W pretty much completely as my daily carry.

The aforementioned purchase? A heretofore unknown to me... a Sig Mauser M2... that I probably wouldn't have noticed except for the Mauser logo on the slide and much less bought except that it was in my current 'pet' caliber. All of that blather pretty much boils down to, I picked a fairly common caliber and now have a pile of different arms that will chamber it. So much for the original plan...

So, in a roundabout way, I started out with a desire to own a couple of guns in a common caliber and ended up with a selection that will shoot just about anything that shows up. Even though that be true, I still believe having two of something is better than having one of something... most times. ;)

7 + 1 Rounds of ...

2011-01-25T13:05:00.018-06:00

.25 ACP Goodness?!? That's right, 35 grains of centerfire blam... meh and, not really 7 + 1, the manual talks, at fair length, about not carrying it around with a round chambered... as the firing pin protrudes from the bolt face when at rest.

Meet the Junior Colt in .25 ACP, this one manufactured in 1971

Went to the dentist today for a cleaning and left with clean teeth and no cavities. ;) That, of course, means a trip to the Fun Cellar (as it is just down the street from my dentist)... low and behold, a Happy Clean Teeth Day gift for yours truly.

What a nifty little bit of pocket half-full of blam. Anemic (per Hornady... 900 fps / 63 ft-lbs at muzzle, 813/51 at 50 yds and 742/43 at 100 yds... 100 yds... WTF?) that it may be, would probably still suck to get shot with it; and, it won't be replacing the G22 / G27 duo any time soon.

Apparently, these were originally manufactured for Colt by Astra (in Spain) and then, after the GCA of 1968, they were assembled in the US from parts and ultimately, they were manufactured by a, now defunct, Firearms International of Washington, DC or someplace in MD... pending whose Internet blather you believe. Not to be confused with the current Firearms International currently of Houston, Texas or with the, now also defunct, Firearms International Export of Florida.

Now for the Department of I Didn't Know That... disassembly requires locking the slide back, twisting the barrel a quarter turn right, pulling, twisting the barrel a quarter turn left and pulling it the rest of the way out. Then, capture the slide in one hand, release the slide catch and ease the slide off of the pistol. Not sure how long (if ever) it would have taken me to figure that out without the Internet.

Of course, being the obsessive compulsive cleaner of guns that I am, once disassembled it took a good cleaning. Probably not a bad thing in this case... dislodged some pocket lint and removed a fair bit of surface rust that was hiding under the grip panels. From the wear patterns on the gun and the location of the hidden rust, this was likely somebody's pretty constant companion... pimp gun that it may be... :p

Now, for a pocket holster... probably won't ever carry it, but a gun without a holster is like a day without sunshine.

That, is exactly right

2011-01-22T23:20:00.000-06:00

From Brigid

I, too, am TJIC

2011-01-20T17:24:00.005-06:00

As words are words and deed are deeds, I am indifferent to what was said. One's ability to speak their mind must be inviolable.

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T11:57:00.000-06:00

For now... just, Happy New Year.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T11:12:00.008-06:00

to each and all...

And, of course, Merry Christmas to me!

Ho, Ho, Ho... indeed. ;)

Funny

2010-09-18T15:35:00.005-05:00

Frank, appreciate the grin.

Like it was made for it...

2010-08-07T10:15:00.009-05:00

Well, because it was. A couple years ago, when I first purchased my Mk VII Deagle (contraction of Desert Eagle, FWIW), I had no idea how hard it would be to find a quality holster for it. Enter this leather version from Zahal. I found a link to these guys from this guy. Ordered on 21 July 2010, received in Vance, Alabama from Shoham, Israel on 03 August 2010. These folks were quick to ship, the order is correct, the quality appears sufficient, the price was good, and, oh yeah, no one else (that I have found) makes something like this (at least, commercially).

Having just put all of this together, I have no useful opinions except... It appears to be sturdy. It certainly fits the Deagle correctly. It is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. Happy to have found it and happy to have contributed to the Israeli economy.

As received, the little Deagle picture is a magnet they sent along and I have covering the address sticker.

Mk VII Deagle and right side of holster.

Mounted Deagle (right side). I made the scratch that can be seen near the muzzle end when I opened the package. No big deal to me as it will certainly receive worse than that at some point.

Mounted Deagle (left side).

A Hippie, I am not...

2010-08-01T10:16:00.002-05:00

No surprise in any of this... Linked to it from Crucis'. I do not think that, because I ponder before a declaration of war and recycle things that make sense, I am even 4% hippie.

You are 4% hippie.

Ok, you conservative soul. Do you even believe in global warming? Loosen that necktie a little, and try some organic food. It actually does taste better. And go to a farmer's market--they're fun.

Are you a hippie?
Take More Quizzes

Okay, so I suck...

2010-07-29T23:36:00.003-05:00

I haven't posted since Christmas. Lots of stuff has been going on and, truthfully, I have had nothing of any use to say.

In the last six months, I have moved forever into my, now our, home... y'all should get to meet her sometime. Seriously, if it can make my grizzled self a better person, it should be therapeutic to anyone.

In the last four months, the company that I work(ed) for was sold to a supplier and I was to move away from Sweet Home Alabama to rot in hell North Carolina or good God no, Delaware.

In the last two weeks, I have accepted an offer that will keep my happy ass right here where it belongs.

If I happen to get unlazy, I will write a bit about the new Harley (FLHR), how I have chosen to pack important items, the mail-order odyssey of gunsmithing via DVD (I might be an idjit, but it never hurts to remove any doubt) and various/sundry other items.

Seven Points and an Arm for Christmas

2009-12-26T09:24:00.008-06:00

I now have a mantle gun, time to clean it up a bit and go find a place to display it. Reckon that and the rack from yesterday afternoon will make a fine start to the trophy room... wherever I put it. Thank you Keith, I had forgotten how great a successful day in the woods was. Truthfully, in the recent (and not so recent) past, hunting meant heading out to the woods and not really hunting, but just hanging out. Back to the arm at hand, I love the story that goes with this firearm. I will find a place to display it very soon.

The story goes something like this... A gentleman enters the gun store looking to sell his grandfather's shotgun. The gun store owner disclaims any desire to purchase this firearm. My friend chooses to purchase this and ultimately gifts it to me on Christmas day. The rest of the story, so far, is that this gun fed that old man's family, in some part, for 75 years here in central Alabama. I am proud to display this worthy old veteran in my home. I very much appreciate tools with a history and a story.

After a little bit of steel wool and some Intertoobing, the mantle piece was manufactured by Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works of Fitchburg, Mass. USA and is marked as Champion (maybe Model 36, doesn't say it, but most of the letters are buried under rust or simply worn away). It is a twelve gauge, is missing its butt plate, probably manufactured in the 1920's and probably early on based on a serial number in the low teen thousands. It is in horrendous shape, but has sooo much character.

In a similar vein, I have deer meat getting ready for the freezer from yesterday afternoon's hunt after grounding a nice little seven point that was taken after a great lunch with friends and family of friends. Thank you Keith and Terry. I introduce all of you to the newest member of the gun safe to have proven itself capable... a Remington 700 in .270 Winchester. Oddly enough, I bought this one from the same guy, rather recently. It is only the second time that I shot it and it is its first time in the woods... not bad for a first outing. :)

What a great Christmas. Belatedly and again, Merry Christmas to all. :)

When I saw this...

2009-12-23T09:57:00.004-06:00

at Lipsey's... you know what happens next and it probably goes without saying... Merry Christmas to me, once again. Somehow, a firearm that says "Come and get it." (paraphrased) tickles me near to death. :)

The Great Escape

2009-12-20T08:28:00.003-06:00

Thanks Mike.

Greetings from...

2009-12-15T16:02:00.006-06:00

Chicago Midway

and ultimately, New York City.

As has become normal, apologies for the quality of the cell phone pictures.

Merry Christmas to Me

2009-12-09T22:37:00.010-06:00

Again, apologies for the fuzzy cell phone picture. By the way, that is a mouse pad flipped upside down that it is residing on... just for a bit of size perspective.

I was at my favorite crack store the other day and this was in the used firearms cabinet. Yup, it had to come home with me... It is a baby 1911-similar pistol from Colt, chambered in .380 ACP. I had no idea that it existed and this is just stupidly cool, in my whacked little brain pan.

Introducing the Mustang Pocketlite from Colt. I saw it, fooled with it, inspected it and had to bring it home. It cleaned up easily, just a little gunk on the bolt face and in the barrel. Other than some real minor wear marks, it looks new. It has already put a couple hydra-shok hollow points down range. I am just tickled that it came home with me today.

As with everything else, when I get around to some range time... blah, blah, blah. I am just happy that it is clean and safe.

A little bit better picture.

Great, more books to order

2009-12-06T16:04:00.002-06:00

Max Brooks... I had no idea, thanks Molly. ;)

Merry Christmas

2009-12-04T06:27:00.002-06:00

Sorry for the fuzzy cell phone picture. I hope to do better with better equipment this weekend.

Apparently, we knew it in the 50's

2009-12-04T05:58:00.003-06:00

Thanks Mike.

Maybe this would make me better at skeet...

2009-12-04T05:48:00.002-06:00

Thanks Mike.

Partially Crimped Hornady TAP/FPD...

2009-11-28T18:30:00.002-06:00

12 Gauge 00 Buck.

I haven't run across this before, the crimp is not fully closed. I found it when I was arming the Strategic Twelve Gauge of Doom^TM--more on that later. I plan to disassemble this one and attempt to find the root cause. Perhaps wad not seated properly, perhaps double charge of shot, etc... If I puzzle it out, will relate here.

Update
I emptied the shot from the improperly crimped round and counted eight pellets. After removing the shot, I noticed that the wad was inserted into the case unevenly. After pressing it into place, I reloaded the shot and was able to press the crimp closed.

I chose to weigh this shell with its four box mates and the results are as follows...
--I have no idea why there is such a large gap between this text and the data tables and between each data table. My html is mighty dated and rusty, but the following should have worked pretty well - any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Apologies for the large gaps in the post, it looks dreadful, but I do not know how to fix it and the searches so far have yielded no answers.

Round	Crimp Status	#1 (g)	#2 (g)	#3 (g)	Avg (g)	Ind Stdv
1	Improper	39.318	39.317	39.318	39.318	0.0004714
2	Proper	39.279	39.278	39.278	39.278	0.0004714
3	Proper	39.259	39.260	39.260	39.260	0.0004714
4	Proper	39.192	39.192	39.193	39.192	0.0004714
5	Proper	39.254	39.254	39.255	39.254	0.0004714

The weighing cycle was Round one to five repeated three times and the values recorded. The Avg (g) is the average of #1 (g) to #3 (g) for each round. The Avg (g) is the MS Excel function average and the Ind Stdv is the MS Excel function stdevp, yes, I know that a population of three is about useless in talking of standard deviations. I used it to show that, for the three measurements taken, the deviation is essentially the same and therefore the instrument yields repeatable results. I have certified standard weights that I could have used to prove this, but for the purposes of this blog... Lab Suiter, please... I am just not going there.

The improperly crimped one certainly seems to weigh more than its brethren, but this one has been handled (by me) to a much larger extent than the rest and it is possible that I have altered the mass inadvertently by too much touching. And maybe, it just weighs a bit more. The point being that I did not handle each of these with tongs or gloves.

The point of this exercise was to determine whether this shell might have been double charged. I believe, reviewing the data at hand, that there is little to no danger of this possibility.

Pop Stdv	Pop Avg	+3 stdev	-3 stdev
0.041	39.260	39.382	39.138
Pro Cri Stdv	Pro Cri Avg	+3 stdev	-3 stdev
0.032	39.246	39.343	39.149

The Pop Stdv is the MS Excel function stdevp used on the entire data set. The Pop Avg is the MS Excel function average used on the entire data set. +3 and -3 stdev is the Avg +/- 3 stdv. The Pro Cri Stdv is the MS Excel function stdevp used on the properly crimped data set and the Pro Cri Avg is the MS Excel function average used on the properly crimped data set.

Data gathered using an Ohaus (uncalibrated since move) Adventurer (Model AR-3130). Left uncalibrated as the actual value was unimportant, the difference in each member of the population was.

Bud, Miller, Coors... take note.

2009-11-28T13:29:00.003-06:00

Received today via e-mail... Thanks Tom.

Happy Thanksgiving to One and All

2009-11-26T17:32:00.002-06:00

I am thankful that I know the Lord.
I am thankful for the good health that I enjoy.
I am thankful for the good friends and family that I treasure.
I am thankful for the job that I fuss about.
I am thankful for the full refrigerator, freezers and pantry that sometimes look empty even though they be full and the roof that under which they reside.
I am thankful that I live in the United States of America as there is no other home for me.
I am thankful for many other things that come and go throughout the year, but rarely say so.

In the spirit of the holidays, thank you God for all that you provide.

Apologies for the somewhat shaky pictures...

The Turkey.

The Potatoes.

The Bread.

And The PIE.

It is really too bad that I make such a lousy looking crust, tastes good, looks wretched. That pie right there deserves a prettier crust, meaning WOW Good!

Foot Soldiers in the Great War of Reparation?

2009-11-25T15:20:00.003-06:00

Firearms & More in Texas!

I have the combined "You MUST be shitting me." - "I am so not surprised by this." reaction going on here.

When National Ammo Day...

2009-11-22T14:31:00.013-06:00

turns into Buy a Gun & Ammunition Day.

I went to my favorite crack store (Simmons Sporting Goods) to pick up some feed in support of the 19 November festivities. Somehow, by Friday afternoon, I had ended up trading my Browning (BAR Safari in .338 Winchester Magnum) and its ammunition for a Weatherby (Mark V Accumark in .300 Weatherby Magnum) and a Walther (PK 380 in .380 ACP) and rounds for each. It never fails, they always have something that has to come home with me.

The offerings (Part I). 160 rounds of various .338 Win Mag.

The offerings (Part II). Browning BAR Safari (.338 Win Mag).

The acquisitions (Part I). Weatherby Accumark (.300 Wby Mag), Walther PK 380 (.380 ACP), 20 rounds of 150 grain partition .300 Wby Mag and 120 rounds of 90 grain low recoil hydra-shok hollow point .380 ACP.

The acquisitions (Part II). 200 rounds of 95 grain full metal jacket .380 ACP from Lucky Gunner. More ammunition is still on the way for the Weatherby.

The Weatherby was a trade in; so, the Bushnell scope sitting on it was part of the deal. I think the sun shade can looks goofy, but it certainly helped when I pointed it toward the West yesterday. It cleaned up very easily and appears to not have been fired much at all. If it has, it really doesn't show it.

The Walther had a bunch of gunk on it (unsurprisingly as it was new), but it cleaned up pretty easily as well. The internal finish isn't the greatest, but what can one expect of a $320 pistol... it cycles properly and goes bang properly and that is pretty much all that is important on a firearm like this.

I don't much care for the need of a tool for disassembly and the recoil spring / rod assembly is a bit difficult to replace. Minor gripes at best. And, the real point of this purchase was to have a firearm based somewhere between .22 LR / WMR and 9mm Parabellum / .38 Special / .357 Magnum. This, because my Momma is considering taking up a bit of shooting. I wanted to have a robust range of arms for her to fool with. I am still considering a .25 or a .32 to stick into the arms list as well... probably not, but am still thinking on it.

I didn't really want to go to .380 ACP and get into the search for that ammunition as well, but priced right and the pistol certainly seems sturdy... after one cleaning and nine rounds. ;) Oh yeah, the slide pull is amazingly soft. I will take a few more pictures the next time I have it out and apart after the next range (backyard) trip and put it up as a separate post.

They have both been cleaned and test fired. If I ever get off of my duff and get back to the rifle range, I will print a couple targets from the Weatherby and put them up here as well.

Why Bush did not Win the Nobel Peace Prize...

2009-11-20T06:07:00.003-06:00

That is the subject header of an e-mail that I received this morning. Favorite line (and will be for days)... "Why don't you go wash your mouth out with a revolver?"

Thanks Frank.

Jimmie Hale...

2009-11-17T12:48:00.000-06:00

just because.

Roll Call Vote 887 - HR 3962 (Affordable Health Care for America Act)

2009-11-08T15:25:00.003-06:00

The title is linked to here it is Roll Call Vote 887 regarding HR 3962 (Affordable Health Care for America Act). Miserable, rotten cretins and no, I do not believe the Senate will put a stop to this.
My elected representative, Artur Davis (D) - Tuscaloosa was one of the 39 Democrats who voted against. Thank you Mr. Davis.

Follow either of the links above and check on your elected representatives... just to see if you feel represented.

Innovation...

2009-10-13T15:18:00.008-05:00

thy name be buggy cup holder. If you look inside the handle on either side, the left one has no bottom for longer / wider cups and the right has a wire bottom for containers too small to wedge before falling through. Genius! ;)

And... greetings from Indiana once again. This photo taken of the buggies at the Meijer in Merrillville. And no, my country @ss has not seen a cup holder on a buggy yet. And yes, it is called a buggy.

Not what I wanted to see...

2009-10-09T20:11:00.003-05:00

on my way to return the rental this morning at Chicago Midway.

Please note the left rear wheel of the S-10 Blazer in front of me. All I could think was please let that wheel stay on for another couple hundred yards.

Greetings from Indiana...

2009-10-08T12:42:00.004-05:00

Not every day that you see a dirt track sprint hanging above your head... Pretty good eats and excellent service at the Quaker Steak and Lube ;)

Learned how...

2009-10-01T22:02:00.001-05:00

to do a little canning today. :)

All Roads Lead to Sturgis...

2009-09-29T21:20:00.002-05:00

today, at least. Stopped by the Knuckle Saloon today... just to have a look around.

Waitin' on the Pilot Car...

2009-09-28T21:55:00.002-05:00

and the South Dakota sunflowers are soon to be harvested.

Interesting bit of Technology

2009-09-23T09:54:00.004-05:00

But, the catchy part is where it shows a time lapse google earth depiction of an Iranian nuclear site about halfway in...

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/video/231-touchtable.html
Thanks Tom

Hydrogen Barackside

2009-09-20T17:17:00.003-05:00

Thanks Tom.

United States House of Representatives votes on...

2009-09-15T19:50:00.005-05:00

Raising a question of the privileges of the House. House Resolution 744 and Roll Call Vote 699 during the 111th Congress - 1st Session (2009).

Near as I can figure, this is the one "rebuking" congress critter Wilson for calling Mao a liar. It is the only one that I see from today that I think it might be. If that be true, then it is unfortunate that Artur Davis, my representative, voted for whatever it is that this thing is.

Clicking on the Issue (744) doesn't allow me to read anything about it... So, as of this moment, I am just guessing. And yes, with the history of donkey and elephant calling each other names, I think this is political grandstanding.

The National Anthem

2009-09-15T18:39:00.003-05:00

US National Anthem by the Academy Choirs

Tom, thank you for the e-mail. In a word, this is awesome.

Take a Trip on over to the Lone Star Parson

2009-09-06T21:54:00.005-05:00

and give this a read. Especially, touch the link September 20, which talks about the Chinese flag being hoisted over the South Lawn of the White House. If that don't chap yer ass...

Interesting Commentary on the History Channel the Other Night...

2009-09-06T18:06:00.001-05:00

"My Father & Mother were deeply impressed by the successes at home & abroad. Of course, they were fake. Hitler just printed money & pretended to be a miracle worker. But, at the time, the people didn't see through it. Also, Hitler gave the impression of being on the side of the military; and, they liked that too. So, I can't say that in the years 1933, 34 & 35 my Father understood Hitler's true nature; not at all. If that had been the case, then his behavior would not have been at all explicable."

Manfred Rommel answering the question: "What did Rommel think of Hitler?".

Excerpted from The Warrior Series / Special: Erwin Rommel joins a Conspiracy to Kill Hitler, Episode 1: Original Air Date 24 November 2003 - The History Channel.

Priceless

2009-09-02T16:11:00.003-05:00

Thanks Mary. ;)

Ten-and-one-half minutes...

2009-08-18T18:58:00.003-05:00

to illustrate the difference between a republic and every other form of rule.

Thanks Frank.

There is a new Four-Legged Critter...

2009-08-16T19:50:00.005-05:00

roaming about the Rewst these days. :)

Everyone, say hello to Molle. Molle say hello to everyone. And yes, it was Molly... but with my background and inclinations... MOLLE just seemed mo' right. ;)

I could not be happier with her. I could not be much less happy with whom I got her from. All I will say is... God bless him for getting her off of the street(s) and I am very happy to have her home with me. She will be fine in a few months and is, so far, the sweetest and smartest of them all... of course. ;)

She looks to be a Shepherd mix, maybe mixed with chow chow and maybe shar pei and maybe who knows. The pictures that I have seen tend to make me think shar pei, but the black underside of her tongue makes me wonder. Oh well, long nose, floppy but perky ears... already monikered with the Bat Dog... actually... Stinky Ol' Bat Dog for now. She was just spayed last Monday and smellz like DOGZ. And, the poor girl has a serious case of the sarcoptic mange and the ears show it... actually even worse than the tail. So, there she is. Molle the stinky ol' bat dog. I do love her so.

More to come.

I had NO idea...

2009-08-14T18:34:00.001-05:00

This explains more about the Kennedy clan than mere incidental loathing could ever...

H/T Dirtcrashr

Excellent Snub Post with Discussion at...

2009-07-26T17:00:00.001-05:00

Hell in a Handbasket. Interesting stuff, especially for those of us who have never but are fixin' to start toting a snub when appropriate.

Incredible

2009-07-26T15:43:00.002-05:00

Received this link via e-mail... Thanks Tom.

Sad, losing a hero...

2009-07-11T10:13:00.003-05:00

and I mean an actual, jumped out of airplanes and battled across Europe against the forces of evil known as the Axis Powers of Europe type of hero. Not a modern day weenie who we claim is a hero to make everyone around the burning barrel feel better.

God rest your soul Shifty Powers.

H/T Firehand @ Irons in the Fire

"We Bring Fear"

2009-07-11T10:02:00.003-05:00

Honestly, I haven't (and shame on me for not) researched the actual conditions in Mexico as they are a much closer neighbor than any other nation save Cuba and a few of the Caribbean. This is something that I am not surprised by. I have spent zero time looking for the sourcing of this story and verifying it.

H/T Kaveman @ Days of Our Trailers

Getting one right...

2009-07-08T19:14:00.004-05:00

Alabama Attorney General Signs Amicus Brief Supporting Second Amendment Incorporation...

This from an NRA-ILA e-mailing.

Socialism explained...

2009-07-08T19:09:00.003-05:00

so that even the dense can get it. Got this in an e-mail today... Thanks Mary.

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D!

No one was happy. When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

It could not be any simpler than that.

And lastly,

2009-07-07T17:34:00.003-05:00

Just to make you want to go back to today's "train to WIN" video.

MSNBC: "What a tax on benefits may mean"

Excerpt: "The tax exclusion for the value of workers' health benefits represents one of the most substantial sources of funding for comprehensive health overhaul efforts, many economists say."

Congress wants to tax us on our health insurance benefit to pay for universal health care. Morons. Sorry... individuals.

Next, off to Sipsey Street

2009-07-07T17:31:00.000-05:00

Legitimacy: The Unemployment Bomb, Obama in Moscow and blocking the fatal blow.

If you have the time, give it a read.

Then there is this from Jihad Watch

2009-07-07T17:26:00.003-05:00

UK deports terror threats!

It is a story about how a few Christians (of US origin) got shipped back to the US for having the audacity to show up to do some missionary work. Amazing how far wrong the laws have gone.

Sent to me with the subject line...

2009-07-07T17:06:00.004-05:00

This is why we train to WIN!

Thanks Mike. ;)

A more complete list of the events...

2009-07-06T20:40:00.013-05:00

that occurred during the 04 July 2009 "Thunder in My Hands" experiment.

First, THANK YOU, to James @ Hell in a Handbasket for bringing this up to start with and then directing all the traffic to this site. Second, THANK YOU, to all of you who have commented and e-mailed about the topic. I have learned that I don't know Jack about audio... oh well, what can you expect from a metallurgist?

Starting around 13:00 on my back veranda (also discussed as the 25 Backyard Range of Doom™), the gear is assembled.

The meter and the forms... note the spiffy Aluminum clipboard.

The firearms, ammunition and ever-present mobile phone.

All of the above are placed ever-so-professionally upon the top of my Weber.

First off, load six rounds of 180 grain Remington Jacketed Soft Point into each firearm.

Second, paw the Ruger and set up with it in my right hand and the meter in my left hand held against the left side of the grip and as near vertical as I can manage.

Third, draw the hammer back, take aim and squeeze trigger.

Fourth, look at the meter and be confused by the 41 dB it is showing.

Fifth, realize that I did not set the "hold max" feature on the meter and have no idea what the loudest noise it recorded was.

Sixth, reset in the position noted in the second step.

Seventh, repeat the hammer draw, take aim and maintain strict trigger finger discipline.

Eighth, set the "hold max" feature. Set now so as to not record the cocking action.

Ninth, fire.

Tenth, place the firearm on the Weber and record the data point.

Repeat four more times with only one more of the did not set the "hold max" feature. Repeat six more times as I did not believe the data and I blew it on two data points.

Repeat six more times with the meter being moved to near my left ear.

Next, grab the Desert Eagle and repeat the above steps and add a put safety on/off step for near grip and near left ear data collection.

Next, get reminded why I don't shoot 180 grain ammunition in the Desert Eagle. Yeah, the book even says 240 grain minimum, anything less will not cycle the firearm properly... guess what? It means it.

A classic extractor did not eject the shell and attempted a double feed.

A bit clearer view of the double feed.

Now, repeat the above, without the forget to set the "hold max" feature and without the double feed, using 240 grain Hornady Jacketed Hollow Point eXtreme Terminal Performance ammunition.

All worked well here except that I forgot the Desert Eagle doesn't like Hornady either. The Hornady ammunition is just a bit longer and you can only fit four to five rounds into the magazine before the bottom one sticks. Once one is stuck, plan on monkeying with it for awhile to get the stuck one to drop back out. So, I did these six round sequences a whopping three rounds at a time.

All of the "equipment" except the glasses lined up.

Spent Hornady.

Spent Remington.

All of the data is posted here. Yes, I am too lazy to copy and paste the data from a failed experiment to here. ;)

So, after a fair bit of discussion and reading, I have come to the realization that the meter is very likely the root of all evil (insufficient range of measurement and insufficient sampling rate) here in this failed experiment. And, now I have to determine what my next course of action will be.

Things that I did notice during this experiment.
1. I noticed that the data was ridiculously out of range for what I "know" to be true, but I kept on collecting data because it was fun. :)
2. The Ruger is shooting high. I wonder if that is because I am shooting one-handed where I would normally shoot with two? If so, why did I not see the same phenomenon while shooting the Desert Eagle? And, I am the first to admit that I normally fire both of these with both hands... on deck, as it were.
3. The meter showed around 50 dB at the hammer draw on the Ruger and at the safety disengage on the Desert Eagle.
4. I have never before continued to collect data when I "knew" it was incorrect, but it was fun. :)
5. The Desert Eagle is a fussy little... critter. But, I knew that anyway and it is still one of my favorites, nix that, it is my favorite and if I could conceal it, I would carry it. It is fiercely dependable when fed the proper diet.

What's next?

Research the topic more thoroughly, ascertain the correct equipment, develop an appropriate procedure and try again. I am now more curious than ever. As always, input is always & absolutely welcome here at the Rewst.

The Data.

2009-07-04T13:59:00.002-05:00

.44 Magnum Remington 180 grain JSP

Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel (#1 & #2 held meter next to the grip, #3 held the meter near my left ear).

#1: -, 87.3, 67.3, 68.6, 84.9, -
#2: 66.6, 71.7, 88.8, 67.7, 68.7, 66.9
#3: 67.3, 68.0, 67.1, 67.4, 67.3, 66.2

Desert Eagle Mk VII 6" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).

#1: 88.7, 68.7, 87.3, 86.6, 86.5, 86.3
#2: 66.8, 67.8, 67.7, 69.0, 85.7, 66.9

.44 Magnum Hornady 240 grain JHP XTP (did not have enough 300 grain to complete the test).

Ruger Super Blackhawk 7.5" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).

#1: 67.7, 68.6, 68.4, 86.6, 68.1, 67.8
#2: 67.7, 66.9, 67.3, 68.2, 67.7, 65.6

Desert Eagle Mk VII 6" barrel (#1 held meter next to the grip, #2 held the meter near my left ear).

#1: 69.4, 68.3, 86.6, 68.6, 68.0, 68.1
#2: 68.3, 67.9, 66.7, 67.5, 67.5, 67.1

Notes:

A. #1 in the Remington 180 grain has two missed data points due to not setting "hold max" feature on the meter.

B. Some discussion in the e-mail centered around the 40ms sampling and that it might not be sufficient to capture the report at its loudest. It would appear that is the case as the meter never even reached 90 decibels.

C. I added to the test by firing six rounds with the meter held next to the grip and an additional six with the meter held near my left ear. This was done in hopes of learning something about the location of the "ear" vs. the noise level experienced.

D. I will be compiling this in a better format and with what few pictures (none shooting) were taken.

E. I will be doing some research on how best to accurately measure the report of the firearms and will try this again... hopefully soon.

Data Collection

2009-07-02T09:30:00.006-05:00

Set up my data collection forms today and they look like this.

If anyone sees something that I have forgotten / overlooked, please let me know. Also, this is a multi-use form that I will use when I get my "Box O' Truth"-esque shooting station set up.

You might note that I have chosen two different loads to perform the testing with. The first is 180 grain Remington JSP and the last is 300 grain Hornady JHP XTP. These were chosen because they cover the range of .44 Remington Magnum ammunition that I own. Well, I have some 305 grain Corbon, but at $2.50 per round, I chose to not use it here. Yeah, I know, cheap *&!!**~!%.

Notes about the calculations: the average is the Microsoft Excel 2007 =average() formula and the standard deviation is the Microsoft Excel 2007 =stdev() formula.

Change

2009-07-01T21:21:00.002-05:00

Thanks Frank.

Change Change Change!!!!!!!!!!

Not long ago I read a joke ... It said all the politicians running for president are promising change to the American people.

We send them billions and billions of tax dollars and they send us the change. Funny? Not really; there is too much truth in it to be funny. That got me to thinking ... They all promise change. How about if they run on a promise of restoration rather than change. A restoration that would take us back in time to a place where things ran better, smoother and life was more enjoyable. Change? That, in truth, is what they have been giving us all along.

We used to have a strong dollar ... Politicians changed that.
Life used to be sacred ... Politicians changed that.
Marriage used to be sacred ... Politicians are changing that.
We used to be respected around the world ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have a strong manufacturing economy ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have lower tax structures ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy more freedoms ... Politicians changed that.
We used to be a large exporter of American made goods ... Politicians changed that.
We used to be an openly Christian nation .... Politicians changed that.
We used to teach patriotism in schools ... Politicians changed that.
We used to educate children in schools ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enjoy freedom of speech ... Politicians changed that.
We used to enforce LEGAL citizenship ... Politicians changed that.
We used to have affordable food & gas prices ... Politicians changed that, too... and one could go on and on with this list.

What hasn't been changed, politicians are promising to change that as well if you will elect them.

When, oh when, is America going to sit back with open eyes and look at what we once were and where we have come and say, enough is enough?

The trouble is, America 's youthful voters today don't know of the great America that existed forty and fifty years ago. They see the world as if it has always existed, as it is now. When will we wake up? Tomorrow may be too late.

When will America realize .... Politicians are what is wrong with America?

Strange Place...

2009-07-01T20:31:00.003-05:00

for this Google search to originate...

So, the Experiment is set...

2009-07-01T19:58:00.005-05:00

Well actually, a start has been managed. James over at Handbasket made a statement that caused me to ask a question (actually more than one). He saw fit to address it (them) in a blog post and now my curiosity is even greater than before.

Today, I borrowed a decibel meter (Extech Instruments 407730) from work and will use it some time this weekend to see if a revolver (.44 magnum Super Blackhawk) is louder than an autoloader (.44 magnum Desert Eagle Mk VII). I chose these two because they are the only pair that I have that fits the design criteria of the experiment.

Design (intent)...
1. The firearms must be able to chamber and fire the same ammunition.
2. They must both be of similar size (e.g. medium frame or full size, etc).
3. The meter will be held in my left hand next to the grip and facing me.
4. Six (because the Ruger holds six) rounds will be fired in each firearm.
5. An average for each firearm will be calculated as well as a standard deviation for each population.

Also, the following are true...
a. This means that I will be shooting one-handed. -- So what.
b. The meter is multi-directional. -- It does not matter which way it is facing.
c. I chose this configuration to make the location of the meter firearm specific, not user specific. -- As in, my ears are probably farther away than some folks'.
d. I have not calibrated the meter. -- I am comparing one firearm immediately to another, it does not matter to me.

If anyone has anything to add, I will probably be at it Saturday and am open to suggestions on how to better the experiment. Also, engineer, not artist... so, the pictures will be amateurish at best.

See Previous Post

2009-06-30T20:50:00.002-05:00

Honduras... let us all butt out. It would seem that they have it well in hand... actually, it looks like they do better than we do at it.

Mike over at...

2009-06-30T20:41:00.002-05:00

Sipsey Street reminds us to mind our manners, prove that we deserve our thumbs and pick up after our damn selves.

True Friendship

2009-06-30T20:27:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Frank, Mary and everyone else who sent this to me. ;)

Impossible Things To Say...

2009-06-30T20:18:00.001-05:00

when drunk... Thanks Patti

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon

THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionalistically
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Transubstantiate

THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:

1. No thanks, I'm married.
2. Nope, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Taco Bell? No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now, as I have to work in the morning.

How the House voted on HR 2454

2009-06-27T11:36:00.002-05:00

Roll 477 - HR2454 - American Clean Energy and Security Act.

Mine voted no. I would encourage you to go look for yours. Do we all realize that we emit CO/CO2 every time we exhale? Morons.

John Lott's Website: The names of the eight Republicans who voted for the cap & trade bill in the House last night

2009-06-27T11:30:00.001-05:00

John Lott's Website: The names of the eight Republicans who voted for the cap & trade bill in the House last night

Miserable... rotten... oh, you get the idea.

Because it is aiming toward hot...

2009-06-27T11:04:00.005-05:00

and I am avoiding any real work for a little longer...

Iran. I Ran. IR an. IRA n. --North Korea, Pakistan, etc--

Yes, the treatment of the people by their leadership is... I don't really have a word for it... despicable (but that is weak). Yes, bullies of the world do this. Yes, I have never much cared for bullies. And, herein lies the problem.

For all that lives in my soul, I would (and have) protect(ed) those who cannot protect themselves. But, I will not even ponder on it for those who will not protect themselves.

For my coin, we butt out of Iran, much farther (as in the removal of nuclear weapons and technology, then butt out) in Pakistan via Afghanistan (now that we have helped to destabilize both) and tell N. Ko to watch what happens and no, China won't save you this time. All meaning... Leave us be... Period. If the citizens of those lands want regime change (and they don't, not by their own labor anyway), let them organize and begin the battle. Then, if it suits us, we can lend aid. Seems that is how it was done in the 1700s anyway. The only reasons for intervention (as I see it) are as follows and this applies to any foreign state...

1. Attack us directly. See how that works out for you.
2. Attack an ally. See item 1.
3. Make a global menace of yourself on the scale of atomic weapons. See item 1.

We are not on this Earth to be the nanny for the rest of it. First, it is presumptuous. Second, it is arrogant. Third, it just pisses them off anyway. Why do we think that our Wonderful Way of Life™ fits anywhere else in the world?

The innertoob, teewee, etc will always be able to find enough angry people to fill the camera lens... on any topic. So, as long as we let the "leaders of the world" and the "media" guide our foreign policy... we will always be the asshat of the world.

My Query Submitted to the American Legion Magazine...

2009-06-26T19:33:00.002-05:00

regarding the 90% quote found in a story in the June 2009 issue.

Good Evening,

Please allow me to start by saying that I truly appreciate all that the Legion does and what it stands for. The what it stands for is why I am writing this mail. On page 27 near the bottom of the right hand column, in the story titled The WAR Next Door written by Jay Stuller, there is a quote attributed to Dianne Feinstein. It is the same “90% of the firearms found at Mexican crime scenes originated in the US” quote. How is it that this lie came to be printed in our magazine?

If I should get a response, I will most happily post it.

Exactly...

2009-06-26T19:17:00.003-05:00

ET has something up over here. Describes the funk (no, not the P. Funk) real well (except for the CA part, for which I go nothing). BTW, if you wanna slide by the 25 Backyard Range of Doom™ --B RoD™-- (it can be done by the time you get here)... feel free.

The Religion of Peace is Proselytizing...

2009-06-26T19:05:00.005-05:00

here in the Americas.

So, Jihad Watch has a piece that talks about CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) distributing 100,000 korans to American "leaders". I reckon proselytizing is a one way street to these folks. Can one imagine what would happen if Bibles were distributed to a muslim population?

Smile

2009-06-22T17:05:00.000-05:00

Got this in an e-mail today. Thanks Tom.

Robbie Knievel is at it again.

FREE TICKETS

Robbie Knievel (son of Evil Knievel) has an event at the Ford Center this weekend in Beaumont, Texas. He's going to try to jump over 1,000 Obama supporters with a bulldozer.

I have 4 extra tickets if anybody wants them. Should be a good time.

Something else from the June edition of the American Legion magazine

2009-06-21T14:49:00.004-05:00

Not that this is a big deal, it is just something that I noticed. The "Big Issues" section of the magazine (p. 10 in the June 2009 edition) is where opposing congressional views on a topic are delivered.

In all the time that I have been reading this magazine, I do not ever recall a time where it was not a Democrat on one side and a Republicrat on the other. This issue, two Democrats talking about stem cells.

Again, not a big deal... just don't remember seeing it before.

An interesting place to read this...

2009-06-21T14:19:00.003-05:00

I have been behind in nearly every aspect of normalcy as of late with all of the rush to plant and vacation and equipment malf's at work. So, I am just now beginning to get on periodicals that have been lying about for awhile. Having said that, I began reading the June 2009 edition of the American Legion magazine last night and got as far as the middle.

There is a story titled "The WAR Next Door" written by Jay Stuller appearing on pages 24 through 28. In the subsection titled 'Fear, Loathing and a Little Help From Up North.' (p.27), the following quotation is made...

"It's unacceptable to have 90 percent of the guns that are picked up in Mexico and are used to shoot judges, police officers, mayors, kidnap innocent people and do terrible things come from the United States," says Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.

Why... is... this... LIE being repeated? In fact, if this story, talking about the internal strife in Mexico and its possibility for becoming a failed state, were to aim a little closer at the nail head, it may want to talk more about the illicit military arms that are making their way into Mexico and a little less about the illicit civilian arms.

Yes, illicit arms are a real problem in Mexico. Yes, some fraction of them are purchased by "straw buyers" in the US and moved across the border. If there is an outcry for all of the other sources to quit it (like from the US .gov to the MX .gov and then toted off to gangland with the deserters), I would surely like to hear it. As for the illegal transfer of US civilian arms to Mexico... build that fence, man that fence, arm that fence and outfit that fence with enhanced tunnel locating hardware.

As for this sort of thing showing up in the American Legion magazine... unconscionable is the only word that I can come up with.

Maobama I

2009-06-20T13:54:00.003-05:00

Got this in an e-mail and it fits too well with yesterday's to not pass along. Thanks Mary.

Maobama

2009-06-19T19:46:00.002-05:00

I heard that on the SIRIUS this morning and about fell down... hard to do when you are driving. ;) It fits all too well. Say it with me just one time... MaoBama

Divorce Agreement

2009-06-19T19:43:00.002-05:00

As I have been tremendously lame in the original content department, I submit yet another bit from the e-mail box. Thanks Tom.

-----------

Dear American liberals, leftists, social progressives, socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al:

We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the whole of this latest election process has made me realize that I want a divorce. I know we tolerated each other for many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly, this relationship has run its course. Our two ideological sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on what is right so let's just end it on friendly terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable differences and go our own way.

Here is a model separation agreement:

Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by landmass each taking a portion. That will be the difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy! Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets since both sides have such distinct and disparate tastes.

We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU. Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military. You can keep Oprah, Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell (You are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel vehicle big enough to move all three of them).

We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations, pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies and illegal aliens. We'll keep the hot Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks. We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and Hollywood.

You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten us. You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our allies or our way of life are under assault, we'll help provide them security.

We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.. You are welcome to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley McClain. You can also have the U.N.. but we will no longer be paying the bill.

We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks and oversized luxury cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can find.

You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare is a luxury and not a right. We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing, Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World.

We'll practice trickle down economics and you can give trickle up poverty your best shot. Since it often so offends you, we'll keep our history, our name and our flag.

Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to other like minded liberal and conservative patriots and if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of friendly parting, I'll bet you ANWAR which one of us will need whose help in 15 years.

Sincerely,

Law Student and an American

P.S. Also, please take Barbara Streisand & Jane Fonda with you.

I was going to introduce the five foot Gladiolus but...

2009-06-18T20:14:00.004-05:00

I received this in an e-mail. It is long, worth a quick read and all I can say is I agree and I hope so. Thanks Clint...

------

GLENN: I got a letter from a woman in Arizona. She writes an open letter to our nation's leadership: I'm a home grown American citizen, 53, registered Democrat all my life. Before the last presidential election I registered as a Republican because I no longer felt the Democratic Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. Now I no longer feel the Republican Party represents my views or works to pursue issues important to me. The fact is I no longer feel any political party or representative in Washington represents my views or works to pursue the issues important to me. There must be someone. Please tell me who you are. Please stand up and tell me that you are there and that you're willing to fight for our Constitution as it was written. Please stand up now. You might ask yourself what my views and issues are that I would horribly feel so disenfranchised by both major political parties. What kind of nut job am I? Will you please tell me?

Well, these are briefly my views and issues for which I seek representation:

One, illegal immigration. I want you to stop coddling illegal immigrants and secure our borders. Close the underground tunnels. Stop the violence and the trafficking in drugs and people. No amnesty, not again. Been there, done that, no resolution. P.S., I'm not a racist. This isn't to be confused with legal immigration.

Two, the TARP bill, I want it repealed and I want no further funding supplied to it. We told you no, but you did it anyway. I want the remaining unfunded 95% repealed. Freeze, repeal.

Three: Czars, I want the circumvention of our checks and balances stopped immediately. Fire the czars. No more czars. Government officials answer to the process, not to the president. Stop trampling on our Constitution and honor it.

Four, cap and trade. The debate on global warming is not over. There is more to say.

Five, universal health care. I will not be rushed into another expensive decision. Don't you dare try to pass this in the middle of the night and then go on break. Slow down!

Six, growing government control. I want states rights and sovereignty fully restored. I want less government in my life, not more. Shrink it down. Mind your own business. You have enough to take care of with your real obligations. Why don't you start there.

Seven, ACORN. I do not want ACORN and its affiliates in charge of our 2010 census. I want them investigated. I also do not want mandatory escrow fees contributed to them every time on every real estate deal that closes. Stop the funding to ACORN and its affiliates pending impartial audits and investigations. I do not trust them with taking the census over with our taxpayer money. I don't trust them with our taxpayer money. Face up to the allegations against them and get it resolved before taxpayers get any more involved with them. If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, hello. Stop protecting your political buddies. You work for us, the people. Investigate.

Eight, redistribution of wealth. No, no, no. I work for my money. It is mine. I have always worked for people with more money than I have because they gave me jobs. That is the only redistribution of wealth that I will support. I never got a job from a poor person. Why do you want me to hate my employers? Why what do you have against shareholders making a profit?

Nine, charitable contributions. Although I never got a job from a poor person, I have helped many in need. Charity belongs in our local communities, where we know our needs best and can use our local talent and our local resources. Butt out, please. We want to do it ourselves.

Ten, corporate bailouts. Knock it off. Sink or swim like the rest of us. If there are hard times ahead, we'll be better off just getting into it and letting the strong survive. Quick and painful. Have you ever ripped off a Band Aid? We will pull together. Great things happen in America under great hardship. Give us the chance to innovate. We cannot disappoint you more than you have disappointed us.

Eleven, transparency and accountability. How about it? No, really, how about it? Let's have it. Let's say we give the buzzwords a rest and have some straight honest talk. Please try please stop manipulating and trying to appease me with clever wording. I am not the idiot you obviously take me for. Stop sneaking around and meeting in back rooms making deals with your friends. It will only be a prelude to your criminal investigation. Stop hiding things from me.

Twelve, unprecedented quick spending. Stop it now.
Take a breath. Listen to the people. Let's just slow down and get some input from some non politicians on the subject. Stop making everything an emergency. Stop speed reading our bills into law.

I am not an activist. I am not a community organizer. Nor am I a terrorist, a militant or a violent person. I am a parent and a grandparent. I work. I'm busy. I'm busy. I am busy, and I am tired. I thought we elected competent people to take care of the business of government so that we could work, raise our families, pay our bills, have a little recreation, complain about taxes, endure our hardships, pursue our personal goals, cut our lawn, wash our cars on the weekends and be responsible contributing members of society and teach our children to be the same all while living in the home of the free and land of the brave.

I entrusted you with upholding the Constitution. I believed in the checks and balances to keep from getting far off course. What happened? You are very far off course. Do you really think I find humor in the hiring of a speed reader to unintelligently ramble all through a bill that you signed into law without knowing what it contained? I do not. It is a mockery of the responsibility I have entrusted to you. It is a slap in the face. I am not laughing at your arrogance. Why is it that I feel as if you would not trust me to make a single decision about my own life and how I would live it but you should expect that I should trust you with the debt that you have laid on all of us and our children. We did not want the TARP bill. We said no. We would repeal it if we could. I am sure that we still cannot. There is such urgency and recklessness in all of the recent spending.

From my perspective, it seems that all of you have gone insane. I also know that I am far from alone in these feelings. Do you honestly feel that your current pursuits have merit to patriotic Americans? We want it to stop. We want to put the brakes on everything that is being rushed by us and forced upon us. We want our voice back.

You have forced us to put our lives on hold to straighten out the mess that you are making. We will have to give up our vacations, our time spent with our children, any relaxation time we may have had and money we cannot afford to spend on you to bring our concerns to Washington. Our president often knows all the right buzzword is unsustainable. Well, no kidding. How many tens of thousands of dollars did the focus group cost to come up with that word? We don't want your overpriced words. Stop treating us like we're morons.

We want all of you to stop focusing on your reelection and do the job we want done, not the job you want done or the job your party wants done. You work for us and at this rate I guarantee you not for long because we are coming. We will be heard and we will be represented. You think we're so busy with our lives that we will never come for you?

We are the formerly silent majority, all of us who quietly work , pay taxes, obey the law, vote, save money, keep our noses to the grindstone and we are now looking up at you. You have awakened us, the patriotic spirit so strong and so powerful that it had been sleeping too long. You have pushed us too far. Our numbers are great. They may surprise you. For every one of us who will be there, there will be hundreds more that could not come.

Unlike you, we have their trust. We will represent them honestly, rest assured. They will be at the polls on voting day to usher you out of office. We have cancelled vacations. We will use our last few dollars saved. We will find the representation among us and a grassroots campaign will flourish. We didn't ask for this fight. But the gloves are coming off. We do not come in violence, but we are angry. You will represent us or you will be replaced with someone who will. There are candidates among us who will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes that you have made of our constitution.

Democrat, Republican, independent, libertarian. Understand this. We don't care.

Political parties are meaningless to us. Patriotic Americans are willing to do right by us and our Constitution and that is all that matters to us now. We are going to fire all of you who abuse power and seek more. It is not your power. It is ours and we want it back. We entrusted you with it and you abused it. You are dishonorable. You are dishonest. As Americans we are ashamed of you. You have brought shame to us.

If you are not representing the wants and needs of your constituency loudly and consistently, in spite of the objections of your party, you will be fired. Did you hear? We no longer care about your political parties. You need to be loyal to us, not to them. Because we will get you fired and they will not save you.

If you do or can represent me, my issues, my views, please stand up. Make your identity known. You need to make some noise about it. Speak up. I need to know who you are. If you do not speak up, you will be herded out with the rest of the sheep and we will replace the whole damn congress if need be, one by one. We are coming. Are we coming for you? Who do you represent? What do you represent? Listen. Because we are coming.

We the people are coming.

Well now, I don't know about...

2009-06-17T18:44:00.004-05:00

the Global Warming, but the Alabama Warming certainly has gotten with it. I heard heat index of 105 today. It is the kind of hot that makes a gradually colder shower move from seems like a good idea to mandatory else you will start sweating straight out of the shower.

Got to love that the remaining yard work is on the West side of the house, away from the tree line... very poor planning on my part.

Gratefully, the Spring yard work is almost done. There is a little blueberry picking, a little blackberry picking, a few peaches and some garden veg -tomatoes, chilies and bush beans are on and the bells, pumpkin, cucumber and squash are in flower. Add this on to the weekly mowing regimen and that will be about all I have left from July to near the end of September. :)

Unless of course we count about a half mile of new 4 strand barbed wire fence, a few gates, a half acre of trees to clear (with stumps and roots to pull), prep for the faux-orchard and a bunch of edging, stairs and water diversion. Heck, might as well toss in the deck addition, the fire pit modification and the trailer(s) parking pad out back. I believe that the sweat started just typing all that work. ;)

One Last Request

2009-06-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

Received this today via e-mail and got a grin out of it. Thanks Tom.

Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams and a tough U.S. Marine Corporal were captured by terrorists in Iraq. The leader of the terrorists told them he'd grant each of them one last request before they were beheaded and dragged naked through the streets.

Katie Couric said, 'Well, I'm a Southerner, so I'd like one last plate of fried chicken.'

The leader nodded to an underling who left and returned with the chicken. Couric ate it all and said, 'Now I can die content.'

Charlie Gibson said, 'I'm living in' New York , so I'd like to hear the song, The Moon and Me, one last time.'

The terrorist leader nodded to another terrorist who had studied the Western world and knew the music. He returned with some rag-tag musicians and played the song.

Gibson was satisfied.

Brian Williams said, 'I'm a reporter to the end. I want to take out my tape recorder and describe the scene here and what's about to happen. Maybe, someday, someone will hear it and know that I was on the job till the end.'

The leader directed an aide to hand over the tape recorder and Williams dictated his comments.

He then said, 'Now I can die happy.'

The leader turned and asked, 'And now, Mr. U.S. Marine, what is your final wish?

'Kick me in the ass,' said the Marine.

'What?' asked the leader, 'Will you mock us in your last hour?'

'No, I'm NOT kidding. I want you to kick me in the ass,' insisted the Marine.

So the leader shoved him into the yard and kicked him in the ass. The Marine went sprawling, but rolled to his knees, pulled out a 9 mm pistol hidden from inside his Recon cammies and shot the leader dead. In the resulting confusion, he emptied his sidearm on six terrorists, then with his Ka-bar knife he slashed the throat of one, and with an AK-47, which he took, sprayed the rest of the terrorists killing another 11.
In a flash, all of them were either dead or fleeing for their lives.

As the Marine was untying Couric, Gibson, and Williams, they asked him, 'Why didn't you just shoot them all in the first place? Why did you ask him to kick you in the ass?'

'What?' replied the Marine, 'and have you three assholes report that I was the aggressor....?'

Semper Fi!

Smile

2009-06-15T17:09:00.003-05:00

The weekend of rain has been beneficial in many ways...

2009-06-14T22:00:00.004-05:00

I have zero firearms that have been fired more recently than they have been cleaned. :)
Carpets are clean, kitchen is clean and more items are dust free than dust laden. :)
With nearly four inches of rain in the last three days, there will be no watering requirements in the yard for the near future. :)
E-mail and blog reading is caught up for the first time in who knows how long. :)
My office only looks like one major disaster instead of the several it has resembled since before going on vacation a couple of weeks ago. :) :)
Oh yeah, and the napping to the thunderstorms has been most excellent. ;)

Well, Springtime Mashed the Pause Button...

2009-06-05T20:55:00.008-05:00

To Y'all who keep posting no matter what time of year it is... H/T to ya... as for my aging, under-exercised, perpetually wore out engineer @ss, I hope to get back to it in July... when it is too hot outside to sensibly plant anything. Out of curiosity, those of you Jay G, Brigid, Handbasket, Tam, ET, Xavier, etc. who post in spite of tremendously full "Other Lives"... how?

And, because I have to. To all my current and prior military brethren... I am sooooo sorry that you are stuck with your current C-in-C, just (IMHO) be more wary of who stands behind him (don't mean the handlers, I mean Biden, Pelosi, et al). And to my patriot (and occasional Threeper) brethren, patience is a virtue, don't allow patience to override good sense... and never, NEVER provocate until it is really ON. Last, there is no real hope in negotiation (especially from a position of weakness)... peace through superior firepower is the human way (yes, we, as humans, suck and we are the TOP of the current evolutionary ladder)... Just sayin'.

I truly hope to have some meaningful and useful stuff for posting by July. Maybe pictures of the landscaping and an itemized review of the 'Bama legistlative process will suffice... doubt it, but hope springs eternal without the stinking change. And, by the way, tonight's short backyard session with some .44 Mag and the Desert Eagle Mk VII was tremendously therapeutic.

-Dan

On the Alabama Legislative Calendar for 07 May 2009

2009-05-06T19:00:00.002-05:00

According to the ALISON Database (06 May 2009 19:10) the following bills will be under discussion in the Senate on the 7th of May, 2009. Please take the time to contact your representative(s) and senator(s) and let them know what you think.

I slack for a day and all of a sudden they get busy with it.

Bills on the Senate Schedule for Legislative Day 28 (07 May 2009)

HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - as passed by the House
The substitution appears to make punctuation and verbiage changes to the effect of changing communications to telecommunications on lines 2 & 3 from page 9.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - as passed by the House
The substitution appears to effect a verbiage change on the order of changing or when compelled by a court order or subpoena to or in response to a court order or subpoena on lines 18 & 19 from page 3.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - original version
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 0 Nay)
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: substantially change the original to read much more like the House's companion bill (HB 362).
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009

SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - with three amendments
Amendment 1: Page 27, line 27 delete who and insert for other than law enforcement purposes intentionally
Page 28, after line 3, insert new Section 12 and renumber subsequent sections accordingly
Section 13. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement agency, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, or a prosecuting attorney from maintaining an investigative file up to 10 years following an order of expungement. The file may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or any other information in document or electronic form.

Amendment 2: Page 12, after line 12, insert a new subparagraph 52 as follows and renumber subsequent subparagraphs accordingly: 52. Sexual abuse in the second degree as proscribed by Section 13A-6-67, Code of Alabama 1975.
Page 16, line 24 after "in," insert the following: subdivision (20) of
Page 17, line 6, after "subdivision" delete the figure "21" and insert in lieu thereof the following: (20)
Page 27, lines 9-15, delete Section 9 in its entirety and renumber subsequent sections accordingly.
Page 27, line 25, after "individual" insert the following: that is not a law enforcement official or criminal justice agency official
Page 28, after line 3, insert the following: Section 12. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement or criminal justice agency or official or a prosecuting authority from maintaining an investigative file, which may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or information in documentary or electronic form. The expunged information shall be kept confidential, shall be exempt from disclosure under Section 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

Amendment 3: Page 16, line 21, after "area" insert the following: or have any conviction for operation of a vehicle for which a commercial driver's license was required.
Page 20, line 6, after "a." delete "Six hundred dollars ($600)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Five hundred dollars ($500)
Page 20, line 8, after "b." delete "Two hundred dollars ($200)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: One hundred dollars ($100)
Page 20, after line 14, insert the following: One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety
Page 20, line 19, after "a." delete "Four hundred fifty dollars ($450)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Three hundred dollars ($300)
Page 20, after line 27, insert the following: e. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. f. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Department of Public Safety.
Page 21, line 6, after "a." delete "Three hundred dollars ($300)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Two hundred dollars ($200)
Page 21, after line 14, insert the following: e. One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety.

Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

2009-05-06T18:48:00.003-05:00

06 May 2009, 18:50

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - Updated
Pending Committee Action in 2nd House - 06 May 2009
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - Updated
Passed by House of Origin - 06 May 2009
HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - Updated
Passed by House of Origin - 06 May 2009

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009
SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009
- Pending third reading on Day 20 (14 Apr 2009)
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - Updated
Carried Over (2 substitutes & 2 amendments offered)- 06 May 2009
SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

From Jihad Watch

2009-04-30T21:39:00.002-05:00

You must be JOKING!!! Obama is going to release Guantanomo "residents" into the US. This is absolute insanity.

From Days of our Trailers...

2009-04-30T20:45:00.003-05:00

The first is a point to a fella who is fixin' to get some coins minted. I just recently sent my request for a few.

The next is a point to a YouTube with a 10 minute long pretty much must watch cartoon from about 50 years ago.

On the Alabama Legislative Calendar for 05 May 2009

2009-04-30T20:42:00.001-05:00

According to the ALISON Database (30 April 2009 20:40) the following bills (apparently should they choose to get to them) will be under discussion in their respective chambers on the 5th of May, 2009. Please take the time to contact your representative(s) and senator(s) and let them know what you think. Yes, it has not changed one bit in several days.

Bills on the House Schedule for Legislative Day 26 (05 May 2009)

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution exempts railroads from the provisions of this bill. It is not like adding them to the exemption list is a big deal. There are many others like, "(2) An employer providing employees with a secure parking area which restricts general public access through the use of a gate, security station, security officers, or other similar means which limit public access into the parking area." Which means anyone who has a gate and a fence can ignore this legislation.
- Committee Action: (15 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - with one substitution
The substitution repairs a typographic error changing a 17 to a 20 in the enumeration of a list.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009

HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: address some change to when the landlord may show the property, redact some redundant verbiage about what is considered a non curable default and add some verbiage to clarify eviction processes.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one amendment
The amendment makes some language and punctuation changes. Page 9, line 11 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and ". Page 9, line 13 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and telecommunication".
- Committee Action: Favorable
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009

Bills on the Senate Schedule for Legislative Day 26 (05 May 2009)

HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one substitution
The substitution appears to make punctuation and verbiage changes to the effect of changing communications to telecommunications on lines 2 & 3 from page 9.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - with one substitution
The substitution appears to effect a verbiage change on the order of changing or when compelled by a court order or subpoena to or in response to a court order or subpoena on lines 18 & 19 from page 3.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - original version
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 0 Nay)
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: substantially change the original to read much more like the House's companion bill (HB 362).
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009

SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - with three amendments
Amendment 1: Page 27, line 27 delete who and insert for other than law enforcement purposes intentionally
Page 28, after line 3, insert new Section 12 and renumber subsequent sections accordingly
Section 13. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement agency, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, or a prosecuting attorney from maintaining an investigative file up to 10 years following an order of expungement. The file may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or any other information in document or electronic form.

Amendment 2: Page 12, after line 12, insert a new subparagraph 52 as follows and renumber subsequent subparagraphs accordingly: 52. Sexual abuse in the second degree as proscribed by Section 13A-6-67, Code of Alabama 1975.
Page 16, line 24 after "in," insert the following: subdivision (20) of
Page 17, line 6, after "subdivision" delete the figure "21" and insert in lieu thereof the following: (20)
Page 27, lines 9-15, delete Section 9 in its entirety and renumber subsequent sections accordingly.
Page 27, line 25, after "individual" insert the following: that is not a law enforcement official or criminal justice agency official
Page 28, after line 3, insert the following: Section 12. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement or criminal justice agency or official or a prosecuting authority from maintaining an investigative file, which may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or information in documentary or electronic form. The expunged information shall be kept confidential, shall be exempt from disclosure under Section 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

Amendment 3: Page 16, line 21, after "area" insert the following: or have any conviction for operation of a vehicle for which a commercial driver's license was required.
Page 20, line 6, after "a." delete "Six hundred dollars ($600)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Five hundred dollars ($500)
Page 20, line 8, after "b." delete "Two hundred dollars ($200)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: One hundred dollars ($100)
Page 20, after line 14, insert the following: One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety
Page 20, line 19, after "a." delete "Four hundred fifty dollars ($450)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Three hundred dollars ($300)
Page 20, after line 27, insert the following: e. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. f. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Department of Public Safety.
Page 21, line 6, after "a." delete "Three hundred dollars ($300)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Two hundred dollars ($200)
Page 21, after line 14, insert the following: e. One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety.

Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

2009-04-30T20:41:00.000-05:00

30 April 2009, 20:40

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009
HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009
SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009
- Pending third reading on Day 20 (14 Apr 2009)
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/ 2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

On the Alabama Legislative Calendar for 30 April 2009

2009-04-28T20:13:00.000-05:00

According to the ALISON Database (28 April 2009 20:15) the following bills (apparently should they choose to get to them) will be under discussion in their respective chambers on the 30th of April, 2009. Please take the time to contact your representative(s) and senator(s) and let them know what you think. Yes, it has not changed one bit in several days.

Bills on the House Schedule for Legislative Day 25 (30 April 2009)

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution exempts railroads from the provisions of this bill. It is not like adding them to the exemption list is a big deal. There are many others like, "(2) An employer providing employees with a secure parking area which restricts general public access through the use of a gate, security station, security officers, or other similar means which limit public access into the parking area." Which means anyone who has a gate and a fence can ignore this legislation.
- Committee Action: (15 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - with one substitution
The substitution repairs a typographic error changing a 17 to a 20 in the enumeration of a list.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009

HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: address some change to when the landlord may show the property, redact some redundant verbiage about what is considered a non curable default and add some verbiage to clarify eviction processes.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one amendment
The amendment makes some language and punctuation changes. Page 9, line 11 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and ". Page 9, line 13 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and telecommunication".
- Committee Action: Favorable
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009

Bills on the Senate Schedule for Legislative Day 25 (30 April 2009)

HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one substitution
The substitution appears to make punctuation and verbiage changes to the effect of changing communications to telecommunications on lines 2 & 3 from page 9.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - with one substitution
The substitution appears to effect a verbiage change on the order of changing or when compelled by a court order or subpoena to or in response to a court order or subpoena on lines 18 & 19 from page 3.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - original version
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 0 Nay)
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: substantially change the original to read much more like the House's companion bill (HB 362).
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009

SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - with three amendments
Amendment 1: Page 27, line 27 delete who and insert for other than law enforcement purposes intentionally
Page 28, after line 3, insert new Section 12 and renumber subsequent sections accordingly
Section 13. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement agency, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, or a prosecuting attorney from maintaining an investigative file up to 10 years following an order of expungement. The file may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or any other information in document or electronic form.

Amendment 2: Page 12, after line 12, insert a new subparagraph 52 as follows and renumber subsequent subparagraphs accordingly: 52. Sexual abuse in the second degree as proscribed by Section 13A-6-67, Code of Alabama 1975.
Page 16, line 24 after "in," insert the following: subdivision (20) of
Page 17, line 6, after "subdivision" delete the figure "21" and insert in lieu thereof the following: (20)
Page 27, lines 9-15, delete Section 9 in its entirety and renumber subsequent sections accordingly.
Page 27, line 25, after "individual" insert the following: that is not a law enforcement official or criminal justice agency official
Page 28, after line 3, insert the following: Section 12. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement or criminal justice agency or official or a prosecuting authority from maintaining an investigative file, which may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or information in documentary or electronic form. The expunged information shall be kept confidential, shall be exempt from disclosure under Section 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

Amendment 3: Page 16, line 21, after "area" insert the following: or have any conviction for operation of a vehicle for which a commercial driver's license was required.
Page 20, line 6, after "a." delete "Six hundred dollars ($600)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Five hundred dollars ($500)
Page 20, line 8, after "b." delete "Two hundred dollars ($200)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: One hundred dollars ($100)
Page 20, after line 14, insert the following: One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety
Page 20, line 19, after "a." delete "Four hundred fifty dollars ($450)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Three hundred dollars ($300)
Page 20, after line 27, insert the following: e. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. f. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Department of Public Safety.
Page 21, line 6, after "a." delete "Three hundred dollars ($300)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Two hundred dollars ($200)
Page 21, after line 14, insert the following: e. One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety.

Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

2009-04-28T20:12:00.000-05:00

28 April 2009, 20:10

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009
HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009
SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009
- Pending third reading on Day 20 (14 Apr 2009)
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/ 2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

On the Alabama Legislative Calendar for 28 April 2009

2009-04-27T19:37:00.001-05:00

According to the ALISON Database (27 April 2009 19:40) the following bills (apparently should they choose to get to them) will be under discussion in their respective chambers on the 28th of April, 2009. Please take the time to contact your representative(s) and senator(s) and let them know what you think. Yes, it has not changed one bit in several days.

Bills on the House Schedule for Legislative Day 24 (28 April 2009)

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution exempts railroads from the provisions of this bill. It is not like adding them to the exemption list is a big deal. There are many others like, "(2) An employer providing employees with a secure parking area which restricts general public access through the use of a gate, security station, security officers, or other similar means which limit public access into the parking area." Which means anyone who has a gate and a fence can ignore this legislation.
- Committee Action: (15 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - with one substitution
The substitution repairs a typographic error changing a 17 to a 20 in the enumeration of a list.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009

HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: address some change to when the landlord may show the property, redact some redundant verbiage about what is considered a non curable default and add some verbiage to clarify eviction processes.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one amendment
The amendment makes some language and punctuation changes. Page 9, line 11 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and ". Page 9, line 13 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and telecommunication".
- Committee Action: Favorable
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009

Bills on the Senate Schedule for Legislative Day 24 (28 April 2009)

HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one substitution
The substitution appears to make punctuation and verbiage changes to the effect of changing communications to telecommunications on lines 2 & 3 from page 9.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - with one substitution
The substitution appears to effect a verbiage change on the order of changing or when compelled by a court order or subpoena to or in response to a court order or subpoena on lines 18 & 19 from page 3.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - original version
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 0 Nay)
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: substantially change the original to read much more like the House's companion bill (HB 362).
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009

SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - with three amendments
Amendment 1: Page 27, line 27 delete who and insert for other than law enforcement purposes intentionally
Page 28, after line 3, insert new Section 12 and renumber subsequent sections accordingly
Section 13. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement agency, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, or a prosecuting attorney from maintaining an investigative file up to 10 years following an order of expungement. The file may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or any other information in document or electronic form.

Amendment 2: Page 12, after line 12, insert a new subparagraph 52 as follows and renumber subsequent subparagraphs accordingly: 52. Sexual abuse in the second degree as proscribed by Section 13A-6-67, Code of Alabama 1975.
Page 16, line 24 after "in," insert the following: subdivision (20) of
Page 17, line 6, after "subdivision" delete the figure "21" and insert in lieu thereof the following: (20)
Page 27, lines 9-15, delete Section 9 in its entirety and renumber subsequent sections accordingly.
Page 27, line 25, after "individual" insert the following: that is not a law enforcement official or criminal justice agency official
Page 28, after line 3, insert the following: Section 12. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement or criminal justice agency or official or a prosecuting authority from maintaining an investigative file, which may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or information in documentary or electronic form. The expunged information shall be kept confidential, shall be exempt from disclosure under Section 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

Amendment 3: Page 16, line 21, after "area" insert the following: or have any conviction for operation of a vehicle for which a commercial driver's license was required.
Page 20, line 6, after "a." delete "Six hundred dollars ($600)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Five hundred dollars ($500)
Page 20, line 8, after "b." delete "Two hundred dollars ($200)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: One hundred dollars ($100)
Page 20, after line 14, insert the following: One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety
Page 20, line 19, after "a." delete "Four hundred fifty dollars ($450)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Three hundred dollars ($300)
Page 20, after line 27, insert the following: e. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. f. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Department of Public Safety.
Page 21, line 6, after "a." delete "Three hundred dollars ($300)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Two hundred dollars ($200)
Page 21, after line 14, insert the following: e. One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety.

Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

Bo goes for his first walk...

2009-04-23T21:37:00.001-05:00

Got this today via e-mail. Thanks Tom.

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

2009-04-23T21:36:00.000-05:00

23 April 2009, 21:35

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009
HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009
SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009
- Pending third reading on Day 20 (14 Apr 2009)
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/ 2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - No Change
Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

Church of G.O.D. (Gun Owning Disciples)

2009-04-22T20:57:00.008-05:00

Kaveman over at Days of our Trailers had a brain wave awhile back and came up with the sporty idea that as religion is constitutionally protected as are the relics unique to said religion, one should be able to form a church, declare firearm(s) as one of the religious relics and thereby make any further attack on personal ownership moot. This church is aptly called the Church of G.O.D. (Gun Owning Disciples) and I am one of them. Actually, I have always been one of them, now it is certifiable.

For the princely sum of $12 sent to Mr. Kaveman, you receive, in turn, a lovely certificate, a wallet card (I modded the back of mine to list the four rules and will laminate it for carrying along with my Concealed Carry Permit) and membership in the church.

Again, I think this is tremendously clever and shall be mounting my certifiable upon the wall directly. You ought to travel over to the link above and read about it from the source. I think you might find the $12 pretty quick.

BTW, for those of you who are curious or just wish to be a pain. I was, am and will ever be Christian. This particular church does not worship firearms nor any of the mayhem that they may cause or be associated with.

On the Alabama Legislative Calendar for 23 April 2009

2009-04-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

According to the ALISON Database (22 April 2009 20:55) the following bills (apparently should they choose to get to them) will be under discussion in their respective chambers on the 23rd of April, 2009. Please take the time to contact your representative(s) and senator(s) and let them know what you think.

Bills on the House Schedule for Legislative Day 23 (23 April 2009)

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution exempts railroads from the provisions of this bill. It is not like adding them to the exemption list is a big deal. There are many others like, "(2) An employer providing employees with a secure parking area which restricts general public access through the use of a gate, security station, security officers, or other similar means which limit public access into the parking area." Which means anyone who has a gate and a fence can ignore this legislation.
- Committee Action: (15 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - with one substitution
The substitution repairs a typographic error changing a 17 to a 20 in the enumeration of a list.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 05 Mar 2009

HB680 - Amdt to Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: address some change to when the landlord may show the property, redact some redundant verbiage about what is considered a non curable default and add some verbiage to clarify eviction processes.
- Committee Action: (11 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 26 Mar 2009

SB296 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one amendment
The amendment makes some language and punctuation changes. Page 9, line 11 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and ". Page 9, line 13 replaces "and cable" with ", cable, and telecommunication".
- Committee Action: Favorable
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 09 Apr 2009

Bills on the Senate Schedule for Legislative Day 23 (23 April 2009)

HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - with one substitution
The substitution appears to make punctuation and verbiage changes to the effect of changing communications to telecommunications on lines 2 & 3 from page 9.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (10 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - with one substitution
The substitution appears to effect a verbiage change on the order of changing or when compelled by a court order or subpoena to or in response to a court order or subpoena on lines 18 & 19 from page 3.
Read 2nd Time in 2nd House - 16 Apr 2009
- Committee Action: (6 Yea v. 0 Nay) / 1st Substitution

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - original version
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 0 Nay)
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Feb 2009

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - with one substitution
The substitution appears to do the following: substantially change the original to read much more like the House's companion bill (HB 362).
- Committee Action: (7 Yea v. 0 Nay w/2 Abstain) / 1st Substitution
Read Second Time in House of Origin - 12 Mar 2009

SB475 - Expungement of Record when Not Guilty or Pardoned - with three amendments
Amendment 1: Page 27, line 27 delete who and insert for other than law enforcement purposes intentionally
Page 28, after line 3, insert new Section 12 and renumber subsequent sections accordingly
Section 13. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement agency, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, or a prosecuting attorney from maintaining an investigative file up to 10 years following an order of expungement. The file may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or any other information in document or electronic form.

Amendment 2: Page 12, after line 12, insert a new subparagraph 52 as follows and renumber subsequent subparagraphs accordingly: 52. Sexual abuse in the second degree as proscribed by Section 13A-6-67, Code of Alabama 1975.
Page 16, line 24 after "in," insert the following: subdivision (20) of
Page 17, line 6, after "subdivision" delete the figure "21" and insert in lieu thereof the following: (20)
Page 27, lines 9-15, delete Section 9 in its entirety and renumber subsequent sections accordingly.
Page 27, line 25, after "individual" insert the following: that is not a law enforcement official or criminal justice agency official
Page 28, after line 3, insert the following: Section 12. Nothing in this act shall prohibit a law enforcement or criminal justice agency or official or a prosecuting authority from maintaining an investigative file, which may include evidence, photographs, exhibits, or information in documentary or electronic form. The expunged information shall be kept confidential, shall be exempt from disclosure under Section 36-12-40, Code of Alabama 1975, and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

Amendment 3: Page 16, line 21, after "area" insert the following: or have any conviction for operation of a vehicle for which a commercial driver's license was required.
Page 20, line 6, after "a." delete "Six hundred dollars ($600)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Five hundred dollars ($500)
Page 20, line 8, after "b." delete "Two hundred dollars ($200)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: One hundred dollars ($100)
Page 20, after line 14, insert the following: One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety
Page 20, line 19, after "a." delete "Four hundred fifty dollars ($450)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Three hundred dollars ($300)
Page 20, after line 27, insert the following: e. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. f. Seventy-five dollars ($75) to the Department of Public Safety.
Page 21, line 6, after "a." delete "Three hundred dollars ($300)" and insert in lieu thereof the following: Two hundred dollars ($200)
Page 21, after line 14, insert the following: e. One hundred dollars ($100) to the Department of Public Safety.

Read 2nd Time in House of Origin
- Committee Action: (5 Yea v. 2 Nay w/ 4 Abstain) / 3 Amendments

Kellene has taken the time...

2009-04-22T20:41:00.001-05:00

to talk about how the .gov, MSM and others with agendas alter the facts (lie, cheat and steal) to make their point. It is a little lengthy, but worth the time.

Got here from a link to another...

2009-04-21T22:40:00.016-05:00

post from Kellene over at Women of Caliber that links over to Hsoi... Therein lay a youtube of Metallica which got me back on the path to...

Rammstein... True the first song I heard from them was Du Hast... and my German is too slow to keep up, but I got the concept. And, I think it is funny. Also true that this lies a bit afield from my current standard listening habits, but is fun to cross over (to the past) once in awhile.

Or... from Linkin Park

Or... throw some KORN in the way

Or... from Iron Maiden

"Ozzie and Randy had something to say too"

And then back around to... Metallica

"Don't overlook the Idol..."

"Before that there was..."

"But it started somewhere around here... AC\DC

"No Matter what... David...

But one of the prettiest songs ever is here...

Received today via e-mail...

2009-04-21T21:45:00.003-05:00

Read the following and form your own opinions. It is in the results from a GPOAccess search using the term "Gaza". It appears to me that 20 million plus has been set aside (yes, over two months ago) to assist in the emigration of those who wish to leave Palestine. This is just one more thing that makes me believe that no one person could ever understand all of our "laws". And, I will have to read on the Constitution some more to figure out where the "power vested in me by the Constitution and laws..." actually allows for this sort of behavior.

[Federal Register: February 4, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 22)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Page 6115]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04fe09-106]
Presidential Documents
[[Page 6115]]
Presidential Determination No. 2009-15 of January 27,
2009

Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs
Related To Gaza
Memorandum for the Secretary of State
By the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, including section
2(c)(1) of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of
1962 (the ``Act''), as amended (22 U.S.C. 2601), I
hereby determine, pursuant to section 2(c)(1) of the
Act, that it is important to the national interest to
furnish assistance under the Act in an amount not to
exceed $20.3 million from the United States Emergency
Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for the purpose
of meeting unexpected and urgent refugee and migration
needs, including by contributions to international,
governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and
payment of administrative expenses of Bureau of
Population, Refugees, and Migration of the Department
of State, related to humanitarian needs of Palestinian
refugees and conflict victims in Gaza.
You are authorized and directed to publish this
memorandum in the Federal Register.

(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Washington, January 27, 2009
[FR Doc. E9-2488
Filed 2-3-09; 8:45 am]
Billing code 4710-10-P