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Monthly Archives: November 2012

So you want an AR…

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This isn’t as much a how-to buying guide but merely a disclaimer that right now is not the time to buy.

The most annoying thing about the post election panic is that it throws a wrench at planned purchases.  I was planning on buying more blasting ammo for Boomershoot, well when ammo started disappearing from shelves, that changed the time frame.  I did an inventory last night and confirmed, yes I needed more steel cased ammo. Since the new replacement ammo is lacquer coated steal rounds I picked up some P-Mags with it and had a nice long discussion with the owner since he’s also my neighbor.  Seriously, he lives 2 houses down from me on the opposite side of the road.

While chatting phones ring and emails come in.  The result of the calls and emails is that  I’m promptly helping them retag every AR in the place.  Now they weren’t gouging nearly as bad as they could, or probably even should.  But every rifle went up by at least an extra 100 bucks.  Now here’s why.  There is no replacement supply anywhere on the horizon, their friends were reporting they were sold out and couldn’t get replacement stock.  Their suppliers were sold out and back ordered for the foreseeable future.  Even manufactures are listing as back-ordered.  Given the sudden demand increase and a fixed supply, prices are going up.

So my advice is if you’re wanting an AR, now is probably not the best time to buy.  Prices will probably drop back now in 6 months and deliveries will move back to normal.

The same goes for ammo.  If you can survive on your current stock, do so.  Come spring thaw it will be back to normal rates and you’ll also have people trying to unload excess stock they didn’t need.  Right now a bunch of people are panicking and buying, but honestly if you wanted one for preparatory purposes, you should have done this a while ago.

Yeah, That’s Always the Solution

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Yes, read that title with a serious sense of sarcasm because unsurprisingly we have the following.

Some officials are calling for the U.S. military to take over the managerial structure of the Long Island Power Authority until power is restored on Long Island, where more than a quarter million homes and businesses are still in the dark after Sandy and a snowstorm.

Because fighting a war is so close to restoring and rebuilding the electric power system?  Don’t get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for the military, but there is nothing to indicate they have the skills or abilities necessary to fix this problem.

Now it must be noted that the Navy does have a few men who actually do know something about the power system and distribution, but they also focus on it being aboard ship, with a smaller system with redundancy designed to survive casualties.  Others would look at the military and say, “Well the military has to supply power to their bases.”  Well even the military is lacking the people and skills to do that now days.

By September 30, 2003, most of the over two thousand utility systems owned and operated by the Military Departments are to be privatized. See DoD Reform Initiative Directive #49. Utility systems include systems: (1) for the generation and supply of electric power; (2) for the supply of natural gas; (3) for the transmission of telecommunications; (4) for the treatment or supply of water; (5) for the collection or treatment of wastewater; and (6) for the generation or supply of steam, hot water, and chilled water.

So what exactly would involving the government in the power restoration process do other than create an additional layer of bureaucratic red tape to go through?

There was a considerable amount of damage and it is very serious and not simple.  Many lines that have been repaired remain out of service because there isn’t enough power feeding in to support the line currently.  Not to mention the fact that there has also been damage to the natural gas system and other areas will not have power restored until the gas problems are fixed.

As I said previously:

So what we have is a bunch of distribution points that were/are full of water, need to be drained, the equipment cleaned, checked, maintained, and replaced possibly in some instances.  All of this must be done before re-energizing that circuit.

That takes time, it doesn’t happen overnight, and given the fact that salt water, metal, and electricity is involved  you better do it right.  If you don’t it will be more likely to fail in the future.

Does it suck being out of power?  Yes it does and anyone who thinks a utility doesn’t care about it’s customers being out of power, specifically a significant amount, doesn’t have a brain between their ears.  Each day service is down is a day of lost revenue.  Figure how many people there are, not to mention commercial customers, and then think about how much they’re loosing overall.

Yet again a group of people are screaming the government will magically solve the problem.  Most of those same people actually don’t have a clue about what’s actually going on.

On Carelessness and Curiosity

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I previously wrote about an entirely preventable incident.  I didn’t full realize though how much of a classic style incident that was.

Paul said Carlile, 31, was in a rush to get to a wedding with his family on March 10 when he got into the family’s van, put his off-duty handgun in a cupholder between the front seats and drove to Stanwood to drop off business cards at a friend’s store. 

First off, getting a good gun and holster helps prevent this because it should get put on your belt, ankle, whatever and left there for the day.  If in needs to come off, the holster needs to come off with it.

Second is the thing people always seem to forget:

Carlile’s son, Steele, was a curious and active 3-year-old with a fascination with guns and a disdain for car seats, Paul said.

I’m not surprised by this, honestly no one should that’s ever been around kids.  Kids are naturally curious.  The best thing to do is satisfy their curiosity in a safe and controlled environment.  Most certainly though, never leave something around a curious kid that’s dangerous or deadly.

What the father did was careless and negligent given the fact they were leaving their children in the car.  Not to mention the fact he was leaving the firearm in plain sight for anyone walking by the vehicle.  That is otherwise known as a great way to have a weapon stolen.

The worst part about incidents like this is gun owners as a whole get a black eye because this man was “anointed“.  The argument of the banners being, “If he can’t properly handle a firearm, how can anyone else be expected to?”  Never mind the fact that we push education instead of prohibition.  Prohibition in this case probably lead to the accident.  It’s the appeal of the forbidden fruit left within arms reach.  The better option would be to satisfy curiosity whenever possible while reinforcing safety and discipline.

SSCC #450 – Colorado Springs

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Former Colorado Springs Police officer Josh Carrier has been found guilty on dozens of counts related to molesting boys at a middle school in the city, where he served as a volunteer wrestling coach.

Honestly this one’s a bad one.  Bad enough that you can just go read the details if you want.  Since he was in a position of authority and could have just as easily accomplished this as a school liaison officer, he’s on the count.

State Sponsored Criminal #450: Josh Carrier

Because when you’re a cop, no one will suspect you.

SSCC #449 – Flint Township

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It is said that those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it.  Take for example Flint Michigan.

A Flint Township police officer has been fired again following a vote by board members earlier this week.

The 5-to-0 vote — with Trustee George Menoutes and Treasurer Sandra Wright absent — came after a closed session and upon recommendations from Police Chief George Sippert and labor attorney Steve Shultz.

Township Supervisor Karyn Miller confirmed Officer Matthew Needham had also been terminated in November 2011 for violating four department rules and regulations, but she declined to give details on what specific incidents led to each vote.

Not once but twice.  You would think that they would have learned the first time.  Now it is worth noting that the union filed a grievance which is how he was allowed to return to the force.  He returned in June 2012, 5 months later he’s terminated again.

It’s almost like the unions are working to keep criminals on the street with a badge.

State Sponsored Criminal #449: Matthew Needham

Because cops shouldn’t be punished and held accountable for their decisions or actions.

Remember, You Don’t Own That…

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An Orlando man is fighting city officials to keep his vegetable garden in his front yard.

That’s right folks.  The man is complaining about him growing vegetables in his front yard.  At least one of his neighbors doesn’t mind.  Ultimately though this is yet another example of the fact that you don’t really own your property.  You’re not free to do with it as you please, you’re merely a tenant responsible for it’s maintenance until the government decides to reposes it.

Where does it stop?  If they can dictate the appearance of your house, how about the layout of your house.  One of these days you’re going to hear, “This house is too big for your family, we’re relocating you here.”

If you think I’m kidding, you don’t think the Obama-Phone lady wouldn’t mind having Obama give them your nice house where you have an extra bedroom for an office?  That’s what these people vote for.

Quote of the Day – Oleg Volk (11/8/2012)

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The resources obtained by such knowledge and the security provided by those resources are the real reason why being well to do is valued — it has less to do with the mythical greed and more with keeping self and family safe and secure.

Oleg Volk – Knowledge As a Defensive Fortification
November 8, 2012

[First go read the whole thing.

He’s right on every last point.  It’s a matter of avoidance and lowering risk.  Now I will note that risk never reaches zero.  A friend of mine is a wonderful example of how people can still end up a statistical outlier on this front.

But like most things it’s a risk reward system.  Knowledge works as a defense in multiple ways.  Knowledge of history ultimately can serve as a very useful tool. -B]

Quote of the Day – Wolfman (11/7/2012)

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Everyone that wants to blame this on the crazy Libertarians needs to realize- NOBODY COURTED US FOR OUR VOTE. Oh, sure, we get some lip service. But nobody came out and said, “Hey, you, in the back, that just want to be left alone… What can we do to make YOU happy?” Which makes me think that we were not a critical voting bloc, yes? We were, maybe, not the moderate independents that both camps were appealing to? So why, in the fiery depths of bipartisan burning f#$%ing HELL are we the ones that are expected to compromise our beliefs and vote YOUR guy into power? How was that supposed to work? We are goddamn Libertarians, for Pete’s sake, not toeing the line IS THE ENTIRETY OF OUR PLATFORM! So we are expected to just fall into place, and vote blindly for the guy thats just as bad, bit in different ways than the other guy that sucks? I repeat: Screw you.

Wolfman – Just One Election Comment
November 7th, 2012

[I was able to retain my calm today up until the point where I started seeing BS being flung about how Libertarians cost Romney the election.  Uhh, no there sparky, you accomplished that feat all on your own.

Let me explain something to people who may not be familiar with me.  I am very principled and honestly it takes a lot for me to even contemplate it.  Bill Whittle got me to seriously think about it for all of about 30 seconds.  Is Obama bad, yeah, but honestly, let’s think about this from my perspective as a Libertarian, is Romney any better?

The only thing Romney had going for him is the media and other parts of government might start working as a check and balance again.  Deep down though that man would not have represented me, my desires, or what I would like to see from my government. That is what I’m supposed to be voting for, not the lesser of two evils.

The bottom line is that the Republicans could easily get the Libertarian vote, how, by running a candidate that agrees with our principles.  Why should we be the only side to comprise in the selection of a candidate?  Tell you what, run a candidate that isn’t big government, doesn’t focus on social issues that honestly aren’t the business of government, and focuses purely on correcting the failed economic policies of the past god knows how many years, and you will finally have my attention.

This isn’t as difficult as you might think.  You see that whole social issue thing is why the Democrats keep winning.  Republicans keep attacking social issues and attempt to use the force of government to force their morals on others.  Yeah there’s some seriously contentious issues in there, but face it, the big one isn’t going to change and all it ever does is get you in trouble.  As for same-sex marriage  let me explain something to you idiots, the government put itself in the business of marriage and there are rights and benefits that are given to married couples.  Can you explain why the state is allowed to differentiate between the two groups with regards to rights and benefits?  Because seriously that’s what this all boils down to.

The government cannot compel a priest, pastor, or whatever to marry two individuals if they believe it is against their religion.  What the government can do, is create the contract of marriage between two consenting adults.  No one is forcing people to go out and have same-sex marriages either.  What is being said is the state must recognize it.  If you’re church doesn’t want to recognize it, that’s its business, but the church has no business forcing the state to follow along with it’s views.

Yet it never fails that some Republican candidate will run his mouth about it.

What about drug use?  Well, lets cut the BS and admit that the drug war has failed and the only reason it still exists is because of the jobs and money it generates for those currently involved in waging it.  Just because something is made legal doesn’t mean you have to go smoke it.  It doesn’t mean that it’s use allows someone to being exempted from being held criminally negligent if they do something stupid.  What it does mean is someone is free to make the choice.

I could continue but the bottom line is you want my vote of support.  That means you need to run a candidate that I find worth voting for.  If you can’t or don’t want to do that don’t even think about attempting to blame us for your loss.  If you had really wanted our vote, you would have actually courted and attempted to earn it.

Nothing pisses me off more than some ass-hat telling me that I should sell my principles up the river for their guy.  No, if you want me on your side, you need to sacrifice and provide a reason to vote for your side there boy genius.

This also ignores the fact that the margin of libertarian voters in every state would not have changed the election results.  So my Republican friends, it’s your failure, own it! -B]