saw this in an ice cream shop.

The owner is very conservative (as most business owners are)..But considering the state of our dollar, it is very true.

But I stil think it are funny.

(klik to embiggenize)

yeah, about time! "self evident" indeed.

Seems that the "fundamental and virtually self-evident nature of the First Amendment's protections in this area" is obvious to the court. (it has been obvious to most of the rest of us for a long time....) Case stems from a Boston man who was arrested for videotaping police during an arrest in Boston in 2007 with a cell phone. In plain view. On the sidewalk. Yet they arrested him under the wiretapping statutes.

Read the article on the case.

This is a big deal. A really BFD.  And the best part is that the cops cannot claim "qualified immunity". An even bigger BFD. While I generally support the police, I do NOT think that they have any right to privacy while on the street (neither, by the way, do you). And their actions should stand up to being videotaped. They should act as if everyone is watching, and their actions should stand up to being videotaped. They have no right to special treatment just because they are police. They should, in fact, expect to be held to a higher standard that the rest of us. They are, after all, the guardians of our society. No citizen should ever fear watching the police, and the police should never act as if their actions are not being watched. If their conduct cannot stand being examined by others, and if they fear being videotaped, then there is something wrong.

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"  Every citizen with a cell phone!

More HERE

Ya know, it is nice

To have your female partner be a gun chick.

She doesn't mind that I clean my carry piece (para 1911) at the kitchen table while waiting for the meatloaf to be done so I can finish the vegetables and such.

Yeah, I know, yer jealous...

Told ya you should have been there

Blogmeet. Wow. First the drive to Indy ....where we discussed the various feelings and reactions (and sounds made during and after) to being tazed (both Og and I have had the experience ) and other variously strange topics...(some of which had Midwest Chick laughing so hard I worried about her breathing)...then the Indy1500 gun show (I spent way too much money) and then:

Drumroll please..

The blogmeet was well attended. We just kept adding tables and staring at the other people in the room until they gulped down their food and left and occupied tables as soon as their occupants were finished until we had an entire room at the brewpub to ourselves....

In attendance were, in no particular order (and if I have forgotten anyone it was because it was indeed a madhouse) Rich, Roberta, Tam... Old NFO and Dave L. (Cancer Ward), Og, and Partner (who drove us),  Midwest Chick (she won't let me attend a blogmeet without her!), Bayou Renaissance Man and his lovely wife Miss D. , Shermlock Shomes and his talented wife,   Push the Pull Door ,  The Jack, Old Grouch, Mad Saint Jack.. I think that there were more but I might have missed 'em....

Converssation ranged far and wide and up and down and everywhere in between. (apparently Og has hunted raccoons with full auto tracer loaded AK's...or something?  You just had to be there to appreciate the whole spectacle....

You should attend the next one. Good food, good people, wild, witty and strange interesting conversation, and, of course, all the bloggers from out of town.

Why weren't you there?

 Oh, and happy blogoversary, Tam!

so I gotta wonder...

Do those folks in New York and Baston think that we folks who prep (you know, for blizzards and ice storms and tornado aftermath and all that) are crazy still think that today, as a hurricane bears down on them? Do they think that as they hurry to stock for food and water and hope that there is enough for them? As they plan on power being out for days or weeks....and no way out of the city for a while?

And do they (still) think we are crazy to want to live in "flyover country" where the risk of a hurricane is infitesimal?

I mean, other than boarding up my windows (and I actually have enough plywood and deck screws on hand to do so) I am prepped for a hurricane. Generator, food, water, battery powered lights, fuel, cooking, I got all that....everyday.

If you’re prepared for the zombie apocalypse, a hurricane is just a storm...

You should read

This

Especially the comments.

Scarcity, or limited supply, along with increased demand
should result in higher profit for the seller.

Those who fail to plan ahead should pay for their lack of forethought. Those who take risks should get a reward when they guess correctly.

No one ever accuses a convenience store owner of "gouging", yet his prices for milk and eggs and such are much higher than the grocery store.

Via insty

Never honk at old people.

You'll laugh. Guaranteed.

Obama arrested for DUI?

Illegal immigrant from Kenya arrested for DUI...

No, I am serious. You WON'T see this on the MSM, that's for sure

Read all about it here....

Product review

I bought this a couple of months ago. (and, for the FTC folks, paid my own money for it, and have received nothing for this review)

I heartily endorse this product. It has allowed me to perfect my point shooting , my fast draw from a holster, and has allowed me to improve my trigger squeeze at a very low cost (the batteries are the only expense after the initial cost.  Laserlyte has a good thing here. It works. I have one in "Gods own Caliber" and I love it.

You get all the advantages of "dry firing" without all the criticism from your friends about dry firing....(does dry firing harm the firing pin? I dunno. Folks smarter than me variously claim that it does (and doesn't)... it's like arguing  "Ginger, or MaryAnne?" everyone has an unshakeable opinion. But I'd rather not find out if it will harm my pistol, so I always use a snap cap anyway)

This little device works well. It is like a cartridge without the rim.  It blocks the chamber so you KNOW that there is not a real load in there, and yet you can cycle the slide all day and it won't move.

When you pull the trigger and the hammer drops, a laser lights for 1/10th of a second. More than enough time for you to see the "impact point". You can cock the hammer (if you are shooting a 1911) or other exposed hammer firearm, or cycle the slide if you are shooting an abomination Glock or other striker fired firearm.

Either way, you can practice your trigger squeeze at home, making your range time (and ammo budget) more productive. I reload, and therefore my cost for practice ammo is fairly low, yet this has more than paid for itself in the past few months. It also allows me to practice without having to pack up a range bag and actually drive the 3 miles or so to my range....But seriously, you can get 5 or 10 minutes of practice in at any time, at home, without having to do a range trip, or to have to clean a firearm afterward. And you can return your pistol to service just by locking the slide open and poking the laser assembly out from the muzzle with a cleaning rod or pencil.

Will it replace range time? NOPE. But it will give you a reasonable training alternative. And it will give you point shooting practice at home. And it will make your range time more productive.

I'm gonna order another one in 9mm. Wish that they made one in .380 too.

Your mileage, of course, may vary.

The moral of the story is:

SSS

(Shoot, Shovel and Shut up).

Alternative:

The government is NOT your friend.

The smart thing to do is not to tell 'em anything.

Details HERE.

While it takes a long time to dig a hole big enough for a grizzly sow, it's easier and better than dealing with the feds.

Remember, the folks who make the rules think that all wildlife is cute and friendly and talks with a southern Iowa accent.....Just like in the cartoons.
They have no idea as to the potential savagery or ruthlessness of a wild animal. And the Animal's welfare is more important to them than yours. You, after all, are neither cute, nor fuzzy, nor "endangered". You are, however, a tasty snack for the bear....

Are you ready?

Now we have all heard (ad nauseum) the reports of the 5.9 or so earthquake in Virginia...and the devastation along the eastern seaboard its effects (or not) on the east coast.

For Kalifornians, a 5.9 is nothing but a good afternoon pick me up, but for the east coast folks it was fairly scary. But the question is, will they learn anything from it?

How about you? Have you got a plan and materials in place if something bad (like, say, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake) happens? No water, no power, roads damaged.....Likely the stores will be empty in a few hours..if they are standing. Likely there will be little or no fire protection. Police will be, if they are working at all, both overwhelmed and likely unable to get to you.....If there is any way to call them. Same with other emergency services folks.

Have you ready access to:

Water? Say for 5 days?
Food? Again for at least 5 days?
Shelter? If your home is damaged or unsafe for occupancy, where are you gonna go? Add clothing if you live in a climate where it gets cold....
A reasonably well stocked first aid kit? I don't mean band-aids and aspirin and burn ointment and such...., but rather a real trauma kit. And the training to use it?
A means to protect the above?

If you have preps, are some stashed in a secondary cache? Whatcha gonna do if your preps are stashed in your basement and your home is falling down and you can't get to them?

Having food, water and all of the rest of the above, even if only for a few days, gives you a LOT of options.

Me, I'd rather have choices. Have time to deal with the immediate issues and not worry about eating, drinking, and sleeping safe in the immediate aftermath. It'll give me time to deal with the issues and allow me time to figure out what needs to be done for my family and friends while the first responders get their help revved up to deal with the issue.

You should think about this. Make a plan. Implement that plan.

Be ready. You are, after all, the person who should be taking steps to be your own first responder.

HEH

ya gotta love it.

She finally gets it.

Midwest Chick is, at heart, a softie. She likes to try and find the best side of people....make excuses for those who are....societally challenged. Who don't seem to understand what the "social contract" means...

Here, however, she shows that she is finally beginning to understand...

"Theft of property is theft of life. "

I've been saying this for for years.....And she finally understands. 

The one thing you have less of every day is lifespan. You can spend your lifespan (time) living, or spend your time working. Some go too far one way, others too far the other...But when someone steals from you, they take away from you the rewards of exchanging your time (and therefore your lifespan) which you havechosen to spend working... likely in order that you can enjoy the time you choose to spend living.

Theft of property, like murder, is, therefore, theft of life, if only in smaller increments.

Best not to steal my life, for I will likely take the rest of yours....

You should read this:

Via Insty:

Read. All of it. Understand what has happened to our manufacturing and design base in this country.

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

y'know

I spent the weekend with a dedicated group of folks who are members of our local private range. The building that houses the indoor range was built 35 years ago, and needed work on the roof. I and another guy began the destruction on Friday afternoon.

10 people showed up to help on Saturday morning, and the real demolition began. However, we were rained out, and we packed up about 2 PM leaving the building partially disassembled, and, while temporarily rain proof, definitely neither secure nor finished nor stormproof.

Sunday dawned bright and early (and Hot and HUMID!) and a grand total of 5 (later a 6th) people showed up to rebuild and re-roof  the range building.  6 out of 140 members. 6.  

We were unable to finish due to time constraints. A lack of labor left the job of reassembly half done.

Of course, that doesn't count the asshole guy who showed up and was upset that the range was closed BECAUSE WE WERE REROOFING THE BUILDING and would be downrange while he was shooting...He left in a huff....Without helping. Yeah, we need members like that.....

Folks, if you belong to an organization like a private range, shooting club, Issac Walton, conservation club, a church, or another organization which is limited in funds and supported by volunteers, BE A VOLUNTEER. Show up. Work, help. Be one of those few who keeps the organization going with your hours of labor.

Don't be the other portion that just watches, or who expects others to do the job. Help do it.

And I'd like to thank those folks who gave up all or part of their weekend to keep my the range in good order.  I was honored to work alongside of you.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find some Ibuprofen. 

Never, Never, forget this, either:

I was busy all weekend, and haven't been posting much....


But Guffaw in AZ reminds us of the significance of this day.

Remember. Make plans for when/if it might be your turn.

Ruby Ridge happened because they were isolated and because the rest of the country allowed it to happen. Patriots who might have been able to make a difference chose not to even try. The news media made sure that everyone knew all about it. Enough patriots assembled together could have walked in and then left with Randy Weaver et al. Instead, they (and I) allowed to FBI to control things. And people died because we let it happen. Would that happen today with the internet and facebook and blogs and all those other means of communication.

What are you going to do when it comes time for the FBI/ATF/ABC-agency decides that it is the turn of one of your friends? When it is one of the leaders of one of those right wing groups that you pay attention to but are not a member of? When it is a guy that you know from your shooting club or who you hear talk at the local gunstore?

You gonna let the Feds pull another Ruby Ridge? Or will you have the courage to try and do something about it?

I wonder if I will.

Next week:

Indy 1500 gunshow. If ya haven't been, then you should find time to go. One of the largest in the Midwest... you can find nearly everything you would want that is shooting related. If yer a collector, then you can find good examples of nearly all collectible firearms. Sometimes you can even find good deals..... Ammo, accessories,  parts, dodads, widgets, cleaning supplies, reloading components, gegaws, gear, baubles, and, of course, new, used and collectible firearms. 

And also, there is a blogmeet on Sunday. That alone makes it worth the trip. If you've never been to an Indy blogmeet, you should attend. Wit, witticisms, general conversation.....Highly intelligent and extremely witty people. Boatloads of snark. Good food, good beer, and good fellowship.

Why haven't you made plans to attend both?

 

So does this mean they are gonna hire some white people?

'cause despite what is reported, I find most minorities overrepresented at federal office around here.....

But the Won says we need to diversify our federal employees....

Question:

Since Obama got the big, long, black bus... for the "Magical Misery Tour"

Where's the "short bus" for Biden?

So seriously

Where is the downside for these folks who comprise the "flash mobs" and rioters and such?

They are already essentially cut off (by their own behavior) from being productive citizens....They are (generally) drug users, even if it is just marijuana....They likely already have already got a felony or two on their record, so what is one more? They are likely (by their own actions and lifestyle) unemployable...

They have been taught by example (leftists and unions (but I repeat myself)) that they will still get what they want if they demonstrate and chant loudly enough...So their chances of starving to death due to our society cutting of their source of income is unlikely...They have been taught by the left and the unions that they can demonstrate bad behavior and get away with it...disobey the laws with essentially zero consequences... no negative economic impact to them.Worst case, they spend a few months in prison and add another page to their rap sheet, making themselves even more unemployable

Failing to follow the social contract has no negative issues for them. No impact. No negative effects. They don't even know what the term "social contract" means.

And until there are significant negative consequences to their actions they will do so with impunity. Until they are taught that they need to behave in order to get freebies from their fellow citizens...that stepping from the path of righteousness will result in the permanent loss of their lifestyle, they have no incentive to behave.