Steve's Blogspot

Went Shootin'

2012-02-14T15:56:00.005-06:00

Took the Wife shooting today in preparation for her Permit course this coming Friday/Saturday... Now, she's fired small bore rifles before and has dry fired the several revolvers... But this was her first time firing live rounds from a handgun.

We went in with 250 rounds... And came out with ZERO. I shot about 30-35 of them. After she started shooting I just found a chair and waited.

Think she was having fun?

I had to stop by my favorite gun shop (Nashville Sporting Arms) to re-stock on ammo. I had been there earlier in the day to buy ammo but by the time Herself was done we were fresh out.

We stopped at Starbucks on the way back for Starbucks Appreciation Day.

All in all, it was a hell of a day.

Sarah McKinley - Armed Again

2012-02-14T11:10:00.003-06:00

Remember Sarah McKinley? She is the 18 year old mother of a newborn who lost her husband to cancer on Christmas Day and a week later had to fend off home invaders with a shotgun while waiting for 911 to get law enforcement to her house. She shot one and the second fled.

Well, local PD had to take her shotgun for evidence which left her less defended. In step the good guys...

Via SayUncle, from Arms, Farms, & Fam:

McKinley’s primary home defense gun, the shotgun, was taken for evidence. “We’ll probably have it for at least a couple of months,” the detective said.

Mr. Boch and some friends decided to make a difference and make sure Sarah McKinley has a replacement home-defense shotgun. Antonio Luna, a part-time adjunct staff instructor with Fortress Defense Consultants, made some contacts and lined up a gun. The Blanchard police chief referred Mr. Boch to a trusted, nearby gun dealer, Nathan Morrison of KAIROS Services, LLC., and offered to send a squad to give Sarah a ride to pick up the shotgun once it arrived.

Everyone at Blanchard PD, from the chief down to the front desk clerk, expressed profound and sincere appreciation for any help we or others could provide. “Anything you can do to help with be very much appreciated as that young woman is having a very difficult time right now,” the desk clerk told Mr. Boch.

Mr. Luna secured most of the money needed for a bare-bones Remington 870. A day later, at the Tuesday evening GSL meeting, Mr. Boch asked GSL members to help come up with a $100 to $150 in order to trick out the shotgun with a side-saddle, sling and to take care of any incidental costs. After Boch started a hat around with $10, a few minutes later, GSL members came through with not one, but two hats, stuffed with $487.

Sarah McKinley’s gun arrived on Martin Luther King’s birthday. It’s a tricked-out Remington 870 Express 12ga with a Hogue fore-end and 13” youth stock, a Mesa Tactical 8 round side saddle, Trijicon ghost-ring tritium sights, an Advanced Technologies mag clamp swivel mount and a Vickers Tactical Blue Force two-point sling. Also included are a few boxes of Federal Personal Defense 00 buck, which the gun loves.

Sarah McKinley picking up the donated shotgun.

The gun was test fired before shipping. Ryan Stoy, of ZX Gun in Goshen, IN told Boch, ”I test fired the gun this afternoon. It’s a good gun. I built it up myself and it’s what I would want someone I care about to have.”

We (Boch, Luna, etc.) are weighing options for either giving McKinley a check for the remaining cash, or making arrangements to (legally) get her a personal defense caliber revolver.

There is a trust account set up to help Sarah McKinley. If you missed the meeting and would like to contribute to help this girl have a better year in the Year 2012, here is the contact information.

Sarah McKinley Trust Fund
Chickasa Bank & Trust
405 485-2300
Ask for Leah.

Awesome!

Starbucks Appreciation Day - TUESDAY

2012-02-13T19:55:00.001-06:00

From Sebastian:

We have an announcement from the National Gun ~~Control~~ Victims Action Council, an umbrella group for the usual suspects, that they are going to boycott Starbucks on Valentine’s Day 2012, which is February 14th. I am going to declare February 14th Starbucks Appreciation Day, by encouraging gun owners to head to Starbucks to buy some of their fine coffee and pastry products. Bitter and I will certainly participate. I encourage everyone to follow through to the link to the official event to take a look at what they are encouraging folks to do, and do the same, only with a pro-gun or gun-neutral message. You can e-mail Starbucks here. and tell them you appreciate them not taking a position on this issue, and following state laws, and that you appreciate their products. Don’t use the gun control organization’s form, even though you can change the message. They will likely use that to present to Starbucks corporate and spin your name on the list as a supporter of Starbucks banning guns.

I can promise you we can more than offset whatever paltry decrease in sales the anti-gun people will cause. Nontheless, our opponents have once again brought this deceased equine out for a flogging, so we have to once again show Starbucks there are a lot more of us then there are of them.

Tennesseans Voted for THIS?

2012-02-09T19:21:00.003-06:00

Why is GOP Speaker Beth Harwell (Twitter @SpeakerHarwell) stonewalling conservative legislation that expands recognition of the rights of citizens to self defense? From TFALAC:

Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Legislative Action Committee

House Leadership playing "Naifeh Style" maneuvers to kill bill?

There are at least 4 bills pending this year that address the issue of allowing handgun permit holders to commute to and from work without being disarmed by employer policies which blindly prohibit the employees from leaving a firearm secured in their vehicles. These bills include SB2061/HB2021 that remains pending from 2011. New bills this year include SB3002/HB3560 (the primary TFA bill), SB2941/HB3479 and SB3451/HB3660.

All of these bills deal with the exact same issue. All of these bills in the Senate are assigned to the Judiciary where historically firearms related bills are assigned.

Now, what has happened in the House is interesting and harkens back to Jimmy Naifeh's creation of the "Constitutional Protections" subcommittee that he created specifically to kill firearms related legislation. In 2011, HB2021 was assigned to the House Judiciary Committee by the Speaker's office. That is where firearms bills are historically assigned in the House even though they usually would be further reassigned to one of 2 or 3 subcommittees of the Judiciary committee to start.

However, 2012 is a new year. It is a year in which House Republican leadership has made known to the rank and file caucus members that the leadership (Speaker Harwell and her task force of shadow operatives) do not want any firearms related legislation to surface in the House in 2012. Perhaps they blame it on the unfortunate arrest of Rep. Curry Todd on DUI and firearms possession charges last year after he successfully carried firearms legislation for many years. Perhaps they want to "lay low" on firearms legislation in an election year so that moderates and liberals might view them as "acceptable" candidates to vote for in the election. Perhaps they want to deprive election opponents of challenging whether or not these Republicans really are "good on the 2nd Amendment" as Speaker Harwell claims with increasingly less credibility to firearms owners.

Whatever the reason, a decision was made, perhaps intentionally, to depart from historical practices in the House Speaker's office. This year, all of the Employee Safe Commute bills (except for HB2021 which was already in Judiciary) have been assigned by Harwell's office to the House Committee on Consumer and Employee affairs. Everyone realizes that this committee has a long history of addressing firearms issues including this specific issue - Right! One could easily surmise that Harwell's office intentionally sent this bill to that committee thinking or hoping that it would not get the attention that the House Judiciary normally has and that she would have a much greater chance of having the bill killed or gutted in the Consumer and Employee affairs committee or subcommittee than would otherwise be the case in the House Judiciary.

Of course, this could have been a legitmate decision to place the bills elsewhere thinking that an employee affairs committee would have more expertise than the committee (Judiciary) which has dealt with firearms legislation almost exclusively since at least 1994. Perhaps the Speaker was not aware that this is primarily a firearms related bill that impacts criminal prosecutions and the removal of infringements as required by the State and Federal Constitutions. Of course, the Speaker has been serving since the 96th General Assembly which gives her approximately 23 years of experience on committee assignments and perhaps this was a stroke of genius to realize that this bill deals more with employee affairs than it does with constitutional rights.

However, that same 23 years of experience may have also impressed on the Speaker's office how her predecessors, such as Jimmy Naifeh, worked to kill bills in packed subcommittees without every having a representative floor vote where the voice of all legislators representing all citizens of the state could be heard on a topic so fundamental as the right to effective self-defense and the 2nd Amendment.

Membership in the House Employee and Consumer Affairs Committee and their profile links:

Committee Officers

Jimmy Eldridge, Chair
Mark White, Vice-Chair
Jimmy Matlock, Secretary

Members

Glen Casada
G. A. Hardaway
Sherry Jones
Steve McManus
Gary Moore
Mark Pody
Joe Towns
Johnnie Turner
Tim Wirgau
Rick Womick

Snipers at the Super Bowl?

2012-02-08T12:48:00.003-06:00

Yep, according to this Facebook feed. Via SayUncle.

Tennessee Firearms Alert

2012-01-31T23:26:00.002-06:00

From the In Box:

Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Legislative Action Committee

TFA Email Campaign on Employee Safe Commute Legislation

URGENT - the link/page below is directly to the action center on the TFA website. This page will allow you (and all your friends) to send emails to the Tennessee General Assembly (your individual legislators + all members of both judiciary committees + the governor) telling them how YOU feel about the EMPLOYEE SAFE COMMUTE bill (a/k/a parking lots bill).
It is important that we let our voices be heard - by the thousands - to support this bill because it is almost certain that Speaker Beth Harwell and others who are "first and foremost aligned with Big Business" will try to stop this legislation. It is going to require that we call upon the conservative legislators (not necessarily equal to ALL of the GOP) in both houses and in both parties to carry this bill to law. It will have substantial resistance by those with large and powerful PACS.

Please go to this site now and take less than a minute to participate. Then, forward this message to every email list that would be interested in this change in the law. Next, post this campaign and link on every web forum, blog or bulletin board whose members you believe may have an interest in this change in the law.

TFA Action Center - Employee Safe Commute (Parking Lot) Campaign

TJIC Day

2012-01-19T11:30:00.003-06:00

From Jay G:

Today is January 19th. One year ago today we learned about the fate of MA blogger TJIC, who had his Second Amendment rights illegally infringed in retaliation for words he wrote in the aftermath of the Gabriele Giffords shooting. TJIC - although never charged with a single crime, let alone convicted - had his MA LTC revoked and was declared "unsuitable" to own firearms. Because of the arbitrary and capricious manner of MA LTC issuing, there is no reason whatsoever needed to revoke one's permit other than the nebulous "unsuitable person" criteria...

In support of TJIC, we recommend that everyone go out and get something related to the Second Amendment. Could be a firearm, could be ammunition, heck, it could even be a $5 pack of targets. Just go out and get something related to the Second Amendment (A Lahti would be nice...). Show support for TJIC and the unAmerican way in which his rights were stripped completely without due process, and show it in the manner most directly related to the situation.

And here is mine...
That is a Smith&Wesson 581 L-Frame. Six rounds of .357 Magnum goodness... I snapped the pic on the way home from the gun shop. Yep, she was already loaded. What good is an unloaded gun?

Update on Korean Garands

2012-01-19T11:10:00.001-06:00

SayUncle:

It looks like the .gov has unforcked itself and they will be imported:
The U.S. is set to import antiquated firearms from South Korea that were previously banned from entry, officials here said Thursday. Defense ministry officials said the United States has approved imports of M1 Garrand rifles, which were used by U.S. forces during the 1950-53 Korean War. “The U.S. sent an approval letter in September last year,” a ministry official said. “The U.S. will be willing to review legal procedures once we seek to export the rifles.” The official added that an exporter will be selected in an open bid at the end of this month at the earliest.

Note to wife: Start saving up.

SOPA Darkness

2012-01-18T08:57:00.006-06:00

I agree; SOPA and PIPA need to be stopped. I'm unimpressed with the going dark thing, however. Seems a bit like giving up your guns to protest a gun ban.

Update: SayUncle ain't going dark, either. "I’m not going dark, you may have noticed. You can, however, go here and write congress to tell them what petty tyrants they are for trying such a thing."

Update2: Neither is IrishSpy (who also linked us): "I won’t, because of my distaste for the sanctimonious political theater the Left is so fond of."

Has Haley Barbour Gone Nuts?

2012-01-12T09:59:00.004-06:00

Seems he has pardoned 14 convicted murderers among the 208 convicts he pardoned on the way out the door as Mississippi's governor.

I admit to having been a Barbour fan, but this issue indicates we may have dodged a political bullet when his Presidential bid fizzled.

We Can Do Better Than Ron Paul

2012-01-06T18:09:00.000-06:00

...And I think we could hardly do worse.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T10:33:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

The Cop Heard Round The World

2011-12-22T20:29:00.005-06:00

What would happen if you or I said these things to another person, or to a police officer? (video here)

"You are supposed to say that right off the goddamn bat," Harless screamed. "I'm so close to caving in your goddamn head."

Harless continued.

"You know what I shoulda done? I'll tell you what I shoulda done: As soon as I felt your gun, I shoulda took two steps back, pulled my Glock 40 and just put 10 bullets in your [expletive] and let you drop," the officer said. "And I wouldn't have lost any sleep. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," Bartlett said.

"And he [Harless' partner] would have been a nice witness as I executed you because you're stupid," Harless continued.

On the video, Bartlett appeared respectful and calm through the officer's tirade. Police charged Bartlett, 52, with carrying a concealed weapon, alleging that he failed to inform officers of his concealed-weapon status and his gun. The case went to jury trial Nov. 10 in Canton Municipal Court, where Judge Stephen Beldon acquitted Bartlett before his lawyer could put on a defense.

Bartlett tried to tell Harless he had a carry permit but was stopped by Harless. After the video of the incident was distributed via Facebook and Twitter and other social media by Ohioans for Concealed Carry last summer Harless was placed on administrative leave and later on "medical leave."

Let's get to the nitty gritty: Daniel Harless should have been immediately dismissed from any duties related to public safety and/or requiring armed contact with the public. Based on the video, he should have already been charged with assault regarding his statements to Mr. Bartlett. Bartlett was very lucky the video surfaced for without it he would likely have been convicted and in jail.

And it seems this isn't the first time Harless threatened citizens with death... And has faced SIXTEEN internal affairs investigations since 2000.

Gunwalker Just Went Bi-Partisan.

2011-12-22T14:32:00.002-06:00

Via Bob Owens' Blog:

...former Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, is now launching his own investigation.

Operation Fast and Furious, known as "GunWalker" to rights activists following the scandal, is about to blow up big time. Hello, Mr. Obama...

Et Tu, Blackburn?

2011-12-22T13:58:00.003-06:00

From Smitty at TOM:

Et Tu, Blackburn? Early last month I was singing the praises of Rep. Marsha Blackburn, who was taking a bold stand against Net Neutrality and FCC over-reach at the Defending the Dream summit.
Via Instapundit, we discover that the legacy media are funding the Stop Online Piracy Act in a big way.

Sigh... One consolation in living in Rep. Jim Cooper's (D-TN) district was that a responsible Congress Critter was one district over. C'mon, Marsha!

I thought that Rep. Blackburn sounded quite educated on the technical aspects of Net Neutrality. Maybe she can enlighten us on how the First Amendment is less important than media profits. I don’t see where her fellow Defending the Dream summit panelist Seton Motley has commented on SOPA.

Also on that list is our Sen. Bob Corker. What is it with Tennessee Republicans? Stop SOPA!

It's Still True, More Guns = Less Crime

2011-12-22T13:17:00.002-06:00

Data and a graph from No Lawyers - Only Guns and Money: Seems as "shall issue" carry spread across the states homicide rates fell dramatically. Armed citizens do not make easy prey.

TSA Rape

2011-12-22T12:56:00.001-06:00

Amy Alkon:

Why Did I Have To Go To Pravda To Get My Op-Ed About TSA Rape Published?
I don't understand it. I went to countless mainstream news outlets in America and every one of them refused to publish this -- my op-ed on our eroding civil liberties and what we need to do to stand up for them.
Media outlets that refused to publish this piece include the LA Times, The New York Times, Reuters, CNN.com, The Huffington Post, AOL, The Wall Street Journal, Yahoo.com, MSNBC.com, and The Washington Post.

Apparently, only the Russian media cares about discussing civil liberties in America. The Russian newspaper Pravda published the piece about an hour after I sent it to them. (My next try was going to be North Korea, but the furor there following Kim Jun Il's death made that seem like kind of a bad idea.)
The entire piece is published here, on Pravda's website.

As they say, read the whole thing.

Iowa Stupid

2011-12-21T11:50:00.000-06:00

Voters in the Iowa GOP are making the case for the rest of the 49 states to remove Iowa's right to vote. Via Big Government:

Poll: Ron Paul Moves into First Place in Iowa

In Obama's world, 56 states are considering removing Iowa's right to vote...

Who Wrote The Ron Paul Newsletters? Ron Paul.

2011-12-16T16:19:00.001-06:00

Pretty clear proof at the below link.

Who Wrote The Ron Paul Newsletters? Ron Paul Wrote Them – Clear Proof | Conservatives Network

It's past time for Paul to go away regarding this election.

Via Dan Riehl on Twitter.

What's Wrong With Our Schools?

2011-12-16T11:42:00.003-06:00

Part of the answer is here:

SMYRNA, Tenn. - For the rest of the semester, a Rutherford County elementary student has to eat lunch at the "silent table" for allegedly waving around a slice of pizza some say resembled a gun.

Seriously? The principal and his/her cronies at David Youree Elementary School need a time out.

US Youth Abandoning Obama

2011-12-15T14:44:00.001-06:00

So writes @AlanaGoodman at Commentary:
Millennial Poll Should Alarm Obama:

In 2008, voters under the age of 30 helped catapult Obama into the White House. Three years later, Obama’s approval rating is underwater with the demographic, which is becoming increasingly confident he’ll lose reelection.
According to a Harvard University poll out today, Obama’s approval rating with young Americans is at the lowest point of his presidency:
Despite a six percentage-point increase after the midterm elections that was reported in our Spring 2011 polling, President Obama’s job performance rating among young Americans, ages 18 to 29, is at the lowest point since we began polling the Obama administration in the fall of 2009. Currently, 46 percent of young Americans approve of the job the president is doing and 51 percent disapprove.

Also in the poll, Obama's useful idiots in the Occupy Wall Street crowd have even less support. Only 21 percent support OWS while 33 percent oppose it. Fully 46 percent have no opinion.

Further:

...Obama’s failure to live up the expectations he set in 2009 has actually caused young people to disengage from politics and activism, according to the poll:
The key ﬁndings in our survey suggest that Millennials are prepared to show their frustration not through strong support for the eventual Republican nominee, but rather by punishing President Obama and the Democrats by not engaging, volunteering or voting in the same volume that they did in 2008.

As it should be: If you wish to be ignorant of the truth of political realities, don't vote.

Stop SOPA!

2011-12-15T12:46:00.001-06:00

VIDEO: UN Oops

2011-12-15T11:50:00.002-06:00

From Strategy Page:

VIDEO: UN Opps

Happy Bill of Rights Day!

2011-12-15T11:40:00.002-06:00

Hurry and celebrate them before the current occupant of The Resolute Desk takes them away.

Strangling the US Economy Obama Style

2011-12-15T11:24:00.000-06:00

Via John Lott:

The rise of regulations under Obama:
The figure is from the WSJ.

Ryan was Wrong – Newt was right

2011-12-15T10:49:00.005-06:00

First, I was totally on board the Draft Ryan for President movement from the outset. If he would run, I'd still jump on board. But, via Legal Insurrection, Newt was right:

Newt Gingrich has been raked over the coals for using the term “right wing social engineering” with regard to Paul Ryan’s Medicare Plan released last spring. In context, Newt was making the point that the plan as proposed went to far in one fell swoop to pass unless public confidence had been built in advance of passage.
(...) Newt has been proven right, and is owed a huge apology, which of course will not be forthcoming. Newt was the adult in the room, as it turns out.

Newt was right. So much for Zany, huh?

Update: Newt was right about the Middle East, too. Shocker.

Quote Of The Day, “Witches and Mormons, Oh, My!”

2011-12-14T10:23:00.005-06:00

Comes from @rsmcain at The Other McCain:
Christine O’Donnell Endorses Mitt Romney; Des Moines City Council Member Endorses Rick Santorum:

A friend whom I won’t name sent me an e-mail suggesting the headline, “Witches and Mormons, Oh, My!” Christine O’Donnell, the former Republican Senate candidate and a tea party favorite during the 2010 election, has officially endorsed Mitt Romney for president. . . .

Now I ask all of my fellow Tea Party types, did O'Donnell really present a better choice as a loss than Mike Castle did as a win?

Blogging Again, Maybe...

2011-12-13T20:34:00.002-06:00

Well, I posted a few items over the past several days just because... And no one died.

That I know of.

So, perhaps I'll get back into it. Perhaps I won't. With the 2012 Election heating up I probably will... I confess that Twitter alleviates a LOT of the compulsion to make regular blog posts, however. Who knew 140 characters at a time could be so addictive?

And so it goes.

Americans Fear Big Government

2011-12-12T15:24:00.003-06:00

From Gallup: In U.S., Fear of Big Government at Near-Record Level.
And for good reason. And that fear is why the Founding Fathers gave us the Second Amendment.

In Norway, $500 per pound BUTTER

2011-12-12T14:00:00.003-06:00

Norwegians take their Christmas baking serious, and that along with a rainy summer and a new fad diet has sent butter prices soaring through the roof.

The shortfall, expected to last into January, amounts to between 500 and 1,000 tonnes, said Tine, Norway's main dairy company, while online sellers have offered 500-gramme packs for up to 350 euros ($465).

Of course, the Russian mob saw opportunity and immediately started trying to smuggle the new gold into the country...

Via @PolitixGal on Twitter

Dave Kopel's latest paper

2011-12-09T12:44:00.003-06:00

Via Arms and the Law:

Dave Kopel's latest paper:
"How the British Gun Control Program Precipitated the American Revolution". I suggest downloading the paper, not only because it's interesting, but also because that drives up the paper's SSRN statistics. If you get a high enough readership, you make "top ten" in Con Law downloads, and all subscribers to SSRN get an email announcing that, which gives a paper wider exposure.

Gingrich 37%, Romney 22% Among GOP Voters Nationwide

2011-12-07T10:24:00.002-06:00

Gingrich 37%, Romney 22% Among GOP Voters Nationwide.
(Gallup)
All others in single digits...

Infamy

2011-12-07T10:07:00.000-06:00

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. . .

7 December 1941

President Franklin D. Roosevelt:

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of American was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our secretary of state a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese government also launched as attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. . .

Source: Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, New York.

Graphic from http://www.homeofheroes.com/.

Test - Disregard

2011-02-04T15:06:00.000-06:00

Test

Second Fed Judge Rules ObamaCare Unconstitutional

2011-01-31T14:28:00.003-06:00

#TeaParty #Tcot #news #HCR

Judge Roger Vinson - a Federal judge in Pensacola, Florida - has ruled that the main component of Obamacare is unconstitutional. Judge Vinson states in his opinion that the individual mandate exceeds the bounds of the authority of the Congress.

One step closer to voiding this monstrosity, and news worthy of suspending my blogging hiatus! On to the Supreme Court, folks!

It Ain't a Free Country

2010-11-19T19:06:00.002-06:00

This guy is right. Our liberty is swirling the toilet and there probably isn't a thing we can do about it. It's time to find a place in the boonies and hide - providing one still has the money and other resources to do it.

Tennessee House GOP Ignores The TeaParty Voters

2010-11-18T15:40:00.003-06:00

They chose the RINO for Speaker.

NRA Convention Coming to Nashville in 2015

2010-11-18T15:31:00.002-06:00

So says the Tennessean. They'll be meeting at downtown locations that have yet to be built...

Daniel Snyder, I Hate You

2010-11-17T20:07:00.006-06:00

Regarding Chad Duke's rant on Monday Night's Redskins travesty... What can I say but that I completely agree? Not a single coach had their unit ready for Monday night coming off a BYE week. They had two weeks, including an extra day by virtue of playing Monday night, to get ready for a team they had already beaten in an away game. Here's how bad this game was, after all the Cowboys had gone through the previous week and this season, a Cowboy fan at work sought to console me over the loss.

A Dallas Cowboy fan.

It was that bad.

Daniel Snyder brought us to this point. I can't think of a curse bad enough for the rat *censored*. As bad as we think Jerry Jones is, at least he has three Lombardi Trophies in his time as owner. Snyder can't even field a winner two years in a row.

Bumper Stickers and Political Philosophy

2010-11-08T12:52:00.004-06:00

David Codrea (@Codrea) has an interesting post up today about "right wing" bumper stickers and what the left wing hate group known as the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) wants law enforcement to do when seeing them or the conservative citizens that might display them.

Did SPLC just make it dangerous to have a ‘conservative’ bumper sticker? The Southern Poverty Law Center has produced a video, “’Sovereign Citizens’ and Law Enforcement: Understanding the Threat,” warning police that traffic stops involving “right wing” citizens could end up as deadly encounters.

I watched the video, and while the anti-right hate from SPLC peeks through once or twice, the basic information being offered to police officers is sound: Never treat a traffic stop as routine.

The truth is that there is a tiny segment of the extreme "right" that is so "out there" that they present a danger to law enforcement and citizens alike. I don't know why those of us who are law abiding citizens should deny this. In doing so we give SPLC a legitimacy they do not deserve. The criminals that killed the officers in the West Memphis incident needed to be put down, and they were.

The SPLC must jump on this as a validation of their agenda as they have very little else to do it for them. The best way to defuse this as an issue for them is the truth. The two shooters were criminals long before they shot the officers. We law abiding citizens abide by decent laws and abhor those who take their delusions to criminal levels as these two did.

Hacking Cough, Chills, Stuffy Head

2010-11-07T13:10:00.003-06:00

Wouldn't you know it? Two days into the last week of my vacation time for the year and I'm in the infirmary. This stuff sound suspiciously like what MArooned had a week or so ago.

Flu shot ads keep playing on the idiot box and the better half takes glee in telling me I should have gotten one. Two problems: I don't get along with needles and every time I have gotten a flu shot I've also had one of the worse cases of the flu ever.

To make it worse, this week was the only one I could take for vacation and my Redskins are on a bye week.

Sucks.

What the Blue Dogs Meant to the Socialists

2010-11-06T14:42:00.005-05:00

Yeah, the socialists. Self described "Socialist" Laurence O'Donnell asserts what many of us have known for a while; that so-called "moderate" or "conservative" Democrats merely serve the interests of passing socialist - progressive legislation such as Obamacare. The devastation Tuesday's election had on the Blue Dogs - with their numbers cut in half - has not only pushed the Democrat Party to the extreme Left philosophically, it has seriously damaged the prospects for their Socialist Agenda.

(Via Taxing Tennessee)

#NC02 Renee Ellmers Needs Your Help

2010-11-05T14:18:00.005-05:00

#TeaParty Patriots, your task in this election is not complete. Renee Ellmers needs your help. Strangling Bob Etheridge is trying to become a thief as well as an attacker of young people asking questions. (If you recall, Etheridge earlier this year objected to a young man asking Etheridge if Etheridge supported Obama's policies by grabbing the young by the neck and demanding to know, "Who are you?") Renee Ellmers won the seat fair and square, but Etheridge has forced a re-count for the seat. Via PowerLine:

Renee Ellmers has prevailed by 1,600 votes against Democratic incumbent Bob "Who are you?" Etheridge in North Carolina's Second Congressional District. Etheridge has demanded a recount. Yesterday Ellmers posted an update regarding the recount.

In her update Ellmers notes that she is getting no financial help from the NRCC in connection with the recount, that she has retained 11 lawyers -- one for each of her district's 11 counties -- to represent her in the recount, and that she needs a minimum of $50,000 for legal assistance. The number sounds low to me, but there is no question that she needs help. Please consider supporting her with a contribution here.

Again, to contribute to Ellmers defense of the seat she has just won, please go HERE.

The Other McCain reports that Ellmers has gone public with the fact that the NRCC is MIA.

Months ago, I went to Washington and asked the National Republican Congressional Committee and many conservative leaders to help my campaign. Many conservative groups – like the Susan B. Anthony List, Concerned Women of America, Freedom Works, and Sarah Palin’s Sarah PAC all helped, but the NRCC declined. Later, they did support other campaigns in North Carolina – which, unfortunately, lost – but we never received their support. In fact, their spokesman told the press “that the campaign wasn’t ready for prime time” – which actually made it even harder for us to raise money. So, I am doubtful we will get support from the NRCC to help with the expense of the recount.

Again, to contribute to Ellmers defense of the seat she has just won, please go HERE.

It's My Party and I'll Gloat If I Want to, Gloat If I Want to!

2010-11-04T18:15:00.003-05:00

@Smitty_One_Each may not like the gloating, BUT I DO!

Click on the pic or go HERE to listen... Beck's Fox show may stink, but his radio show has always rocked.

Inviting Targets

2010-11-03T12:47:00.004-05:00

SayUncle says that it is good that Harry Reid won to continue as Nevada's Senator and as Majority Leader because the alternative was Majority Leader Chucky Schumer. I differ in opinion. I think Schumer would have been a bright DayGlo Orange target for gun owners and would have helped 2012 be another 2010. As it is we're stuck another six years with Harry Reid who - assuming he can keep his leadership job - will be re-examining his supposed support of gun owner rights.

Use a HOLSTER and Keep Your Booger Hook OFF the Bang Switch

2010-11-01T20:00:00.003-05:00

Guy shoots himself and loses his carry permit because he was too stupid to use a holster...

Latham pulled the trigger while reaching into his pocket to get money to pay for a beer.

The gun was not in a holster and there was no evidence he had anything else to drink before ordering the beer.

Egads.

Yeah, We Miss Him

2010-11-01T18:15:00.002-05:00

One thing we never doubted; both of these men loved America and did what they thought was best for the nation. I miss that in a President. Knowing how to throw a baseball is a plus, too.

Cat Nap

2010-10-29T14:15:00.003-05:00

I'm not generally a cat person, but... He's 13. He's Siamese. He gets certain liberties.

Unemployment Rates: US vs Germany

2010-10-29T13:55:00.003-05:00

Via John Lott who notes that Germany refused the Obama styled stimulus.

Toss Out ALL The Bums!

2010-10-29T12:34:00.001-05:00

That's what 65% of Americans say about the current Congress says Rasmussen:

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters say if they had the option next week, they would vote to get rid of the entire Congress and start all over again. Only 20% would opt to keep the entire Congress instead. Fifteen percent (15%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here .)

Correspondence Chess Update

2010-10-27T14:38:00.006-05:00

My last game finished on my birthday last August with a win. That win tied me for first in the event (WS/H/227) and qualified me to move up another class (ICCF Master Class). I haven't registered for any new events as I've been exhausted with by life/work/chess/etc... I needed a break. I typically spend between 10-20 hours per turn per major line researching databases for similar positions and exploring lines for traps once we approach the middle game.

The last couple of years I've also been turning in loads of overtime at the J-O-B because of our downsized staff yet upsized workload. The other day I was told that the J-O-B overlords had decided that paying OT was more loathsome than paying part-time minions.

Heh. We'll see if the part time unskilled types can put in the quality effort that this skilled and tested full time seven year slave has given. Plus, the other J-O-B seeking continues and looks promising. But, I digress...

Another thing became apparent as I played the Higher class events: My repertoire needs an update. These guys in Higher have mine down cold (plus, I suspect a high percentage do like me and research the oppo opening rep). The Master class would have it frozen. I've been looking at a amalgamated type Sicilian based on the Taimanov to go along with my favored Caro Kann. But, that's not where the problem lies. My Black response to 1.d4 and my White choices need a boost. I'm leaning a few directions on both but I'm not decided. Until I am decided I won't be moving up in class or starting new events. With White I'm almost sold on using a combination of QG and Catalan/Reti. My choice(s) Black against 1.d4 is still very up in the air.

I'm up to 2107 in the latest ratings list. I get the impression that is waaaay inflated (see chart at the left). In addition to the tie for 1st in WS/H/227, in WS/H/195 and WS/H/187 I finished in a tie for 2nd, and in WS/H/171 I finished 4th. Incremental progress, at least.

NRA and GOA endorsements

2010-10-27T12:23:00.003-05:00

Via David Codrea (@dcodrea):

Hmmm...evidently the NRA pick:
Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
And he was also one of those unanimous votes for Pelosi as Speaker.

The GOA backs the other guy (Chip Cravaak who is A-rated on guns). NRA endorsed Jim Oberstar (D-MN)? He's D-rated, obviously.

Again, the R in NRA may not stand for Republican, but the A does not stand for America, either. The A in GOA apparently DOES stand for America, by contrast. Say Uncle and Snowflakes, please take note.

SW 642 Finish Wear

2010-10-27T12:03:00.006-05:00

MArooned has a post that asks about wear on the finish of Smith and Wesson 642 snubbies. It does happen... This 642 was is about 2.5 years old and is pocket carried almost exclusively. The wear is all on the backstrap area.

Vote GOP

2010-10-27T10:17:00.002-05:00

MarcoRubio explains why.

Wish I could have voted for Rubio instead of the goofballs on my ballot...

Police Harrassment? Las Vegas Police and Erik Scott's Survivors

2010-10-27T09:21:00.004-05:00

@ConfederateYank and his co-blogger report:

So she got a few tickets. What’s the big deal? I refer, of course, to Samantha Sterner, Erik Scott’s girlfriend and arguably the most important witness in the upcoming civil trial regarding the metro police shooting of Scott on July 10, 2010. In Update 7 (the archive with all Erik Scott related posts and is available here.) I wrote of the fact that Sterner had recently received two traffic citations and several friends had been followed by the police for such distances that mere coincidence was not a credible explanation. The common factor was that all of the vehicles involved displayed a red, white and blue Erik Scott memorial ribbon on their rear surfaces.

Since that post, Sterner has received a third ticket. Bill Scott’s more detailed account of these recent developments can be found here. In brief, Sterner has received three tickets, two by Henderson officers, one by a Metro officer near her workplace, and as I mentioned in Update 7, others have been harassed--there is no other word for it--as well. So what’s the big deal? Lots of people get tickets, right?

Something stinks in southern Nevada.

My Knife Has a Safety

2010-10-22T17:24:00.006-05:00

No, really. See that red thing right beside the cord cutting Groove™ in the pic below? That's the unsafe indicator that means the blade can be opened. Click the little lever closed and the blade won't open. I typically don't like mechanical safeties (God gave us brains and hands for that purpose). I picked up SOG Trident for the kid and decided I liked it so much - despite the safety - that I got one for myself. Good thing, too. As my wife was retrieving the Trident from the mail box the Winchester clip folder (seen here) that I have carried for seven or so years lost a screw from the clip. Synchronicity...

One reason I like the Trident is the Groove™ allowing cords and other stringy things to be safely cut with a closed blade. The wife ordered it in Tiger Stripe since that style was on sale.

Speaking of the Winchester, it will probably be relegated to a tool box somewhere as I have no idea where to get the missing screw. I periodically tightened the screws on it but... Still popped to who knows where. I had a Buck folder clip do that, too. It became a lightweight belt knife. I know, Buck will supposedly replace the screws and clip, but it works well on a duty belt already loaded with other ~~crap~~ tools. So, the Trident replaces the Winchester in the SayUncle Pockets Meme.

From the SOG web site:

The SOG Trident uses our well-proven means of delivering a knife blade to the open position with S.A.T. (SOG Assisted Technology™) Now using our patent pending Arc-Actuator™, the Trident locks stronger and releases easier. There is also a built-in safety to lock the blade closed. When it shows red, you are ready to go.

What also makes the Trident so unique is the patent pending Groove™ in the handle, which allows the operator to cut paracord, fishing line, etc. without having to open the blade. The handle also includes a Digi-Grip™ variable pattern for coarser grip in areas that require it. Our bayonet style clip is easily switched for right/left hand carry or removed for pouch storage.

And there is a cool video review of the Trident.

How Does a Felon Own Guns and Gun Companies?

2010-10-22T13:05:00.007-05:00

Via Bob Owens (@ConfederateYank) comes this stranger than fiction story of a convicted felon who not only has guns and at one time had a concealed carry permit, but has owned three firearms companies. As a felon the man could serve ten years in prison for just touching a firearm. Owens has published a picture showing him holding two pistols.

If all or even most of the allegations made by various sources are true, Lee Franklin Booth should be behind bars. If these allegations are accurate, Booth is guilty of possessing hundreds of firearms, operating three firearms companies that each had firearms inventory, and receiving a CCW permit.

According to the Pajamas Media item, Lee Franklin Booth "was convicted of second-degree kidnapping on September 24, 1981, and was imprisoned from that date until his early release on December 30, 1985." He was also arrested "for communicating threats and simple assault." So how does he acquire Detonics USA Industries, how does he start and obtain a Federal Firearms License for Victory Arms, and then acquire Templar Consulting - a company licensed to build select fire weapons and machine guns?

Owens asks a lot of questions about how state and federal agencies turned a blind eye to these matters. What good are laws intended to keep weapons out of the hands of felons if they are not enforced - or worse - enforced only selectively?

[UPDATE]
In the interest of fair play, Quoting in entirety from Bob Owens' "Correction and Clarification" item posted 5 NOVEMBER 2010:

On October 22, 2010, Pajamas Media.com published an article by Bob Owens about legal restrictions on the ownership of guns and gun companies by felons.

The article stated:

“Imagine that this same felon then started another gun company from scratch, and then used that company to acquire a third company that was licensed to build machine guns.”

In fact, the “third company” in question was not, at the time of its acquisition, licensed to build machine guns. That company subsequently obtained such a license.

The article stated:

“After the Templar/Victory split, it is suspected that the FFL acquired by Victory was revoked….”

In fact, it appears that the federal firearms license was not revoked. It was not issued in Mr. Booth’s name.

The article also suggested that Lee Booth acquired three gun companies. Mr. Booth, through legal counsel, has informed us that he never acquired three gun companies.

In fact, Mr. Booth owned only one gun company, but had substantial involvement in and apparent control over two other gun companies.

The article posed the question: “How come a felon owns guns and gun companies?” Mr. Booth, through legal counsel, has cited exceptions to the state and federal laws prohibiting convicted felons from owning guns or controlling gun companies and has stated that he is not prohibited from such activity. While we stand by the original opinion, based on an analysis of relevant statutes and regulations, that Mr. Booth is not permitted to own guns or have control over gun companies, we note here that this issue remains open to legal debate and differing opinions.

Pajamas Media and Bob Owens regret these errors and apologize to Mr. Booth.

Moral Politics Quiz

2010-10-22T10:18:00.003-05:00

@SayUncle took it. I wasted a couple minutes on it (quiz here)...

Well, they did get correct who I voted for in '04 and '08, and they got correct that I am a conservative Republican who identifies most with President Reagan. Not sure how they did that reliably, though, since I didn't answer about a third of the questions as none of the answers fit.

Should Tennessee Enact Arizona Style Immigration?

2010-10-22T10:05:00.002-05:00

The Nashville Business Journal wants to know what you think. Go take their poll.

NPR and Editorial Standards

2010-10-21T15:56:00.006-05:00

Via @IrishSpy comes this gem from NPR on the firing of Juan Williams:

NPR said in its statement that the remarks “were inconsistent with our editorial standards and practices, and undermined his credibility as a news analyst with NPR.”

Yep, we've suspected for quite a while that reality and truthfulness were inconsistent with NPR's editorial standards and practices.

[UPDATE]
Codrea: "Note to NPR CEO Vivian Schiller--please take up issues of profiling and prejudice with that infidel-killing group who identify themselves as the true representatives of their religion."
Power Line: Appeasing the Lefty base?

Blog Fatigue

2010-10-18T19:57:00.003-05:00

I'm not the only one to experience it. Frank James is taking a break.

Bankrupting America

2010-10-15T15:01:00.003-05:00

Via Blue Collar Muse is this video of just how dire a ditch Obama has driven the economy into reflected in the true unemployment rate...

They Heard us, They Ignored Us

2010-10-15T10:50:00.002-05:00

On November 2nd they will ignore us no more. Ken Buck hits it right. From PowerLine.

What to do in a Self Defense Incident

2010-10-11T20:22:00.002-05:00

Shut the heck up. Crimefile has the details.

Gun Free Zones Kill Innocent People, Even in Restaurants

2010-10-11T16:59:00.004-05:00

Cases like this are well documented. From Suzanna Hupp's ordeal at a Luby's in Texas to Nikki Goesser losing her husband to a stalker at a Nashville bar, tales of disarmed citizens being killed in gun free zones when they could have easily defended themselves litter the landscape of the hoplophobes' zeal to abolish our natural right to self defense. Via SayUncle comes another tale of disarmed citizens in a restaurant being terrorized and murdered while the means of their defense had been removed by the state.

The story ends, like every other mass shooting ends, because of the bullet of an armed person. You see, “active shooters” as they are called today, stop killing either when they get shot by someone else, or, seeing themselves trapped by armed people, turn the gun on themselves. Jeff vividly recalled for me sitting on the floor with his back to the gunman, dead friend on one knee and pregnant friend on the other knee, seeing the cop charging in shooting over Jeff’s head. From start to finish the ordeal lasted 20 minutes.

When I asked Jeff last year what he would have done if he had a gun he said “I’d have drilled that bastard like a he was a two-by-four. “ Instead, disarmed by US Army policy, and by the North Carolina’s lack of Concealed Carry licenses, he spent the longest 20 minutes of his life clearing his friend’s airway and trying not to look at her boyfriend, dead on his other knee. The hospital helpfully sterilized his pants for him and offered to give them back, complete with bloodstains.

Open Carry in Cali

2010-10-08T15:00:00.001-05:00

Codrea wonders about the bigotry.

Self Defense Mentality

2010-10-08T12:52:00.009-05:00

I often see items from various self defense gun bloggers/writers about what to shoot, how to shoot, why we need to be able to shoot, where to go to learn how to shoot... And very seldom on the mental attitude needed when one decides to provide the basics for one's self defense.

One video that Buford Tune at APPS shows every concealed carry course and every armed security officer course is of a self defense expert speaking (someone told me it was John Farnam but it didn't LOOK like Farnam) about the mentality needed to carry a firearm for self defense and what to do when the firearm is needed versus an armed opponent.

The end of the video is striking: The expert describes a self-defense situation where you have just used your firearm to defeat the bad guy. The bad guy is on the ground. He slowly grasps his handgun and begins gradually raising it toward you.

What does this mean?

In a stern, authoritative voice the expert states: It means you have not shot him enough!

In the video the four D's of self defense gun fights are explained. When confronting the bad guy:
Divide his focus.
Disrupt his plan.
Disable his body.
Destroy his will to fight.

In the above scenario it is assumed you have accomplished the first three D's. However, if the bad guy is still trying to fight, the fourth is still unfulfilled. The fight is only over when all four have been checked off the list. Here is where we come back to the mentality needed to carry a firearm for self-defense. Those who choose to carry must have the will to follow through on all four D's. You must be willing to destroy the opponent who means you and your loved ones harm.

Another video shown is that of the 1998 murder of Deputy Kyle Dinkheller (Caution: the video is very disturbing) during a traffic stop in Georgia. Dinkheller stopped a pickup truck for failure to display legal tags. Noting a large dog in the cab of the truck, Dinkheller asked the driver (who will be nameless in this blog) to step to the back of the vehicle. The driver was immediately confrontational. When Dinkheller initially was able to get the driver to come to him, the driver attacked Dinkheller and was repulsed by use of an Asp baton.

The driver retreated and began acting irrationally, jumping around and shouting "Shoot me, Shoot me!" and declaring that he was a Viet Nam combat veteran. All the while the driver was maneuvering back to the driver's side door of his vehicle. During this Dinkheller was repeatedly ordering the driver to come back to the rear of the truck, stop what he was doing, etc...

When the driver reached the door of his truck he retrieved a .30 caliber rifle (in the video it looks like a M-1 carbine) and began loading it. Dinkheller can be heard screaming for the driver to put the rifle down. Dinkheller fired the first shot in the ensuing gun battle. The driver can be seen using cover and combat techniques to isolate and expose Dinkheller. The driver shot Dinkheller in the arms and legs to disable him - areas not covered by a vest - before finally killing him with a close up shot to the head.

The driver sustained one wound to the stomach. He was sentenced to be executed in a 2000 trial and has been appealing since. He is still scheduled to be put down.

In the after math and investigation it was revealed that Dinkheller had just prior been reprimanded by superiors for his demeanor during traffic stops. He was told to be nicer.

The video demonstrates that bad guys can and do use the Four D's just as well as we can. It is incumbent upon us to make sure we have the proper mental outlook to make sure we succeed and not the bad guys. After seeing that he could not defeat Dinkheller unarmed, the driver made the decision to escalate the encounter an armed fight and acted upon a plan to win.

The driver: Divided Dinkheller's focus and Disrupted Dinkheller's plan with erratic behavior and statements. Once armed, he Disabled Dinkheller's body and Destroyed his will to fight.

Meanwhile, evidently because of the reprimand and his youth (Dinkheller was 22), Dinkheller made plenty mistakes in the encounter that led to his death. And, no, I'm not speaking ill of this murdered officer, I'm trying to illustrate that we can learn from his mistakes. I'm sure that he would understand this. His first mistake was going out with a mind set that did not allow him to act on what was transpiring in the encounter. His mental attitude did not allow him to act aggressively enough, or to "bail out" when the situation went south.

There was a vital point after he repelled the driver with the Asp that he either had to press the attack or retreat to wait for backup. His mind set did not allow either. On one hand, he had been reprimanded for not being nicer during traffic stops so he did not disable the driver and prevent him from going to the truck. On the other, the "macho" aspect did not allow him to get in his cruiser and get the heck out and wait for backup.

As concealed carriers we do not do traffic stops, but similar scenarios and incidents can happen to us. Will we have the mental attitude necessary to defeat the threat and save our loved ones and ourselves? We must answer that question every single time we put the weapon in its holster. If not, Dinkheller's sacrifice and the lessons taught in his encounter will be in vain.

And the bad guys will win.

That can not happen.

[UPDATE]
Linked by Codrea, who notes:

I have a similar strategy that also uses four letters, FUHU, with the last three words being:

Up
His
Universe.

No one sane wants a fight, but if one is forced on you, remember:
CUM ULLA SELLA IN PUGNO TABERNA
And it ain't over 'til you say it's over.

Also linked by Liberty Sphere, SayUncle, WarriorGeek ...

Pocket Revolvers

2010-10-07T17:29:00.003-05:00

Like pocket revolvers as much as I do? MArooned has a post for you. I'm partial to the Smith and Wesson J-Frames.

One Cool Trooper

2010-10-07T17:09:00.002-05:00

In Illinois, at that. Via @SayUncle... "How police interaction should work."

This officer's picture needs to be beside the definition of "peace officer" and we need more like him and less "law enforcement officers." Illinois, you have a great Trooper on duty.

Completed Review of Erik Scott - Costco Las Vegas Case

2010-10-06T14:34:00.007-05:00

[UPDATE] The complete series from Confederate Yankee and MikeM:

My co-blogger at Confederate Yankee, Mike McDaniel, is a former police officer, detective, and SWAT operator, and has providing the very best analysis of this shooting anywhere, online or in print.

Here is the series of articles he has written so far:

Analysis of a Death: The Erik Scott Shooting
The Erik Scott Shooting: Update 2
The Erik Scott Shooting: Update 3
The Erik Scott Shooting: Update 3.2
The Erik Scott Shooting: Update 4
The Eric Scott Shooting: Update 5 (The Future)

In addition to Mike’s analysis I’ve added a few developments of my own, such as breaking the story that Scott’s fellow United States Military Academy graduates are bringing their power to bear to push for a federal civil rights investigation into the actions of the Las Vegas Police department, and not just in Scott’s case.

Over @ConferateYank. MikeM, a former peace officer, has been going over the elements of the case as the Las Vegas authorities conducted their *cough* inquest. His conclusion: "Erik Scott would likely be alive today if only one officer had used his most effective, dangerous weapon: His brain, in concert with his mouth. If the police had used proper, smart tactics, a single officer should have approached Scott at the right time and place and asked: ‘Pardon me Sir; could I have a word with you please?”"

The previous entries by MikeM are at the following links:
Update 1
Update 2
Update 3
Update 3.2
Update 4

Read them all and see if you can tell why I'll never go to Costco...

We are NOT Thankful, Barry

2010-10-06T14:22:00.003-05:00

From RedState via @smitty_one_each...

The riposte of a title is in answer to BHO's remark at the end of the video.

LibTard Attacks Reporter at Rangel Event

2010-10-03T19:24:00.006-05:00

Via @rsmccain ... First, the LibTard hits the reporter from behind, then uses profanity to object to the reporters presence, then attacks the reporter when the reporter videos the LibTard's behavior. The reporter clearly has grounds to have the LibTard arrested for assault. Dunno why she didn't.

Sorry, Vols. LSU Wins!

2010-10-03T12:14:00.002-05:00

While closing up at work I was able to see the ending to this game.

My wife was at a reunion party and I left to join her after finishing up at work. We spent several hours with Vols fans who seemed fairly happy... While driving home I remarked upon their demeanor. My wife said, "LSU won? They think Tennessee won..." Seems they stopped watching after the botched snap.

Heh. Vol fans.

No Guns? No Business!

2010-10-01T12:25:00.003-05:00

From WizardPC at Walls:

www.nogunsnobusiness.com

Go hit it up. It asks for very minimal information (first initial, last name, zip code for mapping purposes)

Via Insty

I registered. So should you.

Smith 629 kaBoom

2010-09-30T16:51:00.003-05:00

Via SayUncle comes pics and a story about a "S&W 629 in 44 that blew up." Seems the shooter used Chinese ammo. Moral: Never use sub standard ammo.

Snooping Obama

2010-09-27T17:48:00.003-05:00

And they said the Bush Administration was intrusive... NewsMax reports that the Obama Administration is pushing for far greater wiretap abilities than Bush ever dreamed.

The newspaper said the White House plans to submit a bill next year that would require all online services that enable communications to be technically equipped to comply with a wiretap order. That would include providers of encrypted e-mail, such as BlackBerry, networking sites like Facebook and direct communication services like Skype.

Guess I need to start looking for PGP type apps for my BlackBerry.

Gold Bars and Coins from ATMs?

2010-09-27T17:33:00.003-05:00

Oh, THAT won't be a security problem!

The machines, which update the gold price every 10 minutes to match international markets, take cash or credit cards and dispense small bars — including 1 gram, 5 gram, 10 gram and 1 ounce units—as well as coins such as South African Krugerrands, Australian Kangaroos and the Canadian Maple Leaf.

At least the cops will know where to look for their local armed robbery suspects, stationed at those ATMs waiting for the next victim...

Tea Party Principles: Our LAST Hope

2010-09-24T15:11:00.004-05:00

From Traction Control who titles his post "The Last Best Hope: Join or Die." Subtract best... I think the Tea Party revolution and the principles of smaller, less intrusive government and the roll back of the Obama agenda is the only hope left to our nation.

Ace says, “Pretty Darn Good“.

Traction Control says, “Oh, Hell Yea!”

From RedState; video produced by Ben Howe.

November.

GOP 2010 Strategy: "It's US vs. Obama"

2010-09-23T23:43:00.004-05:00

And they are taking on the Tea Party mantle with gusto if this NRSC ad reflects their true beliefs. As Smitty notes, all the Tea Party Senate candidates are in there, even Christine O'Donnell.

Went Shootin'

2010-09-23T21:28:00.004-05:00

Speaking of the SW 642... I took it and the SW 686 to re-qualify last week. I shot better with the snubbie light weight 642 than I did with the heavier 686. I attribute that to new grips on the 686. I replaced the 15 year old set of Pachmayr grips with smaller Hogue grips. The Hogues have significant finger grooves which are well away from where my fingers set on the grips and bothered me the whole day. Interestingly, I also bought Hogues for the 642 that fit my hand perfectly.

I shot a 49/50 with the 686 and a 50/50 with the 642. Target pics below...

I wrote about my previous qualification here (Check out the the nice grouping on the Ruger target).

SayUncle Pockets Meme

2010-09-23T16:51:00.003-05:00

Coming in very late on the "What's in your pockets?" meme...

From the top left clockwise:
1) Blackberry Bold
2) ID Wallet
3) Bandanna
4) Loose Change
5) Ear Protection in Case (also the key to the Slick Willy lock on the Smith)
6) Credit Card Wallet
7) SW 642 in DeSantis Pocket Holster with two Bianchi Speed Strips
8) Winchester Pocket Knife

Not pictured: My Tactical Pen (Zebra F-402).

That's just what was in my pockets today. It varies.

Other Pocket Meme Posts:
Marko
Jay
NK
Flock of One
Fritz
Sebastian
Extreme Tolerance

Want your listed? Let me know.

Gender Discrimination

2010-09-03T07:51:00.002-05:00

It EXISTS! Via John Lott, USAToday reports that Twentysomething women in many metro areas earn around 8% more than their male counterparts. In Atlanta the disparity is a gulf of Twentysomething women making 21% more than men. As Lott jokes, this great disparity is obviously a result of discrimination and must be investigated!

ICCF Win

2010-08-30T17:09:00.002-05:00

Just received the following email from ICCF:

Hello Steve,

As a result of your latest victory in WS/H/227, you have secured joint 1st place. Congratulations & very well played!

You are now able to play in ICCF Master Class should you wish to enter.

Best Wishes

Neil Limbert

Tournament Director

WooHoo! I'm working on a couple games to post as time permits... I'll probably get my butt kicked royally in Master Class, though.

USC = University of Stupid Cheaters

2010-08-26T14:33:00.005-05:00

#USC #NCAA .

And they have had their 2004 AP football championship stripped. Auburn should have won that year, anyway, and the writers should have rectified that instead of leaving the title vacant. Remember, they went undefeated in the SEC, the toughest football conference anywhere. USC did it in the weak PAC 10. So how many championships does that leave the "great" Pete Carroll era for Trojan land? Hehe. IrishSpy is probably laughing hysterically.

The BCS title and Heisman Trophy for that year are next... Perhaps the BCS will do the right thing and recognize Auburn as the 2004 champions.

Quote of the Day

2010-08-18T07:10:00.002-05:00

From Jennifer Rubin: "It gets clearer all the time that isolationism is what binds the far right and far left." So true... If one nut goes around the bend to the left and another to the right, they are bound to meet.

Pet Tales - Check Up On Your Vet

2010-07-25T18:22:00.006-05:00

We took the Border Collie -Lab mix to the vet earlier this week for her annual checkup. She's going to be 10 on her next birthday and I asked them about her weight... Always ask questions about your pet when you visit the vet. They will rarely offer up information without prompting. In fact, I had the assistant in the exam room re-ask the questions the receptionist had asked in the lobby while we were waiting. In watching the assistant and the vet paw through the charts to ask the questions I could see that neither she or the vet had bothered to look at the answers we had given the receptionist.

Turns out she had dropped to about 52 pounds from the 60 she weighed on the last visit. Now, it is true that she has been exercising a lot more over the last several months now that she and the three year old 90 pound Lab are getting along and playing together. I also have not been giving the two dogs as many treats and we have been watching their food intake because the younger one has weight issues. But eight pounds is a bit much, even in a year.

The vet did blood and other tests which came back normal. Hopefully this weight loss is a natural thing. We'll take her back in three or so months to get re-checked and make sure. The moral of the story is two fold; you know your pet much better than the vet and their helpers, and you have to stay on top of them to make sure your pets get the treatment and examinations they need. The veterinarian service we use enjoys a top notch reputation here in Nashville, but I still had to prompt them to give my pet the care she needed.

I Write Like...

2010-07-23T15:55:00.001-05:00

I write like
Arthur C. Clarke

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Huh. Don't know who I was hoping for, but that ain't bad.

19th U.S. CORRESPONDENCE CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

2010-07-02T15:54:00.001-05:00

#chess .
Thinking of entering USCCC19. Anyone else?

Play the Catalan

2010-06-29T17:29:00.007-05:00

#Chess #Catalan .
This just hit the front porch from Amazon...

Play the Catalan

I guess it is time. I've been playing the opening off and on for ten years without a decent book.

Huh... Who knew the Amazon text and graphic links and Blogger were having a war? Hence the glob with the pic and link above...

Free Lunch

2010-06-24T18:40:00.002-05:00

From BarliMan: "An embarrassment to Cats, Everywhere."

Dude, a few morsels are ok, but you let him take the entire bowl...

Queen Gambit Accepted Win at ICCF

2010-06-14T19:06:00.002-05:00

#Chess #ICCF .

I mentioned in the comments to the previous item on ICCF Chess that I had begun playing the Queens' Gambit as White after years of Reti/Catalan and London System. I've had good success playing the systems resulting from 1.Nf3 but they had started becoming stale and some of my opponents were zeroing in on my preferences (one emailed me after a game with information to this effect). In looking for a new weapon as White the QG seemed a natural to my tastes so I ran with it despite my aversion to deeply explored openings... The following game finished this morning with a resignation from my opponent.

He chose the Accepted variation and the fight was on. After 14...hxg6 Black's King Side was disrupted and I began exploring the possibility of a Rook lift to exploit the h-file. The game would turn on the mobility of White's Rooks and their threats both on the King Side and threats in the middle game on the c-file. This mobility was made possible by the great amount of space the advanced pawn center gave White.

[Event "WS/H/227"]
[Site "ICCF"]
[Date "2010.3.20"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Owens, Steve"]
[Black "Sperandio, Andrea"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2051"]
[BlackElo "2019"]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 Nf6 4.e5 Nd5 5.Bxc4 Nb6
6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Ne2 Bg4 8.f3 Bh5 9.Nbc3 e6 10.Be3 Be7 11.O-O O-O 12.a3 Qd7 13.Qc2 Bg6 14.Bxg6 hxg6 15.Bf2

Clearing the third rank for an eventual Rook lift against Black's weakened King Side.

15...Rad8 16.Rfd1 a6 17.f4 Kh7

A temporary prophylactic against the Rook pressure on the h-file with ...Rh8 to follow.

18.Rd2

Before starting King Side activities I need to counter his pressure against my center.

18...Nd5

I'm not a fan of this move. The resulting exchanges allow White to solidify the strong center and control action on both wings.

19.Nxd5 exd5 20.Rd3

Threatening to complete the Lift and surveying the field via the third rank.

20...Rh8 21.Rc1

Since Black is countering on the King Side, action on the Queen Side via the c-file should fracture his defense.

21...Kg8 22.h3 Qf5 23.Rc3 Qe6

23...Qxc2 might have been a better try. After this the Black Queen is completely defensive while the White Queen attacks using the third rank. The Rooks will have the first and second ranks to use with only a few clearing moves needed. Black's King Rook, castled and then maneuvered back to the h-file, now maneuvers back to the Queen Side at the White Rooks' demonstration on the c-file. Throughout the entire game it seemed as if the Black Rooks were a step or two behind the events. Initiative.

24.Qd3 Rb8 25.R3c2 Kh7 26.Nc3 Rhd8 27.Qf3 Kg8 28.g4

The King Side attack resumes.

28...f5 29.gxf5 gxf5 30.Kh1 Rd7 31.Rg1 Bf8 32.Be3

A clear path to the Black King.

32...Ne7 33.Rcg2 Qh6 34.Bf2 b5 35.Rg5 b4 36.Na4 bxa3 37.Qxa3 Rdd8 38.Qg3 Rb5 39.b3 Kh8 40.Qf3 g6 41.h4 Rdb8 42.Nc5 Qh7 43.h5 Rb4 44.R1g2 1-0

33...Qh6 was probably a mistake. In the end the Black Rooks are marooned on the Queen Side away from the action. If either rook tries to get back via the sixth rank e6 will again cut them off followed by Rh2 and a trapped Black Queen. Black chose not to see the result and resigned.

Got Him Again

2010-06-12T19:15:00.001-05:00

#Chess .

Back in January I wrote about a guy who was gaming the time controls on the ICCF server. I had claimed a win against him when he was caught in a server outage and had let his time go critical. Hey, if you can't get your ten moves done in fifty days, that's on you, Bud. Exacerbating this is that seems to be this guy's strategy to get easy points. He wears some players down and gets them to agree to a draw.

Well, we were involved in a second game and for whatever reason he did not make his move today. I claimed and was awarded the win.

Karma.

Here are the two games. The first is the one that ended back in January and the second is the one he DQ'd on today.

[Event "WS/H/195"]
[Site "ICCF"]
[Date "2009.7.30"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Owens, Steve"]
[Black "Sladek, Vaclav"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2027"]
[BlackElo "1978"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O
6.O-O c5 7.Bb2 Nc6 8.e3 b6 9.Nc3 Bb7 10.cxd5 Nxd5
11.d4 Rc8 12.Nxd5 exd5 13.Qd2 Qd6 14.Rac1 Rfd8 15.Ba3 Nb4
16.Bh3 Rc7 17.Bxb4 cxb4 18.Ne5 Rxc1 19.Rxc1 g6 20.Rc2 f6
21.Nd3 f5 22.Qc1 Rb8 23.Ne5 Bd8 24.Bg2 a6 25.h4 Ra8
26.h5 a5 27.hxg6 hxg6 28.Bf1 a4 29.Bb5 axb3 30.axb3
1-0
I think I have a very comfortable game here. I own the c-file and the 6th and 7th ranks are open for my rook. My Knight has an awesome outpost. His Bishops are buried and his Rook can only demonstrate on the a-file. Bc6 will force it back to protect the Light Bishop in any case.

The second game:

[Event "WS/H/187"]
[Site "ICCF"]
[Date "2009.6.8"]
[Round "-"]
[White "Sladek, Vaclav"]
[Black "Owens, Steve"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteElo "2085"]
[BlackElo "2020"]

1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 d5 3.Nd2 Bf5 4.Ngf3 Nbd7 5.e3 h6
6.Bh4 e6 7.c4 c6 8.Qb3 Qb6 9.c5 Qxb3 10.axb3 Ne4
11.b4 g5 12.Bg3 Nxg3 13.hxg3 Bg7 14.Nb3 Kd8 15.Be2 Kc7
16.b5 Rhb8 17.O-O cxb5 18.Bxb5 a6 19.Ba4 g4 20.Nfd2 h5
21.f3 Nf6 22.Kf2 Bg6 23.Na5 Ng8 24.Rfc1 e5 25.Ndb3 Ne7
26.dxe5 Bxe5 27.Nd4 Rh8 28.Rh1 Nf5 29.Nxf5 Bxf5 30.Rad1 Be6
31.Rd2 Bf6 32.Ke2 gxf3+ 33.gxf3 Rag8 34.Kf2 h4 35.g4 h3
36.Nb3 Be7 37.Ke1 Rh4 38.Rdh2 Rgh8 39.Kf2 f5 40.gxf5 Bxf5
41.Nd4 Bxc5 42.Nxf5 Rxa4 43.Kg3 Rg8+ 44.Kxh3 Rf8 45.Rc2 Kb6
46.Nd4 Bxd4 47.exd4 Rxf3+ 48.Kg4 Rd3 49.Rh6+ Ka7 50.Rd6 Raxd4+
51.Kf5 Rb4 52.Rg2 a5 53.Ke5 d4 54.Rh6 a4 55.Rh1 Re3+
56.Kd5 d3 0-1
This game went twenty six moves longer. I could tell the guy was upset that he DQ'd on the first game; he let this game go until mere minutes were left for many moves before he eventually over stepped his time again. This game is again clearly to my advantage. One of the pawns will Queen. It's only a matter of time.

Old Klingon Saying: Revenge is a dish best served cold. The point puts me into a tie for first in the event with one game yet to be finished between two other players.

The Kibitzer Catches a #Chess Cheater at ICCF

2010-05-27T06:57:00.000-05:00

Dr. Tim Harding writes in his Chess Cafe column that he has caught what appears to be a correspondence chess cheater on the ICCF server:

During the search for unwanted duplicate games, one of the things I do is to check identical games where player names differ. The ones of more than trivial length are examined individually. One name figured prominently in this "clip database".
Let us call him Mr. Fifty Percent, because of the effect of his practices, which I shall shortly explain: they guarantee a fifty percent result in all games where he does this. Of course you cannot win tournaments by scoring fifty percent but you can increase your rating if the opponents are higher rated than you, and that seems to be the main point of the exercise.
I leave it to you to decide whether what he did is cheating. It is actually amusing in a way - though some of his opponents may well not agree.

(...)

Say you are rated 2200 and in a tournament you have opponents A and B, rated 2340 and 2350. Against one you have white and the other black. You may be happy to score fifty percent against them. You could think that you might well do worse and fifty percent guarantees a rating improvement.
So when A opens 1 d4, say, you open with that move against B. You don't reply to A until you get B's move back. Say he replies 1...Nf6.
So you play 1...Nf6 against A and when he answers 2 c4 you play that against B and wait for his reply, and so on.
By proceeding in this way, you effectively do not have to pit your brains against either A or B. Instead, without knowing it, they play each other and you end up with either two draws or a win and a loss.

Sears Has LOST My Business

2010-05-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

#Sears @searsdeals #SamsClub .

I will never go to any Sears store for anything ever. Ever.

The latest episode (there have been others, this is merely the last straw) wherein Sears has screwed me over involves tires for the mini van. I don't half-ass the mini van. This is what my wife drives. The Michelins that have been on the van for the last several years were wearing out with one approaching bald status. Back on 30 April 2010 while I was having a flat repaired I asked for new tire estimates. Of the tires they carry I chose the BF Goodrich TAs since I've had them before and was more satisfied with them than the Michelins being replaced now.

It seems they were not in stock and would have to be ordered from Michigan. And, I was getting a reduced price since BF Goodrich was phasing out this tire. This was fine with me. The Sears Auto guy said they would be here in a few days and that I would receive a call when they arrived.

Two weeks later... No one had called. So, today (14 May 2010) I walk in the store and ask about the tires. Turns out they had been here since Tuesday or Wednesday of last week - a week and a half ago - but no one had called because their phones are down. Now that is very plausible and understandable. The phones in Nashville were out for almost a week following the Nashville Flood on 1-2 May 2010. However, land line service was restored last Saturday (8 May 2010) and cell service was restored several days before that.

I asked if anyone had thought to use a cell phone to contact me on my cell (which is the contact number they had). That received blank stares from both the counter clerk and the manager. The manager stammered something about not using personal cell phones...

I was told that the tires could be installed upon payment of the balance due (~$200.00) on top of the $349.44 deposit I had payed back on 30 April. That is, of course, assuming they could find the stored tires without computer assistance and could take payment without the computers...

I asked for my deposit back. "Oh, no problem! Except, our computers are down..." They referred me to the the Customer Care place on there website... Now, they had the receipt in front of them. They know the amount. The guy that took my money two weeks ago is right there saying he took the money. They have enough money in the store to give me a refund. But they can't/won't since their computers are down.

So, I get home and call the number (800.549.5405) on Sears' web site. After explaining the problem to several representatives - each of which instructed me to call the store where there are no working phones - I finally was put on the phone with "Kirsten" who stated her title is Manager On Duty, Customer Retail Care.

WooHoo! Someone that can help!

Not so much, it turns out. Kirsten said she placed an email order for the store manager to call me. Remember, this is the store that has no working phones. And no working computers. I asked Kirsten how the store manager that has no working computer to retrieve the email was going to receive the email. The basic information behind this question seemed out of Kirsten's grasp. It is understandable then how the basic reasoning of my next question failed to penetrate her thought process...

"How will the store manager contact me if his phones do not work?" Kirsten replied that she was emailing the manager to contact me by phone. "He has no email or phone," I explained again. Kirsten again stated that she had emailed the store manager (on computers that do not work) to contact me by phone (via a phone system that does not work).

Right.

So I call Sam's Club. They quote me a price more than $150.00 LESS than Sears for BF Goodrich TAs which turn out to be the newer model. And they can have them on the van within the hour. "Just bring it in and we'll take care of you." And I did. And they did.

I've done business with Sears these last ten or so years because they tell me I can expect superior service for the price they charge. I happily paid the price to get that service. Sears has failed to deliver, and in fact, their service quality is below that I receive at places they say are inferior. Sears will NEVER get another penny of business out of me. In my line of work I have cause to recommend automotive choices to a lot of people, especially tires. I have sent a lot of business Sears' way. No more. I'll do everything I can to make sure everyone I deal with understands just how bad Sears' service is.

The #Redskins Tackle Dilemma

2010-04-20T18:09:00.001-05:00

One of the things that has perplexed Redskin fans all off season has been the Offensive Tackle situation, that is, the lack of viable starting Tackles on the roster. Common wisdom is that one of the Tackle spots will be solved by the #4 pick and that the other will be a free agent veteran. All things being equal that would be the case.

It isn't.

One would think that the Offensive Tackle question would be addressed by mass signings as has the Defensive Line question. The Skins have signed and acquired through trade an entire defensive front even without Albert Haynesworth and therein lies some clues as to the strategy in Ashburn. One mammoth clue: Haynesworth. They want to move him. There has evolved a quiet bidding war of sorts between his former team and his former coach. The Lions are interested in Haynesworth in addition to the Titans.

That all sounds nice but the Lions' interest presents a speed bump on the road to assembling a line to protect new QB Donovan McNabb. The Lions, if they acquire Haynesworth, will take an Offensive Tackle instead of Defensive Tackles McCoy or Suh. The Lions pick ahead of the Skins at #2 and want Okung to protect second year QB Stafford. And Tampa has also been looking at adding one of the top Left Tackle prospects at #3 instead of one of the two big name Defensive Tackles.

That would leave the Skins either going elsewhere with the #4 pick or reaching for an offensive tackle. And that leaves the Redskin strategy to form an offensive line in tatters... The Skins are left walking a fine line between getting value for the disaffected Haynesworth and making sure they get the player they want with this year's #4 draft pick.

Germany Supports Karpov

2010-04-13T17:37:00.000-05:00

#chess .

Former World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov has been nominated for the FIDE Presidency by Germany. Germany joins the French and Swiss chess federations in nominating Karpov for the World Chess Federation's top job. The USCF has already passed a resolution supporting Karpov in his challenge to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

USCF Endorses Karpov

2010-04-09T11:39:00.002-05:00

#chess #uscf .
From the USCF's website:

CROSSVILLE, TN-- The USCF Executive Board unanimously voted that the USCF will support GM Anatoly Karpov in the upcoming FIDE election for President, to be held in October 2010. A full statement from the Board is expected shortly.

Well, that's good. Now, if they'll do something about the abusive idiots they allow to post on their message boards - and influence governance - who seek to ruin other peoples' lives with stalking-like attacks... I might re-join.

They got rid of Susan Polgar and Paul Truong, and I applaud them for that. However, the USCF powers-that-be stopped there and didn't go far enough. There's more house cleaning to be done. One is running again for an Executive Board post. Perhaps a little more attention to what is happening within the Federation and a little less on world events might help... To be sure, Ilyumzhinov is a scoundrel and needs to be eradicated from FIDE. However, there are several Ilyumzhinov wannabes who need eradication from USCF's house. Git'er done, folks, or a lot of us ex-members will remain ex-members.

Previously: About Time - Karpov to Seek FIDE Presidency

Corporate Idiocy and Unpaid Vacations

2010-03-13T19:37:00.004-06:00

The way corporations finance themselves and figure their budgets leave me unsurprised that so many fall short of their earning estimates and/or are broke.

Here is the situation at my employer, who while unnamed, could be guessed by anyone a tad knowledgeable about the industry wherein I work (and no, I'll not say what the name or industry is in this post). Over the past three or four years we have been shedding employees via layoffs, unfilled positions, etc... Last year my company forced all of us to take a one week unpaid "furlough" in each of the first two quarters. They are doing it again in the first quarter of this year.

Now, since there have been so many layoffs (10% last year, 8% the year before) we've been running on "skeleton" crews when "fully" staffed. In fact, I've had as much overtime as I have wanted last year and this to make up the short fall. In the last several months I have worked enough overtime to offset the week I'll be off with no pay - and more. In fact, when I get back I have the ability to work gobs of overtime to make up for others that are on furlough.

What sense does this make? The company is disrupting the economic schedules of all its employees just to pay them MORE when they come back. How does that save money? Let me illustrate further... Last year some of us took our furlough one day per two week pay period over five pay periods. I took mine the first week of the pay period and my co-manager took his the second week. The second week I covered his furlough day and the first week he covered my furlough day. So, both of us worked 80 full hours, except that we had one week of 48 with the accompanying 8 hours overtime (which pays time and a half) and the second week of 32 hours. The company ended up paying us each 72 hours of regular time and 4 hours of overtime. To say it another way, to have the furlough the company paid each of us the equivalent of 84 hours' pay for 80 hours' work just so they could say they saved 8 hours of pay in one week, or 40 for the quarter.

And they are doing it AGAIN this quarter. And thinking about doing it in the second quarter...

Here's another stupid thing that the company does: My co-worker broke his arm at home on his own time last year. The company has a disability plan that paid him to stay at home at full pay for the two plus months he was out. I broke my arm at work doing a job outside my job description but that was demanded to be done by my supervisor's supervisor after I told him it was too dangerous to do. The company would only pay 2/3 salary for the time I was out, and would only pay the first week I was out if I was out over two weeks. So, get hurt at home and the company will pay your entire salary while you are out, but if you are hurt at work you only get 2/3 salary and forget the first week unless you're hurt bad enough to miss serious time.

I explained the situation to my doctor and he released me back to regular duty - with the stipulation I use one arm for the better part of two months - after eight days. The doctor was flabbergasted. But that is the law here in Tennessee for Worker's Compensation. That's all they have to pay. I checked with my attorney - who was floored when I told him the situation - but after researching the law confirmed it. Which is why I told the doc to release me back to work. I'll do the job one handed - which is better than most of the others do with two - and get my full salary. I used sick leave to cover the days I was out.

To pour salt into the paycheck wound the company's insurance sent me a $41 check for the time I was out... $41. That's what a broken arm pays. I'm tempted to frame the thing instead of cashing it.

Corporate idiocy.

Chess Opening Quandry

2010-03-10T15:35:00.004-06:00

#chess .
So I received the event announcement for the next ICCF Higher tourney that I entered... And I find that two of my White opponents have already sent their first move. Each of them have chosen the Reti which has been my choice of late. I was hoping for some 1.e4 to try out a new system for that as Black I have been exploring. Oh, well.

But, their choice also points out a reason I have for re-vamping my opening repertoire as White; everyone is playing the Reti or another cousin in the 1.Nf3 realm. The London and related Torre and Colle systems are out. They get destroyed (or, at least very strenuously tested) at this level and higher of correspondence play. As White I have been experimenting with the English, Scotch, and traditional Queen's Gambit lines. Each of those represent a five to ten year period of chess playing for me with the Scotch being an old favorite. The trouble with 1.e4 openings is that one rarely gets to play them as Black opponents choose Sicilians, Frenches, and Caro Kanns well over 70% of the time according to most databases.

At any rate, I've got to make the choice quick as opponents have begun sending moves and the official start date is next week.

About Time - Karpov to Seek FIDE Presidency

2010-03-02T10:34:00.004-06:00

#Chess #FIDE .
After nearly fifteen years of rule by Kalmykian dictator Kirsan Ilyumzhinov it seems that someone capable of taking away the title of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation) President has come forward. Former World Champion GM Anatoly Karpov, who lately has been involved on the legislative level of Russian politics, has stated that he will seek the top spot in FIDE.

Anatoly Karpov will put forward his candidacy to become FIDE President, according to reporters of Russian news agency SarInform. “It is necessary to restore order,” the 12th World Champion reportedly said yesterday.

Sunday night Anatoli Karpov landed at the airport of Saratov, Russia for a simul and a meeting with the local governor. There, according to local news agency SarInform, Karpov announced that he has the ambition to become FIDE President.

“It is necessary to restore order,” Karpov was quoted. “The problems with the World Championship, the calendar, changes of decisions, changes during a cycle, this didn’t happen before. Besides, the prestige of the World Champion should return to its old level.”

One can only hope the FIDE delegates have the guts to do the right thing.