To all!
Just a little party scene for your viewing enjoyment.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
AR Build Update.
I found a barrel today!
16", mid length gas block, 1:9 twist, Chrome lined
Woohoo!
I really figured I'd be waiting till at least late February or March before they came out of the pipe line again.
Kudos to DSG Arms out of Fort Worth, TX, and Armalite.
16", mid length gas block, 1:9 twist, Chrome lined
Woohoo!
I really figured I'd be waiting till at least late February or March before they came out of the pipe line again.
Kudos to DSG Arms out of Fort Worth, TX, and Armalite.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Quote of the day
Comes from Old_NFO over at Nobody asked Me.
Regardless of how bad we percieve things to be, we are still looking down at the daisies, not up at them; so we're ahead of the game as far as I'm concerned...
Merry Christmas to all.
Merry Christmas everyone!
I'm finally home. My six day Bahama trip turned into me flying all over the hemisphere. After dropping off the passengers in Nassau, we quick turned back to Oklahoma, then I proceeded to see the following airports:
(in no particular order)
Aspen
Las Vegas
Edmonton, AB
Panama City, Panama
Nassau
Home
I slept in Nassau twice. So, I saw the hotel and no time for anything else. The other airplane that went to Nassau spent the entire time sitting there. I think they bribed the schedulers. I don't have any proof, but I've hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency to ferret out the truth. Oh yes, I will know the Truth!
My employer is gracious enough to give me tomorrow and then I head out again for 3 days.
Hug your loved ones.
I'm finally home. My six day Bahama trip turned into me flying all over the hemisphere. After dropping off the passengers in Nassau, we quick turned back to Oklahoma, then I proceeded to see the following airports:
(in no particular order)
Aspen
Las Vegas
Edmonton, AB
Panama City, Panama
Nassau
Home
I slept in Nassau twice. So, I saw the hotel and no time for anything else. The other airplane that went to Nassau spent the entire time sitting there. I think they bribed the schedulers. I don't have any proof, but I've hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency to ferret out the truth. Oh yes, I will know the Truth!
My employer is gracious enough to give me tomorrow and then I head out again for 3 days.
Hug your loved ones.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A little blast from the...
from the (aviation) past. I had this forwarded to me from one of my flying buddys. It does put a different light on flying doesn't it.
Another good month. In all, a total of 35 accidents were reported, only six of which were avoidable. These represented a marked improvement over the month of November during which 84 accidents occurred, of which 23 were avoidable. This improvement, no doubt, is the result of experienced pilots with over 100 hours in the air forming the backbone of all the units.
RESUME OF ACCIDENTS
1. Avoidable accidents this last month:
a. The pilot of a Shorthorn, with over 7 hours of experience, seriously damaged the undercarriage on landing.He had failed to land at as fast a speed as possible as recommended in the Aviation Pocket Handbook.
b. A B.E.2 stalled and crashed during an artillery exercise. The pilot had been struck on the head by the semaphore of his observer who was signalling to the gunners.
c. Another pilot in a B.E.2 failed to get airborne. By an error of judgement, he was attempting to fly at mid-day instead of at the recommended best lift periods, which are just after dawn and just before sunset.
d. A Longhorn pilot lost control and crashed in a bog near Chipping-Sodbury. An error of skill on the part of the pilot in not being able to control a machine with a wide speed band of 10 MPH between top speed and stalling speed.
e. While low flying in a Shorthorn the pilot crashed into the top deck of a horse drawn bus near Stonehenge.
f. A B.E.2 pilot was seen to be attempting a banked turn at a constant height before he crashed. A grave error by an experienced pilot.
2. There were 29 unavoidable accidents from which the following are selected:
a. The top wing of a Camel fell off due to fatigue failure of the flying wires. A successful emergency landing was carried out.
b. Sixteen B.E.2s and 9 Shorthorns had complete engine failures. A marked improvement over November's fatigue.
c. Pigeons destroyed a Camel and 2 Longhorns after mid-air strikes.
COST OF ACCIDENTS Accidents during the last three months of 1917 cost #317 10 shillings and sixpence, money down the drain and sufficient to buy new gaiters and spurs for each and every pilot and observer in the Service.
ACCIDENT BRIEFS
No.1 Brief:
No. 912 Squadron, 3 December 1917, Aircraft type B.E. 2C, No. XY 678, Total solo - 4.0
Pilot Lt. J. Smyth-Worthington, Solo in type -- 1.10.
The pilot of this flying machine attempted to maintain his altitude in a turn at 2,500 feet. This resulted in the aeroplane entering an unprecedented manoeuvre, entailing a considerable loss of height. Even with full power applied and the control column fully back, the pilot was unable to regain control. However, upon climbing from the cockpit onto the lower mainplane, the pilot managed to correct the machines altitude, and by skilful manipulation of the flying wires successfully side-slipped into a nearby meadow.
Remarks: Although through inexperience this pilot allowed his aeroplane to enter an unusual attitude, his resourcefulness in eventually landing without damage has earned him a unit citation.
No. 2 Brief:
No. 847 Squadron, 19 December 1917, Aircraft type Spotter
Balloon J17983, Total solo 107.00. Pilot Capt. D. Lavendar, Solo in type 32.10.
Captain Lavendar of the Hussars, a balloon observer, unfortunately allowed the spike of his full-dress helmet to impinge against the envelope of his balloon. There was a violent explosion and the balloon carried out a series of fantastic and uncontrollable manoeuvres, whilst rapidly emptying itself of gas. The pilot was thrown clear and escaped injury as he was lucky enough to land on his helmet.
Remarks: This pilot was flying in full-dress uniform because he was the Officer of the Day. In consequence it has been recommended that pilots will not fly during periods of duty as Officer of the Day.
Captain Lavendar has subsequently requested an exchange posting to the Patroville Alps, a well known mule unit of the Basques.
No. 3 Brief:
Summary of No. 43 Brief, dated October 1917.
Major W. deKitkag-Watney's Nieuport Scout was extensively damaged when it failed to become airborne. The original Court of Inquiry found that the primary cause of the accident was carelessness and poor airmanship on the part of a very experienced pilot. The Commandant General, however, not being wholly convinced that Major de Kitkag-Watney could be guilty of so culpable a mistake ordered that the Court should be re-convened. After extensive inquiries and lengthy discussions with the Meteorological Officer and Astronomer Royal, the Court came to the conclusion that the pilot unfortunately was authorized to fly his aircraft on a day when there was absolutely no lift in the air and therefore could not be held responsible for the accident. The Court wishes to take this opportunity to extend its congratulations to Major de Kitkag-Watney on his reprieve and also on his engagement to the Commandant General's daughter, which was announced shortly before the accident.
FLYING SAFETY TIPS
Horizontal turns. To take a turn the pilot should always remember to sit upright, otherwise he will increase the banking of the aeroplane. He should NEVER lean over.
Crash precautions: Every pilot should understand the serious consequences of trying to turn with the engine off. It is much safer to crash into a house when going forward than to sideslip or stall a machine with engine troubles.
Passengers should always use safety belts, as the pilot may start stunting without warning. Never release the belt while in the air, or when nosed down to land.
Engine noises. Upon the detection of a knock, grind, rattle or squeak, the engine should be at once stopped. Knocking or grinding accompanied by a squeak indicates binding and a lack of lubricant.
WATCH THAT FIRST STEP The First Marine Air Wing had this write up in their Safety publication Wing Tips:
It was conceded by all that the pilot had accomplished a brilliant piece of work in landing his disabled machine without damage under the circumstances. It is not with intent to reflect less credit upon his airmanship, but it must be noted that he is a well experienced aviator with over 40 total hours in the air, embracing a wide variety of machines, and this was his seventh forced landing due to complete failure of the engine. It was doubly unfortunate that upon alighting from his machine he missed the catwalk on the lower airfoil and plunged both legs through the fabric, straddling a rib, from which he received a grievous personal injury.
Some thought should be devoted to a means of identifying wing-traversing catwalks to assist aviators in disembarking from their various machines."
WW1 ROYAL FLYING CORPS MONTHLY SAFETY REPORT
December 1917
Another good month. In all, a total of 35 accidents were reported, only six of which were avoidable. These represented a marked improvement over the month of November during which 84 accidents occurred, of which 23 were avoidable. This improvement, no doubt, is the result of experienced pilots with over 100 hours in the air forming the backbone of all the units.
RESUME OF ACCIDENTS
1. Avoidable accidents this last month:
a. The pilot of a Shorthorn, with over 7 hours of experience, seriously damaged the undercarriage on landing.He had failed to land at as fast a speed as possible as recommended in the Aviation Pocket Handbook.
b. A B.E.2 stalled and crashed during an artillery exercise. The pilot had been struck on the head by the semaphore of his observer who was signalling to the gunners.
c. Another pilot in a B.E.2 failed to get airborne. By an error of judgement, he was attempting to fly at mid-day instead of at the recommended best lift periods, which are just after dawn and just before sunset.
d. A Longhorn pilot lost control and crashed in a bog near Chipping-Sodbury. An error of skill on the part of the pilot in not being able to control a machine with a wide speed band of 10 MPH between top speed and stalling speed.
e. While low flying in a Shorthorn the pilot crashed into the top deck of a horse drawn bus near Stonehenge.
f. A B.E.2 pilot was seen to be attempting a banked turn at a constant height before he crashed. A grave error by an experienced pilot.
2. There were 29 unavoidable accidents from which the following are selected:
a. The top wing of a Camel fell off due to fatigue failure of the flying wires. A successful emergency landing was carried out.
b. Sixteen B.E.2s and 9 Shorthorns had complete engine failures. A marked improvement over November's fatigue.
c. Pigeons destroyed a Camel and 2 Longhorns after mid-air strikes.
COST OF ACCIDENTS Accidents during the last three months of 1917 cost #317 10 shillings and sixpence, money down the drain and sufficient to buy new gaiters and spurs for each and every pilot and observer in the Service.
ACCIDENT BRIEFS
No.1 Brief:
No. 912 Squadron, 3 December 1917, Aircraft type B.E. 2C, No. XY 678, Total solo - 4.0
Pilot Lt. J. Smyth-Worthington, Solo in type -- 1.10.
The pilot of this flying machine attempted to maintain his altitude in a turn at 2,500 feet. This resulted in the aeroplane entering an unprecedented manoeuvre, entailing a considerable loss of height. Even with full power applied and the control column fully back, the pilot was unable to regain control. However, upon climbing from the cockpit onto the lower mainplane, the pilot managed to correct the machines altitude, and by skilful manipulation of the flying wires successfully side-slipped into a nearby meadow.
Remarks: Although through inexperience this pilot allowed his aeroplane to enter an unusual attitude, his resourcefulness in eventually landing without damage has earned him a unit citation.
No. 2 Brief:
No. 847 Squadron, 19 December 1917, Aircraft type Spotter
Balloon J17983, Total solo 107.00. Pilot Capt. D. Lavendar, Solo in type 32.10.
Captain Lavendar of the Hussars, a balloon observer, unfortunately allowed the spike of his full-dress helmet to impinge against the envelope of his balloon. There was a violent explosion and the balloon carried out a series of fantastic and uncontrollable manoeuvres, whilst rapidly emptying itself of gas. The pilot was thrown clear and escaped injury as he was lucky enough to land on his helmet.
Remarks: This pilot was flying in full-dress uniform because he was the Officer of the Day. In consequence it has been recommended that pilots will not fly during periods of duty as Officer of the Day.
Captain Lavendar has subsequently requested an exchange posting to the Patroville Alps, a well known mule unit of the Basques.
No. 3 Brief:
Summary of No. 43 Brief, dated October 1917.
Major W. deKitkag-Watney's Nieuport Scout was extensively damaged when it failed to become airborne. The original Court of Inquiry found that the primary cause of the accident was carelessness and poor airmanship on the part of a very experienced pilot. The Commandant General, however, not being wholly convinced that Major de Kitkag-Watney could be guilty of so culpable a mistake ordered that the Court should be re-convened. After extensive inquiries and lengthy discussions with the Meteorological Officer and Astronomer Royal, the Court came to the conclusion that the pilot unfortunately was authorized to fly his aircraft on a day when there was absolutely no lift in the air and therefore could not be held responsible for the accident. The Court wishes to take this opportunity to extend its congratulations to Major de Kitkag-Watney on his reprieve and also on his engagement to the Commandant General's daughter, which was announced shortly before the accident.
FLYING SAFETY TIPS
Horizontal turns. To take a turn the pilot should always remember to sit upright, otherwise he will increase the banking of the aeroplane. He should NEVER lean over.
Crash precautions: Every pilot should understand the serious consequences of trying to turn with the engine off. It is much safer to crash into a house when going forward than to sideslip or stall a machine with engine troubles.
Passengers should always use safety belts, as the pilot may start stunting without warning. Never release the belt while in the air, or when nosed down to land.
Engine noises. Upon the detection of a knock, grind, rattle or squeak, the engine should be at once stopped. Knocking or grinding accompanied by a squeak indicates binding and a lack of lubricant.
WATCH THAT FIRST STEP The First Marine Air Wing had this write up in their Safety publication Wing Tips:
It was conceded by all that the pilot had accomplished a brilliant piece of work in landing his disabled machine without damage under the circumstances. It is not with intent to reflect less credit upon his airmanship, but it must be noted that he is a well experienced aviator with over 40 total hours in the air, embracing a wide variety of machines, and this was his seventh forced landing due to complete failure of the engine. It was doubly unfortunate that upon alighting from his machine he missed the catwalk on the lower airfoil and plunged both legs through the fabric, straddling a rib, from which he received a grievous personal injury.
Some thought should be devoted to a means of identifying wing-traversing catwalks to assist aviators in disembarking from their various machines."
Saturday, December 20, 2008
On Charity and Guilt
In one of my posts I had a commenter state we should boycott the Japanese auto makers.
Here's the quote:
This got me to thinking on the nature of charity.
It seems to me that charity should be something that you get a good feeling out of doing. The act itself is its own reward. But that seems to be an obsolete mentality. Now-a-days people are made to feel guilty about everything. It goes along with the criminalization of life, I guess.
You didn't give to charity? Well, shame on you. We're going to tar and feather you and run you out of town on the nearest rail.
That's a scary attitude. At least to me. If you gave or didn't, what difference does that make. Yes, yes, yes, I know all the poor charities will suffer just that bit more, but that's not the point. What we're talking about here is punishing someone, a company in this instance, for not doing something that is in reality a OPTIONAL act. (Unless you're catholic, than you're tithing anyway.) The second you start imposing penalties, you are compelling the performance of the act. Or, in smaller words, when you start whacking me for not doing something, it ain't my choice anymore. Charity then becomes a duty, an onus, the failure bringing penalties and punishment. It's ultimately not charity anymore, but a form of robbery.
Maybe that's the point. Taking all the enjoyment out of living life. Do people believe that since they aren't happy, they must take away any enjoyment from others. But I digress.
Looking up the definition of charity I came across an interesting reference.
During this season of giving, what are our motives? When I was growing up we used to give our dad a gag gift every Christmas. One year it was ties. I mean the most gawd awful, blaring, ties we could find. One year, it was bags of shelled nuts (my dad loves those) and we hid all the nutcrackers. We gave real presents too, but we got the biggest laughs out of trying to figure out what the gag theme would be for that year. What's my point? Giving was fun, we gave and felt good inside. It was an expression of our love for each other. We didn't feel relieved that we were off the hook for another year, we felt excitement for this year's fun and anticipation for how to top it next year. Strange, I know. But, hey, normal families are boring. When you walk by that guy ringing the bell outside of the grocery store, do you drop the buck in because you feel guilty if you don't? If you don't, do you feel eaten up inside all the time you're shopping?
And what about the rest of the year. When you write that check to $CHARITY, do you feel better for doing it, or relieved? If all you feel is a weight being lifted off your shoulder, then maybe you should take a minute and think about why you're doing it.
Charity (to paraphrase an old saw) is as charity does. If you donate for it's own sake, it's true charity. If you're giving to relieve a burden, than you're being robbed and it's not charity. Calling to boycott a business because they didn't give to your pet charity is in essence a form of strong arm robbery.
And before you get all "What about Cooper" on me, giving to a politician is nothing like giving to a charity. Giving to a politician is an act designed to get the guy who'll do what you want into a position to do it. Pretty self centered if you ask me.
Here's the quote:
How about, All the Japanese owned manufacturers, plus BMW and Mercedes? My reason for this suggestion is: They gave absolutely ZERO, to help out after 9-11. The American car companies, donated MILLIONS.
This got me to thinking on the nature of charity.
It seems to me that charity should be something that you get a good feeling out of doing. The act itself is its own reward. But that seems to be an obsolete mentality. Now-a-days people are made to feel guilty about everything. It goes along with the criminalization of life, I guess.
You didn't give to charity? Well, shame on you. We're going to tar and feather you and run you out of town on the nearest rail.
That's a scary attitude. At least to me. If you gave or didn't, what difference does that make. Yes, yes, yes, I know all the poor charities will suffer just that bit more, but that's not the point. What we're talking about here is punishing someone, a company in this instance, for not doing something that is in reality a OPTIONAL act. (Unless you're catholic, than you're tithing anyway.) The second you start imposing penalties, you are compelling the performance of the act. Or, in smaller words, when you start whacking me for not doing something, it ain't my choice anymore. Charity then becomes a duty, an onus, the failure bringing penalties and punishment. It's ultimately not charity anymore, but a form of robbery.
Maybe that's the point. Taking all the enjoyment out of living life. Do people believe that since they aren't happy, they must take away any enjoyment from others. But I digress.
Looking up the definition of charity I came across an interesting reference.
often Charity Christianity The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbors as objects of God's love.Is that the crux of it? By attaching punishment are we trying to remove love (Greek agape and philia, as opposed to eros) from society? Remove that and is there such a thing as community left? Again I digress.
During this season of giving, what are our motives? When I was growing up we used to give our dad a gag gift every Christmas. One year it was ties. I mean the most gawd awful, blaring, ties we could find. One year, it was bags of shelled nuts (my dad loves those) and we hid all the nutcrackers. We gave real presents too, but we got the biggest laughs out of trying to figure out what the gag theme would be for that year. What's my point? Giving was fun, we gave and felt good inside. It was an expression of our love for each other. We didn't feel relieved that we were off the hook for another year, we felt excitement for this year's fun and anticipation for how to top it next year. Strange, I know. But, hey, normal families are boring. When you walk by that guy ringing the bell outside of the grocery store, do you drop the buck in because you feel guilty if you don't? If you don't, do you feel eaten up inside all the time you're shopping?
And what about the rest of the year. When you write that check to $CHARITY, do you feel better for doing it, or relieved? If all you feel is a weight being lifted off your shoulder, then maybe you should take a minute and think about why you're doing it.
Charity (to paraphrase an old saw) is as charity does. If you donate for it's own sake, it's true charity. If you're giving to relieve a burden, than you're being robbed and it's not charity. Calling to boycott a business because they didn't give to your pet charity is in essence a form of strong arm robbery.
And before you get all "What about Cooper" on me, giving to a politician is nothing like giving to a charity. Giving to a politician is an act designed to get the guy who'll do what you want into a position to do it. Pretty self centered if you ask me.
Random Thoughts
Does anyone else think the talking thumbs AT&T commercial is creepy?
Have you seen the new "commemorative Barack Obama Coin Set"? They've got Barack on one side and JFK on the other. What comparison are they trying to draw between the two. I'm fairly certain that these two are COMPLETELY different versions of a democrat. Well, a democrat and a marxist/socialist really.
ABC is hyping the living hell of a new show about Homeland Security/TSA. What brain dead mother fucker thought this would be a good show? Let's show how a bunch of undereducated, under trained schmoes can rifle through luggage, steal laptops, harass innocent travelers and corner the market on toenail clippers and tubes of toothpaste? Great! Shoot 13 episodes and we'll put it up against CSI.
The new Geico ads with the stack of money with eyes. All the while the background music is "somebody's watching me". Yeah, that's a little creepy too.
Have you seen the new "commemorative Barack Obama Coin Set"? They've got Barack on one side and JFK on the other. What comparison are they trying to draw between the two. I'm fairly certain that these two are COMPLETELY different versions of a democrat. Well, a democrat and a marxist/socialist really.
ABC is hyping the living hell of a new show about Homeland Security/TSA. What brain dead mother fucker thought this would be a good show? Let's show how a bunch of undereducated, under trained schmoes can rifle through luggage, steal laptops, harass innocent travelers and corner the market on toenail clippers and tubes of toothpaste? Great! Shoot 13 episodes and we'll put it up against CSI.
The new Geico ads with the stack of money with eyes. All the while the background music is "somebody's watching me". Yeah, that's a little creepy too.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday mind game.
Since I'm going to spend most of the afternoon and night flying I figured I'd better get this up now. So, you could, you know, get a full weekend of sanity destroying listening done.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Out of Pocket.
Starting tomorrow, I'll be spending 6 days in Nassau, The Bahamas. Aside from the whole cloud in the silver lining part of no friends and family during the season of friends and family, it ain't half bad. I spent Thanksgiving in the Caymans and now I'll spend Christmas in the Bahamas. Not knowing what the internet connection will by like, I may or may not be able to blog over the next week. I just wanted to wish you all a Merry (or Happy if you're Canandian or British) Christmas while I had the chance. I hope you get what you want from Santa.
Edit: As usual we're up to plan D right now. We're turning right around and coming back to head back out there monday. So, it's two days in the Bahamas instead of 6. Thems the breaks.
Edit: As usual we're up to plan D right now. We're turning right around and coming back to head back out there monday. So, it's two days in the Bahamas instead of 6. Thems the breaks.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Today in History
Orville and Wilbur conducted what is considered to be the first successful powered flight by a heavier-than-air craft. The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered a total distance of 120 feet. The flight might have lasted longer but TSA screening took longer than expected at both departure and arrival and the Wrights spent most of the day searching for their lost luggage.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Another great post from the sandpit.
Abby has done it again. Go and read. It has got to be one of the best written insights into Iraq today.
Monday Gun Shop Crawl
So, today, I'm doing my normal Monday gun shop crawl about town looking for good used or unusual acquisitions and I'm in one where the manager is cleaning. He's sweeping and dusting and going through the back and bringing stuff up front. When he comes tromping up front with two brand new DPMS AR lowers.
"These have been back there for months now. Call these guys and see if they still want them."
What are the first words out of my mouth? "Dibs!"
I'm so pathetic. I'm not half way done with the first AR build and I have another one to start. Of course I've got all the special tools now so it should go quickly. Maybe I'll build a standard A2, 20" barrel out of this one. Decisions, decisions.....
On a side note, if we all keep doing stuff like this the VPC should start spinning fast enough to hook up a generator to them and power someplace. Like Pella, IA or somewhere. I'm just sayin'.
"These have been back there for months now. Call these guys and see if they still want them."
What are the first words out of my mouth? "Dibs!"
I'm so pathetic. I'm not half way done with the first AR build and I have another one to start. Of course I've got all the special tools now so it should go quickly. Maybe I'll build a standard A2, 20" barrel out of this one. Decisions, decisions.....
On a side note, if we all keep doing stuff like this the VPC should start spinning fast enough to hook up a generator to them and power someplace. Like Pella, IA or somewhere. I'm just sayin'.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A little whine
with my Sunday brunch.
Sorry for the silence yesterday. I was prepping for a late night run to Las Vegas and back. And by late night I mean finishing at 5 am this morning. The 120 knot headwind out didn't help much. But it sure was nice coming back. The hard part is trying to get to sleep after and then trying to get up early enough not to be a zombie all day and keep my circadian rhythm on some semblance of normalcy.
I'm failing miserably.
Sorry for the silence yesterday. I was prepping for a late night run to Las Vegas and back. And by late night I mean finishing at 5 am this morning. The 120 knot headwind out didn't help much. But it sure was nice coming back. The hard part is trying to get to sleep after and then trying to get up early enough not to be a zombie all day and keep my circadian rhythm on some semblance of normalcy.
I'm failing miserably.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday mind game.
It's that time of the week again. Crazy yet? Just asking, 'cause, you know, the whole world domination thing has a time table and if I could just get a little help on your end, it'll go off like a dream. Appreciate it, luv ya babe, don't ever change.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Big Three Bailout.
Well, it seems the members of our esteemed .gov have pulled another one. There will be enough pork for all in this one, because the last 800 billion wasn't enough. You know what. Enough. Let's do this. Since the automakers don't think they need to be competative or other such nonsense. Let's boycott them. That's right, let's not buy another auto from these guys. They've already gotten a butt load of our money through the .gov, let's draw the line. Not another penny. They're already getting my money, through the .gov, but I'm not going to subsidise them any more than that.
I've just had it.
In fact, let's not stop there. Any company that feels it's better to be nationalized than to try to be competative should be added to the boycott list.
GM
Ford
Chrysler
AIG
Citicorp
Bank of America.
Please feel free to tell me who else belongs on the boycott list. I'm just not up to researching all the names.
Edit: Looks like the bill is dying instead. Good. The more they try to prop up bad businesses the worse the eventual crash is going to get.
I've just had it.
In fact, let's not stop there. Any company that feels it's better to be nationalized than to try to be competative should be added to the boycott list.
GM
Ford
Chrysler
AIG
Citicorp
Bank of America.
Please feel free to tell me who else belongs on the boycott list. I'm just not up to researching all the names.
Edit: Looks like the bill is dying instead. Good. The more they try to prop up bad businesses the worse the eventual crash is going to get.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Seasons Greetings
For My Liberal Friends:
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
For My Conservative Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This has been floating around the web for years. But I still get a chuckle out of it.
Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.
I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great. Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere. And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.
Legal Disclaimer:.
By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms. This greeting
is not subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no
alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to
actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is
void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the
wisher. This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual
application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a
subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to
replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the
wisher
For My Conservative Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
This has been floating around the web for years. But I still get a chuckle out of it.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
AR Build Update.
Or The Tail of the Barrel.
I'm getting word from the various AR manufacturers that I'm looking at anywhere from 12 weeks to 9 months for a lead time on the barrel I want.
WTF over?
Edit: This is an official Bleg. If y'all know of anyone out there with a 16" GI contour AR barrel with a mid-length gas block, please let me know.
I'm getting word from the various AR manufacturers that I'm looking at anywhere from 12 weeks to 9 months for a lead time on the barrel I want.
WTF over?
Edit: This is an official Bleg. If y'all know of anyone out there with a 16" GI contour AR barrel with a mid-length gas block, please let me know.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Today...
Is another day of remembrance. On this date in 1941, the US could no longer even play lip service to isolationism or neutrality and entered into World War II.
Remember the Arizona
Remember Pearl Harbor
Remember it wasn't the start, it was the turning point.
Remember the Arizona
Remember Pearl Harbor
Remember it wasn't the start, it was the turning point.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
A good day w/ AR build update included at no extra charge.
Guess what today was!
Nope, not range day. Every day should be range day, but that's fodder for another post.
No, today was gun show day. Wanenmacher was last month, this was one of the Sooner gun shows. Only about half as big, but there were some deals to be had.
I picked up an upper receiver for my AR build. It's a Del-Ton with M4 feed ramps. I wavered back and forth about M4 feed ramps. I've heard both good and bad about them. Some people feel they aren't necessary and some feel that they help with some types of bullet shapes. From what I've learned they shouldn't adversely affect performance so I didn't let that stop me.
I also found a deal on an Ergo Ambi soft rubber pistol grip. Nice feel with the plug for the battery compartment included.
A good day.
Nope, not range day. Every day should be range day, but that's fodder for another post.
No, today was gun show day. Wanenmacher was last month, this was one of the Sooner gun shows. Only about half as big, but there were some deals to be had.
I picked up an upper receiver for my AR build. It's a Del-Ton with M4 feed ramps. I wavered back and forth about M4 feed ramps. I've heard both good and bad about them. Some people feel they aren't necessary and some feel that they help with some types of bullet shapes. From what I've learned they shouldn't adversely affect performance so I didn't let that stop me.
I also found a deal on an Ergo Ambi soft rubber pistol grip. Nice feel with the plug for the battery compartment included.
A good day.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday mind game.
In the spirit of the season, this friday mind game should get you sick of the songs in short order. I command you to hear it over and over and over.
What?
I thought we'd been over this before. Just hit replay a bunch of times. Come on, a little effort here.
Yeah, yeah yeah, evil laugh, I know already!
What?
I thought we'd been over this before. Just hit replay a bunch of times. Come on, a little effort here.
Yeah, yeah yeah, evil laugh, I know already!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Talking about the right thing.
David Codrea over at War On Guns has a post up on Remington's response to the H-S Precision/Lon Horiuchi debacle. I've been quiet on the topic up to now just because better bloggers than I have already chimed in and gotten the ball rolling. But this struck me as a Wow kind of thing. Here we have the CEO of Remington caught in a cluster fuck that was none of his doing and he's doing what he can in the best manner possible. Kudos to Tommy Millner both for his response and his willingness to deal with the problem quickly. Kudos also go out to Ahab, Breda, and all the others who brought this to the web's attention.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The aftermath.
Yesterday, during my weekly gun shop crawl, I was talking with my gunsmith Mike. He said something that's been running around in the back of my head. And it's gotten me thinking not so much about the decision to protect myself, but about it's aftermath.
He said:
"A concealed carry gun doesn't need sights. Because if you've got time to use your sights, you've got time to run away."
Which will cause no end to the arguments on both sides of that thought. But it wasn't that that's got me thinking so much. It was what he finished that thought with. He finished it this way:
"And the DA knows that."
That's the scary point. I live in Oklahoma and as friendly we are to guns in general and carrying and self-defense, the politics of the city I live in suck. I've got the only mayor in the entire state that belongs to Bloomberg's idiocy against guns. And the DA she hired is in lockstep with her. If there is any way for him to make a case against a self-defense shooting, he'll take it to a grand jury.
The fact is, a self-defense situation doesn't end after the cops show up. It's just starting. I'm NOT a lawyer or associated with law enforcement in any way. I'm a private citizen. I am not qualified to give advice about what to do in the aftermath. I will offer no advice other than to suggest that there are people who are much more qualified by virtue of training and education (hint, hint, Lawyers) to give you advice. If you don't talk to one before the situation arises, you better talk to one as soon after the situation as is humanly possible. And even that will be cast in a bad light by a cop or DA if he/she is so inclined.
He said:
"A concealed carry gun doesn't need sights. Because if you've got time to use your sights, you've got time to run away."
Which will cause no end to the arguments on both sides of that thought. But it wasn't that that's got me thinking so much. It was what he finished that thought with. He finished it this way:
"And the DA knows that."
That's the scary point. I live in Oklahoma and as friendly we are to guns in general and carrying and self-defense, the politics of the city I live in suck. I've got the only mayor in the entire state that belongs to Bloomberg's idiocy against guns. And the DA she hired is in lockstep with her. If there is any way for him to make a case against a self-defense shooting, he'll take it to a grand jury.
The fact is, a self-defense situation doesn't end after the cops show up. It's just starting. I'm NOT a lawyer or associated with law enforcement in any way. I'm a private citizen. I am not qualified to give advice about what to do in the aftermath. I will offer no advice other than to suggest that there are people who are much more qualified by virtue of training and education (hint, hint, Lawyers) to give you advice. If you don't talk to one before the situation arises, you better talk to one as soon after the situation as is humanly possible. And even that will be cast in a bad light by a cop or DA if he/she is so inclined.
Log Jam.
I'm apparently suffering from a slight case of writer's block. I mean the last week has been chock full of stuff that would normally set my rant off.
Mumbai attacks.
H&S Precision using a murderer to endorse their products.
Introduction of Open Carry laws in Texas.
A sudden influx of gunmetal fingernails.
But I'm just not moved for some reason. Maybe it's a seasonal disorder or something. Maybe I'm just uber-lazy.
Mumbai attacks.
H&S Precision using a murderer to endorse their products.
Introduction of Open Carry laws in Texas.
A sudden influx of gunmetal fingernails.
But I'm just not moved for some reason. Maybe it's a seasonal disorder or something. Maybe I'm just uber-lazy.
Monday, December 1, 2008
AR Build Update.
Today I picked up a Rock River NM 2 stage trigger. This leaves just the buttstock (An Ace ARFX) and swapping out some ambi parts for standard ones on the lower.
In related news, Sarah Brady and the VPC are spinning in their graves a little.
In related news, Sarah Brady and the VPC are spinning in their graves a little.
A little weirdness
You want a little weirdness for today?
I dare you to google "Obama Bible Code"
I'm just saying.
I dare you to google "Obama Bible Code"
I'm just saying.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Back in Pocket.
Just getting home. It was 79, sunny and humid when we left Grand Cayman at 4 p.m. island time. It's much much colder here. Aside from some horrendous head winds, rough ride, and icing on the way into home, it was a good flight. I'm completely spent. Just wanted to say I made it home in one piece.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Out of Pocket.
I'm getting ready for a 5 day trip starting tomorrow. My job being my job, every now and then we get a "paid" vacation to somewhere nice. This trip sends us to the Caribbean. Yeap, that's right. I get to spend a nice weekends relaxing on the beaches of Grand Cayman with the Caymanites Caymanonians Caymanists Caymantans Islanders.
Apparently, Thanksgiving is a November tradition only in the U.S. or October, if you're Canadian.
So, I'll be soaking up the sun alone while you all are shivering away in your homes with your turkey and stuffing and ham and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies and warm bread and yams with the mini marshmallows (mmmmm....) all the while surrounded by friends, family and loved ones.
Leave it to me to find the cloud in that silver lining.
Apparently, Thanksgiving is a November tradition only in the U.S. or October, if you're Canadian.
So, I'll be soaking up the sun alone while you all are shivering away in your homes with your turkey and stuffing and ham and cranberry sauce and pumpkin pies and warm bread and yams with the mini marshmallows (mmmmm....) all the while surrounded by friends, family and loved ones.
Leave it to me to find the cloud in that silver lining.
Pet(?) Peeves
Cleaning out the dryer lint trap.
Huh? You say. Here's the deal. I live in an apartment complex and they don't have hookups for washer/dryers in the apartments. So, I, like all my fellow complex dwellers use a laundromat of some sort. Now, when I do my laundry and unload my clothes from the dryer, the last thing I do is clean the lint trap for the next person. You can't know how much I hate to load a dryer and check the lint trap and find someone else's fur. Because, while some of my complex-mates have pets and the lint trap catches that fur. Usually, it isn't fur...
Huh? You say. Here's the deal. I live in an apartment complex and they don't have hookups for washer/dryers in the apartments. So, I, like all my fellow complex dwellers use a laundromat of some sort. Now, when I do my laundry and unload my clothes from the dryer, the last thing I do is clean the lint trap for the next person. You can't know how much I hate to load a dryer and check the lint trap and find someone else's fur. Because, while some of my complex-mates have pets and the lint trap catches that fur. Usually, it isn't fur...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Results
We think aepilotjim.blogspot.com is written by a man (89%). I'm wondering what the other 11% is.
h/t to Breda
Sometimes a Picture is All You Need.
Abby over at Bad Dogs and Such, my intrepid daily read from The Sandpit, has a picture up today that says more about the state of affairs over there than all the MSM, congresscritters, and moonbats in the San Fran area combined.
Hurrah for the good guys (and gals).
Hurrah for the good guys (and gals).
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday mind game.
I know it's early for this. But, I feel I must push you further into that madness that will allow me to rule the world. My throats a little sore, so no evil laugh today. Mommy's making me chicken noodle soup.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
AR build update.
Old_NFO made a comment on my build blog about the EOTech 516. I've looked into it and read any info I could find on the model and the batteries it uses. I'm sold. Change my holosight to the 516 from the 512. I've talked with many people around here about NV (night vision) compatibility. I haven't found one yet that has actually used the feature. If there's anyone out there that has actually used the NV feature, please pipe up and let me know.
Thanks Jim.
Thanks Jim.
See what happens when you're out of touch.
Apparently I'm being credited with the most popular candidate ticket in the last 50 years.
No, I say. NO. I am not the author of this most insightful and, dare I say, ingenious political pairing.
I merely gave voice to the great gestalt that is the hip and oh so now trendy group of in crowd that is us. Or Gun Nuts, if you will.
Besides, she's already promised me the chair of the Department of Claw-hammer.
No, I say. NO. I am not the author of this most insightful and, dare I say, ingenious political pairing.
I merely gave voice to the great gestalt that is the hip and oh so now trendy group of in crowd that is us. Or Gun Nuts, if you will.
Besides, she's already promised me the chair of the Department of Claw-hammer.
The winter of our discontent... Day in the Life of a Charter Pilot
Sorry, I've been out of pocket for the last few days.
I had a one day trip turn into an overnight, turn into a full 2 days. I'm just getting home.
Fabreeze is your friend.
I had a one day trip turn into an overnight, turn into a full 2 days. I'm just getting home.
Fabreeze is your friend.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Craziness
I was wandering around the local gun shops today, looking at all the empty shelves. Anyway, I was talking to a guy looking for AR lowers, (good luck with that) and he mentioned that a friend of his emptied about half his 401K account out to buy a bunch of lowers and uppers.
Which left me thinking. Have I mentioned that that's not a good thing usually?
Listen, if your panicky that the incoming Democratic controlled government is going to take your 2nd amendment rights away and you're contemplating emptying whatever cash or savings or credit cards or whatever you have to buy up all the ammo/hi cap mags/EBR's you can. Stop for a second.
Just stop. and. think. for. a. second.
I'll agree that the likelyhood of the next 2 to 4 years being bad for constitutionally guarenteed rights is high. And we're looking at a real possiblity of not having access to a great many of today's most common firearms.
But we're also looking at a economic crisis of, dare I say it, biblical proportions. I'd say that you're probably going to need that money for housing and food. But, you say, the firearms will be a smart investment, they'll skyrocket in price and I'll be able to sell those for money. I'd say that the first half of that sentence is true, but not maybe the second.
During the dust bowl days here in Oklahoma, many a farmer literally lost everything to the drought and economy. The banks, being banks, foreclosed on those farms to recoup their lost loans only to find that there weren't any people out there with any money to auction said foreclosures to. People are broke, banks followed and a contributing factor to the great depression is thrown in the economic pot.
If the economy tanks as bad as some people are predicting, any investments you have, be it stocks, bonds, firearms or comic books are going to tank at least as bad. That lower that listed for 100 bucks a month ago and you're eying at $175 today may go for $250 in February, but you might be looking at a $25 paperweight if the economy collapses.
There are some things that won't take a bad a bath, but we're talking about something that has a subjective component to the value. That subjective component is what people are thinking the next administration will do concerning firearms. If people suddenly don't have any income, disposable or otherwise, to spend, all you'll be left with is the objective part of the price. What's bulk aluminum selling for these days?
I'd love to gather all the money I have squirreled away together to put a bulk buy in on what I think will become scarce for guns, but the reality is, I may need it more to keep a roof over my head or food in the cupboard.
Which left me thinking. Have I mentioned that that's not a good thing usually?
Listen, if your panicky that the incoming Democratic controlled government is going to take your 2nd amendment rights away and you're contemplating emptying whatever cash or savings or credit cards or whatever you have to buy up all the ammo/hi cap mags/EBR's you can. Stop for a second.
Just stop. and. think. for. a. second.
I'll agree that the likelyhood of the next 2 to 4 years being bad for constitutionally guarenteed rights is high. And we're looking at a real possiblity of not having access to a great many of today's most common firearms.
But we're also looking at a economic crisis of, dare I say it, biblical proportions. I'd say that you're probably going to need that money for housing and food. But, you say, the firearms will be a smart investment, they'll skyrocket in price and I'll be able to sell those for money. I'd say that the first half of that sentence is true, but not maybe the second.
During the dust bowl days here in Oklahoma, many a farmer literally lost everything to the drought and economy. The banks, being banks, foreclosed on those farms to recoup their lost loans only to find that there weren't any people out there with any money to auction said foreclosures to. People are broke, banks followed and a contributing factor to the great depression is thrown in the economic pot.
If the economy tanks as bad as some people are predicting, any investments you have, be it stocks, bonds, firearms or comic books are going to tank at least as bad. That lower that listed for 100 bucks a month ago and you're eying at $175 today may go for $250 in February, but you might be looking at a $25 paperweight if the economy collapses.
There are some things that won't take a bad a bath, but we're talking about something that has a subjective component to the value. That subjective component is what people are thinking the next administration will do concerning firearms. If people suddenly don't have any income, disposable or otherwise, to spend, all you'll be left with is the objective part of the price. What's bulk aluminum selling for these days?
I'd love to gather all the money I have squirreled away together to put a bulk buy in on what I think will become scarce for guns, but the reality is, I may need it more to keep a roof over my head or food in the cupboard.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
My New Project.
As I'm sure none of you remember. Last year and the year before I had an M-14 project. Basically it was all USGI NOS parts built up on an Armscorp receiver. I went with an outstanding armorer in Colorado for the final head spacing/build and the thing is a tack driver. Even with iron sights I can shoot 4 to 6 inch groups at 200 yards. And yes, that's freestanding unsupported, so all you sub-MOA mall ninjas can suck it. If you hit the deer in the breadbasket on the first shot, it doesn't matter if you can send the second shot through the same hole. You didn't need to shoot the second shot.
But I digress.
As I mentioned in a previous blog I bought a DPMS AR lower after voting. That's become my new project. I've always had a tool box of one sort or another. I've done 3 MG B's over the years, as well as balsa wood airplanes, plastic models etc. I'm an unrepentant tinkerer.
I figure a few months for gathering all the parts and a day or so for the build. I've talked with an armorer friend and since the head space on the AR platform isn't as hard to do as on the M-14, it's very much a do-able thing on a home workbench. In fact, the workbench and tools are probably going to be the most expensive single item cost.
Anyway, here's what I'm thinking.
DPMS for both lower and upper receivers, as well as parts kits. It's just convenient that way. It will be an A3 flat top upper. I've heard opinions that the high riser flat top that DPMS makes is supposed to be stronger and more accurate. While that is true, MIL Spec is MIL Spec and if the A3 can take the abuse the Army can dish out on equipment then it ought to be strong enough to take the occasional weekend plinking.
Barrel: I'm still up in the air for who to get this from. The specs are 16", mid length gas block, Gov't contour. This is a carbine project, so I don't want the weight of an HBAR hanging out there and the lightweight barrels are too thin to stand up for very long in my opinion. Feel free to comment on who makes good barrels or why I'm all wet about my opinion regarding heavy, medium or light weight barrels. In fact, please comment. I'm learning here. The only experience with AR platforms I have is the old M-16A1 I carried in the army back in the eighties. So, the whole M-4/CAR/A2/Flattop revolution is new to me.
Now for the other stuff. In no particular order.
EOTech for the holosight. The 512 most likely.
Badger Ordinance makes an ambidextrous charging handle. Not the tac latch, but a true ambi.
Norgon LLC makes an ambi mag release that looks good.
Yankee Hill Machine for the back up iron sights (BUIS). They make a gas block with integrated flip up front sight that looks good. Criteria here is the sights have to fold down. I guess there's a crowd out there that is all fired up about co-witnessing, but I don't want them sticking up in the EOTech's view.
If you haven't noticed a trend here. An ambi-safety. Of course. Manufacturer doesn't really matter here, but if you've got an opinion, feel free.
Rock River makes a national match two stage trigger. I've heard people poo poo Rock River, but half the TPD and surrounding forces carry RR AR's for work and I've neither seen nor heard anything bad from these guys. And a lot of them have them at home too. This ain't New York either folks. A lot of the cops here are gunnies too.
Ergo for the grip.
Ace makes a skeleton buttstock that looks nice with plenty of attachment points for the sling. I looked at collapsible stocks, but several people have said they were uncomfortable and I can't think of the good enough reason to mount one. And fixed is stronger.
Specialized Armament has an armorer tool kit that has all the punches, roll pin holders, ejector tools, etc. All I'll need is a vise, receiver blocks, barrel wrench, go/no go gages for the tool box.
That's it for now. I'll post updates as needed on the build.
But I digress.
As I mentioned in a previous blog I bought a DPMS AR lower after voting. That's become my new project. I've always had a tool box of one sort or another. I've done 3 MG B's over the years, as well as balsa wood airplanes, plastic models etc. I'm an unrepentant tinkerer.
I figure a few months for gathering all the parts and a day or so for the build. I've talked with an armorer friend and since the head space on the AR platform isn't as hard to do as on the M-14, it's very much a do-able thing on a home workbench. In fact, the workbench and tools are probably going to be the most expensive single item cost.
Anyway, here's what I'm thinking.
DPMS for both lower and upper receivers, as well as parts kits. It's just convenient that way. It will be an A3 flat top upper. I've heard opinions that the high riser flat top that DPMS makes is supposed to be stronger and more accurate. While that is true, MIL Spec is MIL Spec and if the A3 can take the abuse the Army can dish out on equipment then it ought to be strong enough to take the occasional weekend plinking.
Barrel: I'm still up in the air for who to get this from. The specs are 16", mid length gas block, Gov't contour. This is a carbine project, so I don't want the weight of an HBAR hanging out there and the lightweight barrels are too thin to stand up for very long in my opinion. Feel free to comment on who makes good barrels or why I'm all wet about my opinion regarding heavy, medium or light weight barrels. In fact, please comment. I'm learning here. The only experience with AR platforms I have is the old M-16A1 I carried in the army back in the eighties. So, the whole M-4/CAR/A2/Flattop revolution is new to me.
Now for the other stuff. In no particular order.
EOTech for the holosight. The 512 most likely.
Badger Ordinance makes an ambidextrous charging handle. Not the tac latch, but a true ambi.
Norgon LLC makes an ambi mag release that looks good.
Yankee Hill Machine for the back up iron sights (BUIS). They make a gas block with integrated flip up front sight that looks good. Criteria here is the sights have to fold down. I guess there's a crowd out there that is all fired up about co-witnessing, but I don't want them sticking up in the EOTech's view.
If you haven't noticed a trend here. An ambi-safety. Of course. Manufacturer doesn't really matter here, but if you've got an opinion, feel free.
Rock River makes a national match two stage trigger. I've heard people poo poo Rock River, but half the TPD and surrounding forces carry RR AR's for work and I've neither seen nor heard anything bad from these guys. And a lot of them have them at home too. This ain't New York either folks. A lot of the cops here are gunnies too.
Ergo for the grip.
Ace makes a skeleton buttstock that looks nice with plenty of attachment points for the sling. I looked at collapsible stocks, but several people have said they were uncomfortable and I can't think of the good enough reason to mount one. And fixed is stronger.
Specialized Armament has an armorer tool kit that has all the punches, roll pin holders, ejector tools, etc. All I'll need is a vise, receiver blocks, barrel wrench, go/no go gages for the tool box.
That's it for now. I'll post updates as needed on the build.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I've been gotted.
I just got back from a quick trip to KY and back. Short day, just drop a pax off and home as quick as we can. I think we set a new quick turn time. Something like 15 minutes from touchdown to takeoff.
But that's beside the point. I get home to discover I've been tagged with the bookworm meme. I must stock up on my antibiotics....
Anyhoo. OldNFO passed this on to me and joked that he hoped I wasn't updating Jepps. Oh, irony, thy name is Matilda. Apparently it's a family name.
I wasn't updating Jepps. Those pesky approach plates pilots use that are printed on tissue paper. Thin tissue paper at that. I was updating my GOM. That's a company document which is oh so much more exciting than Jeppesen plates. Believe me.
So, page 56, fifth sentence and the next 2 to 5. The numbering is a bit screwy so I'll just count to the 56th physical page rather than finding one that's numbered 56,
(ahem)
But that's beside the point. I get home to discover I've been tagged with the bookworm meme. I must stock up on my antibiotics....
Anyhoo. OldNFO passed this on to me and joked that he hoped I wasn't updating Jepps. Oh, irony, thy name is Matilda. Apparently it's a family name.
I wasn't updating Jepps. Those pesky approach plates pilots use that are printed on tissue paper. Thin tissue paper at that. I was updating my GOM. That's a company document which is oh so much more exciting than Jeppesen plates. Believe me.
So, page 56, fifth sentence and the next 2 to 5. The numbering is a bit screwy so I'll just count to the 56th physical page rather than finding one that's numbered 56,
(ahem)
(a) The certificate holder may use actual passenger and bag weights, or
(b) The certificate holder may use the segmented passenger weights and average bag weights listed in Advisory Circular (AC) 120-27 (as revised), or
(c) The certificate holder may use the standard average passenger and bag weights prescribed for large cabin aircraft, or average weights based on a survey, if
(i) The aircraft was certficated under commuter category, part 25, or part 29 (or has equivalent data), and
(ii) The certificate holder curtails the aircraft CG envelope as prescribed in AC120-27 (as revised) Appnedixes 3 and 4.
Fascinating huh.
Right, now to spread the pain. ;-)
My 5 victims volunteers shall be:
- Bad Dogs and Such. She's running around the sandbox these days, but it's Army, so she'll have plenty of books.
- Fatale Abstraction. I loaned her the DVD's to the best series of Sci-fi in a while. (Excluding Battlestar Galactica of course) So she owes me. Hah! Hah, I say unto you.
- Downright Dusty. He writes good. If you'll permit me to be rural for a sec. I'd like to find out what he's reading and if that's influenced his writing.
- New Jovian Thunderbolt. He has excellent taste in firearms, especially rifles. That has to spill over into his reading, you'd think.
- And finally, but only in a numerical way. Squeaky Wheel Seeks Grease. It was a her or Caleb and I ended up flipping a coin. Either one would have a great book shelf I think.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Birthday day.
It's somebody's birthday today. I can't seem to remember who though. I'm thinking it was one of the drinking buddies a while back. Must not be important though, especially if I can't remember who.
/cough/USMC/cough/
I was USArmy. I had to. I couldn't very well give those jarheads a h/t without at least a little shit. Happy 233rd. I'd hate to have to light that cakes candles.
Edit: Vinnie's story in the comments had me laughing out loud.
/cough/USMC/cough/
I was USArmy. I had to. I couldn't very well give those jarheads a h/t without at least a little shit. Happy 233rd. I'd hate to have to light that cakes candles.
Edit: Vinnie's story in the comments had me laughing out loud.
And the First Amendment Attacks Begin
I'm going to go out on a limb and say this is the shape of things to come.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Wanenmacher Wrap up
A quick Wanenmacher Gun Show wrap up.
My feet hurt.
That is all.
Sorry, couldn't resist that one. The show was a madhouse on saturday and only slightly less so on sunday. I ended up not seeing any of the show except for what I caught friday after setting up. I had a couple of people complain that they would have bought something on saturday, but they couldn't get to the table for the crowd. I didn't get a second to even sit down both days. The tables we had were right in front of the concession stand and I couldn't get half a moment to even go there to eat. Saturday started out with a table full of Glocks of all makes with more underneath. Saturday ended with one lone Glock 23. Anything that was even remotely compact went. We had 4 pallets of Remington .223, the last of which went sunday morning by 9.
On the non-feet-divorcing-me side, aside from a couple of small things like a scale and calipers, I'm all set up for reloading. A friend from here in town picked up everything and built a 24" bull barreled varmint-er AR-15 with a nice scope and bi-pod. He started with nothing but a bare lower and by 5 pm sunday he was pushing the take down pins in. Not a bad deal. He also won the deal of the show award by finding a very rare trap door rifle for $75. The rifle is easily worth 100 times that. And yes I meant 100 (one hundred).
I want to send out a big thanks to Old NFO. First for getting me the C&R application. Second for pointing me towards Norgon's ambi-mag release. Third for swinging by when he'd spotted any deals for me. I just with I'd had a second to take advantage of them. Next time... Next time.
All in all, I'd have to give the show a big two thumbs up. For the largest gun show in the states, it's definitely a mecca for enthusiasts of all sorts. If you've never been, it's a must. Just make sure you've got a copy of a local FFL's license so you can get the transfers done if you're from out of state.
My feet hurt.
That is all.
Sorry, couldn't resist that one. The show was a madhouse on saturday and only slightly less so on sunday. I ended up not seeing any of the show except for what I caught friday after setting up. I had a couple of people complain that they would have bought something on saturday, but they couldn't get to the table for the crowd. I didn't get a second to even sit down both days. The tables we had were right in front of the concession stand and I couldn't get half a moment to even go there to eat. Saturday started out with a table full of Glocks of all makes with more underneath. Saturday ended with one lone Glock 23. Anything that was even remotely compact went. We had 4 pallets of Remington .223, the last of which went sunday morning by 9.
On the non-feet-divorcing-me side, aside from a couple of small things like a scale and calipers, I'm all set up for reloading. A friend from here in town picked up everything and built a 24" bull barreled varmint-er AR-15 with a nice scope and bi-pod. He started with nothing but a bare lower and by 5 pm sunday he was pushing the take down pins in. Not a bad deal. He also won the deal of the show award by finding a very rare trap door rifle for $75. The rifle is easily worth 100 times that. And yes I meant 100 (one hundred).
I want to send out a big thanks to Old NFO. First for getting me the C&R application. Second for pointing me towards Norgon's ambi-mag release. Third for swinging by when he'd spotted any deals for me. I just with I'd had a second to take advantage of them. Next time... Next time.
All in all, I'd have to give the show a big two thumbs up. For the largest gun show in the states, it's definitely a mecca for enthusiasts of all sorts. If you've never been, it's a must. Just make sure you've got a copy of a local FFL's license so you can get the transfers done if you're from out of state.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Let's pick a name.
I just want to say up front that I didn't coin this. But I do want to get it out to the blogosphere.
Let's call the next administration's tenure the Obamanation.
Say it quick. A couple of times.
Sounds like Abomination.... Coincidence? Or Prophesy?
The ostrich in me doesn't want to know. The seer in me is afraid I already do.
Let's call the next administration's tenure the Obamanation.
Say it quick. A couple of times.
Sounds like Abomination.... Coincidence? Or Prophesy?
The ostrich in me doesn't want to know. The seer in me is afraid I already do.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tehee
This just txt'd to me:
Washington is on the one dollar bill, Lincoln is on the five dollar bill, and now we have a president to go on the food stamps.
Washington is on the one dollar bill, Lincoln is on the five dollar bill, and now we have a president to go on the food stamps.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Gun Show Pre-Post
I've got my list of musts, likes, and nices all ready with prices I found on the internet. I've got a cooler of water, juices and beers for during and after. I have my hiking boots out.
I think I'm pretty much set. Tomorrow I help some friends set up their tables and then do some pre-wandering of the others. I might even stop by and say hi to the ATF booth. They do try hard.
Then for the next 48 hours after that it's Wanenmacher's!
I think I'm pretty much set. Tomorrow I help some friends set up their tables and then do some pre-wandering of the others. I might even stop by and say hi to the ATF booth. They do try hard.
Then for the next 48 hours after that it's Wanenmacher's!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A celebration?
So, to celebrate the chosen ones enshrining canonization election I went to the range. I needed to redo the mechanical zero on my M-14 anyway. After that I went out to one of the gunshops I groupie frequent. My allen wrenches didn't fit the front sight set screw and I knew they would have ones that would. I ended up sitting in one corner of the shop and just watching the panic buying. There's no other way to describe it. I watched AR-15's come in, barely get entered into the books before they were out the door again. And there were only 3 of those. The display that usually had between 15 and 20 Glocks of all makes had 3. I watched people buy .223 by the thousand round cases. This went on from the the time I got there, even before, till the shop closed.
I was sort of awed at the spectacle.
I was sort of awed at the spectacle.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
What if's
What if....
Obama wins the popular vote, but McCain wins the electoral college?
McCain wins the popular vote, but Obama wins the electoral college?
Obama loses both the popular vote and the electoral college?
McCain loses both the popular vote and the electoral college?
Well, since the Obamatons have already threatened the American public with riots and violence if the "correct" candidate doesn't win, I'm going to go with riots and violence for 1, 3, and 4 and I'm going with Detroit burning for 1, 2, 3, and 4. Because hey, for some reason Detroit burns at the drop of a hat... in Mongolia even.
1 and 3 for the obvious reasons and 4 because the mental ijits will riot in celebration. Way to be classy, don't ya think?
Obama wins the popular vote, but McCain wins the electoral college?
McCain wins the popular vote, but Obama wins the electoral college?
Obama loses both the popular vote and the electoral college?
McCain loses both the popular vote and the electoral college?
Well, since the Obamatons have already threatened the American public with riots and violence if the "correct" candidate doesn't win, I'm going to go with riots and violence for 1, 3, and 4 and I'm going with Detroit burning for 1, 2, 3, and 4. Because hey, for some reason Detroit burns at the drop of a hat... in Mongolia even.
1 and 3 for the obvious reasons and 4 because the mental ijits will riot in celebration. Way to be classy, don't ya think?
What I'm doing...
I've got at least another 15 hours of movies and shows Tivo'd and I plan on only playing those till tomorrow. That and beer.
Okay...
I'll admit it. I'm a glutton for punishment. I just went over to Fox News' interactive map and it shows a 2 to 1 majority for Obamanut. I'm thinking wow, that much? Then I realized that it's with just New Hampshire reporting. Just one state. Way to scare the bejeebus out of me, guys.
Edit: And it's only 2/3rds of a percent of the precincts reporting to boot.
Edit: And it's only 2/3rds of a percent of the precincts reporting to boot.
BoVLB awards.
This election's BoVLB (Bear of Very Little Brain) award goes to the New Black Panthers Party of Philly and other urban centers for the ABSOLUTELY brilliant idea to go down to the polls and try to intimidate voters.
First off, did they really think that the Media was so in the Eared Ones pocket that they could ignore it? And come on, the zombie vote in Philly is so solidly in for the Socialistbringer, why would any intimidation be needed.
Come on people, think for a sec.
First off, did they really think that the Media was so in the Eared Ones pocket that they could ignore it? And come on, the zombie vote in Philly is so solidly in for the Socialistbringer, why would any intimidation be needed.
Come on people, think for a sec.
Duh Moment
I just noticed. The AR-15 Lower that I bought friday after voting, the last three of the serial number are 223.
Coincidence? Or obscure plan by the Man! I predict that after my seventh Whiskey it will be the Man!
Coincidence? Or obscure plan by the Man! I predict that after my seventh Whiskey it will be the Man!
Funny that....
Depending on which blogs you read, it's either in the tank for the Eared One or a squeaker for the Maverick.
Of those blogs I was able to find that were blue leaning, the bliss is blinding. Nary a single commenter stated for Mac/Cuda. On the other paw, the red leaning blogs I found were only slightly less skewed but more grimly determined.
I watched a vid of Dennis Miller on O'Reily's show from last night. I think he said it best. No matter who wins, we need to put it behind us. Sure, {whoever} might not have been your choice, but we can't let it continue to tear this country apart.
Of those blogs I was able to find that were blue leaning, the bliss is blinding. Nary a single commenter stated for Mac/Cuda. On the other paw, the red leaning blogs I found were only slightly less skewed but more grimly determined.
I watched a vid of Dennis Miller on O'Reily's show from last night. I think he said it best. No matter who wins, we need to put it behind us. Sure, {whoever} might not have been your choice, but we can't let it continue to tear this country apart.
I couldn't resist any longer.
I told myself I wasn't going to even peek at the election new till after Gun Nuts:TNG was over. But I couldn't take it any longer. I looked up FOXNews, MSNBC, and CNN's interactive election maps. Surprisingly, CNN hasn't declared the Socialistbringer yet.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
I know what you did last Day in the Life of a Charter Pilot
So, here's my "schedule". Last Thursday, I'm doing nothing for the next week. Last Friday, I'm flying every day for the next 4 days. Today, I'm doing nothing for the next 3. I was on two trips, then I was on 3 trips, now, I'm off. One pilot called in sick, so I had a quick quick recovery, now, they double book another pilot and in the process of un-fucking that little gem, they kicked me off this last trip. Because the people I work with are... well, whatever.
Speaking of...
Morons. Over at Staghounds the .gov is just a fallin all over themselves to...
I guess, breath some life into the economy?
I guess, breath some life into the economy?
Friday, October 31, 2008
More meme
I'm in a meme sort of mood today. Anyway, I swung by the store on the way home after picking up the AR lower and I bought me the fixins to make a pizza.
There's nothing like homemade pizza. I'm not saying make the pepperoni from scratch, but the dough is definitely DIY-able. And depending on your energy level so is the tomato sauce.
I like making pizza's. For one thing, the cardboard you get from that 30 minute delivery place is just that, cardboard. And the other major outlets are getting pretty skimpy on the toppings I've noticed. There are good pizza joints out there. Frog N Firkin in Tuscon, Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company in Ames, IA, Lou Malnati's in Chi-town. In Tulsa I'd recommend Joe Momma's Pizza, but for eating in, I'd go with homemade.
My theory on pizza's for homemade is the crust should be thin and the toppings should be domed. If you can pick up the pizza without the toppings falling off, you didn't put enough on.
Right, anyway, tonight's effort was a pepperoni, hot Italian sausage, mushroom and jalapenos pizza, with crushed red peppers in the sauce and parmesan cheese in the crust.
Don't get me wrong. The pizza is horrendous, but the dreams you have that night are worth every Tums. My dreams tend towards the Mayan Temple/Naked Women/Pickles variety on these nights.
I'll be going to be early tonight.
There's nothing like homemade pizza. I'm not saying make the pepperoni from scratch, but the dough is definitely DIY-able. And depending on your energy level so is the tomato sauce.
I like making pizza's. For one thing, the cardboard you get from that 30 minute delivery place is just that, cardboard. And the other major outlets are getting pretty skimpy on the toppings I've noticed. There are good pizza joints out there. Frog N Firkin in Tuscon, Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company in Ames, IA, Lou Malnati's in Chi-town. In Tulsa I'd recommend Joe Momma's Pizza, but for eating in, I'd go with homemade.
My theory on pizza's for homemade is the crust should be thin and the toppings should be domed. If you can pick up the pizza without the toppings falling off, you didn't put enough on.
Right, anyway, tonight's effort was a pepperoni, hot Italian sausage, mushroom and jalapenos pizza, with crushed red peppers in the sauce and parmesan cheese in the crust.
Don't get me wrong. The pizza is horrendous, but the dreams you have that night are worth every Tums. My dreams tend towards the Mayan Temple/Naked Women/Pickles variety on these nights.
I'll be going to be early tonight.
Friday mind game.
This Friday's mind game is also a adieu of a sorts to summer. Enjoy. Hear it all weekend. Is it working? Feeling any crazyier? Be honest.
A day for a citizen.
So, I set my alarm for 6:30 this morning thinking I'd get to the voting place before the doors opened.
As I'm hitting the snooze for the umpteenth time, I'm thinking that there'll be a huge line at 8 so I should wait a bit.
I got there around 9:30ish. The line was still half way across the parking lot. I found a parking spot barely a block from the building, which was nice. The line moved quickly, which was nice too. From the time I parked to the time I walked out couldn't have been more than 45 minutes total.
The local bird cage liner and talking heads were there trying to get quotes and interviews. For the most part the people in the line were older; either retired or, like me, on weird work schedules. Strangely, the talking heads found the one young family in line and chose them to interview. It was almost like they were searching for the Lightbringers supporters and spotlighting them. I'm sure the others in line wouldn't have given the "right" answers.
Anyway, I voted without incident. The one choice I had a problem with was for US Senate. My choices there either voted for or supported the Bail Out Bill. I ended up voting for my choice based on his voting record on other issues.
Afterwards, to congratulate myself for preforming my civic duty (tehee, I said doodie) so well, I rewarded myself with a late brunch at Awful House. And bought an AR-15 lower at my local gun shop. Did I forget to mention that?
Oh, and Oklahoma ballots don't allow you to write in candidates. Otherwise, I would have so voted for Ahab/Clawhammer. In fact, I would have done a straight Clawhammer ticket.
As I'm hitting the snooze for the umpteenth time, I'm thinking that there'll be a huge line at 8 so I should wait a bit.
I got there around 9:30ish. The line was still half way across the parking lot. I found a parking spot barely a block from the building, which was nice. The line moved quickly, which was nice too. From the time I parked to the time I walked out couldn't have been more than 45 minutes total.
The local bird cage liner and talking heads were there trying to get quotes and interviews. For the most part the people in the line were older; either retired or, like me, on weird work schedules. Strangely, the talking heads found the one young family in line and chose them to interview. It was almost like they were searching for the Lightbringers supporters and spotlighting them. I'm sure the others in line wouldn't have given the "right" answers.
Anyway, I voted without incident. The one choice I had a problem with was for US Senate. My choices there either voted for or supported the Bail Out Bill. I ended up voting for my choice based on his voting record on other issues.
Afterwards, to congratulate myself for preforming my civic duty (tehee, I said doodie) so well, I rewarded myself with a late brunch at Awful House. And bought an AR-15 lower at my local gun shop. Did I forget to mention that?
Oh, and Oklahoma ballots don't allow you to write in candidates. Otherwise, I would have so voted for Ahab/Clawhammer. In fact, I would have done a straight Clawhammer ticket.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Voting Dilemma
Okay, here's the sitch.
As of yesterday, I wasn't on the schedule till after my off days. This morning, I suddenly find myself out on the road from Sunday thru, yeap you guessed it, Tuesday. After the polls close.
Now, early voting in Oklahoma only runs Friday, Saturday and Monday before election day. Just those three days. Prior to this you could absentee ballot though. And for some reason, these early voting days are still called absentee voting even though you have to do it in person. Sort of an absentee in person vote. I'd say that was ironic, but the .gov is made up of oxymorons... and regular morons even.
So, tonight, I'm going to download the voting records of my local, state and national candidates. As well as the NRA's grading of each. I ignore NRA questionaire grading and only go off of voting record grading. And tomorrow, with my picks jotted down on a convenient something, I'm going to preform one of the most important duties of a citizen there is.
By the way, for Tulsa County, early voting can be done at:
Tulsa County Election Board
555 N. Denver Ave.,
Tulsa, 74103
The hours are:
Friday - 8am to 6pm
Saturday - 8am to 1pm
Monday - 8am to 6pm
There, that's my little public service anouncement for anybody who happens to read me from Tulsa. And I hope it's also my last politics blog for a while. Although I might join Rachel Lucas in some election day drinking. And when there's whiskey involved, there may be some incoherent badly typed posts. I'm just sayin.
Edit: I changed the title because Tam's already got one up today with that title. And since I'm no where near her league in blogging. I thought it best not to be confusing.
As of yesterday, I wasn't on the schedule till after my off days. This morning, I suddenly find myself out on the road from Sunday thru, yeap you guessed it, Tuesday. After the polls close.
Now, early voting in Oklahoma only runs Friday, Saturday and Monday before election day. Just those three days. Prior to this you could absentee ballot though. And for some reason, these early voting days are still called absentee voting even though you have to do it in person. Sort of an absentee in person vote. I'd say that was ironic, but the .gov is made up of oxymorons... and regular morons even.
So, tonight, I'm going to download the voting records of my local, state and national candidates. As well as the NRA's grading of each. I ignore NRA questionaire grading and only go off of voting record grading. And tomorrow, with my picks jotted down on a convenient something, I'm going to preform one of the most important duties of a citizen there is.
By the way, for Tulsa County, early voting can be done at:
Tulsa County Election Board
555 N. Denver Ave.,
Tulsa, 74103
The hours are:
Friday - 8am to 6pm
Saturday - 8am to 1pm
Monday - 8am to 6pm
There, that's my little public service anouncement for anybody who happens to read me from Tulsa. And I hope it's also my last politics blog for a while. Although I might join Rachel Lucas in some election day drinking. And when there's whiskey involved, there may be some incoherent badly typed posts. I'm just sayin.
Edit: I changed the title because Tam's already got one up today with that title. And since I'm no where near her league in blogging. I thought it best not to be confusing.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Apologies
Sorry, I haven't been blogging the last couple of days. Stuff has come up and I haven't felt much like blogging. I'll recommence soon. I promise.
Monday, October 27, 2008
The Creature from the Day in the Life of a Charter Pilot.
Quick day today.
If you can call 6 hours of flying quick.
Just fly a passenger out to Sin City, drop 'em off, refuel and straight back again. That's what the schedule and the trip sheet say.
So I'm packing for 4 days. I'm getting to be an old salt at this sort of shenanigans.
If you can call 6 hours of flying quick.
Just fly a passenger out to Sin City, drop 'em off, refuel and straight back again. That's what the schedule and the trip sheet say.
So I'm packing for 4 days. I'm getting to be an old salt at this sort of shenanigans.
A poem for all pilots.
John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
Jun 9, 1922 - Dec 11, 1941
Born of an American father and English mother, both missionaries in Shanghai China. Educated in China, England and the United States. While in school in England he won the Rugby award for poetry for his work then. He forego a scholarship to Yale to join the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in 1940. He underwent flight training and earned his wing in Ontario before being sent to England in 1941.
His most well known poem was written during and shortly after a training flight in October of 1941. He wrote another, possible his last, shortly after his first combat action in November of 1941. In December on a training flight, in low clouds over England, he died after a mid-air collision with an Airspeed Oxford twin engine trainer. At the ripe old age of 19.
This man, even before his nation made the call, saw what was right and stood up to be counted.
During this dark hour of human history, he wrote a poem that speaks to the soul of nearly every man, woman or child who has flown an airplane. In the midst of a world wide cesspool, he captured and expressed the pure joy, elation and freedom that can come from flight.
And his poem. Ronald Regan quoted 2 lines from it to commemorate the men and women lost on STS-51-L. Every person who's attended the US Air Force Academy can quote it from memory. The Canadian Air Force, Royal Air Force and other commonwealth air forces use it as their official poem.
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
And danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle flew;
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
One of the bad things about living here.
Seeing as how all my favorite daily reads are at the Broad Ripple today and thus not blogging much... at all... I'm bored.
That is all.
I need to find me a job in Indy or there abouts. It looks like fun up there.
That is all.
I need to find me a job in Indy or there abouts. It looks like fun up there.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Another Day in the Life of a Charter Pilot post.
Today was an easy day. After the last two days of cancelled trips. (Only after I'd already gotten out to the airport.) We had a nice easy flight down to New Orleans. Enough time for dinner and then back again. Easy peasy. We went to a new place, for us, called CastNet on Haynes. Our usual place was already closed for the day and this place came recommended by the line guys. I had a shrimp po-boy, dressed and fries. I must say, for a small neighborhood place, the place was packed and the food was pretty good. There's two sides. One the one you can get prepared seafood and gumbos and on the other they have live and fresh seafood.
If you're around Lakefront airport, definately give it a try.
If you're around Lakefront airport, definately give it a try.
Friday, October 24, 2008
There may be a flaw in that plan.
Every time I read a blog or forum about how much ammo to have on hand or what's the "right" caliber, someone always chimes in with the .22 argument.
You see, someone is sure to mention the TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) scenario. At which point they say something along the lines of "Oh yeah, and I'll have $NUMBER rounds/bricks/cans of .22 for trading.
I've been thinking about this. (Yeah, I know, that's never a good sign.)
If everyone who's planning for this is stocking up .22 for trading and the people who aren't planning for this are quite possible going to suffer an inordinate casualty rate during the scenario, won't that mean that most of the people doing the trading will be the one's with only .22 ammo for trade?
Are we going to see things like this?
Survivalist 1: "I'll give you a brick of .22 for those 2 cans of beans."
Survivalist 2: "No thanks, I've already got 5000 bricks of .22 ammo. But I'll take that bottle of Tabasco sauce."
S1: "No way man. That's my last bottle. I'm saving it for when I find a Taco Bell that hasn't been looted. How about 3 bricks?"
S2: "I told you, what am I gonna do with more .22 ammo? I can't carry the stuff I have now. I'd kill for a Snickers bar though."
S1: "Tell me about it. Well, same time tomorrow Joe?"
S2: "Sure thing Sam. Give my best to the wife and kids."
S1: "Will do.
I'm just sayin.
You see, someone is sure to mention the TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) scenario. At which point they say something along the lines of "Oh yeah, and I'll have $NUMBER rounds/bricks/cans of .22 for trading.
I've been thinking about this. (Yeah, I know, that's never a good sign.)
If everyone who's planning for this is stocking up .22 for trading and the people who aren't planning for this are quite possible going to suffer an inordinate casualty rate during the scenario, won't that mean that most of the people doing the trading will be the one's with only .22 ammo for trade?
Are we going to see things like this?
Survivalist 1: "I'll give you a brick of .22 for those 2 cans of beans."
Survivalist 2: "No thanks, I've already got 5000 bricks of .22 ammo. But I'll take that bottle of Tabasco sauce."
S1: "No way man. That's my last bottle. I'm saving it for when I find a Taco Bell that hasn't been looted. How about 3 bricks?"
S2: "I told you, what am I gonna do with more .22 ammo? I can't carry the stuff I have now. I'd kill for a Snickers bar though."
S1: "Tell me about it. Well, same time tomorrow Joe?"
S2: "Sure thing Sam. Give my best to the wife and kids."
S1: "Will do.
I'm just sayin.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Just speechless
If it's true, I'm speechless. If it's staged, I'm sickened. Either way it's just boggling.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Obama laid bare.
If you want a great fisking of the man's politics, history, actual statements and record. Go here. Hot Air does an excellent job.
h/t to Rachel Lucas's blogroll.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The world's longest Saturday of a charter pilot.
As I mentioned below, I had an air ambulance trip starting yesterday morning.
Well, at the last minute, and I do mean last minute, they added another trip to the front of the day. They literally called 10 minutes before we were going to start prepping for the trip and added the new legs and told us to leave an hour earlier. That just wasn't going to happen. What with the converting the interior to med, getting the flight paramedics, nurses, equipment loaded etc. we took off right on time... for the original trip. Well, with the new legs, we started out an hour and a half late and just never were able to make it up.
The remoteness of the place we were picking the patient up, transportation delays, ground power problems, communications problems, it all just added to the time deficit. We ended up landing back in MO with half an hour of duty left and still needing to get the patient transported and settled.
The day originally had been tight on the time, and sneaking the extra trip in just blew that all to hell.
Anyway, we land in MO and dispatch calls and says we're staying there. Of course, they knew this before we took off on that last leg, but do you think they arranged a hotel, or a taxi or anything during the 3 hours we were flying? Nope. We finally cleared the airport at 10:30.
Add the hour in the morning to get up, get dressed, and get to the airport, and the hour after we left the airport to get to the hotel, checked in and to the room and we had ourselves an 18 hour day with 7 hours of flying. Doesn't sound like much but when you're stuffed in a Lear cockpit, it gets to wearing.
The guy whose brilliant idea it was to stuff an extra trip into this day is known for doing this and continuously busting duty and flight time regulations. And blaming the crew and medics when it goes pear shaped. Nice guy. A real diamond.
Right, back to the trip. After minimum rest we're back at the airport this morning. The only fuel available is self service. That slowed us down a bit more. We finally got back home at 10:30 this morning.
Quick clean the airplane, taxi it over to the hanger. Jump out, jump in a Baron and fly up to Wichita to get one of our other Lears out of the factory and down to home.
Paper work, paper work...
I got home just before 4 p.m.
My Saturday lasted 34 hours.
If I could just get the fun days to last that long.
Overnighting in MO turned out to be a blessing of a sort. If we'd come home last night, they would have flown us up to ICT then to bring the other Lear back. That would have been fun... er.
On a completely unrelated note, I've had this Friday's mind game song running through my head all weekend. It's driving me nuts. There may be a flaw in my master plan to rule the world. Hmmmm.
Well, at the last minute, and I do mean last minute, they added another trip to the front of the day. They literally called 10 minutes before we were going to start prepping for the trip and added the new legs and told us to leave an hour earlier. That just wasn't going to happen. What with the converting the interior to med, getting the flight paramedics, nurses, equipment loaded etc. we took off right on time... for the original trip. Well, with the new legs, we started out an hour and a half late and just never were able to make it up.
The remoteness of the place we were picking the patient up, transportation delays, ground power problems, communications problems, it all just added to the time deficit. We ended up landing back in MO with half an hour of duty left and still needing to get the patient transported and settled.
The day originally had been tight on the time, and sneaking the extra trip in just blew that all to hell.
Anyway, we land in MO and dispatch calls and says we're staying there. Of course, they knew this before we took off on that last leg, but do you think they arranged a hotel, or a taxi or anything during the 3 hours we were flying? Nope. We finally cleared the airport at 10:30.
Add the hour in the morning to get up, get dressed, and get to the airport, and the hour after we left the airport to get to the hotel, checked in and to the room and we had ourselves an 18 hour day with 7 hours of flying. Doesn't sound like much but when you're stuffed in a Lear cockpit, it gets to wearing.
The guy whose brilliant idea it was to stuff an extra trip into this day is known for doing this and continuously busting duty and flight time regulations. And blaming the crew and medics when it goes pear shaped. Nice guy. A real diamond.
Right, back to the trip. After minimum rest we're back at the airport this morning. The only fuel available is self service. That slowed us down a bit more. We finally got back home at 10:30 this morning.
Quick clean the airplane, taxi it over to the hanger. Jump out, jump in a Baron and fly up to Wichita to get one of our other Lears out of the factory and down to home.
Paper work, paper work...
I got home just before 4 p.m.
My Saturday lasted 34 hours.
If I could just get the fun days to last that long.
Overnighting in MO turned out to be a blessing of a sort. If we'd come home last night, they would have flown us up to ICT then to bring the other Lear back. That would have been fun... er.
On a completely unrelated note, I've had this Friday's mind game song running through my head all weekend. It's driving me nuts. There may be a flaw in my master plan to rule the world. Hmmmm.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday mind game.
Here's your friday mind game. Enjoy. Over and over and over and over. In your Mind. I shall rule the world!
Alternate version here. Aren't you glad I didn't use that one?
Alternate version here. Aren't you glad I didn't use that one?
Lite Blogging
tonight. I've got an air ambulance to OOOooo-taw then Missouri and back. It'll be a long day. See y'all in the funny papers.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Why I shoot.
RobertaX ask a question on her blog and I think we should turn it into a Meme.
It's a good question. And I think the answers could be as varied as the people who choose to answer it.
Why do I shoot.
I could talk about the responsibility of self-defense but that's said much better, by more eloquent fellows than I, here and here.
Roberta said it very succinctly when she stated:
Others feel that it is enough just to be able to exercise a God given right.
Let's face it, we don't live in a world of rainbow unicorns and care bear hugs. We live in a world where a portion of our race looks on the rest of us as a resource to be exploited. A walking ATM, if you will. A means to the next fix, the next whatever they want without having to work for it.
I'm not going to rant on the ills of our society or the failure of whatever is the current demon. It is what it is and I have to live in it. And that's the crux of the issue. I live in this world and I want to continue to do so. And no one has the right to take that from me.
Why do I shoot? Why do I carry? Because I will not "go gentle into that good night,".
It's a good question. And I think the answers could be as varied as the people who choose to answer it.
Why do I shoot.
I could talk about the responsibility of self-defense but that's said much better, by more eloquent fellows than I, here and here.
Roberta said it very succinctly when she stated:
Just wanted to be good enough to be able to say NO! to bad guys in a language they could understand.
Others feel that it is enough just to be able to exercise a God given right.
Let's face it, we don't live in a world of rainbow unicorns and care bear hugs. We live in a world where a portion of our race looks on the rest of us as a resource to be exploited. A walking ATM, if you will. A means to the next fix, the next whatever they want without having to work for it.
I'm not going to rant on the ills of our society or the failure of whatever is the current demon. It is what it is and I have to live in it. And that's the crux of the issue. I live in this world and I want to continue to do so. And no one has the right to take that from me.
Why do I shoot? Why do I carry? Because I will not "go gentle into that good night,".
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Bleg.
Hoe-kay,
As well as sending out a few email blegs for knowledge I'm going to ask you, my faithful reader, for info.
I’m breaking into the reloading market. I’ve got a couple of Sheriff’s feeding me their brass from their range days, so I’m piling up the .308 brass. One of them even recommended LMT 30-31 powder for the rifle ammo. I’m looking at CCI for the primers and I’ll figure out a source for good jacketed bullets for both the .308 and .45ACP. What I need is a good book. More specifically a good technical book on reloading both rifle and pistol.
As well as sending out a few email blegs for knowledge I'm going to ask you, my faithful reader, for info.
I’m breaking into the reloading market. I’ve got a couple of Sheriff’s feeding me their brass from their range days, so I’m piling up the .308 brass. One of them even recommended LMT 30-31 powder for the rifle ammo. I’m looking at CCI for the primers and I’ll figure out a source for good jacketed bullets for both the .308 and .45ACP. What I need is a good book. More specifically a good technical book on reloading both rifle and pistol.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Today...
In an effort to cut the delivery time and undercut the competition for the far east trade Christopher Columbus sailed west. Ran smack dab into an entire new hemisphere and named it after the guy who mapped it 20 years later.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Warning: Political Post.
I had a strange conversation yesterday. I got a call from a friend in town. We hadn't talked in a while. Turns out her phone died and she'd lost all her phone book when she got her new phone. But that's beside the point.
Anyway, we're talking about life, job, general stuff, when she asks who I'm voting for. Since I'm very reticent about talking politics with anyone, I was a bit hesitant to answer. But I bit down hard and told her I was voting McCain/Palin. Actually, I'm voting Palin/Flu. But that's another blog. Anyway, she launches into a low orbit.
First she says Palin abused her power as a governor. I asked her what Palin did and she admitted she didn't know, she just knew she abused her power. I don't know who said it, but you're right. People don't read the news, they read the headlines.
Next she said, wait, let me relate this as best as I can remember.
Her: "Vote your collar!"
Me: "Vote my what?!?"
Because I could have sworn she said something else. And while I have German/Jewish/Spanish/Native American blood in me I'd never been accused of being that color.
Her: "Vote you C-O-L-L-A-R!"
Me: "Oh... my collar. What do you mean?"
At which point she proceeded to school me on how the Demican's are the working man's party and the Republicrats are the party of the rich and snobbery. How McChurian is gonna tax everyone and the Obamassiah is only gonna take it from the rich. Who are gonna take it lying down and wouldn't never ever never dream of passing that cost on through their businesses to us leettle pweoples. And I should vote with her because my collar is blue. Which she assumed because I don't make tons and tons of rupees. Now, while my current position has me at about 20 grand below the national average for my job, that does not make me anything other than struggling.
Right. Umm.... The Democrats stopped being the "working man's party" back in the eighties or there abouts. The Democrats have since become the Socialist Party in all but name.
Don't get me wrong. The Republicans aren't much better these days.
This election, more than any other, isn't about any of those old traditional demarcations of people in this country. It's about preserving and protecting our basic human rights. Dare I say it? Our constitutionally guaranteed (not granted, see that?) basic human rights.
On the one hand we have a candidate who has demonstrated in his campaigning that he will trample on the 1st to suppress any dissenting opinion of his messianity (Yes, I'm talking about you Barrack). How do you think he's gonna treat the others if he has that little respect for the first one.
The other paw has a guy who's done nearly the same thing, only the MSM jumped all over him about it and at least he had the decency to wait till he'd been in the senate more than 30 seconds to try it.
Her response to this was she doesn't own guns, so it won't affect her. (You ever want to slap your forehead with you hand... while it's holding a brick.) Hello? It sure as hell will when they slam the concentration camp gate behind your skinny ass. That is one, count them, one of the twenty seven (27) that we have. And I didn't even use that one as the example. Where's a brick wall when you need one.
Like a lot of you out there I've been left with the only option being hold my nose and vote for the least objectionable one. Yippee us, huh.
If you find yourself at the polls in 3 weeks thinking that you collar of all things matters in this election. Just think for a second. You may very well be trading in your collar for a yoke.
Anyway, we're talking about life, job, general stuff, when she asks who I'm voting for. Since I'm very reticent about talking politics with anyone, I was a bit hesitant to answer. But I bit down hard and told her I was voting McCain/Palin. Actually, I'm voting Palin/Flu. But that's another blog. Anyway, she launches into a low orbit.
First she says Palin abused her power as a governor. I asked her what Palin did and she admitted she didn't know, she just knew she abused her power. I don't know who said it, but you're right. People don't read the news, they read the headlines.
Next she said, wait, let me relate this as best as I can remember.
Her: "Vote your collar!"
Me: "Vote my what?!?"
Because I could have sworn she said something else. And while I have German/Jewish/Spanish/Native American blood in me I'd never been accused of being that color.
Her: "Vote you C-O-L-L-A-R!"
Me: "Oh... my collar. What do you mean?"
At which point she proceeded to school me on how the Demican's are the working man's party and the Republicrats are the party of the rich and snobbery. How McChurian is gonna tax everyone and the Obamassiah is only gonna take it from the rich. Who are gonna take it lying down and wouldn't never ever never dream of passing that cost on through their businesses to us leettle pweoples. And I should vote with her because my collar is blue. Which she assumed because I don't make tons and tons of rupees. Now, while my current position has me at about 20 grand below the national average for my job, that does not make me anything other than struggling.
Right. Umm.... The Democrats stopped being the "working man's party" back in the eighties or there abouts. The Democrats have since become the Socialist Party in all but name.
Don't get me wrong. The Republicans aren't much better these days.
This election, more than any other, isn't about any of those old traditional demarcations of people in this country. It's about preserving and protecting our basic human rights. Dare I say it? Our constitutionally guaranteed (not granted, see that?) basic human rights.
On the one hand we have a candidate who has demonstrated in his campaigning that he will trample on the 1st to suppress any dissenting opinion of his messianity (Yes, I'm talking about you Barrack). How do you think he's gonna treat the others if he has that little respect for the first one.
The other paw has a guy who's done nearly the same thing, only the MSM jumped all over him about it and at least he had the decency to wait till he'd been in the senate more than 30 seconds to try it.
Her response to this was she doesn't own guns, so it won't affect her. (You ever want to slap your forehead with you hand... while it's holding a brick.) Hello? It sure as hell will when they slam the concentration camp gate behind your skinny ass. That is one, count them, one of the twenty seven (27) that we have. And I didn't even use that one as the example. Where's a brick wall when you need one.
Like a lot of you out there I've been left with the only option being hold my nose and vote for the least objectionable one. Yippee us, huh.
If you find yourself at the polls in 3 weeks thinking that you collar of all things matters in this election. Just think for a second. You may very well be trading in your collar for a yoke.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday mind game.
Here's your Friday Mind Game.
Hey, it was either this or Rock Lobster. You wanna make the call?
Hey, it was either this or Rock Lobster. You wanna make the call?
Acorn Mess
H/T to Rachel Lucas for her fisking of the ACORN groups actions in many many states.
The reaction from the MSM on this scandal is deafening, just deafening. Oh wait, it's more like crickets and tumbleweeds.
I'm stopping being surprised and starting to be pissed off.
The reaction from the MSM on this scandal is deafening, just deafening. Oh wait, it's more like crickets and tumbleweeds.
I'm stopping being surprised and starting to be pissed off.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Return of the Son of Life of a Charter Pilot
It's been a long day.
I hate Air Ambulance trips.
It's been a long day. It started at 5:15 this morning, and ended at 5 this afternoon. A fairly straight forward air ambulance run. Fly to Breda-land, pick up the patient and his daughter. Fly them both to the northern end of AD-land. And then a quick hop back home for beer and bagels. (No, those don't go together. But that's all I have in the fridge.)
The flying itself went off without a hitch, but the patient was intubated, barely conscious, and running more tubes than the London Underground. I hate these trips. I can't look at the patient without twinging with sympathy. You see, when I was a wee lad of all of 5 I slipped crossing the street one winter and ended up with a full body cast, a plate holding my hip together and a nice 10 day stay in an ICU bed. The cast didn't come off for 3 months, I had to make up the school I missed from my bed over the summer and there was a large question if I'd even be ready for school the following autumn. I came out of this a couple of steps slower than I used to be, an 8 inch scar running down my right hip and a very obvious phobia of needles. Seriously, all through grade school it used to take 2 full grown nurses to hold me down when they came to give all us kids our booster shots. I still can't watch myself being stuck with a hypodermic at the doctors even now.
Hey, we all have our hangups. Seen any spiders lately?
On the plus side, I got this neat castoring wheel, like they have on furniture, on the leg of my cast so I could drag myself around my room without scraping all the skin off those toes.
So, for me, I see the patients, strapped to the gurney, plugged full of tubes and leads and wires and I remember that I've been there. I remember what it was like to wake up in the middle of the night with only the eerie beeping of the monitors and dim glow of the red LED's and green monitors. Knowing no matter how hard or fast I press that call button I won't see anybody till long after I've lost myself to the imagined monsters and goblins that inhabit the cold and sterile rooms of the hospital wards.
I can't help but put myself in their place.
I hate Air Ambulance trips.
It's been a long day. It started at 5:15 this morning, and ended at 5 this afternoon. A fairly straight forward air ambulance run. Fly to Breda-land, pick up the patient and his daughter. Fly them both to the northern end of AD-land. And then a quick hop back home for beer and bagels. (No, those don't go together. But that's all I have in the fridge.)
The flying itself went off without a hitch, but the patient was intubated, barely conscious, and running more tubes than the London Underground. I hate these trips. I can't look at the patient without twinging with sympathy. You see, when I was a wee lad of all of 5 I slipped crossing the street one winter and ended up with a full body cast, a plate holding my hip together and a nice 10 day stay in an ICU bed. The cast didn't come off for 3 months, I had to make up the school I missed from my bed over the summer and there was a large question if I'd even be ready for school the following autumn. I came out of this a couple of steps slower than I used to be, an 8 inch scar running down my right hip and a very obvious phobia of needles. Seriously, all through grade school it used to take 2 full grown nurses to hold me down when they came to give all us kids our booster shots. I still can't watch myself being stuck with a hypodermic at the doctors even now.
Hey, we all have our hangups. Seen any spiders lately?
On the plus side, I got this neat castoring wheel, like they have on furniture, on the leg of my cast so I could drag myself around my room without scraping all the skin off those toes.
So, for me, I see the patients, strapped to the gurney, plugged full of tubes and leads and wires and I remember that I've been there. I remember what it was like to wake up in the middle of the night with only the eerie beeping of the monitors and dim glow of the red LED's and green monitors. Knowing no matter how hard or fast I press that call button I won't see anybody till long after I've lost myself to the imagined monsters and goblins that inhabit the cold and sterile rooms of the hospital wards.
I can't help but put myself in their place.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Why I carry.
There was a shooting in a Knoxville Mall earlier today. My sympathies go out to the victim, co-workers and families in this.
Again, I'm NOT saying that being armed would have prevented this. I AM saying that just because thinking someplace is safe, doesn't make it so. If wishfull thinking worked, we'd all be living in mansions with Lexusii in the driveways. Violence can and does happen anywhere. All it takes is a sick or twisted individual to make it happen. Leaving your self-defense tools at home because you're "just running down to the store, won't be a minute" makes no more sense than leaving your spare tire and jack home because you're "just driving around".
Like the commercial says, life comes at you fast.
Again, I'm NOT saying that being armed would have prevented this. I AM saying that just because thinking someplace is safe, doesn't make it so. If wishfull thinking worked, we'd all be living in mansions with Lexusii in the driveways. Violence can and does happen anywhere. All it takes is a sick or twisted individual to make it happen. Leaving your self-defense tools at home because you're "just running down to the store, won't be a minute" makes no more sense than leaving your spare tire and jack home because you're "just driving around".
Like the commercial says, life comes at you fast.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
life... or a reasonalbe facimile thereof.
The Gun Nuts: TNG show was a great one again.
The debate is just pissing me off.
That is all.
The debate is just pissing me off.
That is all.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sorry.
I'm a bit light on the posting today. I'm trying to get caught up on my tivo from this weekends "vacation". Lots and lots of really good TCM. And no commercials. Movies like The Fountainhead, The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, A Night at the Opera, Touch of Evil, etc. I'm in black and white heaven. So, obviously, not too much on the news watching front. Other than the Dow dropping another, what, 8 gazillion points today. Gotta love the bail out bill.... or not so much.
Leading man material....
Your result for The Classic Leading Man Test...
Humphrey Bogart
You scored 55% Tough, 10% Roguish, 29% Friendly, and 10% Charming!
You're the original man of honor, rough and tough but willing to stick your neck out when you need to, despite what you might say to the contrary. You're a complex character full of spit and vinegar, but with a soft heart and a tender streak that you try to hide. There's usually a complicated dame in the picture, someone who sees the real you behind all the tough talk and can dish it out as well as you can. You're not easy to get next to, but when you find the right partner, you're caring and loyal to a fault. A big fault. But you take it on the chin and move on, nursing your pain inside and maintaining your armor...until the next dame walks in. Or possibly the same dame, and of all the gin joints in all the world, it had to be yours. Co-stars include Ingrid Bergman and Lauren Bacall, hot chicks with problems.
Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the
Classic Dames Test.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Perimeter is set.
Can't type long.
I've got a few man-traps and a line of claymores set. The perimeter check okay at 2100 hours, but I lost comm with the OP about 15 mikes ago.
Those kids have been probing the wire all day and that 5 year old can move like a demon-spawned panther.
I don't know if I'll get to post again this weekend, they've pushed me back to this point and my final redoubt doesn't have internet.
That's it, the south wire is reporting heavy contact. It's me or those kids.
Edit: May $DIETY have mercy. Those kids are all over the place, I've got no lines left, I'm calling a Broken Arrow down on my head, hunker down boys. It's gonna get ho
{Transmission Broken: 0341Z}
(The Wii Bowling has thrown my shoulder out and all these kids run on is Ramen Noodles(tm)).
I've got a few man-traps and a line of claymores set. The perimeter check okay at 2100 hours, but I lost comm with the OP about 15 mikes ago.
Those kids have been probing the wire all day and that 5 year old can move like a demon-spawned panther.
I don't know if I'll get to post again this weekend, they've pushed me back to this point and my final redoubt doesn't have internet.
That's it, the south wire is reporting heavy contact. It's me or those kids.
Edit: May $DIETY have mercy. Those kids are all over the place, I've got no lines left, I'm calling a Broken Arrow down on my head, hunker down boys. It's gonna get ho
{Transmission Broken: 0341Z}
(The Wii Bowling has thrown my shoulder out and all these kids run on is Ramen Noodles(tm)).
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Senate Roll Call Vote
Why am I not surprised....
The 74-25 roll call by which the Senate approved a $700 billion rescue package for Wall Street aimed at preventing a credit crisis.
On this vote, a "yes" vote was a vote to approve the package and a "no" vote was a vote against it.
Voting "yes" were 39 Democrats, 34 Republicans and 1 independent.
Voting "no" were 9 Democrats, 15 Republicans and 1 independent.
Alabama
Sessions (R) No; Shelby (R) No.
Alaska
Murkowski (R) Yes; Stevens (R) Yes.
Arizona
Kyl (R) Yes; McCain (R) Yes.
Arkansas
Lincoln (D) Yes; Pryor (D) Yes.
California
Boxer (D) Yes; Feinstein (D) Yes.
Colorado
Allard (R) No; Salazar (D) Yes.
Connecticut
Dodd (D) Yes; Lieberman (I) Yes.
Delaware
Biden (D) Yes; Carper (D) Yes.
Florida
Martinez (R) Yes; Nelson (D) No.
Georgia
Chambliss (R) Yes; Isakson (R) Yes.
Hawaii
Akaka (D) Yes; Inouye (D) Yes.
Idaho
Craig (R) Yes; Crapo (R) No.
Illinois
Durbin (D) Yes; Obama (D) Yes.
Indiana
Bayh (D) Yes; Lugar (R) Yes.
Iowa
Grassley (R) Yes; Harkin (D) Yes.
Kansas
Brownback (R) No; Roberts (R) No.
Kentucky
Bunning (R) No; McConnell (R) Yes.
Louisiana
Landrieu (D) No; Vitter (R) No.
Maine
Collins (R) Yes; Snowe (R) Yes.
Maryland
Cardin (D) Yes; Mikulski (D) Yes.
Massachusetts
Kennedy (D) Not Voting; Kerry (D) Yes.
Michigan
Levin (D) Yes; Stabenow (D) No.
Minnesota
Coleman (R) Yes; Klobuchar (D) Yes.
Mississippi
Cochran (R) No; Wicker (R) No.
Missouri
Bond (R) Yes; McCaskill (D) Yes.
Montana
Baucus (D) Yes; Tester (D) No.
Nebraska
Hagel (R) Yes; Nelson (D) Yes.
Nevada
Ensign (R) Yes; Reid (D) Yes.
New Hampshire
Gregg (R) Yes; Sununu (R) Yes.
New Jersey
Lautenberg (D) Yes; Menendez (D) Yes.
New Mexico
Bingaman (D) Yes; Domenici (R) Yes.
New York
Clinton (D) Yes; Schumer (D) Yes.
North Carolina
Burr (R) Yes; Dole (R) No.
North Dakota
Conrad (D) Yes; Dorgan (D) No.
Ohio
Brown (D) Yes; Voinovich (R) Yes.
Oklahoma
Coburn (R) Yes; Inhofe (R) No.
Oregon
Smith (R) Yes; Wyden (D) No.
Pennsylvania
Casey (D) Yes; Specter (R) Yes.
Rhode Island
Reed (D) Yes; Whitehouse (D) Yes.
South Carolina
DeMint (R) No; Graham (R) Yes.
South Dakota
Johnson (D) No; Thune (R) Yes.
Tennessee
Alexander (R) Yes; Corker (R) Yes.
Texas
Cornyn (R) Yes; Hutchison (R) Yes.
Utah
Bennett (R) Yes; Hatch (R) Yes.
Vermont
Leahy (D) Yes; Sanders (I) No.
Virginia
Warner (R) Yes; Webb (D) Yes.
Washington
Cantwell (D) No; Murray (D) Yes.
West Virginia
Byrd (D) Yes; Rockefeller (D) Yes.
Wisconsin
Feingold (D) No; Kohl (D) Yes.
Wyoming
Barrasso (R) No; Enzi (R) No.
The 74-25 roll call by which the Senate approved a $700 billion rescue package for Wall Street aimed at preventing a credit crisis.
On this vote, a "yes" vote was a vote to approve the package and a "no" vote was a vote against it.
Voting "yes" were 39 Democrats, 34 Republicans and 1 independent.
Voting "no" were 9 Democrats, 15 Republicans and 1 independent.
Alabama
Sessions (R) No; Shelby (R) No.
Alaska
Murkowski (R) Yes; Stevens (R) Yes.
Arizona
Kyl (R) Yes; McCain (R) Yes.
Arkansas
Lincoln (D) Yes; Pryor (D) Yes.
California
Boxer (D) Yes; Feinstein (D) Yes.
Colorado
Allard (R) No; Salazar (D) Yes.
Connecticut
Dodd (D) Yes; Lieberman (I) Yes.
Delaware
Biden (D) Yes; Carper (D) Yes.
Florida
Martinez (R) Yes; Nelson (D) No.
Georgia
Chambliss (R) Yes; Isakson (R) Yes.
Hawaii
Akaka (D) Yes; Inouye (D) Yes.
Idaho
Craig (R) Yes; Crapo (R) No.
Illinois
Durbin (D) Yes; Obama (D) Yes.
Indiana
Bayh (D) Yes; Lugar (R) Yes.
Iowa
Grassley (R) Yes; Harkin (D) Yes.
Kansas
Brownback (R) No; Roberts (R) No.
Kentucky
Bunning (R) No; McConnell (R) Yes.
Louisiana
Landrieu (D) No; Vitter (R) No.
Maine
Collins (R) Yes; Snowe (R) Yes.
Maryland
Cardin (D) Yes; Mikulski (D) Yes.
Massachusetts
Kennedy (D) Not Voting; Kerry (D) Yes.
Michigan
Levin (D) Yes; Stabenow (D) No.
Minnesota
Coleman (R) Yes; Klobuchar (D) Yes.
Mississippi
Cochran (R) No; Wicker (R) No.
Missouri
Bond (R) Yes; McCaskill (D) Yes.
Montana
Baucus (D) Yes; Tester (D) No.
Nebraska
Hagel (R) Yes; Nelson (D) Yes.
Nevada
Ensign (R) Yes; Reid (D) Yes.
New Hampshire
Gregg (R) Yes; Sununu (R) Yes.
New Jersey
Lautenberg (D) Yes; Menendez (D) Yes.
New Mexico
Bingaman (D) Yes; Domenici (R) Yes.
New York
Clinton (D) Yes; Schumer (D) Yes.
North Carolina
Burr (R) Yes; Dole (R) No.
North Dakota
Conrad (D) Yes; Dorgan (D) No.
Ohio
Brown (D) Yes; Voinovich (R) Yes.
Oklahoma
Coburn (R) Yes; Inhofe (R) No.
Oregon
Smith (R) Yes; Wyden (D) No.
Pennsylvania
Casey (D) Yes; Specter (R) Yes.
Rhode Island
Reed (D) Yes; Whitehouse (D) Yes.
South Carolina
DeMint (R) No; Graham (R) Yes.
South Dakota
Johnson (D) No; Thune (R) Yes.
Tennessee
Alexander (R) Yes; Corker (R) Yes.
Texas
Cornyn (R) Yes; Hutchison (R) Yes.
Utah
Bennett (R) Yes; Hatch (R) Yes.
Vermont
Leahy (D) Yes; Sanders (I) No.
Virginia
Warner (R) Yes; Webb (D) Yes.
Washington
Cantwell (D) No; Murray (D) Yes.
West Virginia
Byrd (D) Yes; Rockefeller (D) Yes.
Wisconsin
Feingold (D) No; Kohl (D) Yes.
Wyoming
Barrasso (R) No; Enzi (R) No.
Just stuff
So, the pic went pain-less-fully.
I'm off to visit friend up in Kansas for the weekend. I leave tomorrow, so I might be out of pocket for blogging for a while.
Not that they don't have internet up in Kansas. They do, or so I'm reliable told.
But they've got 3 boys under the age of 10, so I may be locked in mortal combat for most of the weekend.
I'm off to visit friend up in Kansas for the weekend. I leave tomorrow, so I might be out of pocket for blogging for a while.
Not that they don't have internet up in Kansas. They do, or so I'm reliable told.
But they've got 3 boys under the age of 10, so I may be locked in mortal combat for most of the weekend.
Days off
It's my first day off in 3 weeks. I get this week and then because they started floating my week off on me, I won't see another week off for 6 weeks. They did say one week per month.
Anyway, what do I get to do on my first day off? I get to go into work. It's an "optional" thing, but everybody got a call yesterday making sure they were coming in.
I know, I know, whine, whine whine....
Anyway, what do I get to do on my first day off? I get to go into work. It's an "optional" thing, but everybody got a call yesterday making sure they were coming in.
I know, I know, whine, whine whine....
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
A moment of Silence
I just learned that Tam over at View from the Porch just lost her kitty, Mittens. Please stop by and leave a note of sympathy for her.
Monday, September 29, 2008
House vote on the Bail Out Bill
House Roll Call: emergency rescue for the nation's financial system
Because I belive it's one of the most important votes in a looonnnggg time and everybody should know how his/her representative voted below is the roll call of all the congresscritters.
The 228-205 roll call Monday of the vote by which the House rejected a $700 billion emergency bailout for the nation's financial system.
A "yes" vote is a vote in favor of the bailout package.
- Voting yes were 140 Democrats and 65 Republicans.
- Voting no were 95 Democrats and 133 Republicans.
- X denotes those not voting.
There is 1 vacancy in the 435-member House.
ALABAMA
Democrats - Cramer, Y; Davis, Y.
Republicans - Aderholt, N; Bachus, Y; Bonner, Y; Everett, Y; Rogers, Y.
ALASKA
Republicans - Young, N.
ARIZONA
Democrats - Giffords, N; Grijalva, N; Mitchell, N; Pastor, N.
Republicans - Flake, N; Franks, N; Renzi, N; Shadegg, N.
ARKANSAS
Democrats - Berry, Y; Ross, Y; Snyder, Y.
Republicans - Boozman, Y.
CALIFORNIA
Democrats - Baca, N; Becerra, N; Berman, Y; Capps, Y; Cardoza, Y; Costa, Y; Davis, Y; Eshoo, Y; Farr, Y; Filner, N; Harman, Y; Honda, Y; Lee, N; Lofgren, Zoe, Y; Matsui, Y; McNerney, Y; Miller, George, Y; Napolitano, N; Pelosi, Y; Richardson, Y; Roybal-Allard, N; Sanchez, Linda T., N; Sanchez, Loretta, N; Schiff, N; Sherman, N; Solis, N; Speier, Y; Stark, N; Tauscher, Y; Thompson, N; Waters, Y; Watson, N; Waxman, Y; Woolsey, N.
Republicans - Bilbray, N; Bono Mack, Y; Calvert, Y; Campbell, Y; Doolittle, N; Dreier, Y; Gallegly, N; Herger, Y; Hunter, N; Issa, N; Lewis, Y; Lungren, Daniel E., Y; McCarthy, N; McKeon, Y; Miller, Gary, Y; Nunes, N; Radanovich, Y; Rohrabacher, N; Royce, N.
COLORADO
Democrats - DeGette, Y; Perlmutter, Y; Salazar, N; Udall, N.
Republicans - Lamborn, N; Musgrave, N; Tancredo, Y.
CONNECTICUT
Democrats - Courtney, N; DeLauro, Y; Larson, Y; Murphy, Y.
Republicans - Shays, Y.
DELAWARE
Republicans - Castle, Y.
FLORIDA
Democrats - Boyd, Y; Brown, Corrine, Y; Castor, N; Hastings, Y; Klein, Y; Mahoney, Y; Meek, Y; Wasserman Schultz, Y; Wexler, Y.
Republicans - Bilirakis, N; Brown-Waite, Ginny, N; Buchanan, N; Crenshaw, Y; Diaz-Balart, L., N; Diaz-Balart, M., N; Feeney, N; Keller, N; Mack, N; Mica, N; Miller, N; Putnam, Y; Ros-Lehtinen, N; Stearns, N; Weldon, Y; Young, N.
GEORGIA
Democrats - Barrow, N; Bishop, Y; Johnson, N; Lewis, N; Marshall, Y; Scott, N.
Republicans - Broun, N; Deal, N; Gingrey, N; Kingston, N; Linder, N; Price, N; Westmoreland, N.
HAWAII
Democrats - Abercrombie, N; Hirono, N.
IDAHO
Republicans - Sali, N; Simpson, Y.
ILLINOIS
Democrats - Bean, Y; Costello, N; Davis, Y; Emanuel, Y; Foster, Y; Gutierrez, Y; Hare, Y; Jackson, N; Lipinski, N; Rush, N; Schakowsky, Y.
Republicans - Biggert, N; Johnson, N; Kirk, Y; LaHood, Y; Manzullo, N; Roskam, N; Shimkus, N; Weller, X.
INDIANA
Democrats - Carson, N; Donnelly, Y; Ellsworth, Y; Hill, N; Visclosky, N.
Republicans - Burton, N; Buyer, N; Pence, N; Souder, Y.
IOWA
Democrats - Boswell, Y; Braley, N; Loebsack, Y.
Republicans - King, N; Latham, N.
KANSAS
Democrats - Boyda, N; Moore, Y.
Republicans - Moran, N; Tiahrt, N.
KENTUCKY
Democrats - Chandler, N; Yarmuth, N.
Republicans - Davis, N; Lewis, Y; Rogers, Y; Whitfield, N.
LOUISIANA
Democrats - Cazayoux, N; Jefferson, N; Melancon, Y.
Republicans - Alexander, N; Boustany, N; McCrery, Y; Scalise, N.
MAINE
Democrats - Allen, Y; Michaud, N.
MARYLAND
Democrats - Cummings, N; Edwards, N; Hoyer, Y; Ruppersberger, Y; Sarbanes, Y; Van Hollen, Y.
Republicans - Bartlett, N; Gilchrest, Y.
MASSACHUSETTS
Democrats - Capuano, Y; Delahunt, N; Frank, Y; Lynch, N; Markey, Y; McGovern, Y; Neal, Y; Olver, Y; Tierney, N; Tsongas, Y.
MICHIGAN
Democrats - Conyers, N; Dingell, Y; Kildee, Y; Kilpatrick, N; Levin, Y; Stupak, N.
Republicans - Camp, Y; Ehlers, Y; Hoekstra, N; Knollenberg, N; McCotter, N; Miller, N; Rogers, N; Upton, Y; Walberg, N.
MINNESOTA
Democrats - Ellison, Y; McCollum, Y; Oberstar, Y; Peterson, N; Walz, N.
Republicans - Bachmann, N; Kline, Y; Ramstad, N.
MISSISSIPPI
Democrats - Childers, N; Taylor, N; Thompson, N.
Republicans - Pickering, Y.
MISSOURI
Democrats - Carnahan, Y; Clay, N; Cleaver, N; Skelton, Y.
Republicans - Akin, N; Blunt, Y; Emerson, Y; Graves, N; Hulshof, N.
MONTANA
Republicans - Rehberg, N.
NEBRASKA
Republicans - Fortenberry, N; Smith, N; Terry, N.
NEVADA
Democrats - Berkley, N.
Republicans - Heller, N; Porter, Y.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Democrats - Hodes, N; Shea-Porter, N.
NEW JERSEY
Democrats - Andrews, Y; Holt, Y; Pallone, Y; Pascrell, N; Payne, N; Rothman, N; Sires, Y.
Republicans - Ferguson, Y; Frelinghuysen, N; Garrett, N; LoBiondo, N; Saxton, Y; Smith, N.
NEW MEXICO
Democrats - Udall, N.
Republicans - Pearce, N; Wilson, Y.
NEW YORK
Democrats - Ackerman, Y; Arcuri, Y; Bishop, Y; Clarke, Y; Crowley, Y; Engel, Y; Gillibrand, N; Hall, Y; Higgins, Y; Hinchey, N; Israel, Y; Lowey, Y; Maloney, Y; McCarthy, Y; McNulty, Y; Meeks, Y; Nadler, Y; Rangel, Y; Serrano, N; Slaughter, Y; Towns, Y; Velazquez, Y; Weiner, Y.
Republicans - Fossella, Y; King, Y; Kuhl, N; McHugh, Y; Reynolds, Y; Walsh, Y.
NORTH CAROLINA
Democrats - Butterfield, N; Etheridge, Y; McIntyre, N; Miller, Y; Price, Y; Shuler, N; Watt, Y.
Republicans - Coble, N; Foxx, N; Hayes, N; Jones, N; McHenry, N; Myrick, N.
NORTH DAKOTA
Democrats - Pomeroy, Y.
OHIO
Democrats - Kaptur, N; Kucinich, N; Ryan, Y; Space, Y; Sutton, N; Wilson, Y.
Republicans - Boehner, Y; Chabot, N; Hobson, Y; Jordan, N; LaTourette, N; Latta, N; Pryce, Y; Regula, Y; Schmidt, N; Tiberi, N; Turner, N.
OKLAHOMA
Democrats - Boren, Y.
Republicans - Cole, Y; Fallin, N; Lucas, N; Sullivan, N.
OREGON
Democrats - Blumenauer, N; DeFazio, N; Hooley, Y; Wu, N.
Republicans - Walden, Y.
PENNSYLVANIA
Democrats - Altmire, N; Brady, Y; Carney, N; Doyle, Y; Fattah, Y; Holden, N; Kanjorski, Y; Murphy, Patrick, Y; Murtha, Y; Schwartz, Y; Sestak, Y.
Republicans - Dent, N; English, N; Gerlach, N; Murphy, Tim, N; Peterson, Y; Pitts, N; Platts, N; Shuster, N.
RHODE ISLAND
Democrats - Kennedy, Y; Langevin, Y.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Democrats - Clyburn, Y; Spratt, Y.
Republicans - Barrett, N; Brown, Y; Inglis, Y; Wilson, Y.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Democrats - Herseth Sandlin, N.
TENNESSEE
Democrats - Cohen, Y; Cooper, Y; Davis, Lincoln, N; Gordon, Y; Tanner, Y.
Republicans - Blackburn, N; Davis, David, N; Duncan, N; Wamp, N.
TEXAS
Democrats - Cuellar, N; Doggett, N; Edwards, Y; Gonzalez, Y; Green, Al, N; Green, Gene, N; Hinojosa, Y; Jackson-Lee, N; Johnson, E. B., Y; Lampson, N; Ortiz, N; Reyes, Y; Rodriguez, N.
Republicans - Barton, N; Brady, Y; Burgess, N; Carter, N; Conaway, N; Culberson, N; Gohmert, N; Granger, Y; Hall, N; Hensarling, N; Johnson, Sam, N; Marchant, N; McCaul, N; Neugebauer, N; Paul, N; Poe, N; Sessions, Y; Smith, Y; Thornberry, N.
UTAH
Democrats - Matheson, N.
Republicans - Bishop, N; Cannon, Y.
VERMONT
Democrats - Welch, N.
VIRGINIA
Democrats - Boucher, Y; Moran, Y; Scott, N.
Republicans - Cantor, Y; Davis, Tom, Y; Drake, N; Forbes, N; Goode, N; Goodlatte, N; Wittman, N; Wolf, Y.
WASHINGTON
Democrats - Baird, Y; Dicks, Y; Inslee, N; Larsen, Y; McDermott, Y; Smith, Y.
Republicans - Hastings, N; McMorris Rodgers, N; Reichert, N.
WEST VIRGINIA
Democrats - Mollohan, Y; Rahall, Y.
Republicans - Capito, N.
WISCONSIN
Democrats - Baldwin, Y; Kagen, N; Kind, Y; Moore, Y; Obey, Y.
Republicans - Petri, N; Ryan, Y; Sensenbrenner, N.
WYOMING
Republicans - Cubin, Y.
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