The Newbius Papers

DC Area Blogshoot

2012-01-27T22:16:00.001-05:00

The Miller is hosting a blogshoot at the NRA Range in February. Go over to his place and RSVP. If you are local to me, we might be able to carpool if required.

I plan on going, The Good Lord willing (and the creek don't rise).

Good times.

QOTD-Don Challis

2012-01-27T08:35:00.001-05:00

Don Challis, chief of police at the College of William and Mary, traveled to Richmond Wednesday to express his opposition to a proposed bill prohibiting colleges from banning weapons on campus. Challis said he doubted that in a Virginia Tech sort of emergency, “a person who rarely, if ever, shoots a weapon is going to be any kind of positive factor.” (Source: WaPo)

You mean, like the Campus Police officers on the scene? Or, maybe, the Blacksburg Police Department? Or, maybe, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office?

If these departments are anything like the average department in the nation, the officers might shoot 100-200 rounds per year during annual re-qualification.

200 rounds.

My friends would call that a good warm-up at the range. Every one of my friends who has a carry permit practices regularly, and expends several hundred rounds per session.

I know a few LEO's, too. They don't practice often. Mostly, their gun is part of their uniform. A symbol of authority. The answer of last resort.

Final thought, Chief Challis: When seconds count, how many minutes away are you? Would you rather have unarmed people facing an active shooter, or would you rather that the shooter was rendered inactive before you had a tragedy on your hands?

Based on your response above, it sounds like you would rather have an active shooter. It would give you a chance to get your face on TV after all. Might help your law enforcement career, too. Make sure that they spell your name right.

NO

2012-01-26T11:08:00.001-05:00

To all the simpering, self-satisfied asshats of both political parties trying to gainsay and bargain away my God-given rights, I have one word for you:

"NO"

Also, I am more interested in defending my position than you are in advancing yours.

Any questions?

QOTD-Glenn Beck

2012-01-24T11:52:00.002-05:00

Heard today on his show (while setting up the sponsor spot for GoldLine):

Diversification: If you have all of your wealth in your 401(k), you're in trouble. If you have all of your wealth in Gold, you're in trouble. If you have all of your wealth in Lead, Brass, and Steel...well, you're probably OK. You need to diversify...

Quoted for truth.

Virginia Republican Primary

2012-01-24T10:29:00.000-05:00

So, I have this dilemma. The Virginia Primary is coming up in a little while and there are only two candidates on the (R) Slate. The Wookie and the "Generic Republican".

Since I passionately believe that Pres__ent ObeyMe is fundamentally opposed to everything good and right and Constitutional in America, and polls show that he would lose against a generic Republican, the ballot cast should be obvious. Right?

Which is why I think I will vote for the Wookie.

You do what you want. I am not endorsing anybody. My favorite candidate isn't running. But I will tell you that I have no love for people who believe that regulation is necessary, and by extension endorses regulators over Liberty.

Anybody but Obama. Anybody but O'Romney. They are two sides of the same progressive coin.

It is time to sweep the halls of power clean of their Augean effluence.

Pax,

Newbius

Barron Barnett nails it

2012-01-16T11:32:00.000-05:00

THIS, in spades. Go read the whole thing.

Newbius

Piling on

2012-01-14T21:37:00.003-05:00

It seems that Mr. Paul Helinski, of GunsAmerica.com (no link), has stepped in it. Badly. On top of being an elitist moron who doesn't understand grass roots, he doubled down on the stupid by basically trashing those of us who do Second Amendment blogging as a hobby. "Hobby" means we do it for fun and are likely passionate about it.

We may not have retail sites. We may not have T&E pipelines that we fellated someone to fill. But, we have passion for what we do, and we have friends.

I have used GunsAmerica.com to purchase a lower for my rifle build. It was painless, and the transfer to my local FFL was easily accomplished. But, it was no easier than GunBroker.com to use. And, GunBroker isn't trying to piss me off with aspersions cast in my general direction due to my low readership.

So, Mr. Helinski, allow me to bid your company adieu. You are no better than your competition, and I can choose whom I wish to associate with. Sadly, you are no longer a part of that group.

Warmest regards,

Newbius

(H/T to Jennifer, Sean, SayUncle, Alan, Thirdpower, Linoge, DirtCrashr, WizardPC, Tam, Carteach0, and ZerCool for pointing out the douche-baggery. It is a shame that nobody reads you guys...)

What time is it?

2012-01-13T10:01:00.001-05:00

The Doomsday Clock advanced one minute, due to "the threat of global warming, nuclear proliferation, and global unrest". Whoop-de-do. Saddle up the Drama Llama so we can get taken for a ride.

The real Doomsday Clock is not found on some socialist-progressive website decrying the effects of Fascism masquerading as Capitalism. The real Doomsday is the day when no Liberty-loving individuals left in the USA are willing to call out the regimes and apparatchiks destroying our country. How close to that time are we?

I have nothing left to say right now, except: Keep watching and listening. Keep your powder dry. Keep your loved ones close to you. Keep your cool.

Pax,

Newbius

Thought for the day, A Girl and her gun

2012-01-09T13:32:00.000-05:00

Please go read A Girl and Her Gun today. Then, think about what she says.

There are stark differences between those who are in-power (or who seek it), and those who empower. My experience with the gun community, and especially the gun blogging community, is that they are folks who want to empower you, and not gain power over you.

They are friends (even the ones I haven't yet met).

Pax,

Newbius

No Candlelight Vigil here.

2012-01-08T16:50:00.000-05:00

Sorry folks. I am not lighting candles for the "victims of gun violence", no matter how well-intentioned the PR campaign-for-relevance is. I have two "victims of gun violence" in my own family and at least one friend too, and I am not playing the game of "blame the tool, not the wielder". The Brady Campaign can suck it.

My son was not mugged by a gun. He was mugged by a mugger who used a gun. My friend was not robbed by a gun, he was robbed by a robber who armed himself with a gun. My uncle died from a gunshot wound, and the gun did not fire itself.

I carry a gun. Daily. Not because I have something to prove, because I don't. I carry a gun daily because it is the most effective tool for self defense that I own. My wife now owns one of her very own, too.

The Brady Campaign would tell you that my wife would be better off in an encounter with a mugger, rapist, or murderer if she just gave them whatever they wanted. Just lie back and think of England, or some-such rot. Nonsense. Why should we acquiesce to the predators in our society? Why should we allow our finest and fairest to be victimized, just so some milquetoast, namby-pamby, progressive policy wonks can feel better about themselves? Screw that. I am done playing their games.

In honor of those who have sacrificed everything, so that we can have our Liberty, here is a tribute. To our Fighting men and women of the military, and to those freedom fighters everywhere in the world striving to keep the flame of Liberty alive, I salute you. I stand ready to join you at the call.

Maybe my wife will even let me borrow her gun... :)

Pax,

Newbius

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T08:45:00.000-05:00

Today is the Eve of Christmas. Tonight, we attend worship service and get reminded of the reason for the season. Linus gets to the heart of it:

The greatest gift of all did not come from a store.

Merry Christmas.

Newbius

Princess Sophie Helps Out

2011-12-22T11:40:00.001-05:00

Or - a Calico can hide anywhere:

A better angle:

Christmas preps are almost finished, even with the help of the cats...

Pax,

Newbius

Vintage Audio for sale - Update

2011-12-21T15:02:00.000-05:00

Pictures:

I have a few more pictures that I can share, but these should give a general idea as to condition.

Vintage Audio for sale

2011-12-21T14:55:00.000-05:00

If any of my readers are interested, I have a Fisher ~~500~~ 800-C tube receiver and a McIntosh tube amp for sale. Both came out of a HiFi set that my dad owned (from the 50s or early 60s), and both are believed to be rebuildable (and no warranty for fitness is otherwise expressed or implied).

I have no idea what their value is. I intend to put them up on eBay in hopes of getting enough for a decent pistol (like something designed by JMB-PBUH).

Some insight into what I am up against is appreciated. Pics can be posted if requested.

Pax,

Newbius

Edited to add: The receiver is a Fisher 800-C and the amplifier is a McIntosh MC-30. There is also a Heathkit A-9C tube amplifier and an Al Davis under-dash AM radio with mounting bracket.

More Sound Blogging

2011-12-20T14:52:00.003-05:00

Last night I ran the sound board for the praise band again. We are preparing for the Christmas Eve worship service and needed to chase a few gremlins away from the system.

Last Sunday, I was not happy with the mix. The lead singer was muddy and lacked definition, and the back-up singers did not harmonize well. I also heard second-hand that there were significant dead spots around the sanctuary where the vocals were even worse than what I was hearing (and I was chasing the settings all service to fix...). Unfortunately, we got a late jump on Sunday (due to the previous service running long), and could not do as thorough a sound-check as I would have liked.

Anyway...last night's practice went well. I had a chance to get the parametric equalizer adjusted properly, and the vocalists were much more clear as a result. I also had some time after getting the mix nailed down to adjust the side-fill monitors' levels and angles. As a result, I think the dead spots and muddy zones are all but eliminated. We'll see Saturday night.

Finally, I was able to get a board graphic from the lead tech, so that I could map the settings. We have different sound techs during each different service. Several of the channels get used for different things during the earlier service, and I need to be able to replicate my settings in the brief period available to me pre-service. Now that I have a base mapping to work from, it should be easier to spot the issues going forward.

The praise band likes working with me on the board, which is a nice compliment. So far, the congregation is pleased with the changes (even if I am unhappy with some aspects of them). I hope that our Worhip on Saturday goes well. Having the production be transparent lets the message come through much more clearly.

Pax,

Newbius

Range after-action

2011-12-19T15:35:00.000-05:00

This morning I took advantage of the beautiful weather and empty calendar to go to the range. I had invited another local blogger, "A Girl and Her Gun", to come shoot the XDm-45 (since she had expressed an interest in the 5.25" Competition model), and met up with her right as the range opened.

Once into our lane, I explained the manual of arms, stapled up a paper plate, handed her 5 magazines, and turned her loose. She is a very good shot.

I encouraged her to run a lot of rounds through the gun (I had brought over 600) to get comfortable with it, and kept the magazines reloaded while she shot. She did not disappoint. Strong hand, weak hand, one-handed, no matter. Target after target, everything was center mass. Her instructors should be proud.

Grins all around. It was a very fun time. All in all, It was a good morning. I hope yours went as well.

Pax,

Newbius

Range Day today

2011-12-19T08:18:00.000-05:00

Heading over to the local range today to do an 'after-repair' run on the wife's 1911, and also to meet up with another local blogger. A Girl and Her Gun will be there to try my XDm-45, which I have offered to her to use, to help her decide about one for herself (in 9mm IIRC). I am looking forward to meeting her. An After-action report should follow.

Pax,

Newbius

Computer crashed - Update

2011-12-16T10:30:00.002-05:00

Got a call from a Customer Service "Case manager" last night. The laptop is being replaced (and upgraded, too). Apparently, the source of all the trouble is a defective CPU and CPU cooling system (system because it involves the CPU shell, heat pipe, radiator, and fan) which was allowing the CPU to stay at or near 90C most of the time. Heat-related side effects took out some of the video card memory and the HDD controller (which then took out the hard drive). Anyway, HP is doing right by me, and is replacing the whole thing (with an upgraded video card and 2 extended-life batteries tossed in for my trouble). The new laptop should ship around Christmas.

Well-played, HP.

Newbius

Computer crashed

2011-12-15T08:55:00.003-05:00

My new (~6 months old) laptop is in the shop getting vital bits replaced. I have been down since last Friday at 5:00 PM. With the Holidays, and parts availability issues for my custom-built steed, it will be after Christmas before I have my own computer again.

I am still trying to get into the vacation groove. Work-related stress has carried over into my off time. I think I need to take more, short, vacations instead of saving it all until the end of the year. For sure, I need to do more recoil therapy.

Blogging will be light until the computer is back from the shop. In the meantime, go check out the people on the sidebar. I do.

Pax,

Newbius

QOTD-Eddie Murphy

2011-12-09T11:48:00.002-05:00

To Eric Holder, about his testimony to Congress yesterday: LISTEN

Pax,

Newbius

Working hard, blogging little

2011-12-06T12:07:00.000-05:00

Still here. Getting ready to take the rest of the year off beginning Friday. Lots to do before then...

Read the sidebar, then go give a loved one a hug. Or the other way around. :)

Pax,

Newbius

Bottom's Up Pizza, Richmond VA

2011-12-04T21:31:00.001-05:00

Took OldestSon out to dinner tonight pre-birthday. We went to Bottom's Up Pizza in Richmond. Bottom's Up is the place that is consistently voted the "Best pizza in Richmond" and has won the State Fair competition several years running. They are VERY GOOD at what they do.

The restaurant itself has an industrial feel to it, and the decor is a mixture of modern, art deco, and brick warehouse. Somehow it all works. It is a very pleasant place to eat, but is not fancy. This was my second trip there, and the food was just how I remembered it. They make a nice pizza with a light crust, and toppings are under the cheese.

Last February when we went there, I was searching for ways to improve my pizza recipes. Eating there was an eye-opener. A lot of the changes that I made to my recipes this year were done with an eye towards being as good as Bottom's Up. Chasing this target has made my food much better.

There are still things that I do differently than they do, but understanding the 'why' has made me much more confident in my product. Important to note are these:

My sauce has a bolder, more complex flavor. I use roasted garlic, lots of herbs and spices, and aged balsamic vinegar in my sauce. Most people like it, but a few do not. Bottom's Up has a much milder tomato sauce, has no garlic (might have garlic powder but it was not prominent), and is more of a straight tomato-basil construct. I have been toying with the idea of making a milder red sauce, and I think that having that option might improve marketability.

My dough has more developed gluten and a higher protein content, which makes the dough more hearty. My dough cooks up like a hearty Italian bread with an open structure. Bottom's Up uses a lower protein content flour. Their dough cooks up with a finer crumb, almost like a focaccia bread. We age our doughs differently as well. They age theirs 12 hours from prep to service. Mine is aged much longer to allow for a more complex flavor to develop, almost like a sourdough in flavor and texture.

Bottom's Up Pizza is well worth the trip. If you are ever in Richmond, VA and want a nice casual meal and some outstanding pizza, GO THERE. You will not regret it. I have eaten there twice, and both times learned something important about the way that they do things. They use quality ingredients, prepared with care. Their end-product is consistent, and consistently good (my experience tracks with some locals I know who eat there regularly).

Ten months ago I ate there and changed most of my recipes as a result. I had placed them at the top of my list of places whose food I wanted to equal. Their food made me want to make mine better, and I had already experienced success with my old recipes.

Today, I made myself a mini pizza for lunch to cement the flavor profile in my head before eating at Bottom's Up again. So, tonight I got to make a close comparison to my goal. I am happy to say that I think I have achieved what I set out to do. I am still going to tweak things. There are always ways to improve the product or broaden the appeal. I do think we have a winner here. In the meantime, if you want a great pizza (and assuming I am not the one cooking it), go to Bottom's Up!

Pax,

Newbius

FTC Note: I paid cash for my meal, and left a nice tip for the very pleasant girl (Leah) who was our server. If the food had sucked, I would have written that instead.

Mixing it up

2011-11-29T22:21:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday I got to do something a little different. I got to run the sound board for the contemporary service at church.

I was a little apprehensive about it.

You see, for the last few months I have been doing the sound during the Wednesday night youth group meetings. Pretty simple, really. Two live wireless mics for the skit, one audio feed from the guitar and two mics for the worship, and a stereo mix from the laptop for ambient music during chatter time. Easy-peasy. Seven channels and I know the room's acoustics.

The Sanctuary is a completely different animal. Different board. Different room. 500 people paying attention instead of 50...oh, and one entire practice session to learn it almost a week before-hand (all 18 channels, 3 return feeds, 4 wireless packs, and awkward house acoustics). 8^0

Yikes.

Of course, it is never as simple as practice either. We had a ground uplift problem, feedback on the podium, and the lead guitar player forgot to turn on his wireless transmitter so channel 10 was dead. Ouch. (Slide up the keyboard and ride it, hoping that the congregation doesn't notice).

At least I hit the cues and the pastors' mics were live when they started speaking. That could have been embarrassing.

So, now I am in the hot seat doing audio production at our church, during the services instead of just the youth meetings. Bigger audience, more stress - but more satisfaction when it goes well. I want our service to be welcoming and the message to get out clearly, unsullied by technical mishaps.

I have a long way to go. At least the journey started off well.

I hope you take the time to assess your talents and abilities. Use them in the service of others. Do well. It's worth it.

Pax,

Newbius

Vacating

2011-11-24T08:19:00.000-05:00

Have been away from electronic civilization (and enjoying people in meat-space) for almost a week now. It is nice. I should try this more often. You should too. Stop reading this and go hug somebody important to you. Do it now.

:)

Newbius

Pizza Party Tonight

2011-11-18T13:17:00.000-05:00

Hosting a party for about 35 college kids from GMU Cru tonight. (George Mason University chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ) Homemade pizza, lots of music and games, laughter and joy. I can't wait. :)

Pax,

Newbius

24 Hour notice

2011-11-17T12:53:00.000-05:00

Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (Moron, TX) had an amendment to HR822 which would have required gun owners to notify the state police at their destination (and at all states in-between) that they were arriving with their firearm.

Really.

I wonder how that same thought pattern would apply to people who wished to exercise their right to assemble, speak, or worship in a neighboring state?

Should we make citizens call ahead to exercise their 4th, or 5th Amendment rights?

I wonder if we should apply this same requirement to the 13th Amendment? Maybe Rep. Jackson-Lee should be required to call ahead to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, or North Carolina if she intended to present herself there? Shouldn't she prove that she is a "Freedman"? How do I know that she is not a slave?

Should we require a person to call ahead when they wish to exercise their 18th Amendment rights to a cocktail in a neighboring state? After all, alcohol-related car accidents claim more lives annually than all gun-related deaths (criminal or otherwise) in the USA combined. Think of the Children!

How about we require Ms. Jackson Lee to call ahead to see if she can exercise her right to vote, being a woman and all. Or, is the 19th Amendment applicable to ALL STATES just like the 14th is?

The Constitution and Bill of Rights is an All or Nothing proposition. Don't cry "Equality" and "Women's Rights" over abortion (and claim federal superiority) on the one hand, then hide behind "State's Rights" on the other. (Notwithstanding that the Second Amendment Right to Keep and Bear Arms is an Enumerated Individual Civil Right, and Abortion is merely inferred under the 9th.)

We fought a war over the ability of individual states to infringe on fundamental rights for certain individuals. I would think that, as a Black Woman living in the South, she would appreciate this fact. It doesn't really sound like it though. It really sounds like she enjoys being a shill for the Democratic Party Plantation when it comes to some rights for some citizens. Kind of like JIM CROW.

Shame on her.

Newbius

Quoted For Truth - Maestro Pistolero

2011-11-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

From THIS thread at CalGuns Forum (in reference to Bloomie's Illegal mayors):

njineermike: "They should change their name to MAAG - Mayors Against All Guns. It's a lot closer to the truth."

Maestro Pistolero: "MAFIA- Mayors Against Firearms In America"

MAFIA. I like it. I wonder if the name is already taken?

HR822 Future fate

2011-11-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

It is reputed to be a dead letter in Harry Reid's (D-NV, NRA "A"-Rated) Senate. Right now, the only hope it has is as an amendment to "must-pass" legislation (like, say, the continuing resolution funding .GOV coming up shortly).

We shall see...

100,000 shot or killed every year by handguns?

2011-11-16T14:27:00.000-05:00

Where did Conyers pull THAT statistic from? His ASS?

The statistics are readily available. I guess the Dems think nobody can do an effing Google search.

Emily takes a training class

2011-11-15T15:38:00.000-05:00

Follow Emily Miller's attempt to navigate the bureaucratic maze in D.C. HERE.

Newbius

The Top 1%

2011-11-15T12:51:00.000-05:00

In my post below about our kitchen flood, commenter Bubblehead Les asked me how it felt to be in the Top 1% (because I actually had enough emergency fund money set aside to pay cash for a $1,300 refrigerator). All snark aside, the ability to purchase luxury goods and services because I earned and saved some money is indeed nice. Make no mistake, refrigeration *IS* a luxury. Most of the world has to do without it.

Strictly speaking though, the top 1% worldwide is not a very high bar. Our poorest citizens, those making <$5,000 per year, are in the top 15% of income earners worldwide. Does this make them rich? It depends upon your perspective. In the abstract, it does. In our Second World economy with its high cost of living? Not really.

According to the Census Department, we have 118,682,000 households reporting income in 2010. Dividing this into fifths (quintiles), you get 23,736,000 households in each quintile.

In terms of quintiles, our bottom 20%, with incomes under $20,000 annually, are in the top 15% (that bar being only about $2500 per year).

The second quintile, with incomes between $20,000 and $38039, is in the top 10% worldwide.

Our middle fifth (the average earners in our nation), with incomes between $38,040 and $61,719, is in the top 1% worldwide.

I will let you refer to the charts to glean what information you can. Generally speaking those people who work, have some education, and make good choices about relationships tend to do better than those who don't.

We live in the greatest country the world has even known. We have the ability to do almost anything in an attempt to earn a living. We can choose to save, spend, invest, or squander whatever we earn. We have choices open to us that most of the world can only dream of.

Attempting to change our economic meritocracy into a system of cronyism, rent-seeking, Marxist-redistributionism, or Socialism in the name of "Democracy" and "Fairness" misses the fundamental aspects of our Republic: Equality of opportunity and preservation of property rights. What you work for, what you *EARN*, you get to keep (most of, anyway) or dispose of as you will. It is too bad that the useful idiots in the "OccupySomething" protests weren't taught this in college.

Make good choices, you can buy luxury goods and services. Make poor choices, live a life that is relatively poorer as a consequence. Works for me.

Pax,

Newbius

2010 Census data on Income Quintiles and Income Distribution
Worldwide data pulled from Globalrichlist.com

QOTD: Michelle Malkin

2011-11-15T09:51:00.000-05:00

From her report on New York City's eviction of the Zucotti Park OWS squatters:

"NYC has sent in a sanitation truck. Occupiers shriek in horror. Like garlic to vampires"

LINK

Minor flood this weekend

2011-11-14T10:34:00.000-05:00

The ice maker on the kitchen refrigerator gave up this weekend, locking up during the "fill" function. As a result, we had a minor flood in the kitchen to deal with. We got the water cleaned up, and shut the ice maker down, and all was good.

Except...we stopped into Blue Label Big Box Home Improvement Store. There, at almost 50% off, was my next refrigerator. A very nice Whirlpool box came home this morning, delivered by the nice young men who speak Spanish. MSRP: $2499, price paid: $1299 and I got them to deliver it for free ($75 savings). Of course, I now have to move my base cabinets in my kitchen 3/4" right, due to space requirements. This is a change that I can live with.

At least the Emergency Fund could manage the hit. (Thank you Dave Ramsey)

How was your weekend?

Help a brother out

2011-11-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

Larry Correia is sponsoring a book bomb for another author. TODAY, go to Amazon and pick up a copy of Variant. You can get the details HERE.

Newbius

Veteran's Day tomorrow

2011-11-10T12:31:00.000-05:00

I will celebrate 11/11 by taking the 1911 out for a run. Seems fitting that one of the guns that won the Great War should get exercised on the day celebrating the Armistice of same.

Letter to Bill Engvall

2011-11-08T14:00:00.000-05:00

Sent today to "askbillengvall AT aol DOT com"
The letter generated an auto-response out of office reply ("Hello. I am away until January 1, 2010 and am unable to read your message."), so I am posting it here as well.

Here's your sign on the Second Amendment

Mr. Engvall,

I must respectfully disagree with your comments on Bill Maher's show. You appear to have bought into the 'sporting purpose' rationale as the main purpose of the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment was not ever, and is not now, a license to hunt. Congressman Issa got it right: it is the assurance that Tyranny will not happen in the USA. No matter what ancillary purpose we can obtain for sporting purposes or self-defense, the core of the right is as a check on out-of-control, power-hungry politicians who wish to rule instead of serve.

All snarky comments aside about Nukes, Tanks, and the Air Force, the fact is that our government respects that we are armed. They know that the more than 100 million firearms present in the US presents a clear tactical challenge to any army wishing to attempt invasion or incursion into our territory. There is no armed force large enough in the world to overcome this. In fact, the number of licensed deer hunters in the country far outstrips the size of any army in the world. Deer hunters who, by the terms of the Violence Policy Center and the Brady Campaign, are armed with "cop-killing, high-powered, long-range sniper rifles with scopes".

You may have considered it humorous to quip that "I don’t believe there’s any reason for a person like myself to own an AK-47…I’d be willing to meet you halfway and say I think you can ban guns if you can pull the trigger and 60 bullets come out—there’s no need, it’s not used for hunting, it would ruin any of the meat…". Those of us who understand that the Second Amendment is not about hunting (but instead revolves around the civilian ownership, training, proficiency, and use of arms-especially those suitable for militia), advocate the civilian ownership of weapons that you would find unsuitable for putting meat on the table. Yet, these same weapons protect your right to hunt, or to defend yourself as required.

Please set aside the shtick about hunting with full-auto machine guns. Please reconsider your willingness to side with those who would curtail all of our freedoms (as long as they let you keep your hunting rifle and shotgun). Please quit pandering to the Hollywood Elite in forums like Maher's program, while performing (out of the other side of your mouth?) at places like the NRA Convention and the SHOT Show. Pick one, or the other. Choose now whom you will serve. Just remember: "First they came for the Jews..." (or, in context, "First they came for AR-15s and AK-47s...").

You owe the law-abiding gun owners in the United States an apology. If you don't feel that this is the case, then "Here's your sign".

Newbius

The left media smears?

2011-11-08T07:51:00.000-05:00

Judging solely by Google hits, the Media cares much more about (so far) unproven allegations of 'inappropriate conduct' by Herman Cain than it ever did about actual, you know, RAPE, by Billy Jeff Clinton. Try Googling Gennifer Flowers and Juanita Broaddrick, then compare the hit totals to "Herman Cain Harassment". Then, tell me if you are surprised.

Want another gun

2011-11-08T07:39:00.000-05:00

This time for dedicated training. Thinking about a 22/45. The Fun Store recommends a Buckmark (more $$). Opinions, anybody?

OWS useful idiots

2011-11-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

I have watched the news and 'net to find out what makes these occupiers tick. The organizers all seem like nice, highly-educated, idealistic progressives out to change the world as they perceive it. I find it interesting that the current crop of useful idiots (well-meaning, for sure) at #OWS_$CITY appear to have no concept of causality. Compounding this ignorance is their continued parroting of Marxist-socialist 'social justice' patter, and their repeated calls for a kumbaya moment when everybody lays down their guns and gives a group hug. Their willful blindness to the logical outcomes of their policies is stunning to watch. We have all of 20th Century history to refer to, yet their advocacy continues.

In the (relatively) safe environment of an encampment in a city park, surrounded by fellow travelers, they can propose anything they want. Their only risk is the opprobrium of the crowd, accompanied by the dreaded 'down-twinkles'. The real result of advocating State-monopoly on violence is going to be many millions more dead. Their cries of "I didn't know" will echo hollowly in the dead ears of their policy victims. Their good intentions lost in the reality of power vacuums and international power politics (follow the money...).

As a nation, we have raised entire generations with a welfare mentality deeply ingrained in them. To a recipient (corporate, elderly, minority, poor, crony, or otherwise) used to availing themselves of the Power of the State to exact something from others, it is a very small leap to extracting that wealth yourself. The difference is only a matter of degree. Watch for growing unrest on the near horizon as the #FSA* flexes their muscles.

Newbius

*#FSA = Free S*** Army

Wounded Warrior Project Fundraiser

2011-11-04T11:05:00.000-04:00

For those who missed out on a chance to support a worthy cause (and also possibly win some great prizes), you have another chance to do so. "A Girl and Her Gun" is having a raffle and will be donating the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Please support this worthy effort.

Newbius

William the Coroner, RIP

2011-11-02T09:28:00.000-04:00

I met William the Coroner in Pittsburgh at the NRA convention this year. We had good conversation at the Gunnie Prom. A genuinely nice man, thoughtful and kind-hearted, with an outsized intelligence and a warm smile. John Donne said it well:

"No man is an island, entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,
as well as if a promontory were,
as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were:
any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind,
and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls;
it tolls for thee."
John Donne
Devotions upon Emergent Occasions, no. 17 (Meditation)
1624 (published)

Rest in peace.

Newbius

Sorry for the lack of posting

2011-10-29T08:35:00.000-04:00

Life has been hectic this past week. This weekend, I need to make a run to North Carolina to comfort a friend who has cancer. Sometimes the 'suck' just comes in waves.

There are plenty of interesting people to read on the sidebar. There are lots of timely topics being covered better than I can do right now. I'll be back soon.

Parting shot regarding the current Elites: Given the choice between stupidity and malice, pick malice. The proper response is then accounted for, and if not, then Darwin gets a boost.

Pax,

Newbius

Occupy "Whatever" is misnamed

2011-10-23T17:03:00.000-04:00

They should instead call themselves "Starnesville_New York" or "Starnesville_Baltimore", and so on. Democratizing outcomes by vote and rote will only ensure lousy outcomes.

When the producers refuse to play, and refuse to be prey, what then? You can only 'eat the rich' once. After that, you have to become a producer yourself (or become prey). Think about that.

Newbius

Colt update

2011-10-17T16:22:00.000-04:00

Spoke to Virginia Arms, where we bought the gun. They said "no problem". They will fix the sight, and look at the magazine issue. Good people, those.

Support your local fun store.

Pax,

Newbius

Range day today

2011-10-15T15:49:00.000-04:00

Sorry, no pictures of the Redhead punching paper...

Took the new Colt out for its first run through. One magazine had two FTF issues. Twice, magazine #4 (yes, my mags are numbered) popped the last round near vertical and jammed. Not sure what it is, but will monitor it.

One other issue: Gun began shooting right of aim point. When I got home, this is what I saw:

The set screw for the rear sight had backed itself out, leaving the rear sight to shift with recoil. I tightened it, but I know that I am going to have to spend some time sighting it in again.

Mrs. Newbius did well, but began anticipating the shots (causing the barrel to dip and the shots to go low) after a few magazines. We will work on it. Maybe we can both take a basic pistol course and brush up on our fundamentals.

The Astra A-100 is still functioning properly after the repair. I am glad to have this one back in the stable (er, desk drawer). It has a lot of sentimental value, and is a solid gun (especially given its original price point).

The XDm-45 still runs without a hitch. In fact, I think I am now over 2,500 rounds through the XDm-45 and it has never failed in any way. It has fed, fired, and extracted every round without fail and is pretty accurate too. I cannot ask for anything more in a handgun. This is my daily carry gun and I appreciate the reliability.

Tonight is going to be spent relaxing with my bride, eating homemade pizza and drinking good wine. Life is good.

Pax,

Newbius

Need. Recoil. Therapy.

2011-10-12T15:07:00.001-04:00

It has been a rough couple of weeks at Casa Newbius. I need to hit the range and expel the last of California from my system. Plus, my wife has been bugging me to take her so she can shoot her new gun.

Soon, dear. Very soon.

Newbius

Back in town

2011-10-10T13:17:00.001-04:00

No, not from Blogorado (I have never been invited...not cool enough ;) ). From California (I was attending to family).

I have been away from the intarwebz and TeeVee for most of a week. Upon return, I see that our government is still covering up, the LSM is still covering for them, and that the Marxists camping in New Yawk are more brazenly honest in their goals than ever. Sigh...

I hope your preparations are going well.

Newbius

Dangerous Precedent

2011-10-01T00:42:00.000-04:00

Or is that 'dangerous president'?

Today, the US Government executed a US Citizen without a trial, tribunal, or finding of fact about his actual guilt. We are no longer a nation of laws. A precedent has been set, and we are at the edge of the abyss.

To be clear, I detest everything that Anwar al Awlaki (or whatever his name is) stood for. But, until he either renounces his citizenship and/or fights on the field of battle against us (or is arrested, tried, and found guilty of treason), he is a citizen with rights. Merely declaring him a "terrorist" is not sufficient justification to execute him.

Hell, by the terms of the current rules of engagement, I am a terrorist. (see DHS/Fusion report on 'domestic terrorists') Because, you see, I believe we are still a constitutional republic. I believe that Socialism is incompatible with Liberty. I believe in the Almighty God and his dominion. I believe in free will. I believe that I have the right to arms to protect my life and my property from all enemies foreign and domestic. And, I might even vote for Ron Paul.

How long until some dweeb sitting at the control console of his drone decides to drop a Hellfire missile on my ass? Or yours? Do you even care? Or, is party more important than principle?

Newbius
|||

Nothing Crazy Yesterday

2011-09-28T08:19:00.000-04:00

So, today, I point and laugh.

OK?

Let's get serious for a second. I didn't link to the stories yesterday that were the source of my post. Not because I didn't find them plausible (because in most things, there is some truth), but because I found enough plausibility in them to do some research of my own. We are admonished to do our own research, even the Bible tells us to do so (Acts 17:11).

False-flag operations are used by the opposition to detect the state of our readiness. They are also used to discredit our responses, and successful ones are used as jumping-off points for live ops against us. Be cautious in your actions, and test all things to determine the truth for yourself.

There is a war coming. The battle lines are being drawn as we speak. Ayn Rand and George Orwell were prescient. Until and unless we the citizens resolve to stand fast against the serial theft of our Liberty and our Wealth, "they" will succeed. Their actions to-date come from malice, not incompetency. It is not lack of understanding about the mechanisms of economics, rather it is a complete understanding of the sources of power.

I leave it to the readers to define for themselves whom "they" are. Understand this, however: "they" are playing for real and for keeps. Are you?

Newbius
|||

Bring on the crazy

2011-09-26T20:22:00.000-04:00

Bring on the crazy.

Supposedly, 9/27/2011 is when a false-flag op will be run by the globalist NWO-types, with major destruction occurring in Denver. I am posting this tonight because I am skeptical. Tomorrow, I hope to be able to point and laugh.

At least the guns are cleaned, oiled, and loaded...

Newbius

1000 Words, Separate but Equal

2011-09-26T12:51:00.000-04:00

Media marketing

2011-09-23T09:49:00.000-04:00

When confronted with media today (especially Social Media), it will help you to understand that YOU are the product being marketed, and then act accordingly.

Every secret, every action, every link that can be made to tie you to products and services will be exploited to the fullest. Every item of personal content is another check in someone's box to define how to sell you something. Further, every link put out there is also useful to others in identifying you, no matter how anonymous you desire to be.

Think about it.

No Free Ice Cream today

2011-09-21T17:12:00.003-04:00

The Free Ice Cream dispenser has an odd taste today, so today's offerings have been discarded in favor of a fresh batch tomorrow.

OK, yes I carry a knife (Whipping it out)

2011-09-19T18:33:00.002-04:00

One of These:

Sometimes more than one...

H/T OG

QFT-TinCan Assassin

2011-09-16T20:22:00.000-04:00

Quoted for Truth:

You know, I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking that we should let folks know that there are 2 responses to an Armed American. Leave him the hell alone, or try and take his guns away. And we should make option 2 hazardous to your health.

Word.

Newbius

Words of Marital Bliss

2011-09-16T10:15:00.000-04:00

Got a hit on my "1000 Words" post below, from someone searching for "words of marital bliss". However, I am pretty sure that my post was not what they were seeking.

Marital Bliss is a pretty tough subject. The fact is, marriage takes work. It takes sacrifice. It requires a willingness to subordinate your will when required in order to do what is right for the union. Selfishness will not fly for very long. Nor will pettiness and drama.

I am far from perfect. I have made just about every mistake a married man can make. I have mistreated my wife by being disrespectful, dismissive, selfish, arrogant, pigheaded, obtuse, and lazy as a husband. I have glaring faults, and I recognize them. Why does she still love me? Beats the hell out of me but she does.

I'll tell you this though, she is the center of my happiness here on Earth. She is my best friend, my strongest supporter, and a fierce advocate for what is good and right in the world. We have been together through good times and bad, through sickness and health, and will be until the day we die.

Words of Marital Bliss? I have a few. "I love you" and "I am sorry" cover a lot of things. You better mean them, too. Be willing to change. Not because she wants you to, but because you want to become a better, more complete person for her. Face it, you are going to fail (often) as a partner. Recognize it, be honest about it, and keep working at it. Do not quit.

Be willing to do the things that she wants to do. You might find that you enjoy opera, art galleries, museums, and Jane Austen novels. After all, you want her to enjoy things that go Vrooom, Bang, and Boom, right?

Listen to her. Listen to the words she says, and also the things she leaves unsaid. She will tell you what she needs. Be attentive, and show her that you care by your actions. She will appreciate it, and you will be happier in the long run.

Finally, just as you have chosen her, recognize that she was the one who chose you. She was willing to put up with some of the bad in order to enjoy what is good and fun and right about who you are. Accentuate those things, but be yourself.

I hope this helps.

Newbius

QOTD-Joe Huffman (correction: Lyle)

2011-09-16T08:19:00.001-04:00

Fundamentally Transform THIS

The whole post is truth, and pretty much describes how I live my life as well. I think most minarchist libertarians (formerly known as classic liberals) feel the same way. Go read the whole thing.

Newbius

QOTD-Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. (D-CA)

2011-09-15T07:42:00.001-04:00

As reported in the Sacramento Bee (threatening vetoes):

"...You've given me 600 bills, and there's not 600 problems that we need those solutions for."

I am no fan of Jerry Brown. I despised him during his last stint in the Governor's chair. The Rose Byrd court that he foisted upon California was a disaster that is still having effects 30 years later. Yet, he seems to have matured a little. Perhaps some wisdom comes with age after all.

I quote the above for the truth that it represents. Not every human problem requires a new law to address (paraphrasing something else that Jerry Brown stated recently). It is time to take Jerry Brown's example, and apply it to our national legislature. Instead of constantly asking Congress for new laws, perhaps we should be mailing Sharpie pens to them instead. Let them redact whole sections of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. It would be a good start.

Newbius

Newbius Bolognese Sauce

2011-09-13T20:32:00.000-04:00

(Serves 4-6)

2 TBSP EVOO
1 pound sweet Italian Sausage (Bulk, or removed from casing)
1 Medium onion, diced fine
2 TBSP minced garlic
1/2 cup dry red wine (Cabernet, Merlot, Chianti)
1 Bell Pepper, diced coarse
4 Romana tomatoes, chopped coarse- reserving juice.
1 15oz can Contadina tomato sauce
1 TBSP Thyme
1 TBSP Basil
1/2 c Heavy whipping cream
1/4 c aged parmesan, shredded
Salt
Pepper

2 pounds fresh spinach fettuccine, cooked

Heat a large lidded frying pan or Saucier, heat olive oil on high heat until hazy (not smoking) and brown the sausage. Add the garlic and onion and continue sauteing until the onion is translucent. De-glaze with the wine. Add peppers and tomatoes, Basil and Thyme and cook, covered, until tomatoes soften (about 5 minutes). Add reserved juice and tomato sauce. Correct flavor with salt and pepper. Simmer uncovered 15 minutes over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add heavy cream and combine thoroughly. Remove from heat. Correct seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over cooked spinach fettuccini, add parmesan and toss.

Enjoy!

Newbius

1911 holsters

2011-09-13T11:44:00.000-04:00

Need to start looking at a holster for the 1911. Of course, choosing one for her is going to be tough. There are so many nice ones to choose from. I wonder what cool things Dennis is up to?

Newbius

Ten Years Later

2011-09-11T06:00:00.003-04:00

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the act of war against our country by rich, spoiled, fanatical, Saudi Arabian Wahhabist terrorists aligned with Al Queda. My good friend OldNFO asked for reminisces the other day on his blog. What follows is my comment from there, unedited:

I was at home, getting ready to go to work. After the WTC was hit, I went to the basement and began cleaning guns. Then my neighbor came over, crying. The Pentagon had just been hit, and she couldn't make contact with her husband (who worked near the Pentagon impact site). We eventually connected with him. He had been one corridor North of the impact and had spent the day doing SAR in the burning section of the building before being sent home. He and I spent the evening quietly with a bottle of Jack Daniels, while he worked through what he had seen. One man to another, sharing the pain.

I will never forget. I will not forgive. There is not enough oil in the Middle East to justify appeasing those lying bastards. The proper response would have been to turn Riyadh into a smoking sheet of glass...it still is.

We have become a nation of appeasers, more interested in being inoffensive than in being right. Once upon a time, we were a nation of leaders who cared not what the other nations of the world thought. Once upon a time, the rest of the world either feared us or wanted to be us. Now, they only ridicule us while using our own wealth against us. Wealth stolen by spineless politicians and given to the socialists in the UN, or paid to Middle-East radicals in exchange for energy we shouldn't have to import.

Ponder that while you watch and listen to the national dirge, on every channel your TeeVee can receive. Ponder that, and ask yourself if this is the nation your were raised in. Ponder that, and ask yourself why you willingly accept the chains and shackles of an out-of-control government staffed with lifetime civil servants who hate your remaining Liberties and envy your remaining abilities.

Then, DO SOMETHING about it. It is past time to re-engage as CITIZENS. It is past time to take your country back.

Newbius
|||

1000 Words, Marital Bliss Edition

2011-09-10T17:24:00.000-04:00

All that, and armed too.

2011-09-10T15:39:00.001-04:00

My beautiful bride, (longtime spouse, best friend, confidant, and all around wonderful lady) Mrs. Newbius, completed her very first 4473 today. All the best qualities you could want in a person and armed, too. :) Life is good.

Newbius

Drilling

2011-09-09T10:19:00.000-04:00

No, she is not for sale.

Newbius

1911 shopping

2011-09-08T15:25:00.000-04:00

Trimming the list down, the ones that are nearing the top of the shopping pile are the:

Remington
Ruger SR1911
Springfield Range Officer
Colt XSE

There are things about each that I like, and also things about each I dislike. Trying to find them in the wild has proven to be a difficult task. Used 1911s are going for near full-retail as well. New, at auction, are all above MSRP. I think it is time to begin begging friends to see if anybody is selling.

I love the smell of Hoppes

2011-09-06T22:58:00.000-04:00

Just finished cleaning gun #4 and the house smells like Hoppes #9. Do you think Chanel would be interested in bottling the essence of it for a perfume?

Just wondering...

Newbius

Mrs. Newbius goes to Ohio

2011-09-06T13:41:00.001-04:00

Finds a gun she likes and then gets comfortable with it:

Clicky make biggy on all pictures...
She didn't do too badly with mine either:

I love that woman!

Newbius

Hmm...I wonder

2011-09-06T11:19:00.001-04:00

I wonder if "Cap and Trade" and other Environmental Protection laws (and other economy-destroying schemes enacted to save Gaia) can be challenged under 1st Amendment grounds? With all of the controversy surrounding ~~Global Warmening~~Climate Change research...er...results...er...position papers, shouldn't we be asking why our government is violating the Establishment Clause?

I am of the opinion that, right now, Climate Change is a religion. I'd ask Michael Mann to disprove it, but his data cannot be reached for comment.

Newbius

Smoke and Noise

2011-09-06T10:08:00.001-04:00

Click to Embiggefy

Newbius

Mixing up the mischief

2011-09-06T09:37:00.004-04:00

Click to Embiggen

A special thanks goes out to the good folks at Tannerite. They went above and beyond and got an order out to us in time for the blogshoot. A great company to deal with. A fun product to play with.

Newbius

FTC Note: We paid full retail price for the product. Go pull the wings off of some flies.

Home again

2011-09-05T15:37:00.003-04:00

Arrived home and have unpacked the car. Lots of guns to clean, maybe some pictures to post later. Thank you Breda, Heath, and Amanda for everything. NorthCoast II is in the bag. I hope to be able to play again next year

Packing Lists

2011-09-01T21:23:00.000-04:00

Food:
Pizza Dough - check
Pizza Sauces - check
Pizza Toppings - check
Sandwich Makings - check
Beer - check
Wine - Check
Water - Check

Fun:
Rifle - Check
Other rifle - check
Other rifle - check
Shotgun - check
Shotgun - check
shotgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
handgun - check
ammo for all...oh yeah! - check

Clothes, snarky T-shirts, grooming kit, pillow... - check

Spouse - Hell Yeah! CHECK!

Off to Northcoast Blogshoot II...See you there!

QOTD - Popups

2011-09-01T00:01:00.002-04:00

"Popups" at Calguns had this to say. I liked it so much it is today's QOTD:

..."government cannot take your rights; they can only use force to stop you from using them. To pass any "law" that infringes your rights, is actually a decree of how much force the government wants to use against you."

Word.

Newbius
|||

First they came for my...

2011-08-31T08:56:00.000-04:00

Billy Beck puts a fine point on it.

Selective enforcement of arcane and difficult-to-understand laws (or laws from another country entirely), to appease supporters and punish opponents, is the crowning hallmark of tyrannical government. The government that is big enough to give you what you want, is big enough to take anything they can from you. A government which reaches into personal social preference, rather than ensuring personal Liberty, is a government ripe for abuse by those in power and will be used eventually to oppress the people.

Those of you on the right who want to push the Gay and Drug and Marriage issues, and those of you on the left who want to push the Gay and Environmental and Welfare issues, have now gotten the government that you asked for. And brothers and sisters, you asked for it.

Do you Love it? Do you hate it? There it is, the way you made it. - Frank Zappa

The Endarkenment continues apace. Hope you like it. Hope you are prepared.

Newbius
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Melson is OUT as ATF Director

2011-08-30T13:47:00.002-04:00

BATFE Acting Director Ken Melson is no longer in charge. He is being moved internally to a new role as "Senior Advisor on Forensic Science" (AKA, the department of making s*** up). Tellingly he is still in the Department of Justice and, therefore, under their control with regard to his ability to tell the truth about Gunwalker.

Melson's replacement is B. Todd Jones, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota.

Jones first served as U.S. Attorney in Minnesota from 1998 to 2001. He sat out the Bush administration, as a partner at Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi in Minneapolis specializing in complex business litigation and corporate criminal defense.

Jones was confirmed again as U.S. Attorney in August (ed. 2009), and shortly thereafter Attorney General Eric Holder tapped him to chair the AGAC, a powerful policy body that meets with top department officials about once every six weeks. (SOURCE)

From the looks of Jones' bio, he appears to be a partisan hack. Originally a Clinton appointee, he took a powder during the Bush years, only to come back once Holder and Obama took the reins at DOJ. I do not like how this is unfolding. Traver is unable to get confirmed. So instead, they bring in a dark-horse nominee with strong Leftist chops. Kind of makes one wonder what happens next at ATF...

Newbius

Melson story at POLITICO
B.Todd Jones info from MAIN JUSTICE

ETA: More from Main Justice about Ken Melson, and Dennis Burke, two figures who are central to the Gunwalker Scandal and cover-up.

Hoplophobia

2011-08-30T00:06:00.000-04:00

So, I am at a Trader Joe's in Northern Virginia. I am perusing the selection of Cabernet when I realize that I am blocking the aisle with my cart. I look up and apologize to the woman with the pained expression for blocking the way, when she begins to apologize profusely and say it is her fault for intruding.

What?!?

She says (in a panicky, rapidly-rising squeak) that she wouldn't dream of upsetting me, especially considering the shirt that I am wearing, all while skittering away to the other end of the store like a cottontail evading a coyote.

Wow. If the sight of an AK-47 silk-screened on a T-shirt causes such PSH, I wonder what would have happened if I had been open-carrying instead? I might have had to explain to the Po-Po what the difference between shopping and brandishing is. For sure, I would have had to clean up aisle three...

Newbius

Weather II

2011-08-28T11:09:00.000-04:00

Irene turned out to be a big yawner at Casa Newbius. We had one branch torn off of a tree, slamming onto my deck at the peak of the storm. No damage noted:

The local garden spider did her preparations, too. She went to the BACK SIDE of her web and bravely rode out the storm's fury:

We hope to have the local destruction attended to by mid-day.

Hope your hurricane went as well.

Newbius

Vicious Circle 106 - Disaster

2011-08-27T08:25:00.000-04:00

Yep. That about sums it up. It'll fill some time for you.

Newbius

Weather

2011-08-26T20:42:00.004-04:00

Yes. I am in the projected path of ZOMGANOTHERHURRYCAINE!!!!11!Eleventy!

(sigh)

Earlier this week we had a little rumbler come through. 5.8 on the "wreck-ter" scale. Where I come from, that barely stops conversation over dinner. Now we face a hurricane. Projected to be 75+mph winds when it hits the house. With rain.

(yawn)

That's like Santa Ana winds without the fire.

This is not the "End of the world as we know it" people. It is weather. It is natural phenomena. It happens every year. It is predictable. It is only a tragedy to those who are unprepared for it. And only then because the sob-story makes good camera-fodder for the talking heads at 6PM.

Get over it.

Oh, and if the Scat hits the air-movement device and the Free S**t Army wants some of mine? It would be better to ask politely for help than to try force. I still have Beauty and the Beast; and a half-decent rifle, too.

Pax,

Newbius

QOTD - Josey Wales

2011-08-26T13:10:00.001-04:00

"Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you're not going to make it, then you gotta get mean. I mean plum, mad-dog, mean. 'Cause if you lose your head and you give up, then you neither live nor win. That's just the way it is."

Clint Eastwood, The Outlaw Josey Wales

Or, to put it another way:

"Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, give up. Never give up. Never give up. Never give up."

Winston Churchill, October 29, 1941

I needed that.

Newbius
|||

QOTD- Tam Slick

2011-08-24T08:23:00.000-04:00

In an aside about helmet laws, Tam brings the full force of RIGHTS down on the 'anti' argument about guns:

...this is one of my biggest gripes about wading into fact- and data-laden poo-flinging arguments with anti-gunners about crime rates and murders-per-100k and so forth. The correct answer is "Where the hell do you get off thinking you can tell me I can't own a gun? I don't care if every other gun owner on the planet went out and murdered somebody last night. I didn't. So piss off."

Bravo.

Sometimes I think we try too hard. We really DO have all of the facts, figures, and statistics to back up our side on the gun issue. More powerfully though, we have THE RIGHT to own, carry, and use our guns; and more importantly, we have the RIGHT whether codified in the law or not.

Because we have the right to life, and the right to defend that life, period.

Newbius
|||

Shaken, not stirred

2011-08-23T21:55:00.000-04:00

We got a little taste of my former home today, in the form of a 5.8-5.9 temblor. Minimal damage, kitties are calm again, and it is time for a good martini.

Actually, it is time for a Vesper. I need to get the supplies for it though.

Newbius

Top 100 Fantasy and Sci-Fi (Or, things I still need to read)

2011-08-23T10:50:00.003-04:00

The NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy novels with the ones I have read in bold:

1. The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
3. Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card Read on 8/25
4. The Dune Chronicles, by Frank Herbert - I have read the Trilogy
5. A Song Of Ice And Fire Series, by George R. R. Martin
6. 1984, by George Orwell
7. Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury
8. The Foundation Trilogy, by Isaac Asimov
9. Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley
10. American Gods, by Neil Gaiman
11. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
12. The Wheel Of Time Series, by Robert Jordan
13. Animal Farm, by George Orwell
14. Neuromancer, by William Gibson
15. Watchmen, by Alan Moore
16. I, Robot, by Isaac Asimov
17. Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein
18. The Kingkiller Chronicles, by Patrick Rothfuss
19. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
20. Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley
21. Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick
22. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
23. The Dark Tower Series, by Stephen King
24. 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke
25. The Stand, by Stephen King
26. Snow Crash, by Neal Stephenson
27. The Martian Chronicles, by Ray Bradbury
28. Cat’s Cradle, by Kurt Vonnegut
29. The Sandman Series, by Neil Gaiman
30. A Clockwork Orange, by Anthony Burgess
31. Starship Troopers, by Robert Heinlein
32. Watership Down, by Richard Adams
33. Dragonflight, by Anne McCaffrey
34. The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein
35. A Canticle For Leibowitz, by Walter M. Miller
36. The Time Machine, by H.G. Wells
37. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, by Jules Verne
38. Flowers For Algernon, by Daniel Keys
39. The War Of The Worlds, by H.G. Wells
40. The Chronicles Of Amber, by Roger Zelazny
41. The Belgariad, by David Eddings
42. The Mists Of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley
43. The Mistborn Series, by Brandon Sanderson
44. Ringworld, by Larry Niven
45. The Left Hand Of Darkness, by Ursula K. LeGuin
46. The Silmarillion, by J.R.R. Tolkien
47. The Once And Future King, by T.H. White
48. Neverwhere, by Neil Gaiman
49. Childhood’s End, by Arthur C. Clarke
50. Contact, by Carl Sagan
51. The Hyperion Cantos, by Dan Simmons
52. Stardust, by Neil Gaiman
53. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson
54. World War Z, by Max Brooks
55. The Last Unicorn, by Peter S. Beagle
56. The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman
57. Small Gods, by Terry Pratchett
58. The Chronicles Of Thomas Covenant, The Unbeliever, by Stephen R. Donaldson
59. The Vorkosigan Saga, by Lois McMaster Bujold
60. Going Postal, by Terry Pratchett
61. The Mote In God’s Eye, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
62. The Sword Of Truth, by Terry Goodkind
63. The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
64. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
65. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
66. The Riftwar Saga, by Raymond E. Feist
67. The Shannara Trilogy, by Terry Brooks
68. The Conan The Barbarian Series, by R.E. Howard
69. The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb
70. The Time Traveler’s Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger
71. The Way Of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson
72. A Journey To The Center Of The Earth, by Jules Verne
73. The Legend Of Drizzt Series, by R.A. Salvatore
74. Old Man’s War, by John Scalzi
75. The Diamond Age, by Neil Stephenson
76. Rendezvous With Rama, by Arthur C. Clarke
77. The Kushiel’s Legacy Series, by Jacqueline Carey
78. The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. LeGuin
79. Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury
80. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire
81. The Malazan Book Of The Fallen Series, by Steven Erikson
82. The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde
83. The Culture Series, by Iain M. Banks
84. The Crystal Cave, by Mary Stewart
85. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson
86. The Codex Alera Series, by Jim Butcher
87. The Book Of The New Sun, by Gene Wolfe
88. The Thrawn Trilogy, by Timothy Zahn
89. The Outlander Series, by Diana Gabaldan
90. The Elric Saga, by Michael Moorcock
91. The Illustrated Man, by Ray Bradbury
92. Sunshine, by Robin McKinley
93. A Fire Upon The Deep, by Vernor Vinge
94. The Caves Of Steel, by Isaac Asimov
95. The Mars Trilogy, by Kim Stanley Robinson
96. Lucifer’s Hammer, by Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle
97. Doomsday Book, by Connie Willis
98. Perdido Street Station, by China Mieville
99. The Xanth Series, by Piers Anthony
100. The Space Trilogy, by C.S. Lewis

Only 3233.
I make Kevin Baker look well-read. :)

Newbius

Who are they?

2011-08-23T09:36:00.001-04:00

I have long assumed that the people actually pulling the strings and shifting the levers of power are few in number. I believe that they include Billionaire financiers, Labor leaders, Crony Capitalist industrialists, and ideologues at various think tanks and foundations around the country.

I suspect that the actual number is around 100 people. My questions for you:

Who do you think are the most influential 100 people in the USA right now? Who are the people pushing the policy decisions, legislation, and popular opinion? Who are the One Hundred people most harmful to our Founder's Republic?

Newbius

Preparing for Irene

2011-08-23T08:26:00.001-04:00

Got the gasoline for the generator, got a case of beer, got my sign:

Image Source picpimp.net

A Different Plantation

2011-08-22T10:06:00.000-04:00

There has been some discussion recently about how the black population in America is being taken for granted by the Democrat party. They are irrelevant to the political process because roughly 95% vote Democrat every election. "Why bother with courting a demographic that's already sold their collective souls to you?" is the basic premise.

I wonder...have gun owners sold themselves onto a different plantation? Are we taken for granted by the Republicans?

Given the choice between Statists who hate all individual liberty (except for abortion and gay rights), and Statist-lites who 'go along-get along' (but are good on guns), do we choose the wobbly Republican most times?

Discuss...

Newbius

Reminder: Northcoast Bloggershoot II

2011-08-18T14:53:00.000-04:00

The Breda Fallacy: save the date

Now if only we could get JayG to attend...

Stocking up...

2011-08-18T13:06:00.001-04:00

I just turned 8 pounds of beef round into 4 pounds of shredded barbecue for sandwiches, and 4 pounds of spicy beef for tacos and burritos. Packaged into 1 pound portions and vac-packed in FoodSaver bags for freezing.

Beef is relatively cheap right now (easier/cheaper to slaughter than to feed...), so I am taking advantage while I can. The really nice thing about storing it this way is you can toss it into a pot of boiling water (like when camping), cut the top, and serve directly from the bag.

How are your preps going?

Newbius

Bringing the shame

2011-08-17T09:54:00.000-04:00

The lovely and talented Tam can compose three posts a day, while getting her face drilled by Dentist Wannabee's. Me, I can't do three posts per week while healthy.

Shame on me.

Newbius

Fresh Tortillas

2011-08-14T17:58:00.000-04:00

Made some yesterday from scratch. MUCH better than pre-made from the store. I think I might have to get a tortilla press...

Yep. What he said

2011-08-10T16:38:00.001-04:00

Uncle Jay says it all.

I cannot improve, except to remind people that weird stuff happens whether you are prepared for it or not. Therefore, be prepared for it.

ALWAYS have your gun ready. Always have at least one more within easy reach. I carry at home, all day, every day. There are more guns strategically placed in case I need them. The likelihood of *actually* needing them is pretty small, but it is not non-existent.

When the ride gets rough, will you be ready?

Newbius
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H/T Borepatch

Stupid Gun Laws

2011-08-10T10:47:00.005-04:00

Well, all of them are stupid since they regulate a THING instead of an action. Today's example? California's "Safe Gun" Approved Handgun Roster.

Why is certifying guns for sale in a state stupid? Because it creates idiocies like the one below:

THIS gun is approved for sale in California:

THIS gun is NOT approved for sale in California:

"But they look identical", you say. That's because they ARE identical. Well, except that the "unapproved" gun comes from the factory with 2 of these:

And the approved gun comes with 2 of these:

The above examples are for the XD-45. The XD-9 faces similar restrictions. The only difference between the guns, as-packaged, is the capacity of the magazine. In both cases, the "approved gun" is restricted to 10 round magazines for citizens. Of course, "law enforcement" is exempt from those restrictions, but that is another post for another day. Malum Prohibitum doesn't have to make sense, it just has to ensnare you in the web. The system cannot control honest men and women. They can only control criminals.

Do you understand yet?

Newbius
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FTC Note: "Traction Control" (well-regulatedmilitia.com/ffl) is a good vendor. I am using these images under 'fair use' and am linking back to the source site. I have not received anything of value in exchange for using his images or linking to him. He doesn't even know I exist. So, suck it. Go pick on Bank of America for their crap customer service and fraudulent lending practices. Oh, wait...

The Hollywood View - My Response

2011-08-09T12:09:00.000-04:00

Jeffrey Marsh thinks the Tea Party sympathizers should be rounded up and re-educated. He believes...well, go read for yourself. Come back when you are finished there.

Are you back? Good. Here is my reply:

So, let me get this straight. The People (the only legitimate source of political power here in the USA) decided that they didn't want an ever-expanding welfare state presided over by The Enlightened like yourself. So, in response, they said "Stop spending". Your response to these people is to propose rounding them up, Soviet-style, and "re-educating them in camps" because they are an impediment to "logical, intelligent governing".

I will give you credit for this much, at least you are honest in your desire to impose tyranny over us poor, unenlightened, unwashed masses. The only fly in your ointment is the fact that you will have to disarm us first in order to impose your scheme.

I hope that you have thought that one through to its logical conclusion. Because, this time we are going to use Bill Clinton's rules of engagement. Under those rules, the Intelligentsia, the bureaucracy, and the media are all fair game.

Are you ready for that, mister media critic? Are you prepared to take on the people who believe that voting will no longer save us from the inevitable conclusion to this conflict of visions? Are you ready to get your hands dirty? (I assume not, since the usual expectation is that the military will do your dirty work for you).

In your deluded fantasy, you pretend that "the debt" is the Republican's fault, and your Teleprompter Reader is just trying to restore order. I propose instead that expansive government, in opposition to foundational Constitutional principles, is the culprit (and BTW, Congress controls the purse strings-mostly Democratically controlled congresses-but who is counting?). Runaway Government is the problem, not the solution, no matter who occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Let me know when you plan to begin your round up of the Tea party sympathizers. I want to be ready with the popcorn.

I already have my rifle.

Newbius
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H/T RobbAllen and Tam

Customer Service Matters

2011-08-08T15:13:00.001-04:00

Late last year, I purchased* a Savage Mark II F (.22LR) for plinking and general fun. I also intended to use it at an Appleseed shoot, and so I wanted something reliable and accurate. I had looked at the Ruger 10/22 and had dismissed it, although there are plenty of people who like the gun. The CZ was a bit out of my price range...

Anyway, after breaking in the gun at the range over the winter, I cleaned it and put it away, satisfied with the accuracy and the feel. Although I had experienced some feeding issues during break-in, I had attributed them to teething problems with a new gun.

Fast-forward to this Spring. I took the kids out to the range and the Savage would.not.feed.reliably. At all. With any of the mags. Accurate? Absolutely! Reliable? No chance.

While at the NRA Convention, I spoke to the nice people at the Savage booth and explained the problems. They said "send it in, with all of the mags and a brief letter. We'll take care of it." Which I did. The gun went out last Monday, arriving at the company on Thursday morning (per FedEx).

I called them this morning to see if they had looked at it and determined the cause of the problem. They had. It was already fixed and on its way to the shipping department. Wow!

The technician detailed the repair: Replaced the magazine well and retention clip, replaced all 5 magazines with new, and reamed the chamber. Tested for alignment and function.

I can't wait for the gun to come home so that I can test it. If the efficiency of the repair shop is any indication of their effectiveness, then I have high hopes. I will update this report as soon as I get a chance to test the rife. So far, I am pleased with the customer support.

Customer Service matters. Good customer service can be the difference between surviving and failing as a company. Given my experience to-date, I will definitely consider another Savage when looking at rifles.

Pax,

Newbius

*FTC Note: I purchased this product with my own hard-earned scratch. No inducement was offered to me to post this review of the company's service efficiency, so suck it. Why don't you bureaucratic numbskulls go after Monsanto or Archer Daniels Midland or something?

Modern Gatling gun?

2011-08-08T09:38:00.001-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was hosting a friend from out of town on a tour of the National Firearms Museum. Good conversation flowed like fresh water from a spring, and the discussion of interesting firearms was lively.

Several examples of the Gatling gun were on display, from early models on up through the final Improved Model of 1895. Properly manufactured, they were very accurate and could maintain an impressive rate of fire (claimed up to 1200 rounds per minute, but in reality about half that in combat).

Since I am a little on the crazy side, I wondered out loud about making one chambered for .338 Lapua. Just think, extremely accurate long range cartridge, with sustained rates of fire that would make any OPFOR cringe. My friend called Len Savage and left a message asking if it was possible...

Len called back.

Basically, the gist of the conversation was this: Shooting .338 Lapua was an excellent way to go broke quickly. Wouldn't chambering the gun for 7.62x54R make more sense? That ammo is available by the pallet-load very cheaply and is still a pretty formidable round. Other than that, no issues. Also, Gatling replicas are considered single-shot weapons and no NFA paperwork is required (just don't hook up your cordless drill to the crank).

I like the way he thinks.

Anybody got a spare $10k laying around? I have an itch that needs scratching. :)

Newbius

Open Letter to Speaker Howell

2011-08-06T09:48:00.002-04:00

Speaker Howell,

Thank you for your many years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the residents of Stafford County. Your tireless efforts securing our gun rights places you in the vanguard of state Legislators in supporting Liberty.

As you travel your district this campaign season, take note of the state of the economy, and also the developing need for citizens to defend themselves. Budgets are being cut, crime is rising, and the People are becoming prey to gangs and other criminals more frequently. I mention this because there is a small change in our laws that you can initiate, which would enable more citizens of the Commonwealth, and especially those visiting here from out of state, to be self-sufficient in their defense: Loosen the reciprocity requirements with other states.

The current text of the Code of Virginia that deals with reciprocity is in Section 18.2-308, Subsection P, and reads:

P. A valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state shall authorize the holder of such permit or license who is at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth, provided (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day, and (ii) except for the age of the permit or license holder and the type of weapon authorized to be carried, the requirements and qualifications of that state's law are adequate to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a permit in the Commonwealth under this section. The Superintendent of State Police shall (a) in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General determine whether states meet the requirements and qualifications of this section, (b) maintain a registry of such states on the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), and (c) make the registry available to law-enforcement officers for investigative purposes. The Superintendent of the State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, may also enter into agreements for reciprocal recognition with any state qualifying for recognition under this subsection.

I propose amending this section to instead read:

P. A valid concealed handgun or concealed weapon permit or license issued by another state shall authorize the holder of such permit or license who is at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth, provided (i) the issuing authority provides the means for instantaneous verification of the validity of all such permits or licenses issued within that state, accessible 24 hours a day, and (ii) except for the age of the permit or license holder and the type of weapon authorized to be carried, the requirements and qualifications of that state's law are adequate to prevent possession of a permit or license by persons who would be denied a permit in the Commonwealth under this section. The Superintendent of State Police shall (a) in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General determine whether states meet the requirements and qualifications of this section, (b) maintain a registry of such states on the Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), and (c) make the registry available to law-enforcement officers for investigative purposes. The Superintendent of the State Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, may also enter into agreements for reciprocal recognition with any state qualifying for recognition under this subsection.

This change would make the minimum standard for reciprocity with another state be only our own standards for issuance of a permit. It does away with the unfunded mandate that another state initiate and maintain an online database, and staff it for our convenience.

Speaker Howell, in making (or sponsoring) this change, you enable law-abiding residents of another state to protect themselves while traveling to Virginia, and you enable Virginians to carry their firearms in places which currently do not recognize our permits today. Places whose only objection to our permits is that we do not recognize theirs.

Please consider this proposal, for the good of the Commonwealth and her citizens.

Respectfully submitted,

Newbius

PoliSpeak - "Cut"

2011-08-01T10:51:00.000-04:00

PoliSpeak is that language used by politicians to give the impression of saying one thing, while meaning another entirely. In PoliSpeak, a "cut" is a reduction in the planned spending growth. It is not a reduction from current spending levels, those do not happen in Washington.

Oh, and any guesses what "Bi-Partisan" actually means?

Newbius

The left smears, the right veers

2011-07-30T09:54:00.000-04:00

The Radical Democrat Left and their mouthpieces in the media (repeat) are smearing the Tea Party as Terrorists, Jihadis, and hostage-takers. The ACTUAL Tea Party is sitting on the sidelines wondering why these addle-brained psychopaths, who cannot do basic math, are allowed out in public without supervision.

Meanwhile, the Right (in the form of TammyFaye Boehner and Company) are veering back to the artificial center because they are afraid to take a principled stand on the debt issue. Enough if this crap.

When the Tea Party Actually straps explosives to the Capital, Actually takes up arms, Actually takes hostages (per the over-hyped media reports and wildly spinning and breathless claims of the Dems), then you will know. Because The People will have had enough of the games and will have exercised their right to refresh the Tree of Liberty. Madame Pelosi, Senators Reid and Schumer...you ain't seen nothing yet. Be careful what you wish for, for your actions to date might precipitate the very actions you claim are taking place right now.

Newbius
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