Decisions, and Being Grumpy

I had to go to a little spot on the map north of Norfolk, NE yesterday - got unloaded and pointed south. I figured I'd run out of hours at York, so I got reservations at a Super 8 there that has nice truck parking.

And I'd seen how it was snowing in that area when I'd checked on my phone, so it was no surprise to start  hitting slick roads about sixty miles away. They turned into snow packed roads with a fair amount of fresh falling the closer I got. Still managed to ease in here late in the evening okay. Hate driving in snow in the dark, too. Don't care much for it in the daytime, either.

But now all the roads are crap. I'm not prohibited from driving through this stuff like I am when I'm loaded (oversize loads are restricted when the roads and or weather is crummy), but Lordy I do not want to have to fight completely snow packed and blowing roads all day. If I go south on US81 I head right into the meat of the snowfall yesterday in Kansas. I can't go west on I80 because it's closed to the west. After checking all the maps, I had originally thought that would be the way to go, because the roads are marginally better west.

So I'm gonna just park my happy ass here for a while and wait it out for a few hours, anyhow.

Have I mentioned how much I hate driving a truck through this s$@t?

Our Future Is In Their Hands

Dolly gives us a glimpse into her work ethic, or rather, lack thereof. And what plans of Jeffy's include the spoon in his hand? He cannot reach the cereal bowl from his position of relaxed indolence without losing the toast balanced on his knee. PJ is apparently toasting the morning sun from his seat on the table. Apparently the whole sordid affair had Billy disgusted enough to leave, since he isn't even there.

Look At What They Have Wrought

It's been interesting lately, reading about all the unintended consequences of Obamacare. Companies cutting back hours of employees so they'll not be required to buy health insurance is probably the lead story - even universities, the bastions of liberal thought, are not going to fund health care for many of their employees.

I do not thing the geniuses (genii???) thought this through, either.

What could potentially crash ObamaCare -- if the news gets out -- is the fact that it's much cheaper to pay the ObamaCare penalty than it is to pay for insurance, combined with the fact (which Politifact ignores) that ObamaCare removes the biggest incentive to purchase insurance -- the pre-existing condition clause.

Until now, people (like me) purchased and desperately held onto their health insurance out of the fear that if they got a cancer or heart attack, they could be bankrupted. Under ObamaCare, though, that incentive vanishes because insurance companies can no longer deny anyone over pre-existing conditions or increase premium costs based on the status of your personal health.

Here's the two plus two: Starting next year, you can wait until you’re sick to purchase health insurance. And if you do so, you cannot be denied or even charged a higher premium price. Here's the four: Because the ObamaCare penalty to be uninsured is much cheaper than purchasing insurance, why not do exactly that?

As I laid out in this piece, because ObamaCare allows me to game the system in this way, for the first time in over 25 years, I'm an uninsured-American. Going forward, my plan is to pay the annual penalty, which is ridiculously cheaper than insurance, and only purchase health insurance should I get sick.

As soon as the masses figure out this option under Obamacare -- that there's even less of an incentive to purchase health insurance than there was before ObamaCare passed -- that's how the system crashes.

For obvious reasons, neither the White House nor the media wants this information to become well known. They’re too invested in ObamaCare being part of the reason Obama's put on Mt. Rushmore. But it's bad law, Americans are not dumb, and I cannot think of anything more patriotic than to use civil disobedience as a way to bring the whole thing down.

Cry me a river. We have companies like Hobby Lobby who object to funding abortion because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. In fact, there are so many suits and the district courts are in conflict about the issue, it will probably require a Supreme Court decision to settle the mess.

Another little gem in The Affordable Care Act (yeah, right) that has slipped the attention of the liberal side of things is a rider meant to appease the NRA. It prevents health care providers from questioning patients about firearms in the home and then documenting the results - something the gun control advocates have been pushing for years. Of course if they did keep records, there would be no discrimination. None at all.

This whole mess has been nothing but a cluster from day one. In the first place, it's hardly going to be affordable. If our legislators can't muster the cojones for putting it out of our misery, perhaps it will collapse on it's own.

H/T Ace of Spades HQ

A Touching Love Story

The happy couple

An 80 year old woman was arrested for shop lifting.
When she went before the judge he asked her, "What did you steal?"
She replied, "A can of peaches."

The judge then asked her why she had stolen the can of peaches,
And she replied that she was hungry.
The judge then asked her how many peaches were in the can.
She replied, "6."

The judge said, "Then I will give you 6 days in jail."

Before the judge could conclude the trial, the woman's husband spoke......and asked the judge if he could say something.

The judge said, "What is it?"

The husband said, "She also stole a can of peas."


H/T Nuckle Kim

The First Time

link

I saw this move my father was still alive and we, both of us Jim Carrey fans, watched the movie together.

When this scene came up, we got to laughing so hard we started crying, and we literally couldn't stop for several minutes.

Watching this movie now, and this scene rolled around. Miss ya, Dad!

"What Difference At This Point Does It Make?"

link

Well, plenty Madame Secretary.

You claim your department just didn't have the money for security at Benghazi. You did find a way to fund these projects:

According to Hillary Clinton’s long-delayed Benghazigate testimony, the State Department just did not have enough money to provide security for a mission in one of the most dangerous places in the world.
It did however have 16 million dollars to spend on 2,500 kindle book readers at the drastically inflated price of $6,600 per device.
How much security could that 16 million buy?
It had $79,000 to spend on Obama’s books and $20,000 on a portrait of Obama. The US Embassy had $150,000 to spend on a book about the ambassador’s residence. The US Embassy in Austria had $150,000+ for a Chevy Volt and its charging station.
And here is what else Hillary’s State Department did have money for…

7.9 billion dollars for Obama’s Global Health Initiative.
1 billion for global climate change.
2.2 billion to strengthen democratic institutions in Pakistan.

And of course… Mosque renovations.

In 2011 the State Department provided funds to restore the 15th century Gobarau Minaret in Katsina State in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north, an area which has become a virtual killing field for Christians at the hands of Muslim militants, led by the al-Qaeda-linked terror group Boko Haram.<

And $4.5 million for Art in Embassies

The New York Times reported in 2009 that Art in Embassies spends about $4.5 million a year for permanent art acquisitions; chief curator Virginia Shore said at the time that artists and dealers support the program via favorable pricing; for the embassy in Beijing, an outlay of $800,000 yielded works with an appraised value of $30 million.

How much Benghazi security would 800,000 dollars have bought? If Hillary Clinton had stopped buying paintings, maybe four Americans would still be alive today.
The State Department also has a Chief Diversity Officer, whose job it is to warn that “holding the fort” is a racist phrase.
As far as security goes, 200 million dollars were wasted on Iraqi police training that never went anywhere.
And nothing says State Department waste, like waste management.
The U.S. Department of State and partners from the LAUNCH: Beyond Waste Forum announce a challenge to identify ten game-changing innovations with the potential to transform current waste management systems and practices. LAUNCH: Beyond Waste seeks transformational solutions to the problem of waste through disruptive innovation, behavioral change, systems design, as well as improved policy and stewardship.
The challenge, which will be open from April 1 to May 15, 2012, asks creative minds to formulate innovative ideas for minimizing waste or transforming it into new products.
Nope, no waste to see here.
The State Department just had no money in its 50 billion dollar budget to pay for Benghazi security. None at all.

People under your watch were killed, Madame Secretary - people that would be alive today if you weren't preoccupied with your political future, amassing power and favors, greasing up foreign leaders for donations, .keeping up with appearances, etc, etc, etc.

I always knew you were just another slimy politician, and even though I'd have supported you over the current resident of the White House, it's clear you do not have the command ability to manage foreign policy, much less the whole nation. Not like that stops anybody else, but you severely fumbled your 3AM phone call. On top of that, the prevarication involving a YouTube video and outright lies only added to the lack of respect you deserve now.

Rand Paul had it right.

Edited to add this Ramirez cartoon:

Look, Up in the Sky!

 It's the Super O! With Tony Auth's lip marks all around his ass! Who knew?

Crappy Video

Probably shoulda cut this video considering how much of it really doesn't show what I wanted it to.
This is the area where Duff Farms is, who I covered in a past post. Somewhere out in all those acres is a herd of buffalo. Most aerial views of Kansas shows how the prairie has been cut into squares for farming, but this ground is too rough. There is quite a valley on the far side of the rise I am running beside - but it is beyond the capabilities of my phone video camera to capture. And most of the shots I take like this seem to flatten out the terrain as well. It really is picturesque, even if this doesn't quite cut it.

And I'm holding that phone as still as I can. That is considered a smooth road, and I do have some tremors in my hands, but most of that is the ride - bouncing up and down and back and forth going down the road. Each and every mile.

Nevermore!

Image from Wikipedia

Today is Edgar Allan Poe's birthday.

Mr. Poe was certainly an odd duck. But he was also a literary pioneer, America's first and foremost author/poet in the horror genre. I particularly enjoy his short stories, most notably The Cask of Amontillado, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Masque of the Red Death, The Pit and the Pendulum, and The Tell-Tale Heart. They can and do send chills down my spine. And of course, the favorite poem is The Raven.


link

And, Tales of Mystery and Imagination by The Alan Parsons Project is one of my top ten concept albums. But just in case you haven't gotten enough Poe for one day, here is one of the all time favorite/best creepy personalities performing a dramatic reading of The Raven.


link

Enjoy! Chris does a great job here!

You Go, Jeffy!

Demonstrating such initiative and retention of simple instructions like this may even get Jeffy promoted to the front of the short bus. His future is certainly bright - he'll fit like a glove in our brave new world as another useful idiot.

So Close

And yet so far......

I try to get a whole gallon number when I fill 'er up, and with the high speed pumps most truck stops have, that is a pretty good trick to hit .000. One one thousands of a gallon, though. Dern.

Who, me anal retentive? Whaddya mean?

Just to make it easier to calculate my account balances, I pump my own gas to the nearest dime.

Are you picky - do you "round it off," or do you just run until it clicks off and call it good?

Idea totally ripped off from a Facebook post by Little Trucker.

They Never Told Me

Growing old:  I heard all about how my now gray hair would migrate from the top of my head, down my back to my nether regions, plus make some significant stops at my nose and ears. I heard all about the joint and muscle aches and pains, and how I would be unable to do the things I had considered normal and easy back in the day. I heard about how fragile the skin would become, the eyes would struggle, yada yada yada.

But I do not recall hearing about this:


link

The area where I could really use some enhancement, as it were, and it's my nuts that get bigger with age. What a freaking waste!

And, I guarantee you it's true. Not all motel toilets are created equal, and the boys do NOT like being dunked.


H/T Nukle Kim

Kansas Should Be Proud

If you've been reading here for any length of time, you are aware of my disdain for former Governor Kathleen Sebelius. My attitude when she left for Washington and a spot in the Big Tent with Obama was "Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out."

And she has performed up to the standards she demonstrated here in Kansas while in Washington. The folks at Judicial Watch have named Sebelius one of Washington's "Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians" for 2012.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen SebeliusOn September 12, 2012, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius became the first member of the President’s cabinet in U.S. history to have been found guilty of violating the Hatch Act when she campaigned for the reelection of Barack Obama in her official capacity of Secretary of HHS. According to Politico, “During a speech to the Human Rights Campaign Gala in North Carolina in February, Sebelius . . . outlined the Obama administration’s accomplishments so far and said, ‘One of the imperatives is to make sure that we not only come together here in Charlotte to present the nomination to the president, but we make sure that in November he continues to be president for another four years.’”
After the speech, Sebelius tried to cover her tracks by reclassifying the event from “official” to “political,” and claiming her appearance was in her personal capacity. The scheme didn’t work.
According to the official statement put out by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel: “The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) sent findings to the President today from its investigation of complaints of prohibited political activity by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius. OSC concluded that Secretary Sebelius violated the Hatch Act when she made extemporaneous partisan remarks in a speech delivered in her official capacity on February 25, 2012.  The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from using their official authority or influence to affect the outcome of an election.”
Thoroughly unapologetic, Ms. Sebelius justified her transgression by informing the OSC that she simply “got a little caught up in the notion that the gains which had been made would clearly not continue without the president’s reelection.” In other words, her Obamacare agenda took precedence over the law. Normally, when a government official is found violating the Hatch Act, the punishment is termination.  How did President Obama respond? There was no punishment whatsoever.

The "most transparent Administration ever." These words they keep using, I do not think they mean what they think they do.

And just for those out there who will automatically assume that because I hated the Democrat governor's administration that I automatically love the current Republican one - not so fast, Guido. Brownback is a slightly less slimy politician, AFAIC. When  he was one of Kansas's Senators, he supported a rather radical "immigration reform" bill that most of his constituency was clearly against. Until they excoriated him and he flip flopped. I wrote him an email on the subject, urging him to vote against the bill, along with Senator Pat Roberts and my Representative at the time Jerry Moran. The other two were against it, and I received a pair of nice emails from their respective offices. I got bupkis from Brownback or his office, until he was running for Governor. He wanted money from me then.

He did not get any from me, either.

Kittycat Sez:

"In your face, you little squealer!"

Just What You Need to Feel Better

link

You are in need of Dr. Tarr and Professor Fether.

Works for me!

Been Meaning to Post This Stuff

First trip by

Closer view

Progress made

All of the collapsed bin removed

This is one of the grain elevators at Oakley, KS. Apparently both holes appeared at once and dumped concrete bits and grain all over the railroad tracks, damaging some rail cars in the process. No one was injured.

I've seen these things being put up, and it is done with slip forms and one hell of a bunch of rebar. The construction firm begins by laying down the foundation forms and has the slip form in place all ready to go. Rebar is laid in around the circular perimeter and interwoven vertically. Continuous concrete pouring is required - as the slip form goes up with more concrete, more rebar is put in place and so on, until they get to the desired height. I've also seen several old elevators demolished with a crane and ball arrangement. It takes  for freaking ever - the ball hits, there is a thud, and perhaps a few concrete fragments fall. At some point the latticwork of remaining rebar has to be cut out. Chunks are measured in inches, not feet as pictured here.

So what happened? I have my suspicions. I hauled grain for ten years, and it was normal to find small concrete chunks from deteriorating elevators in the mesh over the pit where we dumped a load. Storing grain became far less profitable when the CCC quit paying storage fees many moons ago, and some of the Coops of the time just didn't have the money for maintenance. In order for holes this big to fall out means there was a lot of rebar failure. The rebar had to rust in two in quite a few places.

How did that happen, you may ask? Cracks in concrete is nothing new. Cracks in concrete in roads or elevators that are not sealed will result in catastrophic failure, be it bridges, roadways or grain bins, because it allows water to seep in and rust out the steel rebar. The water is trapped inside, the rust is accelerated, and the water also expands and contracts when the weather changes. I used to hear stories from old Coop hands I encountered in my travels.

Just my opinion - I think this place was pretty woeful when it came to preventive maintenance. It was a Coop owned elevator, and they have all gone broke and for profit companies have bought them out.

Then, the other day when traveling through Texas, the wind was blowing in the upper sixties. Yep, almost seventy mph. This was the result on I27 south of Lubbock. The truck ahead of me was headed into the thickening cloud, and we were all running about 45mph - and btw, there was a car right behind that truck. When it got so bad the shoulders disappeared, everyone's flashers came on.

Well, inevitably, something like this always happens.  People slow down, others do not, plow into slower traffic - chain reaction. One person killed, seventeen injured, and the interstate was shut down just north of Lubbock. I had to take the detour. It was so unbelievable windy that it was nearly blowing an empty dry van ahead of me over, and visibility on the secondary roads was probably worse than the interstate. We were on super skinny farm to market roads, and the fields almost came right up to the shoulder. I had decided if it got worse, when I got to Plainview, a motel room was gonna be in my very short term plans. Not that I'm afraid of hustling a low profile flatbed through that crap - it's all the other idjuts I worry about.

But the further along I got the better the visibility got as well, so I ended up making it home that night.

Bob keeping watch

He heard me moving around and is ready at the door.

For those of you wanting a Bob update - he and I are great buds these days. He'll park himself in the trees across the yard, hoping I'll come to the door. If he happens to hear me headed to the door, he usually beats me there. Now that it's extremely dry, there is a lot of static electricity involved when I pet him, and every little spark makes his little stump quiver. I'd bet it would look like a snake if he still had his tail. He's certainly moving it in his mind.

I also keep guard against the other cats stealing his treats because they remain better hidden, and as soon as I step inside, I'll see 'em coming out from under cover to grab what they can. My feeling is that if they let me pet 'em, they could enjoy the treats. Otherwise, eat the cat food that Road Pig provides for 'em. Bob is a big wuss and won't defend himself. So I help him out a little.

And we got snow! Yeah, there is some showing in the pic of Bob, but not like this. And this was actually Sunday morning before the first of the year. Six to eight inches of some fairly heavy stuff, and it's still hanging around. The temps have just started hitting into the forties lately.

And while Bob parks his hiney on open ground, the cold really does not seem to bother him a lot. I have also found that Bob can be quite vocal, and when I get home and he is waiting, he continuously lodges complaints about the service he is getting at the moment.

Which of course is none, because I'm unloading the travel stuff or groceries. Nothing less than a complete rubdown (including skritches around the ears) and more importantly - treats - will do.

As it should be, Bob. As it should be.

From Chuckie's Mom's Fridge

Picture from SondraK

How Chuckie Shumer has any business messing with my gun rights half a continent away is beyond me. Guess that means I can tell him how to run his life, too? If so, eff off you statist SOB.

H/T SondraK

Counting the Days

Until this little $&(t gets back on the short bus and it hauls him away and outta the house.

It's OK, He's a Liberal

I do not care much for Governor Chris Christie. He's got to be one of the worst high profile RINOs in the country. That (R) tacked on to his name is just there for some sort of political gain for the Governor rather than an ideological indicator. And Christie has proven himself a RINO by taking several dumps all over his "fellow" Republicans lately. Actions that are clearly a precursor to better mass appeal for a run for President.

But the fact that he is obese is no reason for this kind of cartoon. How does this spark a thought process, other than cruel slapstick? How does this advance a political position? Danziger just shows me how small minded he really is here by going all in on the cheap shot. I am surely inspired to greater political thought by this cartoon. Not.

I thought being a liberal meant being tolerant and understanding, and defending people with physical differences. I'm just a knuckle dragging conservative, so I'll talk about someone being on the short bus or similar, but were I a liberal, as the narrative goes, I'd have to shut my mouth. No gay jokes, fat jokes, Obama's big ear jokes, or whatever.

But since Christie is self identified as a "R" he is fair game for a liberal editorial cartoonist, just because. I suspect I should just shut up and deal with it, because it's really not hypocrisy when it's a liberal doing it.

"I Feel Like Our Media Isn't Being Honest About This."

link

He is much nicer and more polite than I. I've pretty well lost patience. But, this gentlemen presents his arguments logically and he's backing it up with actual data, rather than just "feeeeeeeelllllings."

Spam Roundup

I blog quite often and I really thank you for your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I'm going to take a note of your blog and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed as well. Review my homepage :: us online casinos on Crossroads

Really? Blog often, do ya? Nice that my blog peaked your interest, since the word you are looking for is piqued.

It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd most certainly donate to this outstanding blog! I guess for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon! Also visit my website :: online casino on Crossroads

Reading comprehension not one of your strong suits? I still have the fire donation button up - probably oughta pull it, but just haven't gotten around to it. By the way, your sincere manner and willingness to kiss my ass really really makes me wanna visit your website you are pushing and spend metric tons of dollars. Just so you know.

I do trust all the ideas you have introduced on your post. They're really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for starters. Could you please lengthen them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post. My web-site :: mom work from home on Crossroads

You want me to lengthen my posts? What planet are you from?

 The other day, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is totally off topic but I had to share it with someone! Feel free to visit my site ... online casino - I was reading this on Crossroads

You've shared this all over the internet and probably fifty times here. Once was enough. My sorrow for your predicament is going to make me run, yes run, to the wonderful site you're promoting and spend metric tons of money. Yes, metric tons. Believe it.

When I originally commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. Is there a means you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it! Here is my weblog : faqs: transferring an account - td ameritrade on Crossroads

That would be between you and Blogger, and now I'll be investing in TD Ameritrade with metric tons of dollars. Metric tons, I tell you.

I blog quite often and I truly appreciate your information. This great article has really peaked my interest. I'm going to take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your Feed too. Here is my web-site - coupon affiliate marketing on Crossroads

Well crap. Here I was all set to spend metric tons of dollars on your online casino site, and here you've got me suckered convinced I should go to your coupon affiliate marketing site. Well, almost. Just how many sites are you spamming me for? Oops - I expect you'll be answering that question by spamming me with each and every one. Forget that thought. Like that'll happen.

I am curious to find out what blog platform you're working with? I'm experiencing some minor security issues with my latest blog and I'd like to find something more secure. Do you have any suggestions? My blog post :: onlinecasinoxm.Com on Crossroads

There just isn't an off switch on the genius machine, is there Spanky? It's called Blogger.com.

 Woah! I'm really digging the template/theme of this site. It's simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's difficult to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appearance. I must say that you've done a fantastic job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Internet explorer. Excellent Blog! Here is my page ... casino wars online - recommended you read on Crossroads

 There just isn't an off switch on the genius machine, is there Spanky? It's called Blogger.com.

Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing! Take a look at my web site ... best dividend stocks on Crossroads

 Just keep kissing my ass! Maybe, just maybe, I'll spend metric tons on stocks at your site!

Every weekend i used to pay a visit this web site, as i want enjoyment, as this this site conations truly fastidious funny information too. Here is my web page : practice day trading free - visit the website on Crossroads

You used to pay a visit to my web site? That's a pretty piss poor job of kissing my ass, man. Off with your head, clearly there is no connection anyways.

And that's all for the spam roundup for today. I have open comments for the benefit of one person, mostly, but even though it's a pain in the ass, it can prove to be somewhat entertaining just so see what these geniuses/genii? will come up with next, with their tenuous grasp of the English language.

Quote of the Day

See, I'm not Congress; sometimes I have to do actual work instead of just writing about what other people otta be doing.

RobertaX, on why she didn't have a new post up. Awesome, simply awesome.

Why?

link

Just because, that's why.

Stop Me If You've Heard This One

link


H/T Larry S

Oh Well

Results of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Oregon Ducks 35, Kansas State Wildcats 17.

Yeah, my guys lost. Been hearing a bunch of crap from haters that are very happy to see this, most notably Kansas University Jayhawk fans.

Which is fine and normal, that is what makes rooting for sports teams so much fun. But one of the reasons I've been hearing is that KState is a relative newbie to the bowl scene compared to the long tradition of winning at other schools. KU is actually slightly better than KState in the long term, but that is damning with faint praise, frankly.

When I attended KState in the early eighties, I went to several football games, but the one I distinctly remember was the Nebraska Cornhusker game. Of course, the Wildcats (long called the Mildcats) were stomped, but the abiding memory was how red the stands were. There were more people rooting for the Huskers than Cat fans. This was actually a fairly common occurrence, because for many of those attending, Manhattan was closer than Lincoln to them. The student section had sold out in a big way - I had Nebraska fans surrounding me.

Well, now things are different. We actually have teams that make it to bowl games. We may not have the tradition of winning, and the bright lights seem to faze us, but By God I'm not gonna be ashamed of the Cats losing tonight.

For too long we've had nothing. Now we have something to cheer about. There is validity in the saying "Maybe next year" because they seem to improve. For the first time ever, the Wildcats actually were ranked number one this year. We have a quarterback who was considered in the running for a Heisman Trophy.

All thrilling stuff we just aren't used to seeing.

So, even though our guys lost, I'm not hanging my head. The Cats did a fine job this year, and I'm proud of them. They were sure an entertaining bunch to watch, and there is certainly promise for the future. Gotta love it!

EMAW!

Tread Carefully

This blog post by Bob Owens has been linked to at several gunblogging sites already, so I may be posting something you've already seen. But I think the conclusions drawn are very important. This is about Bob visiting some of his local guns hops and witnessing how the supply of guns has been wiped out. He noticed most of the local stores were doing little or no business, but then he went into a gun shop:

There were no less than six clerks working feverishly with the dozen or so customers, so I simply stepped to the side and walked the aisles. The cases of ammunition that typically lined the far wall were picked to pieces. There was a 100-round case of .50 BMG, and cases of European shotshells suitable for small game. The .223 Remington, 5.56 NATO, 7.62×39, 7.62 NATO, and 7.62x54R had sold out long ago, along with the bulk 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.

A few pump shotguns remained along with a smattering of deer rifles, single-shots, and longer double-barreled shotguns suitable only for trap or skeet. Even the semi-automatic .22LR rifles like Ruger 10/22s were gone, along with all but one BX-25 magazine. 

The customers in the shop were picking through what remained; lever-action rifles, oddball shotguns, and the smattering of name-brand centerfire pistols. One man was attempting to trade in an antique double-barrel shotgun for something more current. 

I did speak to one harried clerk, briefly. 

They didn’t know when they’d be getting anything back in stock, from magazines to rifles to pistols. Manufacturers were running full-bore, but couldn’t come close to keeping up with market demand.It wasn’t just the AR-15s, the AK-pattern rifles, the M1As, and the FALs that were sold out. It really hit me when I realized that the World War-era M1 Garands , M1 carbines, and Enfield .303s were gone, along with every last shell. Ubiquitous Mosin-Nagants—of which every gun store always seems to have 10-20—were gone. So was their ammo. Only a dust free space marked their passing. I’ve never seen anything like it. 

Every weapon of military utility designed within the past 100+ years was gone. This isn’t a society stocking up on certain guns because they fear they may be banned. This is a society preparing for war.

snip

Tread carefully.

Of course I recommend reading the whole thing (RTWT). I just don't think a lot of people are actually thinking about what the second amendment really means and what this behavior indicates. It's not just the idea that everyone is afraid that the military style rifles will all be gone and outlawed, so everyone is jumping in to get theirs. I guess the proof, which I hope I never see, would be when our supposed master planners come to take them from us. I just really, really doubt that people think the government will be paying more than the actual value for these firearms or expecting any dividend of any sort. It's just like bread disappearing from grocery store shelves before a blizzard when there is no way that many people need that much bread for the next few days. Just getting prepared, is all.

ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

Uh Oh

I think we all realize that Daddy saw in the New Year late last night with a little bit too much vim and vigor, if you know what I mean and I think that you do. Dolly is certainly skating on thin ice if she doesn't shut up and continues being a noisy pest. Keep it up, Dolly, and you'll see the start of 2013 in a world of hurt! Jeffy will have that stupid look wiped right off.

On The Subject of New Year's Resolutions

I have decided to emulate Calvin's attitude. Brothers in arms, as it were. You all are gonna have to change to suit me - I figure that will work just as well as the stellar efforts I've had in keeping my resolutions in the past. Make you bastards treat me better, in the style to which I'd surely enjoy becoming accustomed.

Yeah, like that will work.

At any rate, y'all have yourselves a fine New Years Day with your loved ones, and may the brand spankin' New Year bring great fortune and prosperity to you all.