27 November 2010

Tax Free Guns

AWESOME!  Kudos South Carolina, too bad I'm not a state resident (or in the general vicinity to at least take advantage of the long guns).

Too bad we'll never see such a tax holiday like this in the state of Maryland, since we have to sue for our rights.

H/T

F1 Boss Recovers from Attack

It appears that even the famous are not inoculated against the thieves and thugs in England, as the F1 Boss Bernie Ecclestone found out the hard way. 

Seems that the 80 year old gentleman of Formula 1 racing and his girlfriend were assaulted this week in London for their $300,000+ worth of jewelry.  As Ecclestone pointed out, this isn't a rare occurrence in the city either.
"Normally like in America or anywhere you go, there are people getting mugged," Ecclestone said. "In London, it's a funny thing you know. It's surprising in Oxford Street the number of people that get mugged there hourly.
"We should have more police guns there."
There is a very apparent lack of opportunity cost for the muggers in Britain.  Police are not numerous to deter the crime and it has long been noted that the judicial punishment system won't bother to deter it either.  It seems like the government of England has stolen the dignity of the humans to defend themselves, even those who happen to be in their 80s and are no match for four young thugs, hell bent on destruction and thievery.  Considering they are punishing the wrong people for the wrong crimes, and it's no wonder our mother county has gone to hell in a hand basket. 

26 November 2010

Fifteen Year Old Arrested for Koran Burning

Say what
A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of inciting religious hatred after allegedly burning an English language version of the Koran.
And they wonder why England is a nation in social, moral, and economic decay? 

Granted, yes, it is semi-insightful, but who are we kidding here?  Condemning a misguided youth for an expressive act when there are Islamofascists who encourage children her age to maim and kill solely in the name of Alah?

How's that political correctness and religious tolerances working out for ya there Brits? 

Irish Vote of No Confidence in Ruling Class

One of the reasons we focus on foreign countries and history, is for insight into what the future of our country holds.  Therefore, it is exciting to see such a great resistance of the people developing in Ireland to continued debt servitude.  

While we were busy stuffing our faces with turkey, the Irish people were busy rejecting the ruling class who has provided them with a bleak future.  On the surface, it seems that the citizens of Ireland are simply rejecting the austerity that is sure to be headed their way, but in reality (and as the earlier Daily Reckoning article eluded too) the tough Irish bastards want the EU and the Euro out of their economy.  The bailout that the EU is going to give the Keltic country isn't really a handout as much as it is a debt restructuring.  This restructuring will not really do anything for the Irish people except to decline their standard of living for a longer period of time when compared to how it will impact them if they chose to default on their debt obligations. 

25 November 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

As it is Turkey Day, hope you're having a good Thanksgiving!  A little late getting to this, but considering I was goose hunting this morning and just finished sleeping off my tryptophan induced food coma, I've had a good day! 

Back to blogging tomorrow.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!

24 November 2010

QOTD: TSA Groping Perspective

I just find it funny that on some forums, there are rednecks who live in a cabin in Montana who have probably flown on a plane once in their life making a huge deal out of the TSA screenings like it's the end of the world and a huge challenge to their ability to live a free life.  Give me a freaking break!  Shut up and pay your taxes!  They can grab my balls all they want if they stop stealing my money!
Ahhhhhh, AK Fan.  Always having the way to put things into perspective.  He is right that we have the ability to vote with our feet and our dollars.  When we choose to fly, we do choose to sign over our rights.  Rights are not unlimited and everyone's ideas on rights are just a bit different.  It has often been said that my rights stop at your door step.  If I choose to fly, I imply that I agree to the terms and conditions that you set forth for my use of your service.  Granted, people choosing to opt out of the scanners and make a scene is one way to get the airlines to change their terms of service (same thing goes with canceling our tickets and telling them the reason why is because of the TSA).  

The main point that he makes is, we can choose to opt out of TSA check points and somewhat invasive searches by simply not flying.  Unfortunately, we do not have that option when it comes to earning a living, paying taxes, abiding by National Firearms Act laws, or the illicit growing of pot in our basements (not that we are advocating anything illegal).  We are controlled by the government in ways we have not stood up for in centuries, and yet this simple act of securing airlines, airplanes, and passengers is our "line in the sand?" 

We, the US People, have fairly well become sheeple, in a death by 1000 paper cuts assault on our individuality and freedoms.

Volunteering for the DHS & TSA "Christmas List"; Just Check Patriotic Extremist

Lesson number one of blogging (or anything press related), if ya got a good story, get it to press because someone might beat ya to it. 

According to the Canadian Free Press article, it would appear that the TSA is taking note of who is being civilly disobedient, and then labeling them "domestic extremists."  Why thank you!  I will gladly take that label Big Sis, but I would prefer to be referred to as a patriotic extremist instead.  So can you please make that change?

Wait, what?  This is the United States of America!  Since when have we not endorsed civil disobedience?  Hell, our country was founded on it! 

Further, Doug Haemann's article says that the internal, not for public consumption, memo had implications that the directive went all the way to the top.  Great, so we have a defacto admission that a sitting US President not only endorses the pathetic procedures but wants to add the unwilling and uncooperative to his "enemies" list?  Hell, if I knew I was going to be treated as such a serf in my own country, perhaps I can still get an airplane ticket shipping container reservation on a slow boat to China.  I'm sure customs will fail to screen the box, since they barely thwarted the toner cartridge bombs!

Oh, and if that's not good enough for ya, slide on over to John R. Lott's blog, where he has the viral Adam Savage (of Mythbusters) video and how he allegedly got through security with contraband.  Additionally, John has posted a Clinton News Network (CNN) video on whether or not the disrobing machines even work at stopping underwear bomber style attacks.  Excellent!  We give up our rights for the illusion of security, and it's even been admitted to by a biased news company?  AWESOME! 

I wish everyone out there today who is traveling through airports or other secure areas the best in their civil disobedience efforts.  I hope you had the name and number of a good civil rights attorney on your cell phone at both ends of your trip.  The only way this thing will stop is from public outrage and pressure on the airlines to "opt out" their airports and companies.  Hit the companies in the pocketbook, which will in turn, hit the lobbying industry in the pocketbook, which in turn hits the bank accounts of the politicians.  Simple enough, as we all know, money is what makes the world go around. 

PA State Rep Busted for Pot Possession

Ahh yes, the war on drugs is alive and well.  Also, no one ever mentioned that Pittsburgh Steelers fans were ever THAT intelligent.  Double stupid bonus when you are a public official (read elected rep) and caught tailgating while high! 

That is exactly what happened to State Representative Paul Costa who was cited for prohibited acts while passing a joint around amongst fellow fans.  Seems like if you are going to spark a doobie up while you are an elected rep, perhaps the privacy of your own home would be the best place to do your "prohibited acts."  At least this politician was honest when caught, which I can admire.

Leave it to the Polacks to Breathalyze Skiiers

There are days when I have trouble skiing on my own accord, so I am not quite sure how a Polack could ski while drunk (oh the irony, and the jokes).  Either way, it seems that legislation in Poland will now be targeting drunk skiers and getting them off the mountain.

I'm all for drinking and skiing, but I am a firm believe that the former should be done in a hot tub while recovering from the days adventures.  So, to all you powder hounds out there, I hope you find a good SUI (skiing under the influence) lawyer in advance of your trip to the Polish resorts this winter.

23 November 2010

The Piggy That Won't Cry "Wee Wee Wee" All the Way Home

I have known that we in the US were screwed for a long time, but as for our friends in the UK, they're royally screwed (pun intended). 

From the UK Independent, the short story is that a mother bought a toy farm which contained no pig.  When she contacted the manufacture, she got a response that customer feedback was poor and due to the pig, so it was removed on the grounds of "religious reasons." 

So, let me get something straight.  Islamofascists that are invading Britain left and right, and are in real probability of out numbering the Brits, are forcing toy companies to give up their pigs in their farm toys?  Someone needs a reality check! 

Political Marketing: Burkahs vs. Nudes & the TSA

Someone should really tell the TSA about this campaign going on in Switzerland!  Visual imagery certainly is a very powerful tool when used in the right ways.  If the TSA was trying to prevent terrorisim, perhaps all they would need to do is post a few of these campaign posters in airports around the country.  Then again, I'm sure some religious zealot will be offended by the naked women, or the tacky portrayal of women in Burkahs.  Oh well, tough noggies! 

Obviously the Swiss People's Party (SVP) get's "it."  They realize the infestation amongst their country by criminals and terrorists of foreign nationality (and citizenship) and they are attempting to show just what could happen to their country if they let the radical Islamofascists legislate their morality.  Certainly, it is a drastic and dramatic portrayal of the consequences of inaction, but as we see here in the USA, drastic and extreme are now the new normal.  Further, it goes to show that if other nations are willing to control their own border, why isn't that part of our comprehensive, homeland and airport security initiative? 

Extending this thought process to our TSA friends and their new groping protocols, we are left to ask just how are we willing to defend our freedoms?  It's plainly evident that we have no freedom of mobility anymore, because submitting to molestation is now a condition of free travel.  Kudos terrorists, you win, we lose!  So where does this leave us?

Currently, as many have written, we are forced to waive our rights as Americans and falsely trade our freedom for the illusion of security.  Some reports have even proposed going the biometrics route for pilots and frequent fliers on an ID card, which would be yet another feeble and costly failure to better control the traveling public.  If hackers and terrorists can scan, hack, and clone RFID Passports as of four years ago, what makes us think another piece of paper and silicon will make us more protected?  Short answer, it won't. 

As any good security consultant will tell you, metal detectors, millimeter wave scanners, and pat downs are all passive or reactive counter measures to highly motivated people.  Focusing our efforts on looking for the device rules out perhaps the most dangerous weapon in the terrorism game; the human mind.  While following the various talking heads and blogs for the last week, it isn't hard to hear the term Israelification.  It's a simple strategy really, and relies heavily upon deception detection, and get this, looking into the thoughts and actions of other humans.  The main piece of intel that our TSA fails to collect, the Israelis focus nearly all of their resources upon, and all without touching people's junk

22 November 2010

QOTD: F#(% You! I'm Irish!

God bless the Irish!  Bunch of drunk, take no bullshit, hard asses!  If more political discourse was of this nature, maybe we would actually see more progress! 

From (of course) Zero Hedge comes our quote of the day.
A year ago Irish Green Party politician Paul Nicholas Gogarty told Irish Labor Party TD "With all due respect, in the most unparliamentary language; Fuck you, Deputy Stagg, fuck you!... We Are Screwed As A Country Because Of The Wrongdoing Of Others."
As the Tyler Durden relates after the quote, it took them almost a year to prove it, but can the Irish Green Party can say "We told ya so!"  Further, Durden opines:
Now that the "others" have been identified as virtually every UK and German bank, not to mention every insolvent financial institution in the world, and of course, the Fed's banking buddies, one wonders: just how will Ireland respond? Also, when will America finally see one of its pathetic excuses for representatives finally do the right thing and actually speak the truth. InTrade over/under: never. 
Of course, poor Ireland was backed into a corner and forced to take a second bailout without much choice from the EuroZone.  As AK Fan and I discussed earlier today, the European Monetary Unit has never been about openness and unity as much as it has been about controlling the political disagreements amongst the member states.  In good times, the nationalistic pride is easy to forget, but in bad times, the resentment is hard to keep from festering.

In terms of political progress and the hopes of freedom, I certainly wish the Irish people well in their efforts to right their economy and get a handle on the plutocrats who are controlling their country and destiny. 

Slice of Life: Goose Season Returns! "Well Great, Now What?!"

Wildlife: Noun, Wild animals and vegetation, especially animals living in a natural, undomesticated state.  Add lib: "Well great, now what?!"

On opening day of goose season this Saturday, that was exactly the question myself, my father, and our friend were left asking as we sat in the blind befuddled, amused, and amazed.  Hunting isn't supposed to be easy, or hard, but it certainly is unpredictable.

I arrived at my parent's place for a quick breakfast and cup of coffee before heading out to the blind.  My dad is fortunate to be surrounded by farmland on three sides of his place, and even more fortunate to be friendly with the farmer.  Factor in that the fields were due for a corn year in their crop rotation and everything was coming up Milhouse.  So our friend arrives a few minutes before shooting time (whom we shall name as Agent Parsimonious, AP for short) and we depart the 100 yards from the house to the blind, a tough walk for three's company and the dog, I can assure you.

A beautiful morning greets us with little dew and some chill and of course just enough sun to blind a horse.  Fortunately, it wasn't a completely bluebird day as to prevent the goosers from getting off their full moon duffs and getting out for a morning flight.  From 0700 to roughly 0930, we had a steady stream of action to watch, call to, and even a few chances to take a shot.  So in an early summary, it was a nice start to the early season, and I hope that holds well into January.

The first flock that looked "goosy" (as my dad describes groups that are willing to come to the rig) looked at our bias ply tires and silhouette decoy spread, and even seemed impressed with our calling.  They circled several times, before making one final pass which allowed my father to call the shot.  From left to right Agent Parsimonous, myself, and my father stood up to take our bead and our shots.  The salvo opens!

BANG! pump BANG! pump BANG! pump, SHIT!  I had missed on all three of my shots.  My father to my right missed his (or hit it and the goose refused to fold).  AGENT Parsimonious to the rescue!  One bird down, and I resume blowing on my call profusely to bring the flock back.  Kudos to the birds for knowing when in danger, the best thing to do is fly away.  Reloaded and confusion settled, time to get the dog to retrieve the bird.  No wonder I missed, as the dog had to hike her butt a good 65~70 yards to make the retrieval, but to her credit, she came back, bird in mouth!  Good dog Holly, good girl!  Note to shooter:  MORE LEAD STUPID! 


Bird retrieval completely and situation returned to nominal, the three of us settled back into the routine of talking, telling stories, and watching the various flights of geese far off on the horizon.  Next thing we know, we're feverishly attempting to call in another group.  Dad is quietly giving instructions on how much to call and how much to listen, as well as tracking the birds through the intensely blinding sunlight.  As the birds circle we hear, "This time, I want them to come into the decoys, let them come final."  We waited for the shot to be called, but alas, it would never come.  The birds flew right over our heads, with no volley, only to turn around and land into the wind about 110 yards from the blind.

Decoys in foreground, the invaders afar!

"Well great, now what?!"  The calls go silent, and so do the birds.  It's a standoff!  No one moves.  AP and myself start chuckling quietly as neither of us have ever seen such a sight before.  It was humorous and neat in that we did our job, only that it wasn't a complete success.  My dad shakes his head and says "I'm gonna have to move those birds."  Not wanting to let them sit there and eat out the field, or ruin our chances at getting another flock to the blind, it was necessary to move the birds.  Doggy up!  She goes for the birds, only for the stinkers to move about 25 yards further out.  "Good dog Holly," my father shouts.  "Guess I've got to go out there and help," and finally the invaders departed.

Departing from our high ground, the invaders are forced to leave.

In all, it was a great hunt and when you consider I didn't even make a shot on a goose last season, I was certainly excited by the flocks that were attracted to our rig.  Hopefully this will be a good start to the rest of the season!  I can't wait for the next hunt, and neither can the dog! 

Olympic Bobsledder Also Vermont National Guardsman

In a little known Monday fun fact, the Military Times has this little snippet on Olympic athlete John Napier.

As a member of the US Bobsled team, Napier competed in both the two and four man competitions this past Olympics in Vancouver, but also has another hero's role as that of a National Guardsman.  Thankfully, Napier is returning to the interational bobsled circuit in the month of December to join fellow teammate, and veteran (and Olympic Gold medalist), Steven Holcomb, where they will compete for the world championship in sliding.

GO TEAM USA!


Credit to Military Times for the info and the picture.  

19 November 2010

Gadsden Plates: I'm Movin' to Old Virginia!

I'm moving to Old Virginia, if they get the ability to issue these plates!




 Seems there is a popular movement to get these plates onto vehicles in the original rebel state.  Read more from  Big Government.com.

Or, Maybe Texas? 





Dibs on the N0 TR3D vanity. 

B-More Happy Housing! Why Can't the Balto Biz Journal Get it Right?

In it's perpetual state of contradictory reporting, the Baltimore Business Journal still seems to have problems with getting the data sets right.  Or, more pointedly, perhaps the data sets are simply incorrect to frequently?

In an effort to continuously follow the local market economics, we get a report today from the shoddy editing that says September home prices were down 6.4%.  Herm...very odd, if we recant our discussion from just a week ago, one would think that the housing market in B-more is leveling off, or at least besting the national market.  Though, to the credit of the Balto Biz Journal, they didn't contradict themselves too terribly from their September article saying that home sales were down 19.4% for the month.  Nope, wait, they did contradict themselves!  As blogged a month prior, the editing staff reported that median home prices rose to $238,000 from $236,000 for the month of September, despite the slip in sales.  Funny, but that measly initial report of a 0.847% increase of sold home prices for the month, has now been revised to 6.4% down?  A percentage change of nearly 855% to the negative? 

I will allow some leeway to the Baltimore Business Journal because all economic data is initially estimated and then, ultimately in this downturn, revised down.  However, the consistent cheeriness and the "factual" inaccuracies are astounding!  Any asshole (yours truly) with a blog and a brain can pick apart their horrendous reporting and statistics.  I suppose that's why our good friends at the Daily Reckoning and Zero Hedge exist in this day of economic lies. 

Hey editors, keep giving me material!  I love it!  Thankfully, it's a major site that doesn't have a policy of flushing it's inaccuracies down the memory hole. 

18 November 2010

Righthaven Business Model Receives Serious Setback

POWER TO THE PEOPLE! 

To the blogosphere, Righhaven, LLC was a vampire!  (Then again, most lawyers and their business model are vampires).

So it is with great pleasure that I re-blog Wired's coverage of a significant blow to the grubby lawyers.  Kudos to all of those who were sued and said "I know my rights!" and didn't give into these slime buckets! 

QOTD: Fed Res Virus Blocker

While reading about the increase in the 30 year mortgage rates on Zero Hedge today, I noticed that one reader/commenter posted a link to the NY Fed's statistics page.  Another, very humors and astute commenter had this reply:
Unfortunately, my virus scanner stops me from connecting to a Federal Reserve site. It claims the website is a known fraud.
Yep, I'm pretty sure that a lot of people are thinking exactly that.  So much so, that even yours truly has been tempted send the the NY Fed President's name and "about" page to their "report fraud" email address (found here). 

While the above quote and idea are rather true and humorous to us laymen, they would probably draw an eye of specter from those who control our money supply. 

Picture of the Day: Print & Spend

Thanks to the Daily Reckoning for this one, so be sure to stop over to their site and read all of their good financial insight and data. 


Food Police are Here for Your Alcoholic Energy Drinks

As usual, when there are not enough criminals, the police state will always legislate more criminals (or in this case the usurping bureaucracy will arbitrarily make a rule to regulate something).  On Tuesday, we talked about Baltimore making illegal carry a felony but now, something far worse is rearing it's ugly head.  The FDA is coming for your alcoholic energy drinks

That's right, caffeine is now being labeled an "unsafe" additive to alcoholic beverages, and the manufactures of these drinks better cough them up, else the FDA Food Nazis will come looking for them!  A rash of teenage drinking and driving (already illegal) accidents related to these alcoholic energy drinks has spurn some sort of manufactured outrage on behalf of the government overlords.  It would seem that the social ills that follow drinking are now more dangerous when the caffeine is added directly to the adult beverage.  Making drunks more awake, enables them to have more bar brawls and engage in destructive behaviors that are never associated with passed out drunks.  Oh snap, don't tell the college age kids that they will have to lay off their Jager Bombs because they are now creating an illegal and dangerous drink!

Apparently a good cup of coffee after pounding down some happy hour beers never caused a drunk to be wide awake?  Isn't this one of the first things they teach you in driver's education classes?  That, if you have been drinking, nothing but time will allow the effects of alcohol to subside?  The whole cold shower and a cup of coffee to "sober" up has been the time tested urban legend that we have all heard preached to us, yet how many bars serve coffee and stock Red Bull?  All I know is that Drew Carey would be extremely disappointed with this decision. 

Simply more unintended consequences from micromanaging as John Lott points out.  I have to wonder what Mike W. will say over at Another Gun Blog, since he is the resident beer blogger of the mid-Atlantic.  I wonder how this will impact producers of craft beers that tend to mix coffee malts into their brew kettles? 

You can have my SPARKS when you pry it from my cold dead, tall and frosty, hands!

17 November 2010

I Always Feel Like, Somebody's Watching Me!

Well, no, it's not the Geico commercial, but I do feel like somebody's watching me!  After yesterday's post about Baltimore and it's proposed crack down on illegal carry of handguns, I noticed this on my SiteMeter: 



I just hope it's a concerned citizen that works for the state of Maryland and shares my views and not someone (read politician or MD State Police) with an agenda that would prefer to keep tabs on a fairly harmless blogger who believes in freedoms (including firearms and concealed carry).

Feel free to say hi!  :-)

EDIT prior to posting:  It appears that it may have been a fellow MDshooters.com board member, but still, the point is, it CAN or COULD be an MSP represenative gathering evidence on citizens who oppose their policies as has been known to happen in the past.  Therefore, to protect the innocent, please note some info has been redacted. 

16 November 2010

B-More Seeking to Make Illegal Carry a Felony

Baltimore is undoubtedly one of the nastiest cities in the country as has been noted here before.  So it should come as no surprise that Baltimore City Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake wants to make carrying a gun even more illegal than it currently is.  While no one wants to see criminals with firearms, are we sure that this will even begin to deter the would-be thug from carrying a firearm without a permit?  The whole definition of criminal is "does not follow the law, in letter or in spirit." 

As Sebastian over at Snow Flakes In Hell noted, it would be nice to see reform to our handgun permit to wear or carry be enacted first rather than a token law change in an effort to put more criminals behind bars.  Do not get me wrong, I think the idea is admirable, but those who know this state know that we should not hold our breaths for the MD legislature to change our carry laws until forced to do so.  Additionally, I realize that Mayor Rawlings-Blake's "get tougher on criminals with stiffer penalities" is a good course of action, but it certainly is not an idea that will deter the worst of the harden criminals.

As I steal from fellow MD Shooters board member Patrick, we really need the SAF suit to play out in the courts.  Through that arena, there will be lasting impact that politicians can't mess with, or at least that's the hope.  Either way, just goes to show, that when there aren't enough criminals in the system, the police state will simply enact legislation to make more criminals. 

Don't Like the TSA? Then Ban 'EM (In Your State)!

First off, hat tip to



13 November 2010

Cold War Sojourns On

Seems that the Cold War never ended and that there is now a modern day Red Rabbit for the NATO intelligence agencies to brain pick.

No doubt though that Russia has operatives inside the USA (along with China and Muhammad), looking for informants and information in anyway they can get it.  It just so happens that this one is real, and known to the American public.

I wonder if this Rabbit flipped for money, ideology, or morality?  My guess is the former rather than either of the latters, because really, what's the main difference between the USA and Russia these days?  The Rubble (sarcasm)? 

Who Needs a Gun in Hazard County

Local news website has two stories of armed robbers that hit up a GameStop store in Harford County. 

Thankfully no one was hurt, but the potential was there.  Yet again, another reason why this state needs to lose it's case as the defendants in the SAF's lawsuit! 

12 November 2010

SAF Suit on Maryland Motion for Summary Judgement!

The fine people @ www.mdshooters.com have posted this piece of information today!  PROGRESS!

This is a good Friday! H/T Krucam! 

Housing Decline, A Baltimore View

On Wednesday, the Business Insider had an article based on the popular real estate valuation website Zillow.com's third quarter report on housing.  

It seems very peculiar that the Baltimore Business Journal can publish a conflicting assessment of the Baltimore area market, stating that while sales were down, prices were "up," slightly.  Additionally, the Balto Biz Journal paints a rosy picture that Maryland fraudclosures were down a WHOPPING 52% in the month of October.  HOORAY BEER! 

Every stinking one of the editors of the Baltimore Business Journal should be fired for their ineptitude in the reporting of the actual news (like this blog has discussed prior).  Of course the fraudclosures are down!  Why wouldn't they be when the mortgage industry has received an enourmous amount of pressure from the Attorney Generals of nearly every state in the union, including Maryland's own Dougy Gansler.  We are in the midst of  robosigning frauds from nearly every major mortgage creator!  Hell, some of which can't even tell us who actually owns the note, so what do we expect to happen?  Foreclosures to increase?  When have you ever known a market to move and act rationally when there is significant government influence?  

I think I can hear the Monday Night Countdown crew now... "C'MON MAN!"

Super Rich & Art: Just Another Dollar Hedge

As Helicopter Ben start's his QE2 this week, we get a few nifty articles from across the pond that art sales are setting records in NYC.  

Just more evidence that those who can insulate themselves from a falling dollar, do!  Unfortunately, for those of us left stuck in the middle between those who received government handouts and the inflation shielded wealthy, we get the full brunt of a year over year 90% increase in cotton, 40% in wheat and corn, and a 15% increase in live cattle.  Truly a case of the haves versus the have nots (as much) and of course, those whom trade votes for payola.

Ain't America grand?

Slice of Life: As a Student of History, One Learns Everyday

History is a never ending process, and so too is its study (and committing it to memory).  Most people find history boring, insignificant, and useless but studying history is vitally important to the progress of modern society.  History impacts policy decisions which, in turn, affect our daily lives which another blogger does intelligently point out, even if in a far too misguided way.

Ms. Trunk's blog takes an almost asinine view of Veterans Day that would leave most veterans, well, dumbfounded.  "Veteran's Day should be cancelled [sic]" is the title of her post from yesterday, on a blog that seems dedicated to "career advice."  I guess we should initially assume that her "career advice" would be to stay out of the military, but we won't judge a post by its poorly spelled and grammatically incorrect headline rule following.

Instead of sounding off on this very misguided posted yesterday, I chose to take in the day's events from the comfort of my desk (since I still have to work for a living).  Yesterday I gave us some Veteran's Day thanks and more goodness that was intended to educate myself and others about the little intricacies on Remembrance day, most of which I did not personally know.  Today, we'll take that a step further as we take a look at the pictures from around the world about how troops and families, young and old, mourn eternally for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.  Remember, Veteran's day is what we call it here in the USA, but it isn't just about the USA.  This day is celebrated, somberly, the world over! 

Even though Ms. Trunk does accurately state that civilians are affected by war, the harsh reality is that the terrors of war are something that neither I, nor she, will ever be able to comprehend.  While she may be correct that some veterans choose not to celebrate Remembrance Day due to the painful memories it conjures up, others choose to talk  freely and openly talk about the experience and the triumph of their efforts and safe return home.  Looking through the pictures and the linked news stories show a very different picture than the one that our off her-rocker-author paints.

In her five parts, she addresses the impact on family, the fact that soldiers don't serve their country, Vietnam Vets hated the war, recent vets go to serve their own needs (read college tuition), and even replace Veteran's Day with a national service day.  Yes, military families are a different breed having moved around a lot and having been subject to some harsh circumstances.  True, FDR tried NOT to fight in WWII, but we were attacked by Japan who was Germany's ally (of course we'll save the "we knew" argument for another day).  Trunk repeats the anti-war / liberal generalization about Vietnam Vets that is totally debunked by this photo alone!  A Marine (once a Marine always a Marine) coworker of mine was VERY appreciative of my well wish's for the Corps' Birthday and Vet's day on back to back days (and he certainly isn't my parents age)!  National Service day?  Seriously?  That's called Labor Day, and we already have one communist holiday in our country.

No, Veteran's day cannot be cancelled (sic)!  While I will defend Ms. Trunk's right to write obnoxious, irrational, political garbage, she should not purport herself as being a "career advising" blogger.  If you want to be taken seriously on the political aspect, write a separate blog!  Obviously, this is why myself and friend

1918.  For my coworker friend, and Marine, Semper Fi!  Happy Veteran's Day for the second day in a row! 

11 November 2010

More Vet's Day Goodness

Hear the veterans in their own words and the words of the community in a video article from the Military Times!

Click here for the history and significance of the poppy on Armistice or Remembrance Day. 

And of course, a little more history with the poetic flair (literally), I give you the poem "In Flanders Field" by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae of the Canadian Army.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky
The Larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To You from falling hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Just some of the simple things I discovered this Veterans Day!  Cheers boys and girls, keep us safe and may we forever be free from tyranny!    

Happy Vet's & Armistice Day

To all of our armed forces veterans out there, a simple thanks is in order.  But, in reality, a BIG THANKS is also in order for doing a job that few choose to do and even fewer are brave enough to do.  On this veterans day, please pat yourselves on the back, raise a glass, and do your best to protect your brothers and sisters in arms and come home safe.  From myself I salute you guys and gals for a job well done and a continued success in your missions. 

Also, let us salute those brave souls still with us and now departed on this veterans day for their success in World War I.  Protecting freedom, no matter what the history books may say was the ultimate goal of your efforts on this Armistice Day, and you succeeded.  May you be safe in your life or eternal rest, and may the community members of this country remember your sacrifices. 



Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Take it on the run,
On the run, on the run.
Hear them calling, you and me,
Every son of liberty.
Hurry right away,
No delay, go today,
Make your daddy glad
To have had such a lad.
Tell your sweetheart not to pine,
To be proud her boy's in line.
Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there -
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.


Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there -
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.

Johnnie, get your gun,
Get your gun, get your gun,
Johnnie show the Hun
Who's a son of a gun.
Hoist the flag and let her fly,
Yankee Doodle do or die.
Pack your little kit,
Show your grit, do your bit.
Yankee to the ranks,
From the towns and the tanks.
Make your mother proud of you,
And the old Red, White and Blue.

Over there, over there,
Send the word, send the word over there -
That the Yanks are coming,
The Yanks are coming,
The drums rum-tumming
Ev'rywhere.
So prepare, say a pray'r,
Send the word, send the word to beware.
We'll be over, we're coming over,
And we won't come back till it's over
Over there.

10 November 2010

Obama's Deficit Council Plans to Piss on Troops and Military

I am sure that this headline shocks no one, but it has really just torqued me the wrong way.  I know that we really can't afford a lot of new military hardware, but, if we are printing up 105 billion in new paper between today and December 9th, why not just use those funds to finish the programs pentagon planers have said we actually need?  It would serve to put people to work rather than enrich the big banks, and while it will be directly inflationary right away instead of sitting in an pseudo-inflationary trap, it might just well be the kick in the pants that we need. 

Ok, not really, but here is the point:  We've heard it time and time again that the USA spends more on defense than any other nation in the world.  True.  When you have to protect your vassal states, you have to spend more than they spend combined.  However, the main point is that the President's new "deficit plan" goes directly to cutting defense when the total of social security, medicare, medicaid, and other discretionary spending more than doubles the entire defense budget, which does happen to be Constitutional in nature. 

So, there ya have it, typical leftist, war apologists/appeasists go right for the jugular on the defense budget, mainly because it's not lucrative enough to buy votes come election time. 

Socialists Rioting in London Over Cuts

Between the best actual news paper in the world (The London Telegraph), the best truthful financial (and other news) blog in the world (Zero Hedge), and the most mediocre reporting in the world (CNN), all three are reporting that students in London are rioting over rising fees for their education. 


So nice to see the Socialist Workers party continuing to buy into the money for nothing, Ponzi scheme that has ruined the sovereign debt positions of most of the developed world.  These students are seeing their day of reckoning with UK budget cuts, so is this what we'll see here in the USA? 

Side note:  AK Fan just told me looks like Ireland might be looking at defaulting on it's debt in a mere matter of weeks.  Interesting times in deed. 

09 November 2010

QOTD: Federal Reserve BBQ

From Andrew Breitbart's Big Government, we get a good reminder of the history that is the National Banks of the USA.

We also get this doosey of a quote:
The concept is that if Americans felt richer because their 401Ks went up in value there would be a “wealth effect” encouraging the public to spend more money and businesses to increase capital investments. Unfortunately, this is like starting a barbeque with a flamethrower. You will surely create a fire, but it will probably burn down the neighborhood.
As AK Fan and I discussed, what's the point in feeling richer when you have to pay the increased prices of eggs (up 87% in the last year), beef (35%), wheat (40%), and almost everything else up over 25%.  Most Americans don't need their retirement accounts to go up right now, they just need to be able to earn an honest living so they can feed their families, save, pay off their house, car, student loans, ect, and then save for retirement! 

What is it with Washington and Wall Street elitists that don't see things from the average American's perspective? 

This Day in History: Berlin Wall


This day in 1989, the people of East Germany were reunited with freedom. 

H/T Big Gov

02 November 2010

Election D-Day! VOTE!

Get out and vote!  Pull the lever (or touch the screen more than likely).  If you don't vote you can't bitch for the next two years, that's the rule. 

Then, when you're done voting, go to St. Antony's, light a candle and put a $20 in the collection plate, or at least, that's what my dad always says to do.