Friday, September 30, 2011

Animals with guns

Title says it all. My favorite is (naturally) the rabbit with a gun.


Thanks to Every Day No Days Off for the link.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

And another one

So this past summer, my customized AR15 was taken from me by the Mrs. She shot it once at the range, and it became her new favorite. I was then instructed how to customize it for her.

It wasn't the first time I made the mistake of letting her shoot one of my guns. And it wasn't the first one she ever took.

Since every man needs to have his own rifle, I decided to build another AR15 from the ground up - just like I wanted. I am sitting on everything but the buttstock and barrel, which are now en route from Bushmaster Firearms. Estimated delivery date is Monday.

Let's see how this goes

So last night, I purchased a Marlin 60.

I had one, then the Mrs. shot it. Now she has one.
Fixed hers up just like she likes - scope, trigger job, bipod.

So I got one - was going to throw Tech-Sights on it.
When I took it down to clean it initially, I found some problems:
- The tube is out of spec.
- The tube follower is out of spec (took me and the Mrs. pulling as hard as we could to pull the follower out of the tube).
- The bolt is out of spec.
- The last-shot-hold-open is out of spec.
- The feedthroat is out of spec.

I am going to ask for a completely new rifle. Will provide updates on how this turns out.

Silly title is silly

Title of the article:
"Gun crime continues to decrease, despite increase in gun sales."

Well of course it has. When law-abiding citizens buy guns, they rarely commit crimes with those guns. Its the criminals who commit the crimes - most often with illegally obtained guns. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Sun Rises, the sun sets...

And a liberal doesn't like seeing a man open-carrying in Wal-Mart.

I'm actually surprised he noticed...
(Wait, he didn't notice - his wife did)

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Presidential Politics - Sept. 2011

Recently, a reader asked me to talk about Presidential candidates and their pros and cons. I wrote a bit on it, and gave broad thoughts. Now, I'd like to take some time and elaborate on my favorite choice, Herman Cain, and explain why he is my favorite.

My political choices generally center on a candidate's views on three simple topics:

Abortion
Mr. Cain states that he believes life begins at conception, and should be protected from that point on. Video of Mr. Cain addressing the NRA and stating as much. 

2nd Amendment
Mr. Cain, though he does not own many guns, is a gun owner and supports the 2nd Amendment. Video of Mr. Cain speaking about gun rights. 

Taxes
Mr. Cain supports a flat tax - the most fair tax structure we could hope for. He suggests a type of flat tax - his "999" plan. The plan suggests:
9% flat income tax for all income levels.
9% corporate tax for all revenue levels.
9% national sales tax.

Guns on Campus

Dr. John R. Lott, Jr. recently spoke at Vanderbilt University in favor of allowing carry on campus in TN.

Link to article.

I really like his opening:
"Name one place where a gun ban resulted in a reduced crime rate"

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Mrs. Usagi's New "TOY"







Mrs. Usagi's new "TOY"

Pink AR15 Rifle:
Palmetto State Armory "Don't Tread on Me" lower.
20" HBAR courtesy of Bushmaster Firearms.
Rock River Arms National Match trigger
Cavalry Arms Furniture.
Trijicon TA31F ACOG.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What to do if your child has behavior problems

So your son or daughter is a nice enough kid, but acts out. A lot. (Or just a bit, but at the wrong times)
How do you fix it?

First, as I've mentioned before, the key to good behavior is summed up with three simple things:
1. Good diet
2. Plenty of exercise
3. Proper discipline (establishing and maintaining good boundaries)

So, as with any endeavor, if we want to achieve certain goals, we must do known tasks to get there. Since we know there are only three things that keep a child from proper behavior, the only logical thing to do is systematically provide each of the three until the problem is solved.

I've written on Discipline already:
Set boundaries Stick to them. It really is that easy.
 How do you know if discipline is what your child needs?
If you have ever said this: "If only my son/daughter would do that," then your child needs discipline.


So, let's get to diet and exercise:


Diet is pretty easy. 

You are the parent. Provide healthy food.
If it is bought off a value menu, it is not healthy.
If it could have been plucked from a garden, and eaten as it sits in front of you now with no more help than a knife could provide, then this is a great snack food. I'm talking fruits, vegetables, and nuts. (but be mindful of nut allergies).

Fruits and vegetables are "any time" foods - always allowed.
Meats are best grilled or baked. Fried meat is OK sometimes. Breaded and fried is not OK... ever.
Grains are generally good. Be sure your child does not have a grain allergy - wheat / gluten allergies are most common.
If you don't have time... MAKE time. It can be done. Decide you want to do it, and quit making excuses.

To be avoided:
Artificial additives (colors, flavors, preservatives).
Yellow #5 is known to have the most common and most severe effects.
Caffeine. Seriously, people.
Sugar - particularly processed sugar sources.

If you have set good boundaries, and still get whacked-out behavior, eliminate Yellow #5 first.
If you still have issues, eliminate wheat (gluten allergy or perhaps a yeast allergy).
These two are presuming you have eliminated sugar and caffeine from the diet.


Exercise:
This is even easier. An hour of play every day. Outside is best. 
Running, jumping, and generally moving a lot are all recommended activities.

Monday, September 19, 2011

On the First Amendment

A California city has fined a couple for holding a "religious service" (in reality, a Bible study) in their house.


For the record, let me quote the First Amendment to the US Constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Pretty sure this falls under making "no law ... prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
Though I am sure some slimeball attorney will argue that the word "free" had no monetary meaning in the Constitution.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Hope this gets some legs under it...

A bill is in Congress that would mandate reciprocity for carry permits.

I am not for Federal Intervention, but this bill is simple - states must honor all other states' carry permits.

10 years later

We remembered.

We remembered the events of September 11, 2011 this past weekend. We remembered those who were taken from us. We remembered those who gave their lives, trying to save others. We remembered those who gave their lives by taking the fight to our enemy.




We must never forget. 

We must never forget who did this to us. We must never forget why we were their targets. We must never forget the unity we showed as a nation. We must never forget that in order to respond to future attacks, we must be strong. We must never forget that "security" was not able to stop those intent on doing harm, and never will be able to.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Personal Update

Last August, I weighed 297 pounds on my bathroom scale.
I wore a size 44 pant, and an XXL (tall) shirt. 
My inside the waistband holster was really tight in the pants.

This morning, 229 pounds.
Size 38 pants.
XL (tall) shirt. Can wear a L, but it doesn't look quite right.
My gun fits comfortably in my waistband.

The bad news: went to the Dr. last Friday. Blood work was good, except blood sugar was elevated, and Vitamin D levels were low. On Metformin until I can get my weight down to a point where all the bloodwork numbers are normal. Have a follow up in December. As for the Vitamin D, taking super doses for the next month or until numbers are normal.

Another round of stimulus?

By request, some comments on the American Jobs Act.

The advertised benefits:
- More jobs (how is not really addressed)
- Extension of Unemployment Insurance Benefits (already at 2 years).
- Tax cuts (?)

The drawbacks:
- Costs $400B, yet only cuts taxes $175B or so.
- Extends Unemployment - which is already too long!
- Has some other hidden costs.
- Liberals really want it - isn't that enough reason to avoid?

Article 1
Article 2

Republican Presidential Candidates

By request, here is a summary of the Republican Presidential Candidates. Since I could write several articles about each, here is a more concise summary, by broad definition:

The Good:
These are the candidates that not only are truly conservative, and share a lot of my same views, but also have the ability to lead.
Herman Cain
Michele Bachman
Ron Paul

The "Meh":
These are candidates who I have a hard time getting excited about, but would make a lot better president than Obama.
Newt Gingrich
Rick Perry
Rick Santorum
John Huntsman
Gary Johnson

The really, really bad:
This candidate is not at all conservative. Proof? The media gives him all the attention, and would like him to get the nomination.
Mitt Romney

A first in the family

My son lost his first tooth last weekend in Chattanooga. He thought a chip was stuck, and when he pulled it free, he saw that it was his loose tooth!

Many family members were present for the event, and saw it firsthand.

Funny how these things work out...

Two years ago, I attended an Appleseed shoot. I learned a lot about what to do, and what not to do. I posted my thoughts - here and on several forums online.

The response from the Appleseed crowd, upon witnessing print that did something other than worship their program, was interesting to say the least. At the time, I wrote what I saw as strengths, and weaknesses of the program. I also made predictions, here and on other forums. Sadly, some of those predictions are coming true.

In short, recently in IL, many Appleseed instructors were dismissed. They had been teaching in more efficient ways, which the organization's founder and leader, "Fred" (Jack Dailey), did not approve. This almost happened back in March, and I was made aware at that time. Well, "Fred" and the folks from IL came to an agreement, and all seemed well in their world... but as is often the case, there was deep-rooted resentment.

In August, "Fred" decided to pull the trigger. Instructors were dismissed. They have reorganized and formed a new association - the United States Rifleman's Association. I wish this new group all the success in the world, and have pledged my efforts to make it so.

More from a conspiracy (?)

More guns from a crime scene are linked to "Operation Fast and Furious."

Not surprising, really. Seems the administration wanted to give a bogus excuse for enacting more gun laws.