Friday, November 28, 2014

Black Friday

Why is it that so many people were "so thankful" just 24 hours ago are killing one another right now just to get a "bargain" on something they don't have?


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Thursday, November 27, 2014

Internet Tough Guy

This one stood out as being spot on for one particular #twitterstalker #blogstalker etc. who has a #mancrush on me. 

Does the link reccerifleman.blogspot.com/2014_04_01_archive.html mean anything to you? It should, you visit it every day. 
Same guy says "#readytocashthatcheckanytime" yet knows where my dojo is and when we meet, but has never made an appearance. Oh, and has a gay fascination with "batpoles" and a suggestive Batman comic strip (three times in May alone/ Really?). Or, just has a big time gay fascination. So be it, I will not judge because of your closet homosexuality. 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Common Zeros At Common Range Distances 2

Today, lets discuss your point of impact at 25 yards.


Carbine length sight radius
100-yard zero
This zero is 3 MOA under the point of impact (POI).
3 MOA at 25 yards = 3/4 inch.
Therefore, this zero will see a bullet strike 3/4 inch low. 

50/200-yard zero
This zero is 2 MOA under the POI.
2 MOA at 25 yards = 1/2 inch.
Therefore, this zero will see a bullet strike 1/2 inch low.

300-yard zero
This zero should be on the button at 25 yards.


Rifle length sight radius
100-yard zero
This zero is 4 MOA under the point of impact (POI).
4 MOA at 25 yards = 1 inch.
Therefore, this zero will see a bullet strike 1 inch low. 

50/200-yard zero
This zero is 3 MOA under the POI.
3 MOA at 25 yards = 3/4 inch.
Therefore, this zero will see a bullet strike 3/4 inch low.

300-yard zero
This zero will be 1 MOA under the POI.
1 MOA at 25 yards = 1/4 inch.
Therefore, this zero will see a bullet strike 1/4 inch low. 


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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

On Dating 8

From a reader:
"Hey, Usagi,I've read some of your stuff on your brother's divorce. I'm in about the same boat. Got any dating / woman advice for guys like us?"



I do have some advice. Probably the best summary ever is here. But I'll break it down into a weekly segment for you and others.


By Swingset
...
Item 8: Get to know your prospective inlaws....even if you have no idea you're going to marry the girl you're banging. If you don't love them like they're your own parents, RUN. Seriously, it's that simple. Run. Look at their relationship - her mother and father's. Look at it hard, because that's you in 25 years....or some variation of it. Your woman will make sure of it, because she's hard wired to.



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Monday, November 24, 2014

Common Zeros at Common Ranges 1

I have an idea for an experiment. Based on the concept of "not being on paper at 100 yards."
Take the most common zeros for AR15 platform rifles:
300 - USMC
50/200 - IBZ
100 - RIBZ


Facts
My hypothesis is that at 50 yards, which zero you use will not matter. For the sake of exploring this, lets look at the facts.

At 100 yards, the zeros will perform as follows:
USMC - shots will be 3 inches high.
IBZ - shots will strike 1 inch high.
RIBZ - shots will strike at the point of aim (POA).

Each click of elevation adjustment on a 6/3 detachable carry handle will move the sights 1/2 MOA.
1/2 MOA at 50 yards is 0.25 inches.


Extrapolation
Using these facts, the following information can be extrapolated:

1. IBZ will be on the money.
POA = POI

2. RIBZ (100 yard zero) would be two clicks down from IBZ.
Two clicks = 1 MOA.
1 MOA at 50 yards = 0.5 inches.
Shots would impact a half-inch low at 50 yards.

3. USMC (300 yard zero) would be four clicks up from IBZ.
Four clicks = 2 MOA.
2 MOA at 50 yards = 1 inch.
Shots would impact 1 inch high at 50 yards.


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Summary:
100-yard zero would impact a half inch low at 50 yards.
200-yard zero would impact at point of aim at 50 yards.
300-yard zero would impact an inch high at 50 yards.

Doesn't sound like a huge difference to me.


Now I need to go to the range and test it.

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Friday, November 21, 2014

Range Day

The other day, I had an opportunity to go to the range and shoot my M16A4 clone rifle. Got a pretty good zero at 25 yards, and then went to 100 yards and shot this on a 50/200 setting. Was aiming for the middle of the neck at the same level of the shoulders. Group appears an inch high (as it should be with the setting) and about an inch to the left.  



After shooting that group, I adjusted the windage by two clicks, then verified my zero. Dead on. Also verified with the 100-yard setting. Again, dead on. All of this was with iron sights. 



Funny story: there was a couple there sighting in the wife's .243 bolt gun at 50 yards, and the husband's black powder rifle (also at 50 yards). They were all over the place at that distance, yet thought they were right on the money. The wife kept talking about the wind blowing the bullets "off a bit." 

At 50 yards, a .243 bullet (100 grains / .214 bc / 3100 fps) would deflect a full inch in 15 mph winds... a vigorous thunderstorm. However, an inch of deflection would not explain shots 15: apart and farther. Oh, and neither could hit 12" targets with my rifle with irons. She said her "groups" were similar to what she shot in the Air Force. Asked if my gun was zeroed. I showed her my (above) target at 100)... and she said "looks like it."

Guess the deer will be safe from them this fall. 


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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Make Up Yo Mind!

When we were children, we had a friend who used to lie a lot. Sometimes, he would lie and later directly contradict himself with another lie. We would tell him to make up his mind what he was going to lie about, and then tell us the lie... just to let him know we were on to him.

Somebody needs to tell Nancy Pelosi that.


2009:
"...I don't know if you have seen Jonathan Gruber - MIT's analysis..."







2014:
"I don't know who he is..."


Seems she did know who he is. It's just not as convenient to know who he is now if you are Pelosi.


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Wednesday, November 19, 2014

One More on Elections

When the country was founded, only tax paying property owners could vote.

These days, we do not have a direct national property tax, but we have an income tax. I propose that only individuals who pay income taxes should be allowed to vote.

Not people who "pay" (payroll deducted) in, but get a larger refund at the end of the year.
Not people who do not pay in.

Only people who have a net tax owed, which is paid in full for the year prior (under age 21) and for the three consecutive years prior (age 21 and over).


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Tuesday, November 18, 2014

On Dating 7

From a reader:
"Hey, Usagi,I've read some of your stuff on your brother's divorce. I'm in about the same boat. Got any dating / woman advice for guys like us?"



I do have some advice. Probably the best summary ever is here. But I'll break it down into a weekly segment for you and others.


By Swingset
...
Item 7: Women, contrary to another urban legend, are s***bags too. They will have you convinced, if you talk to them enough, that they are the masters of reason and emotion. Bulls***, fellas. They are contriving, maniacal masters of chaos and work feverishly against their own happiness sometimes. Nothing will disturb a woman so deeply to her core as true contentment. Some women shudder at the thought of a placid, pleasing life. It's a very rare thing, a woman at peace and comfortable with herself....so when you find one, say "I do" and keep her away from other women. Wanna see proof of this? Work along side alot of women. When one finds happiness, the others go about dismantling hers with ant-like industry. Nothing on earth is quite so destructive as women screwing with a happy one. It's a pretty safe bet that if your lady friends hang out with other girls, they will try (even unwittingly), to f*** you up. Sorry girls, you know this one is true.



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Monday, November 17, 2014

National Election Thoughts

A few thoughts on the national election results:

Republicans Win
Republicans won by running on Libertarian principles.
Republicans were not elected to "cooperate" with Democrat policies, but to undo them!
Republicans were not elected because they resembled McCain or Romney, but because they represented themselves as the exact opposite!

Liberal Heads Explode
I saw statements like:
"Gas prices down, Med inflation down, unemployment below 6%...clearly means it's time to move America backwards."
Of course, the truth is that gas prices were down due to speculation that Republicans would win.


"Aging white voters still mad at black man who fixed the economy."
What economy did he fix???
And what about the fact that older voters by and large stayed home? This victory was had by younger people who finally have seen through the "Hope & Change" routine.


Of course, many of these statements were made by the same people who admitted to being 30 years old, and still making minimum wage. Of course, they were also complaining the minimum wage needed to be increased. Never do they think of making more of themselves so that they might deserve more than $7.25 per hour.


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Friday, November 14, 2014

Tennessee Election Changes

A few thoughts on the recent election in Tennessee, and the changes we should make:

Closed Primaries
In Tennessee, we really need closed primaries as long as the media insists on only allowing "2" parties. This would require a person to register in advance as being "Democrat" or "Republican" and only allowing that person to vote in the appropriate primary. This will reduce the incidences of "cross-pollination" polluting the primaries.

Majority Wins
In Tennessee, we really need a law (like many other states currently have) requiring an automatic runoff election between the two top vote-earning candidates if nobody earns at least 50% of the vote. This needs to be instituted in statewide primaries and the general election.

Judges
Judges need to be elected, not appointed. We need to undo the recent state constitutional amendment.


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Thursday, November 13, 2014

TN Election Reflection

For Liberty
On the one hand, an argument could be made that Tennessee voters were a bit schizophrenic. They voted for liberty by banning a sales tax (Amendment 3), allowing more organizations to hold raffles (Amendment 4), and even granting their legislature rights to regulate more parts of the medical industry (Amendment 1) as others currently are.

Against Liberty
On the other hand, Tennesseans voted away their right to vote. On Amendment 2, the electorate decided they want judges appointed. As one complete idiot pointed out:
The main reason I think appointed will work better than elected is that the judges will be free to interpret the law fairly and the way it's written, rather than subjecting it to popular interpretations so they'll have something on which to campaign "next time." Granted, appointment is no guarantee for that, but it does remove one pull towards that direction. And, as long as we keep putting human beings in those positions, there are going to be trade-offs. 1 and 3 were much more important to me than 2 and 4.
Folks, judges already have a "god" complex. There's no need to encourage them. 


This one is interesting. 
I know of only a single person that voted for Lamar Alexander (US Senate), yet he won "convincingly." This means several things are possible: 
a) people may be lying to me
b) my friend pool is skewed
c) elections were rigged 
Perhaps it's a combination of the three. Perhaps I haven't thought about more likely scenarios.

What I do know is the following breakdown:
Republican votes for TN Governor: 951K
Democrat votes for TN Governor: 339K**  (I added C. Brown's votes to J.J. Hooker's)

Republican votes for US Senate: 849K
Democrat votes for US Senate: 437K

Republican votes for US Congress (9 districts combined): 848K
Democrat votes for US Congress (9 districts combined): 457K

Independent vote counts were very consistent across the board on total percentages, except for Senate, where there was a much higher percentage voting for independent candidates. Also, vote counts for certain US Congressional races were high. In addition, total vote counts in two Congressional races (Fleischmann and Desjarlais) were way down compared to the others. This tells me a few things: 
Many Democrat voters voted for Haslam (I estimate approximately 100K)
Many Democrat voters voted for Alexander (I estimate at least  80K)


Kudos
The Constitution party showed very well in the polls - often placing no less than third**. I hope they continue to build steam here and in other states. 





** For the governor's race, John Jay Hooker is a lifetime Democrat with a bit of name recognition in the state. He was listed as an "independent," yet hardcore liberals in the state know him well and would likely have voted for him instead of Charlie Brown. So I list his totals as Democrat votes as opposed to a true independent candidate. 


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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Irony of Liberty

Most people fear true freedom. It's a sad truth that becomes even more apparent with each election cycle. As we move forward as a country, each election turns into a big pissing contest to see who can exert more control over whom.




Democrats
Democrats claim they want liberty. They will point to gay rights, pro-choice, legalizing marijuana, and such as their proofs. However, when was the last time a Democrat actually sponsored legislation or cast a vote in favor of one of these? 

When was the last time a Democrat voter actually voted with one of these issues first in his/her mind?

What most Democrat voters want is free stuff... to be paid for by "rich" people or "evil" corporations that are somehow "not paying their fair share" of taxes; even though these same people and companies pay 95% of all taxes paid. 


Republicans
Republicans similarly claim that they want liberty first and foremost. They will point to gun rights, free speech, and similar for their proofs. However, finding sponsored legislation or votes cast in favor of these ideals is also quite difficult. 

When was the last time a Republican voter actually voted with one of these issues in the forefront of his/her mind?

What most Republicans voters want is to force their ideals on others. Instead of a concept of truly living free lives, they want everyone to accept their interpretation of what is or is not right, regardless of whether it infringes on other people. 


Reality
In reality, what both parties want is control. 
Hence the "pissing contest" mentioned above. 
Hence the irony of liberty. 


The greatest irony of liberty is that most people want control over others more than they want true freedom for themselves. 


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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

On Dating 6

From a reader:
"Hey, Usagi,I've read some of your stuff on your brother's divorce. I'm in about the same boat. Got any dating / woman advice for guys like us?"



I do have some advice. Probably the best summary ever is here. But I'll break it down into a weekly segment for you and others.


By Swingset
...
Item 6: There is nothing a woman can sniff out like desperation. If you have even one tiny cell of creepy in you, she'll smell it all over you like a possum carcus in the sun. One of the lessons of adulthood is F***ING RELAX. Do it, for all our sakes. Don't chase women, for there is no need. Be a man, be yourself, have a good time and get your life in order, and the women will forever come to you. Believe this fellas.....nothing could be truer. If young swingset would have only known this...


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Monday, November 10, 2014

Right or Privilege?

A friend posted on Facebook her "I voted" sticker and said:
"Thankful for this privilege."


Note: Voting is a right... not a privilege.
And apparently, no minimum level of intelligence is required.


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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Election Results

Yes, I know it's a full two days after the election.
Yes, I know you are sick of the analysis.

This is just for fun, To show how my predictions held up. Thoughts will come later (unless there is something glaring now).

Governor
I voted for Shaun Crowell.
Prediction: Haslam with approximately 60%+ of the vote.

Outcome: Haslam by ~70%

US Senate
I voted for Joshua James (Libertarian) for Senate.
Prediction: Lamar! wins this one with a high-50's percentage (57%-58%).

Outcome: Lamar! by ~62%

US Congress
I voted for Mike Winton for Congress.
Prediction: Black wins with ~60% of the vote.

Outcome: Black by ~71%

State Senate
I voted for incumbent Mae Beavers.
Prediction: Beavers wins with ~70% of the vote.

Outcome: Beavers by ~100%

State House
I wrote in a name for State Representative.
Prediction: Susan Lynn wins with about 60% of the vote.

Outcome: Lynn by ~77%

City Council
I voted for my friend, James Maness, who did everything he said he would in his initial term .
Maness ran unopposed.
Prediction: James Maness with 80%+ of the vote. He might even reach the high 90's.

Outcome: Maness wins with ~100%

Wine referendum 
I voted to allow.
Prediction: I think the referendum passes with a vote of about 60%.

Outcome: Wine is allowed by ~76%

Amendment 1
I voted Yes.
Prediction: Amendment passes with a vote of 55% - 57%.
Outcome: Amendment passes ~53%

Amendment 2
I voted No.
Prediction: I think the amendment will pass (Yes vote) with 51% - 53% of the vote. I do not think that many voters will vote for it, however (draw your own conclusions as to what I'm suggesting).

Outcome: Amendment passes ~61%

Amendment 3
I voted Yes.
Prediction: this amendment passes with over 60% of the vote.
Outcome: Amendment passes ~66%

Amendment 4
I voted Yes.
Prediction: The amendment passes with a vote margin of 55%-57%.

Outcome:  Amendment passes ~70%

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Wasted Votes

A vote for a candidate who espouses the same ideals you hold dear is not a vote wasted.

A vote cast for a candidate whilst "holding one's nose" and voting "for the lesser of two evils" is the very definition of a wasted vote.

Those who tell you that you are wasting your vote because you are voting "3rd Party" fall into one of just a few categories:
- A candidate who would rather you hold your nose and vote for him (her).
- A brainwashed sheep spewing forth what (s)he heard on TV.
- A person trying to convince you to vote their way (for a D or R candidate) so they can accomplish their own goals. 



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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

On Dating 5

From a reader:
"Hey, Usagi,I've read some of your stuff on your brother's divorce. I'm in about the same boat. Got any dating / woman advice for guys like us?"



I do have some advice. Probably the best summary ever is here. But I'll break it down into a weekly segment for you and others.


By Swingset
...
Item 5: Women, contrary to [some uban] legends, do not want sex that often...especially once the relationship cools off (normalizes). If they do crave the weenie all the time, they are messed up (see item #1). Women do not have testesterone pumping through their organs, and will not crave sex, at least not like you think they do. Get used to it, deal with it, and make your peace with the fact that a normal woman wants sex about 1/10th as much as you. Sadly, the sexaholic women are usually reliving some sort of childhood trauma, and sex gives them control over their neuroses about that past. See, women have sex for very different reasons than we do. They have it to feel sexy, to feel loved, to feel wanted, even to feel in charge....but they don't have that physical drive like us. We, by contrast, have sex to purge the evil venom from our balls, and that's about the extent of it.



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Monday, November 3, 2014

How I Voted & Predictions

Tomorrow is the Nov. 4th election. I voted on Friday, October 17. Here's the breakdown of how I voted, why, and my predictions on each.

Governor
I voted for Shaun Crowell.
No way I'd vote for Haslam. Not gonna vote Democrat, either. Crowell is a solid Constitution party candidate, and I am happy to have voted for him.
Prediction: Haslam with approximately 60%+ of the vote.

US Senate
I voted for Joshua James (Libertarian) for Senate.
No way I would vote for the liberal (Lamar!) nor the slightly-to-the-right-of-Lamar! Gordon Ball.
Prediction: Lamar! wins this one with a high-50's percentage (57%-58%).

US Congress
I voted for Mike Winton for Congress.
Diane Black is not my preference, too "squishy" (as my wife puts it) on key topics.
Prediction: Black wins with ~60% of the vote.

State Senate
I voted for incumbent Mae Beavers.
Beavers is one of only two incumbents to earn my vote, and the only person on the ballot with an (R) beside her name to do so. Beaver represents my wishes on the state level in over 90% of the thins that matter, so I was happy to vote for her.
Prediction: Beavers wins with ~70% of the vote.

State House
I wrote in a name for State Representative.
Susan Lynn is just another Haslam crony. She does not represent my interests, nor those of the majority of Wilson county. No way I'm voting for Democrat Jesse McLevain - his Facebook page (one of the rare places to find out anything about him) indicates he is very liberal (read: Socialist).
Prediction: Susan Lynn wins with about 60% of the vote.

City Council
I voted for my friend, James Maness, who did everything he said he would in his initial term .
Maness is running unopposed.
Prediction: James Maness with 80%+ of the vote. He might even reach the high 90's.

Wine referendum 
I voted to allow.
The City of Mount Juliet has a referendum to allow large stores to sell wine. I do not drink wine with any frequency, and have never purchased it. However, free market and all dictates that any store should be allowed to sell it, not just the friends of the mayor or campaign contributors. (Note: I am not saying the current mayor had a dog in this fight, just making a generalized statement).
Prediction: I think the referendum passes with a vote of about 60%.

Amendment 1
I voted Yes.
The amendment would allow the state legislature to enact laws regarding abortion. As this is not a US Constitutional issue, this is, by definition, something that should be handled on the state level according to the founders.
Prediction: Amendment passes with a vote of 55% - 57%.

Amendment 2
I voted No.
The amendment would give the governor the right to appoint judges. It is my feeling that if you have authority, you should face elections and the voters.
Prediction: I think the amendment will pass (Yes vote) with 51% - 53% of the vote. I do not think that many voters will vote for it, however (draw your own conclusions as to what I'm suggesting).

Amendment 3
I voted Yes.
This amendment would prohibit the state legislature from being able to enact an income tax.
Prediction: this amendment passes with over 60% of the vote.

Amendment 4
I voted Yes.
This amendment would would empower the state legislature to authorize lotteries via a two-thirds vote for annual events that benefit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations. Currently, the legislature may authorize lotteries via a two-thirds vote for 501(c)(3) organizations, but not 501(c)(19) organizations.
Prediction: The amendment passes with a vote margin of 55%-57%.


How did you (will you) vote?

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