RECCE ROOM

This is my third "Dealing with the Public" post this evening. I had several memories tonight and wanted to get them down just for you, kind reader. Setting: I was a "Management Assistant" at Enterprise on Covington Pike in Memphis. This would have been spring 2000. I was actually at a point where I would be promoted soon, so I was getting the hang of the rental business at this point. Now let me tell you a few things that will help you understand this story. First, many people in Memphis had an "entitlement" mentality. They felt they deserved something for free. Working in the car rental industry in Memphis was very taxing on a person's mind for this reason. I had fewer renters like this in 18 months of rental in the Nashville area than I dealt with in a week in Memphis. When dealing with car rental operations, renters with that "entitlement mentality" often requested/demanded/expected things to be different just for them. Many people would a...

OK, here is another one dealing with the public. Understand, I am neither bitter nor angry at these people I write about. I have long since forgotten any ill will I might have held against them. I use these memories as sources of humor. And I know some of the people that follow this blog appreciate them. So in this instance, you need to know some background. From this story , you can read that we had a body shop that occasionally tried to extort us. Never worked. I made it a point never to "deliver" rental cars anywhere - that is to say that we always returned to the rental lobby for a brief moment to do paperwork and select a car. This also gave us a moment to advise all renters to return the car to the location. This way, there would never be a question about how long to charge the renter or their insurance company. So one Friday afternoon, I am there at the lobby, checking some renters into cars for weekend specials, and returning cars from other renters. Most of t...

I did not know whether to tag this as a repo story, or as a dealing with the public story, so this one is both. Now, I must admit it was not a repo, exactly. In fact, it was just a time when a car that was rented had been dropped off at a repair shop. Side note: Folks, I strongly advise you to never leave a rental car anywhere, even if the rental company says it's OK. I have witnessed firsthand all sorts of bad things happen to customers who did this. I would say you have a better than 1 in 5 chance of having the car damaged before the rental agency gets it back, or being way overcharged for your rental. Side note off. Often, and for various reasons, body shop managers would tell people to just leave the rental car there at the body shop. This was poor advice. Well, we had a renter do just that. Good news was she called us (5 minutes before close) to tell us what she had just done. Since there was no way we could get that car then, I told her we would get it tomorrow and I advised ...

Much like the prior thread: 1. We really, really enjoy Martial Arts. As a consequence, even when we know better, we will talk to you about Martial Arts. Just like someone interested in Photography, or Golf, or a Television Show. Please don’t take it as a threat to your ego. We are not challenging you in any way. Just smile and nod like you do to everyone else’s boring stories about interests you don’t have. 2. Also, please don’t take this as an opportunity to spout out "That’s why I carry a 9mm in my car at all times!" We are perfectly aware that Martial Arts training will not stop a bullet. Are you aware that we are currently between you and your car, and our Martial Arts knowledge is not locked in the glove compartment? 3. While we are on that note, nothing it our code of conduct prevents us from owning firearms, either. 4. No, I don’t have to register my hands with the police. No state law says "black belt = deadly weapon". 5. Also, there really is...

These can be things I have learned directly, taught others, or I have seen others learn (before I made the same mistake). 1. A pistol is a pistol and a rifle is a rifle. 2. I don't care what you've heard about shotguns, you still have to aim them. 3. It is cool to catch brass as it is ejected from the gun... but you'll only do it once. 4. Ladies with low cut shirts find out about #3 in places they wish they didn't! 5. When shooting a semi-automatic pistol, one does not wrap one's weak-side thumb over one's wrist. 6. Shooting without hearing protection can hurt. 7. Cleaning up after you have shot is very polite. 8. Pointing a gun at someone will not make the two of you friends. 9. I don't care about caliber debates - I prefer not to get shot with any gun, thank you. 10. The difference between shooting and chess: Everybody claims to be a decent shooter, but they rarely get out and shoot. Everybody plays chess, but nobody claims to be an expert. 11. Be wary of ...

A number of people have asked me why I carry. Here a few reasons, in no particular order: 1. Self defense. I have a black belt in 3 martial arts. I am 6'3" and about 275 pounds. There are few people in this world that I cannot handle 1 on 1. Most are professional fighters. However, throw into the mix the fact that I have a wife and two kids. Add to it that most predatory criminals travel in packs and bring weapons. Now we see that all that training is compromised when there are multiple armed opponents. Enter my self defense tool - a GLOCK model 22 - and those "advantages" a bad guy (or guys) may have are reduced significantly. 2. Police. Police have no direct duty to defend you (Supreme Court, 2005 - Castle Rock vs. Gonzalez). They are there to clean up after the fact and gather information for some detective work. Even when they do decide to defend you, they are mere minutes away. As an experienced martial arts instructor, I know that most altercations are over in ...

Yes, I must admit it on this blog. I am in favor of gun control. You see, gun control is absolutely essential. It is a must have. Now I see many of you asking if I left my brain at home, or if someone hijacked my blog. I can assure you, this is Usagi speaking and I am completely in favor of gun control. I define gun control as the ability to accurately hit one's target.

The UK has got it worse. It seems that glass mugs were outlawed in Great Britain due to the fact that about 5500 people per year were assaulted with them. ***Insert gun-nut humor here*** I wonder if "high capacity mugs" were banned, as well? What about glass mugs with "pistol grips?" Do they even make glass mugs with bayonet attachments or folding stocks? ***end of gun-nut humor*** Bet they never thought about the fact that now people would use the plastic mugs as weapons, and those would hurt just as much.

This establishment in Toledo has been robbed twice. However, it is a known location for posting a "no guns" type of sign. ***sarcasm alert*** Why won't the bad guys obey the sign? I don't get it! ***sarcasm off*** In reality, posting such a sign is a way to let criminals such as these know that this is a danger-free working environment for them. They know that the chances of meeting an armed civilian is slim-to-none - and "slim" just called in sick! To all of those people out there that think we need more gun laws and more strict gun laws, I say this. The criminals could not agree with you more!

In several previous posts, there were errors with regards to whether citizens on WI can legally carry firearms. To make it clear: in WI, people can open carry - but LEO's can arrest them for disturbing the peace. WI has no provision for concealed carry. All posts have been corrected.

So I was talking this week with someone about... what else... guns. He made two statements that made me do a double take. First he said that although he was OK with the "guns in bars" law, he felt it should not have passed because the majority of Tennesseans were against it. He added that he has never heard of there being an armed robbery in a bar or restaurant that serves alcohol. To that I respond: Nikki Gozer would disagree. Her husband was murdered just outside of a restaurant that served alcohol. Nikki has her HCP and could have acted in self defense. She is convinced she could have saved her husband. FYI - the guy that shot her husband was not carrying legally. Second comment the man made was in regards to "guns in parks." He said he did not approve, stating, "what if there is a disagreement and the carry-holder pulls out the gun and shoots?" To that I respond: How asinine. HCP holders are people and that could possibly happen - but I venture it wou...

This story has its points of irony and sadness. For some reason, I cannot help but laugh a little. You see, an executive of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) accidentally locked her dog in the car for half a day. The poor animal died from the heat. I wonder if the SPCA is going to protest her? Or even do anything to her? Perhaps they will get a big dose of "it's unfortunate, but it does accidentally happen from time to time." In this case, I do not think there should be a criminal punishment. So why do I laugh at this? Only because that must put the organization as a whole in a really tough spot.

This clip is the single best verbal smackdown I've seen. A Marine tells his Congressman like it is. You have probably seen this on most other conservative media outlets, but I thought I'd add it here, too as the man makes many good points.

Recently, I was asked by a relative to help prep her to get a good sales job. We discussed many difficulties she was seeing in the job market. I gave a verbal smackdown to nearly half of the ads I saw, once we read through them, and she interviewed with them, and we found out what they were really about. I thought I would compile a list of warning signs for potential jobs in sales: Red Flag 1: The company frequently uses the word "Potential" Fact is, my wife cannot buy shoes with "potential." It is my experience that companies offer "potential" instead of "money." Sadly, it is very common that the "potential" doesn't really exist, either. Red Flag 2: The operation is known to "churn & burn" It is well known that keeping employees is far more cost-productive. However, some companies are so short-sighted, that they recycle the low level employees frequently so that they can keep pay low. Red Flag 3: Th...

This clip is the single best verbal smackdown I've seen. A Marine tells his Congressman like it is. You have probably seen this on most other conservative media outlets, but I thought I'd add it here, too as the man makes many good points.

This clip is the single best verbal smackdown I've seen. A Marine tells his Congressman like it is. You have probably seen this on most other conservative media outlets, but I thought I'd add it here, too as the man makes many good points.

Let me talk a moment about another pet peeve I have in the martial arts. High ranking Black Belts. I feel not everybody will deserve one. But I feel they should have a component of being achievable by outstanding individuals. The organization I have been appointed President of seems to hand out 9th and 10th Dan pretty regularly to just about anybody over the age of 50 in the martial arts. I do not like this in my organization or in others. I feel there should be one of the following criteria for attaining high ranks: service to the art, ability, and longevity. The last component, longevity within the art, I feel is a pre-requisite. I do not feel there should be a 9th or 10th Dan who has been in the arts for less than 40 years or so. Maybe longer. For persons who have enough time in the art, not all should get to the highest levels. I think these highest levels should be reserved for those showing outstanding ability, or outstanding service to the art. For example, if one has had many c...

Overall, I would say I am a traditionalist. That being said, let me clarify some things - specifically in my opinion, when traditions are better and when they are not with respect to the martial arts. Originally, the concept of the black belt was developed by Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo, in the early 1900's. He wanted a quick reference guide to tell between new persons and experienced persons. Being an educator, he borrowed the idea from Japanese swim teams, who divided contestants in a similar manner. So, in the beginning, there was a white belt (novice) and a black belt (experienced). There was never any concept of mastery deemed to the black belts. They simply knew the basics and could be given more detailed instruction. Later, more belts were added. Then, kyu (under black belt) and Dan (black belt) ranks were added and the belt ranks matched up to the kyu/Dan system. Higher Dan ranks indicated degrees of mastery in the art. Colored belts for different Kyu ranks increased parti...

Those that know me well also know that I was appointed President of a Martial Arts Organization about three years ago. Over the past couple of days, a widespread email was sent out, linking to an article about the topic of McDojo's. And today, one instructor, whose operation might be viewed by some as being a McDojo, lashed out at the article . A McDojo is a place where anybody with cash may purchase whatever combo they want, including black belt. It is martial arts schools like this that give the entire industry a bad name. Make no mistake, there are several reasons people practice the martial arts - self-defense, health & fitness, fun, sport, etc. The problem is too many folks have a studio that has its focus, then sell prospective students on these other benefits without providing them. For example, sport Taekwondo, which my son takes, is very good for fun and sport. There are some self defense aspcts to it, but a seasoned fighter will easily beat most sport taekwondo ...

In a story that proves shot placement is everything, a college student in Washington State killed a 200 pound cougar at 100 yards with a broken .22 rifle. Those "in the know" will often suggest that a .223 (same caliber as is used by the US Military) is inadequate against game that large. The .223 is the same diameter, twice the weight, and travels about three times the speed of the lowly .22 LR cartridge. This time David beats Goliath. And does so while proving something my dad taught me long ago - what size gun you use is important, but it is most important where you shoot.

I think all level-headed people agree that in most places, racial discrimination is nearly extinct. In a few places, it is on its last leg. So is gender-based discrimination as well as discrimination based on sexual orientation. But there is one more area we as a society need work, according to this article . We, as a country, tend to discriminate based on obesity. Normally I do not agree with things written or aired on MSNBC. They get a bunch of stuff wrong. But, just like a broken clock (which has the right time twice a day!), MSNBC can get things right, too. I really would like to see your comments on this topic. I know, as a fat man, I have been discriminated against based on my size. Unlike some other groups, I never let that get me down or become a focal point. Instead, I simply found work elsewhere or otherwise made things go the way I wanted them to go.

Memphis schools have decided to institute a " no-fail " policy. Let me make sure I got this straight - we take one of the poorest performing school systems in the nation, and institute a policy that will guarantee worse results. Not a smart move. With such a policy, teachers will be de-motivated to teach, and students will be de-motivated to learn. You see, the only guaranteed, tied-and-true method for obtaining results when trying to motivate human beings is a "risk / reward" structure. Reward what you want. Punish what you don't want. It really is that simple.

Today, I got to watch my brother-in-law get married. Beautiful wedding, beautiful bride, great food, excellent singing entertainment at the reception. And the people at the tux rental place didn't even freak out when I open-carried into their store!

Last night, my wife and I dined out on our last night this week without the kids (the kids are at Mrs. Usagi's parents' house this week). At the end of dinner, I asked our waitress - who had indicated earlier in the evening that she had been a server for several years - what she thought about "the whole guns in bars thing." The response was fascinating. She said she felt guns and alcohol do not mix - and I agree. She said she wished there was some sort of control put on it. She said she wished restaurant workers and owners had been granted a vote in the matter. She said that it would "freak her out." (please note, at this point, I decided not to show her my GLOCK). She said that she wished she knew who was carrying, so she could "choose not to serve them alcohol." Much like they will "cut off" a drunk who has had too much that night. After all of this, I told her "I was going to suggest some changes to the law," and I asked her ...

This article by Alex Marvez is an absolute disgrace. Mr. Marvez obviously takes his anti-gun sentiment too far in condemning Plaxico Burress - who just got two years in jail for violating New York's gun laws. I never advocate anybody violate any law, but it seems the city of New York has done so. How, you ask? Thanks for asking! "A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." - Second Amendment, US Constitution. Notice the Constitution does not apply this law only to the Federal government, but as an all-encompassing law: "... the right of the people... shall not be infringed." I think this law in New York is unconstitutional. I think the article referenced at the top is atrocious. And I think anybody reading this blog knew I was going to say so.

I know, it is not at all unusual for MSNBC to get a "news report" wrong. They slant everything to the far left or otherwise to meet their agenda. This time, it has to do with Obama protesters that open-carried their guns. MSNBC tries to portray these protesters as racist and white. Their problem? This time, they edit the footage of a black man who open-carried the Ar-15. One can only presume they do this to try to give the indication that the man is white so they can rant about the race card - which is absolutely not why so many Americans disagree with Mr. Obama. Here's the footage . And here is a link to a more unbiased clip showing Chris carrying his AR-15 and GLOCK. Whatever the consensus, I think we can all agree Chris does not sound racist and is certainly not white.

Well, it was bound to happen. The mainstream media picked up on Tennessee's new law that brings us up to date with 41 other states, and allows for Handgun Carry Permit Holders to carry into establishments that serve alcohol, provided they do not drink. Here is the ABC clip . I dislike the title, but if it bleeds, it leads! Charles Gibson messes up and says that "Licensed Gun Owners" may carry concealed. - Tennessee does not license guns, nor owners. - We may also open-carry, if we want. Randy Rayburn, Nashville restaurant owner, argues that it allows for 1-2% of the HCP population to misbehave with their weapons. - I argue that these folks would do that anyways, permit or not. But what the law allows is the rest of us law-abiding citizens, to protect our families and friends. ABC does as good a job as it can of showing both sides (not nearly enough, though) and has points made by a gun range owner and a woman whose husband was murdered in a restaurant that serves alcohol ...

We are month since I open-carried at Red Robin . I got the urge to once more try to open carry. Again, I just wanted to judge people's reactions. So, with the wife in tow, and fully aware of my intentions, off we went to do some errands. First stop - Wal-Mart. There were perhaps 300-500 people in the whole of the store. It just so happened that the merchandise I needed to purchase was located all over. So we went all over, picking things up here and there. I actually paid for the merchandise at the guns & ammo counter. They had a pretty good price on a box of 550 rounds of .22 LR. The clerk at the counter made some small talk of being raised around guns immediately after looking at my hip. Other than that, NOBODY noticed. It was actually almost disappointing. But I came to the following conclusion: Those that would care that I am open-carrying a firearm rarely notice. Those that would notice the firearm rarely care enough to make a scene. I will report back with more ...

If you had asked me a year ago, I might have said I do not favor open-carrying my pistol, opting instead to concealed-carry for the element of surprise against a "bad-guy." After the Blockbuster incident , I got to thinking. My mind tried to wrap itself around that series of events. And I wondered if things would always be that way - having people always notice and go run in fear. So, being the "scientist" I am, I decided to conduct an experiment. I informed the wife that I intended to try an open carry one night when we went, with the kids, to eat at Red Robin. This was about two weeks after the law was changed here in TN to allow me to do so. The restaurant had no sign, so in we went. I chickened out of openly carrying as we entered. I kept my pistol covered under my shirt and in its holster. However, I moved my shirt once we sat. My wife noticed one person she thought had seen it. That person did nothing. One server, not ours, noticed. He made sure to wal...

By now, we all know that President Obama and the Democratic leadership are following the game plans laid out in Saul Alinsky's book, " Rules for Radicals ." However, as the American public counters with knowledge and understanding of the lies they are being told, the far left responds, as I have stated before by the following mantra: 1) Lie, 2) Deny, 3) Make counter-accusations. Some of the readers of this blog have asked me to elaborate on that mantra, as it seems so fitting. The reason for the request is because it can sometimes be difficult to determine which category the far-left response falls into. I cannot go into too much detail, but this outline should provide enough framework for you to see how the far-left operates when confronted. That is the key, as Alinsky did not spend much time in how to respond to counter-attack, the left has fallen back to typical used-car-salesman approach to bad news. So here is the outline of their game-plan: 1. LIE A. Say the o...

From this previous post , the man who open carried an AR15 to an anti-Obamacare rally has been interviewed. Youtube provides the video , which was posted this morning. We still don't know much about him, except now we know his name is Chris. Chris is exceptionally bright - or seems so from these interviews. He speaks well publicly, and dresses sharp. I think this is how you should do things in protest. The man never gets out of control, but is certainly passionate about what he believes in. Overall I think he portrays his views in a good way. We need more people on our side that think and act the way he does.

OK, this guy has some guts... and I like it. The man in this story , whose name is not provided, open carried at an anti-Obama rally today in AZ. What's more - he open carried an AR-15 and a Glock. Most people do not carry a rifle, but this guy does, which is completely legal in AZ. I wish it were here, too. Now, if you are like me, and you enjoy seeing the media go bananas over something little like this, then you should watch this clip . Some CNN reporters are obviously uncomfortable with anyone open-carrying.

This story happened a few months ago. I was in Blockbuster, renting some movies at the time. There was one other patron in the whole store, and I was aware (as I always am) that he is on the opposite side of the store. It was not long before I overheard him speaking in hushed tones to the worker behind the counter, who happened to be the same young lady as in this post . I overhear the patron saying "that man over there has a gun on him!" I checked my hip, and sure enough, my shirt had come up and been snagged behind my Glock in its holster, on my hip. Understand, though, that in Tennessee, it is legal to open carry or concealed carry - so long as one has a handgun carry permit. That's why we call it a "carry permit" rather than a "concealed carry permit," like some other states do. I overhear more dialogue, back and forth as the male patron indicates my gun in its holster on my hip is making him uncomfortable. Finally, the young lady behind ...

Another dealing with the public. This one was not funny as much as I did not expect the reaction I got. I was in Blockbuster, renting a movie. When it came time to pay for the movies, the young lady behind the counter asked for my ID, to verify the account. I opened my wallet and flipped out the part that has my drivers license. However, what I did not know was that the most recent time I'd used my drivers license, I had put it back, under my handgun carry permit (which is also acceptable ID in Tennessee). I realized this as I saw the ID. I braced for the worst. "Oh," came the reply. "You are one of those people that makes me feel safe!" I'm sure the look on my face was priceless as that was the LAST thing I expected to hear. We ended up talking guns for the better part of a half hour (there were no other patrons in the store at that time, save my son). Turns out the young lady was about to turn 21 at the time and fully intended to get her permit when she w...

This happened to me over the weekend. I was going to eat at a restaurant with family. However, this restaurant, in light of our new law that allows me to carry in their place of business, has decided to post a sign saying essentially "no guns allowed." Now, when posted in accordance to the law (TCA 39-17-1359), and this place was, the sign carries the weight of law. This means if I carry in there anyways, and am discovered, I could face a fine and jail time. Tennessee is one of only two states that give the sign weight of law (TX being the other). So I march back out to my car, place my sidearm in the car, and go back in armed only with a business card. The card reads "no guns = no money" and explains the requirements to obtain a TN carry permit, as well as advising the owner/manager of the establishment that such a sign lets criminals know there are no armed patrons, and therefore, the establishment is providing the lawbreakers a safe working environment. I hand th...

I have decided to start a new section of the blog, this one called "Dealing with the Public." I find humor in many things in life, and that will be the crux of the matter in this section. Anybody who has dealt with the public understands one simple fact: about 90% of the population is normal or fairly normal. The other 10% (50% if you live in Memphis) can be quite entertaining. This segment of society often has unrealistic expectations, a fantasy processor where their logic should be, anger control issues, a complete lack of understanding of how to behave in public, or any number of other "issues." So look for more posts about dealing with the public in days and weeks to come. Give me feedback, and I'll relate stories from my actual experiences (or from your submitted experiences, too) that deal with the type of people we all have to endure.

There has been something that has been getting on my nerves, and now is time to address it. It has to do with nomenclature - specifically the use of the term "assault weapon." By definition , an assault rifle is a rifle that is designed for combat and is capable of selective fire (capable of firing both fully automatic and semi-automatic). However, recently (since 1994) the media has labeled certain weapons (most notably AK-47's and AR-15's) as being "semi-automatic assault weapons." This is asinine. You can no more have a "semi-automatic assault weapon" than you can a fuel-injected carburetor. It's as impossible as having a bungalow style ranch house. These things cannot be. They must be one or the other. So now you know... But the question remains, why would the media try to demonize certain firearms? I have my suspicions...

Something just dawned on me. I was reviewing the news of NFL Quarterback Michael Vick and his signing with the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday when I realized something. Vick was in jail for 18 months and suspended from the NFL for 2 years for his illegal dogfighting activities. Meanwhile, NFL Wide receiver Donte Stallworth plead guilty to manslaughter for killing a man with his car while drunk-driving. His sentence? 30 days in jail and a one-year suspension form football. Wait... did I read that correctly? Vick killed dogs and got two years prison and two years suspension. Stallworth killed a person and got 30 days prison and a one year suspension. Since when is any dog's life worth more than any person? I just don't get this.

I was told by a former co-worker, several years ago, his simple formula for getting around questions he did not want to directly answer. You see, he had been a sales manager at a used-car dealership, and this method was apparently taught as a way around any verbal situation. His advice? When asked a question, or put on the spot, follow this simple formula: 1. Lie. 2. Deny. 3. Make counter-accusations. Hmmm..... Sounds like what the democrats in Washington have been doing lately - particularly with regard to this health care bill.

Time for another repo story. I cannot do a proper setting here, because this one was over a year in the making. This started in the spring of 2000 - I was a Management Trainee at the time. A car was rented to a renter on an insurance claim. Two months later, the car could not be found and the renter was unable to be reached. The insurance company had long since stopped paying as the renter's personal car was finished at the repair shop. Shortly after this, I was promoted to another location and, due to the move, never learned what happened to that rental. I was waist deep in new repo's! In April of 2001, I was promoted back to the Covington Pike location. I never checked on the status of that old rental because it was way past 90 days old (when contracts usually lapsed into thin air). And the car was not on the books anymore (corporate took cars off the books that were considered stolen, as this one was). About a month later, when renting to a nice lady for a weekend special, s...

We all know the mainstream media lies to get their "points" across. Any rational adult can see this. I got to see it first hand back in the mid 1980's when my mom ran for a city council spot. That was a wake-up call for a young child at the time. This guy actually points out a recent and blatant lie. Nice work! Cliff's notes: - Liberal media uses picture of Obama with a Hitler mustache to say what "right wing extremists" have been doing. - Pictures are really from a Left-Wing group advocating an alternate socialized health care plan.

At Obama's "Town Hall Meeting" in New Hampshire, there was one protester, William Kostric, who exercised his 2nd amendment right to open carry his sidearm to the protest line. His sign stated "It's time for the tree of liberty to be watered." This is from Thomas Jefferson's quote. The news guys covering the protest literally went berserk at the sight of his gun, despite Mr. Kostric's calm demeanor. But wait, there's more... Chris Mathews got an interview with Mr. Kostric. Very interesting. Chrissy gets his butt handed to him. Warning - Chris Matthews swears on this video. Some of my favorite parts of the two videos: - Video 1 - Reporter says the gun is a "registered weapon." Problem - New Hampshire does not register weapons - they are a free state! - Video 1 - Anchor says "I can't imagine that there aren't enough lawyers in New Hampshire to file some sort of emergency injunction..." Really - an injunction against a c...

Was this a gaffe? I think so. Obama points out that UPS and Fed Ex (private companies) are doing fine, while it is the US Post Office (Government institution) that is "always having problems." For the first time, I think ever, I must agree with you, Mr. Obama. You see, it is the private companies that know how to stay afloat and turn a profit, because they must to survive. Government run bureaucracies fail, because they have no need to compete to win.

In my travels, I come across many strange and unusual things. Recently, I stumbled upon a website called "Guns and alcohol don't mix." While I agree with the statement, the website itself seems to be a liberal attempt to get back at the State of Tennessee for passing House Bill 0962, allowing for carry permit holders to legally carry in establishments that serve alcohol, provided the carry permit holder does not drink. While I will not link to this website, it is a .org entity and seems to have fallen dormant since July 14. However, on the front page, it lists some "facts." It is these talking points I would like to publicly denounce and answer on this blog: Let me first state that the law in TN does not provide for HCP holders to consume alcohol while carrying. The fact is that guns and alcohol DO NOT MIX. However, the new law does not try to mix them! "1. Bars can be sites of confrontation, and the last thing we need is ready access to firearms." Usa...

So it has been almost a month since the inception of Tennessee's "Guns in Bars" law - which should really be called guns in ordinary restaurants (but then, where is the shock value in that?). How many people have been involved in shootouts? How many crimes have been committed in bars or restaurants by Handgun Carry Permit holders? None. Phil Valentine writes a great article on this fact.

This man speaks the truth about the direction of Government. For once, I'll let the video do most of the talking. However, I really like the part when he calls Mr. Obama the "long legged mack daddy." funniest thing I've heard all year!

Clint Smith, Director of Thunder Ranch (a Firearms training facility), has been quoted as saying that he has never met a person who has been in a gunfight that said afterward they wished they had a smaller gun. This robber didn't get that memo. Kinda reminds me of of the scene in Crocodile Dundee when Mick gets attacked and says, "That's not a knife... this is a knife!"

Seriously? Anybody out there want the socialized healthcare? The mainstream media is not reporting what is happening at these town-hall meetings. Because the American people are taking their country back. Fox is reporting on it a bit. I have yet to find a single person I've talked to that wants the Obamacare plan. I have a co-worker who is a legal immigrant from Canada. Part of the reason she left was the healthcare debacle that is their socialized system. But, Obama and his minion still seem to want to push this through. I really hope they don't.

Glenn Beck has an article out detailing many run-ins between citizens and lawmakers at town-hall type events. There are many Youtube clips linked on the article, detailing people's frustration with the attempts to pass the health care overhaul. I have two questions: 1. When will these goobers in Washington get it that WE THE PEOPLE do not want the Obamacare plan?!?! 2. Why won't the mainstream media cover these events?

Setting: Jackson, TN Enterprise. I was the assistant manager. It is the fall of 2000. We had rented a car to pro wrestler "Superstar" Bill Dundee. At some point during the rental, the car had become damaged. It so happened that somebody had hit the rented car while it was parked. My manager did not believe his story and asked Mr. Dundee to pay his deductible on the spot and return the rented car. This was Enterprise's policy at the time. No - I don't like that policy, either, and I do not know if this is still their policy. Nonetheless, the former pro-wrestler was infuriated at this demand. (I would be, too!). My manager told him to pay his deductible, or leave the car there. Mr. Dundee did neither! He left in the rental car. I was sent to the local dealership to get a key cut, then to go straight to Mr. Dundee's place of residence or business to retrieve the car. I did not really want to, but I did not want to get fired, either. My manager also instructed me to s...

Today, a baseball player I have admired for over 20 years got designated for assignment to AAA. This is baseball talk for getting demoted. John Smoltz has been a really effective pitcher, but it seems age may finally be creeping up on him. A sad day in this Braves fan's house! :(

I have had a friend and reader of this blog ask me about shooting pumpkins. For the record, I have never actually shot a pumpkin - but I intend to do so, as soon as possible. My friend has asked how to accomplish several things: 1) Shoot a pumpkin with a small entry hole and a large exit hole. 2) Shoot a pumpkin with a small entry hole and a small exit hole. 3) Completely demolish a pumpkin with a single shot. I am not certain, but I do have a limited knowledge of ballistics on several modern firearms and I would give a guess at them like this: 1) Shoot a pumpkin with a small entry hole and a large exit hole. - I would try this with a rifle. My AR-15 would be my first try. I might also use the SKS to get this result. 2) Shoot a pumpkin with a small entry hole and a small exit hole. - I would think this would be possible with a .22 or most modern handgun calibers. 3) Completely demolish a pumpkin with a single shot. - My first guess would be a shotgun. I'm thinking birdshot so th...

This idiot intruder forced the homeowner to shoot in self defense. Now the homeowner has to live with having killed a bad guy. Note to would-be robbers in TN, TX, and most other southern states: we the people will fight back!

It seems they are lashing out at the American public for not wanting this silly Obamacare plan. Here is Dick Durbin saying that the opposition is "sucker-punching" the elected officials. Here is Nancy Pelosi stating that the Americans showing up and protesting are doing so with swastikas. You know if that were true, it would be all over the news! Sounds like sour grapes to me!

Oh no! According to USA Today , it seems more and more people are carrying guns these days! What will we ever do? I know - we will have a safer society!

I love it when Americans let their representatives know in no uncertain terms that we do not want what they are trying to force down our throats. Example 1 shows what happened to Lloyd Doggett of TX. Rumor has it, he only published news of his meeting in liberal publications. Evidently, he did not want conservatives there. Also apparent is the fact that he did not expect conservatives to be scanning liberal publications to learn of his intentions! Example 2 shows a very well spoken rebuttal by a US Soldier. He uses the US Constitution to show why Obamacare is not wanted, needed, or even legal!

In a recent presentation , as shown here on Youtube, Arlen Specter indicates we need to "hurry up and pass" the ObamaCare "plan." As you watch the video, you will notice the crowd there disapproves of this course of action. Loudly! There is only one reason a politician would want to hurry any bill along these days - and that is that there must be something hidden in the bill that the politicians do not want the public to see or learn of until it is too late. I wonder why we never see footage like this on CNN? - Just kidding - of course I do not watch CNN!