RECCE ROOM

From this article : 8 things your boss wishes you knew. Only thing this post really truly gets "wrong" is the assumption that the employee is always in the wrong. Of course, given so many of the newer workers in the market these days, it's not entirely a bad assumption... .

On vacation last week: I was at an inflatable water slide -the Hippo Water Slide - at the condo. My daughter and son were with me, and although we were close to the front of the line, we had been down it many times already. At the moment in time, there were some dark clouds and there was some distant thunder. However, all swimming pools and the slide were still open at the discretion of the supervisors in the area. I felt it was safe, or otherwise, I'd have headed indoors with my kids. There were a couple other parents in line with their children, too. One particular woman, who looked to be in her mid-30's, decided to take it upon herself to voice her weather-related concerns to "Carmelo," the attendant at the bottom of the slide. At first, I thought she was making a joke, as there were 40+ people in line. It came across like she was simply jesting so she could skip to the front of the line. Carmelo thought so too, and in turning to face her, his water hose ...

Several days ago, a man in New York broke up a fight. For reasons that are not entirely clear, when police showed up on the scene, they targeted this man, Eric Garner, for arrest. Mr. Garner, who was 6'4" and 350 pounds, was restrained by multiple Jack-Booted Thugs, placed in a choke hold, and killed via the choke. Time Magazine article on the incident. Gracie Breakdown on the incident. The Gracie brothers (Rener & Ryron) state they do not feel the choke caused the death. There are many others who feel Mr. Garner died because of being overweight, and I think Rener and Ryron fall into this camp. Interestingly, Rener clearly states that the crushing of the trachea can lead to inability to breathe normally - which could result in death. Rener goes on to state that the autopsy clearly indicated that the trachea was not damaged. However, at this time, such information on the autopsy is not available. All we are being told is that the autopsy is "inconclusive....

I'm breaking from tradition here and going to lay out in advance the people for whom I shall vote in the August 7 primary. Note: I will be voting in the Republican Primary, as there are more issues relevant to me in this one than on the Democrat side. Governor There is no way I'll vote for Haslam. Didn't before and will not now. I plan to vote for Mark "Coonrippy" Brown in the primary. It is likely that Haslam will win the nomination, and if that happens, I plan to vote for Shaun Crowell in the General Election. US Senate Joe Carr Do you really need to ask me why? (62% - how often Lamar! votes with Obama) US Congress Jerry Lowery Diane Black is shifty and unreliable. TN Senate Mae Beavers One of only two incumbents for whom I plan to vote this year. (The other is my City Councilman & Vice Mayor - James Maness). TN Representative Write-in It is likely that Susan Lynn will win the nomination. Her likely (guaranteed) Democrat opponent, M...

Rorion Gracie has been a black belt for more than 40 years. Fabio Gurgel had been a black belt for more than 20 years. Here they are practicing the most basic technique in jiu jitsu. Don’t talk to me about how you know the basics. Found this photo and this caption on the web some time back. Seems quite appropriate. 

We were sitting at the dinner table, discussing the health of my children's last living great-grandparent - my wife's paternal grandmother (age 92). My daughter, age 6, only heard part of the conversation (as so often happens with young children anyways). So my daughter blurts out: "So she's pregnant!?!?!" It took me three minutes to regain composure and wipe up the water I spewed on the table in front of me. .

From a regular reader: The only way for a person to be saved is faith in Jesus Christ and repentance.  Faith in God, no matter how sincere, is not enough. My response: If you truly believe this, then your Trinity Doctrine is in need of major adjustment.  .

From a conversation I read: "C" - "K" works for an insurance co. that has to know this law inside and out. "L" & "F," though well intended and passionate, are simply reciting what they've heard or read from liberal talking points... And such sources are notorious for being void of facts. "L" - Actually I interned at a place that dealt with insurance issues for a year and picked up a good deal of knowledge first hand... but nice ad hominem . Methinks "L" doesn't really know what ad hominem means. By definition, an ad hominem attack is against the person in an attempt to distract from the facts. C here addresses the fact that the points made by L are simply borrowed phrases from other sources. Sources that are known for being factually errant.  This cannot possibly be an ad hominem against L - the point is made against the source material and not L directly or indirectly.  This cannot possibly ...

How not to inspire confidence in your future martial arts instructor: Ask: "do you give discounts?" to a club already running the lowest costs in town... by a wide margin. ($60 per month compared to $120 per month & up at all local competitors) When the reply to the question about discounts is: "only for church attendees (at the church where the martial arts lessons are held)," ask: "So everyone just basically lies and says they attend to get $10 off per month?" (and ask it for real) Have nothing to say when the instructor replies that he is one of the door greeters at the church and would know immediately if someone were fabricating such a story. ... Continue by asking if uniforms were required for your kids. << No, just let them be the only kids in the whole class without one! >> Also, continue by asking if you can roll over classes missed into the next month. ... Side note: all of the things up to this point are not ...

Dichotomy (n): a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different. Otherwise known as simultaneously the most hilarious thing and the saddest thing I've ever heard in my life. Facts - New prospective students, ages 10 & 12.  Dad takes advantage of a special we are running: pre-pay two months and receive a free uniform. Dad's check bounces.  Kids do not receive uniform.  Note: normally, the proper terminology is "uniform" or " gi " (Japanese - short for kimono ).  I'll give the new prospective students a break, since they were new, after all. Enter the moment - Kids are being dragged out of building by dad, without their gis (because said check bounced), and one is saying "what about the suits? Dad - the suits!" Funny part was hearing the gi being called a "suit." Sad part was how the father had disappointed his sons.  .

The following conversation took place recently. Pops was at a retail establishment and was using the motorized chair as transportation. (It is my opinion that if anybody "deserves" to use one of these, it is Pops - no right leg below the shin, and only half of a foot on the left) An overweight lady ("OL") walked in, and saw him sitting on the chair. Pops was examining some merchandise and happened to be close to the entryway. OL: "Are you using that motorized chair?" Pops: "I am." OL: "I would sure like to use it when you get finished. It's just so hard for me to walk." Pops: "It's probably good for you to walk..." OL: "Well why do you need that chair anyways?" (note: Pops is just shy of 200 pounds. He doesn't carry much extra weight at all. Not bad for 71 years young, anyways) Pops: < takes off his artificial leg and holds it up as if to say "this is why" > OL: < walk...

My mom had a few words of wisdom on apologies: "Never apologize if you haven't done something wrong." "Using the word 'if' at the beginning of an apology means you don't mean it." "Don't try to rationalize what you did (justify), just fess up." (after you have calmed down) - "if you did something wrong, admit it and move on!" On Twitter, you might see the tag "sorrynotsorry." In person, it's called a fake apology. Other fake apologies: Using the phrases: "I deeply regret" or "mistakes were made." Here are some more fake apologies. This site has some "Do's and Dont's" on apologies which include some of the above nuggets of wisdom. Of all those words of wisdom, I think the most important two are not apologizing when not at fault, and not using the qualifier "if." .

More from Hobby Lobby fallout: My responses to " The 8 Best Lines From Ginsburg's Dissent " (I'll do these rapid-fire!) "The exemption sought by Hobby Lobby and Conestoga would…deny legions of women who do not hold their employers' beliefs access to contraceptive coverage" Nope. Not even close. These women can still get 16 of the 20 mandated contraceptives from Hobby Lobby. They can also choose to work elsewhere.  "Religious organizations exist to foster the interests of persons subscribing to the same religious faith. Not so of for-profit corporations. Workers who sustain the operations of those corporations commonly are not drawn from one religious community." True. That's why, if they don't like the health insurance offerings, they can choose to work for another company! "Any decision to use contraceptives made by a woman covered under Hobby Lobby's or Conestoga's plan will not be propelled by t...

A man tried to rob a Waffle House at gunpoint. A law-abiding citizen shot him. Now, the robber's family is calling for more gun control . Of course, what the article doesn't mention is that these people want their criminal family members to simply have a safe working environment. .

A friend posted a link to this article the other day on Facebook. I will quote the entire article, lest it be taken down and lost: On December 30, 1994, a man walked into a Planned Parenthood clinic in Massachusetts, shouted "This is what you get! You should pray the rosary!" and shot the receptionist to death.  So with the support of local law enforcement, Massachusetts passed a law prohibiting protests within 35 feet of abortion clinics. Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court struck that law down. Today, women in Massachusetts are wondering whether, at their next medical appointment, they'll end up face to face with people who shout, spit, and threaten -- all while calling themselves "pro-life Christians." Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley has the power to set a very different example. Yes, he's well-known for his opposition to abortion -- but also for his thoughtful and pastoral approach to church leadership. Cardinal O'Malley should immed...

On June 30, the Supreme Court ruled that companies with religious objections to certain contraceptives are exempt from the mandate to provide those. The mandate stems from the "Affordable Care Act" (Obamacare). When news of this hit, I saw many status updates from friends on Facebook. So I thought I'd address several of them here in one tidy spot (my counter arguments in bullet points): " Way to go, Supreme Court (extreme sarcasm dripping here folks) Thank you to the high court for taking America three steps backward on women's rights, equality, freedom, and healthcare access." How does this have any effect on women's rights? It just means that one person is not forced to pay for something for another person.  There is zero effect on anyone's equality here.  This ruling actually "increases" freedom - by not mandating redistribution of wealth.  This has zero effect on anyone's healthcare access. Not really sure where this...

From a reader: Usagi, OK, lay it on me. Real quick, what you’d do if you had no gun and no skills and had to build up immediately to be ready for SHTF. Pretend cost is 50/50 an issue. Bring me up to speed really simple.I prefer a 16" barrel - all else can be "made to order." RIFLE AR15 Get the barrel contour you want. I'd get medium or heavy profile, but M4 is OK. 10 mags. PMAGs. Simple sling. Samson free float rail - 12.37" Red dot (Primary Arms Micro until you can afford $500 for an aimpoint) & BUIS PISTOL Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm.  4 extra mags  OPTIC / SIGHTS Primary Arms Micro dot Simple flip up BUIS  MARKSMANSHIP Get your marksmanship to a point where you can hit a 400-yard scaled target (5" at 100 yards). Try to get out to 400 yards to practice. Remember: " chest - head - hat ." TRAINING Clearing rooms Taking corners Administrative reloads Malfunction clearance  Cover vs. con...

A few weeks ago, I was listening to talk radio (something I rarely do these days). It was the first I'd heard of the new talent on 99.7 in Nashville in the early afternoon slot. The show was fine. There was a statement made by the host that needs addressing. At the heart of the topic was the recent MS Senate primary runoff results between Establishment Republican Senator Thad Cochran and State Representative Chris McDaniel. Cochran was losing, but then enticed black Democratic voters to vote for him... something these voters will not likely do this fall in the general election. Similar thing happened to US House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor recently. I hope the same happens to Lamar! on August 7 here in TN. (Vote Joe Carr - not Lamar!) Back to the radio show... The host and a call-in guest were speaking of the guest's intentions to vote Democrat or "3rd Party" in the fall instead of voting for Cochran (the caller was from MS). The host stated: "this is...

The other day, I saw a post on Facebook from a person I knew in High School. She wrote of her life over the past three years. This is what raised my ire: She wrote of how her husband had "walked away" from a good-paying job at a nonprofit company three years ago. He had walked away, she wrote, due to "taking a stand" against actions that the company perpetrated that "grieved the heart of God." He finally got another job in his field no - three years later - and that was the reason for the post. She continued to say "the journey was much harder and longer" than they had figured it would be. She never worked during this time. Her husband only worked part time and occasional contract jobs. Husband was "holding out" for something "in his field." And then we had this quote... which is what set me off: God provided the food we needed through Food Stamps.  I HATED using them.  Every time I went to pay with my Access card...

North Carolina. Castle Doctrine. Gang activity. Home break-in. One headshot. Other accomplice runs. Folks in the getaway car leave. Here is a news story on the event. And here is the ar15.com thread . .

Independence Day. The day we gained our freedom. The freedom we have since given away. I saved this post for today, July 4 - for just that reason. Freedom. Some time back, I witnessed an exchange on a neighborhood social media outlet: People were complaining about folks speeding in their neighborhood. That's a fair complaint. Some of the complaining people started suggesting that police should be called, or even requested to run speed traps in the neighborhood. One person came in and warned of "inviting THE MAN into your life." Immediately, several of the complainers pounced... decrying this person's warnings as idiotic and asinine. The comments were truly astounding as these people denied that we live currently in a police state. I've tagged that thread for review in a year or so... the same folks who wanted the police presence will be the same folks complaining about getting speeding tickets. That's for sure. Who knows... if they are ...

This article claims that the statistics we've been fed for years on marriage or divorce are fabricated and/or misleading. Interesting points. .

Knock and it shall be opened... just not the way this guy thought. A fugitive knocked on the door of a house belonging to a martial arts instructor. Said instructor knew the fugitive was on the loose, and answered the door armed with a gun. Long story short ... it didn't end well for the fugitive. .

From a reader... here we go: How could you advocate an M4 for SHTF? It’s not even a rifle – it’s a carbine. Can’t even shoot it at long range. Hey, I agree with you, but it was you that said these things. OK, then... You are right, the M4 is technically a carbine. You are wrong about the can't shoot it at long range, though. Some folks have shot it out to 1000 yards with surprising results. With a free-float rail, you might get precision as good as 2 MOA (I have constructed an M4 that yields 2 MOA results), even with standard 55-grain ammo. Now hang on a second, let's explore two facts: 1. Currently, the real riflemen of the world - the United States Marine Corps - train all recruits out to 500 yards. at 500 yards, 2 minutes of angle (2 MOA) is 10 inches. 2. The folks at Trijicon have used the measurement of a man's chest to be 19 inches wide. Their reticles are calibrated to help the shooter range accordingly based on this information. Go...