Some good ol' boys associated with Rock Island Arsenal -- but on the free side of the Missisippi -- are offering The Hawkeye. It's another upgrade of the venerable M119 howitzer, mountable on a light truck.
It has all the smart aiming digitals, but the key seems to be a very soft recoil system friendly to its little ride -- keeps the dirty side down while the three-soldier crew maintains a six-rpm fire rate. It's supposed to make shootin' 'n' scootin' practical.
Geekery Note: Jane's International Defence Review has a more complete take on this thing, but I don't subscribe and can't link directly to the article.
Oct 19, 2011
An addition to the family
John MXL is a man too great to let le deluge interfere with a a long motorcycle trip -- or to let the statists off scot-free. Welcome to the blogroll, Sir.
Vegas expressions
Santorum looks like someone just ran over his dog.
Cain looks like Uncle Wiggly reading a hasenpfeffer recipe.
Cain looks like Uncle Wiggly reading a hasenpfeffer recipe.
Oct 18, 2011
Why I am not (quite) broke yet
Too much time yesterday was spent in trying to work up enough rage to cremate a Keystone Pipeline story in the Washington Post. I'll get to it, but the mood this morning remains too mellow. It's probably the creature comforts as raw weather sets in.
---
Years ago a friend gave me a shirt, a thick, bright red mixture of wool and coal-tar derivatives, and it is still the treasured wardrobe king from October through March. It is just out of summer storage.
I sadly observed that it is missing a button. I regretted that I had no appropriate replacement in the button locker. I declined to drive to town to purchase a card of usable buttons for $x.99. So I called up my econometrical spread sheet on my electric computer and computed a viable alternative.
Even allowing for electrical costs; even carefully considering wear and depreciation of the drill press and bit, it is an optimal fiscal solution. Thank you, Mr. Bernanke.
N.B. Should the chosen cent bear a date earlier than 1982, the AlGorerithms are significantly altered and you should go to town and buy a button.
---
Years ago a friend gave me a shirt, a thick, bright red mixture of wool and coal-tar derivatives, and it is still the treasured wardrobe king from October through March. It is just out of summer storage.
I sadly observed that it is missing a button. I regretted that I had no appropriate replacement in the button locker. I declined to drive to town to purchase a card of usable buttons for $x.99. So I called up my econometrical spread sheet on my electric computer and computed a viable alternative.
Even allowing for electrical costs; even carefully considering wear and depreciation of the drill press and bit, it is an optimal fiscal solution. Thank you, Mr. Bernanke.
N.B. Should the chosen cent bear a date earlier than 1982, the AlGorerithms are significantly altered and you should go to town and buy a button.
Oct 16, 2011
Recommended
Kurt is doing especially well the past few days. There's a poll on which you can vote for Dr. Paul. He does a very clean dissection of Mittens Romney. He has a good report on another TSA act of FUBAR which I missed. (Grandma hassled for bracelet charm.)
Go read, if you please.
.
Go read, if you please.
.
The S&W 645 makes me feel so tactical
I almost wish I lived close to a mall so I could dress up ninja and impress some girls wearing tattoos and chewing gum.
The SW is home, admired, and tested.
I expected one magazine and got four -- plus one of those high-fashion black nylon pouches that holds two spares back and forth instead of up and down. Tacticool.
I already had the tactically-tooled leather holster -- made it decades ago to a "speed scabbard" pattern for GI .45s. . It holds the Smith nicely but will benefit from a small sight cutout. I needed to do that anyway for the GI here that carries adjustable Micros.
The field test:
-- Functioning was perfect with everything I tried, including semi-wadcutters. (The 645 is said to be a garbage disposal unit -- if your junk ammo won't work in anything else, shoot it in the Smith.)
--Excuse-wise, this gun hasn't been shot enough to wear off the proprietary Smith and Wesson burrs. It's rough, especially the DA trigger. The SA pull is nothing to brag about either.
--I am pleased no one witnessed this tryout session.
-- I consider the hood of a pickup a bench rest analogue. So lean across, get a good two-hand hold, squeeze off factory loads carefully. Gotta see where the gun shoots, don't we?
--In my hands, all over the damned place, that's where. At 50 feet a string of five scattered low left over a good seven inches. I can fix the impact point. I can't even identify yet how to fix myself. Flinch? Jerk? Total cognitive breakdown? Motor skills eloped with O'Reilley's daughter?
--Repeating the hoody position with a load of home made 200-grain SWCs at a peppy 850 fps or so, the results were better by about half an inch. It isn't the gun, nor the ammunition.
--Switching to the combat mode, I moved in to 30 feet, took a Weaverish stance and banged off eight as quickly as I could reacquire the target -- a sheet of typing paper. Three in the kill zone, two possibles, two that would have made him mad, and one clean miss. A couple of repeat strings had similar results.
Excuses: New gun. Very windy (the flimsy target holder moved a little). Distracted by cows mooing in the nearby pasture. Libby emphasizing that I was making entirely too much noise. Lost concentration worrying about CERN failure to find Higgs Boson.
Proper reaction to excuses: Bull Roar, James. Go practice.
The SW is home, admired, and tested.
I expected one magazine and got four -- plus one of those high-fashion black nylon pouches that holds two spares back and forth instead of up and down. Tacticool.
I already had the tactically-tooled leather holster -- made it decades ago to a "speed scabbard" pattern for GI .45s. . It holds the Smith nicely but will benefit from a small sight cutout. I needed to do that anyway for the GI here that carries adjustable Micros.
The field test:
-- Functioning was perfect with everything I tried, including semi-wadcutters. (The 645 is said to be a garbage disposal unit -- if your junk ammo won't work in anything else, shoot it in the Smith.)
--Excuse-wise, this gun hasn't been shot enough to wear off the proprietary Smith and Wesson burrs. It's rough, especially the DA trigger. The SA pull is nothing to brag about either.
--I am pleased no one witnessed this tryout session.
-- I consider the hood of a pickup a bench rest analogue. So lean across, get a good two-hand hold, squeeze off factory loads carefully. Gotta see where the gun shoots, don't we?
--In my hands, all over the damned place, that's where. At 50 feet a string of five scattered low left over a good seven inches. I can fix the impact point. I can't even identify yet how to fix myself. Flinch? Jerk? Total cognitive breakdown? Motor skills eloped with O'Reilley's daughter?
--Repeating the hoody position with a load of home made 200-grain SWCs at a peppy 850 fps or so, the results were better by about half an inch. It isn't the gun, nor the ammunition.
--Switching to the combat mode, I moved in to 30 feet, took a Weaverish stance and banged off eight as quickly as I could reacquire the target -- a sheet of typing paper. Three in the kill zone, two possibles, two that would have made him mad, and one clean miss. A couple of repeat strings had similar results.
Excuses: New gun. Very windy (the flimsy target holder moved a little). Distracted by cows mooing in the nearby pasture. Libby emphasizing that I was making entirely too much noise. Lost concentration worrying about CERN failure to find Higgs Boson.
Proper reaction to excuses: Bull Roar, James. Go practice.
Crime in the Capital? Not a chance.
I lived in Washington-on-Potomac when Mayor Barry was in control, so I am shocked that Vincent Gray, current mayor of our federal city, is under suspicion of criminal wrongdoing.
After all, the government of the District of Columbia is under the ultimate oversight of the United States Congress which, like the district itself, is heir to a two-century tradition of truth, justice, and selfless public service.
As to former Mayor Barry, he seems to be doing right well for himself, having been fully rehabilitated in federal prison. The later accusations of drunk driving, stalking, tax cheating, official corruption as a city council member, and a few other peccadilloes are undoubtedly the work racist liars in the Tea Party.
After all, the government of the District of Columbia is under the ultimate oversight of the United States Congress which, like the district itself, is heir to a two-century tradition of truth, justice, and selfless public service.
As to former Mayor Barry, he seems to be doing right well for himself, having been fully rehabilitated in federal prison. The later accusations of drunk driving, stalking, tax cheating, official corruption as a city council member, and a few other peccadilloes are undoubtedly the work racist liars in the Tea Party.
Oct 15, 2011
Why we're broke
We shouldn't let Baby Huie chew our bullets. Eating lead is a bad idea. It might damage his brain. That would make him too dull for any profession except politics.
So we certainly applaud our governments' drive to keep Huie lead-free and smart. Except, maybe...
The grant is for $2.45 million. Local taxpayers will be extorted to the tune of another $2 million. If you total that and add a few hundred thou left over from the earlier HUD $3 million grant -- plus whatever local tax bite that one "leveraged" -- and you get something north of $6 million. But let's be conservative and say it's only $5.5 million.
Peanuts, of course, if it preserves enough Huie brainpower to permit him to prosper as a vinyl siding salesman.
Or maybe not. All that money permits the county health czars to tidy up 142 homes in the next three years.
Time for the world's most useful tool for politico-economic analysis -- a five-buck pocket calculator.
Lessee. Five and a-half million divided by 142 equals, ta-dahh, $38,732 dollars per house. And 39 cents, to be precise.
---
Okay, but it's for the poor and therefore righteous, right?
"Funds from the grant are available to assist homeowners whose income is less than 80 percent of the median family income and landlords whose tenants’ incomes are less than 80 percent of the median family income. "
The median family income in this state is a little more than $60,000 per year, apparently meaning you can heist your neighbors for a new paint job even if you gross $48,000.
---
Yeah, even our official state health masters say you can pretty much eliminate Baby H chewing lead paint chips by repainting with latex. 'course you must use obscure techniques known only to practitioners of that mysterious profession known as (shhhh) "painters."
---
H.L. Mencken: "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats."
So we certainly applaud our governments' drive to keep Huie lead-free and smart. Except, maybe...
The grant is for $2.45 million. Local taxpayers will be extorted to the tune of another $2 million. If you total that and add a few hundred thou left over from the earlier HUD $3 million grant -- plus whatever local tax bite that one "leveraged" -- and you get something north of $6 million. But let's be conservative and say it's only $5.5 million.
Peanuts, of course, if it preserves enough Huie brainpower to permit him to prosper as a vinyl siding salesman.
Or maybe not. All that money permits the county health czars to tidy up 142 homes in the next three years.
Time for the world's most useful tool for politico-economic analysis -- a five-buck pocket calculator.
Lessee. Five and a-half million divided by 142 equals, ta-dahh, $38,732 dollars per house. And 39 cents, to be precise.
---
Okay, but it's for the poor and therefore righteous, right?
"Funds from the grant are available to assist homeowners whose income is less than 80 percent of the median family income and landlords whose tenants’ incomes are less than 80 percent of the median family income. "
The median family income in this state is a little more than $60,000 per year, apparently meaning you can heist your neighbors for a new paint job even if you gross $48,000.
---
Yeah, even our official state health masters say you can pretty much eliminate Baby H chewing lead paint chips by repainting with latex. 'course you must use obscure techniques known only to practitioners of that mysterious profession known as (shhhh) "painters."
---
H.L. Mencken: "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats."
Oct 14, 2011
Because the judge said I can, that's why (with gun porn)
A district court judge has cleared me to own a pistol.
Naaah. I'm not in the system. His Honor is overseeing an estate and has yes/no authority over the selling price of an adequate little pest control device made by Smith and Wesson in the 80s. I petitioned for a 10 per cent reduction in the reasonable asking price, and a writ of acceptance was issued.
It's the minty stainless steel spawn of the Model 59 concept, and after inspecting it I conclude Dan Wesson's descendants learned something about making DA semi-autos (only) after issuing the 59.
Besides, it's in a more noble caliber. Besides again, the magazine holds just eight rounds, so maybe Senator Boxer will start returning my calls.
(Sister ship pictured. I collect my 645 tomorrow.)
Naaah. I'm not in the system. His Honor is overseeing an estate and has yes/no authority over the selling price of an adequate little pest control device made by Smith and Wesson in the 80s. I petitioned for a 10 per cent reduction in the reasonable asking price, and a writ of acceptance was issued.
It's the minty stainless steel spawn of the Model 59 concept, and after inspecting it I conclude Dan Wesson's descendants learned something about making DA semi-autos (only) after issuing the 59.
Besides, it's in a more noble caliber. Besides again, the magazine holds just eight rounds, so maybe Senator Boxer will start returning my calls.
(Sister ship pictured. I collect my 645 tomorrow.)
Good morning. Our TGIF celebration today begins with a pop quiz about plastic guns. True or false:
1. At $450 to $600-plus, Glock pistols, often referred to as "plastic crap," are horridly overpriced. T F
2. At $450 to $600-plus, Glock pistols are are correctly and fairly priced, right down to the penny. T F
---
Because we at the TMR have no desire to diminish the students' self-esteem nor to stifle his, her, or its creative thought, there are no wrong answers.
If you answered "true" to question No. 1 and "false" to No. 2 you have brought to the examination a firm sense of fair play, a concern for the consumer, and the understanding that market forces are a cruel burden on ordinary people with women and minorities hardest hit. While you may believe that, in theory, producers are entitled to a fair profit, you also understand that the people as a whole, operating through their elected and appointed officials, must be the judge and jury of of what is fair.
On the other hand, if you answered "false" to question No. 1 and "true" to No. 2, you are not an economic nitwit...
...because the price of guns is not very directly regulated by government, Pitmann-Robertson and trade regulations notwithstanding. The regulations are primarily an effort to control the availability of weapons directly --"thou shalt not." Efforts to do that via artificially high prices -- special taxes -- pop up routinely. They generally fail. The NFA taxes are an exception.
--With loose, or preferably no, price regulation, guns, just like those killer salt shakers and culturally insensitive Halloween costumes, sell for exactly the correct price -- a figure established solely between the fellow who wants to buy and the one who wants to sell.
---
This is one our periodic attempts to direct the attention of Rachael Maddow and similar dimdippitydoowops to the concept that a freely negotiated price is part of a very accurate information system without which no economy can function.
I particularly include among Rachael's cronies that group of tax-sucking "neighborhood organizers'" and "consumer advocates" who want, among other things, to organize and control our markets because, hey, let's face it, that's one of the neatest ways of organizing and controlling people.
Thanks anyway, but I'll just have to go along with Mr. Rothbard who suggests that, left alone, we can do a pretty damned good job of organizing ourselves.
1. At $450 to $600-plus, Glock pistols, often referred to as "plastic crap," are horridly overpriced. T F
2. At $450 to $600-plus, Glock pistols are are correctly and fairly priced, right down to the penny. T F
---
Because we at the TMR have no desire to diminish the students' self-esteem nor to stifle his, her, or its creative thought, there are no wrong answers.
If you answered "true" to question No. 1 and "false" to No. 2 you have brought to the examination a firm sense of fair play, a concern for the consumer, and the understanding that market forces are a cruel burden on ordinary people with women and minorities hardest hit. While you may believe that, in theory, producers are entitled to a fair profit, you also understand that the people as a whole, operating through their elected and appointed officials, must be the judge and jury of of what is fair.
On the other hand, if you answered "false" to question No. 1 and "true" to No. 2, you are not an economic nitwit...
...because the price of guns is not very directly regulated by government, Pitmann-Robertson and trade regulations notwithstanding. The regulations are primarily an effort to control the availability of weapons directly --"thou shalt not." Efforts to do that via artificially high prices -- special taxes -- pop up routinely. They generally fail. The NFA taxes are an exception.
--With loose, or preferably no, price regulation, guns, just like those killer salt shakers and culturally insensitive Halloween costumes, sell for exactly the correct price -- a figure established solely between the fellow who wants to buy and the one who wants to sell.
---
This is one our periodic attempts to direct the attention of Rachael Maddow and similar dimdippitydoowops to the concept that a freely negotiated price is part of a very accurate information system without which no economy can function.
I particularly include among Rachael's cronies that group of tax-sucking "neighborhood organizers'" and "consumer advocates" who want, among other things, to organize and control our markets because, hey, let's face it, that's one of the neatest ways of organizing and controlling people.
Thanks anyway, but I'll just have to go along with Mr. Rothbard who suggests that, left alone, we can do a pretty damned good job of organizing ourselves.
Oct 13, 2011
Now THAT sounds like fun
Officials and bankers in Cleveland are financing a novel way of attacking the housing "crisis."
Blow up the houses.
Might be a nice pilot project for certain distressing buildings along the Potomac.
If you follow the WaPost links to the bureaucratic bases of this innovative program, you'll find The Leaders plan to use some of the newly vacant land for "storm water management." Great idea -- puddles.
.
Blow up the houses.
Might be a nice pilot project for certain distressing buildings along the Potomac.
If you follow the WaPost links to the bureaucratic bases of this innovative program, you'll find The Leaders plan to use some of the newly vacant land for "storm water management." Great idea -- puddles.
.
Dear Diary
Okay, Jim, you have been entirely self-indulgent for too long.
Save for a few .30-30s and those pounds of military .30-06, every case in the loading shack is full of powder and lead. The shack itself is so neatly reorganized you'll never find what you're looking for. You've had your jollies burnishing steel and shining stocks with walnut flavored MinWax. You even went to Southern Archery yesterday and popped $21.35 on a string for the Ben Pearson recurve. (Highway robbery, but that's another story.)
But in two full weeks you haven't contributed one damned thing to the Revolution, to saving the Republic from the Republicans, the Democrats, and Heartbreak of Sorosisis.
Back to the grindstone.
---
There's a new Reuters/Ipsos poll reported this morning. Mitt leads, followed by 999 Cain. But guess who's third. Guess who's ahead of Perry, Bachman, Gingrich, Santorum, and the other famous occupants of the Fox-approved neocon asylum?
Ron Paul, that's who. The crazy old doctor-coot from malarial Texas. The one who keeps yapping about the Constitution and going on and on about the necessary and useful functions of government as opposed to wholesale vote buying financed by exorbitant taxes and currency inflation.
Yes, I understand there is as much chance of Paul occupying the White House as there is of me shooting a thousand-yard Camp Perry score of of 100- 9x, offhand with my Model 94.
That ain't the point.
It took us more than two centuries to become competitors with Greece, Ireland, and Malawi as the world's most laughable economic basket case. No single politician, not even Paul is going to lead us out of the malaise in a term or two.
But an idea can, and at this horrid point in the American saga, Paul is the most effective purveyer of the underlying notion of liberty and a decent shot at general prosperity.
Send him your spare change. Wear one of his gimme hats or tees. Every time the subject comes up in your circles, politely wait your turn to speak and then explain calmly and professionally why he should get more votes. I suggest this wording:
"Because he's the only one not totally full of shit."
Save for a few .30-30s and those pounds of military .30-06, every case in the loading shack is full of powder and lead. The shack itself is so neatly reorganized you'll never find what you're looking for. You've had your jollies burnishing steel and shining stocks with walnut flavored MinWax. You even went to Southern Archery yesterday and popped $21.35 on a string for the Ben Pearson recurve. (Highway robbery, but that's another story.)
But in two full weeks you haven't contributed one damned thing to the Revolution, to saving the Republic from the Republicans, the Democrats, and Heartbreak of Sorosisis.
Back to the grindstone.
---
There's a new Reuters/Ipsos poll reported this morning. Mitt leads, followed by 999 Cain. But guess who's third. Guess who's ahead of Perry, Bachman, Gingrich, Santorum, and the other famous occupants of the Fox-approved neocon asylum?
Ron Paul, that's who. The crazy old doctor-coot from malarial Texas. The one who keeps yapping about the Constitution and going on and on about the necessary and useful functions of government as opposed to wholesale vote buying financed by exorbitant taxes and currency inflation.
Yes, I understand there is as much chance of Paul occupying the White House as there is of me shooting a thousand-yard Camp Perry score of of 100- 9x, offhand with my Model 94.
That ain't the point.
It took us more than two centuries to become competitors with Greece, Ireland, and Malawi as the world's most laughable economic basket case. No single politician, not even Paul is going to lead us out of the malaise in a term or two.
But an idea can, and at this horrid point in the American saga, Paul is the most effective purveyer of the underlying notion of liberty and a decent shot at general prosperity.
Send him your spare change. Wear one of his gimme hats or tees. Every time the subject comes up in your circles, politely wait your turn to speak and then explain calmly and professionally why he should get more votes. I suggest this wording:
"Because he's the only one not totally full of shit."
Oct 12, 2011
Oct 11, 2011
Re-imposing myself on the world:
1. It hurts my head to think of the big story, the U.S. Congress proposing to require China to revalue the yuan to a level we like, so:
2. I take refuge in the weather which requires a small predawn fire but which also makes a stroll around the grounds comfortable in a flannel shirt and Ron Paul gimme cap. We're short of rain. Otherwise October, 2011, has been as idyllic as an old Disney film.
3. The head cold has been made tolerable by a lifestyle adjustment. Relating to other humans exaggerates the symptoms. Relating to one's lethal instruments of doom soothes them. That explains some very clean guns in my terrorist vault and also the addition of 197 new rounds of reloaded .45 ACP (200-grain SWC, 6.x grains of Unique to drive them about 875 fps, peppy but far from max). The remaining chore is to fill the 40 rounds of .45 Colt brass I discovered. With no big bullets on hand, I'll stuff them with the 200 SWCs and enough something to make them go super-whoosh.
4. A peripheral reloading matter: I'm about out of bullet lube. That makes me wonder how I would go about acquiring the squeezings from Al Sharpton's hair.
5. (Back to 1) -- Could someone please tell the senators that there's a more logical target if they want to get all snitty about currency manipulation? Ben is handier, and, besides, he doesn't yet have his own aircraft carrier.
2. I take refuge in the weather which requires a small predawn fire but which also makes a stroll around the grounds comfortable in a flannel shirt and Ron Paul gimme cap. We're short of rain. Otherwise October, 2011, has been as idyllic as an old Disney film.
3. The head cold has been made tolerable by a lifestyle adjustment. Relating to other humans exaggerates the symptoms. Relating to one's lethal instruments of doom soothes them. That explains some very clean guns in my terrorist vault and also the addition of 197 new rounds of reloaded .45 ACP (200-grain SWC, 6.x grains of Unique to drive them about 875 fps, peppy but far from max). The remaining chore is to fill the 40 rounds of .45 Colt brass I discovered. With no big bullets on hand, I'll stuff them with the 200 SWCs and enough something to make them go super-whoosh.
4. A peripheral reloading matter: I'm about out of bullet lube. That makes me wonder how I would go about acquiring the squeezings from Al Sharpton's hair.
5. (Back to 1) -- Could someone please tell the senators that there's a more logical target if they want to get all snitty about currency manipulation? Ben is handier, and, besides, he doesn't yet have his own aircraft carrier.
Oct 10, 2011
Still metabolizing
Just to confirm that your TMR author is still alive and in recovery from a trip, a medium-nasty cold, some highly welcome guests, and an uncontrollable urge to spend time in the reloading shack, I pass on this wisdom from local radio. It's helping the government save us all from fiery doom. Fire Prevention Week, doncha know.
"This year's campaign focuses on preventing the leading cause of home fire--cooking, heating, electrical equipment, candles and smoking materials."
I'm having a helluva time thinking of anything that doesn't cover this side of rubbing two Girl Scouts together. Shows you what happens when government functionaries and reporters decide to "focus."
"This year's campaign focuses on preventing the leading cause of home fire--cooking, heating, electrical equipment, candles and smoking materials."
I'm having a helluva time thinking of anything that doesn't cover this side of rubbing two Girl Scouts together. Shows you what happens when government functionaries and reporters decide to "focus."
Oct 7, 2011
Smith & Wesson tries again.
The Grand Old Company puts a happier face on it, but the truth is that S&W can't build fences anyone wants to buy. Seems the gates don't quite close, the posts aren't straight, and the finish wears off the first Thursday after installation.
Sorry. That may not be quite accurate, but a guy who +finally+ made near-new SW 59 work right can be forgiven for the speculation.
Anyway, SW can't make a dime on its "Perimeter Security" business, so it's trying to sell it. The PR department hopes you don't remember its hyperflack of a couple years ago, promising the new fence business would make you rich if you bought some SWHC.
Last month the company fired the boss by kicking him upstairs to become "vice-chairman of the board of directors. "(Please. It's impolite to giggle.)
The new boss has been running the firearms end of the business and says SW needs to concentrate on its -- cliche alert --"core competency." Uh huh.
I'll believe they're competent when they bring back the Model 25.
Sorry. That may not be quite accurate, but a guy who +finally+ made near-new SW 59 work right can be forgiven for the speculation.
Anyway, SW can't make a dime on its "Perimeter Security" business, so it's trying to sell it. The PR department hopes you don't remember its hyperflack of a couple years ago, promising the new fence business would make you rich if you bought some SWHC.
Last month the company fired the boss by kicking him upstairs to become "vice-chairman of the board of directors. "(Please. It's impolite to giggle.)
The new boss has been running the firearms end of the business and says SW needs to concentrate on its -- cliche alert --"core competency." Uh huh.
I'll believe they're competent when they bring back the Model 25.
Spengler Didn't Know Jack Schidtt About the Decline of the West
I see by my electrical teevee that some pitcher for some team dramatically struck out a guy named Rodriguez who batted for some other team. According to the report, this sends the pitcher's team to the "American League Championship Series." Note the date of the event: October 6.
This explains 21st Century American lassitude and its secret application for a loan from the IMF Third-World Bailout Fund.
When the Universe was a finer place, the World Serious* was history by early October. We didn't call it the "September Classic" for nothing in the days when America could make radios and steel pistols; the era when we chose our wars more carefully and could, in general, win most of them with reasonable dispatch.
A nation abandons cherished tradition at its peril, and I suggest President Obama order a return to the diamond game as God intended it. Sixteen teams,** two leagues, no goddam "divisions," and 154 games plus the Series which, in case I haven't mentioned it yet, dammit, should be played in September.
(At the same time he might also outlaw television, although that might raise Constitutional questions.)
That's change you can believe it.
---
*Thank you, Mr. Lardner, and while I'm here may I mention that if you and your buddy Mencken were still around, things would be a whole lot better.
**I mean, what the Hell ever gave anyone the idea that Tampa, for instance, was "major league?"
This explains 21st Century American lassitude and its secret application for a loan from the IMF Third-World Bailout Fund.
When the Universe was a finer place, the World Serious* was history by early October. We didn't call it the "September Classic" for nothing in the days when America could make radios and steel pistols; the era when we chose our wars more carefully and could, in general, win most of them with reasonable dispatch.
A nation abandons cherished tradition at its peril, and I suggest President Obama order a return to the diamond game as God intended it. Sixteen teams,** two leagues, no goddam "divisions," and 154 games plus the Series which, in case I haven't mentioned it yet, dammit, should be played in September.
(At the same time he might also outlaw television, although that might raise Constitutional questions.)
That's change you can believe it.
---
*Thank you, Mr. Lardner, and while I'm here may I mention that if you and your buddy Mencken were still around, things would be a whole lot better.
**I mean, what the Hell ever gave anyone the idea that Tampa, for instance, was "major league?"
Oct 6, 2011
Herding the Elephants Update -- Iowa Caucuses 2012
Bumped up for convenience again, and including an adieu to Ms. Palin:
Also, it's nearing the time to create a cleaner list -- retaining only those candidates still twitching with residual life. It's high on the to-do list for a time when our northern plains weather is less lovely.
----
Also, it's nearing the time to create a cleaner list -- retaining only those candidates still twitching with residual life. It's high on the to-do list for a time when our northern plains weather is less lovely.
----
(Bumped up, just for convenience.)
Even dedicated political geeks have a hard time keeping track of all the White House hopefuls trying out their pickup lines in Iowa. For one thing, it is hard to find a complete list of the serious, semi-serious, and loony trying on overalls and looking for a comfortable hay-bale perch. So, here's an alphabetical list of these statesmen as culled from published sources, but I haven't gotten around to ferreting out all of the more obscure dimwaddiedoowops yet.
---------------------
--Michele Bachmann, 55, congresswoman, Minnesota
--(OUT) Haley Barbour, 64, Mississippi governor (Dropped out April 25)
--John Bolton, 63, former ambassador, Bush II's point man in Iraq. (Dropped out September 26.)
-- (OUT) Herman Cain, 66, Godfather's Pizza. (Dropped out -- "suspendd campaign" -- December 3
-- (OUT) Mitch Daniels, 62, Indiana governor (dropped May 21)
--John Davis of Grand Junction, Colorado, lumber yard owner, builder (added May 3)
--Newt Gingrich, 68, former U.S. House speaker, Georgia
--(OUT) Mike Huckabee, 56, former Arkansas governor, Fox teevee star (dropped May 15)
--Jon Huntsman, 51, former Utah governor, ambassador to China
--Gary Johnson, 43, former New Mexico governor (added April 22)
---------------------
--Michele Bachmann, 55, congresswoman, Minnesota
--(OUT) Haley Barbour, 64, Mississippi governor (Dropped out April 25)
--John Bolton, 63, former ambassador, Bush II's point man in Iraq. (Dropped out September 26.)
-- (OUT) Herman Cain, 66, Godfather's Pizza. (Dropped out -- "suspendd campaign" -- December 3
-- (OUT) Mitch Daniels, 62, Indiana governor (dropped May 21)
--John Davis of Grand Junction, Colorado, lumber yard owner, builder (added May 3)
--Newt Gingrich, 68, former U.S. House speaker, Georgia
--(OUT) Mike Huckabee, 56, former Arkansas governor, Fox teevee star (dropped May 15)
--Jon Huntsman, 51, former Utah governor, ambassador to China
--Gary Johnson, 43, former New Mexico governor (added April 22)
--Fred Karger, California, GOP politcal consultant, openly gay. (Added August 14)
--(OUT) Thaddeus George "Thad" McCotter, 45, Michigan congressman (added June 24, dropped out September 22.)
--Judge Roy Moore, 64, disrobed, two-time loser for Alabama governor (added May 19)
--Sarah Palin, 47, former Alaska governor, VP candidate 2008 (Out. Withdrew Oct. 5.)
--Judge Roy Moore, 64, disrobed, two-time loser for Alabama governor (added May 19)
--Sarah Palin, 47, former Alaska governor, VP candidate 2008 (Out. Withdrew Oct. 5.)
--(OUT) George Pataki, 66, former New York governor. (Added august 25 and dropped August 26)
--(OUT) Rand Paul, 48, Kentucky U.S. senator (if his dad opts out). (Dropped April 26 in anticipation of Ron's formal "in" announcement)
--Ron Paul, 75, Texas congressman, former LP presidential candidate
--Tim Pawlenty, 51, former Minnesota governor (Dropped August 14; withdrew after Ames straw poll)
--(OUT) Mike Pence, 52, Indiana congressman (dropped May 15)
--Rick Perry, 61, Texas governor, (added June 19)
--Buddy Roemer, 68, former Louisiana governor
--Mitt Romney, 64, former Massachusetts governor
--Rick Santorum, 53, former U.S. senator, Pennsylvania
--( OUT?) John thune, South Dakota senator. (Dropped from list,with reservations, May 21)
--(OUT) Donald Trump, 65, businessman, casino operator, teevee star (dropped May 16)
-0-
The list will change, and I'll try to keep it more or less up to date.
EDIT: May 5:Red ink identifies those who bailed after having been considered players or possibles. I thought of just deleting them, but that seems so cold.
EDIT: John Thune was Xed out May 21. He said in February he wouldn't run, but the weasel words(not planning at this time, etc.)suggested he desired begging. No one has begged yet, and he hasn't been spotted scouting our hog lots, so TMR crosses him off with the caution that things are silly enough that he might change his mind.)
--(OUT) Rand Paul, 48, Kentucky U.S. senator (if his dad opts out). (Dropped April 26 in anticipation of Ron's formal "in" announcement)
--Ron Paul, 75, Texas congressman, former LP presidential candidate
--Tim Pawlenty, 51, former Minnesota governor (Dropped August 14; withdrew after Ames straw poll)
--(OUT) Mike Pence, 52, Indiana congressman (dropped May 15)
--Rick Perry, 61, Texas governor, (added June 19)
--Buddy Roemer, 68, former Louisiana governor
--Mitt Romney, 64, former Massachusetts governor
--Rick Santorum, 53, former U.S. senator, Pennsylvania
--( OUT?) John thune, South Dakota senator. (Dropped from list,with reservations, May 21)
--(OUT) Donald Trump, 65, businessman, casino operator, teevee star (dropped May 16)
-0-
The list will change, and I'll try to keep it more or less up to date.
EDIT: May 5:Red ink identifies those who bailed after having been considered players or possibles. I thought of just deleting them, but that seems so cold.
EDIT: John Thune was Xed out May 21. He said in February he wouldn't run, but the weasel words(not planning at this time, etc.)suggested he desired begging. No one has begged yet, and he hasn't been spotted scouting our hog lots, so TMR crosses him off with the caution that things are silly enough that he might change his mind.)
Michele at Grinnell, The Voiltaire Perspective
I'll be glad to join a protest against the kind of culture which allows people like Michele Bachmann to be taken seriously as secular leaders. I'll wave a sign against empowering the Morals Police. I'll chant slogans against requiring kids to be taught that creationism is an exact science. If the weather is nice I'll join a nude flash mob opposing foreign adventurism, nation-building, and the designated hitter rule.
Those kinds of statist stupidites ought to be the subject of protest, 24/7/365, in one way or another.
But the wholesale creation of a new generation of Cotton Mathers is not very directly Michele's fault. If she panders to the dimdippitydoowops who make up the Neocon Right, she is merely reacting to market forces in her industry, just like Barack Obama does on the flipside of the same political racket.
I will not join a protest designed to shut her up, and I like to think that even if I were one of a starry-eyed liberals infesting the city of Grinnell, Iowa, and its famously collectivist college, I would have retained enough respect for Amendment One to shut up and let her prate.
---
Both sides handled the aftermath stupidly if media reports are anywhere near accurate.. Bachmann's Iowa handler, Danny Carroll, claimed, almost certainly falsely, that the pumpkin farm gathering was always intended to be a strictly private fundraiser. The students claimed, almost certainly falsely, that they had gathered to listen respectfully to Bachmann's remarks.
Michele mingled with the visitors who coughed up $25 to be there, strolled around the farm quickly, and left. But not before feeding a goat, speaking of pandering.
Those kinds of statist stupidites ought to be the subject of protest, 24/7/365, in one way or another.
But the wholesale creation of a new generation of Cotton Mathers is not very directly Michele's fault. If she panders to the dimdippitydoowops who make up the Neocon Right, she is merely reacting to market forces in her industry, just like Barack Obama does on the flipside of the same political racket.
I will not join a protest designed to shut her up, and I like to think that even if I were one of a starry-eyed liberals infesting the city of Grinnell, Iowa, and its famously collectivist college, I would have retained enough respect for Amendment One to shut up and let her prate.
---
Both sides handled the aftermath stupidly if media reports are anywhere near accurate.. Bachmann's Iowa handler, Danny Carroll, claimed, almost certainly falsely, that the pumpkin farm gathering was always intended to be a strictly private fundraiser. The students claimed, almost certainly falsely, that they had gathered to listen respectfully to Bachmann's remarks.
Michele mingled with the visitors who coughed up $25 to be there, strolled around the farm quickly, and left. But not before feeding a goat, speaking of pandering.
Oct 5, 2011
Theological Question
This comes to mind after bantering with my daughter about Midwest church-basement cuisine.
"Were there any Lutherans before there were crock pots?"
"Were there any Lutherans before there were crock pots?"
Why we're broke
A couple of Des Moines cops drew a crucial crime-fighting assignment. Armed with tactical video equipment, they deployed to the Ingersoll Theatre to watch the old-timey burlesque show -- like the one your great grandpa snuck into after telling Great Gram he was heading for Oddfellows Hall.
The infiltrating Only Ones had orders to capture evidence of exposure of a nipple or "anything below." They got it.
As one of the dancers tells the tale, she was doing a classic balloon dance when a Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction victimized her. A bubble accidentally popped, giving the leering audience a flash of pastie.
The cops left. They "reviewed" the tape for a long time. (Stop smirking). They returned to write the citations. The dancers will talk to the ACLU. Our courts are bracing for the Trial of the Century.
I don't know about you, but this assault on public titillation certainly fills me with a renewed appreciation for my government's dedication to, at any cost, shielding me from impurity.
---
Des Moines city fathers promised that their new robotic speed and stop-light cameras would compensate for their rape of the 14th Amendment by freeing police for more vital duties. Voila.
.
The infiltrating Only Ones had orders to capture evidence of exposure of a nipple or "anything below." They got it.
As one of the dancers tells the tale, she was doing a classic balloon dance when a Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction victimized her. A bubble accidentally popped, giving the leering audience a flash of pastie.
The cops left. They "reviewed" the tape for a long time. (Stop smirking). They returned to write the citations. The dancers will talk to the ACLU. Our courts are bracing for the Trial of the Century.
I don't know about you, but this assault on public titillation certainly fills me with a renewed appreciation for my government's dedication to, at any cost, shielding me from impurity.
---
Des Moines city fathers promised that their new robotic speed and stop-light cameras would compensate for their rape of the 14th Amendment by freeing police for more vital duties. Voila.
.
Oct 4, 2011
You know you're gun freak when:
You discover that you use more auto-polishing goop in your brass tumbler than on your vehicles.
You discover it when the knock-around mini-van looks like it ought to be sitting in front of a taqueria in a land where English is not the native tongue. This thing hasn't been washed since the summer of '10 and not even much rained on since June. So wash it. It looks so much better clean, why not slap on a coat of polish?
The shed, where last year I distinctly recall seeing three of four jugs or partial jugs of the stuff was bereft. Guess I didn't keep track of how many times I raided it in order to create an eye-burning sheen on my .45 ACP reloads.
---
Related frugality check. Long ago I checked the price of specialized magic brass polish from Midway or Brownell's or someplace like that. For the same money you could get the polish or a brick of .22s. So I wondered how car polish would work, especially since I get if for about a dime a pint in dollar boxes at auctions.
The short answer is "identically." So gimme a brick of those Winchesters, Mr. Vendor.
That level of cheapskatedness sounds pretty compulsive, and perhaps it is, but practiced over a period of time it enhances the ammo stock and even the pistol racks.
You discover it when the knock-around mini-van looks like it ought to be sitting in front of a taqueria in a land where English is not the native tongue. This thing hasn't been washed since the summer of '10 and not even much rained on since June. So wash it. It looks so much better clean, why not slap on a coat of polish?
The shed, where last year I distinctly recall seeing three of four jugs or partial jugs of the stuff was bereft. Guess I didn't keep track of how many times I raided it in order to create an eye-burning sheen on my .45 ACP reloads.
---
Related frugality check. Long ago I checked the price of specialized magic brass polish from Midway or Brownell's or someplace like that. For the same money you could get the polish or a brick of .22s. So I wondered how car polish would work, especially since I get if for about a dime a pint in dollar boxes at auctions.
The short answer is "identically." So gimme a brick of those Winchesters, Mr. Vendor.
That level of cheapskatedness sounds pretty compulsive, and perhaps it is, but practiced over a period of time it enhances the ammo stock and even the pistol racks.
Caution, terrorist content: IIDs
The TMR Legal Review Section requires the warning, never mind that we used to demand that every Campfire Girl be adept at creating and handling Improvised Incendiary Devices.
You could do evil things with them, as you could with your fingernail clippers, but the intent is to start small comfort fires when things are cold and wet. And, importantly, to do it for free.
These things always work and give you a fighting chance to ignite even damp wood. The paper serves as a sort of fuse, giving you time to get your hands out of the way before the match heads blow.
The raw materials:
Melt the old candles. Low heat is safer. Dump in your freebie matchbooks. Let them soak a while. Fish them out and lay them on paper.
You could do evil things with them, as you could with your fingernail clippers, but the intent is to start small comfort fires when things are cold and wet. And, importantly, to do it for free.
These things always work and give you a fighting chance to ignite even damp wood. The paper serves as a sort of fuse, giving you time to get your hands out of the way before the match heads blow.
The raw materials:
Melt the old candles. Low heat is safer. Dump in your freebie matchbooks. Let them soak a while. Fish them out and lay them on paper.
Like this, only sloppier. You want the paper wax-infused. I sloshed these through warm wax again after I tore them apart.
Store a few of them in old zip-locks too grimy for food. Include a couple of untreated matchbooks wrapped in plastic film. A bag in every vehicle, your bugout bag, and whatever back packs, range bags, etc. you ordinarily use.
You are welcome.
Will Success spoil Erin Bolster?
Let's hope not. Any 19 25-year-old beauty who will aim her horse at a charging grizzly to save a little boy is a woman you young guys should be fighting to court. You just have to trust Providence that she's looking at her Letterman gig as a lark rather than a ticket to celebrity hood.
Any mention of this Montana story also requires a nod to Tonk, an 18-hander that, around here, would be referred to a a BFH.
Oct 3, 2011
Smartening up the kids. Yeah, right.
Governor Branstad is within hours of a high-level dog and pony show to flash his new education reform plan -- my state's seventh such attack on ignorance in the past few years.
Okay, Governor, I'll be watching for you to tackle this one, a true story from a buddy who operates an eleven-employee business requiring workers who have at least rudimentary literacy and an atom or two of technical competence.
She hired a fresh hand, provided a little training, and sent her off to do some simple work. The newbie -- a product of previous education reform -- came back to ask "How do I find three-quarters of an inch on the tape measure?"
---
My reform plan: Consult Charles Darwin.
Oct 2, 2011
Gruesome is in the eye of the beholder
I popped in on a couple of friends and found them cutting up one-half of one cow. Stop calling me a bullshipper. This sort of thing happens in my circles, and New Dog Libby, for one, finds it wholly acceptable. Fancy city pooches rarely get a chance to plow into the juicy remains of an entire cow leg.
Indianapolis blog meet
I was fun to be there with a select group of mostly Indianapolis writers. RobertaX has the complete report.
Bobbi is utterly charming. You already knew that from her writing, but face-to-face confirmation is always a bonus.
Tam was AWOL, playing with her guns, never mind that I slaved over a hot cruise-control for 700 miles in hopes she'd be one of the good folks I'd meet.
---
It was part of a much longer trip, and I have a note or two to pass on about motoring in America, but I promise to spare you a report on what I did on my vacation.
Bobbi is utterly charming. You already knew that from her writing, but face-to-face confirmation is always a bonus.
Tam was AWOL, playing with her guns, never mind that I slaved over a hot cruise-control for 700 miles in hopes she'd be one of the good folks I'd meet.
---
It was part of a much longer trip, and I have a note or two to pass on about motoring in America, but I promise to spare you a report on what I did on my vacation.
Oct 1, 2011
The Tyranny of the Happy Camper
Well, of course I rate a place at the table. We're camping. You're cooking. You wanna hurry it up a little?
Shot while packing
Iowa taxpayers thoughtfully provide a scenic site for a returnee to retrieve his empty hi-cap 9mm from "locked storage" and slap in a magazine heavy with protective pills. The photographer memorializes the time and place (hard by the I-80 bridge) with his SW59 securely in his waistband.
Foreground is Hawkeye Free Soil. On the far side of the Mississippi River lies enslaved and disarmed (but I repeat myself) Illinois.
Foreground is Hawkeye Free Soil. On the far side of the Mississippi River lies enslaved and disarmed (but I repeat myself) Illinois.
I wouldn't want to live there, but Illinois...
... is great place to take a dump.
As Travis McGee said about a similarly palatial public building, "They will never live in a place so fine unless they contract something incurable."
Sep 24, 2011
Hat tip to the healers
A good lad is recovering nicely from the healers' cuts, and he thanks all of you who sent kind thoughts. As do I.
Dr. Skilsaw discovered a Meckel. He did the necessary repairs and thinks his work will put an end to a long spell of unexplained stomach pain and anemia.
Dr. Skilsaw discovered a Meckel. He did the necessary repairs and thinks his work will put an end to a long spell of unexplained stomach pain and anemia.
Sep 21, 2011
Why we're broke -- bonus report
Iowa education bureaucrats are in the midst of their annual back-to-school group whine about needing more tax money. They want a 7 per cent boost to maintain educational "quality" at the three state universities.
Meanwhile, down at Iowa State, quality is also on their minds. Prexy needs new downstairs carpet in his prexial mansion. Not just any carpet mind you. His feet must touch nothing less than the finest wool from superior sheep. The tab is $90,000 from foundation funds usually thought of as a source of scholarship money.
But it's all okay because image is involved here. We sure as Hell wouldn't want to be throught of as a bunch of trailer trash hicks with plain old nylon rugs.
"(Regent Bruce) Rastetter said, “And I think we all know, and having been to events, that the residence of the presidents of the university are really important in terms of fundraising, in terms of highlighting student scholarship, in terms of dignitaries and people that come here, that’s one of their first images of the university.”
If that doesn't tell you most of what you need to know about the shallow-brain dimwittery involved in running our public schools I'll kiss you arse under the campanile and give you leave to invite the entire membership of the AAUP.
Meanwhile, down at Iowa State, quality is also on their minds. Prexy needs new downstairs carpet in his prexial mansion. Not just any carpet mind you. His feet must touch nothing less than the finest wool from superior sheep. The tab is $90,000 from foundation funds usually thought of as a source of scholarship money.
But it's all okay because image is involved here. We sure as Hell wouldn't want to be throught of as a bunch of trailer trash hicks with plain old nylon rugs.
"(Regent Bruce) Rastetter said, “And I think we all know, and having been to events, that the residence of the presidents of the university are really important in terms of fundraising, in terms of highlighting student scholarship, in terms of dignitaries and people that come here, that’s one of their first images of the university.”
If that doesn't tell you most of what you need to know about the shallow-brain dimwittery involved in running our public schools I'll kiss you arse under the campanile and give you leave to invite the entire membership of the AAUP.
Why we're broke
Give your favorite U.S. Department of Justce bureaucrat a cookie, but not just any cookie. His taste has become too refined for Kraft and Keebler's.
Nothing less than than a $10 cookie will do. At least as long as you're paying. Muffins are a little higher for Holder's Horrors. They're about $16. Coffee to wash it all down comes to about 8 bucks a cup.
All told, Justice spent about $121 million on posh "conferences" in 08-09. Those were Bush years, but auditors say the guys and gals are still satisfying their sweet teeth at a half-buck or so per empty calorie.
Which brings us to the Obama plan to soak millionaires. If he gets his way we first find 121 dudes earning one million per year and take it all, every penny. That will cover the top cops' cookies and muffins, so we'll be well on our way to meaningful fiscal reform.
Nothing less than than a $10 cookie will do. At least as long as you're paying. Muffins are a little higher for Holder's Horrors. They're about $16. Coffee to wash it all down comes to about 8 bucks a cup.
All told, Justice spent about $121 million on posh "conferences" in 08-09. Those were Bush years, but auditors say the guys and gals are still satisfying their sweet teeth at a half-buck or so per empty calorie.
Which brings us to the Obama plan to soak millionaires. If he gets his way we first find 121 dudes earning one million per year and take it all, every penny. That will cover the top cops' cookies and muffins, so we'll be well on our way to meaningful fiscal reform.
Sep 19, 2011
Security
I finally got around to working up a redundant locking system for the camper. The tail gate is up as far as it will go, to an angle about 30 degrees short of vertical where it makes opening the door impossible. It secured there with a chain and padlock contraption.
(Those of you with RV experience know that their factory locks can be defeated with a powerful wish.)
It won't even slow down a pro, but it should discourage your casual miscreant looking for easy wherewithal to acquire pharmaceuticals.
As a bonus, the license plate is visible, robbing Officer Friendly of a reason to stop me because he's bored and wants to practice his consent-search spiel.
"Why, yes, officer, I do mind you just looking through my vehicle ."
---
This would have gone much easier if the camper were on inch shorter or the bed one inch longer.
(Those of you with RV experience know that their factory locks can be defeated with a powerful wish.)
It won't even slow down a pro, but it should discourage your casual miscreant looking for easy wherewithal to acquire pharmaceuticals.
As a bonus, the license plate is visible, robbing Officer Friendly of a reason to stop me because he's bored and wants to practice his consent-search spiel.
"Why, yes, officer, I do mind you just looking through my vehicle ."
---
This would have gone much easier if the camper were on inch shorter or the bed one inch longer.
Sep 18, 2011
The Hog-Lot Vespa
Damn, but we loved these things. Never mind that old fuddies called Doodle Bug a gateway drug, leading to Whizzers* and, for gawdsakes, even to tearing around on big Harleys in leather jackets and greasy short-bill caps with impure women grasping at your chest.**
Wish I'd been there yesterday.
The bug in the picture is an exception. Most of them looked more utilitarian, and a fair number of the ones in my village bore unmistakable marks of home craftsmanship using scrap-yard parts.
---
* What? You wonder what a Whizzer is?
** Guilty, Your Honor, but I plan to start repenting quite soon.
Wish I'd been there yesterday.
The bug in the picture is an exception. Most of them looked more utilitarian, and a fair number of the ones in my village bore unmistakable marks of home craftsmanship using scrap-yard parts.
---
* What? You wonder what a Whizzer is?
** Guilty, Your Honor, but I plan to start repenting quite soon.
Sep 16, 2011
Anda vun anda two ...
Scanning obscure bulletin board property-for-sale classifieds takes you to interesting places.
"2 br 1 bath home ... new furnace and added insulation ... very cute with some updates ... perfect for a starter home or small family ... in Ringsted IA. Desperate need to sell ... $19,500 and offering $3500 cash back after closing. Willing to accept other offers. "
My inner Donald Trump says you could walk into this home with $10,000 and wave good-bye to the previous owners in about ten seconds flat.Then you'd live with a bunch of Ringsted Danes. They founded the place in the 19th Century, and Wiki reports:
The St. Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church was organized by the city's original founders in 1882. In 1894, due to a theological debate about the word of God and activities such as dancing, the Danish Lutheran community was divided into two groups nicknamed "Happy Danes" and "Sad Danes" ... "Happy Danes" did not believe dancing was sinful.
This dreadful theological schism persisted for a century and a quarter, but if I know my Lutherans the jihad was effectuated mostly by refusing to shake hands except at weddings, funerals, threshing bees, and other solemn occasions. In any case, ecumenical harmony was restored four years ago when the warring dancers and long-faces officially reunited.
I haven't discovered if the union sanctions dancing, but if it does you might want to check out the house. A guy could do worse than spend his days living cheaply and prancing the Dansk polka with happy Danes.
"2 br 1 bath home ... new furnace and added insulation ... very cute with some updates ... perfect for a starter home or small family ... in Ringsted IA. Desperate need to sell ... $19,500 and offering $3500 cash back after closing. Willing to accept other offers. "
My inner Donald Trump says you could walk into this home with $10,000 and wave good-bye to the previous owners in about ten seconds flat.Then you'd live with a bunch of Ringsted Danes. They founded the place in the 19th Century, and Wiki reports:
The St. Ansgar Danish Lutheran Church was organized by the city's original founders in 1882. In 1894, due to a theological debate about the word of God and activities such as dancing, the Danish Lutheran community was divided into two groups nicknamed "Happy Danes" and "Sad Danes" ... "Happy Danes" did not believe dancing was sinful.
This dreadful theological schism persisted for a century and a quarter, but if I know my Lutherans the jihad was effectuated mostly by refusing to shake hands except at weddings, funerals, threshing bees, and other solemn occasions. In any case, ecumenical harmony was restored four years ago when the warring dancers and long-faces officially reunited.
I haven't discovered if the union sanctions dancing, but if it does you might want to check out the house. A guy could do worse than spend his days living cheaply and prancing the Dansk polka with happy Danes.
Sep 15, 2011
Sortie!
An old man I admire must attend to some business in the Mysterious East, namely near the valley of the Ohio River. So he's mounted the camper on the pickup and is tidying his affairs to permit a little roady across four states -- more if the gypsy urge remains strong and the house sitter is available for an extra few days.
He would anticipate pure delight, motoring along blue highways awash in fall color except for one thing. To get where he's going means traversing enemy territory, Illinois.
Meaning that on the free side of the Mississippi River he'll need to pull over, unload his side arms (one business, the others recreational), lock them in something and stash the locked boxes in the locked camper. While he's back there he'll also case the Mossy turkey gun and carefully separate it from the 00 buck. Next comes prayer that he'll have no contact with armed loyalist forces and that, if he is, the polizei will be familiar with national innocent-passage laws.
He has one other Illinois-crossing regimen. On the free side he fills the tank, lays in a supply of junk food and a thermos of coffee. And he pees. The objective of course is to make the treacherous crossing without spending a single cent, or even stopping. To be seen loitering afoot in that people's republic is to open one's self to suspicion of collaboration with Rahm toadies.
(Five years of having an office at 188 West Randolph Street will do that to a guy.)
Fortunately, Illinois is skinny, and the likely route re-encounters the the protection of the American Constitution after just 200 miles. If the damned place was any wider he'd forget the whole thing and go back to Montana instead.
He would anticipate pure delight, motoring along blue highways awash in fall color except for one thing. To get where he's going means traversing enemy territory, Illinois.
Meaning that on the free side of the Mississippi River he'll need to pull over, unload his side arms (one business, the others recreational), lock them in something and stash the locked boxes in the locked camper. While he's back there he'll also case the Mossy turkey gun and carefully separate it from the 00 buck. Next comes prayer that he'll have no contact with armed loyalist forces and that, if he is, the polizei will be familiar with national innocent-passage laws.
He has one other Illinois-crossing regimen. On the free side he fills the tank, lays in a supply of junk food and a thermos of coffee. And he pees. The objective of course is to make the treacherous crossing without spending a single cent, or even stopping. To be seen loitering afoot in that people's republic is to open one's self to suspicion of collaboration with Rahm toadies.
(Five years of having an office at 188 West Randolph Street will do that to a guy.)
Fortunately, Illinois is skinny, and the likely route re-encounters the the protection of the American Constitution after just 200 miles. If the damned place was any wider he'd forget the whole thing and go back to Montana instead.
Sep 14, 2011
Why We're Broke: The Prick Factor
Next time you write a check to your government, rest assured part of it will support pricks. You knew that of course, but confirmation is always nice.
The University of Iowa gouges Iowans mostly, but , like the others, it wins its share of federal pork, and the art department is spending to display daintily decorated casts of John Holmes pork.
Standard disclaimer: I don't think artists, however untalanted or merely twee, should be censored. I just object to being ordered to support them.
The display is titled The John Holmes Prick Parade, and, to be fair, a university flack says they put up a sign at the door warning that you might want to think twice before taking the kiddies in.
U of I spokesman Tom Moore said ... the university has guidelines about what is deemed tasteful and appropriate for its art students to produce, and this project falls within those guidelines. “There is no attempt to censor an artist as long as they meet those guidelines,” he said.
May life spare me the experience of having to view -- much less pay for -- art which fails the University of Iowa's high standards of taste.
The lady who who created this tasteful exhibition said she saw an original casting of the Holmes Memorial and got to thinking about how a body parts come to commodities. Apparently she hasn't taken biology yet or she would have understood that the life sciences confirmed ages ago that, yep, male members are ubiquitous enough to be to be called commodities; they come one to a customer and, if demographers are to be believed, are rather widely shared with The Others.
---
I know.This is low-hanging fruit and I should be ashamed of myself.
The University of Iowa gouges Iowans mostly, but , like the others, it wins its share of federal pork, and the art department is spending to display daintily decorated casts of John Holmes pork.
Standard disclaimer: I don't think artists, however untalanted or merely twee, should be censored. I just object to being ordered to support them.
The display is titled The John Holmes Prick Parade, and, to be fair, a university flack says they put up a sign at the door warning that you might want to think twice before taking the kiddies in.
U of I spokesman Tom Moore said ... the university has guidelines about what is deemed tasteful and appropriate for its art students to produce, and this project falls within those guidelines. “There is no attempt to censor an artist as long as they meet those guidelines,” he said.
May life spare me the experience of having to view -- much less pay for -- art which fails the University of Iowa's high standards of taste.
The lady who who created this tasteful exhibition said she saw an original casting of the Holmes Memorial and got to thinking about how a body parts come to commodities. Apparently she hasn't taken biology yet or she would have understood that the life sciences confirmed ages ago that, yep, male members are ubiquitous enough to be to be called commodities; they come one to a customer and, if demographers are to be believed, are rather widely shared with The Others.
---
I know.This is low-hanging fruit and I should be ashamed of myself.
Sep 13, 2011
World Premier! "The Virgin Whine."
Of course it is the whine which is chaste, not your author who is marking the approaching autumnal equinox with a domestic report, his first weather pee'n'moaner of the season.
The woodburner was getting ugly, loaded with paper and plastic trash, waiting for a morning just like this. I lit it off and it blazed nicely for about 15 minutes. The bitch is this: It felt way too good.
The woodburner was getting ugly, loaded with paper and plastic trash, waiting for a morning just like this. I lit it off and it blazed nicely for about 15 minutes. The bitch is this: It felt way too good.
Sep 12, 2011
And you probably shouldn't even carry a weiner in your pocket in their territory
Somebody saw a cougar down in Iowa City, and one of our vigilant public servants was ready with wisdom -- things you and I would never think of. Misha Goodman, director of the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, reminds us to
...walk in pairs in the areas where the sightings occurred and to not let children walk alone in wooded areas, particularly at sunset. If a mountain lion is spotted, Goodman said to stay at a distance and to never feed it.
We should all tattoo that on the backs of our hands.
---
Our crack DNR isn't quite ready to admit citizens actually saw a cougar this time. They are "investigating."
In the past few years the DNR has finally conceded that a few cougars may have taken up residence in our fair state. Before that they usually said people were mistaking deer for the big cats. The argument eventually colllapsed when DNR learned that even us civilians know that hardly any deer have five-foot tails.
...walk in pairs in the areas where the sightings occurred and to not let children walk alone in wooded areas, particularly at sunset. If a mountain lion is spotted, Goodman said to stay at a distance and to never feed it.
We should all tattoo that on the backs of our hands.
---
Our crack DNR isn't quite ready to admit citizens actually saw a cougar this time. They are "investigating."
In the past few years the DNR has finally conceded that a few cougars may have taken up residence in our fair state. Before that they usually said people were mistaking deer for the big cats. The argument eventually colllapsed when DNR learned that even us civilians know that hardly any deer have five-foot tails.
Slam fire
Blessings on thee, Mr. Browning. This morning I'm grateful for your most elegant shotgun, the Ithaca 37, particularly the one which took up residence in the Camp J arms vault yesterday afternoon. The 37 is alleged to have the fewest moving parts of any pump shotgun.
The old girl suffers from a mild case of patina, and her walnut benefited from severe scrubbing and a couple of coats of brown MinWax. While her debutante glow is irretrievable history, she still pleases me in the wake of her cleanup -- something like a dowager who never missed her day at the gym, beginning about the time of the Tet offensive.
I've owned a couple-three of these things but never tried the slam-fire function which made her desirable to certain police forces. It will be a way of getting rid of a handful of loose 12-gauge orphans in a delightfully noisy manner.
---
The adoption fee was quite reasonable. The lady who brought her around "just wanted the thing out of my closet." The perfectly functional Stevens 84D came mostly as lagniappe. (Bonus knowledge, new to me: Remington .22 rifle magazines from the middle of the 20th Century work fine in at least some of the same-era Stevens.)
---
The same source will be bringing around a SW 27, about unfired, in the factory wooden box. Pant. Drool.
The old girl suffers from a mild case of patina, and her walnut benefited from severe scrubbing and a couple of coats of brown MinWax. While her debutante glow is irretrievable history, she still pleases me in the wake of her cleanup -- something like a dowager who never missed her day at the gym, beginning about the time of the Tet offensive.
I've owned a couple-three of these things but never tried the slam-fire function which made her desirable to certain police forces. It will be a way of getting rid of a handful of loose 12-gauge orphans in a delightfully noisy manner.
---
The adoption fee was quite reasonable. The lady who brought her around "just wanted the thing out of my closet." The perfectly functional Stevens 84D came mostly as lagniappe. (Bonus knowledge, new to me: Remington .22 rifle magazines from the middle of the 20th Century work fine in at least some of the same-era Stevens.)
---
The same source will be bringing around a SW 27, about unfired, in the factory wooden box. Pant. Drool.
Sep 11, 2011
My 9/11 offering
 |
| Aloft in a fighter without ammo, Lt. Penney was quite prepared to launch a kamakazi strike against UAL 93. (A wide departure from the traditional Women With Clothes On offerings, but (a) she is attractive and (b) I think the photo suggests a nobility lacking in the shot just posted of our Narcissist-in-Chief. --- (Credit National Airway Race Shows via http://news.yahoo.com/fighter-pilot-recalls-mission-stop-9-11-plane-230127999.html) |
Sep 9, 2011
Absent With Command-Approved Leave
The TMR G-2 (Intelligence) section has credible but non-specific information that this position will be abandoned for short period. This interregnum will permit the principle G-3 (Operations) section to undertake attacks on other high-value targets. Unconfirmed reports suggest this will include rectification of recent lamentable housekeeping lapses, anemia in the ready firewood stocks, and, directly quoting confidential informants, "weather too damn nice to spend banging on a keyboard."
Sep 8, 2011
Maybe we are more or less alone
I don't know how long Guffaw has had this up. I just noticed it -- his blog lead:
"The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty – and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies." – H.L. Mencken, Baltimore Evening Sun, Feb. 12, 1923
I'm always happy to discover a Mencken paragraph I either never read or forgot about. Well chosen, Sir.
"The fact is that the average man's love of liberty is nine-tenths imaginary, exactly like his love of sense, justice and truth. Liberty is not a thing for the great masses of men. It is the exclusive possession of a small and disreputable minority, like knowledge, courage and honor. It takes a special sort of man to understand and enjoy liberty – and he is usually an outlaw in democratic societies." – H.L. Mencken, Baltimore Evening Sun, Feb. 12, 1923
I'm always happy to discover a Mencken paragraph I either never read or forgot about. Well chosen, Sir.
Ron Paul and the Great Debate
Sir, please spend whatever it costs to hire a good television coach. And pay attention when he explains the difference between television and the Shakespearean stage.
The images on tiny screens in millions of homes are fatal to the man who uses the broad gestures and large body language of live theatre. The rhetorical arts you learned in high school 60 years ago are deadly when teevee cameras zoom in. The shoulder lunges, in particular, say "crazy."
McLuhan and his followers illustrated how and why television is a "cool" medium requiring a "cool" approach.
It gags a man to suggest that you study the teevee style of Perry and Romney, but you should. Their relative mastery of television makes their bullshit sound almost plausible. Imagine what the approach would do for your message of recognizing reality and engaging in logical thought processes.
The images on tiny screens in millions of homes are fatal to the man who uses the broad gestures and large body language of live theatre. The rhetorical arts you learned in high school 60 years ago are deadly when teevee cameras zoom in. The shoulder lunges, in particular, say "crazy."
McLuhan and his followers illustrated how and why television is a "cool" medium requiring a "cool" approach.
It gags a man to suggest that you study the teevee style of Perry and Romney, but you should. Their relative mastery of television makes their bullshit sound almost plausible. Imagine what the approach would do for your message of recognizing reality and engaging in logical thought processes.
Sep 7, 2011
Slinging lead
An hour and a-half with Ken in his west pasture embarrassed me.
It was time to sight in a couple of freshly scoped .22s and shoot the cob webs out of a decrepit Mossberg semi which I don't recall ever firing. The Mossberg -- a cheap pawn shop buy three or four years ago -- ran like a champ.
The name brands sucked. With the Ruger 10-22 it was a magazine problem, and I had no spare with me. The Winchester 74 jammed every third or fourth shot -- stovepipes, failures to feed, failures to eject. I honestly didn't think its innards were that cruddy.
Shame kept me in the shop all evening, nearly full disassembly and scrubba dub dub on the Winchester. Fixed the Ruger mag and, since I was already smelling nicely of Hoppes No. 9, cleaned heck out of it, too. Both are again combat-ready if a few rounds into the Armorer's Log* in the loading room are any guide.
I cleaned the Mossy too, but that was merely a gesture of gratitude.
---
*I spent my early life looking for a Philosopher's Stone, then finally wised up and settled for an Armorer's Log.
It was time to sight in a couple of freshly scoped .22s and shoot the cob webs out of a decrepit Mossberg semi which I don't recall ever firing. The Mossberg -- a cheap pawn shop buy three or four years ago -- ran like a champ.
The name brands sucked. With the Ruger 10-22 it was a magazine problem, and I had no spare with me. The Winchester 74 jammed every third or fourth shot -- stovepipes, failures to feed, failures to eject. I honestly didn't think its innards were that cruddy.
Shame kept me in the shop all evening, nearly full disassembly and scrubba dub dub on the Winchester. Fixed the Ruger mag and, since I was already smelling nicely of Hoppes No. 9, cleaned heck out of it, too. Both are again combat-ready if a few rounds into the Armorer's Log* in the loading room are any guide.
I cleaned the Mossy too, but that was merely a gesture of gratitude.
---
*I spent my early life looking for a Philosopher's Stone, then finally wised up and settled for an Armorer's Log.
Sep 6, 2011
Hey, for a little extra we'll make your new pistol work...
Trying to separate you from your last dollar is not an ambition exclusive to government, and ToddG bench strips one of the private-enterprise schemes
The gist is that a $700+ handgun (the Sig Classic) ought to work fine right out of the shipping carton, without need for a $200 "action enhancement package" by the same company that sold it to you in the first place. But you should read the whole thing.
---
The comments include a bit about a personal tic, ramp polishing. I routinely do it to virtually every semi I acquire. Sometimes it's unnecessary, but sometimes it improves feed reliability. It isn't something you need to pay a gunsmith for if you're adept enough to strip the pistol and self-disciplined enough to live by the Two Great Rules.
(1) Remove metal by the depth of only one atom and (2) changing any angle by more than one-fiftieth of one degree is an official screwup.
The goal is to smooth the cartridge/weapon bearing surfaces, not to second-guess the engineer who designed it. We're not fixing a design flaw. We're rectifying manufacturing processes dictated by company accountants.
I use an appropriately sized dowel and crocus cloth or a felt wheel chucked in a Dremel and loaded with jewler's rouge. (Dremel grinding wheels and coarse abrasives should be locked away until the job is done.)
H/T Tam
The gist is that a $700+ handgun (the Sig Classic) ought to work fine right out of the shipping carton, without need for a $200 "action enhancement package" by the same company that sold it to you in the first place. But you should read the whole thing.
---
The comments include a bit about a personal tic, ramp polishing. I routinely do it to virtually every semi I acquire. Sometimes it's unnecessary, but sometimes it improves feed reliability. It isn't something you need to pay a gunsmith for if you're adept enough to strip the pistol and self-disciplined enough to live by the Two Great Rules.
(1) Remove metal by the depth of only one atom and (2) changing any angle by more than one-fiftieth of one degree is an official screwup.
The goal is to smooth the cartridge/weapon bearing surfaces, not to second-guess the engineer who designed it. We're not fixing a design flaw. We're rectifying manufacturing processes dictated by company accountants.
I use an appropriately sized dowel and crocus cloth or a felt wheel chucked in a Dremel and loaded with jewler's rouge. (Dremel grinding wheels and coarse abrasives should be locked away until the job is done.)
H/T Tam
Sep 5, 2011
Quote of the Year, 1866; The Preacher's Gun
(or: What the Hell? Firepower is firepower.)
Chaplain David White was with a motley detachment of 34 soldiers and civilians trying to make it from Fort Reno to Fort Phil Kearny on July 20, 1866. Red Cloud of the Oglalla contested the passage at Crazy Woman Creek on the Bozeman Trail.
It was a running fight until the outnumbered white guys (with three women and two children) finally dug in on a knoll, still pestered by Sioux fire.
The Reverend Mr. White was slightly wounded -- more pissed off than hurt. He grabbed his pepperbox and charged down the hill with one Private Fuller. Gunfire ensued, then quieted. Fuller and the padre returned to the perimeter shouting they got "two of them devils."
Dee Brown reports:
"All seven charges in his pepperbox had gone off at once, killing one Indian and frightening the others into flight ."
.
Chaplain David White was with a motley detachment of 34 soldiers and civilians trying to make it from Fort Reno to Fort Phil Kearny on July 20, 1866. Red Cloud of the Oglalla contested the passage at Crazy Woman Creek on the Bozeman Trail.
It was a running fight until the outnumbered white guys (with three women and two children) finally dug in on a knoll, still pestered by Sioux fire.
The Reverend Mr. White was slightly wounded -- more pissed off than hurt. He grabbed his pepperbox and charged down the hill with one Private Fuller. Gunfire ensued, then quieted. Fuller and the padre returned to the perimeter shouting they got "two of them devils."
Dee Brown reports:
"All seven charges in his pepperbox had gone off at once, killing one Indian and frightening the others into flight ."
.
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