California to tax beer??

Well, now they've done it. Obviously, California doesn't know who it's messing with by proposing this tax on beer.

Taking gun rights away, giving aid to illegal aliens is all well and good - but mess with JR's beer??

California is getting ready to float off into the Pacific.

Yeah, JR has that kind of power if he can only get his motherboard to stop smoking.

But seriously - California's messing with the wrong fella here by picking on something this near and dear to JR's heart. I wouldn't be surprised to see him come up with a plan for Texas to invade and take over the once great state of Cal-i-forn-i-A.

Shooters giving a little back

Here's a little bit of background from the folks who were involved down in the Austin area:

I wanted to share a video of what happened at our local club this weekend. We have a USPSA shooter that is also a Marine that was injured in the Iraq war - his name is James Gill - He comes to many matches in the area and shoots very well - you never hear him complain that with one leg one eye he is having a hard time - NO - he shoots outstanding and has a great attitude. One of Austin's shooters and club member here at the Bullet Hole - Huston LaClair decided that this young man deserved something more than our friendship since he gave up so much to protect our freedoms! Huston got together an impressive list of Company's to donate and discount products to help this shooter shoot open division - he really wanted to shoot open but was having a hard time getting the massive funds together at one time to get started. In the end - Huston was able to gather up a New Grandmaster from STI and Dave Dawson - Tuned and ready - Shooter Connection donated a top of the line range bag with mags and the CR Speed complete rig with holster - Dillion 550 loader and all the goodies needed to reload!! 2000 Brass from Starline and 4000 Bullets from Magnus bullets and Zero! There are so many other things given you will need to watch the video! - Remember - he had no idea this was going to happen!

Clinton lied..... again?

Now, it's enterly unremarkable that the Hildabeast lied. Every single one of us knows that she lies, cheats and decieves every time she opens her mouth. From something as mundane as whether or not she was shot at by snipers in the Balkans or in pretending that she actually has ever had to answer the red phone at 3 AM or pretending that she actually went to a recruiter for the Marines (or was it the Army; depending on who is telling the story....) or how she earned $100,000 off of a $10,000 investement or how the billing records from the Rose law firm mysteriously wound up in her office.... the Hildabeast has a long and documented history of lieing her ass off - and that's a lot of ass.

To me, what is remarkable is that of all papers, the New York Times ran this story. Once upon a time, you'd be hard pressed to find ANYTHING negative about the golden family known as the Clintons.

Now the story I really want to see talked about on the Sunday morning news shows is this one: Watergate-Era Judiciary Chief of Staff: Hillary Clinton Fired For Lies, Unethical Behavior

Jerry Zeifman, a lifelong Democrat, supervised the work of 27-year-old Hillary Rodham on the committee. Hillary got a job working on the investigation at the behest of her former law professor, Burke Marshall, who was also Sen. Ted Kennedy’s chief counsel in the Chappaquiddick affair. When the investigation was over, Zeifman fired Hillary from the committee staff and refused to give her a letter of recommendation – one of only three people who earned that dubious distinction in Zeifman’s 17-year career.

Why, you ask???

“Because she was a liar,” Zeifman said in an interview last week. “She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee and the rules of confidentiality.”

You have to read the entire article to see the levels that the 27 year old Hildabeast stooped to, but suffice it to say, it's pretty bad.

So again, no surprise her royal thighness lied - all of us know she's pathological - it's remarkable that the Times picked it up.

Get Some!

I admit I got a little chubby going when the minigun goes off.

I'm betting it's (at least) one of these:

You Want To Rope A Deer?

As it jerked me off my feet and started dragging me across the ground, it occurred to me that having a deer on a rope was not nearly as good an idea as I originally imagined.

Worth a read, because I learned many new things about deer.

Did you know that deer bite? They do! I never in a million years would have thought that a deer would bite somebody so I was very surprised when I reached up there to grab that rope and the deer grabbed hold of my wrist. Now, when a deer bites you, it is not like being bit by a horse where they just bite you and then let go. A deer bites you and shakes its head - almost like a pit bull.

They bite HARD and it hurts.

Who knew?

After 1968 riots, Baltimore 'not worth it' for some residents

I think I'd have left after about 1000 riots, personally.

South Park Studios

In case you were planning on being productive, here's something to help stop that nonsense. All the South Park episodes online.

You're welcome.

Poor Hillary

Looks like the vast right wing conspiracy has struck again, making poor little Hillary tell a tall tale.

I'm sure that none of our regular readers is surprised by this - but hey, it's fun to watch her royal thighness get caught yet again having a casual relationship with the truth.

D.C Just Can't Wait

Looks like DC just can't wait for the Supremes to rule, or maybe they are afraid they will lose and want to do as much damage as possible before the ruling.

Supremes Hear D.C. v. Heller

I've started listening to this and the guy representing D.C. is already tap dancing 5 minutes into the hearing. Give it a listen here:
rtsp://video.c-span.org/archive/sc/sc031808_2amendment.rm

Woman files lawsuit against AMR because passenger next to her masturbated while she slept

So do you call this a hijacking? Hijerking? It semens to me that there's a seed of truth to this story, but it also comes as a surprise.

Besides, it's just a little heir gel.

And don't call me Shirley.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Pimp Daddy invited thegirl and me to ride on a "float" in the St. Patrick's Day parade on Greenville Avenue in Dallas. It's been a few years since I'd even been to the parade, but the chance to ride in it was too much to pass up. Heck - we didn't go shooting so we could be there. Here are a few pics from the event.

First, here's the float. It's more of a truck with some crappy decorations, but hey.



















This is our host.


















Um...boobs.


















More boobs.


















Not boobs!

You're probably catching on to the theme here, so here's some more scenery.










Needless to say, it was pretty much a hoot, and I'll be back next year!

Coming soon to a country near you!

How's this for a headline?

The Burqa Gets a Makeover

I shit you not dear readers. ABC is running a story on how a Norwegian clothing designer is designing a new series of burqas. You know, the wonderful head wear that all women must wear in a muslim country.

For example, this lovely ensemble:



There's a rub, though. Norway isn't an islamic country. Yet.

Would someone please tell me why a woman who is not a muslim would wear one of these garments? Because as the story says:

The designers reportedly say they are aiming their collection at Muslims and non-Muslims.

Could it be that non-muslim women would have to wear this oppressive garment in order to not face the wrath of the religion of perpetual outrage? I mean, as we all know - islam is THE religion of peace, and there would really be no reason for a non-muslim to comply with any of their prehistoric rules and customs....

Chuck Norris the only WMD in Iraq, say U.S. troops

Chuck Norris - All-American good-guy, if you ask me.

The actor has visited Iraq several times and was made an honorary Marine last year. Some 20 U.S. military personnel and support staff spoken to by Reuters could recite at least one Norris "fact," despite many having not visited the Web site.

U.S. troops in Iraq say his support for them and Norris' invincible image has made him their idol and insist the exaggerated and satirical claims are not meant to mock him.

"The jokes all add to his legend. They're not derogatory. He's an icon," said Sergeant Joe Lindsay at a base in Falluja in Iraq's Western Anbar province, which Norris has visited.

Chuck facts are pretty good, and some of them have their roots in Iraq:

"The fastest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris's fist," reads one message at the shrine, which consists of a signed photo of the actor surrounded by similar statements.

"Chuck Norris puts the laughter in manslaughter," reads one and "Chuck Norris divides by zero," reads another.

Here's a list of Chuck's personal favorites:

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

Outer space exists because it's afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.

There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.

When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.

Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost

Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV.

Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.

Rebecca Aguilar fired. Finally.

Can't believe this happened 4 days ago and I'm just hearing about it. Must have been all the snow coverage keeping this story under wraps.

We posted here about Rebecca Aguilar ambushing an old man who had defended himself and his business two times - and in the process killed the two thugs tyring to rob and potentially hurt the 70 year old man.

The video shows Aguilar harassing an old man who had just purchased another shotgun - alluding to the fact that guns are bad, why do you need another one? She brings the old fellow to tears, and badgers him throughout the interview.

Well, dear readers, it's taken a while, but at last Aguilar has been fired from Fox 4.

In a telephone interview Wednesday night, Aguilar, 49, said she was checking her mail at mid-afternoon that day when she noticed an envelope under her front door mat. It informed her that Fox4 was exercising an option to drop her at the halfway point of a two-year contract that began on March 6, 2007.

Aguilar remains unrepentant:

"I just think it's really sad that I gave this company 14 years and I did about 6,000 interviews," Aguilar said. "And now I'm out of a job because of one interview? It's like in one swoop it ruined my reputation. It ruined my name."

You lost your job not because of the interview, but for the manner in which you performed it. You harassed, badgered, and intimidated a 70 year old man to the point of tears. You are an embarrassment to your profession (if it can be called that) and all I can say is good bye, good riddance, and don't let the door hit ya on the ass on the way out.

Tanfoglio EAA Witness Match - .40 S&W

Say hello to my new little friend. Pimp Daddy and I went to the Ft. Worth gun show today, and I brought my old Glock 35 along to see if anyone would actually pay $500 for it. I wasn't past the third table before I got 5 Ben Franklins for my trouble. Needless to say, I went from selling mode to shopping mode almost immediately (I know the female readers can relate, am I right?). I was thinking Springfield XD, S&W M&P, even CZ 85. But my buddy turned me on to this little beauty:
It was lust at first sight. This, my friends, is the Tanfoglio Witness Match in .40 S&W, resplendent with exactly ONE 15-round magazine and the very nifty case you see in these pics. Not only is it sexy, it turns out it's really practical.
This is a very popular gun in Europe, used by superstars like Henning Walgren and Eric Grauffel, two of the best shooters in the world. I visited Henning's website and learned a bit more about it, and also ordered a couple more magazines. Apparently, this is a pretty popular Limited gun. With a basepad extension, it looks like you can get as many as 22 rounds in a magazine and still be legal for Limited. Hmmm...

Not only that, but the uppers are interchangeable. Yep - I can shoot 9mm, .22, whatever - just by swapping the upper. Cool, no?

It gets better. I load my .40 rounds out to 1.185" OAL, which is a bit beyond the standard 1.125" for the .40 round. This handgun eats that just fine, apparently. In fact, I ordered magazines that are built for longer rounds. Very nice.

All this for $496. Not bad.

Going to the range tomorrow to run some rounds through it. I'll let you know how it goes.

On this day, 1836

The defenders of the Alamo awoke to Santa Anna's buglers playing the Deguello. (to hear the bugle call, click on the Mexican flag on the link)

The seige of the Alamo ended later that day - so fellas, tonight, hoist a brew to the brave men who crossed a line in the sand and stood, fought, and died.

On February 24th, Travis wrote this letter:

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world

Fellow Citizens & Compatriots

I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the command with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his own honor & that of his country. VICTORY or DEATH.

William Barret Travis(1)
Commandancy of the Alamo, Béxar
Feby. 24, 1836

This one's for you, Travis.

Streaker no match for Symonds - Cricket

Who knew that cricket players were such bad-asses? In other news, cricket matches got streakers.

The fallacy of “tactical” trainers

If you’ve spent any amount of time shooting, you’ve undoubtedly come across a training academy or trainer who will help you to build what they call a “combat” mindset. The mindset of a warrior. The kind of mindset that will make sure that you survive a violent encounter while laying waste to any and all comers.

Well, here’s a dirty little secret that you won’t hear anywhere else.

That’s horse poop, folks. Pure, unadulterated horse poop.

There is a whole market of folks out there eager to take your hard earned money to teach you the proper mindset.

You’ll find quotes like this:

“Without the proper mindset your chances of survival are greatly reduced.”

And this:

“Truth be known, your mindset and tactics actually play a much larger role in your survival than do your marksmanship skills. Expert marksmanship skills may be good for competition, but they are not what is going to keep you alive in most situations.”

I’ve been shooting long enough to have come across dozens of trainers and hundreds of shooters who all believe that of the 3 parts of what’s known as the “combat triad” (skill, mindset, tactics), the most important one is mindset. I see these people hide behind the fact that they can’t shoot (literally to save their own lives) by saying they have the “proper” mindset.

I have personally witnessed someone at an IDPA National Championship tell a crowd of onlookers that he could beat Robby Leatham (easily one of the greatest practical pistol shooters in the world and has been for the last few decades) in a gunfight. I perked up and paid attention and someone asked him just how he figured he could do it. His response was that he could take on Robby, and win, even if he was shooting a 2 inch revolver and Robbie could pick whatever pistol he wanted.

This fellow’s response was that he could do it because Robby was only a competition shooter and didn’t have the proper fighting mindset.

Yeah, right.

Sadly, hang around the shooting range for any length of time and you will see this kind of attitude much too often. And it’s sad. You will see instructors who can’t do simple, basic drills with ANY sort of competency, trying to brainwash their students into thinking they are the 2nd coming of Miyamoto Musashi. You’ll see instructors and shooters who have been trained by “name” shooting schools who can’t hit the broad side of a barn. I’m talking about people who can’t draw their weapon in under 2.5 seconds, reload in under 2.25 seconds, or shoot an El Prez (probably one of the most widely practiced drills in the shooting world) in under 12 seconds. And folks, that’s just flat out not acceptable. At a bare minimum, if your potential instructor can’t draw in less than 1.5 (and hit the target), reload in under 1.5, or hit an El Prez in less than 6.5 seconds, you are flat out wasting your time trying to learn how to shoot from that person.

Chances are, if a potential school or instructor dresses in all the latest and greatest tactical gear and equipment (including body armor, knee pads, elbow pads, thigh holster, etc), and shoots Weaver style, and calls their instructors cadre, then not only are you wasting your time, you are wasting your money.

Probably two of the dumbest things I see these folks teach their students are the tactical reload and the threat scan.

The tactical reload was created back in the day as a range retention system to keep your mags out of the dust and detritus of a sandy, desert environment when you swapped out mags after a drill. It had no bearing in real life “on the street” and was just a way to save time, energy, and effort at the range to keep you from having to bend down and pick up all your mags after an extended range session - and keep your mags clean and functioning in case you dropped them in the dust, dirt, mud, whatever.

The tactical reload evolved from a range use only to the “real” world in large part thanks to IDPA. The founders of IDPA thought that if you were in a shooting situation in real life, and needed to reload, that the best way to do it would be to retain a partially used magazine before you inserted the new mag in the gun and got back to work. The theory being that later on in the fight, you might need the extra bullets; or conversely, you would at least be denying a potential adversary the opportunity to use your own ammo against you - of course that is if you’re both shooting the same caliber weapon.

I can’t begin to tell you how ridiculous this is. For one thing, the tac load takes time. LOTS of time. Time that you likely will not have. So while you’re busy dicking around trying to stow that first mag you have now opened yourself up to attack with only one bullet in the gun. Great plan, huh? Either run the gun dry and reload or if you get to thinking you might need some more bullets, dump the old mag, put the new one in, and get back to work. Thankfully, IDPA leadership has come around and recognized that this range use only system was getting people in trouble in real life - and stopped mandating (mostly) tac loads on the clock.

The other worthless “tactic” I see all the time is what’s called the tactical or threat scan. The principle is, you’ve shot a bad guy and he is down on the ground and out of the fight. Considering that bad guys tend to travel in groups, you are then supposed to scan the area, staying on the sights of the gun to see if there are any other threats. And be sure, gentle readers, while you are performing this threat scan, have your warrior face on and look as mean as possible as that might very well deter any additional attacker.

Exactly. Because if the sight of you ventilating his cohort in crime won’t deter him, then a frosty glare will undoubtedly deter him from any more mayhem.

Looking, and being aware of your surroundings, are absolutely important skills to have. In fact, if you were looking and paying attention to begin with, you probably wouldn’t have had to ventilate the fellow who’s now assuming room temperature. But that’s neither here nor there.

If you are going to do a threat scan, by all means people, actually freaking LOOK. I see people all the time who will shoot a stage in a match with steel targets, like pepper poppers or falling plates. They will miss the steel, finish the stage, do their scan right over the steel that they missed, and NOT re-engage the steel. Why? Because they were not actually LOOKING. They were only interested in looking cool, looking tactical, looking high speed and low drag. If you’re going to do a scan, dear reader, drop the gun and look. If you keep the gun up then what you are going to do is get tunnel vision and look down the sights of the weapon and not see a damn thing.

So, dear reader, if you are considering getting some training, consider the source. Know that just because someone has a ton of certifications from big schools all across the country and/or national organizations doesn’t necessarily mean they know how to shoot.

To pick a good, quality instructor, watch the person shoot. Do they shoot in competition? Are they willing to put their skills to the test? Or do they hide behind the mantra of “that will get you killed on the street”? Do they tell you that they are the only one(s) who know “the way”? Can they draw, reload, and hit the target at speed and at distance?

Failing all that, if you’re planning on going to a school somewhere and want to know if it’s worthwhile, drop us a line here at the Tattler. We could easily save you a lot of time, money and effort.

Jolly good show!

Watch the video until the end.

"Everything was normal here till you people showed up."

You've gotta respect the Prince; he could very easily have shirked going overseas to war. Everything I've seen about him for the past couple of years is that he's been trying hard to just get deployed.

Good for you, Prince Harry.