26 June 2008
23 June 2008
Cops. Heh.
Had a great weekend of shooting fun. Wichita Falls Saturday for some USPSA action. DPC Sunday morning for some steel action. A little visit to the local cigar shop, and then a drive down into Dallas Sunday night for some IDPA fun. That's the way to spend your weekend!!!
Sunday night, at DFW gun range, we had a great turnout for the IDPA match. There were several brand new shooters there as well as some more experienced guys that have been around for awhile and then some folks somewhere in the middle, who have been out a handful of times and are starting to look familiar. After working the timer with one of the new shooters - a tiny young lady - and watching her struggle to control the pistol - I passed off the timer and took her over to the safe area to help her out.
I explained the fundamentals of the grip and stance and tried to get her a little more comfortable with the pistol she was shooting. I probably spent 10 minutes or so with her before I ran out of time and had to get back to work at the match. I had noted that one of the other shooters - a local cop - had followed us in to the safe area and was watching everything I was telling this young lady. I could tell from the look on his face that he disagreed with about everything that I was saying, but I just ignored him as I'd seen him shoot and wasn't really that impressed with anything he had done. As soon as I left, he took the opportunity to jump over to the gal and I suspected that he was busy spending some time telling her that I had no idea what the hell I was talking about since I was just a civilian and that she'd be better off listening to him. Whatever.
We finished the match, and I was back in the safety area with another new shooter - a young man this time - helping him with the same issues I had pointed out earlier. Since he was shooting a nice 1911, that was absolutely bone ass dry, I ended up spending some time with him about proper lube and cleaning of his pistol as well. About that time the young lady I had helped earlier walked in with her boyfriend and then another couple that had come with them to watch. We started talking about what kind of gun she should buy for herself since she was shooting a borrowed gun that night. I told her the same thing I tell all new shooters - buy a Glock, M&P, XD, or now even the new Ruger SR9 - whichever one fits their hands the best and is in their price range. The young lady told me that "the guy, that cop, had showed her his sig suey something" gun - to which I said, you mean a Sig Sauer??? Yeah, that was it - the cop let her fondle his Sig and told her what a fantastic weapon it was, that SWAT uses it, and SEALs use it blah blah blah and that the gun felt perfect to her.
I said, "hon, whatever you do, do NOT buy a Sig." To which her friend replied "told you, they're all going to say this that or the other is their favorite and no one will agree on anything."
I finally lost what patience I had left in dealing with this particular officer and just flat out told the girls - "look - why don't ya'll go look at the scores from tonight's match and tell me who you should be taking advice from, OK?" The room got pretty quiet all of a sudden and I just walked out to help with clean up after the match.
I usually don't ever talk that kind of smack to anyone but my friends. But this particular fellow touched a nerve with me. He displays the typical attitude that some (not all) law enforcement officers display. That they are the only people who know anything about firearms because they've been "trained". While us lowly civilians don't know squat because we don't have to go through a "rigorous" training program and annual qualifying.
The fact of the matter is - and this is based on a decade of watching - is that the vast bulk of law enforcement officers don't know jack about guns. They don't know jack about muzzle awareness. They don't know jack about trigger control. They don't know jack about how to shoot. In fact, if you come to my range and tell me you're a cop, I'm going to watch you like a hawk, and watch you closer than I'll watch a "civilian" because my personal experience has shown me that chances are, you're going to scare the hell out of me.
Now, there are a handful of officers that I've come across that DO know how to shoot - and bless them, most of those guys try hard as hell to get their law enforcement brethren up to speed - but the fact is, they are a very, very small minority in the police community.
And oh yeah - I kicked this guy's ass by 45 seconds in a 5 stage match. For those of you who aren't familiar with IDPA scoring, that's what you call an ass whipping.
Sunday night, at DFW gun range, we had a great turnout for the IDPA match. There were several brand new shooters there as well as some more experienced guys that have been around for awhile and then some folks somewhere in the middle, who have been out a handful of times and are starting to look familiar. After working the timer with one of the new shooters - a tiny young lady - and watching her struggle to control the pistol - I passed off the timer and took her over to the safe area to help her out.
I explained the fundamentals of the grip and stance and tried to get her a little more comfortable with the pistol she was shooting. I probably spent 10 minutes or so with her before I ran out of time and had to get back to work at the match. I had noted that one of the other shooters - a local cop - had followed us in to the safe area and was watching everything I was telling this young lady. I could tell from the look on his face that he disagreed with about everything that I was saying, but I just ignored him as I'd seen him shoot and wasn't really that impressed with anything he had done. As soon as I left, he took the opportunity to jump over to the gal and I suspected that he was busy spending some time telling her that I had no idea what the hell I was talking about since I was just a civilian and that she'd be better off listening to him. Whatever.
We finished the match, and I was back in the safety area with another new shooter - a young man this time - helping him with the same issues I had pointed out earlier. Since he was shooting a nice 1911, that was absolutely bone ass dry, I ended up spending some time with him about proper lube and cleaning of his pistol as well. About that time the young lady I had helped earlier walked in with her boyfriend and then another couple that had come with them to watch. We started talking about what kind of gun she should buy for herself since she was shooting a borrowed gun that night. I told her the same thing I tell all new shooters - buy a Glock, M&P, XD, or now even the new Ruger SR9 - whichever one fits their hands the best and is in their price range. The young lady told me that "the guy, that cop, had showed her his sig suey something" gun - to which I said, you mean a Sig Sauer??? Yeah, that was it - the cop let her fondle his Sig and told her what a fantastic weapon it was, that SWAT uses it, and SEALs use it blah blah blah and that the gun felt perfect to her.
I said, "hon, whatever you do, do NOT buy a Sig." To which her friend replied "told you, they're all going to say this that or the other is their favorite and no one will agree on anything."
I finally lost what patience I had left in dealing with this particular officer and just flat out told the girls - "look - why don't ya'll go look at the scores from tonight's match and tell me who you should be taking advice from, OK?" The room got pretty quiet all of a sudden and I just walked out to help with clean up after the match.
I usually don't ever talk that kind of smack to anyone but my friends. But this particular fellow touched a nerve with me. He displays the typical attitude that some (not all) law enforcement officers display. That they are the only people who know anything about firearms because they've been "trained". While us lowly civilians don't know squat because we don't have to go through a "rigorous" training program and annual qualifying.
The fact of the matter is - and this is based on a decade of watching - is that the vast bulk of law enforcement officers don't know jack about guns. They don't know jack about muzzle awareness. They don't know jack about trigger control. They don't know jack about how to shoot. In fact, if you come to my range and tell me you're a cop, I'm going to watch you like a hawk, and watch you closer than I'll watch a "civilian" because my personal experience has shown me that chances are, you're going to scare the hell out of me.
Now, there are a handful of officers that I've come across that DO know how to shoot - and bless them, most of those guys try hard as hell to get their law enforcement brethren up to speed - but the fact is, they are a very, very small minority in the police community.
And oh yeah - I kicked this guy's ass by 45 seconds in a 5 stage match. For those of you who aren't familiar with IDPA scoring, that's what you call an ass whipping.
MyFox Dallas | GRAPHIC VIDEO: 'F--- Victims' Families'
I don't even know where to start.
Some people (animals) require shooting. Some people (animals) require execution. Some people (animals) don't deserve to die with dignity. Here's a fine example of why public executions, lynch mobs, vigilante justice, vengeance and hatred all have existed. This is the very worst of our society, and these animals deserve to be killed slowly, painfully, and without mercy or remorse.
I'd feel no worse about shooting a rabid coyote. Check that - at least coyotes serve a purpose in the ecosystem. These shitbags are beneath contempt.
GI Bill
Lone Star Times has a good summary of the latest version of the GI Bill that was approved by the House.
Senator Cornyn was on the right side of the issue, insisting on transferability and voting against the bill in the Senate because of it. The Senator commented today on the House vote and called out his opponent to support the House Bill; after his opponent shamelessly used Memorial Day as a political ploy against Cornyn.
Folks, I think we have to come to the conclusion that the Presidency this election cycle is really not going to be all that good, regardless of who wins. In which case, we're going to need a strong conservative base in the House and Senate to foil the will of the next President on items like gun control, global warming, and liberty. Get out there and support your local conservative House and Senate members and let them know where you stand. Cornyn's a good guy and we need more folks like him in Washington to make sure that the next President can't destroy what's left of our individual freedoms.
Senator Cornyn was on the right side of the issue, insisting on transferability and voting against the bill in the Senate because of it. The Senator commented today on the House vote and called out his opponent to support the House Bill; after his opponent shamelessly used Memorial Day as a political ploy against Cornyn.
Folks, I think we have to come to the conclusion that the Presidency this election cycle is really not going to be all that good, regardless of who wins. In which case, we're going to need a strong conservative base in the House and Senate to foil the will of the next President on items like gun control, global warming, and liberty. Get out there and support your local conservative House and Senate members and let them know where you stand. Cornyn's a good guy and we need more folks like him in Washington to make sure that the next President can't destroy what's left of our individual freedoms.
20 June 2008
What to Expect Next Week | SCOTUSblog
...Two opinions remain: Rothgery v. Gillespie and the case many of our readers our waiting eagerly for, DC v. Heller. Two justices have not yet written in the sitting: Souter and Scalia. As both of them have only written five total opinions thus far, it seems quite likely that these two are the outstanding authors, barring some sort of vote-switching. Based on the tenor of oral argument, it is widely expected that the individual rights view of the Second Amendment will prevail in the guns case, which means that it appears that Justice Scalia may well be writing the opinion for the majority, leaving Rothgery to Justice Souter. It remains a possibility, of course, that if Justice Scalia is the author, his opinion commands only a plurality.Looks like next week it is, but the SCOTUSblogger cautions against trying to predict the court.
There is only one decision day next week on the Court’s official calendar: Monday, June 23, when the Court’s public session will begin at 10 am eastern. However, as the Court has done for the past two weeks, it’s certain that the Court will sit on one or more additional days later in the week. Based on past practice, if the Court holds one additional opinion day, it will likely be the Thursday (June 26) as it did last Term. If it holds two additional opinion days (which is more likely, given that ten opinions remain), the added days will likely be Wednesday (June 25) and Thursday (as it did in the 2005 Term).
(Of course, the Court isn’t required to finish by June 26, but it has concluded the Term before July every year for the last decade. Monday June 30 is also a possible last day, but is unlikely because the Court internally plans on finishing each Term during the fourth week of June.)
Boy Killed When Falling Shotgun Fires
I don't mean to diminish or enlarge the tragedy, but I'm afraid something doesn't meet the sniff test here.
Authorities believe the shotgun was standing in a corner when it somehow fell and went off.Anyone familiar with a shotgun that goes off without someone pulling the trigger? The story doesn't say what sort of shotgun it is, so could a slam-fire have happened, or what?
18 June 2008
Big John
Senator Cornyn came out with a light hearted and entertaining video at the GOP convention a week or so ago. Since that time, the libs have been attacking the video in one way or another. This proves my point once again that probably the worst thing about the entire liberal movement is that they don't have a sense of humor. At all. And who wants to be around someone who is perpetually outraged??
Second, this brings to mind the internet email that was passed around a while ago; and I think it's a valid point today - the libs don't like cowboys. They don't like what they stand for, they don't like what they'll stand up to, and they don't like the image of a man who can take care of things himself without having to rely on his mommy (or the government) to solve his problems. In part, that email went like this:
When I was a kid, cowboys were my heroes.
Well, I mean the ones in the white hats, not the black hats, who were usually the bad guys.
What were common attributes of these legendary cowboys?
Here are a few:
They were never looking for trouble.
But when trouble came, they faced it with courage.
They were always on the side of right.
They defended good people against bad people.
They had high morals.
They had good manners.
They were honest.
They spoke their minds and they spoke the truth, regardless of what people thought or "political correctness," which no one had ever heard of back then.
They were a beacon of integrity in the wild, wild West.
They were respected. When they walked into a saloon (where they usually drank only sarsaparilla), the place became quiet, and the bad guys kept their distance.
If in a gunfight, they could outdraw anyone. If in a fist fight, they could beat up anyone.
They always won. They always got their man. In victory, they rode off into the sunset.
In our new touchy feely era, men aren't supposed to be like this. They're supposed to be in touch with their emotions, their feminine side. And it's largely the reason we are in the mess we're in today.
While not claiming to be a cowboy myself - For instance, I don't own a cowboy hat, can't stand horses, and have no idea where my one pair of cowboy boots are - I think Washington DC would probably be a lot better off if more cowboys were in office than the career politicians that reside there today, but that's just me.
Man accidentally kills himself while trying to rob a Grand Prairie home
A little bleach for the old gene pool.
Cameron Sands, 19, of Fort Worth kicked in the door of the house and then shot himself in the stomach as he pulled a gun out of his pants to shoot the homeowner, Grand Prairie police said. The homeowner was not injured.Ta-da!
17 June 2008
Four Teenagers Are Stabbed After Northeast Peace Festival
Peace on you.
Brought to you by Washington, D.C.
Brought to you by Washington, D.C.
15 June 2008
Market Hall Gun Show
After getting rained out at the match in Greenville yesterday - honest to goodness, SERIOUS rain at the range, high, hot and dry at home - JR and I decided to hit the Market Hall gun show. As we've posted here before, Market Hall has really dropped off as a great show. Compared to the big Reliant Center show in Houston, Market Hall is about 1/3 as big and there seems to be a preponderance of beef jerky and airsoft guns.
There WERE some interested things to see. Notably, JR and I both truly appreciate the attire most women seem to wear at gun shows. I don't know what it is, but ladies that go to gun shows are usually showing off their finer assets; and speaking for myself, I'm deeply appreciative.
There was one dealer who was selling NIB "overstocked" DPMS AR flat top carbines for $619 with a gas block in front and no front sight and $635 or so with a front sight. They were a good $275-$300 cheaper than other similar ARs at the show and I'm kicking myself for not picking one up. I did manage to pick up some mags for a rainy day, some AR mags (both .223 and 9mm) and a couple of 10 round McCormick power mags for my 1911 that I'll use next month at the big ProAm match in Tulsa.
Seems there were a bunch of hoodlums out as well in their gang colors or wearing shirts that said things like "gangster forever" on them. Why those turds are let into the gun show is beyond me - I know why they're let in - no one wants a lawsuit saying that said poor little hoodlum was discriminated against on the basis of his appearance, but still, I'd kick those cretins out in a heartbeat, lawsuit be damned.
It also seems as if there is more flat out disinformation fed to potential buyers by salesmen who have no idea what they are talking about. Dealers talking about this gun or that gun and given a minute, you can tell that they have no clue about what they're talking about and only know what they've read in the latest edition of Guns and Ammo - where no gun writer has ever met a gun he didn't like. My point is, if you're looking for a new blaster, and you aren't sure what you're looking for - ask someone who shoots. Alot! It's clear that there are "gun people" who can tell you every tiny detail about every gun ever made. And then there's those of us who shoot. When it comes to picking a gun - especially one for self defense or competition, pick carefully who you get your info from!
And I'll add a word or two on gun show etiquette. Take your stinking finger off of the trigger. Do not pick up guns off the table or carry guns around with your booger picker wrapped squarely around the trigger. I can't tell you how many guns JR and I had pointed at us either by passers by or folks at the tables with fingers squarely on the trigger with no thought given to where the gun is pointed.
I've seen 2 or 3 ADs at gun shows over the years with "unloaded" guns. I'd really rather not see one up close and personal because some idiot isn't paying attention to what he's doing.
There WERE some interested things to see. Notably, JR and I both truly appreciate the attire most women seem to wear at gun shows. I don't know what it is, but ladies that go to gun shows are usually showing off their finer assets; and speaking for myself, I'm deeply appreciative.
There was one dealer who was selling NIB "overstocked" DPMS AR flat top carbines for $619 with a gas block in front and no front sight and $635 or so with a front sight. They were a good $275-$300 cheaper than other similar ARs at the show and I'm kicking myself for not picking one up. I did manage to pick up some mags for a rainy day, some AR mags (both .223 and 9mm) and a couple of 10 round McCormick power mags for my 1911 that I'll use next month at the big ProAm match in Tulsa.
Seems there were a bunch of hoodlums out as well in their gang colors or wearing shirts that said things like "gangster forever" on them. Why those turds are let into the gun show is beyond me - I know why they're let in - no one wants a lawsuit saying that said poor little hoodlum was discriminated against on the basis of his appearance, but still, I'd kick those cretins out in a heartbeat, lawsuit be damned.
It also seems as if there is more flat out disinformation fed to potential buyers by salesmen who have no idea what they are talking about. Dealers talking about this gun or that gun and given a minute, you can tell that they have no clue about what they're talking about and only know what they've read in the latest edition of Guns and Ammo - where no gun writer has ever met a gun he didn't like. My point is, if you're looking for a new blaster, and you aren't sure what you're looking for - ask someone who shoots. Alot! It's clear that there are "gun people" who can tell you every tiny detail about every gun ever made. And then there's those of us who shoot. When it comes to picking a gun - especially one for self defense or competition, pick carefully who you get your info from!
And I'll add a word or two on gun show etiquette. Take your stinking finger off of the trigger. Do not pick up guns off the table or carry guns around with your booger picker wrapped squarely around the trigger. I can't tell you how many guns JR and I had pointed at us either by passers by or folks at the tables with fingers squarely on the trigger with no thought given to where the gun is pointed.
I've seen 2 or 3 ADs at gun shows over the years with "unloaded" guns. I'd really rather not see one up close and personal because some idiot isn't paying attention to what he's doing.
14 June 2008
13 June 2008
Hulk Movie Suck.
Finally, a movie review that even Catfish can read.
Critic remember Ang Lee version. Ang Lee version slagged off. Yet rubbish new Hulk film make that look like Citizen Kane. Critic exit cinema miffed. Film take away two hours of critic's life. Critic not get time back. Ever. Rarrrrr.Take a moment to read the whole thing. It's a hoot.
12 June 2008
District of Columbia v. Heller
Well, another session of SCOTUS goes by today, but no news of the Second Amendment. We learned of the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the detainees at Gitmo, but not about DC v. Heller. Pity.
I think it's ironic that enemy combatants are enjoying Habeas Corpus, much like U.S. citizens, yet we sit here and wait to hear whether they'll affirm rights we were given over 200 years ago.
Nonetheless, I'm cautiously optimistic that the 2nd Amendment will be affirmed, and that an individual right to keep and bear arms will finally have the endorsement of constitutionality via the Supreme Court. Perhaps Monday, June 16, 2008 will be a very good day.
I think it's ironic that enemy combatants are enjoying Habeas Corpus, much like U.S. citizens, yet we sit here and wait to hear whether they'll affirm rights we were given over 200 years ago.
Nonetheless, I'm cautiously optimistic that the 2nd Amendment will be affirmed, and that an individual right to keep and bear arms will finally have the endorsement of constitutionality via the Supreme Court. Perhaps Monday, June 16, 2008 will be a very good day.
10 June 2008
09 June 2008
Rumor Confirmed! Cuisinart Ice-Cream Maker Includes Long Rumored Sprinkle Dispenser
Aside from (almost) buying 1000 bullets, I don't know if I can think of a better way to spend $84.31.
...the company has released the Ice-45 Mix-It-In Soft Serve Ice-Cream Maker that includes not one, but three different topping dispensers! (A move that even supposed ‘Cuisinart insiders’ didn’t see coming.) Of course while many users were also hoping for a built-in hot fudge reservoir on the new model, it seems those rumors were just wild speculation, and for the time being we’ll just have to settle with third-party solutions like a double-boiler on the stove.I swear to you, I never knew such devices existed.
08 June 2008
Gladiator Gay
This Academy ad from today's Sunday paper is gayer than Elton John's fanny-pack.
"C'mon, Tom - pull me!"
05 June 2008
Convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs found dead in Plano home
Everyone try to act surprised that this happened.
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