Compare and contrast…

Posted on by July 5, 2022

Soooo, we have something interesting here…

First, prayers for ALL of those shot this weekend, and their families.

The Highland Park shooting, seven dead and thirty-seven injured. The shooter is in custody after a short search. The FBI, multiple agencies (possibly including the Secret Service), etc. all got involved almost immediately after the shooting. Even the President commented on it last night. And everyone is decrying the ‘mass shooting’

President Biden led a moment of silence Monday for the victims of a mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade near Chicago — two hours after he stunned listeners by hardly mentioning it in a speech on the White House lawn.

Full article HERE from the NY Post.

Now the contrast…

CHICAGO — Seventy one people were shot , eight fatally, in 4th of July holiday weekend shootings across the city, Chicago police said.

Full article, HERE from ABC7 Chicago.

But where was the outcry? Where were the FBI and other agencies? Where was the President?

Crickets… Because this is pretty much a ‘normal’ weekend in Chicago, nothing to see, move along…

NYC, the same thing! Fifty shot and either nine or twelve dead, depending on the report. Outcry? Nope… Crickets too…

Full article, HERE from NY Post.

And then there is the major of Philthydeliphia. Where the mayor flat out said if he could, he would ban guns for anyone but LEOs.

“If I had the ability to take care of guns, I would,” he said. “But the legislature won’t let us. Congress won’t let us. The governor does the best he can [and] the attorney general does the best he can, but this is a gun country. It’s crazy. We are the most armed country in world history and we are one of the least safe. So until Americans decide that they want to give up the guns and give up the opportunity to get guns we are going to have this problem,” the mayor proclaimed.

<snip>

“The only people I knew who had guns in Canada were police officers and that is the way it should be here. But look, in my lifetime, it is never going to happen. A lot of goofballs out there with guns and they can get them anytime they want, so this is what we have to live with,” Kenney said, according to 6 ABC.

Full article, HERE with quotes… Which you cannot find on a Google search, by the way…

So, if it’s a dem stronghold, like Chicago, or NYC, or Philly, shootings are okay, since it’s mostly black on black, and not ‘important’ to the leadership.

But let it happen in an ‘upscale’ area, which apparently Highland Park is, and it is a white shooter (therefore MUST be White patriarchy) and it hits the news cycle for two days.

I’m waiting the usual 72 hours to actually comment on the Highland Park shooting particulars, because as we all know, ‘details’ change with amazing rapidity in the first three days.

How about blaming the shooters? Whomever they may be? Regardless of ethnicity? How about actually enforcing the laws on the books? How about requiring the mental health records actually be inputted to the NICS database?

How about realizing that criminals never have and never will obey the laws??? Is that too hard?

When you defund the police, what is actually going on is that a non-lethal means of apprehension/stopping crimes is removed from the system. In states with CCW, what you have done is put that means of stopping crimes on those who carry, and they don’t HAVE non-lethal as an option!

Sigh…

Posted on by July 4, 2022

I’ve mentioned before that I would NOT recommend the military to anyone today, due to the lack of leadership in the senior ranks…

But this article brings that out even better than I could!

Jump out of a perfectly good airplane, charge a machine gun nest, be stationed at Ft. Irwin – these are just three of the myriad miseries American patriots are willing to endure to defend our country. But today’s military is asking too much of our young people, as evidenced by the crashing recruitment rates that threaten to deplete a military already running short of soldiers. Have our young people suddenly turned from heroes to zeros, ne’er-do-well heirs of the brave warriors who confronted the forces of tyrannical gun control at Lexington and Concord? 

Full article, HERE from Town Hall

And I’m just thankful there isn’t any time travel… Can you imagine???

Michael Ramirez for the win (as usual)!

Happy Independence Day!!!

Posted on by July 3, 2022

While we celebrate on the 4th, the actual timeline was a ‘bit’ different…

On July 4, 1776,  the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence to announce the colonies’ separation from the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Library of Congress says.

The actual vote for independence actually happened two days earlier, History.com says – but July 4 is seen as the “birthday” of American independence.

The Fourth also isn’t when the Declaration of Independence was signed. According to the National Archives, delegates began signing the engrossed Declaration of Independence on Aug. 2 – starting with John Hancock’s famous signature.

John Adams wrote the following to his wife Abigail, on July 3, 1776:

“Yesterday the greatest Question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among Men. A Resolution was passed without one dissenting Colony ‘that these united Colonies, are, and of right ought to be free and independent States, and as such, they have, and of Right ought to have full Power to make War, conclude Peace, establish Commerce, and to do all the other Acts and Things, which other States might rightfully do…’

The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable  Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival… . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Most of us will be doing just that, however there are some who…don’t agree with that sentiment.

Full article, HERE from the NY Post… Sigh…

For those of us in Tiny Town, Texas, we’ll be doing burgers, brats, and the usual sides with friends in SUPPORT of our independence!

Food and fireworks!!!

Posted on by July 2, 2022

We had our usual Saturday feed, with some additional folks and a puppy! Dave, Sarah, the kids, and their new puppy stopped by and joined us. Peter and Dot feted us with German foods fresh from Fischers over in Muenster, TX!

And then there was fireworks… This is looking down my street toward the highway. The lake is across the street, a half block away, behind the houses.

The kids loved the ‘screamers’…

And the finale…

Snerk… and as usual, they set the dam of the lake on fire… Fire Department was on hand and has put the fire out.

Musings…

Posted on by July 1, 2022

Made a deadline… 9300 word short done and submitted to the slush pile. Now the waiting begins!

Coming up on 4th of July and the long weekend, I was thinking back over the years and the things we do to celebrate the holiday. This whole thing got started yesterday in the grocery store when three of us in line (a LONG line), all retired military, starting talking about the ‘old days’…

Depending on where we were at the time, the 4th was another day at work for most of us in the military, at least if you were on the operational side. The retired USAF guy hit that nail on the head with his comment about ‘holiday’ for admin and ‘routine’ for everybody else! Sigh…

I do remember landing in Stavanger, Norway one 4th of July in a snowstorm! LOL

I spent a number of years in northern Virginia, and had an apartment with a BIG balcony, directly across the river from the Mall, so lots of folks ‘invited’ themselves over (and brought food), and we would sit on the balcony and watch the fireworks and eat.

Other times it was a holiday ‘celebrated’ on the road due to testing. It’s funny how other countries see our Independence Day, and their comments. The Italians  baked us a red, white, and blue cake! The Aussies wanted to talk about what America means to us, and that was question after question over way too many beers. That usually segued into discussions of sports played in the various countries and our complete lack of understanding of Cricket (STILL don’t get that)…

Now, six years into total retirement, well other than trying to write books, we’ve kinda established a ‘tradition’ with the North Texas Troublemakers. Supper on Saturday, burgers and brats on the 4th, and sitting in my driveway watching the local fireworks a block away, then the further fireworks displays…LOL

So 30 years later, I’ve come full circle. I’m still proud of what I did in service, and afterward working for DOD. I don’t regret any of it, and sometimes I have to work hard to keep my mouth shut at some of the things I see going on.

Patriotism has come, gone, come again, and now appears to be disappearing again (at least in the younger generations). Our little town was putting out flags yesterday, all over town, and the town flies a huge flag year round up by 287 that can be see for miles. I hear more and more people saying they are willing to leave the US, and it’s hard to NOT tell them to get gone.

They don’t realize how good they have it here! Freedom of speech, plenty of fresh food, clean water, ease of transportation, entertainment, etc. Their view of the ‘world’ is obviously one seen through rose colored glasses and their social media networks, never understanding that the ‘world’ they see is carefully curated to maximize the lure of those foreign locations.

They don’t see the abject poverty, the deaths from what would be minor infections here, the repression by the governments, the lack of food, clean water, etc. And they don’t realize there is no reset button that gives them a new life. That isn’t and never has been reality…

Anyhoo, I’m going to sit over here and enjoy what I have, and the friends I will spend time with over the weekend, and the food I will enjoy.

Another ‘win’ for the little people…

Posted on by July 1, 2022

The last two SCOTUS decisions came down yesterday.

The one we were watching has been pretty low profile, and that was West Virginia v. EPA on the overreach of unelected bureaucrats in government agencies making industry wide rules/regulations.

Well, SCOTUS gave a win to West Virginia!!!

While some commentators view this decision narrowly as a determination of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to promulgate regulations to address climate change, in practice, it sets a precedent that will limit the ability of all executive agencies to make regulations that shift entire industries without specific congressional authority to do so.

According to legal expert Jonathan Turley, “it will be much more difficult for President Biden to order sweeping environmental changes without congressional approval” in the wake of this decision.

Full article, HERE.

The real impact of this decision is that I believe now ALL government agencies will be on notice that they no longer have free reign to do as they wish, and this move will once again put the onus back on the congresscritters to actually DO what we pay them to do, and that is legislate.

YMMV…

Rest in Peace…

Posted on by June 29, 2022

Hershel (Woody) Williams died yesterday.

He was the last WWII Medal of Honor winner.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — World War II hero and Medal of Honor recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams died Wednesday morning at the VA hospital near Huntington named in his honor. Williams was 98.

The Woody Williams Family Foundation posted a message Tuesday indicating the West Virginia native was in his last days. The foundation said he died at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday surrounded by family members.

Full article HERE from WVA Metro News.

A little guy, he was only 5’2″, originally too short to enlist. Later, the Marines took him willingly. Then came Iwo Jima…

A light blue neck ribbon with a gold star shaped medallion hanging from it. The ribbon is similar in shape to a bowtie with 13 white stars in the center of the ribbon.
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the
MEDAL OF HONOR
to
CORPORAL HERSHEL W. WILLIAMS
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Demolition Sergeant serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines and black, volcanic sands, Corporal Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flame thrower through the air vent, kill the occupants and silence the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points encountered by his regiment and aided in enabling his company to reach its’ [sic] objective. Corporal Williams’ aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

/S/ HARRY S. TRUMAN
Rest in peace sir! There are many who have stepped up to take the watch for you.

SCOTUS…

Posted on by June 28, 2022

I know it’s been an interesting week and some, but I think the ‘biggest’ verdict is yet to drop. And that is West Virginia vs. the EPA.

West Virginia v. the Environmental Protection Agency has the potential to sharply curtail the power of the EPA.

The case is an unusual one for the court. Instead of looking at a rule that has already been established, this one will set a precedent for future actions, specifically those tied to the EPA’s authority to regulate power plant emissions. Should the court rule against the EPA, that could hamper the Biden administration’s plans to combat climate change, as regulating authority could shift to Congress.

Full article, HERE from Fortune.

This has the potential to gut the EPA’s ability to make these rule changes by unelected bureaucrats, and force Congresscritters to actually do their jobs and LEGISLATE, not dump it off on others. And a benefit would be that we the people would actually KNOW what these programs cost, as they would have to be made public!

Other agencies affected could be BATF, NEA, CDC, and a lot others.

So I’m hoping they overturn and do it quickly!

How about a little humor???

Posted on by June 26, 2022

Tired of the BS on the news? I sure am…

Here are a couple of really bad jokes! 🙂

A farmer is sitting in the neighborhood bar getting hammered.
A man come in and asks the farmer,
“Hey, why are you sitting here on this beautiful day, getting drunk?”
The farmer shook his head and replies, “Some things you just can’t explain.”
“So what happened that’s so horrible?” the man asks
as he sits down next to the farmer.
“Well,’ the farmer says, “today I was sitting by my cow, milking her.
Just as I got the bucket ’bout full,
she lifted her left leg and kicked over the bucket.”
“Okay,” says the man, “but that’s not so bad.”
“Some things you just can’t explain,” the farmer replies.
“So what happened then?” the man asks.
The farmer says, “I took her left leg and tied it to the post on the left.”
And then?” “Well, I sat back down and continued to milk her.
Just as I got the bucket ’bout full,
she took her right leg and kicked over the bucket.”
Man laughed and said, “Again?”
The farmer replies, “Some things you just can’t explain.”
“So, what did you do then?” the man asks.
“I took her right leg this time and tied it to the post on the right.”
“And then?”
“Well, I sat back down and began milking her again.
Just as I got the bucket about full, the stupid cow knocked over the bucket with her tail.”
“Hmmm . . .” the man says and nods his head.
“Some things you just can’t explain,” the farmer says.
“So, what did you do?” the man asks.
“Well,” the farmer says, “I didn’t have anymore rope,
so I took off my belt and tied her tail to the rafter.
In that moment, my pants fell down and my wife walked in . . .
Some things you just can’t explain.”

++++++++

It was a sunny morning in the Big Forest and the Bear family is just waking up.

Baby Bear goes downstairs and sits in his small chair at the table. He looks into his small bowl. It is empty! “Who’s been eating my porridge?” he squeaks.

Father Bear arrives at the table and sits in his big chair. He looks into his big bowl. It is also empty! “Who’s been eating my porridge?” he roars.

Mother Bear sticks her head out the kitchen door and yells, “For Pete’s sake, how many times do we have to go through this?”

“It was Mother Bear who go up first.”

“It was Mother Bear who woke everybody else in the house up.”

“It was Mother Bear who unloaded the dishwasher from last night and put everything away.”

“It was Mother Bear who went out into the cold early morning air to fetch the newspaper.”

“It was Mother Bear who set the table.”

“It was Mother Bear who put the cat out, cleaned the litter box and filled the cat’s water and food dish.”

“And now that you’ve decided to come down stairs and grace me with your presence, listen good because I’m only going to say this one more time I haven’t made the damned porridge yet.”

So…

Posted on by June 25, 2022

We did a ‘thang’ yesterday at our American Legion Post…

Competition BBQ! Yes, it was 106 yesterday… But we were on the competition schedule and 15 cooks showed up! We were in at 0530, cooking breakfast burritos for the cooks and members that were helping out, and pulled pork sandwiches for lunch.

There were contests for beans, chicken, ribs, and brisket. And kids got to cook steaks! And volunteers from the public and members got to ‘judge’ the food. OBTW, if you ever get asked to judge, the PROPER way to do it is to cut off ONE BITE of the meat, eat that, throw your knife/fork in the trash bin, grade the meat, then move to the next tray and do that again (x15).

You DON’T pull off a chicken leg and start chowing down… sigh…

And there were some ‘interesting’ cookers…

And yes, for those playing along at home, he served on the USS Augusta, SSN 710. His ‘story’ was that he’d started building from the back, and wanted to add a small grill up front that he could use for ‘little things’. He realized that it kinda looked like a sub, so since he needed a smoke stack, he just fared it in and added the fairwater planes. And since he was a small gun and known for his ribs, it became the USS Shortrib…

Another interesting thing seen was one of our members (retired USAF E-9, Vietnam Vet, Nha Trang, 1969) brought out his K5 Blazer!

An all original 1983 Silverado version, original drivetrain (he admitted the engine was rebuilt at 250,000 miles).

And the interior is original too! He said he’s right at 289,000 miles, and needs to do a ‘little’ work on it, like carpet, new seat cushions, and upgrade the AC to R34, since it’s impossible to find R-12!!!

But as he said, this thing is his ‘baby’, and it’s still a daily driver, 31 years after he bought it!

But when it was all said and done, everybody had fun, the post got some donations, and the cookers that won got points for their BBQ standings with the sponsors. And Dot ‘won’ something at the silent auction…