Here’s Your Hope and CHANGE…

Posted on by March 6, 2013


How do you like it now???

Item
January 2009
TODAY
% chg
Src
Avg.. Retail price/gallon gas in U.S.
$1.83
$3.85
79.6%
1
Crude oil, European Brent (barrel)
$43
$105

147.7%
2
Crude oil, West TX Inter. (barrel)
$38..74
$108

155.9%
2
Gold: London (per troy oz.)5
$853.25
$1,469.50
70.5%
2
Corn, No.2 yellow, Central IL
$3.56
$7.33
88.1%
2
Soybeans, No. 1 yellow, IL
$9.66
$13.75
42.3%
2
Sugar, cane, raw, world, lb. Fob
$13.37
$41.39

184.7%
2
Unemployment rate, non-farm, overall
7.6%
9.4%
23.7%
3
Unemployment rate, blacks
12.6%
15.8%
25.4%
3
Number of unemployed
11,616,000
14,485,000
24.7%
3
Number of fed. Employees, ex. Military  

2,779,000
2,940,000
2.9%
3
Real median household income

$50,112
$49,777
-0.7%
4
Number of food stamp recipients

31,983,716
43,200,878
35.1%
5
Number of unemployment benefit recipients

7,526,598
9,193,838
22.2%
6
Number of long-term unemployed
2,600,000
6,400,000
146.2%
3
Poverty rate, individuals

13.2%
14.3%
8.3%
4
People in poverty in U.S.

39,800,000
43,600,000
9.5%
4
U.S.. Rank in Economic Freedom World Rankings
5
9
n/a
10
Present Situation Index

29.9
23.5
-21.4%
11
Failed banks

140
164
17.1%
12
U.S.. Dollar versus Japanese yen exchange rate
89.76
82.03
-8.6%
2
U.S.. Money supply, M1, in billions (curr = 12/10 prelim)
1,575.1
1,865.7
18.4%
13
U.S.. Money supply, M2, in billions (curr = 12/10 prelim)
8,310.9
8,852.3
6.5%
13
National debt, in trillions
$10.627
$14.052
32.2%
14


Sources:
(1) U.S. Energy Information Administration; (2) Wall Street Journal; (3) Bureau of Labor Statistics; (4) Census Bureau; (5) USDA; (6) U.S. Dept. Of Labor; 
(7) FHFA; (8) Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller; (9) RealtyTrac; (10) Heritage Foundation and WSJ; (11) The Conference Board; (12) FDIC; 
(13) Federal Reserve; (14) U.S. Treasury


I would go cry in my beer, but I can’t afford a beer anymore… sigh…

Chicago? Not on your life…

Posted on by March 6, 2013




The ISRA is warning its members to think twice about selecting Chicago as a vacation destination this summer.  This warning was issued in response to a recent dramatic upswing in violent crime in the windy city.  Most notably is a spate of so-called “flash mob” attacks where as many as two dozen young men ambush and savagely beat their victims before robbing them of their valuables.  One recent flash mob victim was a 68 year-old man. 

The bulk of the flash mob attacks have taken place on Chicago’s near north side and Gold Coast areas to include North Avenue Beach and the Magnificent Mile.  The attack locations are within the general vicinity of tourist attractions including Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Millennium Park. 

Thus far, the Chicago Police Department has had little luck controlling these flash mobs with only 4 participants having been apprehended.  This ability to confound the police stems from the very nature of flash mobbing.  Participants either get a text message on their smart phone or receive a ‘tweet’ on a social networking site telling them where to show up and how to behave ? with the specified behavior usually involving larceny or assault.  Flash mob participants arrive at the site at a particular time and, after committing the specified crimes, scatter before police can arrive.  The sheer number of flash mob participants overpowers the victims, rendering them helpless against the mob. 

As most of our readers know, the most effective defense a victim could muster against a flash mob would be for the victim to draw a concealed firearm.  As most of our readers also know, Illinois is one of only two states in the nation that deny citizens the right to carry defensive firearms.   

The ISRA supported House Bill 148 in the most recent legislative session.  Under the provisions of HB148, qualified citizens would be permitted to carry defensive firearms to protect themselves and their families from the type of violent crimes perpetrated by flash mobs.  Ironically, it was the Chicago delegation of legislators that arranged for the defeat of HB148 when the bill came up for a vote.   

Through their baseless opposition to legislation such as HB148, the Chicago delegation has provided flash mobs and other criminals the upper hand.  As we have seen in recent days, Chicago?s criminal element is taking full advantage of having the upper hand.  There is no reason to believe that there will be a happy ending to the flash mobs? reign of terror.  Nobody should be surprised that, before the summer is over, a flash mob has engaged in a gang-rape or even a murder of an innocent civilian. 

Again, the ISRA is urging readers to reconsider plans to vacation in Chicago this summer.  Indications are that vacationing in Chicago will place readers and their families at high risk of being victimized by violent criminals ? including flash mobs.  This risk is heightened greatly because law-abiding citizens cannot carry firearms to protect themselves from violent criminals. 

PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING: 

            1.  Pass this alert along to all your friends and family members. 

            2.  Please post this alert to any and all Internet blogs and bulletin boards to which you belong. 

            3.  Please contact your state representative and state senator and politely inform them that you are a law-abiding citizen who wants a bill such as HB148 to be passed and signed into law so that you may protect yourself.

Sometimes you have to vote with your feet (to save your life) and your wallet (to get people’s attention)…

Based on some of the news reports HERE, HERE, and HERE; and this alert, no way in HELL will I visit Chicago anytime soon! Not the least because of their anti-gun stance, but also because I value my life and it’s not worth wasting it in Chicago…

IF anybody from Chicago reads this, your comments would be appreciated. Somehow I don’t think this is “all” of the story…



EDIT-  From Chief Jay and Gerry- Check out Second City Cop’s blog HERE for more updated info…


Thanks guys!

D-Day…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
67 years ago today, the combined forces started the assault on the Normandy Beaches in what became known world wide as D-Day…


The participants on the allies side are listed in the following Order of Battle, along with their dates of action:


   US First Army

  1. 1. XII Corps
  2. 2. XV Corps

US Third Army

  1. 1. V Corps
  2. 2. VII Corps
  3. 3. VIII Corps
  4. 4. XIX Corps

Armored Divisions

  1. 1. 2nd Armored Division (2 July)
  2. 2. 3rd Armored Division (9 July)
  3. 3. 4th Armored Division (28th July)
  4. 4. 5th Armored Division (2 August)
  5. 5. 6th Armored Division (28th July)
  6. 6. 7th Armored Division (14 August)
  7. 7. 2nd French Armored Division (1 August)

Airborne Divisions

  1. 1. 82nd Airborne Division (6 June)
  2. 2. 101st Airborne Division (6 June)

Infantry Divisions

  1. 1. 1st Infantry Div (6 June)
  2. 2. 2nd Infantry Div (8 June)
  3. 3. 4th Infantry Div (6 June)
  4. 4. 5th Infantry Div (16 July)
  5. 5. 8th Infantry Div (8 July)
  6. 6. 9th Infantry Div (14 June)
  7. 7. 28th Infantry Div (27 July)
  8. 8. 29th Infantry Div(7 June)
  9. 9. 30th Infantry Div (15 June)
  10. 10. 35th Infantry Div (11 July)
  11. 11. 79th Infantry Div (19 June)
  12. 12. 80th Infantry Div 8 Aug)
  13. 13. 83rd Infantry Div (27 June)
  14. 14. 90th Infantry Div (10 June)
Allied Expeditionary Air Forces consisted of the: US Airforce
  1. 1. US Ninth Tatical Airforce
  2. 2. US Eighth Airforce

Royal Air Force

  1. 1. Second Tatical Force
 The British 21st Army Group consisted of: The British Second Army

Armored Divisons

  1. 1. Guards Armored Div (28 June)
  2. 2. 7th Guards Armored Div (8 June)
  3. 3. 11th Armored Div (13 June)
  4. 4. 79th Armored Div (Specialized Armor 6 June)

Airborne Divisions

  1. 1. 6th Airborne Div (6 June)

Infantry Divisions

  1. 1. 3rd Infantry Div (6 June)
  2. 2. 15th Infantry Div (Scottish 14 June)
  3. 3. 43rd Infantry Div (Wessex 24 June)
  4. 4. 49th Infantry Div (West Riding 6 June)
  5. 5. 50th Infantry Div (Northumbrian 6 June)
  6. 6. 51st Infantry Div (Highland 6 June)
  7. 7. 53rd Infantry Div (Welsh 27 June)
  8. 8. 59th Infantry Div (Staffordshire 27 June)

Canadian and Polish Forces attached to the British Army:

  1. 1. 4th Canadian Armored Div
  2. 2. 1st Polish Armored Div
  3. 3. 2nd Canadian Div
  4. 4. 3rd Canadian Infantry Div

This was kicked off by the following speech given by General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
And THIS was the result…

June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded —


They truly were the greatest generation…

Random things…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
Downtime- We can ALL use a bit of that…


Spent yesterday with Phlegmmy and Lawdog and the usual suspects out in Texas, and it was truly a nice break to just sit in the back yard, drink nerd beer and chat with all the various folks.  It was also a pleasure to finally meet Sci-Fi and his lovely wife, and they even brought Labstahs from Bastan…  But I don’t think they were quite ready for the 96-100 degree temps and ‘barrenness’ of Central Texas 🙂


This one is for AD and Murph…

Patience…

And for those who were in the discussion yesterday, THIS is the comparison I was talking about…

George W. Bush speech after capture of Saddam:

The success of yesterday’s mission is a tribute to our men and women now serving in Iraq. The operation was based on the superb work of intelligence analysts who found the dictator’s footprints in a vast country. The operation was carried out with skill and precision by a brave fighting force. Our servicemen and women and our coalition allies have faced many dangers in the hunt for members of the fallen regime, and in their effort to bring hope and freedom to the Iraqi people. Their work continues, and so do the risks. Today, on behalf of the nation, I thank the members of our Armed Forces and I congratulate ’em.
  

Barack Obama speech after killing of bin Laden:

And so shortly after taking office, I directed Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority of our war against al Qaeda, even as we continued our broader efforts to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat his network.
Then, last August, after years of painstaking work by our intelligence community, I  was briefed on a possible lead to bin Laden. It was far from certain, and it took many months to run this thread to ground. I met repeatedly with my national security team as we developed more information about the possibility that we had located bin Laden hiding within a compound deep inside of Pakistan. And finally, last week, I  determined that we had enough intelligence to take action, and I authorized an operation to get Osama bin Laden and bring him to justice. Today, at my direction,
the United States launched a targeted operation against that compound in Abbottabad , Pakistan.


Say what you want, spin it however you want, but there IS a difference in perspectives between the two presidents… 

Bleg…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
An Ordinary American has a post up about the Airborne Angels Volunteers, take a moment and go read, and if you are so moved, throw a buck or two or twenty their way.  Their biggest issue is paying the mailing for packages going downrange.  Trust me when I say NONE of that stuff is cheap, and NONE of it is free, regardless of whom it’s to support downrange.


We are at a critical time in these military folks lives, just as we were at the end of Nam… People back home don’t seem to care, the administration want’s em out, there are protesters and negative media coverage, and I will guarantee you the folks with boots on the ground are wondering if it’s all worth it…


We didn’t have this kind of support back then, the ONLY thing we got (if we were lucky) was something occasionally from the family (if we had one back home).


I know this is one of a bunch of organizations, but I guess this one just hits home a bit more because of the photos.


Thanks in advance.


h/t Breda   

NRA gets a win in court…

Posted on by March 6, 2013

Fairfax, VA—Today, the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals conclusively and forcefully held, without need for oral argument, that the National Rifle Association has the right to recover attorneys’ fees in its lawsuits against the city of Chicago’s and the village of Oak Park’s unconstitutional gun bans. The court held that the NRA was a prevailing party in the case of National Rifle Association v. City of Chicago and Village of Oak Park.
“This is a Second Amendment victory and a civil rights victory. The National Rifle Association and the Second Amendment prevailed against those who sought to deny the right to keep and bear arms in Chicago and Oak Park,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “The attempt to avoid paying the NRA’s attorneys’ fees was rightly found to be unjust by the Court.”
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right to keep and bear arms for all Americans in the historic McDonald v. Chicago and NRA v. Chicago and Oak Park cases, it remanded them for the purpose of issuing an injunction against Chicago and Oak Park’s unconstitutional gun ordinances.  Before that injunction was issued, however, those ordinances were repealed. The City and the Village then argued that the NRA was not a prevailing party and should not be allowed to recover attorneys’ fees.  The District Court, which originally ruled against the NRA, agreed and denied the fee award.
Today’s Seventh Circuit decision overturns that ruling, holding instead that the NRA is indeed a prevailing party and is entitled to receive reimbursement for attorneys’ fees. The amount to be recovered will be established by the District Court.
“This is a major victory for the NRA.  While we are grateful to recover our attorneys’ fees, however, we remain steadfast in our belief that Chicago and Oak Park continue to circumvent the law of the land and deny their law-abiding residents the Second Amendment freedoms protected by the Constitution.  We will continue to fight those efforts until the Second Amendment is fully respected,” concluded Cox.
Posted in NRA

Rangemasters classes…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
I was going to put a post on the training (albeit very short) class we received from Tom Givens from Rangemasters and his folks at the Lucky Gunner/Bullet Fest 11 shoot, but as I read some of the other folks posts, I decided to just link to them as most of them said it much better than I can.
Fill Yer Hands,  Sebastian, MJ Mollenhour, and Robert (sorry I missed that one Robert)  all have a very positive reaction to the training, and I didn’t talk to a single person that didn’t learn/relearn something even in that very short class.  Tom, his wife and the assistant instructors were firm, polite and attentive to all the shooters, taking time to individually correct where necessary, offer suggestions, and ensure the range stayed safe.  
Personally I plan to take a ‘real’ class from them, and would highly recommend them to anyone, new shooter to old fart (like me).  Tom’s classes, using the building block approach, are based on years of experience, constantly upgraded based on real world changes, and feedback from prior students who have actually had to use the training.  
You will NOT regret it… 

Let’s Be Clear On This…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
OBAMA did NOT kill Bin Laden. An American sailor, who Obama, just a few weeks ago, was debating on whether or not to PAY, did.


In fact, if you remember a little less than two years ago, his administration actually charged and attempted to court-martial 3 Navy Seals from Seal Team Six, when a terrorist suspect they captured, complained they had punched him during the take down and bloodied his nose. His administration further commented how brutal they were. The left were calling them “Nazis” and “Baby Killers”. 


Now all of a sudden, the very brave men they vilified are now heroes when they make his administration look good in the eyes of the public.


Obama just happened to be the one in office when the CIA finally found the bastard, and our sailors took him out. 


Essentially, Obama ONLY gave an answer. Yes or No, to him being taken out. This is NOT an Obama victory, but an AMERICAN victory!!!

Posted in OBL

Rules for Life…

Posted on by March 6, 2013
1 * Accept the fact that some days you’re the pigeon, and some days you’re the statue!

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully… It’s not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5 * If you can’t be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can’t push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won’t have a leg to stand on.

10 * Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 * Since it’s the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything’s coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

19 * Save the earth….. It’s the only planet with chocolate.

20 * Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she’ll create a life. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any grief, be ready to receive a ton of crap…

WOW…

Posted on by March 6, 2013

Lucky Gunner was nice enough to host some bloggers and others at a Memorial Day Weekend shoot today; and a rather strange day it was…


Yes, that IS a Civil War Re-enactor taking a break from shooting the cannon in the back ground and now shooting an AR-10…

Bloggers- Check, check, etc… Whole bunches of good folks showed up!

WWII Re-enactors (US and German with bivouacs set up)- Check

Civil War Cannons- Check
German PAC 38 Cannon- Check

Tanks (with MG and Cannon)- Check
Half Tracks (with multiple MG)- Check
Full Auto SMG- Check, check, check…

Full Auto MG- Check, check , check, well you get the idea…

1938 BAR, 1919 Browning MG, Water Cooled .30 MG, Lewis MG, Ma Deuce (WWII version), etc…
Personal weapons- Check (everywhere)

Huey- Check (with Sheriff’s SWAT team aboard)

They’re coming to take us… oh, you want to SHOOT what we brought? Sure!!! 🙂

Free ammo- CHECK!!! 🙂 Thank you Lucky Gunner!!!
Sadly, the 1938 BAR actually ran out of 30-06 ammo at the end of the day

I am NOT exaggerating, the firing line was at LEAST 100 yards wide…
I would estimate 150 total folks there, and EVERYBODY including the kids were shooting anything and everything! And not a single gun turned bad and shot anybody…

We also honored two Wounded Warriors; one a Chaplin with a CIB (only the second one I’ve ever seen wearing one; he was prior enlisted), and the other a young troop who was a Blackhawk crew chief and shot in Afghanistan a month or so ago and now in rehab. They got head of the line privileges on anything they wanted to shoot (and did)!

All the tables had donation jars (which filled up quickly) for Wounded Warriors, and I personally cannot think of a much better way to honor them.

Traction Control has a few comments up from folks as he was blogging from the site (I was otherwise occupied… 🙂

I’ll get some videos up later in the week.

Oh yeah, and one ‘side’ comment- I asked one of the SWAT guys if they would ever hit one of the houses of the owners of some of the weapons being shot. He kinda cocked his head and said, “Um.. Nah, airstrike…”