Well, I decided since I had nothing better to do yesterday (other than the tickets to Darlington), I’d take a nice relaxing little drive up to Philly and meet up with Wyatt and some of the Philly bloggers at WyattPalooza. Doing the math, I figured 154 miles, so to be on the safe side, I left an hour early, figuring “how bad can it be, it’s Saturday”… little did I know, sigh…
It was just a tad bit windy… blowing 30, gusting to 40-50 depending on which radio station you were listening too.
Anyhoo, it took me an hour JUST to clear DC!!! Idjits were out and about (and breaking down) everywhere! So I ‘finally’ get to Baltimore tunnel right at 2 hours, thinking it can’t get any worse (stoopid, I know)… through the tunnel and pop out onto 95, and damn near come to a dead stop…
Finally back up to speed, plus a bit (hell, I was doing 80 in a 55 and getting passed like I was sitting still!), started around a semi pulling an empty box and was mesmerized by his rear trailer wheels, as they were only occasionally hitting the ground! At one point, they literally stopped!!!
The honking since I’d slowed down to 75 brought me out of my trance, and I passed him, only to have to slam on the brakes again (you in the @#&* little Honda, you ALMOST became a hood ornament when you cut in front of me)…
So, between the 20mph stretches and the 80mph stretches, I finally get to the restaurant a half hour late after a 4 1/2 hour drive (so much for being early, or even on time).
The restaurant, obviously expecting trouble, had put us outside on the patio and promptly locked the doors… Wyatt, Captain America, Bitter American, Sebastian, Bob (Either Orr), Mr. and Mrs. Robert B., Smite A Hippie, Cemetery, Bitter and Mrs. Crankipants were already there, the ONLY person I beat there was RT… At least she had a good excuse!
Oh yeah, and the WIND was blowing, and it got cold- Guess the restaurant figured they could get rid of us pretty quick that way… NOT…
I ended up sharing a corner of the table with RT, and got to listen to Wyatt and CA bicker like a couple of brothers from a different mother… That neighborhood has GOT to be interesting, if for nothing more than the byplay that goes on… π
Mrs. Cranki and RT both proved to be ‘quiet’ ladies, but with rapier wit; and Wyatt was catching it from all angles! His whine about running and ‘trying’ to play lacrosse with his son’s team had me rolling on the floor, then he lost yet again in the who’s is bigger category to a 70 year old from Florida!!! Pretty sad Wyatt… pretty sad…
Smite was working his way through a beer bong, Sebastian was either contemplating his navel or that was a REALLY good Mohito, Bitter American, CA and I got into a discussion of the fire service and issues, and how political correctness is @#&* up this country…
The food was not bad, and it was at least warm! Although that was some of the WORST coffee I’ve ever had… I mean, it’s bad when gas station coffee tastes better!!!
And the conversations ran the gamut as always… Guns, movies (I obviously DON’T watch enough), food, family, jobs, politics, general bitching, etc… There were always at least three different conversations going on, so you had your choice π
Sadly, I had to slog back to DC, so I had to leave a bit early, but I did get a chance to see CA’s ride; and it IS a beautifully restored 70’s Firebird! NICE!!!
It was great to put names, faces, and reality with some of my favorite bloggers, so all in all it was worth it! It was truly a pleasure to meet these folks, and once again it just proved that these folks are the salt of the earth!
The drive back was about as screwed up as the drive up (I swear I drove 4000 miles to Blogorado last year and had LESS drama than these two ‘little’ trips). Finally got home at 2330, and plopped into bed.
Oh yeah, one note for South Philly DPW- Um… folks didn’t you ever hear of putting SANDBAGS on your !@#&*) port-a-potties??? That is NOT the thing I really want to see in the fast lane on I-95 (not once, but TWICE)!
Note to self, go smooth out cushion in driver’s seat today…
kthxbye

HERE is the link to the AZ immigration law… Note that there has to be a criminal stop, detention or arrest for an officer to question citizenship…
Well, it seems the LWL, led by the ACLU (they REALLY need to remove American from their name), and so called “legal” immigrants are protesting up a storm over the Arizona immigration enforcement law. Interestingly, they aren’t protesting in AZ, but in LA and SFO (where they are feted and given ALL kinds of rights, in addition to sanctuary)…
And all these groups are calling for boycotts of AZ products and the State itself! Now me, if I find out products are made in AZ, I’m gonna be buying!!!
Now my question is, are they protesting because they think it’s wrong, OR are they protesting because they are afraid more border states are going to do the same thing???
After all, the only thing the law does, is allow State and Municipal officers to enforce the laws on immigration the Feds refuse to do.
The killing of the rancher on the Southern border and the shooting yesterday of a Deputy Sheriff by illegals is only fueling the fires more and more in the state. When you have Border Patrol agents apprehended 105 illegal immigrants Wednesday in the Baboquivari Mountains southwest of Tucson, and through the first six months of fiscal year 2010, agents in the Tucson Sector had made 119,000 apprehensions; something HAS to be done…
My personal thoughts are- This is all about trying their damnest to get this dumped, because if it succeeds, the odds are Texas and others could well follow suit.

By Chinara Lucas, Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (NNS) — The secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) honored the legacy of the late U.S. Representative John Murtha by declaring April 23 that the Navy’s 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, LPD 26, will bear his name.
The announcement was made at John P. Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County airport in Johnstown, Pa., a town Murtha held close to his heart.
SECNAV Ray Mabus was accompanied by Joyce and Donna Murtha, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Representative Norm Dicks of Washington and U.S. Representative David Obey of Wisconsin.
You can read the rest of this HERE… And feel free to leave a comment! I did…
Feel free to use this or write a better one!
Congressman XXXX,
I am writing to you to express my displeasure as a retired Naval Flight Officer, that you all would even consider naming a U.S. navy ship after John Murtha. While I do understand that he served in the United States Marine Corps he also condemed our troops prior in Iraq of murdering innocent Iraqi’s. As we know the Marines were found innocent of any wrongdoing. Here are a few of Joh Murtha’s quotes about the Marines in Haditha Iraq.
“It [Haditha, Marines] is as bad as Abu Ghraib, if not worse.”
(Murtha, May 2006)
“They [the Marines/Military] knew the day after this happened that it was not as they portrayed it. They knew that they (Marines) went into the rooms, they killed the people in the taxi. There was no firing at all. And this comes from the highest authority in the Marine Corps, so there’s no question in my mind,”
(Murtha, May 2006)
“… they [Marine] killed innocent civilians in cold blood.”
(Murtha, May 17, 2006 at news conference)
“There was no firefight. There was no IED that killed these innocent people. Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood”
(Murtha, May 19, 2006)
“They actually went into the houses and killed women and children. And there was about twice as many as originally reported by Times.”
(Murtha, Reuters, May 19, 2006)
“Our troops over-reacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.”
(Murtha, ARAB WORLD NEWS, May 19, 2006)
“It’s [Haditha, Marines] much worse than reported in Time magazine.”
(Murtha, News.comAU, May 18, 2006)
BLITZER: The marines say they’re still investigating. They don’t know what happened yet. The pentagon says the same thing. How do you know what happened?
MURTHA: Wolf, you read the “Time” magazine articles. There are pictures, there are photos. You don’t have to talk to the military about the proof.
(Murtha, on CNN/Wolf Blitzer, May 19, 2006… transcript)
All of his quotes were unfounded. He turned his back on the military and now you all want to name a United States military ship after him?
Sincerely,
Great Story about a great Lady, and apparently little or NO mainstream media coverage..
It appears this is ONLY getting coverage within the Veterans/Military circles…
Pam Murphy, widow of actor Audie Murphy, was veteransβ friend and advocate

Pam Murphy, the widow of Audie Murphy, was involved in the Sepulveda VA hospital and care center over the course of 35 years, treating every veteran who visited the facility as if they were a VIP. Pam Murphy died last week at the age of 90.
After Audie died, they all became her boys. Every last one of them.
Any soldier or Marine who walked into the Sepulveda VA hospital and care center in the last 35 years got the VIP treatment from Pam Murphy.
The widow of Audie Murphy β the most decorated soldier in World War II β would walk the hallways with her clipboard in hand making sure her boys got to see a specialist or doctor β STAT. If they didn’t, watch out.
Her boys weren’t Medal of Honor recipients or movie stars like Audie, but that didn’t matter to Pam. They had served their country. That was good enough for her.
She never called a veteran by his first name. It was always “Mister.” Respect came with the job.
“Nobody could cut through VA red tape faster than Mrs. Murphy,” said veteran Stephen Sherman, speaking for thousands of veterans she befriended over the years.
“Many times I watched her march a veteran who had been waiting more than an hour right into the doctor’s office. She was even reprimanded a few times, but it didn’t matter to Mrs. Murphy.
“Only her boys mattered. She was our angel.”
Last week, Sepulveda VA’s angel for the last 35 years died peacefully in her sleep at age 90.
“She was in bed watching the Laker game, took one last breath, and that was it,” said Diane Ruiz, who also worked at the VA and cared for Pam in the last years of her life in her Canoga Park apartment.
It was the same apartment Pam moved into soon after Audie died in a plane crash on Memorial Day weekend in 1971.
Audie Murphy died broke, squandering million of dollars on gambling, bad investments, and yes, other women.
“Even with the adultery and desertion at the end, he always remained my hero,” Pam told me.
She went from a comfortable ranch-style home in Van Nuys where she raised two sons to a small apartment – taking a clerk’s job at the nearby VA to support herself and start paying off her faded movie star husband’s debts.
At first, no one knew who she was. Soon, though, word spread through the VA that the nice woman with the clipboard was Audie Murphy’s widow.
It was like saying Patton had just walked in the front door. Men with tears in their eyes walked up to her and gave her a hug. “Thank you,” they said, over and over.
The first couple of years, I think the hugs were more for Audie’s memory as a war hero. The last 30 years, they were for Pam.
She hated the spotlight. One year I asked her to be the focus of a Veteran’s Day column for all the work she had done. Pam just shook her head no.
“Honor them, not me,” she said, pointing to a group of veterans down the hallway. “They’re the ones who deserve it.”
The vets disagreed. Mrs. Murphy deserved the accolades, they said.
Incredibly, in 2002, Pam’s job was going to be eliminated in budget cuts. She was considered “excess staff.”
“I don’t think helping cut down on veterans’ complaints and showing them the respect they deserve, should be considered excess staff,” she told me.
Neither did the veterans. They went ballistic, holding a rally for her outside the VA gates.
Pretty soon, word came down from the top of the VA. Pam Murphy was no longer considered “excess staff.” She remained working full time at the VA until 2007 when she was 87.
“The last time she was here was a couple of years ago for the conference we had for homeless veterans,” said Becky James, coordinator of the VA’s Veterans History Project.
Pam wanted to see if there was anything she could do to help some more of her boys.
Funeral services for Pam Murphy will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles.
Naval Flight Officer Astronaut Wings
VT-10 is celebrating the 50th anniversary of NFO training in Pensacola with a Reunion June 23-25. There are several great events planned, including a Dining Out,
golf tournament, symposium, social, and a winging. All the details are available at http://wildcat50thanniversary.weebly.com
The coordinator can be reached at [email protected]

New Jovian Thunderbolt got me thinking about this with his post HERE on his Smiths… Now I haven’t been to the range with all of these at once, but I’d expect similar results to what NJT got…
Now most of his blogging is gun related, and I enjoy it so here is my counterpoint π
Now all of mine are the ‘proper’ color… Blue… π
But seriously I do want to address a point for those who carry, especially those who carry BUGs and revolvers in general. Do you practice with it? Do you practice reloads? Do you know which way the cylinder turns???
Do you know the trigger in DA? Is it really heavy (12lb)? Does it stack? How far does it have to travel to reset???
Why am I asking? And why are these pics all of Colts? Because A. I grew up shooting them. B. We hear instructors talk about “muscle memory” and how that will be the default when the SHTF…
Let me give you the rest of the story- We did a BUG shoot at an IDPA meet. No problem, right? Well, I had a S&W 637 (and yes, I’d shot it and ‘practiced’ with it). The scenario was empty weapon on the table and either speed loader or speed strip and two spare rounds lying next to the gun. The COF was load up, shoot 1st target X2, RELOAD two rounds, then 2 and 2 in the next two targets and finish with a head shot to target 1.
Simple, right???
um… not so much…
First, I ‘forgot’ what I was shooting when the buzzer went off, and I promptly proceeded to try to pull back on the cylinder release (Colts release that way). After a couple of tries, I did the DOH! thing and PUSHED and got the cylinder open. Popped a speed loader in away I went…
Two rounds in target one (7:30- not used to S&W trigger stack), pull pull, PUSH dammit… two expended rounds are on top, pop them out, insert two new rounds, 2X on target 2; bang, click, click on target 3… I’m done…
Since I “knew” Colt’s rotate clockwise, I ‘knew’ the empties would be on top; except that I was shooting a S&W, which rotates counter-clockwise, so I had pulled out two unfired rounds, left the two fired cases in the pistol (on the bottom) and proceeded to screw up the entire stage. To say I was embarrassed is an understatement- I felt totally stupid, but the more I thought about it, the more it hit home that “muscle memory” really does work, whether we want it to or not…
And this is one of the reasons I’d always stayed with Colts in the pistol side of the house in every case EXCEPT that S&W 637 (which is now for sale)…
Colts, in my opinion, shoot better (probably because I’m used to a Colt trigger); and are smoother to operate (again due to thousands of rounds). I ‘know’ where everything is, and pistol to pistol I don’t really notice a change. Now I have friends that are S&W fanatics, and Ruger fanatics, and that’s great for them…
Bottom line- My (for what that is worth), recommendation is if you shoot pistols, get and stay with ONE manufacturer, and LEARN that mfg/pistol’s habits (push/pull; clockwise/counter) and go to the range and shoot them. That will help you develop that “muscle memory” that just might save your life…
And yeah, I’ve missed a bunch of deals on S&W pistols, and it’s easy to find holster for Smiths and Rugers, and… and… But I STILL like my Colts π
In the process, we end up in trouble…
And when you find yourself in trouble and you’re stuck in a situation that you can’t get out of, there is one thing you should always remember…
Not everyone who shows up is there to help you!!!!
And then there’s speed control in Kansas…
For you ‘youngsters’ Taglines were things we used on posts and comments going back to BBS (we’re talking 1970s here) to identify people’s “beliefs” or as a “comment” on the world… These carried forward to the forums that started in the late 80s and you will still see them used in some places…
I was digging around in the attic (well the backups on some I-Omega drives I had) and I ran across these from I’m guessing the early to mid- 90s. I have no idea where or why I collected them, other than some of them were pretty good, but these just go to show the sentiments then were NOT much different than now, and Lo and Behold, ALSO under a democrat…
There actually were about three pages worth, but I took most of the Clinton ones out… BTDT threw the T-shirt away…
Anyhoo, Enjoy…
Two most common elements in the universe: Hydrogen & Stupidity.
Good Night America, Where Ever You Are!
A Cult is a Religion with no Political Power. (See Waco)
The Government reserves the right to REFUSE to serve everyone.
Victory is only relative, defeat is truly decisive.
USA.SYS corrupted: Eradicate politicians? (Y/Y)
Fight Organized Crime, Shoot Politicians…
The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws. – Tacitus
Smith & Wesson – Symbol of American Freedom
They can have my gun … one bullet at a time!
At any time, at any place, FBI snipers can drop you. Have a nice day.
The way to a man’s heart is with a broadsword.
If voting really effected change, it would be illegal.
BATF = Bureau of Arsonists, Traitors & Fascists
“We must kill you to save you.” – new BATF/FBI motto
Judge – An Unemployed Lawyer Who Wears a Black Dress.
Yah, the Constitution, my grandfather had that, he could work all day!
Bill of Rights: Void where Prohibited by Law
And remember, you can’t spell DEALER without DEA.
I know my facts are right. I heard it on NBC.
Don’t take my car, officer. I wasn’t speeding. Really!
The first rule of intelligent tinkering is to save all the parts.
If you cannot love your Constitution, at least hate the Government.
The supposed quietude of a good man allures the ruffian. – Paine
“the Constitution doesn’t require the use of inferior weapons” – Kopel
The greatest difficulty comes at the start. It’s called–getting ready.
The Second Amendment guarantees the other nine. My nine guarantees the 2nd.
FBI = Fire & Brimstone Inc.
Error opening CLINTON.LIE Cannot find TRAITOR2.USA
Smith & Wesson, the ultimate in feminine protection.
Government “compassion” requires the victimization of someone else.
“Sleep tight Janet, you had a good day” 4/19/93 Clinton
Gun control killed the Branch Davidians
If you’re happy and you know it, clank your chains
Friends come and go, but enemies accumulate in a pile outside.
The gov’t can support as many poor people as it is willing to create.
Criminals work for the State created Law Enforcement Growth Industry.
Tested on small, cute, furry animals with big, sad eyes
Of the government, by the government, for the government {GAG RETCH}
Remember — “Nazi” is short for “National SOCIALIST”
My economic barometer just sucked itself to death.
Do YOU trust a government that won’t obey it’s OWN LAWS?!
The rulers learn from history, why don’t the subjects? Cause the ruler
When guns are outlawed, only the Government & Criminals will have guns!
Why are they making the streets safe for criminals?
911 — Government sponsored Dial-A-Prayer
1911 — People activated solution to crime.
Nov 3, 1992 The day America committed suicide.
Long Island R.R. – Gun Control disarmed the passengers!
Gun control “protects” you from being able to shoot back.
Politicians are not hoplophobes, they DO have a reason to fear guns.
NRA life member JFK was shot by ACLU member L. H. Oswald.
Without a gun, the flag you’re waving may as well be WHITE! B. Moore
BATF: Building Another Terrible Fiasco
Rhodes Scholarships – Studies in world domination…
The family that shoots together shouldn’t be messed with!
Thought of the day: If Vince Foster had a gun, he would still be alive.
Health care with the efficiency of the post office, compassion of IRS.
God didn’t make us equal, Sam Colt did. But God made Sam Colt..go loop.
That which does not kill us is below us on the food chain.
Can you say Superfranticunproductiveuselesslegislation?!!
Arm the citizens, let the citizens disarm the criminals.
Hey there, Hi there Ho there, we’re as happy as can be …
Freedom means being in fear for your life and loving it.
Did you know that an anagram for ‘Senator’ is ‘Treason’?
Plant Majick — OKRANOMICON
KNOCK, KNOCK -(who’s there?) – ATF -(Un-Uh, ATF doesn’t knock!)
Why were there more tanks in Waco than in Somolia?
Cross Lassie with cantaloupe; get meloncollie baby.
FONG’S MONGOLIAN GRILL & GUNWORKS.
Awright, who peed in the gene pool?!!??
Flexilis sum, gluten es, me resilit, ad te haeret!
I am (rubber), you are (glue), it bounces from me and sticks to you!
Mind counts are ALWAYS more important than body counts -L. Mayo
They tried to cure me once, I’m demanding double my mania back.
Off to see the lizard….
You non-conformists are all alike.
Me… a skeptic? I trust you have proof…
Diplomacy: Saying “nice doggy” until you find a rock.
Diplomacy: Saying “nice doggy” until you get a sight picture.
I’m a peaceful man. Ainβt nothin’ quite as peaceful as a dead troublemaker
“Immoral laws aren’t worthy of obedience” – W. Williams
When the GUN Police are done, can the THOUGHT Police be far behind?
Turned in my guns, all I got was this tube of funny looking jelly.
Turned in my guns, and I got 10 weeks of food.
Turned in my mom and I got this neat credit implant, good for 1 year.
When guns are outlawed, become a criminal or bare your ass. …
Origin: Gun Control=Criminals & Gestapo vs. the Unarmed.
McPrisons: now over 1 Million served!
Clinton had more tanks in Waco than Mogadishu.
So much for officer friendly…to Serve and obliterate.
A religion is a cult with an adequate army.
“Light questioning, that’s less than 10 stitches”-BATF/a cop wrote it!
WACO: The FBI Forbade Them Surrender…Then Massacred Children & All.
From the Committee to Use Professional Politicians as Lab Animals.
Be vewy vewy quiet, I’m hunting blue beenie Waskels
Gun laws are enforced at gunpoint. — L. Neil Smith
The RED ARMY – The official dog food of Chechnya (TM)(c) 1995 Jeff Rudd
If it saves just one life…enslaving you was worth it. -Liberal Credo
If brains are outlawed….nothing will change.
Coldly it lies [..], “I, the state, am the people” — Nietzsche
The best deterrent to *active, violent* anti-Semitism is a full magazine!
And this set of classics, collected over a couple of weeks from, I believe, TFL…
“Oh Bother,” said Pooh, and called in an air strike.
“Oh Bother,” said Pooh, and aimed 1″ down from the T and 1″ right.
“Oh Bother,” said Pooh, and nuked DC from orbit just to be sure.
“Oh Bother,” said Pooh, as ate some borrowed UN MRE’s.
“Oh Bother,” said Pooh, as he shot the UN commander.
“Oh Bother,” said Pooh, when he saw there were no more blue targets.
“Oh Bother”, said Pooh, as he got tone and downed the UN fighter.
“Oh Bother”, said Pooh, as he pushed the plunger & the UN building crumbled
“Oh Bother”, said Pooh, and then he pulled his .45 and shot the UN soldier
“Oh Bother”, said Pooh, as he blew up the dam on the advancing UN Army.
“Oh Bother”, said Pooh, as he shot three IRS agents padlocking his home.
“Oh Bother”, said Pooh, as he shoved in a fresh magazine.
Anybody remember this sequence??? Anyone???
Beuler???
crickets…
