Sunday, March 28, 2010The topic of "The nature of human rights" came up recently in a Pistol-Forums thread a week or so ago, I may have to seek that thread out and post there...
Definition of the Day, 03/28/2010
So, there I was, trying to craft a really deep, profound, post on the nature of "human rights" and how to define what is, and is not, a human right.
Still struggling with it.
So I go to Google Reader and start reading... reading... Gun Blogger IV participant's blogs... reading... What's Chuck up to...?
Damn it, he summed it up better than I could.
A great litmus test is this: Does this right have to be provided by someone or something?If the answer is yes, then it isn't a right.OK, so a "litmus test" is not a definition, but still.
Showing posts with label GBR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GBR. Show all posts
Monday, February 12, 2018
QOTD, Blast From The Past Edition
Reviewing some more old posts, and found this one (The Clue Meter: Definition of the Day, 03/28/2010):
Monday, March 17, 2014
Lightning Fall
Bill Quick's novel Lightning Fall is out in Kindle format, on Amazon. Buy it here: Lightning Fall: A Novel of Disaster. Bill says a dead tree edition will be available shortly.
The first half of my review is here: The Clue Meter: "Lightning Fall", A Review (Part I)
The second half, um, never got posted.
Insert embarrassed emoticon here.
So, the bit (in comments) where I said Lightning Fall isn't as "dark" as One Second After? Yeah, after that it gets gritty and rather dark.
A quick synopsis:
I enjoyed it, a real "screen swiper", as it were -- do we need a new term for "page turner"? I know enough about prepping and the science involved in this particular threat that it is all plausible, although, as I noted in my first review some may shriek "Deus Ex Machina" at things that seem implausible to them -- like a prepper in San Francisco. As I also noted in my first review, they can try and discuss Bill's lifestyle with him, although I suspect he will tell them to pound sand if they try.
The first half of my review is here: The Clue Meter: "Lightning Fall", A Review (Part I)
The second half, um, never got posted.
Insert embarrassed emoticon here.
So, the bit (in comments) where I said Lightning Fall isn't as "dark" as One Second After? Yeah, after that it gets gritty and rather dark.
A quick synopsis:
Lightning Fall tells the tale of the aftermath of an attack on the USA. In the near-future, an enemy launches three nukes with the intention of having them detonate in orbit,creating a High-altitude Electro-Magnetic Pulse (HEMP) effect, which, as all connoisseurs of man-made disaster know, will have the effect of frying the Grid, and most of not all electronics.So, the news crew makes it to San Fran, doesn't like what it sees, and finds some ham radio operator (whose name you'll recognize, see the Wiki article on Tuckerization) with a recording that kinda ruins things for the President, whom, by the way, you will ALL recognize despite names being changed to protect the innocent author from lawsuits.
The attack on the West Coast succeeds, and basically wipes out all services west of the Rockies. The attack on New Orleans fizzles (or does it?), and nukes the city. "Oh, it fizzled, hooray!" Well, no, because it closes the Mississippi. The attack on the East Coast is delayed just enough that the missile in intercepted.
Adventures ensue.The story follows characters in California, a news crew that is (at the point in the book I'm at) trying to get to California, Indiana, Louisiana, and Washington DC.
I enjoyed it, a real "screen swiper", as it were -- do we need a new term for "page turner"? I know enough about prepping and the science involved in this particular threat that it is all plausible, although, as I noted in my first review some may shriek "Deus Ex Machina" at things that seem implausible to them -- like a prepper in San Francisco. As I also noted in my first review, they can try and discuss Bill's lifestyle with him, although I suspect he will tell them to pound sand if they try.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Interesting
UPDATE: A couple of errors corrected.
Went out yesterday to test-shoot the Colt Rail Gun. (She talked me into it!)
First I attached the Official Crimson Trace Rail Master Green Laser Sight (CMR-203) I got at Gun Blogger Rendezvous last year.
I have to say I am not thoroughly thrilled with the way it attached, I feel it's a bit too far forward, but that may just be an aesthetic mater. It works just fine, as we shall see...
The first mags were at 15 feet and were down to my usual barely adequate performance levels. Actually, the first targets were mostly trying to get a feel for the gun, and where the sights were regulated to.
Top target was a 6 O'clock hold, bottom one was 12. (I got used to a 6 O'Clock hold with the Commander, using anything else is taking some getting used to.)
No champion shooters are metaphorically looking over their shoulders for me... Although...
I am not entirely unhappy with for a first time shooting the gun at 25 feet. (Was adjusting to 1 O'clock, since I seem to be pulling to the left.)
And then I turned on the laser. After trying to use the laser AND the iron sights, I shot one last magazine with just the laser, looking over the irons, ignoring them.
Alrighty then!
Went out yesterday to test-shoot the Colt Rail Gun. (She talked me into it!)
First I attached the Official Crimson Trace Rail Master Green Laser Sight (CMR-203) I got at Gun Blogger Rendezvous last year.
I have to say I am not thoroughly thrilled with the way it attached, I feel it's a bit too far forward, but that may just be an aesthetic mater. It works just fine, as we shall see...
 |
| Black plastic laser on a matte stainless 1911, just doesn't seem right, somehow... |
 |
| I tried to mount it further back, but short of trimming away material, it just wouldn't fit. |
The first mags were at 15 feet and were down to my usual barely adequate performance levels. Actually, the first targets were mostly trying to get a feel for the gun, and where the sights were regulated to.
No champion shooters are metaphorically looking over their shoulders for me... Although...
I am not entirely unhappy with for a first time shooting the gun at 25 feet. (Was adjusting to 1 O'clock, since I seem to be pulling to the left.)
And then I turned on the laser. After trying to use the laser AND the iron sights, I shot one last magazine with just the laser, looking over the irons, ignoring them.
 |
| Odd angle seems to make the Commander larger than the GM... |
Friday, January 31, 2014
Good news, bad news, Goddamnit-that-sucks News
Good news: I managed to scroe three magazines for my Christmas Ruger 22.45 at the PX.
Bad News: .22LR ammunition continues to be unobtanium.
Goddamnit.
Bad News: .22LR ammunition continues to be unobtanium.
Goddamnit.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Well, that was quick!
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Seen in comments to R-R-R-R-R-R-Rainier:
Seen in comments to R-R-R-R-R-R-Rainier:
Brigid said...Not two months ago the blushing groom told me they hadn't set a date yet! Congrats, you crazy kids!
I just about got run down by a herd of wild Rainiers in downtown Seattle during college, a promotion of some kind. I never tried the beer, but my Dad had some in the fridge on occasion or two.
Just got back from honeymoon, will be toasting, but not with Rainier.
Friday, September 20, 2013
GBR, Days 2 & 3
I failed to update my "Days -1 and 1" post, so I will add here that one of the surprises we had was when we realized that we had known one of the other attendees, Bill of Bill's Idle Mind, when we were living in Colorado Springs, while I was stationed at Fort Carson. There was no organized Science Fiction fandom in the Springs, so we got in with the fen from Denver, which included a bunch calling themselves the Denver Mad Scientists, and there was this guy...
Day two of the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, as usual, found us back at the range shooting Steel Challenge. I had already told Mrs. Drang that she shouldn't come, because her ankle was still hurty, and the bays we were going to be on were not finished; as it was, my feet and ankles (which have been less than nominal for a while now) were hurt a couple of times by stepping on large rocks, so that was definitely the best advice for her.
I did better than I have in the past, although I don't think I impressed anyone. I cleaned a couple of the stages and even did so in respectable times, but I had a few stages with abysmal times. I didn't waste time on reloads this year, just accepting the 3 second penalty for a missed plate; as Mr. Completely said, "Save your last shot for the stop plate." (The missing of which incurs a thirty second penalty...)
I also had my very first ever "Tap-Rack-Bang" drill, with a new-out-of-the-wrapper stainless steel magazine. Of course, it was a "new-out-of-the-wrapper" $10.00 magazine, so I can't say I was surprised. Or, to be precise, I was surprised, but I shouldn't have been. I used it before, during a "normal" range session, maybe I should have stressed it a bit more. (Seems fine, I probably just didn't apply enough force when inserting it.)
For once I had enough ammo that I wasn't cadging any off the others. (In fact, I brought home all I had bought specifically for GBR.)(Note that this DOES NOT mean I think I have enough ammo!)
Bill Quick won the prize for confidence, using a 5 shot snub-nose .357 in a competition in which the stages consisted of 5 shots for time and accuracy.
Back to the resort, clean up, pizza and raffle and door prizes. Last year I indicated that we had a surplus of hats as door prizes, and sure enough, this year we had fewer hats. (I mean, really, everyone can use a hat or two, but last year we had 10 or 12 hats for everyone.) (Note to sponsors: Extra t-shirts are fine, patches and stickers are fine; in fact, 10 or 12 stickers for everyone would be just dandy.)
Mrs. Drang wanted the Kalshnikitty hoodie, someone else got it. I wanted the Leupold or Burris scopes, someone else got them. In fact, we were getting kind of disgusted, because everyone at our table was getting multiple items, and we were getting nothing. In the end, Mrs. Drang won a Crimson Trace Rail Mater green laser and a Lucky Gunner gift certificate, and I -- almost the last to get anything -- went with a four day training certificate from Front Sight.
The guys from Tactical Solutions were there Friday night, and said that they were working on a front end (barrel, forearm) for the Ruger 10/22TD. Which would be AWESOME! They also had demo models of various and sundry firearms with their barrels and suppressors.
OutWest Systems was demonstrating (and gave away!) their Optical Computer Aided Training (OCAT) System. Cool stuff.
On Sunday Gunauction.com was shooting their bowling ball mortar. (Videos at Gun Blogger Rendezvous: Bowling Ball Mortar Video at The Rendezvous and Gun Blogger Rendezvous: bowling Ball Mortar Video #2)
Since Mrs. Drang was still not up to a day at the range, I decided the heck with it, and we came home a day early. Of course "early" is a relative term when driving 900 miles...
Day two of the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, as usual, found us back at the range shooting Steel Challenge. I had already told Mrs. Drang that she shouldn't come, because her ankle was still hurty, and the bays we were going to be on were not finished; as it was, my feet and ankles (which have been less than nominal for a while now) were hurt a couple of times by stepping on large rocks, so that was definitely the best advice for her.
I did better than I have in the past, although I don't think I impressed anyone. I cleaned a couple of the stages and even did so in respectable times, but I had a few stages with abysmal times. I didn't waste time on reloads this year, just accepting the 3 second penalty for a missed plate; as Mr. Completely said, "Save your last shot for the stop plate." (The missing of which incurs a thirty second penalty...)
I also had my very first ever "Tap-Rack-Bang" drill, with a new-out-of-the-wrapper stainless steel magazine. Of course, it was a "new-out-of-the-wrapper" $10.00 magazine, so I can't say I was surprised. Or, to be precise, I was surprised, but I shouldn't have been. I used it before, during a "normal" range session, maybe I should have stressed it a bit more. (Seems fine, I probably just didn't apply enough force when inserting it.)
For once I had enough ammo that I wasn't cadging any off the others. (In fact, I brought home all I had bought specifically for GBR.)(Note that this DOES NOT mean I think I have enough ammo!)
Bill Quick won the prize for confidence, using a 5 shot snub-nose .357 in a competition in which the stages consisted of 5 shots for time and accuracy.
Back to the resort, clean up, pizza and raffle and door prizes. Last year I indicated that we had a surplus of hats as door prizes, and sure enough, this year we had fewer hats. (I mean, really, everyone can use a hat or two, but last year we had 10 or 12 hats for everyone.) (Note to sponsors: Extra t-shirts are fine, patches and stickers are fine; in fact, 10 or 12 stickers for everyone would be just dandy.)
Mrs. Drang wanted the Kalshnikitty hoodie, someone else got it. I wanted the Leupold or Burris scopes, someone else got them. In fact, we were getting kind of disgusted, because everyone at our table was getting multiple items, and we were getting nothing. In the end, Mrs. Drang won a Crimson Trace Rail Mater green laser and a Lucky Gunner gift certificate, and I -- almost the last to get anything -- went with a four day training certificate from Front Sight.
The guys from Tactical Solutions were there Friday night, and said that they were working on a front end (barrel, forearm) for the Ruger 10/22TD. Which would be AWESOME! They also had demo models of various and sundry firearms with their barrels and suppressors.
OutWest Systems was demonstrating (and gave away!) their Optical Computer Aided Training (OCAT) System. Cool stuff.
On Sunday Gunauction.com was shooting their bowling ball mortar. (Videos at Gun Blogger Rendezvous: Bowling Ball Mortar Video at The Rendezvous and Gun Blogger Rendezvous: bowling Ball Mortar Video #2)
Since Mrs. Drang was still not up to a day at the range, I decided the heck with it, and we came home a day early. Of course "early" is a relative term when driving 900 miles...
Friday, September 6, 2013
Gun Blogger Rendezvous VIII, Days -1 & 1
Drove down Thursday. Got out of the driveway at at 0530, just as it started to rain,which quickly escalated to "downpour" status with thunder and lightening -- both toad-strangling downpours and electrical storms are uncommon in Western Washington, BTW, especially in summer.
Eventually things got better, until we were passed Oakridge, OR, heading for Willamette Pass, when, lo! and behold! it started raining again. And sleeting. And thundering and lightening-ing and snowing. And hailing. The hail was falling fast and hard enough that we would have dug out the hearing protection from the range bags, except we would have had to pull over and get out of the car to do so, and we would have needed hard hats and maybe body armor to make it back in one piece...
Surprisingly, the car does NOT show signs of having been pelted with moderate-velocity chunks of ice.
Made it to the Silver Legacy, Reno, about 1930; which was OK time, considering how much of the drive was at less than optimal speeds. Alas, the group was done with dinner, s we stopped by the meeting room to say "Hi", then went and ate ourselves. Afterward Mrs. Drang went off to sample the spa tub in our room (we splurged) and I went to try and be social (for a change). Then to bed.
Other events in Reno include the annual Balloon Races; this is the sight that greeted me from our room this morning:
Breakfast was provided by the NRA. (Which is fine, although I'm still waiting for the wheelbarrows of cash they supposedly pay bloggers...) Then to the range. Mrs. Drang did not go, her ankle has been bothering her where she broke it years ago, so she decided to take it easy.
I mostly shot my 10/22 TD; determined that the red dot sight I have on it is way off; then the battery dies, so I removed it and tried again with the iron sights. Did better, although the 30 +/- knot crosswinds provided a handy excuse.
Kevin Baker let me try his AR in .458 SOCOM, which I suggested was prefect for the Cape Buffalo Zombie Apocolypse:
I was getting tired, and since no one seemed to need my services as chauffeur, I came back to the hotel to take it easy in the room with Mrs. Drang.
The Friday afternoon "Show and Tell" session starts shortly, followed by dinner, and more socializing.
I'll try to hold up...
Eventually things got better, until we were passed Oakridge, OR, heading for Willamette Pass, when, lo! and behold! it started raining again. And sleeting. And thundering and lightening-ing and snowing. And hailing. The hail was falling fast and hard enough that we would have dug out the hearing protection from the range bags, except we would have had to pull over and get out of the car to do so, and we would have needed hard hats and maybe body armor to make it back in one piece...
Surprisingly, the car does NOT show signs of having been pelted with moderate-velocity chunks of ice.
Made it to the Silver Legacy, Reno, about 1930; which was OK time, considering how much of the drive was at less than optimal speeds. Alas, the group was done with dinner, s we stopped by the meeting room to say "Hi", then went and ate ourselves. Afterward Mrs. Drang went off to sample the spa tub in our room (we splurged) and I went to try and be social (for a change). Then to bed.
Other events in Reno include the annual Balloon Races; this is the sight that greeted me from our room this morning:
Breakfast was provided by the NRA. (Which is fine, although I'm still waiting for the wheelbarrows of cash they supposedly pay bloggers...) Then to the range. Mrs. Drang did not go, her ankle has been bothering her where she broke it years ago, so she decided to take it easy.
I mostly shot my 10/22 TD; determined that the red dot sight I have on it is way off; then the battery dies, so I removed it and tried again with the iron sights. Did better, although the 30 +/- knot crosswinds provided a handy excuse.
Kevin Baker let me try his AR in .458 SOCOM, which I suggested was prefect for the Cape Buffalo Zombie Apocolypse:
I was getting tired, and since no one seemed to need my services as chauffeur, I came back to the hotel to take it easy in the room with Mrs. Drang.
The Friday afternoon "Show and Tell" session starts shortly, followed by dinner, and more socializing.
I'll try to hold up...
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
GBR--New Website
I think some other bloggers had posted this before GBR, but U.S. Gun Laws - U.S. Gun Law Reciprocity Guide is a great website and book.
I have mentioned Ashley Varner as the ringer who showed up Friday claiming she was going to do miserably at Steel Challenge Saturday morning, and then kicked ass, well, I didn't mention that she used to work in Public Affairs at NRA, and is now working with attorney Brian Ciyou, of Indianapolis, who has just published the above book and website.
My first reaction was that it would be difficult to keep up-to-date with a moving target like gun laws on a website; for a dead-tree edition you'd have to publish a three ring binder with subscriptions for quarterly updates!
So, we'll see how many new hard-copy editions have to be released.
In addition to individual state laws, contents include:
Almost forgot: Brian is also the author of the Indiana Firearms Law Reference Manual, for you Hoosiers out there, and maintains the website Gun Shows Today.
I have mentioned Ashley Varner as the ringer who showed up Friday claiming she was going to do miserably at Steel Challenge Saturday morning, and then kicked ass, well, I didn't mention that she used to work in Public Affairs at NRA, and is now working with attorney Brian Ciyou, of Indianapolis, who has just published the above book and website.
My first reaction was that it would be difficult to keep up-to-date with a moving target like gun laws on a website; for a dead-tree edition you'd have to publish a three ring binder with subscriptions for quarterly updates!
So, we'll see how many new hard-copy editions have to be released.
In addition to individual state laws, contents include:
- Chapter Two: What is Reciprocity?
- Chapter Three: Where is the Law?
- Chapter Four: Determining Lawful Reciprocal Carry and Law
- Chapter Five: Key Definitions
- Chapter Six: Common Acronyms
- Chapter Seven: Myth-Busters
- PART II: INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION
- Chapter Eight: Right to Interstate Transportation
- Chapter Nine: Flying On a Scheduled Commercial Airline Flight
- Chapter Ten: Amtrak
- Chapter Eleven: Bus Lines
- Chapter Twelve: Driving by Private Transportation
- PART III: FEDERAL PROPERTY
- Chapter Thirteen: Federal Property and Lands
- Chapter Fourteen: Federal Buildings
- Chapter Fifteen: National Parks and Wildlife Refuges
- Chapter Sixteen: Federal Courts and Courthouses
- PART IV: FEDERAL REGULATION
- Chapter Seventeen: Schools and School Zones
- Chapter Eighteen: Airports and Aircraft
- PART V: STATE, LOCAL, AND OTHER REGULATION
- Chapter Nineteen: Areas/Places and Events/Gatherings
- Chapter Twenty: State Administrative Agency Regulations
- Chapter Twenty One: Local Ordinances
- Chapter Twenty Two: Private Property
- PART VI: USE OF FORCE
- Chapter Twenty Three: Criminal Law (Legal Justification to
- Violate the Law through Deadly Force)
- Chapter Twenty Four: Civil Liability
- Chapter Twenty Five: Wisdom from a Death-Penalty Qualified Criminal Defense Attorney
Almost forgot: Brian is also the author of the Indiana Firearms Law Reference Manual, for you Hoosiers out there, and maintains the website Gun Shows Today.
GBR Miscellany
Thoughts and stuff, from the road or in Reno.
*There is no real reason why speed limits should be set at 55, or 60, 65, etc., for the vast majority of two-and-more-lane roads. The yobbos on Top Gear are always talking smack about how "American cars can't corner", which is a crock, but they have a point: Most American roads are fairly straight and level, with gentle enough curves to not be a challenge to most drivers. Weather, traffic, and visibility permitting (i.e., not at night), the speed limit could reasonably be set at 70 or 80 MPH. (See also: SayUncle » No reason not to)
*This makes the third Gun Blogger Rendezvous I've driven to in 4 years, plus a long weekend in Klamath Falls, OR, which is on the way, plus numerous trips to and from Oregon to visit rs. Drang's family down there, and this is the first time I've seen actual construction work going on in any construction zone in Oregon. Good job, Beaver State!
*Sponsors I'd like to see at GBR:
*People I'd like to meet at GBR: Tam, Bobbi, LawDog, Double-Tapper, Mr. Free Market (too bad he had to drop the blog), Robb Allen, Nancy R., Larry Correia, Glenn Reynolds, John Ringo, Tom Kratman, Michael Z. Williamson. (An announcement that some of those are attending would also lead to Standing Room Only... Which means more money for Soldier's Angels Project Valour IT!)
*Things I'd like to see at GBR:
*There is no real reason why speed limits should be set at 55, or 60, 65, etc., for the vast majority of two-and-more-lane roads. The yobbos on Top Gear are always talking smack about how "American cars can't corner", which is a crock, but they have a point: Most American roads are fairly straight and level, with gentle enough curves to not be a challenge to most drivers. Weather, traffic, and visibility permitting (i.e., not at night), the speed limit could reasonably be set at 70 or 80 MPH. (See also: SayUncle » No reason not to)
*This makes the third Gun Blogger Rendezvous I've driven to in 4 years, plus a long weekend in Klamath Falls, OR, which is on the way, plus numerous trips to and from Oregon to visit rs. Drang's family down there, and this is the first time I've seen actual construction work going on in any construction zone in Oregon. Good job, Beaver State!
*Sponsors I'd like to see at GBR:
- Smith and Wesson. Come on, one of your factory shooters keeps winning Rugers!
- Kel-Tec. Announce you're donating a KSG or an RFB and it'll be Standing Room Only...
- Crimson Trace included some Columbia River Knife and Tool CTC Picatinny Tools; I'd like to see CRKT donate some knives on their own.
- Also, SOG Knives. Hey, a Washington State company!
- Blade Tech , ditto!
- While we're at it, Olympic Arms.
- Magpul
- GLOCK, come back!
- Para-Ordnance, come back!
*People I'd like to meet at GBR: Tam, Bobbi, LawDog, Double-Tapper, Mr. Free Market (too bad he had to drop the blog), Robb Allen, Nancy R., Larry Correia, Glenn Reynolds, John Ringo, Tom Kratman, Michael Z. Williamson. (An announcement that some of those are attending would also lead to Standing Room Only... Which means more money for Soldier's Angels Project Valour IT!)
*Things I'd like to see at GBR:
- If the Nevada Concealed Carry course were available, I'd consider arriving a day early or staying a day late to take it.
- Full Auto. Machine guns. Happy switches! There was a flyer at the Washoe County range announcing a full-auto shoot the weekend before we were there. Full auto fire, of course, is a great way to turn money to noise, but it's great fun, so this might be another way to raise money for Soldier's Angels.
- Wi-fi in the Hospitality Suite. At $300+ a day, that would need to be donated by either the Silver Legacy or a sponsor.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Busy, busy, busy
I've uploaded a bunch--although not all, not yet--of the video I shot last weekend at Gun Blogger Rendezvous VII to my YouTube Channel. (DWDrang - YouTube.)
The Playlist is GBR VII.
Now that I've figured this out, I'll probably upload a bunch of my other videos--GBR IV and V, The Big Island trips--as well.
The Playlist is GBR VII.
Now that I've figured this out, I'll probably upload a bunch of my other videos--GBR IV and V, The Big Island trips--as well.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Labor Day
So I did. All weekend.
Next weekend off, though, so I'll be in Reno for Gun Blogger Rendezvous VII, and have several days afterwards to recover.
Presumably the Salt Mines will still be there when I get back.
But I can dream.
Next weekend off, though, so I'll be in Reno for Gun Blogger Rendezvous VII, and have several days afterwards to recover.
Presumably the Salt Mines will still be there when I get back.
But I can dream.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Gun Blogger Rendezvous VII Schedule
GBR-VII Schedule
Click that link for th most up-to-date text version.
I have created a Google Calendar for GBR-VII; that link goes to the html version.
I think these work correctly: XML version, ICAL version.
Check the Gun Blogger Rendezvous site regularly, as any updates are sure to be posted there long before I make the appropriate changes to the Google Calendar, but it should (I hope!) be easier to load this on your smart phone, tablet, etc.
NOTE: Not sure why, but the links in this post show up as BOLD text, not the more usual underlined blue.
NOTE the second: When you click on the calendar, it WILL go to "today", not the start of GBR. There are only five days worth of entries, if I can restrict the display to those five days, I don't know how. Sorry.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Okay, I'm in
Check is in the mail (no, really!) to Mr. Completely for Gun Blogger Rendezvous.
Now I just have to make reservations. And figure out what to take.
And, probably, take out a second mortgage to pay for gas...
Now I just have to make reservations. And figure out what to take.
And, probably, take out a second mortgage to pay for gas...
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
A Peek Behind The Curtain
In the process of telling us what has kept him from blogging much, and his current project, Mr. Completely reveals some of the details behind I-1183 and the transition to private liquor sales in Washington State: Mr. Completely: Where I been At, Sorta........
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Libertas
An unfinished post from... the Vault of Unfinished Posts.
At one point during Gun Blogger Rendezvous I was watching people exchange business cards and commented that I almost had cards to bring, but I did the Internet search, and found the design I wanted, too late.
I hadn't thought people would pay the off-hand, half aloud remark any attention, but I found myself explaining that I had done a Google Image search for Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom and liberty, and it led me to a Zazzle store of mostly libertarian tendencies, with strong Wookie Suiter influence, which sells, among other things, business cards with the image of Libertas on them.
Libertas, as the many links below will tell you,was one of many deities the Romans recognized who were deities or personifications of a concept. Recognized as the personification of individual freedom, as well as collective freedom (at least for Romans), her normal role in society was as the tutelary goddess of freed slaves, who wore her phrygian cap as a sign that they had been given (or had bought) their freedom.
Now, if you clicked on that image search above you noticed right away that you got a lot of photos of the Statute of Liberty. Among others, an article (on Facebook) from Chic Today Magazine (!) on "Lady Libertas today" talks about how Libertas was the model for the statue.
One reason I was looking for the photos of Libertas was that I had run across a reference to the cat as her familiar. I knew that the Romans regarded dogs as cthonic creatures, and dirty, due to their eating carrion, and the fact that they slept while the barbarians snuck into Rome (while the geese, of course, raised the alarm), but I was unfamiliar (no pun intended) with Roman attitudes towards cats. On the other hand, you can easily see (unless you are so prejudiced against cats you refuse to) how a cat--or Cat--would be a symbol of freedom and liberty.
Some of the sources list Cat as a symbol of Libertas, others do not. Most list a staff and/or a spear.
I'm pretty sure I had more to say on the subject, but... I got nuthin'.
At one point during Gun Blogger Rendezvous I was watching people exchange business cards and commented that I almost had cards to bring, but I did the Internet search, and found the design I wanted, too late.
I hadn't thought people would pay the off-hand, half aloud remark any attention, but I found myself explaining that I had done a Google Image search for Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom and liberty, and it led me to a Zazzle store of mostly libertarian tendencies, with strong Wookie Suiter influence, which sells, among other things, business cards with the image of Libertas on them.
 |
| A phrygian cap |
- Libertas (Roman religion) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia
- Libertas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The Goddess of Freedom: from Libertas to Lady Liberty - CIRCLE Magazine
- Roman Pantheon
- De Religione Romana
 |
| Seal of the US Army, with phrygian cap |
 |
| 3rd Century AD Roman coin depicting Libertas. Source. |
One reason I was looking for the photos of Libertas was that I had run across a reference to the cat as her familiar. I knew that the Romans regarded dogs as cthonic creatures, and dirty, due to their eating carrion, and the fact that they slept while the barbarians snuck into Rome (while the geese, of course, raised the alarm), but I was unfamiliar (no pun intended) with Roman attitudes towards cats. On the other hand, you can easily see (unless you are so prejudiced against cats you refuse to) how a cat--or Cat--would be a symbol of freedom and liberty.
Some of the sources list Cat as a symbol of Libertas, others do not. Most list a staff and/or a spear.
I'm pretty sure I had more to say on the subject, but... I got nuthin'.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
GBRVI Supporters & Sponsors
From Gun Blogger Rendezvous: Here's a list of all the great sponsors and supporters who make the Gun Blogger Rendezvous possible.
Brownell's
Cabela's Reno
Cowboy Fast Draw Association
Crimson Trace
Front Sight Training Institute(Updated to correct which GBR this is...)
GLOCK
GunUp
Leupold
Lucky Gunner Ammo
Midway USA
National Rifle Association
National Shooting Sports Foundation
The Packing Rat
Palomino Valley Gun CLub
Para-USA
Pro-Ears
Sage Hill Reno Rustlers
Smallest Minority
Springfield Armory
Sturm, Ruger, and Co.
Weatherby
Western Nevada Pistol League
Woolrich Tactical
SIG SAUER
J. Dewey Mfg.
Otis
Magnum Shooters Supply
I certainly hope I haven't forgotten any of the great sponsors and supporters for the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, but if you see someone I've left out, please leave me a comment and I'll get it fixed right away!
Thanks to True Blue Sam for pulling most of this list together for us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)