Happy New Year

2008 here we come ready or not. . . . .

2007 was a great year for us, a new son, the girls are doing well in school and we have most of the addition done for Mom to move in with us. I also managed to expand the model and gun collection a bit so I can’t complain. T is still doing her Pampered Chief and getting that going again after a delay due to pregnancy. Add to that the new job with much less stress and I have to call it a very successful year.

We should have the house done in the next month or so and will be able to start moving stuff over like the pool table which will be nice.

2008 – Guess this will be the year of house finishing. . . we will have enough to do around the house to keep busy for a while. I hope to start de-packratting once all is said and done. Since construction will be done there will be no excuses to keep stuff we don’t use for that “someday when the house is done”, that day will be here.

Hope you all have a good New Year, stay safe and have fun!

House Update

Housing Update. . ..

They started to put in the floors for Nana yesterday and they look great. Once they get her kitchen floor done they can put in the cabinets and all that good stuff then we can bring in appliances. Looks good, can’t wait.

T and Nana have also picked out the tile for the kitchen, bathrooms and the entry area for our house. Guess you could say we are having a lot of progress.

As far as the outside work goes the diggers have been busy. We have a new septic system in place, and the leaching field is well on its way. When it passes inspection they can hook up the house and we will be in good shape.

All an all it is moving well again. We hope to have it done by the end of January, maybe mid February at the latest. Then comes the fun part of moving Nana, the work shop and pool table. Once that is done we can get the old family homestead set up for sale.

It will be weird selling the old place. I lived there my whole life before I got married, my folks have been in that house 40 years. Christmas was a bit strange knowing it was the last one in the old house. Well, things change and move forward so I guess I will have to deal with it.

Benazir Bhutto

OK, who didn’t see this one coming. . . . Wish I could say I didn’t expect this to happen.

And I thought we had a bad election season but at least you live through it. Look like it took longer than I thought it would for the nut jobs to whack Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. When you show up and with in days there are bombings at your motorcade it is not a good sign. Well, they finally got her. God knows where this is going but I am sure it is the fast lane to either A) total chaos in the country and more shootings/bombings or B) back to martial law for them to get things under control. . . .

Need to learn people skills. . . .

I think I missed one. . . I mean I have to pay more attention to folks I meet. . . .

While I was at my Brother in Laws yesterday I brought along my new AR-15 to show him knowing he was another gun person and would appreciate looking over a new piece of hardware as much as I do. . . . . Where I went wrong was my Niece’s boyfriend was over too for dinner. I didn’t think much of it until we were leaving (gun all cased up and such) and I was getting some good hearted ribbing from my Brother in Law that I could leave the rifle and all that when the boyfriend (I admit I forgot his name. . .never was good at names) mention something about the nice looking AK. . . Now he is obviously not a gun person, or at lest not much of one not seeing the difference in the guns, although all he said he saw was the handle (pistol grip). I should have included him in things and didn’t. Now he didn’t seem bothered the least bit about the gun, so I doubt he is anti-gun, but I think I may have missed a chance to bring someone more over to the pro side and it was right there in front of me. . . .

Guess I know what I can put up as a resolution for the new year. . . to keep my eyes open and do better next time. . . . .

Christmas 2007

Well, another Christmas come and gone. . . . Hope you all had a good one. We had a good time and the kids got most of what they wanted so it was good. For me it was a red neck X-mass as I got my new rifle and some parts for my .380 I wanted. And T got a few things she wanted and an IOU since I couldn’t find a few things and had to get them on line for her. . . .

We had Nana stay over Christmas Eve so she was around for the kids opening presents and that went really well. I think she had a good time. We had hoped to have her in the apartment by now but it will be a few more weeks. We finished off the day at my Brother in Laws and had a great dinner and a good time with all the family.

Jack enjoyed his first Christmas. He was a bit overwhelmed with all the toys and paper to play with. He didn’t really know what to make of it all but had fun. He is 7mo old now so it was a lot of fun to watch him deal with it all.

We got pictures of a lot of it I need to post on the website, and I should get some more house stuff posted but we will see what I get through tonight. . . . .

I get to work the rest of the week, so here’s to a good commute!

To Any Soldier

I have seen this in a few places on the net. . . . Thanks to all those who serve to keep us safe. I pray for your safe return. May you and yours have a Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas

Thanks!

A Soldiers Christmas

T’was the night Before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone,

I had come down the chimney with presents to give

And to see just who in this home did live,

I looked all about, a strange site did I see,

No tinsel, no presents, not even a tree,

No stockings by the mantle, Just boots filled with sand,

On the wall hung pictures of far distance lands.

With Medals and badges, Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought came through my mind.

For this house was different, it was dark and dreary,

I had found the home of a soldier once I could see clearly

I heard stories about them, I had to see more

So I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.

The solider lay sleeping, silent, alone,

Curled up in this, His one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,, the room in such disorder

Not how I pictured a United States Solider.

Was this the War Hero of whom I’d just read?

Curled up on a poncho, the floor for a bed?

His head was clean shaven, his weathered face tan,

I soon understood this was more than a man.

I realized the families that I saw this night

Owed they’re lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world the children would play

And grownups celebrate a bright Christmas day.

They enjoyed freedom each month of the year,

Because of these soldiers like the one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone

On a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye

Dropped to my knees and started to cry.

The Soldier awakened and I hear a rough voice,

“Santa don’t cry, this is my life my choice:

I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more

My life is my god, my country my Corps.”

The Solider rolled over and soon drifted to sleep

I couldn’t control it I started to weep.

I kept watch for hours. So silent and still

And we both shivered from the cold nights chill.

I took off my jacket, the one made of red,

And I covered this Soldier from his toes to his head.

And I put on his T-shirt of gray and black,

With an eagle and an Army patch embroidered on back.

And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,

And for a shining moment, I was United States Army deep inside.

I didn’t want to leave on that cold dark night,

This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.

Then the Solider rolled over with a voice soft and pure,

Whispered, "Carry on Santa, Christmas Day is Secure"

One look at my watch and I knew he was right

Merry Christmas my friend and to all a good night.

Happy Holidays

Hey

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (ok, a bit late) and a good Solstice or what ever holiday you celebrate to you all . . . .

Christmas

well, the tree is up and decorated. . . .

Can't believe that Christmas is only two days away. . ..

I will have some pics to post here and on the web when all is done. . . . we (well I) will be doing a red neck Christmas as I am getting gun stuff but I will have kid photos on the web page too. . . .

Hope you all have a good Holiday whatever you may celebrate!

News Flash

This was first reported by Marko at The Munchkin Wrangler

Infant found in Manger--Police and Social Services Investigating

Carpenter and underage mother arrested

(AP) Bethlehem

In the early morning hours, police and Social Services were alerted by a concerned citizen who discovered a family living in a stable.

When Social Services workers and police officers arrived at the scene, they found an infant, which had been wrapped in cloth strips and placed in a manger by his 14-year-old mother, a Mary H. of Nazareth.

During the arrest of the mother, a man later identified as Joseph H., also of Nazareth, tried to interfere with the work of the officials. Joseph, supported by three shepherds and three unidentified foreign nationals, tried to prevent the removal of the child, but was stopped by police officers, who Tasered him into compliance.

Also arrested were the three unknown foreign nationals, who identified themselves as "wise men" from "a Middle Eastern country." Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are looking for clues regarding the identity of the three foreigners, who appear to be in the country illegally. A police spokesman said that the three carried no identification of any kind, but that immigration officials confiscated undisclosed amounts of gold and possible illicit substances under federal asset forfeiture provisions. The suspects resisted arrest and told police that God had directed them to go home and avoid all contact with authorities. The confiscated chemicals were sent to a police laboratory for further analysis.

Police declined to identify the current location of the infant. A fast resolution of the case seems to be doubtful. Upon further questioning, a Social Services official commented:

"The father is middle-aged, and the mother definitely still a minor. We are checking with the authorities in Nazareth as to the nature of their relationship."

Mary H. is in the Bethlehem County Hospital for mental and psychological examinations. The District Attorney has announced that she will have to face neglect and child endangerment charges at the least. Her mental condition is questionable, as she claims to still be a virgin, and that the child's father is God Himself.

The chief of psychiatry at Bethlehem County released the following statement:

"It's not my place to question religious belief, but when that belief leads to the endangerment of a newborn, these people have to be classified as dangerous. The fact that drugs were involved--probably distributed by the foreigners present at the scene--does not inspire confidence in the innocence of the suspects. I am however confident that all people involved have the potential to take their place as responsible members of society again in a few years, given the right treatment."

Finally, the statements of the shepherds to the police suggest that "a tall man in a white nightgown with wings on his back" ordered them to go to the stable and celebrate the birth of the child. A spokesman of the Drug Enforcement Agency stated that "this was just about the dumbest cover story ever put forward by those doped-up bearded hippie types."

Kids and Drugs

Here is a link to a report on kids and Anti-depresents. . . . a bit scary to think about. Maybe it is time to stop drugging kids and start parenting them instead. . . .

Thoughts to Ponder

Found on Bits and Pieces

Gun control is a controversial subject….but these are pretty compelling thoughts.

1. An armed man is a citizen. An unarmed man is a subject.

2. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

3. Colt: The original point and click interface.

4. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.

5. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?

6. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.

7. Free men do not ask permission to bear arms.

8. If you don't know your rights, you don't have any.

9. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.

10. The United States Constitution
(c)1791. All Rights Reserved.

11. What part of 'shall not be infringed' do you not understand?

12. The Second Amendment is in place in case the politicians ignore the
others.

13. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday.

14. Guns only have two enemies; rust and politicians.

15. Know guns, know peace, know safety.
No guns, no peace, no safety.

16. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.

17. 911: Government sponsored Dial-a-Prayer.

18. Assault is a behavior, not a device.

19. Criminals love gun control; it makes their jobs safer.

20. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.

21. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens tries to control them.

22. You have only the rights you are willing to fight for.

23. Enforce the gun control laws we already have; don't make more.

24. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create slaves.

25. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun control.


'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.'
~ Thomas Jefferson

Thanks Gene

School 1957 vs. School 2007

Had to post this - Sent to me by a friend. . . . .

School 1957 vs. School 2007

Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack. 1957 - Vice principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his own shotgun to show Jack. 2007 - School goes into lock-down, the FBI is called, and Jack is hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors are called in to assist traumatized students and teachers. Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fist fight after school. 1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies. 2007 - Police are called; SWAT team arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. They are charged with assault and both are expelled even though Johnny started it. Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students. 1957 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given a good paddling. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again. 2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra state funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt. 1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman. 2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mom has an affair with the psychologist. Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some Aspirin to school. 1957 - Mark shares Aspirin with the school principal in the cafeteria. 2007 - Police are called and Mark is expelled from School for drug violations. His car is searched for drugs and weapons. Scenario: Pedro fails high-school English. 1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English, and goes to college. 2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation is racist. US Civil Liberties Association files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Pedro is given his diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English. Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover Independence Day firecrackers, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle and blows up an anthill. 1957 - Ants die. 2007 - Homeland Security and the FBI are called and Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again. Scenario: Johnny falls during recess and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him. 1957 - Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing. 2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in a federal prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy.

SNOW AGAIN

Damn but we better have a white Christmas after all this crap to day. . . . It snowed another 4-6 inches then went to rain. Spent from about 9 am to 2 pm cleaning driveways. . . first mine, the my in-laws, then the brother in laws and then the other brother in laws friends. No complaints mind you they are all family but after this I want a white Christmas. . . . I think we earned it.

Now it is raining and I am sure the driveway will be Ice in the morning. . . should be a fun time. . . ..

Snow. . . I hate SNOW

Well that was fun. . . I left work yesterday at 2:30 and got home at 7:00. This is normally a 1 hour or so drive. . . . Seems like every nut in town was on rt 128 with me. Lots of these folks have no place being on the road in the snow. . .

Like Mr. Porsche in his mid life crisis car that could not get up the hill to the overpass . . . Thanks dude. You would think if he had enough $$ for the Porsche he would have enough for a used Jeep or something to drive in the snow.

An then we have the countless folks I passed on rt 128 who were stuck in the middle of the road, and the lucky ones that got to the sides of the roads before their cars died. What a mess.

At least by the time I got past rt 9 the “high speed” lane was full of us 4x4s and folks had the idea that if they stop jumping in and out of the lanes, and do a steady 10 MPH we can move. That did ok for most of my ride home so at least I didn’t wear out my clutch in my truck. . . Then two hours this morning to snow blow the driveway before going into work. . . been a fun day, can’t wait for this weekends storm = )

Hopefully some of you have learned from this experience. . . It is a simple concept, if you can’t drive in the snow DON’T

Thank you

Quote

“Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty, teeth and keystone under independence. The church, the plow, the prairie wagon and citizens' firearms are indelibly related. From the hour the pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurrences and tendencies prove that, to ensure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable. Every corner of this land knows firearms, and more than 99 and 99/100 percent of them by their silence indicate that they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms anywhere and everywhere restrains evil influence. They deserve a place of honor with all that's good. When firearms go, all goes. We need them every hour.”
— George Washington

Church Shooter Update

Well the media is starting to report that Jeanne Assam did not kill the church shooter, he killed himself. . . Not sure where they are going with this but I can imagine it is not good. I hope they are not trying to discredit what she did but the news folks are scum so they probably will . . .

All I can say is I don’t care.

She is still a hero for what she did.

She still defended unarmed people at risk to her own life

She is still an average civilian who was armed and at the right place at the right time and did what needed to be done.

If he did kill himself I am glad, it does not diminish what she did, but it may ease any guilt she has dealing with the thought that she may have taken a life. I am sure that is hard to deal with no matter how little choice you had in the situation.

So I still say “Bravo Ms. Assam!” we need more like you in this country.

Church shooting

Church Shooting – is it me or is the media being quiet on this story vs the coverage they gave the mall shooter. . . . and does this lack of coverage have anything to do with the fact that he was stopped by a CIVILIAN with her own weapon? Something to think about. . .

House Update

Looks like the burner is installed and they are doing the oil tank today. . . we should have heat in the new addition by the end of the week. All the heating coils are run on the floor and we even have some lights working in the place

The only down side so far is we went to have FIOS installed and I didn’t have them run a new underground conduit with all the other stuff they did. . . . My Bad. . . . Any way they re-booked the install and Verizon will do the underground stuff for free!! YAY. Now if we could just get FIOS TV in this town I could dump Comcast and their overpriced service.

I will have to get a few new pics to post on the web site for the construction. The place is really shaping up with the trim being done and all. We got the floors left to do along with the cabinets and tile in the bathrooms but things are really shaping up quick.

Hero

Well, if you ever want to know what a Hero is, just read this link about Jeanne Assam.

Shooting info from CNN

From CNN

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (CNN) -- A Colorado Springs megachurch instituted security precautions after a shooting at a Denver area mission center earlier Sunday, saving "hundreds of lives" at the New Life Church, senior Pastor Brady Boyd said Monday.

A New Life parishioner acting as a security guard shot and killed a gunman who entered the church Sunday afternoon after he had gotten no more than 50 feet inside the building, Boyd said.....

Boyd said the female security guard was a hero in preventing further bloodshed, rushing to confront the gunman just inside the church.

"She probably saved over a hundred lives," Boyd said of the guard, whom he said is not a law enforcement officer and used her personal weapon. Watch pastor tell how guard saved lives »

Boyd said the gunman, whom police have yet to identify, had no connection to the church.

Something I thought I would never see in print. . . CNN telling a story where a normal person is a hero for having their gun on them. . .

Mall Shooting

From View from the North:

Quote of the day--"NW"

Honestly, and as God as my witness, when I saw him shooting and as watched for a few seconds trying to figure out what he was going to do and what I should do, the thought that when through my mind was, “If I had a gun, I have a perfect shot.”

Yes, a perfect shot. I had a full side profile, I was close, and no one was visible behind him execept a wall. I had a clear shot during the second round of fire. I told this to every cop I came in contact with. The interviewer agreed.

When I realized that I had no gun, fear instantly struck me, along with anger, and severe panic.

[...]

I am very angry at the city of Omaha and the mall for their stupid laws that nearly cost me my life. The laws protected no one, and in my opinion, caused people to die.

"NW"
A witness to the Omaha Mall mass shooting
Via Joe's Crabby Shack, thanks to an email from Rob.
[People died because some anti-gun bigots didn't even try to answer Just One Question before they passed criminal rules prohibiting firearms in the mall.--Joe]

Pesky Facts

From Ride Fast and Shoot Straight:

According to the National Safety Council and the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Industry Intelligence Reports, Volume 2, Number 5, 2007 * [Warning: Large PDF document]:

• Firearm-related fatalities in the U.S. have been decreasing consistently since record keeping began in 1903 and dramatically in the last 10 years.

• Over the last nine years, the number of unintentional firearm related fatalities for children (14 years of age and under) has decreased by 69 percent.

• Accidental firearm related fatalities are substantially lower compared to the number of accidental deaths caused by other injury types.

• Hunting is one of the safest forms of recreation in the United States.

• Firearms are involved in fewer than 1.2 percent of accidental fatalities among children (14 years of age and under).

• In the past 10 years, firearm related accidents in the home have dropped by more than 44 percent.

• Firearms are involved in fewer than 1 percent (0.7 percent) of all accidental fatalities in the United States.
  

• Over the last decade the rate of firearm-related injuries per 100,000 people has declined by 60 percent (from 0.5 percent in 1995 to 0.2 percent in 2005).

Mass Self Defense

And just so you don't thing we are above this kind of thing in MA. . . . here is a good read about an attack on a fire fighter. . . tell me race was not a motivation in this one.. . . . .

Here is the link if the hyper link don't work:
http://massbackwards.blogspot.com/2007/12/playing-catch-up.html

Shootings again

OK, chalk another win up for the news media. . . we have another shooting in the news. . . Hey, done nothing your whole life but want to be famous anyway? Your our guy, just go shoot up someplace and we will have your name and face plastered up all over every TV and news paper around, everyone will know you. . . . . . Thanks Main Stream Media, you did it again. When are they going to learn that making these losers famous just gives other losers the idea to do the same thing. . . These people are sick and should not be give the press and fame they want for shooting up people, they should be shunned, name never to be spoken. If they know that no one will know who they were, that they won’t get the fame they want out of this it may just stop a few of them. . . as for the rest, stop disarming the victims and making it easy for the killers. . . .

And now for the facts they won’t want to pass on. . . it may have been the same shooter at both places. . . . and he was stopped by someone who was armed with a gun at his second stop. Hey, I guess it is true, if the good guys have a gun too the bad guys don’t get to kill everyone in the building and may even get stopped before they can do much if anything. . . but wait, that is not news. Thank God for an armed security guy at the second site who put an end to this before he could do much there to a church full of people.

No matter what the liberals say we are each responsible for our own self protection. Time we start to take that seriously. The live you save may not only be yours, but countless others.

Posts about me. . .

Hey, it’s Monday morning again. . . .

Update on me for a change. . . I got back in touch with my old karate school and went back for one class a week. I use to study Shotokan, to the point where I have a second degree Black Belt in it but then I took a few years off. I have since started to do the Uechi Ryu style of Karate twice a week and am up to a green belt rank there. I will be staying with this class twice a week as I work towards my Black Belt in this style.

I figured it was time to go back and practice a bit of Shotokan before I forgot it. I got lucky and through a few folks found out where the school had moved to. My old Sensei is still teaching but only a small group of Black Belts now. The first class was fun and I was very happy to see I had not forgotten everything although I do have a few katas that need some work. It was also good to see who was still with him. I know all of them and it is good to see “old friends” at the dojo.

Mall Shooting

OK, CNN has posted a few pictures from the security cameras and this nut is using an AK-47 look alike rifle. I am sure since there is no report of any automatic gunfire that it is a civilian version, much less powerful than the average hunting rifle and not an "Assault Weapon" by definition. . . (sorry CNN, but I know you will call it an assault weapon anyway, don't let the facts get in the way)

In short here is what Wikipidia has for a definition:
In a strict definition, a firearm must have all of the following five characteristics to qualify as an assault rifle:^[1][2][3]

• Is a carbine sized individual weapon with provision to be fired from a shouldered position.

Barrel length is usually 400 mm to 500 mm (16” to 20”)

• Is capable of selective fire.
• Fires from a locked breech.
• Utilizes an intermediate powered-cartridge.
• Ammunition is supplied from a large capacity detachable box magazine.

Most common is a capacity of 30 rounds, sometimes 20 rounds.

The following features are commonly found on assault rifles, but those are not exclusive to assault rifles, as those features are shared with many submachine guns, battle rifles, automatic rifles and machine guns:

• Protruding pistol grip.
• Folding, retractable or otherwise collapsible shoulder stock.
• Bipod
• Muzzle device like a muzzle brake or a flash suppressor.

There are commentators who use the expression “assault rifle” more loosely to include other types of arms, particularly arms that fall under a strict definition of the battle rifle, or civilian semi-automatic off-shoots of military rifles for commercial or political reasons.

News Lack of FACTS

Here is a great post By John R. Lott, Jr. on how the news talks all about the mall shooting but seems to forget again that the shooter was helped by being in a gun free zone. . . . If you want to see the facts, take the time to give it a read. If it won't open your eyes to a few things I hope it at least gives you something to think about next time you hear about another useless gun law. . .

Remember Them

66 years ago today we were attacked at Pearl Harbor. . .

66 years ago tomorrow came this speech:

December 8th, 1941......

Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives: yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its Government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific. Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday the Japanese Government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

And this morning the Japanese attacked Midway Atoll.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire.

Copied from U.S. Concealed Carry
Weekly Newsletter

Nut Cases part II

By way of Law Dog I learned about these nuts. . Talk about folk with their heads in the sand. . . I don't want to be around them with the proverbial dung hits the fan. THese are the folks that will surrender first, and beg second, they are not fit for any kind of decision making in this world.

To make it worse we have folks that are backing them in COngresss. All Dems as you would expect but still anyone who backs them should be removed from office for not doing their swarnd duty to protect us. . . .

Lawdog has more on it here. Tis a sad day when they can introduce a department of Hippies (or surrender or of kill us we don't fight back) and someone takes them seriously. We are in some deep you know what folks. . . .

Mall Shooting

OK, Facts time just in case he did use an "AK47"

The civilian gun that looks like an AK47 is not an assault rifle as I have discussed before. What is an Assault rifle?

It is shorter than a hunting rifle (ok, the civilian version fits this)
It is capable of firing both semi-automatic and in full automatic mode (Civilian guns can ONLY FIRE SEMI-AUTO)
It is rather under powered compared to the average hunting rifle (all versions)
It is not as accurate as a hunting rifle (all verison)

So to you news folks, keep lying and calling it an assault rifle so you can fan the flame. No matter what you tell the sheep it was not an assault rifle used in the mall. . . and legally he could not possess it as a felon but I guess he didn't follow your laws. . . .

Mall Shooting

Update -

1 - Mall security says that they saw him come in with something wrapped up in a hooded sweatshirt, so the gun was concealed at least a bit when he got there. . .

2- Now the news folks are going back and forth between calling it an SKS and an AK47. . . I want to see a picture of the gun before I believe them. They will push the AK because it sounds better to them. It would be harder to hid an SKS over an AK since the AK is a much smaller gun length wise.

3- They are claiming he had 30 round mags for the gun, don't know if these are available in an SKS but are standard for an AK

4- Since he was a felon so can't legally own a gun it is looking like he stole it from someone in the family. . . So he is a thief along with having the felony drug conviction and he was due in court on something else in the near future. He was a winner all around.

5- And lastly we are hearing of how troubled a life he led like that is an excuse for his actions. . . Sorry folks, lots of people have sh%^ happen to them and don't go shoot up the local mall. I can't give him a free pass on this. . . . You pull the trigger by choice, you are responsible for your actions, no one else.

Again I say we should not use his name in any of the news, don't give this piece of dirt the fame he wanted.

Mall Shooting

Well I guess it was just a matter of time before some kid decided that school shootings are no fun, lets try the mall. . . . and yesterday a 19 year old who wanted to be famous (so I won’t help by naming him) went on a shooting spree in a mall in Nebraska.

This is a tragedy made even worse by it’s timing close to the holidays but just wait, the commies at the Clueless News Network have already started their spin of the story so here we go -

Now CNN has jumped on the story to spin it the way they want so lets look at the facts.

1 – CNN says he had an assault rifle then calls it an SKS. . . sorry, an SKS is not an assault rifle but a normal size rifle. Now would someone care to tell me how you walk into a mall with a full size rifle and no one notices?

2 – Instead of going with CNN and saying that this is a call for gun control lets think about this. . . here is a pesky fact from CNN:

The first 911 call came in at 1:42 p.m., and the shooting was already over when police arrived six minutes later, authorities said.

"We sent every available officer in the city of Omaha," Sgt. Teresa Negron said. "They came to the mall in lights and sirens."

It only took the cops SIX MINUTES to get there yet 7 people were already dead and two dying – this is the best example of a reason for more people to carry that I can think of. I would hate to be in this situation and think “Damn I wish I had my gun from home. . .” If more people carried a gun, this guy would not have had the six minutes to do this. . .

3- From the AP - Records in Sarpy and Washington counties showed (the Shooter) had a felony drug conviction and several misdemeanor cases filed against him, including an arrest 11 days before the shooting for having alcohol as a minor. He was due in court in two weeks

He has a felony conviction. . . that means that he can not legally get a gun. . . I want to know who he got it from. . . . Guess all these great gun laws don't work. . . .

And lastly this looser left a note saying “now I will be famous” . . . isn’t that great, he wants to be famous and the whores in the news business will grant his last wish. . . How nice of them. If I had my way you would tell the facts of the story, and leave out his name and photos, make sure we know what happened, that is the new mans job, but let his name be lost to history, don’t give him the fame he wanted.

If you folks in the news business didn’t glorify these folks we would have a lot less problems like this. Of course if you news folks didn’t keep vilifying guns and distorting the facts we may have more sane people able to own and carry guns to protect us from nuts like this madman. That is what the Second Amendment is for - so the people have arms to protect themselves from threats foreign and domestic. . . .

And lastly, a pet peeve, lets not call this 19 year old adult a kid, I know the news will. His is not a kid, he is an adult and he is the only one responsible for what he did, not his parents, not society, not anyone else. . . He pulled the trigger, he made the choice, he is responsible.

Up until now I have thought about carrying and been learning all I can about it. This has pushed me to the point where I think it is time to carry whenever I go anywhere. You can’t depend on the cops, they can’t be everywhere you have to protect yourself and your family. These cops responded great, it was only six minutes till they were on the scene, but by then the damage was done. . . . I don’t want to go huddled with my family behind a coat rack, I’m the Dad, it is my job to keep them safe!

UPDATE - Just learned that this mall was a GUN FREE ZONE, so no one is allowed guns there. . . Guss it is a good thing that all those folks were disarmed so no one would hurt the shooter. . . OOPS, you can't be a shooter there cause it is a posted gun free zone! Guess our shooter forgot to read the sign on the way in saying he can't shoot there. . . . and if it is posted gun free, why didn't anyone call him in to the cops while he was walking up to the third floor with a rifle in his hands. . . . further proof that folks don't get it and gun free zones don't work. . .

Latest News

OK, been a bit quiet on the blog so I should update something I guess. . . = )

The house is moving along, they have started to get the trim put up and they have also started to do the expansion on the front door of the original house. We seldom use this door so we are pushing out over the “porch” there to get more room on the landing. This will be a good place for T to set up her home office for her Pampered Chef. We hop to have a burner and electricity in the new house some time over the next week or so. The electrician will be doing his thing in the next day. I am not sure when the plumbers will be coming back but they were asking us what kind of burner to install and all that good stuff. They have not done much digging on the septic but that is probably due to the weather the last few days. I think they may be waiting on parts too. . . we will see

On a different subject I am going to be going back to my old Karate school tomorrow night to meet and see if I can get in on one class a week. It has been a while since I did any Shotokan so I am a bit nervous about it but it will be good to see everyone. My old teacher has sort of given up teaching and now only works with a few black belts. This should be fun once I get back into it. The style is so different from the Uechi Ryu I am currently doing that I don’t want to loose touch with it and forget the stuff I use to do there. I will still be doing two days a week of Uechi Ryu as I am looking to get my black belt there eventually. . . I am at green now so a few more years and we should be there =)

Well, that is it for now, more later. .

When will Islam be about peace?

It seems the more I read the less I can believe that Islam is the religion of peace. It looks like this poor teacher is going to do jail time for naming a teddy bear Mohammed. The radicals have hijacked this religion and some are even calling for her death! All over the name given to a stuffed animal for a class project. . . . and you know how they got the name? They name him after one of the students. . .

These radical are insane and they have once again gotten Islam on the front page around the world not for being a religion but for the insane things being done in its name. How can a bunch of 7 year olds have insulted the prophet when they named a teddy bear after one of there own?

The more these radical get in the news the more I fear this war will go on for years. We are not in a war against Iraq or Afghanistan, but against the thoughts and ideas of the radicals that have grabbed Islam and called it there own.

We will be fighting for a long time I think, until the rational people of Islam step forward and reclaim their religion from these nut cases. Only when they have been able to get things under control, and return Islam to the control of sane people will the rest of the world be able to stand down and our troops be able to come home.

Unfortunately it does not look like this will be happening any time soon. . . .

Kid's and House

OK, Time for a Jack and House Update:

Jack – he is doing great and has to be the happiest baby I have seen. He is not crawling yet but he is thinking about it. . . When we put him in his exersaucer he bounces like no tomorrow. He is going to have strong legs if he keeps this up. He is still good at throwing a cute on short notice and loves to get the attention of pretty girls, and all those little old men and women in the stores when he goes shopping with mom. His big sisters love him to death and he can’t get enough of everyone in the family including Nana and Grandma and Papa. I will have to get some new pics posted on the web site we just got some new family pics at Sears last week. I will see if I can get them posted this weekend.

As for the house – things are moving forward. We had them put in the underground power and phone and such this week. The walls have been primed and the water is connected. They are working on putting in the heat now and we should be getting the burner and such next week. Nana has even got the new tile picked out for her apartment. We even have a digger outside and they are starting on the new septic system. I need to post some more pics on this too. . .

In other news Ciara has started Karate at my new school. She is going to the kids class that my teacher does on Mondays and is loving it! She got a Gi (uniform) last week and was so proud of it I can’t even begin to describe it. She is waiting for the addition to get done so she has someplace to practice her karate too. . . T and I are excited about it too as she is so quiet and shy I know this will help her learn to speak up in class.

More Later

Hit Man the Movie

Went and saw Hitman with my buddy Greg a few days ago and I have to say two thumbs up on this one.

This is a great guy movie, with plenty of shoot’m ups, a good guy that is really cool, and a bad guy you can hate and of course a good looking girl for the good guy to save. I thought it had much more of a story line than I expected being that it was based on a video game. If you liked the Born movies you should like this one. He doesn’t do all the martial arts like Born, but there is a good sword fight in there and lots of gun fights. Now it is still a bit of a fantasy flick in the gun fights but they are fun to watch.

Overall I have to say it was a good moving and I hope they do a sequel to it. I also wish it had been based on a book because I really liked the main character and would have run out to get the book on the way out of the movie if I could. All in all again a good guy movie!

Fred Thompson

From the blog No Looking Backwards:

"Fred's response to the YouTube questioner asking candidates to describe their personal gun collections.

I own a couple of guns, but I’m not gonna tell you what they are or where they are.

If ever there was a perfect answer to a debate question, that's it."

All I can say is I love the answer and I agree that is the best way to answer that question. . .

The State is Mom, the State is Dad

So now we are looking at the possibility of passing a law here in the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts on spanking. It seems that the state feels it is a better parent than you or I so it will tell us how we can raise our children. You see this is all to prevent child abuse – but we already have laws on the books to do that. . . . why don’t they work? And can you tell me how this will be detected? You going to come into my house and check if I am spanking my child? You going to ask my friends and neighbors to tell on me? Where does this end?

The states DSS is already behind on real cases of child abuse and kids slip through the cracks now. . . What will they do with thousands of new cases dumped on them to investigate dealing with spanking? And what happens to the parent who gets caught? They say it will not be a crime, you will get parenting classes . . . to me this sounds like a very slippery slope. Soon we really will live in a Nanny state.

But remember this, when the state rep. Jay Kaufman who is sponsoring the bill was asked in an interview if he ever spanked his child the answer was “None of Your Damn Business!” Who would answer that way if they had not spanked their kid? And who has the right to pass a law to check into your personal life when they admit you have no right to ask them the same question. Sounds like a big double standard to me. . . . and a good reason why this bill should never be allowed to see the light of day. Now lets kill this and move on to something important like bringing jobs back to our state.

2ed Amendment

Here is a great piece on the Second Amendment and SCOTUS:

http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110010898

Hero

I had to. . .

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0

You scored as a Neo, the "One"

Neo is the computer hacker-turned-Messiah of the Matrix. He leads a small group of human rebels against the technology that controls them. Neo doubts his ability to lead but doesn't want to disappoint his friends. His goal is for a world where all men know the Truth and are free from the bonds of the Matrix.

Neo, the "One" 71% Batman, the Dark Knight 67% Indiana Jones 63% William Wallace 63% The Terminator 58% James Bond, Agent 007 58% Maximus 58% Captain Jack Sparrow 54% Lara Croft 54% El Zorro 50% The Amazing Spider-Man 46%

Mass Does it Again

Take a look at this . . . Yet again the lovely legal system of this socialist state has struck and this time it is a young couple across the country from us that gets to pay the price. . . .

When will we wake up and actually start to punish the people that commit crimes around here? I hope I live long enough to see this state come to it's senses and stop worrying about the criminal and start worrying about the law abiding citizens around here.

This lovely tail shows again how we are so concerned over violent criminals who don't care about us and don't see us as anything more than victims for their choosing. Yet no matter what these animals do our courts are too worried about being hard on them. . . so we let them out early, we let them out when they should be buried in a deep dark hole never to be seen again, we let them out among us with a quick slap on the wrist. . .

Then when they do something like this it is never their fault, it is not the judges fault, no, it is our fault for not understanding them and taking better care of them. . . well I know how we should have taken care of this one - one quick shot to the back of the head so he could never harm another person again. Nope, we can't do that in MA so instead we have made a family pay for our sins on the other side of the country. But he messed up this time and got caught somewhere where the justice system works. . . . I hope he gets death row and only for a very short stay. . . .

Fun Stuff

Fun Stuff for the day before the long weekend. . . Hope you all have a good Turkey Day!!

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Boston   You definitely have a Boston accent, even if you think you don't. Of course, that doesn't mean you are from the Boston area, you may also be from New Hampshire or Maine.
The Midland
The West
The Northeast
Philadelphia
North Central
The Inland North
The South
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

Second Amendment goes to SCotUS

The Supreme Court has decided to take up the DC Gun Ban case. . . I think and hope that this is a good thing as the Second Amendment is riding on it. This will be the first time in 70 years that they address the 2A.

In a perfect world they would rule that it is an individual right, just like the rest of the Bill of Rights. This is based on a number of things –

1 – The Second Amendment is the only part of the Bill of Rights that anyone has said is not an individual right. The courts have upheld the rest as meaning the individuals when it talks of “The People” . . . i.e . the people are you and me, the citizens of this country

2 – If you study the writings of the founding fathers you can clearly see that there was a great fear of the federal government at the time the Constitution was written. In face a number of states refused to ratify it without the Bill of Rights being added to protect the states and citizens from an oppressive federal government.

3 – The argument that the 2A is referring to the National Guard when it talks about a Militia is way off base since there was no such thing as a National Guard when this was written. The National Guard did not show up until over 100 years later. Lets not forget that the National Guard is also not a Militia since they are armed and funded by the Federal Government. . . . .

4 – The Militia at the time consisted of EVERY able bodied man between the ages of 16 and 40 (I may be a bit off here on the ages but not much).

5 – Regulated – at the time of the writing of the Constitution the phrase well regulated meant well practiced.

So what you get from points 4 and 5 are that everyone who can fight to defend the country is in the Militia (we will add in the women since they fight too these days). And that all these folks in the Militia should be well practiced in the use of the arms they will defend the country with. . . . so that means the 2A protects every individuals right to own arms and to practice with them with the goal being to protect themselves and our country with them.

I just hope the court does it’s job and does not bend to political pressure. . . . it is going to be a scary ride.

Public Safety vs the State. . ..

Hello All, just a quick note on an email I got from the NRA. . . looks like we need to push on a bill, here are the details:

Emergency Powers Legislation Needs Your Help! State Senator Richard Moore (D-Worcester and Norfolk) has proposed Senate Bill 1401, legislation that would prohibit law enforcement or government officials from confiscating the "lawfully owned or lawfully carried" firearms of citizens during a declared state of emergency. S.1401 would also penalize those officials who choose to ignore this law and attempt to confiscate firearms. Please contact your State Legislators today at (617) 722-2000 and respectfully urge them to write a letter to the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, asking that S.1401 be released with a favorable report before the holiday break. Contact information can be found by visiting http://www.mass.gov/legis/citytown.htm.

What this boils down to is that if it passes the state will acknowledge that it does not have the right to take your guns during a time of emergency such as they did in LA for hurricane Katrina. In the worst of it the cops were taking folks guns so they could not protect themselves or their children from the looting and such that was going on. I think this has passes at the FED level but this would be for the state. We need this to pass folks, the life saved by this could be yours . . . . Please take a moment and write in to the statehouse if you can.

Support the Troops

Hey if you have a moment please swing by this site to see how you can send holiday cards to the troops. If you have kids, maybe they can make some cards for the troops and send them down.

Thanks

House Update

Well now, talk about a mad rush. . . .

Mom had a long talk with the contractor and somehow she got him moving faster than he was! Now he was doing OK by contractor standards, probably a bit better but not fast enough for Mom. Well, we now have the plastering in the house almost done (should be done today), they have dug the trench and run the new water line from the old house well to the new part of the house, and they are running the phone, cable and power today before the rain hits I hope. . . . Mom is really pushing them to be done by Christmas so she can be moved it. She does not want to be in the old house for the holiday.

Anyway it is a beehive at home and it really looks like things are going forward. They should be doing the new septic system next week by the looks of it, and moving right along. We will see how much the holiday slows us down but man it is starting to look like a house inside the addition.

Only down side so far is that the dog had gone nuts, I mean completely barking mad. . . . She is so excited to see everyone and everything that she has almost gotten squashed by a few of the workman’s cars and the digger. We have to keep her inside more for her own safety which is not easy. From her doggie point of view all these folks are here to pet her and we are depriving them of the chance keeping her inside. . . .