Not my circus, but I pay to feed the monkeys

 

Wolves

Show my shocked face! The wolf debacle has doubled in cost.

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Should you care to read 23 pages, here is the State’s official report.

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Ranchers are going their own way seeking solutions. The State keeps gas lighting them.

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I doubt any of the environazi wolf fans had the courage to attend this meeting. Just state employees who had no choice.

Blue State Politics

Cronyism is so common in Colorado Politics the public now shrugs.

Consider the case of profiting off non-profits.

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Perhaps some of these non-profits actually do some good. Certainly, some employees do very well for themselves. All are reliable Democrat voters.

Southern Preposterous Lie Center echo chamber

Just what is a hate group? Just about any conservative group according to these self important buffoons.

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Montgomery, AL is their home. A few years ago, as a pre-production test driver, I spent some time there. Hyundia builds cars there and Kia at West Point, GA not far away. Whenever I mentioned this organization to locals, the usual response was an eyeroll.

Trust Fund Snot’s Drama

Nothing serious; just makes me smile an evil smile.

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 Update: After five days on the run, the bull has been captured.

True Believer

My neighbor across the hall is Democrat. I avoid any political discussion. He is fanatical in his beliefs. Trump is the devil, and our country is in deep trouble. Nothing original, just well learned talking points.

Another resident in the building is a Messianic Rabbi. He and his wife are extremely conservative in their political beliefs.

 The big difference is the Rabbi can disagree without being disagreeable.

Trump Haters Never Stop

Video going around blaming him for the Texas flood loss of life. The area meteorology office had one person responsible for alerting local authorities. Said person took early retirement and wasn’t replaced. Hah, we got you, Bad Man Orange! Never mind all the deaths. Scum!

 That excuses the local NOAA managers who didn’t reshuffle the deck and assign someone to that function. “Oh, the position was open”. Bullshit bureaucracy at it’s worse.

 USPS

They are losing billions each year. A small example of why.

Using their own tracking system.

   6/28 placed an order with a company in Ft Lupton – 38 miles away

   7/2 Arrived in Greeley – not delivered

   7/3 Sent to the Denver Distribution Center – 167 miles

   7/4 Sent to Aspen – 167 miles

   7/7 Sent to Grand Junction -129 miles

   7/8 Sent to Greeley – 304 miles

   7/8 Out for delivery

Just another day in Wyoming

Drug runners being stupid. Oh, illegal aliens – surprise!

How many were on the road that day that weren’t caught?

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  Firearm Confiscation

A daily read for me is William Kirk’s Washington Gun Law. I find he presents complex issue with a level of clarity this lay person can understand.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usX61R1fh2c

 He often points out, while Trump 2.0 is pro 2^nd Amendment, the future may bring some version of Lightbringer 4.0. What works for us today, can work against us in the future, aka, be careful what you wish for.

As always, YMMV

Shall Not Be Infringed

A YouTube post featuring a comedian mocking firearm owners got me thinking. Dangerous, right, me thinking? Fearful I’m in great danger in losing my choice cot in the re-education camp, on with pontification.

“We’re not trying to take your guns away”, was his lead line. Unspoken is the assumption we, my people, are morally and intellectually superior to you firearm owners. Out of kindness, we will indulge you, even though we should take your guns away. He then went on to create a dangerous imaginary character whose handling of a “gun” puts everyone in danger.

Going forward, many pro firearm forums deplore irresponsible firearm owners and offer ideas to mitigate that behavior.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Nowhere does it say, except for stupid people, irresponsible people, potential domestic violence perpetrators, etc.

We do have a long history, as humans, of imposing consequences upon people whose actions harm others. I’ve no problem with that. Preventing actions, that may or may not occur, I do have a problem.

“But if it saves one life!!!!!!!!”, is the hue and cry. OK, then why don’t we require ignition interlocks on every vehicle so that every single operator must prove they haven’t been drinking before they can drive? Isn’t that the same logic?

Red flag laws are “justified” using this logic.

We don’t live in a safe world and every time we give up a little freedom to feel safer, our world becomes less safe. Better we learn how to defend ourselves. A 90 lb woman with a Saturday Night Special is safer than with a “rape” whistle. Even safer, if she has had some self defense and firearms training.

 

Tools for Sale

 Part of an upcoming estate auction in Hugo, CO – High Plains farm country.

Nothing exotic or unusual; just a lifetime collection of  tools used by a farmer.

What gun grabbers rarely seem to grasp is inner city gang bangers are a miniscule sliver of firearms users. These are tools, used with a purpose.

We can only speculate how many children and grandchildren learned to shoot with these; how many varmints were dispatched, and even how much meat was put on the table.

How sad there are no heirs to keep them.

Eyesight issues have put an end to my shooting except for self defense. I still keep up with, as Old NFO says, “Minute of Bad Guy”, practice.

I do get a lot of auction notices that occasional cause acute nostalgia attacks.

Specific Need verses Utility

Shot shell handguns? A recent article started a memory thought process.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/check-out-revolver-shotgun-could-be-ultimate-gun-54337

My late great friend, Dirty Al Imhoff, was not stranger to firearms, or using them. After leaving Army Special Forces, he worked for awhile in Africa for a unit who sported an Osprey symbol.

His health and eyesight failing, we discussed self defense options. He still had hand and arm strength. The critical need was defense inside his 40’ Prevost motor home parked in the Arizona desert. The secondary need was in his car. After some talk, he settled on two handguns. First, a Taurus Judge. He was sure he could score hits from his bedroom in the rear to the entrance in the front.

 The car handgun was a Bond Arms derringer in .45 Long Colt. Top barrel loaded with a .45 Long Colt and the bottom with a shot shell. He decided any action in and around his car would be at bad breath range.

Given his background, I wasn’t surprised he practiced with both on a regular basis and had acquired some interesting .410 loads.

He never had to put them to their intended use. Per the coroner, he died from a blow to his temple area caused by fainting and striking a countertop corner.

To the point of all this. Most of us look for versatility in our firearms. There are times when getting something to fill a specific and defined task is more appropriate. Only you can decide which way to go.

ADDENDUM:

What has ridden in the passenger footwell of every vehicle I've owned since  around 1973.

And what rides in the center console of Sisty's F-150.

Back From The Gunsmith

The Savage Model 60 .22 acquired in a barter is back from the gunsmith with a new sight. He fitted a base in a manner the sight can be attached or detached keeping the iron sight.  My cost?  $100. Probably equal to the original cost of the rifle.

I’m not terribly concerned. The accuracy and durability of Savage products are what is important to me. Yes, the finish is already showing signs of wear. Not an issue for me.

Macular degeneration affects my right eye. Not all, but enough to make sight pictures a challenge. Over time I have become left eye dominant. So why not learn to shoot left handed? Answer: Have a pacemaker. Not recoil friendly. I’ve found a sight like this one, with the dot only, works fairly well for me.

Next step is going to the range and sighting it in.

Some time back had a ghost ring/peep sight added to my revolver. While I’ve never been more than adequate with a handgun, with this sight I can still put five out of five in a paper  plate at 20’. Not great, but good enough.

Overall I’m pleased with the way this turned out.

Firearm Sales

Best line I've read lately.

"We’re not protecting ourselves from the government, but in spite of them."

http://coloradopeakpolitics.com/2015/12/21/stop-the-presses-post-gets-it-wrong-on-gun-sales

Just a small, personal, point. Unless referring to a smooth-bore, if I ever use the word "gun", send me off on a mile run with a full field pack.

Thoughts On Firearm Ownership

This will be a rambling post with no real point. You are warned.

First, I detested the use of the word “gun” unless you are referring to a smoothbore. Firearms have been part of my life since childhood. There was always a .30-.30 over the front door, a rifle in our vehicles, and a .22 in a closet. I can’t tell you how young I was when I first fired a firearm because I can’t remember. Likewise, I can’t remember a first use of a hammer, saw, axe, hay fork, or cow hobbles. They were tools that we used, sometimes daily. From 7^th grade through high school, I belonged to the NRA Junior Rifleman program. The weekly range session was the highlight of my life. At no time did I hear anyone referring to a “gun”. Please take my word for it, in the Army, circa 1963, referring to your M-1 or M-14 as a “gun” would bring swift, and unpleasant, attention from the NCOs. Even the .50 M-2 was a “weapon”.

Second, I detest people who don’t handle firearms safely. I think everyone should demonstrate a basic competence and understanding of safety issues before they can own a firearm. Yes, I understand this is not happening because anything of this nature will be gloomed on to by the gun grabbers and perverted. There already exists a model, the hunter safety card.

http://www.hunter-ed.com/

Does it work? Damn right it works.

http://www.interstatesportsman.com/articles/how-dangerous-is-hunting-really

Third, I think every household should have a firearm and ammunition, and know how to use them.  Of course, some households have members who are not emotionally stable or mentally competent, and access must be restricted. I say this as someone who has personal experience with the issue. Rapid access in an emergency is compromised, but compromised access is better than no access. As I type this, a revolver is available in the drawer of my desk beside my right knee.

Fourth, I think every business should have trained and armed employees in the workplace. I spent thirty years in the retail automobile business. Believe me; you do not want to rob a car dealership. While some are “gun free”, none I every worked for were, even when the “official” policy was “gun free”.

Two times in my life I’ve faced a criminal armed with a hand gun. The first time was around 1970 in Glendale, CO at a small coffee shop on Colorado Blvd. My employee, Glen, and I were at the cash register paying for our coffees to go when the robber approached and waved a firearm. Glen was an 11B about one year removed from the 173^rd in Vietnam. Without a word spoken, Glen and I both tossed our hot coffee in the robber’s face. Soon, the robber was happy to see the police and ambulance.

The second time was mid 1970’s in Renton, WA. I was on a test drive. When I stopped to change places with the “customer”, he pointed a semi automatic p.o.s. at me. Dumb little gang banger, he had the safety on. Funny how your military training kicks in, even after years away from it.

In both cases, I devoutly wished I was armed. Discussing the second case with a supervisor, he told me I was armed, with my wits. Yeah Don, not a substitute for my .44 Special.

I doubt many readers of this blog will disagree with me, even my (p)regressive friends who occasionally wander over here. I believe everyday violent criminals leave potential victims alone because they are afraid of getting shot. That, I believe, is a good thing.

Good By, I Found You a Good Home

Just sold this pistol.

Three years ago, decided to get a CCW permit. Took the eight hour class; passed. Now the “practical”. Seems they expected me to fire from 100 to 200 rounds in a day at the range. WTF? No way I’m putting even 50 rounds out of my .44 Special with a 2 ½” barrel in one day. Superman I’m not.

Purchased a “cheap” Eastern European Walther clone in .380 just for the class. Ended up not following through with the CCW process. The additional $200 or so to the local sheriff pissed me off. Stayed “outlaw”. Fuck em.

Really didn’t like the .380. Had the trigger reworked. Still didn’t like it. So I sold it to a young friend. I’ve been shooting with him. He is safe and responsible. He is happy, and I’m happy with some cash to spend on what I do like.

Oh, the agony of having to decide what to buy! Feel my pain.

Youngest son has a 9x18 Makarov I like. I still miss my .22 revolver. Have always wanted a Colt Woodsman or similar from Ruger. Still upset about the deal I missed by two days and fifty dollars on a pristine .30-.40 Kraig for under $400. My first firearm, bought on my own with my own money, was a Kraig. Think I was around fifteen. Should I stop being totally cheap and get a new Savage package in a .270? Decisions, decisions.

So it is back to lurking around gun shows, gun stores, and Auction Arms. Painful yes, but I will survive. At least there is no significant other to consult (not that I ever did).

Public Range - Anarchy???

A friend and I both have handguns we haven't fired so went to a public range in Weld County, CO. This place has just a few signs and no facilities. Perhaps a dozen vehicles were parked in the area and their occupants were shooting everything from shotguns at clays to someone with a .50. No authority present; just people exercising good judgement and courtesy. Responsible gun ownership at it's finest.