Bumbling Around

 

Salesmanship

The Taurus I purchased had good tires but were not adequate for the conditions I drive in; unplowed icy rutted residential streets and/or dirt country roads (often muddy). Happy with the Firestones on the Buick I was disappointed to find their price has gone up 30%. Further, the manager of the store has moved on and the current group doesn’t impress me.

Doing some research I found Falken WINTERPEAK F-ICE 1. The reviews were good so I called the local store (Peerless). The manager said,

 “We sell a lot of them to rural mail carriers”.

Sold!

So far the tires are everything I wanted and handle the conditions as well or better than the Firestones.

I’d have voted for him    

100 Years Ago, for the fourth week of January 1923, from the pages of the Greeley Tribune-Republican newspaper:

• A County Judge in western Colorado was arrested this week for selling illegal bootleg whiskey to high school boys. Judge Michael Welsh is in jail today after sheriff’s deputies discovered he was selling the illegal liquor to high school boys. The boys were regular customers of the judge and came to his house regularly to purchase the illegal booze.

ODD: Oppositional Defiant Disorder  

Thanks to LL, Virtual Mirage, I now know what I have had for a lifetime. The problem? I like my disorder.

Loathing (P)regressives  

Colorado is unique in having in the State Constitution a Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR), a political bulwark preventing the complete Californication of Colorado. To get around it the (P)regressives enact “fees”. An example, from registering a newly purchased vehicle.

Where is all that money going? Roads? The only decent roads in Colorado are in Boulder County, IMO, and I have driven corners to corners and boarders to borders at one time or another.

Frayed Man Card  

In the past few weeks I’ve started making, and carrying through, mature and logical decisions. With a h/t to the Detroit SCCA, my whole life has been, “Press on Regardless”. Worse, I’m now almost diligent in following medical instructions. Further fraying comes from reading and following instructions.

This is difficult. I’ve been tested for patience, and am negative. Trying to be more flexible I resist, “If your only tool is a hammer……..”

Bastards Never Stop

Colorado Democrats prepare ban on assault weapon sales

Fort Collins lawmaker said public safety is his top priority

Bruen Decision? (P)regressives say, “Fuck you, we make our own laws”.

Banner Approved

He likes the new ride. The back seat is different from the Buick and he is able to put his nose between the front seats on my right shoulder; yes, a back seat driver.

Snowpack

Good news so far for next summer’s water. Only the Arkansas River drainage is below average. My rancher friends in Steamboat Springs say the snow was over the 4^th wire on their fences but has settled to a three wire. Another two good storms should put the snow over the fence posts.

The deep snow is hard on the elk and deer population and likely will cause above average winter kill.

Coach Prime Time

The University of Colorado hiring Deion Sanders to run the football program is creating a big buzz. While I’m no Buffalo fan, for the sake of friends and neighbors who are, I hope this doesn’t turn out to be another Russell Wilson/Denver Bronco fiasco. Since the Buffs won just one game last year he can’t do much worse.

Good luck to him and the people he is bringing with him as they navigate the Boulder housing market. Can you say, “sticker shock?”

The Emperor has No Clothes

Polis busted for bogus crime rate claim, Colorado 2nd in FBI stats for property crimes

The Denver Gazette fact-checked Polis’s claim that Colorado falls in “the middle of the pack on crime rates,” and discovered that Colorado’s crime rate is higher than the national average.

According to the FBI, only Washington, D.C. had a higher property crime estimate than Colorado.

We are #2

 Gov. Polis and Democrat lawmakers campaigned for reelection on their alleged accomplishments of reducing the cost of healthcare in Colorado.

 

Our health care premiums saw the second largest increase nationwide!

Private health insurance premiums rose higher in Colorado for 2023 than every state except for one.

Axios Denver reports Georgia came in first place with premium spikes as high as 20%, followed by Colorado with a soaring increase as high as 19.6%.

The nationwide average increase for health insurance premiums in 2023 is 4%.

For those who excelled in the study of equity and inclusion but must Google simple math — those numbers suck.

 

h/t Colorado Peak Politics

 Win, win, win 

First win. The lady who sold me the Taurus had a stress free sale with cash in her hand. Second win. I now have a nice car at a very reasonable price. Third win. The Buick went to a very decent couple who are struggling. The wife is caring for her elderly mother who lives off a dirt road thirty miles from their home with hit or miss snow plowing. The Buick is a tank in those conditions so their primary vehicle can stay with her husband.

Firearms rant

The motives of those politicians calling for “GUN CONTROL” are, to me, highly suspect. A few are undoubtedly sincere but most are just posturing. They know what they are proposing won’t work, is likely unconstitutional, and unenforceable.

“Look, we are doing something!!!!”

The harm is the distraction from other, serious problems that aren’t addressed because of the time spent posturing. Nice way to deflect attention from their lack of accomplishments that solve real problems.

As always, YMMV.

 

Firearms Control

 

WARNING: Inappropriate Language Employed

 I dislike using the term “Gun” unless talking about a smoothbore. Since I’m in a tiny minority, in this blog “gun” will be used.

There are people who should not have guns because they have never bothered to learn safety, or have used them for illegal purposes, or both. Take this story for an example.

https://www.greeleytribune.com/2020/12/22/affidavit-man-convicted-of-felonies-accidentally-shoots-neighbor-while-showing-off-guns-in-del-camino-home/

Every story like this one gives the anti-gun fanatics good arguments that we 2^nd Amendment supporters have to refute, or ignore. Let us not delude ourselves. A subset of firearm owners own firearms because they believe their cocks are too short. Just as they don’t think they need any safety training, they probably don’t use condoms.

Is there any solution, or is it Darwinism?

NOTE: The US Army Basic Training cadre, circa 1963 had strong, negative reactions to the use of “Gun”. They had many different ways to impress upon the young soldiers their dislike of trainees using the term.

Not One Dime More

The National Rifle Association and I have a one sided on again/off again relationship.

Their range master programs and safety programs are admirable. If there was a way to support those, and nothing else I would be in.

When President Trump took office, the GOP controlled both the House and Senate. If ever a time existed to pass a National Reciprocity act that was the time. Didn’t happen.

What the NRA seems very good at is flooding my email inbox with fund raising appeals and dire warnings. Way too much “Chicken Little”.

Seems to me the people running the NRA day to day are part of the insular elite crowd infesting our National Capitol (and surrounding exurbs). Their greatest achievement is living well off the patriotic impulses of their countryman. They can do so without any contribution from me.

The Gun Owners of America do get a few bucks from me. While there is a lot of “Chicken Little” in their broadsides, they do actually get things done  while operating from a place that makes the Peoples Republic of Boulder look conservative.

As usual, YMMV.

Gun Control

On a personal level I don’t use the word “gun” unless talking about smoothbore firearms. The recent Sol Pais episode and Red Flag legislation has been a hot topic here at grey and wrinkled headquarters, aka Peakview Trails.

I try to be informed and not let my feelings become facts when discussing the topic with others.

Poking around the internet leads one to all types of propaganda. Consider, “The Trace”.

https://www.thetrace.org/2018/12/gun-violence-facts-statistics-2018/

Don’t know to what choir they are preaching but they certainly are passionate.

That bastion of journalistic integrity, CNN delved deeply into the subject.

tps://www.cnn.com/2018/12/13/health/gun-deaths-highest-40-years-cdc/index.html

All kinds of neat charts and, oh my god, conclusions.

Here is another statistic I like to quote.

United States Population 2019. According to the US Census Bureau's population clock, the estimated 2018 United States population (February 2018) is 327.16 million.Nov 21, 2018

When I get a chance to talk to people who might, just might, have an open mind, I point out that 40,000, 60,000 or even 100,000 deaths out of a population north of 300,000,000 won’t make a pimple on a statistician’s ass. Usually gets a laugh or two.

Going further, I do agree if you are caught in a firearms violence situation, or have family caught in that situation, numbers are of no comfort. The numbers of accidental injuries are harder to pin down.

Why is “gun control” so popular with (P)regressives? Many reasons but the number one reason, IMO, is it allows them to assume a perceived high moral ground, to make much noise, and obscure their lack of enthusiasm for tackling hard, even insoluble, problems. It is possible they even believe their own emotional bullshit.

Out there is someone who will say, “Just wait until it happens to you, WSF”.  My reply, it has. A cousin died from a .22 round to the head when his rifle went off while he was riding in a vehicle. His parents, his siblings, and his relatives were saddened but not one thought banning firearms was an answer.

On another occasion my co-worker and I were standing on either side of the cash register paying for our coffee to go. Dumb shit steps between us, points a semi-auto at the cashier and announces a robbery. He immediately got two hot cups of coffee in his face. While my co-worker grabbed the handgun and racked back the slide, I stomped on the dumb shit’s ankle. (400 block S Colorado Blvd, Denver, 1970).  The point? Two individuals (veterans) with knowledge of firearms who weren’t paralyzed when confronted with an armed individual didn’t become “victims”.

My NRA membership has lapsed. When we have both houses of Congress in GOP hands, plus a kick ass GOP President and National Reciprocity isn’t passed, I ask myself why support the organization? Yes, they do other important work in safety and education. They also have a president I dislike and several board members I consider buffoons. YMMV.

The insolence of (P)regressives across the country will hopefully provoke such revulsion in the general population that the next election will see many thrown out of office along with the go along, get along RINOs. Maybe we will see a resurgence of the Tea Party or something similar. I can only hope.

For me, it is all academic. All my firearms were lost in a boating accident on Horsetooth Reservoir and I’m too poor to replace them.  

HR 218 LEOSA

From Wikipedia.

The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) is a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons—the "qualified law enforcement officer" and the “qualified retired or separated law enforcement officer"—to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of state or local laws, with certain exceptions.

The gun control cabal never rests and no slimy tactic is beneath them, so it seems. Latest target? County sheriffs.

http://www.yumacountysheriff.net/fakenews-comes-to-yuma-county/

Their premise. “Billionaires” can bribe sheriffs in hardscrabble counties into giving them a LEOSA certificate. Utter bullshit.

How prevalent is this smear across the country?

Yuma County, Colorado is one example I know of. Something similar is happening in San Juan County, New Mexico with smears against candidates for Sheriff in the upcoming election.

The American Mainstream Maggots (h/t BZ) laud billionaires like Bloomberg and Tom Steyer who dump millions into local races. They demonize billionaires who set up foundations to help local law enforcement agencies.  Along the way they besmirch the reputations of decent men and women doing a necessary job for little appreciation or earnings.

I’m asked from time to time why I remain a registered Democrat. Short answer, stubbornness. Longer answer, it pisses off the (P)regressives on one hand and on the other I loathe the smug Jeb! RINOs. Anyone notice how many aren’t running for reelection?

 Wonder why?

Here is hoping the (P)regressives think they have a winning strategy for the midterms drumming about gun control. They should ask the Clintons how well that has worked, Bill while President, and Shillary as a candidate.

Most of us know the classic definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The (P)regressives seem determined to prove this wrong, bless their totalitarian hearts.

If the gutless RINO Senators would pass the House passed National Reciprocity bill, much of this would be moot.

YMMV

Preaching To The Choir

Once again the uproar about “gun control” is at a fever pitch. There are some changes I would like to see, starting with a dose of honesty.

 The gun grabbers are terrified by firearms and want them confiscated but lack the courage to come out and say it. Instead, they use death by a thousand cuts. I actually admire Sen. Feinstein for being upfront.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj4AcjyuV38

With her we know where we stand.

Random thoughts.

“You are entitled to your opinion. You are not entitled to your own facts.”  Daniel Patrick Moynihan

From a blog.

 http://proudhillbilly-hillbilly.blogspot.com/

So. Just a Thought.

If you asked someone to give a detailed history of the geology of wherever you are, most people would have the honesty to say "I don't know" because most people don't study the details of geology.

But the same people, with the same level of knowledge of guns as they have of geology, will lecture you all day long about guns.

Something that can be done fairly easily.

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, sets the standard for protecting sensitive patient data. Any company that deals with protected health information (PHI) must ensure that all the required physical, network, and process security measures are in place and followed.

Modify portions of this act to let health professionals report people they deem mentally unstable to a review by the judicial system. As in, if they are bat shit crazy, disarm them. Potential for abuse? Damn right, but that can be addressed.

Next, vigorously enforce the laws we already have on the books! Duh.

Last, be grateful for what we have received, the Constitution, and strive to preserve and protect it.

Change coffee to firearms, and my “feeling” are these.

YMMV

Gun Grabbers Wet Dream

From the (P)regressive mind, more gun control, and more government control, means less crime and more prosperity. There is one place in the United States where this is fully implemented, except for outright gun confiscation. I refer to the Virgin Islands of the United States. They are officially an unincorporated United States territory. The residents are United States citizens by way of Congressional statute. They cannot vote in Presidential elections and have one representative in the US House who can only vote in committee meetings, not on the floor. They are not self governing, rather, under the thumb of the Federal Government, more subjects than citizens. In reality they are Federal serfs.

The attitude towards firearms and concealed carry by those in power? From their website.

From the Firearms Bureau Bringing Firearms into the Virgin Islands The Firearms Bureau recommends that you Do Not bring your States side licensed firearm into our beautiful islands if you will only be visiting for a short while. If you bring firearms into the islands without contacting the Firearms Bureau, you can have your firearm(s) confiscated and be prosecuted in accordance to the laws of the US Virgin Islands.

You can read more here.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/usvirginislands.pdf

So how is that working out? One of the highest homicide rates in the world.

http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/v-i-homicide-rate-still-among-world-s-highest-1.1434291

I’ve never visited the islands, don’t know anyone from there, and most definitely am ignorant of the specific conditions and culture. That won’t change as I have zero interest in visiting. Here comes the "but".

I can read, learn, and draw conclusions.

A benevolent Federal Government staffed by dedicated public servants (sarcasm font) should keep the place a model of governance, no? Oops!

http://www.militarycorruption.com/kennethalleyne.htm

 My point in writing this blog is to point out the (P)regressive mindset is flat ass wrong. This place, the Virgin Islands, is one clear example and may explain Baltimore, New Orleans, D.C., New York and Chicago with their “tough” gun laws and oppressive government.

The region is much more dangerous than the mainland USA and, for the most part, has stringent firearms laws.

http://gocaribbean.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/CaribMurder.htm

Contrast this with the third largest mainland city, Houston. We all know the (P)regressives think Texas is the Wild West with their “lax” gun laws.

Houston is the only one of the five most populous cities in the state to place high on the list, at #3. The types of crimes reported in Houston are fairly different from what you’ll find out west, though: While Odessa and Lubbock both go heavy on assault crimes, Houston’s robbery rate, at 233 per 100,000, is nearly double that of the top cities on the list. Its murder rate, as mentioned above, is 5.9 per 100,000. 

More on Texas here.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/daily-post/fbis-list-most-dangerous-cities-texas

From casual reading of site such as “Keep and Bear Arms” firearm laws are oppressive and 2^nd Amendment rights  scant in most of the USA territories around the globe.

This post is probably a waste of bandwidth as most who might read it already agree with me. It is offered up for the three or four Liberals who stop by to recharge their umbrage. YMMV

Disgusting Dancing in Blood

WTF? She raises a thug who gets himself killed. Now she is making a career as a "victim"?

At $5 a head admission, and free for the students, you wonder who is paying her bills?

Maybe it is the best job she has ever had.

Turns my stomach.

Those Pesky Fundamental Civil Rights

There is a current effort in the Colorado Legislature to eliminate jury trials for involuntary commitment for mental issues. There would still be a trial; in front of a judge. Already, jury trials have been eliminated for involuntary commitments for “substance abuse”. Since these are deemed “civil” rather than “criminal” cases, supposedly different rules apply. If you are committed, what is the difference, in real terms, then being incarcerated?

The Representative carrying the legislation is one Elizabeth “ Beth” McCann (Dem) CO 8^th District (Metro Denver).

From one of the voter education sites is the following biography

.

McCann's professional experience includes serving as Deputy Attorney General in the Colorado Attorney General's office, Director of the Denver Department of Excise and Licenses, Coordinator of the Denver Safe City Office and Manager of Safety for the Denver Department of Safety.

She had introduced this as HB.1253, shot down in committee. Undaunted, she reintroduced it as HB. 1386.

Now I’m sure prosecutors are much happier trying cases in front of judges, whom they can shop for favorable tendencies, then six to twelve average citizens that can see through their bullshit. When it comes to depriving citizens of their liberty, I want it to be harder, not easier, for the machinery of the state to function.

So why is this of any interest to anyone outside of Colorado? I will answer that shortly. Ms. Mcann is a koolaide drinking Progressive. Last election, she said her number one priority was integrating the Affordable Health Care Act “seamlessly” in Colorado. She has enthusiastically voted for every gun grabbing bill that has been introduced. She is part of the “Colorado Model” mob, which has (temporarily) turned Colorado blue.

Why does it matter to anyone outside of Colorado? Her ilk thinks anyone owning a firearm is, by definition, mentally ill. See where this is going?

I wouldn’t be surprised to see this type of legislation floating around in all the states; just one part of the overall progressive attack on the Second Amendment.

These progressives are relentless and ever so sneaky. As an example, after last session, 51 of the 54 Colorado Sheriffs said they wouldn’t enforce the new gun laws. Now, in Colorado, the only elected official that can remove a sheriff from office is the county coroner. It is part of the State Constitution. Very quietly last session a bill was introduced to “update and bring into modern practice” the function of county coroners. That piece of garbage died without a vote.

It is true; the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

As an addendum, this is from a Facebook posting. The poster is a retired teacher with a Masters in Education and a blind spot in history. One wonders how many minds she warped in her career.

Muhammad taught "love"? My ass.

Arapahoe High School

One confirmed dead, one seriously wounded, and one slightly wounded is about all the facts known right now.

Already Facebook has exploded with, "See, see, see, I told you so, I told you so, I told you so" postings.

Don't worry about facts, emotions and feelings are FAR more important. Once again it will be the firearms owner's fault. If we didn't insist on having our dangerous toys, something like this WOULD NEVER happen. What, you don't AGREE??? You vile person!

Here come the waves of smug self righteous and indignant posturing. How nice to target a group with spite and hate, and have it socially acceptable.

Kiss my ass, gun grabbers.

Silly Question? Maybe Not

I wonder how many adults who are all for gun control were, as children, bullies or "mean girls"? Just from my own youth, I can think of a few.

Think they miss the delicious feeling of power over others? Now, the once powerless have the means to balance the power? That enrages them?

Nah, WSF, you are getting dotty in your old age.

Meanwhile, In the Peoples Republic of Boulder

The "gun control" laws they cheered bite them in the ass.

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_23717880/organizers-cancel-boulder-gun-buyback-at-request-sheriff?source=most_viewed

And me, being of low character, this tickles the shit out of me.

Disgusting, Vile Rant

Now I go somewhere I probably shouldn’t; people making money off their dead kids.

Tracy Martin and Sybrina  Fulton were working, prior to their son’s death, as a truck driver and a county employee, respectively. They separated when Treyvon was a toddler. Now they are on the talk circuit. How are they paying their bills; where is the money coming from? Of the “settlement” from the homeowners association, how much went to the lawyers?

April 20, 1999, Daniel Mauser was among thirteen people killed at Columbine High School. At the time, Tom Mauser, his father, had a management job with the State of Colorado. Since then, he seems to work full time at “gun control”. The rest of the parents got on with their lives. How is Tom Mauser paying his bills; where is the money coming from.

Javad Marshall-Fields and Vivian Wolfe were shot and killed in  Aurora, CO., June 18, 2010.  He had witnessed a gang related murder and was scheduled to testify at a trial. He was killed to keep him from testifying. How he happened to be where a gang related murder took place hasn’t been made clear. His mother, Rhonda Fields, has capitalized on her son’s death to get herself elected as a Colorado State Representative, despite a less than stellar background.

http://www.redstate.com/kforti/2013/03/07/breaking-colorado-rep-rhonda-fields-rap-sheet-longer-than-previously-reported/

Where, and how, did an airline employee get the money to run for public office? Her criminal record would get her fired from most companies. Someone is paying her bills.

I personally know one state legislator (she once worked for me) and I know who put up the money for her to run.

We now see some of the Newton, CN parents traipsing around the country. How many are independently wealthy? Where is that money coming from?

Gabriella Giffords and Mark Kelly are flying around the country in a private jet promoting “gun control”. We know the jet is controlled by the Colorado Monfort family. If I were a stockholder in any of the Monfort companies, I would want to know if that jet is operating on Monfort’s dime, or are the stockholders picking up the tab? Or, are we taxpayers eating the tax write offs on the airplane.

How dare you, WSF, question the people who have suffered such horrible losses? Have you no compassion, no empathy?

Very simply, these people have put themselves into the public arena. They are advocating laws that affect me. Damn right, I’m going to question what they are doing.

Now, if we follow the money, it will lead to someone, who can afford to subsidize people that engender public sympathy, to advance an agenda. Think I’m wrong? Bite me!

This rant isn’t directed to people who are trying to make a difference, to make their loss mean something, and to keep others from suffering that loss. I may not agree with them, but they have my respect. It is the people who make a living off that loss that turn my stomach. Your mileage may differ.

Rule of Law? Why is There A Question?

Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no rule making or legislation which would abrogate them.

-- Miranda vs. Arizona, 384 US 436 p. 491

Politics, Bah!

"When in danger, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout."

This is a Colorado specific blog entry. We have a Democrat Governor, the Democrats control both the state legislature and the state senate, and these asshats are spending most of their time on unconstitutional gun control legislation. The length of the legislative session is limited by law. At the end of the session, much of what needs to be fixed won’t be.

As an example, a very  dangerous job in the state is driving the prison buses. Little or no maintenance, old and worn out, more convicts have died riding in state operated buses than have been executed in recent years. Not a glamorous, get you on TV  issue, but one the legislators are elected to handle.

There are many, many,  more gritty problems and issues  impacting  our daily lives that require thoughtful study and long term solutions. In short, require work. We won’t get it this session as these clowns pose and posture; all the time building excuses for their lack of progress.

End of rant. If this applies to your state too, you have my condolences.

Fighting Against Gun Control Update

On 1/3/13 posted about a letter sent to my State Senator. Here is her reply. Not everything I had hoped for. Overall, believe it was worth the effort.

The Colorado Constitution has an even stronger 2nd Amendment. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

My name/address is blocked out to cut down on the amount of  unsolicited mail and visits by person or persons unknown.  I'm comforted by the knowledge the police are just minutes away!

Fighting Against Gun Control

So discouraged by the Lightbringer’s reelection, swore off politics. Then, Sandy Hook happened, and, once again, I am reminded why I keep involved.

The State senator from my district chairs the Appropriations Committee. I’ve always voted for her and contributed to her campaign. Don’t always agree with her politics, but have always found her to be fair minded. I think she and her husband are honest people. Certainly, their lifestyle (home, vehicles) isn’t extravagant. Honesty and integrity are more important, to me, than political ideology (plus her recent opponent is a piece of work).

Larry Correia (Monster Hunter Nation) wrote an fine piece on gun control.

http://larrycorreia.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/an-opinion-on-gun-control/

I copied all fourteen pages and sent it to my Senator with a brief cover letter asking her to take the time to read it. Since she knows me. I think she will read it. Will it do any good? I don’t know. Certainly, won’t do any harm.

School Shootings

Forwarded an email I received to several people. This is a return comment from a previous long term employer.

ya know, the only way to stop the attacks on schools is to arm every adult in the school system with a concealed weapon along with training of how to use it. The president of the U.S. trust the secret service because they are armed, we trust the police because they are armed. I bet obamas kids are being watched by adults who are armed.

Says it all; nothing for me to add. Thanks, Steve.

2nd Amendment

Taken off Facebook.