Sunday Music

Marshall Tucker Band "Long Hard Ride". Continue Reading

Test post.
From my phone. Continue Reading

Weekend Cigar Blogging

I've been scouring the city, checking the cigar shops, and have run across some interesting offerings.

I've also found that the Tinder Box stores are considerably higher than the Memphis Tobacco Bowl, which is downtown. That place is nice, lets you smoke there and has a good selection. To the Tinder Box's credit, they had a much wider selection, especially at the store down where the rich folks live. But two buck more per cigar? No thanks.

Saturday - CAO Maduro - This was one of the best smokes I've had. At first I thought it was CAO's "basic" offering, but I've found it called "L'Anniversaire", so I assume it's an anniversary thing. The second half of this smoke was delicious, on par with anything I've tried so far.

Sunday - Rocky Patel Spring Collection 2009 - This was another winner. A lot of different things going on. My palette isn't developed enough to describe it all, but I liked it.

Tuesday - CAO Brazilia - Yet another winner, this one I would put right between the two above, with the Maduro being first and the Spring being third. This is a maduro as well, a bit stronger than Saturday's smoke, complex, but didn't come on quite as well at the end.

Thursday - Rocky Patel Decade - It has notes mostly of cedar and maybe some nuttiness to it. It was a pleasant enough smoke, but just not my style.




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Argh

Looks like I'm OBE today. Hopefully get back later today.

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Best Use of a Venn Diagram, Ever

Les Jones has it.

I love sporks. They are the crowning achievement of civilization.

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Can't Resist, Must Fisk!

Today, in the Commercial Appeal, there's a story about guns that reports negatively about them.
[pause to let people catch their breath]

Yes, it's true, reporter Ryan Poe (the anti-Locker) gives us a report so one sided, you'd think absolutely nobody in the Memphis area thinks carrying a gun in a park is anything short of sheer lunacy. Here's the headline:

Tennessee gun bill could face both barrels at local level

First, we have quotes from that paragon of self-control, Janice Fullilove:

"You shouldn't be worried that if you step on someones toes that they'll pull out a gun and blow you away," said Memphis City Councilwoman Janis Fullilove. "Everyone has a right to bear arms, but come on... How far is too far?"

Newflash, sweetheart - people are already worried about being shot in Memphis. Toes or no toes, Memphis is a dangerous city. Has been for years, so why interfere with my ability to protect myself and my family?

"We have enough people out there whose behavior with guns is irresponsible without allowing handgun permit holders to carry in parks," she said.

There have been over 50 shootings in Memphis so far this year. How many of them have been from permit holders? Two? Granted, a permit isn't a magical talisman that prevents someone from being stupid, but it is an indicator of at least wanting to conform to the laws of the land.

The otherwise clear-thinking Shea Flinn supports banning guns from parks.

"If the problem is so immanent you need to take a gun to a park, you probably don't need to take your kids there," he said. "If you need a gun, you don't need to be there."

This statement tells me Mr. Flinn has no clue as to the mindset of handgun carriers. He thinks guns are only carried when danger is near, not as an everyday part of a person's wardrobe (that's not the right word, but I can't think of a better one just now).

Mr. Flinn, I carry a gun with me at all times, not just when I feel threatened. It's not that I'm paranoid, it's just that I believe in having the right tool for the job, and protecting me and mine from dog attacks, muggers, carjackers, etc. is a job I feel I can do best with a handgun.

I'm competent, trained, and careful. I'm not going to shoot a kid for pushing another kid off a swing. Chances are, I will run from danger if I can. I don't want to be a hero, nor do I secretly want to use my handgun. I just want to live to see another day.

There's more, but it's just more of the same.

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Anothergate

Yeah, I know adding -gate to any political scandal is lame, but I possess no original thought today, so I'll just post a quick round-up of something that caught my attention.

These car dealerships that are being closed? You know, by the automakers nationalized bailed out by the government? It looks like only those who supported or are otherwise associated with the Republican party are the ones on the chopping block:

The basic issue raised here is this: How do we account for the fact millions of dollars were contributed to GOP candidates by Chrysler who are being closed by the government, but only one has been found so far that is being closed that contributed to the Obama campaign in 2008?

And they'd have gotten away with it too, if not for those pesky bloggers!

Hat tip to Insty.

More from Firehand and Bruce.

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Blogroll Addition

Please welcome The Sniper to the Mighty Fine Blogroll. He's the guy who made this, which has to be one of the coolest motivational posters ever.

Besides, he makes beer.

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The Goode Family

Watched it. I thought they were trying too hard, and by doing so missed the mark, but it has potential.

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I Gotta Ask

Would North Korea be trying this shit if McCain and Palin were in office?

North Korea threatened a military response to South Korean participation in a U.S.-led program to seize weapons of mass destruction, and said it will no longer abide by the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War.

Emphasis mine.

Having been stationed there in the late 90's, I can tell you the term "pucker factor", which was already in play there, has just taken on added meaning.

Most scenarios I've seen involving a North Korean invasion play out much like it did the first time it happened. Look at 09/1950 to see how bad that could be.

Update: Anthony G. Martin has more, reminding us of a new wrinkle that wasn't present in the first go-round:

North Korea's rescinding of the cease-fire is tantamount to a renewal of the Korean War. And let's not forget that this time around, the North has nukes.

Would Mister Poofy Hair use them? No telling, but he is bat-shit crazy.

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What Possible Harm Could THIS Do?

TN HB2289 Gives Goverment Access to Private Medical Information

Of all the Orwellian nightmares people have suggested you be concerned about, it would be difficult to find one more universally despised than the idea one’s medical records are available to the state.

Yeah, that's a Bad Thing, methinks.

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SUPERAntiSpyware

Remember this little thing I posted on Malwarebytes? It attracted the attention of the folks who make SUPERAntiSpyware.

They said "Hey, check us out, too!", so I did.

After running my regular Antivirus (AVG), I ran Malwarebytes, and it turned up a lot of stuff AVG missed. That's why I posted on it.

Shortly after installing SUPERAntiSpyware, I ran the Malwarebytes again, got a couple things, then ran the new program.

It turned up 120 tracking cookies the others had missed. It also has a monitoring feature that Malwarebytes doesn't have.

So, it gets the Alehouse stamp of approval and goes into my security routine.

This blogging thing is fun, and I get turned on to new stuff. How cool is that?

Now, if only Ruger would send me a new SR 556 to review....

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Memorial Day

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Sunday Music

Before there was Bad Company, there was Mott the Hoople.



I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend.

Mott the Hoople, "Ready For Love/After Lights". Continue Reading

Thoughts and Prayers

To David Hardy, his family and friends.

Here's wishing you a speedy recovery, David.

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Weekend Cigar Blogging

Cigar report from throughout the week:

Saturday: Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Toro - Nice one, provided a big nicotine kick. Had burniing issues because it was kinda mushy - not tight like most cigars I've had.

Sunday - La Perla Habana Black Pearl Corona Gorda (?) - Ok, I'm gonna say it - the black pepper on the back of the throat thing? It's unpleasant and annoying.

Ghurka Vulcan Churchill - Really nice, although this one, too, was a bit mushy. Burned well, had to even it up once about halfway through, but all in all a nice smoke.

I don't understand why they were mushy like that. I admit, the humidity around here has been high, but the inside of the humidor hasn't been above 74%, usually 72%, and the others are still tight.

Tuesday - Alec Bradley Retreat Churchill - Didn't care much for it. I'm writing this two days after smoking it and can't recall a thing about it.

Thursday - A cheapie maduro called "Prima de Cuba". It was kinda lightweight, but had some interesting spice notes around the middle of the cigar. Not up on my spices, but allspice comes to mind. Different, interesting.


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The South, Where the 'Phobes are

I read this last night, and put it on the back burner 'till this morning, where I could look at it with a fresh pair of eyes. It is, in general a good account of Charter Arms and their plans to sell their Pink Lady in California (or not). This one line caught my eye:

Needless to say, I was shocked. This is the kind of attitude I might expect from some drunkard when visiting the South, but not from a representative speaking on behalf of a company at a national show for gun rights.

Yep, it still ticks me off.

Tam says it nicer than I could:

Careful that you don’t stereotype in a letter complaining about stereotyping, dude. ;)

Much nicer.

Update - Unc gets closer to something I'd say:

You’re upset because someone implied that folks in Cali are sissies. But it’s ok to call us dumb, cousin-humping rednecks bigots? Good to know.

Comments are a riot, too.

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Blogiversary

Not here.

Here.

Happy second, Squeeky.

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A Poll! Again!

The Commercial Appeal has yet another gun poll up, along with the story on park carry and a plethora of PSH in comments here.

At least it's Richard Locker doing the reporting, so the PSH is limited to the comments section.

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Linky

The next three days will have me spread thin, not sure what all I'll be able to post up, so here's some stuff:

JayG has a roundup of 2A Blog Bash stuff.

Wyatt says Tony Kornheiser Is An Ignorant Jackass. I couldn't agree more.

Turk has the best pictorial going: Hot car, pretty lady, and more electronic stuff than you can swing a geek at. Then, guns. Then, beer. Blog Bash? We don' need no steeeknin' Blog Bash!

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I Hate Poor Customer Service, Too

So I'll link AD's diatribe on Cycles and More.

On a related note, if you're ever in Millington and need your lawnmower repaired, don't go to Small Engine Repair on Navy road. It took them a week to put a tire on a rim for me. That was all they had to do. No repair, nothing but put the tire back on the rim.

A week.

Bastards.

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I Hate Countertop

Go here to see why.

Last thing I won was a purse, not a Beretta Silver Pigeon II .

Congrats!

I gave the purse to mah girl for Mother's Day. It didn't go with anything I had. Continue Reading

Sunday Music

Before there was Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, GWAR, Slipknot, etc., there was The Coop:



Of course, before there was Alice Cooper, there was Arthur Brown:



Yeah

Alice Cooper "Killer"; The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, "Fire". Continue Reading

Weekend Cigar Blogging

Well, alllrighty, then. While this will post up on Saturday morning, it is a work in progress throughout the week. It will, hopefully, be somewhat coherent by the date of posting.

Saturday - Ghurka Masterblender - Started off similar to a Rocky Patel 1990, but never blossomed into anything more. Kinda "steady as she goes" with this one. I'd smoke it again, but it could have been better.

Sunday - CAO Gold Maduro - Slow start because I can't light a cigar worth a shit yet, but after I evened it up, it was nice. Unlike SailorCurt, I like a little aftertaste. This one was good. Better than the MX2? To be determined....

Monday - Perdomo Habano Corojo Robusto - I think I can safely say I don't care for the Corojo. It's the second one from a good cigar maker that I didn't like.

Patargas Black Label - I picked this one up the other day at the Cigar shop in the Mall. Like LB said "Partagas Blacks are an excellent smoke, but will leave you quite light headed if you aren't prepared for it." Indeed, it was stout. The taste was great, but wow! That was a strong one, for sure. At least I now have something to work toward.

Lesson learned: if cigar goes out on you and you let it sit for a while, lighting it back up is not a Good Thing, unless you like the taste of ashtray.

Wednesday - Cohiba Lonsdale (?) - This is a nice smoke. Really even and mellow, nothing to detract from smoking it. The first non-maduro type I really liked. Pricey, though.

All in all, it was a good week

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Pelosigate

I don't have a lot to say about it, as anyone with the IQ of a slow loris knows just how full of shit she is.

I just wanted to coin the term.

Original, ain't I?

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Somewhere, Someone is Having Fun

A lot of someones, actually. The NRA convention is underway, and reports are rolling in. Here's the first few:

Snowflakes in Hell got to meet Heller.

Michale Bane says Hi and the new Ruger will debut in five hours.

Thirdpower has pics and got to meet the lovely & talented Rachel Parsons at check-in.

Kevin's at his bro's house. Must be nice. I can't wait till they have a convention in Memphis.

More as it comes in, at least until I am totally consumed by envy and drink myself into a stupor.

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Blogiversary

Not here.

Here.

Happy sixth to the Smallest Minority, the Bill Whittle of Gunbloggers.

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Mario Kart Wii

I'm hooked. I'm pretty good, too.

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One Lone Republican Votes No

So, my Senator, Lamar Alexander, voted against the guns in parks bill. the only Republican to do so. His reasoning?

this legislation goes too far - further than President Reagan, further than President Bush, and further than Tennessee law.

Ok, Mister Senator, but I have to ask: Does it go further than the US Constitution? Or, for that matter, the desires of your constituents ?

Looks like there's one vote Lamar won't be getting next time 'round.

Thanks to Instapundit for the pointer.

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Tennessee Taxation

Via email:

The General Assembly in Nashville has introduced two anti-affiliate bills, SB 1741 in the Senate and HB 1947 in the House. This legislation could force out-of-state merchants to shut down their affiliate programs.

What does that mean? It means taxes on your ads (emphasis mine):

I am a small business owner with a website, and I am in strong opposition to SB 1741, which would require retailers that advertise and receive direct or indirect referrals from advertising on websites, such as mine, to collect sales tax in Tennessee.

I am opposed to this bill because it would substantially harm my small business by reducing a large source of revenue that I depend on to survive. This revenue results from providing advertising on my website on behalf of out-of-state retailers.

Here's a link to the committee considering this:

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/committees/finance.html

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/committees/sub-budget.html

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Cheerios - The New Drug

FDA Blasts General Mills Over Cheerios Claim

Cereal Makers Scolded Because Claim Of Lowering Cholesterol 10 Percent In Month Makes It A "Drug"

You have gotta be shitting me. Doesn't anybody at the Food and Drug Administration know oats remove cholesterol naturally?

Next thing you know, General Mills will need a bail out and a new CEO....

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Time For the NRA to Break Tradition

... and rescind Kirsten Gillibrand's A rating immediately.

This is betrayal of the highest order.

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More Anti-Israel Shenanigans

Has Obama cut off information to Israel?

Unlike the Bush administration, the staff of President Obama is not coordinating its policy on Iran or the greater Middle East with Israel and has not been informing the Jewish state of its plans or recent diplomatic developments in the Mideast, according to sources in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

The silence extends to U.S. talks with the Palestinians, the sources said.

If this continues, the Obama legacy will consist of the destruction of Israel and little else.

Update: via JR we see Doubletapper has a post along the same lines as this one.

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VA Accepting Applications for Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Got this from a friend:

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today that Veterans can begin submitting applications on-line for the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

“There is no better investment than education,” said Tammy Duckworth, VA’s assistant secretary for public and intergovernmental affairs. “The Post-9/11 GI Bill will provide new opportunities that are essential to our Veterans, our workforce and our economy.”

Veterans, service members, reservists and National Guard members with active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, may be eligible for this benefit. Veterans will remain eligible for benefits for 15 years from the date of last discharge or release from a period of active duty of at least 90 continuous days.

Eligible applicants must have served for an aggregate period of at least 90 days since Sept. 10, 2001, or served at least 30 continuous days on active duty since Sept. 10, 2001, and received a discharge for disability.

Benefit payment rates range from 40 percent of the maximum benefit for an person with at least 90 days, but less than 6 months of aggregate service and up to 100 percent of the benefit for people with at least 36 months of aggregate service or 30 continuous days and a discharge due to a service connected disability. Prospective beneficiaries may apply on-line through the GI Bill Web site at http://www.gibill.va.gov/.

Qualified Veterans will receive a “Certification of Eligibility” as well as additional information regarding benefits they may qualify for under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which will become effective on Aug. 1, 2009.

The Post-9/11 GI Bill, passed by Congress last year, is the most extensive educational assistance program authorized since the original GI Bill was signed into law in 1944. It provides eligible applicants with tuition payments to assist them in getting a college education. For many participants, it also provides a housing allowance and a stipend for books and supplies.

Information about the new program and VA’s other educational benefits can be obtained through www.GIBILL.VA.gov or by calling 1-888-GIBILL1 (1-888-442-4551).

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Sunday Music

"Spanish Bombs" - The Clash. Continue Reading

Happy Mothers Day

I wonder what this loving mommy got for Mothers Day?



NSFW Language. Turn your sound down if you have sensitive listeners around.

"Ok, can you put the hammer down?". Continue Reading

Weekend Cigar Blogging

Well, the stash II arrived. Actually, it's from two seperate orders. The first was a sampler from Thompson. It contained:

CAO Italia Robusto
CAO Gold Maduro Torpedo
Ghurka Vulcan Churchill
Ghurka Masterblender Churchill
Perdomo Habano Corojo Robusto
Black Pearl Corona Gorda (?)
Cohiba Lonsdale (?)
Alec Bradley Retreat Churchill
Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Churchill
Rocky Patel Olde World Reserve Toro

I'm not 100% sure on all the sizes, me being a rookie and all.

The second order was from the Famous Smoke Shop. It was five Conuco Maduro robustos.

I'm letting them hang out in the humidor for a while, as I've heard FSS smokes come on the dry side.

So, here's the CAO Italia. It's a bit strong for my taste, and I'm getting pepper on the back of the throat about 1/3 of the way in. Just because I can, I opened a Liefmans Goudenband Flemish Brown Ale to accompany it. Yeah, I know I'll be gouty this weekend, but I have to get rid of that fridge full of beer somehow.

The sour notes of the beer offsets the cigar nicely. This one's going down to the finish.

A couple of quick notes on the previous stash - a couple Rocky Patel offerings.

The Sun Grown is a nicotine bomb. I literally caught a buzz off of it. The 1992 was good, but I really liked the 1990 better.

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Second Amendment Blog Bash

This is the obligatory "I'm not going" post. I really wish I could, but not this year.

If you're a blogger, or a reader of gun blogs, find these people and say hi to them. They're a good group.

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Two Things Close to my Heart

Just so you know, I wrote tomorrows Cigar Blogging before watching this:

Beer and Cigars

Although they had interesting pairings, I would have liked a bit more diversity in their beer selections. Three of the four were hop-heavy beers. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it would have been nice to see a Russian Imperial Stout or Barleywine there as well. Maybe some Belgian offerings. Like a Liefmans Goudenband or something....

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Squeaky Lets Loose

Not much to say, go read it for yourself. Ok, maybe a little peek:

Read the whole thing before you say something ignorant like that, J***, or else you’re NO BETTER than the gay-bashers. I’m serious.

You go, girl.

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VE Day

What more can I say?

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Quote of the Day

From WizardPC in an email to Unc:

Rep Cobb states that he is not in favor of the bill, but has gotten so many calls from constiuents that he is “voting the will of the people over my personal will.” As it should be.

A politician who knows what "Representative" means. Wow.

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Israel and the Underside of the Bus Grow Ever Closer

I don't think Mr. Netanyahu is going to like the answer he gets:

President Obama's efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons threaten to expose and derail a 40-year-old secret U.S. agreement to shield Israel's nuclear weapons from international scrutiny,

...

Mr. Netanyahu is expected to seek assurances from Mr. Obama that he will uphold the U.S. commitment and will not trade Israeli nuclear concessions for Iranian ones.

I wouldn't hold my breath if I were, you, mister Prime Minister.

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Bigtime Want

Gotta get me one of these:



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Cinco de Quatro?

It wasn't a gaffe. It was our President's recognition of the band Genesis, who got the inspiration for this song yesterday!



Yeah, that's the ticket.

"Fifth of Firth", Genesis. That's a pretty good job by Phil "I still have hair" Collins, too. Continue Reading

Jeff Woods Poops His Pants...

... after SayUncle catches him pooping his pants:

Update: SayUncle, an anonymous tough guy, takes a potshot at your correspondent: "As an added bonus, Jeff Woods poos his pretty bloomers, invokes wild west imagery."

Anonymous tough guy? Ya see, Jeff, there's a difference between being anonymous and using a nom de plume - people who use pen names use them consistently. You always know who it is when they comment on the web.

I guess you have to use what you've got, when your only arguments consist of baseless hysteria.

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Bleg

Anybody know a way I can post a PDF here in Blogger?

Sorry for no posting, busy today

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Just So You KNow

Yesterdays song "Burn" following Saturday's post on cigars was not intentional

That may change in the future....

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Sunday Music

Deep Purple, "Burn". Continue Reading

Weekend Cigar Blogging

Passed a milestone and learned a lesson this week -

Milestone? I got my first plugged cigar. A plugged cigar is one that, for whatever reason, won't draw properly. This one happened to be a CAO MX2, recommended to me by Sailorcurt. I'd pull and pull, get a decent puff, then it would all but go out. Bummer.

Lesson? Keep you receipt when you buy cigars. Most local shops will reimburse you for a plugged cigar, but not without the receipt. Bummer.

What else was in the mix this week?

CAO CX2 - Not my type. This I would call a "peppery" cigar. Lots of folks like it, but I guess it's an acquired taste. It also had some problems staying lit about halfway through, but it passed.

Alcazar #4 - These are more affordable smokes, a maduro for two bucks. It was OK, a good smoker, but unremarkable. I guess I'd buy them if I had a big time cigar habit, but one a day would be max for me. Once I settle, it'll probably be less than that. Quality over quantity, ya know.

Right now I'm having a Gurkha Ancient Warrior. The draw is excellent, taste is good. Doesn't knock my socks off like the Patel 1990 did, but I wouldn't turn one down.

Something else I'm thinking - I'm thinking the Churchill style might be more to my liking. More time for the cigar to develop. The shorter ones just seem to get going when it's time to let them go out.

I have two Rocky Patels from the original stash left, the Sungrown and the Vintage 1992. I'm saving the 1992. The Sungrown will go later this weekend.

There's another batch on the way, also from Thompson cigar. Let's call it the stash II. A whole new set, let's see what happens. Hey, a hundred bucks worth of cigars for $29.95, and, with my $20 gift card, I got the whole thing, with shipping, for $14.90. I can live with that.

Reports, of course, will follow.

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Pervert Clergy in Memphis

Ya know, if he were a Catholic priest, it would be national news. But, he's not, so a local story it will remain:

A former Cordova church pastor pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges he sexually abused two teenage boys, including one with whom he fostered a five-year affair.

State pen, general population, let justice be done. Right? Wrong:

Steven C. Haney, 48, who headed Walnut Grove Baptist Church for some 20 years, was placed on probation for eight years and will be added to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.

The story says the victims families agreed to the plea deal, and I can understand wanting to get it all over with.

But, of all criminal groups, child molesters have one of the highest rates of recidivism.

Bad call.

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