Rustmeister's Alehouse

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T22:19:00.002-06:00

Watching CSI

2011-12-07T21:28:00.001-06:00

They're calling the FN P90 a "super gun " and the ammo isn't available in the States.

Some things never change.

OMG it's so powerful it can " zipper" a guy, meaning it can cut you in HALF! OMG!!!1!

Good lord....

Why is it...

2011-11-06T10:31:00.000-06:00

... that when people talk about Tim Tebow's NFL career, they say "All he does in win" when in fact, he doesn't have a winning record?

Tim, put your pride on hold and go play a position you can excel in, because QB ain't it.

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Titan Thoughts

2011-10-30T13:09:00.001-05:00

APOLOGIES for the lack of posting, I have an explanatory post in mind for the near future. Short version is I rarely get on a real computer these days.

Anyhow, my Jekyll and Hyde Titans are trying real hard to get their stuff together, but so far, no good.

On defense, it's simple: we can't stop the run. All our problems stem from that. Our secondary has to worry about the run so much, they get burned on passing plays.

Of course, teams run against us so much because we're not scoring points. They don't have to pass.

So the queztion is, why aren't we scoring points when our veteran QB is having his best start ever and our 2000 yard running back is healthy?

1. Coaching. I don' t think the team has completely bought in to the new regime.

2. No good wide receivers. Our only good one is hurt. The Titan WR curse is alive and well.

3. I really think Chris Johnson has pissed off the O line. Why else can Ringer break off long runs and Johnson can't?

At any rate, we should be able to win today, as the Colts "suck for Luck".

9-11-11

2011-09-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

109 Minutes

By Brad Todd
Guest column
(Sept. 16, 2001)

It's been, of course, impossible to get past IT.

Even in a country with the attention span of a gnat, we're all still glued to the tube. The 24-hour news channels have heretofore proven they can make anything boring in short order, but this one drips with emotion so thick even they can't wring it dry.

Yep. We're as stuck on it as we were Tuesday morning.

Grocery store checkout banter is still single-subject. I understand it's the only topic at the manicurist's shop, too. I think even children sense how big IT is. The ones who walk by my front door don't have their normal sing-song cadence. There's no screeching. No laughter. They know something's not right.

What is IT?

Something besides the grief, I think -- although the grief is tormenting.

Something deeper than the shock -- although the shock is overwhelming.

No, I think it's the gut-level fear that for the first time in my generation, we were whipped.

Whipped by our own complacency. Our own comfort. Our own insistence on putting convenience ahead of precaution. Our own arrogance that let us forget that the world is a dangerous place.

And the outcropping of that fear is an angst about the new order. How long before we're not behind again? How much time must we spend off the top of the world? Out of control of our own lives?

This, of course, is the angst that people in most of the rest of the world feel every day. And if we look deep inside, we can probably acknowledge that for all our egalitarian pontifications, this is not the kind of equality and fraternal kinship in which we really believe.

I finally admitted this fear to myself three days after the attack. I wasn't particularly proud of it. It seemed like a shallow thing to fret over when such real suffering was all around me -- my house sits just three miles from the Pentagon, after all.

But there it was.

And the aftertaste of the bitter pill of my character flaw was the sad realization that such angst was Osama's primary objective. Buildings and airplanes and, yes, even 6,000 lives, were just the collateral damage. Despite the metaphoric value of last week's bricks and mortar targets, the real core of the Western economy isn't a skyscraper or a government building. It's the can-do swagger of the American worker. And bin Laden's soldiers cut deep into that swagger.

So he won.

Or did he?

I thought so ... until Friday night.

Friday night I watched a Jane Pauley interview with the family of Jeremy Glick. Jeremy Glick was a 31-year-old who flew as a passenger on commercial airplanes for a living. I describe him that way because right now I'm fairly convinced I'm just a 31 year old who flies planes as a passenger for a living...the other parts of my job having become less noticeable this week.

As the interview unfolded, I realized something I didn't know before: Jeremy Glick and the people on United Flight 93, bound from Newark to San Francisco, knew what was happening on the ground.

At 8:48 a.m. Mohammed Atta took a jet headlong into the north tower of the World Trade Center. Eighteen minutes later and accomplice did the same to the south tower.

When Jeremy Glick called his wife, his first question was an attempt to confirm something another passenger had heard on his spousal call: was the World Trade Center story true?

Lizzy Glick paused, thought for a minute, swallowed hard, and told him the truth. Yes, they had. Moments later, still on the line with her husband, Lizzy Glick saw that another plane had run into the Pentagon. She passed that information on as well to her husband, who relayed it to the other passengers.

Jeremy Glick then told her that the passengers were about to take a vote and decide if they should rush the hijackers and attempt to foul up whatever evil plans they had.

He put down the phone and a commotion was heard by those on the other end of the line. Then nothing. A dead line. An aborted missile launch against the town where I live.

That was 10:37 a.m. on Tuesday, September 11... just 109 minutes after Mohammed Atta rammed the first plane into the north tower of the World Trade Center.

Just 109 minutes after a new form of terrorism -- the most deadly yet invented -- came into use, it was rendered, if not obsolete, at least decidedly less effective.

Deconstructed, unengineered, thwarted, and put into the dust bin of history. By Americans. In 109 minutes.

And in retrospect, they did it in the most American of ways. They used a credit card to rent a fancy cell phone to get information just minutes old, courtesy of the ubiquitous 24-hour news phenomenon. Then they took a vote. When the vote called for sacrifice to protect country and others, there apparently wasn't a shortage of volunteers. Their action was swift. It was decisive. And it was effective.

United Flight 93 did not hit a building. It did not kill anyone on the ground. It did not terrorize a city, despite the best drawn plans of the world's most innovative madmen. Why? Because it had informed Americans on board who'd had 109 minutes to come up with a counteraction.

And the next time a hijacker full of hate pulls the same stunt with a single knife, he'll get the same treatment and meet the same result as those on United Flight 93. Dead, yes. Murderous, yes. But successful? No.

So I think the answer I come to is "yes, but at least not for long."

They did whip us. And maybe those of us who've demanded to be let on airplanes at the last minute fed a culture of convenience that made it possible.

But they only had us on the mat for 109 minutes.

Brad Todd is a political consultant who lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Never, ever forget..

Common Usage

2011-09-05T20:47:00.001-05:00

Watching "Bulletproof" on AMC, and they're doing the notes thing during the movie.

So, the "prop note" said "He's using a suppressed Beretta 92. Suppressed simply means it has a silencer."

LOL

CMP Update

2011-09-03T13:46:00.000-05:00

via email:

CMP SCRAP AUCTION. The CMP has accumulated quantities of several types of scrap materials. For various reasons these materials are not practical to sell individually and will be sold in “lots”, each of which will contain a quantity of similar items. For more details, please see the CMP Scrap Auction webpage at http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/scrap.htm.

CMP SALES AT THE WESTERN CMP GAMES. The CMP South staff from Anniston, Alabama will be at the Western CMP Games in Phoenix, Arizona, with a supply of government surplus of M1 Garand rifles. These rifles will be on display Saturday, 15 October through Tuesday, 18 October. Anyone may inspect these rifles and select one or more to purchase from the CMP regardless of whether they are entered in the competition. Individuals interested in purchasing rifles who are not firing in the match are welcome to come to Ben Avery Shooting Facility during the daily rifle sales. Case lots of .30-06 M2 ball ammunition will also be available for purchase at the range.

A short one this time around.

CJ Gets Paid

2011-09-01T12:27:00.001-05:00

Holdout running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans agreed to a four-year, $53 million extension with $30 million guaranteed on Thursday, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

About time.

Now, I'm ready for some football!.

Headline of the Day

2011-09-01T12:02:00.001-05:00

Entire Town Powerless After Pissed-Off Old Man Shoots Transformer

Now, THAT'S journalism!

No, it wasn't me.

Good News

2011-08-30T15:34:00.000-05:00

CNN is reporting that Kenneth Melson has lost his ~~job~~ position as "head" of the ATF:

Kenneth Melson, the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who came under criticism for the "Fast and Furious" operation involving illegal weapons sales, is being reassigned to the Justice Department as a senior adviser on forensic issues, the department announced Tuesday.

This is good news on many fronts: someone who needed to lose his position has, the ATF has more egg on its' face, CNN is reporting on it, and I put up a gun post!

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A Boy Named Suh

2011-08-28T10:20:00.000-05:00

Brady sacked five times, but not by Suh:

Officially, Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh did not register a sack on Tom Brady in Saturday's 34-10 exhibition victory over New England at Ford Field.

Unofficially, Suh and the Lions' defense harassed the bejesus out of Brady.

This is another great line:

I'm mostly amused that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh's national reputation has already elevated to the hide-the-women-and-children level.

Roffle.

Having been born in Detroit, I've been a closet Lions fan forever. Even when Barry Sanders was playing for them, I never thought they'd go all the way. Now? Yes, I can dare to dream.

You Gotta be Kidding Me

2011-08-26T13:04:00.001-05:00

So, the Gibson guitar factories here in TN got themselves raided the other day. Why?

According to Gibson:

“The Federal Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. has suggested that the use of wood from India that is not finished by Indian workers is illegal, not because of U.S. law, but because it is the Justice Department’s interpretation of a law in India. (If the same wood from the same tree was finished by Indian workers, the material would be legal.) This action was taken without the support and consent of the government in India.”

Remember that, gun lovers. Our government will raid you if you violate the law of another country.

Not good.

Thanks to Instapundit for the pointer, and for the link yesterday. I really should blog more.
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Blogging from Droid

2011-08-20T20:42:00.001-05:00

I'm a doing it.

West Memphis Three Going Free?

2011-08-19T07:38:00.000-05:00

Looks that way.

I wasn't here for this, so all I know is what I've heard from Johnny Depp and the Dixie Chicks.

And, in my opinion, it wasn't much.

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Unicorns Don't Fart Rainbows

2011-08-04T06:16:00.000-05:00

They fart tax dollars.

They must, because I don't have any more to give, and it has to come from somewhere.

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Military Commissaries to Lose Funding?

2011-07-15T13:05:00.000-05:00

Via MOAA:

Among the bills approved by the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee this week was the “Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act of 2011” (S. 277), sponsored by Sen. Burr (R-NC), the senior Republican on the Committee. The bill would authorize VA health care for former military family members and veterans and certain family members stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987, when the water at the base is acknowledged to have been contaminated with carcinogens.

MOAA indicated its support for the bill and other pending measures in a letter to Committee Chair Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Sen. Burr.

But that was before the committee voted unanimously, without notice or hearing, to fund the care by eliminating the federal subsidy for military commissaries and directing consolidation of all DoD commissaries and exchanges.

Emphasis mine.

They do go on to say the VA has no authority to do anything of the sort, but it just goes to show you what they think of us.
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Sunday Music!

2011-07-10T09:47:00.000-05:00

Good stuff here:

MonkeyJunk - "Mother's Crying".

Another Opinel Fan Here

2011-06-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

After reading Les' post, I was on Amazon getting something for the house (a refrigerator lock, if you must know) and figured what the hell, it's only twelve bucks, so I bought the Number 8 Carbon as well.

Les has gone over much of the knife's attributes, so I'll just add a few things.

First, in addition to being very light, the metal locking collar causes the knife to ride hinge-down in your pocket almost without fail, which I like.

In addition to being wicked sharp, it's wicked sharp. I barely grazed it with my thumb, and it gave me what amounted to a paper cut. I've gotten out of the habit of shaving my arm hair with a knife to check sharpness, but I bet this one would take a thin layer of skin if not used carefully.

Finally, the No. 8 is a tad long for what I like in a pocket knife, so I might pick up a No 6 next time.

All in all, it was a quality find for 12 bucks.

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Civil War Averted

2011-06-28T21:21:00.000-05:00

via email from Cousin McNasty:

President Barack Obama was in the Oval Office when his telephone rang:

"Hello, President Obama” a heavily accented southern voice said. "This is Archie, down here at Joe's Catfish Shack, in Mobile , and I am callin' to tell ya’ll that we are officially declaring war on y'all!"

"Well Archie," Barack replied, "This is indeed important news! How big is your army?"

"Right now," said Archie, after a moments calculation "there is myself, my cousin Harold, my next-door-neighbor Randy, and the whole dart team from Hooters. That makes eight!"

Barack paused. "I must tell you Archie that I have one million men in my army waiting to move on my command."

"Wow," said Archie. "I'll have to call ya back!"

Sure enough, the next day, Archie called again. “Mr. Obama, the war is still on! We have managed to acquire some infantry equipment!"

"And what equipment would that be Archie?" Barack asked

"Well sir, we have two combines, a bulldozer, and Harry’s farm tractor."

President Obama sighed. "I must tell you Archie, that I have 16,000 tanks and 14,000 armored personnel carriers. Also I've increased my army to one and a half million since we last spoke."

"Lord above", said Archie, "I'll be getting back to ya."

Sure enough, Archie called again the next day. “President Obama! I am sorry to have to tell you that we have had to call off this here war."

"I'm sorry to hear that" said Barack. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

Well, sir," said Archie, "we've all sat ourselves down and had a long chat over sweet tea, and come to realize that there's just no way we can feed that many prisoners."

whew, that was close
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RIP

2011-06-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

Clarence Anicholas Clemons, Jr.

(January 11, 1942 – June 18, 2011)

So, We Need Two?

2011-06-19T18:38:00.000-05:00

Saw a guy today wearing a T-shirt with "CBP Federal Agent" on it. I halfway thought he was a poser, because everybody knows ICE is the new name for Customs, right?

Well, so is CBP.

So, tell me again why we need to raise taxes? Oh, to support two agencies doing the same job, that's why. Don't even get me started on the FDA - USDA thing and the DEA - ATF - FBI - US Marshals* and God knows how many more thing.

* I would add the Treasury, Secret Service, Dept of Education and all the others, but it's Father's Day and I have more important things to do, like mix a Gin n Tonic..

Not the Father's Day Gift I had Hoped For

2011-06-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

My coffee maker crapped out.

Dammit.

Hope everybody has a happy Father's Day!

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Why Pay to Have Nitrogen Put in Your Car Tires?

2011-06-13T05:09:00.001-05:00

When the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen anyway?

Just askin'.

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113 Swastikas

2011-06-12T18:30:00.000-05:00

That's how many I counted today, when I was out for lunch.

Despite being both Catholic and in an interracial marriage, I wasn't concerned. Anyone want to guess why?

Hint: The answer has nothing to do with firearms or weapons in general.

CMP Update

2011-06-10T20:28:00.000-05:00

via eamil:

CMP STORE SCHEDULES FOR 2011: Operating hours for the remainder of 2011 are now posted on the web pages for the CMP North store at Camp Perry, OH and the CMP South store in Anniston, AL. Please see http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/stores.htm.

NEW MANUFACTURE CRITERION BARRELS: We now have the following new manufacture replacement barrels in stock and available for purchase: M1 Garand .30-06; M1 Garand .308; M1 Carbine; M1903; M1903A3; M1917; Krag .30-40 Carbine; Krag .30-40 rifle. For pricing and to place an order, please see https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=catalogList&cat=BAR.

STOCK SETS NOW AVAILABLE: We now have the following new manufacture stock sets in stock and available for purchase, while quantities last: CMP item number 084 – M1 Garand unfinished walnut sock set with no metal; CMP item number 086 – M1903 “C” stock set; CMP item number 087 – M1903A3 “C” stock set; CMP item number 088 – M1903 “S” stock set; CMP item number 082 – M1 Garand walnut stock set with no metal (wood finished); CMP item number 082M – M1 Garand stock set with metal (wood finished). CMP item number 083M – M1 Carbine stock set with metal (wood finished). For pricing and ordering, please see https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=catalogList&cat=PAC.

WEB SLINGS BACK IN STOCK: We have received a new shipment of new manufacture web slings for the M1 Garand. CMP item number is 854WEB. Price is $7.95 each. Please see https://estore.odcmp.com/store/catalog/catalog.aspx?pg=catalogList&cat=EQA.

M1D SNIPER RIFLES: We have completed inspection and grading of the remaining M1D sniper rifles and now have both Field Grade (RM1DF @ $1200) and Rack Grade (RM1DR @ $900) available for purchase. See http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/rifles.htm for more details.

REMINGTON MODEL 40X AND WINCHESTER MODEL 52: CMP has completed the inspection and sorting of all the model 40X and model 52 rifles we accumulated over the past two years. Please see http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/rifles.htm for description and pricing of available options. Quantity is relatively small and we expect these will sell quickly. Orders will be processed in sequence received while quantities last. There is no reason for us to expect to receive any more of these rifles.

CARBINE BAYONETS: We now have M4 carbine bayonets available for purchase. These bayonets are used and in fair to good condition. Many are unmarked and of unknown manufacture and are probably foreign manufacture. For more detailed description and pricing, please see http://www.thecmp.org/Sales/relatedsales.htm (Accessories Tab).

CMP AUCTION PROGRAM: Brian Vick, the CMP Auction Coordinator, is relocating to accept a position at another company. We wish him well. As part of transitioning to improved auction software and a new coordinator, we will not be adding any new items to the auction site for a few weeks, until all current items are sold and shipped to successful bidders. Visit the CMP Auction Site at http://auction.odcmp.com/auctions/index.asp.

Updated Gun Giveaways

2011-06-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

Over at The Weapon Blog, Aaron has a roundup of contests. Win guns, knives, the Constitution, NRA memberships, etc.

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News To Me

2011-06-05T07:19:00.000-05:00

The Army and Air Force Exchange System is now selling guns. Back in my day, the MWR Rod and Gun did all the gun sales, now it's hit the big store.

My Binging (doesn't have the same ring as "Googling", does it?) tells me that if I had ever dropped by a gun forum I'd have known this, but none of them ever wanted to accept my handle, so I didn't bother. Besides, Forums (Fora?) can get silly, and there's enough silliness ion my life already, don't need to voluntarily add more.

Also, I have to think me settling close to a Navy base had something to do with it. No guns allowed there, whatsoever. They even shut down their postage-stamp range a few years back.

Ah well, nice to see progress. Might have to pop over to Ft Campbell and see what they have.

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OMG Sarah Palin is SO St00pid!

2011-06-04T11:34:00.001-05:00

She's gone and done it again, made all those thoughtful progressives pee themselves.

See, in a recent news bit, she mentioned how Paul Revere warned the British that the Americans were preparing for war on his famous ride. Those learned liberals (as well as conservative Palin haters), whose whole frame of reference on the issue is a poem, jumped on it as yet another example of how st00pid she is*.

However, just like the Great Boston Tea Party Incident**, she was right. I wonder, does she do it on purpose? I would

Here's a round up of the hyperventilation.

* Of course, calling people st00pid is what they do. Even a Harvard MBA is st00pid if he doesn't think the way he should.

** I don't really put this on the same level, but close enough. Besides, it's the reaction that's fun to watch.

I really gotta get me another laptop. Lots of good stuff out there these days.

An Impending Sense of Doom

2011-05-31T21:05:00.000-05:00

X Men: First Class is not only going to screw up the origin story, but ruin the franchise altogether

Thankfully, the term "reboot" is now an accepted form of salvation for dicked up movie franchises.
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Bailing on the Blogger Shoot

2011-05-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

I planned to go, made all the arrangements, then bam, life pops up and says "Not so fast!"

I'll be traveling this weekend, but to a hospital in Mississippi, not the blogger shoot.

Next year, dangit!

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Here's to us!

2011-05-21T17:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Armed Forces Day!

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So, Which Time Zone Is It?

2011-05-21T17:42:00.000-05:00

I mean, Judgement Day is upon us, right? Once it goes past midnight on the east coast, are they left out? I mean, if the Rapture comes at 11:30 PM in Denver, half the country is scrooed.

Of course, there's another way to look at it:

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them." Matthew 7:15

That's more likely, I think.

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Camo Done Right

2011-05-16T19:01:00.000-05:00

via email

There's been a time or two I could have used that.

New Song (to me)

2011-05-14T10:23:00.000-05:00

Heard this on the radio a couple days ago. Thought it might have been Nickleback, till I heard the word "sublimation" in the lyrics.

Seether - "Country Song".

Going to the Royal Wedding?

2011-04-27T22:04:00.000-05:00

No beer for you!

There won't be any beer. Let's face it, it isn't really an appropriate drink to be serving in the Queen's presence at such an occasion

This guy has a good bit to say about it:

In part this just shows up the royal family as the overprivileged and out of touch twits we already know them to be. But it also shows up the populist impression of the relative worth of different drinks. Despite all the progress we've accomplished in beer look more interesting, classy and worthy of serious gastronomic consideration, the mainstream image is still that it is boorish and not to be taken seriously.

This is more to the point:

£1 of every pint sold in the UK consists of duty and VAT, which goes to the public purse, which is in turn paying for the event, the contempt shown by the royals towards their subjects, their economy, and the icons and traditions of their kingdom, is sickening.

So, a beer drinker's money is fine for the royals, but the beer itself? Not so much.

Thanks to Lew for the pointer.

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Threat Levels, European Style

2011-04-24T20:40:00.000-05:00

via email:

ALERTS TO THREATS IN 2011 EUROPE BY JOHN CLEESE

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Libya and have therefore raised their security level from "Miffed" to "Peeved." Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to "Irritated" or even "A Bit Cross." The English have not been "A Bit Cross" since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from "Tiresome" to "A Bloody Nuisance." The last time the British issued a "Bloody Nuisance" warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada.

The Scots have raised their threat level from "Pissed Off" to "Let's get the Bastards." They don't have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years.

The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from "Run" to "Hide." The only two higher levels in France are "Collaborate" and "Surrender." The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France's white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country's military capability.

Italy has increased the alert level from "Shout Loudly and Excitedly" to "Elaborate Military Posturing." Two more levels remain: "Ineffective Combat Operations" and "Change Sides."

The Germans have increased their alert state from "Disdainful Arrogance" to "Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs." They also have two higher levels: "Invade a Neighbor" and "Lose."

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from "No worries" to "She'll be alright, Mate." Two more escalation levels remain: "Crikey! I think we'll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!" and "The barbie is cancelled." So far no situation has ever warranted use of the final escalation level.

-- John Cleese - British writer, actor and tall person

No idea if this was actually written by Cleese or not, but it's funny.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T09:20:00.000-05:00

Mister Mister - "Kyrie".

Quote of the Day

2011-04-23T10:45:00.000-05:00

From QOTD machine Tam:

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Complaining about rising prices is like standing on the deck of the Titanic and yelling that the sea level is rising.

It's all about perspective.
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Congrats to the Grizzlies

2011-04-17T21:01:00.000-05:00

For winning their first playoff game ever.

Not a big basketball fan, but it's always nice to see the home team win..

RIP Bob Howard

2011-04-10T15:20:00.000-05:00

Found via Facebook:

Most Heavily Decorated Soldier

Watch this film about Bob Howard who was nominated for the Medal of Honor 3 times. You can only receive it once in a lifetime. He was not a simple man. He had two masters degrees, but he also served us all for 50 years in the uniform of the U.S. Army. Rest in Peace, Bob Howard.

Individual Awards:

	Medal of Honor
	Distinguished Service Cross (with one oak leaf cluster) (2 awards)
	Silver Star
	Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf clusters) (4 awards)
	Bronze Star (with three oak leaf clusters and "V" device) (4 awards)
	Purple Heart (with a silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters) (8 awards)
	Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters) (3 awards)
	Air Medal (with "V" Device and numeral 3. One award for heroism and two for aerial achievement)
	Joint Service Commendation
	Army Commendation Medal (with "V" device and one each silver and bronze oak leaf clusters. 4 awards for valor and 3 for achievement)
	Joint Service Achievement
	Army Achievement

Unit Citations:

Presidential Unit Citation (Army) with oak leaf cluster (2 awards)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army)
Navy Unit Commendation
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation with Palm (Unit citation)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation with Palm (Unit citation)

Foreign decorations:

Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star (Corps citation), Silver Star (Division citation) and Bronze Star (Regiment/Brigade citation)
Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal, 1st Class
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal, 1st Class
Republic of Vietnam Wound Medal
Republic of Vietnam Staff Service Medal, 2nd Class
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 bar
Republic of Korea Order of National Security Merit (Sam-Il Medal)

Badges and Tabs

Ranger Tab
Special Forces Tab
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Aircrew Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Pathfinder Badge
Air Assault Badge
Expert Marksmanship Badge
Vietnamese Ranger Badge
Vietnamese Master Parachute Badge
Thai Master Parachute Wings
Korean Master Parachute Badge
Thai Balloonist Badge
French Parachutist Badge

Any time I get to thinking I'm some sort of bad-ass, I'll come here for a reality check.

(Thanks to Wikipedia for the lists)
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New TN Gun Law

2011-04-08T20:26:00.000-05:00

A recent update from the NRA:

Tennessee: Pro-Gun Bill Signed into Law by Governor Haslam

On March 31, Governor Bill Haslam signed Senate Bill 519 into law. SB 519, which took immediate effect, recognizes that any employer permitting a person to legally carry a firearm on the employer's property does not constitute an “occupational safety and health hazard” to the employees. SB 519, sponsored by state Senator Mike Bell (R-9), passed in the Senate by a 30 to 1 vote. House Bill 283 is the companion bill to SB 519, sponsored by state Representative Vance Dennis (R-71), that passed in the House by an 82 to 8 vote.

The recognition of Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards by the General Assembly in SB 519 and HB 283 should serve as a stepping stone toward the passage of parking lot/worker protection legislation that would allow gun owners to lawfully store firearms in their privately-owned and locked vehicle while parked in publicly accessible parking lots controlled by their employer or a business that they frequent. Employees should not be forced to choose between being fired from their job or sacrificing their right to self-defense on their daily commute.

Sweet
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Mission Creep

2011-04-06T21:35:00.000-05:00

I noticed the other day, via Conservative Scalawag, that the government is trying to seize 7 million bucks worth of silver from a guy.

While the story is interesting in its' own right, this caught my eye:

That's partly why von NotHaus' group has been followed for years by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a group that tracks political extremism.

I know a bit about the SPLC, and I'd say that's a generalization at best. More like a mischaracterization.

Their agenda isn't about political extremism in a broad sense. They have a very narrow focus. It used to be strictly about white on black violence. Now they run the (narrow) gamut.

Let's just say groups like ELF aren't listed on their "hate map" (no link for them, screw 'em) I also find it funny how the racist groups are sanitized by using terms like "White Nationalist" and "Black Separatist" while others get more specific names like "Anti-Immigrant". The best one, by far, is "General Hate".

I've worked for a few Generals in my time, never has one been bad enough to form a hate group over.

The SPLC is in the same boat as affirmative action and trade unions - no longer needed, but still fighting to stay relevant.

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(;,,,;)

2011-04-02T11:02:00.000-05:00

Don't you judge me!

Calls for Cthulhu, #10.

Beer Blogging

2011-03-30T21:27:00.000-05:00

Long day at work today, and I felt I deserved an after dinner libation from out of the beer fridge, so I poked around and came out with an old bottle of Stoudt's Fat Dog Stout.

It weighs in at 9% ABV, and it's been in the fridge for 'bout six years now. I was hoping it had aged well, but this particular bottle didn't. No hiss when I opened it, little to no head, an aggressive bite of chocolate malt up front and a lactic aftertaste all told me I had waited about two years too long on this one. Shame on me, this was a good beer when I first bought it.

Not about to give up, I went to something lighter and fresher, New Belgium's Fat Tire. If you've never had this brew, you owe it to yourself to give it a try. Bread in a bottle, balanced by the right amount of hops. If you ever need a beer to turn somebody on to craft brew with, this would be on the short list.

Now, pardon me while I enjoy my beer.

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You ever notice?

2011-03-26T12:22:00.000-05:00

On TV - cop shows, commercials, etc., are more likely to have a character with a British/Aussie accent than one with a Southern accent?

It's almost like there's stereotyping going on.

And, if you REALLY want to see some stereotyping, watch the Cold Case episode "The Red and the Blue", where the crew travels to Tennessee on a case. Lots of references to boots and belt buckles to start off, then the stereotypes come flying in:

The Nashville Police Chief is called "Big Daddy", and, at one point, a girl says to her boyfriend "I know I can't offer what a city girl has to offer" (I almost spit my been on that one)

Lots more, but you get the picture.

I never really liked that show in the first place, too "look how bad we were then, and how enlightened we are now", but that was the episode that pushed me over the edge.

CMP Update

2011-03-24T21:38:00.000-05:00

Via email:

LATEST CMP SALES NEWS:

M1C SNIPER RIFLES NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. RM1CSB - Service grade - receiver base installed. Rifle DOES NOT include scope mount, scope or cheek pad. May or may not have any serial numbers on the bases, but the serial numbers will not match the serial number of the rifle. Price $3,000 plus $22.95 S&H per rifle. Please see http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm for details.

WINCHESTER M1 GARANDS STILL AVAILABLE. The CMP still has a small quantity of Winchester M1 Garand rifles for sale. Please visit http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm for details.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM – ANNISTON. We have reinstituted the volunteer program at Anniston. For details, please see http://www.thecmp.org/volunteers.htm.

LOTS OF EXCITEMENT FOR VETERAN AND NEW PISTOL AND RIFLE SHOOTERS AT THE 2011 EASTERN CMP GAMES & CREEDMOOR CUP MATCHES - All interested pistol and rifle shooters, new or experienced, recreation-oriented or national championship contenders, are invited to participate in the unique, national-level competitions at the Fifth Annual Eastern CMP Games & Creedmoor Cup Matches at Camp Butner, North Carolina from 7-15 May. The CMP Games Matches are ideal events for shooters who have little previous competition experience but are looking for an opportunity to participate in a friendly, instructive and rewarding national competition event. It’s also a great opportunity for veteran shooters to polish their game and reach out to others new to the sport. For more information, please see http://www.odcmp.org/0311/default.asp?page=2011EASTERNGAMES.

Thank you for your continued support.

Music Break

2011-03-23T20:07:00.000-05:00

This guy is new to me, which is a shame, as he's been in my area longer than I have.

The late, great RL Burnside:

RL Burnside - "Poor Black Mattie".

Gun Giveaway

2011-03-21T20:14:00.000-05:00

Buckeye Firearms Association asked me to spread the word, so Click Here to Enter Their Gun Giveaway

Or don't. Better chances for me. =P

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Time to Renew the Permit

2011-03-21T04:58:00.001-05:00

Just got my renewal notice in the mail. Time to renew the Handgun Carry Permit.

Looks like things are much easier now than when I first got it. All I have to do is complete the application send in fifty bucks by mail.

I used to have to go to the drivers license place and do it in person, but now it's as simple as renewing a drivers license.

As it should be.

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Happy St. Paddy's Day

2011-03-17T19:28:00.000-05:00

So, what to pair with a good cigar? McSorley's Irish Black Lager, or Jameson's?

Decisions, decisions....

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State of the Blog - 2011

2011-03-16T19:21:00.000-05:00

So, as I mentioned here a while back, I got the job I was shooting for.

I'm still ass deep in work, and will be as long as I work there.

That's a Good Thing, as the work causes me to use both my brain and my body. I love it. It's not overly challenging in either regard, but enough to keep things interesting.

As for blogging, I do believe I'll be doing some of that in the near future. I have been keeping up with things, although my reading list is much shorter than it used to be.

Things will have to be adjusted, though. As my ones of readers know, I'm not doing "Sunday Music" on a regular basis. My weekends are too precious/busy nowadays to sit in front of a computer. Besides, I'm running out of "before there was" ideas. I'll put music up from time to time, but not every Sunday.

Now, on to shooting. Haven't been in a while. A long while, but that's about to change, too. Gonna check out the indoor range formerly known as Brighton Arms and see how they are, then take things from there.

I'll have to knock the rust off (so to speak) before Memorial Day, when I plan on heading to Knoxville for some shooting and hanging with my blogger buds.

Speaking of which, my apologies to Squeaky for being so inaccessible. She's tried to drag the wife and I off into the sunlight a couple times, but we didn't make it. Sorry 'bout that.

So, that my status, Gladys. Be seeing you.

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Sunday Music

2011-02-20T09:20:00.000-06:00

Alice, in his prime:

"I'm Eighteen" - Alice Cooper.

Sunday Music

2011-02-13T10:15:00.001-06:00

Here's Frank Marino playing a song by Stevie Ray Vaughan (originally by Guitar Slim):

My apologies, no video, just music.

Frank Marino - "The Things (That) I Used to Do".

Super Bowl Predictions

2011-02-06T09:29:00.000-06:00

The commercials won't be as good as they should be.

The halftime show will better than it has been in years. The performers won't be in their sixties.

Packers win, 27 - 21

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Sunday Music

2011-02-06T09:23:00.000-06:00

Jethro Tull - "Thick as a Brick".

Sunday Music

2011-01-30T08:16:00.003-06:00

Starsailor "Four to the Floor".

Ok, Piling On

2011-01-29T10:34:00.000-06:00

Thirdpower pointed me to this bit of drivel. It's a typical anti-gun screed written by a clueless blowhard. like we've never seen THAT before

Didin't get past the opening line before I had a comment:

I can confidently say that as young man living in America, I have never been in a situation where I look back and say “wow, good thing I had my gun.”

That's because you've just now cut the cord, Skippy. You've not started living yet. You haven't had to live with life-altering bad decisions. Dry your ears off and get back to me in twenty years. I sincerely hope you can come back and honestly be able to say that.

Till then, please stop trying to trample my rights, OK?

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Let me get this straight

2011-01-29T10:11:00.001-06:00

CBS does a miniseries about the Reagans, Reagan fans get mad and squash it, and it was a Good Thing.

Now, the History Channel does a series about the Kennedys, Kennedy fans get mad and squash it, and it's a Bad Thing?

Am I getting this right?

And yes, I am aware The Reagans aired on Showtime, and I'm sure The Kennedys will air somewhere as well, even though Showtime has already said it won't do it.

Maybe the real test of broadcast bias will be how far down the food chain The Kennedys will have to go to get on air....

Sunday Music

2011-01-23T09:44:00.000-06:00

I never really got into '80's hair bands, as I spent most of the 80's in Europe, but these guys were probably the best of the genre:

Motley Crue - "Kickstart my Heart".

Sunday Music

2011-01-16T05:31:00.000-06:00

With all due respect to Ronnie James Dio, I have to say - before there was Rainbow, there was Nazareth:

Nazareth - "Miss Misery".

Sunday Music

2011-01-09T05:27:00.001-06:00

Big Audio Dynamite - "Everybody Needs a Holiday".

If the shooter

2011-01-08T16:02:00.000-06:00

... was the "Jared" some folks say he is, he's one crazy mofo. Checked out his YouTube channel. He's out there beyond Pluto.

No linking, for reasons I need not go into.

My thoughts are with the victims.

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Titan Thoughts - Jeff Fisher Edition

2011-01-08T10:22:00.000-06:00

Jeff Fisher has done more with less than any NFL coach in history. How many players have left the Titans to go on to successful careers? One. Derrick Mason.

Now, how many have gone on to be complete busts? THAT list is a long one: Haynesworth, Bennett, Brown, Volek....

I was halfway hoping Fisher would leave for a team where the owner was willing to spend money. He'd be the next Lombardi. Ok, maybe not Lombardi, but the next Jimmie Johnson? You betcha.

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... And Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T20:34:00.000-06:00

Here's hoping 2011 is everything you hope it will be!
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Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T13:40:00.000-06:00

Here's hoping you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.

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Twenty Years Ago Today

2010-12-24T18:24:00.000-06:00

I was over in Saudi Arabia, in what was then called "Operation Desert Shield".

Count your blessings this Christmas, and remember the men and women of the armed forces spending theirs in harm's way.

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State of the Blog

2010-12-05T19:53:00.000-06:00

I got the job I was shooting for.

Now, I'm ass deep in work.

Blogging will have to take a back seat until I get my bearings.

I'll be around!

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Sunday Music

2010-11-28T05:51:00.001-06:00

Peter Gabriel - "Solsbury Hill"

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T08:25:00.002-06:00

Hope it's a good one!

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CMP Update

2010-11-24T18:23:00.000-06:00

Via email:

THE CMP STAFF WISHES ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

WWII ERA BAYONETS. Sometime mid-morning on 29 Nov, 2010, the CMP eStore will list all our WWII era M1 model (10") bayonets for sale. The listing will include M1 and shortened M1905 series models. These bayonets will also be available at the CMP North and South stores beginning 1 Dec 2010. $65 per bayonet w/scabbard with FREE S&H if ordered in 2010. Please see the M1 Garand page http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm for descriptions and pricing.

M1D ACCESSORIES COMING SOON. CMP has acquired a relatively small quantity of accessories for the M1D sniper rifle. Accessories include flash hiders, cheek pads, scope mounts, scope bags, and M84 scopes. All of these items are used and graded and priced based on condition, which ranges from good to very poor. Please see the M1 Garand web page http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm for details. Items may be purchased through the eStore “Parts Surplus” tab https://estore.odcmp.com/Store/login/login.aspx beginning mid-morning on 29 Nov, 2910. Small quantities will also be available at the CMP stores beginning 1 Dec, 2010.

NEW IN WRAP SPRINGFIELD ARMORY BARRELS. Wrapped in cheesecloth and covered in preservative are now available for purchase. The few we have unwrapped and inspected are short-chambered and required reaming to headspace. Manufacture dates range from 1952 – 1955. Barrels are sold in the wrap, so we will not be able to select by the date of manufacture. See the “barrel” tab on the CMP eStore for details. Price for these barrels is $125 if ordered in 2010. https://estore.odcmp.com/Store/login/login.aspx. Item number is PS01.

WINCHESTER M1 GARANDS STILL AVAILABLE. The CMP still has a small quantity of Winchester M1 Garand rifles for sale. Please visit http://www.thecmp.org/m1garand.htm for details.

M1 CARBINES SOLD OUT. The CMP is now sold out of M1 carbines except for the few we will still be selling on our auction program. http://auction.odcmp.com/auctions/index.asp. At this time, we have no reason to expect to receive any additional quantities of carbines.

CMP LOGO RIFLE HARD CASES. Until inventory of these cases is exhausted, M1 Garands will be shipped in one of these cases at no extra charge. Cases are MADE IN THE USA for CMP. Case is made of GI green molded plastic & features a patented PillarLock system for extra strength and crush resistance. Each case is custom molded w/ CMP logo on each side. Interior foam rubber is of special dimensions to hold your rifle extra snugly. Case also features four black contoured recessed latches, padlock points, steel hinge pins& a molded handle. Case is large enough to hold one Garand, 1903 Springfield, 1917 Enfield or a 1898 Krag rifle. These cases are also available for purchase. See item PC006 under the Equipment & Accessories tab on the eStore. $30 + $10.95 S&H. https://estore.odcmp.com/Store/login/login.aspx.

ESTORE CREDIT CARD CHARGING. Currently, CMP does not charge credit cards until a few days before actual shipment. This applies to eStore orders also. We had expected that before the end of October, we would be able to modify our eStore to automatically process the order and charge the card at time of order. This would result in eStore orders being shipped within 1-2 workdays after order was placed. Unfortunately, we still have some issues to resolve and now expect to not go live with the charging until January 2011.

CMP PHONE APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE ON THE ANDROID MARKET PLACE AND FOR THE iPHONE/iPAD. CMP is the official app for keeping score at Civilian Marksmanship Program sponsored shooting events. It features an easy to use interface that allows for quick recording of your score after each string. The CMP app calculates your shooting percentages automatically to let you know how you are doing throughout the event. You can also enter notes and record conditions so that you have a permanent record of details of each event. This application is sponsored and endorsed by the Civilian Marksmanship Program and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this software are donated to the CMP. Purchase your CMP app today on the Android Market Place or for the iPhone/iPad at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cmp/id379873392?mt=8#.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM – ANNISTON. We have reinstituted the volunteer program at Anniston. For details, please see http://www.thecmp.org/volunteers.htm.

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Titan Thoughts - The Week Everything Went Upside Down Edition

2010-11-22T10:03:00.000-06:00

What a difference a bye week makes. I didn't write last week because:

a: I was in shock

and

2. I wanted to see if we got things straightened out this week.

Well, one thing got straightened out this week: Vince Young's future, meaning it ain't with the Titans:

Vince Young out as Titans starter

You can go read that, but really, Jimmy says it best: (emphasis mine)

He does not have the mental make-up to be an NFL quarterback right now. Will he ever? It is really hard to think that he will considering he has now been in the league 5 years and still has the problems that he did in his first couple of years. Franchise quarterbacks don't mock the crowd when they are getting booed, and they don't throw their stuff into the stands because their feelings are hurt.

While I agree with everything above, I do not agree with Jimmy's assertion that Coach Fisher needs to go. I'd bet good money if everything were to be brought out into the open, Fisher would be considered a (Music city) miracle worker for keeping this team together like he has. The thing is, we most likely will never know.

As for the team going forward, it's anybody's guess how things will shake out now. We're heading into the meat grinder of 5 divisional games in six weeks, our starting QB is gone, our backup is hurt, and the only one we have left is a 6th round rookie from that football powerhouse, Florida Atlantic.

Good money would have us going 3-3 down this stretch, and while I wouldn't put any REAL money on anything better, I'm still going to hold out hope. Now that the apparent locker room distraction is gone, we will see what this team is really made of.

Rusty Smith, we look to you! no pressure!

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Sunday Music

2010-11-21T05:58:00.001-06:00

Some of the best guitar work ever to be put to vinyl. Wait till after the spoken intro before cranking it, though. It's a tad NSFW.

Funkadelic - "Maggot Brain"

Watching President Miss Me Yet Bush on Jay Leno Just Now

2010-11-18T23:25:00.000-06:00

And he's definitely close to the top of my list of people I'd have a cigar with.

I would say "have a drink with" but he doesn't drink, and I respect that.

The National Rifle Association Strongly Opposes the Nomination of Andrew Traver to Head BATFE

2010-11-17T11:23:00.000-06:00

via email:

The National Rifle Association of America strongly opposes President Obama's nomination of Andrew Traver as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). Traver has been deeply aligned with gun control advocates and anti-gun activities. This makes him the wrong choice to lead an enforcement agency that has almost exclusive oversight and control over the firearms industry, its retailers and consumers. Further, an important nomination such as BATFE director should not be made as a "recess appointment," in order to circumvent consent by the American people through their duly-elected U.S. Senators.

Traver served as an advisor to the International Association for Chiefs of Police's (IACP) "Gun Violence Reduction Project," a "partnership" with the Joyce Foundation. Both IACP and the Joyce Foundation are names synonymous with promoting a variety of gun control schemes at the federal and state levels. Most of the individuals involved in this project were prominent gun control activists and lobbyists.

The IACP report, generated with Traver's help, called on Congress to ban thousands of commonly owned firearms by misrepresenting them as “assault weapons,” as well as calling for bans on .50 caliber rifles and widely used types of ammunition. The report also suggests that Congress should regulate gun shows out of existence and should repeal the privacy protections of the Tiahrt Amendment -- all efforts strongly opposed by the NRA and its members.

Traver also participated in an extremely deceptive NBC Chicago report (http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Assault-Weapons-Surge-in-City-69620227.html) in which he referred to "the growing frequency of gang members and drug dealers using heavy caliber military-type weapons" and described them as if they were machine guns: "Pull the trigger and you can mow people down." Traver and his agents provided the reporter with a fully automatic AK-47, with which she was unable to hit the target. He then said that stray bullets are "one of the main problems with having stuff like this available to the gangs."

As the Agent-in-Charge of Chicago’s BATFE office, Traver knows that fully automatic firearms are not available through normal retail channels--the opposite of what was implied in the report.

An agency involved in the regulation of a fundamental, individual right guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution should not be led by an individual with a demonstrated hostility to that freedom. For that reason, the NRA strongly opposes Andrew Traver to head the BATFE and urges President Obama to withdraw this ill-advised nomination.

The Obama administration putting an anti-gun guy from Chicago in charge of the ATF? I'm shocked!

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Composite AR Lowers

2010-11-15T14:20:00.002-06:00

I've seen 'em, they're usually ~~cheap~~ affordable.

Are they worth it?

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Sunday Music

2010-11-14T09:29:00.000-06:00

Been there, done that:

Willie Nelson - "Bloody Mary Morning"

Updated NFL Logos

2010-11-12T10:32:00.000-06:00

This is hilarious:

Page 2's midseason NFL logo makeover

My favorites are Vikings and Broncos. At first I thought the Titans one was a poke at the sportswriters who always sell us short, but it's a reference to Randy Moss.

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Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T10:06:00.000-06:00

I spotted this by one of my Facebook friends:

I am a Veteran. I appreciate your words of thanks for my service, but I did not serve for thank yous. I served and was and am willing to lay down my life becasue I believe. I believe in my country and it's principles and all that it stands for and all that it is. Instead of thanks I only ask that you believe in those same things and honor that for which we served. Thank you

After reading Robb's take on this fine day,where he says:

God bless America, and God bless each and every one of you for giving me something worth fighting for.

The bottom line is, it's not about us, it's about you.

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Happy 235th

2010-11-10T08:57:00.000-06:00

To the United States Marine Corps

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Apologies

2010-11-09T15:48:00.000-06:00

I see more sporadic blogging in the future. The JOGI (Job Of Great Importance*) has popped back onscreen, so I'm otherwise occupied.

* Apologies to Joe Merchant for swiping his acronym..

Sunday Music

2010-11-07T06:06:00.004-06:00

T. Rex - "Jeepster"

Titan Thoughts - Week 8 1/2 Randy Moss Edition

2010-11-03T15:39:00.002-05:00

Slowly getting to this because I missed the game last week. Too much going on to stop and watch it. Glad I didn't, actually. Dang Chargers have our number.

However, the big news is breaking just now - Randy Moss is now a Titan.

This is big, folks, and more than a little unexpected.

The front office obviously thinks we need the deep threat now. They must also think we're in a position to go deep into the playoffs*.

Add to that we have two weeks to get Randy into our game plan before anyone sees him in a Titans uniform (bye week this week), and it spells trouble for the AFC South in December, when we do most of our divisional games.

Interesting, indeed.

*Yeah, I know it's too early to talk playoffs. Sue me.

Hey! It's the Narrative!

2010-11-03T10:26:00.000-05:00

Or is it a meme?

From Richard Locker at the Memphis Commercial Squeal:

Tennesseans rejected price-gouging charges and overlooked a late stumble over gun issues to elect Republican Bill Haslam as their 49th governor Tuesday.

From Ken Whitehouse at the Nashville City Paper:

In the past few weeks, Haslam's message faltered amid concerns that he would — as he said two weeks ago — sign legislation to abolish gun permits if the legislature passed it.

How can someone stumble, falter and win with a 3 to 1 margin?

Only in the alternate reality that is the ~~liberal~~ legacy media.
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Interesting Story of Tennessee District 8

2010-11-02T11:09:00.000-05:00

Via Real Clear Politics:

The 8th District is the northwestern corner of the state. It is the lineal descendent of a district represented by Davy Crockett. In a precursor to later threats made by Hollywood celebrities, he threatened to leave for Texas if Martin Van Buren were elected president; when the Texas Revolution began, he did just that.

Crockett was an anti-Jacksonian and his son, who later represented the district, was a Whig – the district generally sided with the anti-Democratic forces (including one “Know Nothing") up until the Civil War. But it couldn’t quite stomach the Republican Party, and save for one brief episode in 1872, has elected nothing but Democrats ever since. To be sure, these were conservative Democrats in the Southern tradition, like Robert “Fats” Everett and later, John S. Tanner.

Tanner decided to retire this year after two decades in the House. On the Republican side, Republicans nominated farmer/gospel singer Steve Fincher. The Democrats nominated state Senator Roy Herron. Both candidates have raised over a million dollars, which buys a lot of advertising in Jackson. This district is still conservative Democratic at its core and Herron is a good candidate, but in a year like this, the playing field is probably tilted a bit toward Fincher.

So, after ~~decades~~ over a century of Democrat control, my district may very well become Republican. That's gotta sting.

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It's Election Day, go Vote!

2010-11-02T10:25:00.001-05:00

I did.

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Sunday Music

2010-10-31T12:16:00.000-05:00

Stevie Wonder - "Superstition".

Quote of the Day

2010-10-30T18:19:00.000-05:00

Scaling down the scope of government is the political challenge of the next generation

Found here, via Instapundit.

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New Link on Left

2010-10-29T14:22:00.000-05:00

Linky picture over there for the Second Amendment Foundation.

You can get yours at Joe Huffman's place.

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Kaveman Reads the Leaves

2010-10-29T04:57:00.003-05:00

Reading tea leaves is a good post about how the Brady Bunch may proceed going forward. I have to say, it makes sense to me (emphasis mine):

The Brady Bunch isn’t stupid.

[snip]

What they need is a fresh face with a clean slate and a sympathetic story to pluck the heart strings.

Enter Colin Goddard; survivor of Virginia Tech after being shot 4 times.

People under the age of 35 don’t remember the assassination attempt on Reagan or who Jim Brady even is and the BC knows their only hope is to co-opt the next generation of youth to support their cause.

That's what I'd do, if I were them.

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Quote of the Day

2010-10-26T10:55:00.000-05:00

From Robb Allen's post Fine. Straight R’s it is

This election cycle we need to remove the Democrats from power. The next cycle, we need to remove the Republicans who don’t get the message this time that people are fed up with the government constantly going well outside of its bounds set forth in that document the Democrats so blithely dismiss.

I am very, very close to voting straight R's myself, although there is one Independent I am looking hard at.

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Titan Thoughts Week 7 - The I Can't Wait to See the Power Rankings This Week Edition

2010-10-26T10:40:00.001-05:00

My Beloved Titans are now 5-2 after ~~toying with~~ floundering for three quarters and then coming alive and spanking the Eagles 37-19. Before I get started, a few observations, linkage and assorted stuff:

Brett Favre is very likely done with football. If he were anybody else, he'd have been done once some gal accused him of sending her pics of his schmeckel over the phone. I haven't commented on that because, as much as I despise Favre, I won't pile on this kind of story until it's proven. It's too easy to target famous people these days. If it is true, I'll have to put my comments below the fold, because they most definitely will not be safe for work.

Tony Romo and the Cowboys are done for the season. Romo and company were about the only team picked to beat us so far this year, mainly because they are, and have been, one of the most overrated teams this decade. I used to like the 'Boys, but Jerry Jones has passed Al Davis as the biggest owner/hindrance to his team. He's almost another Dan Snyder.

Now, the Titans blog post title of the week: From Spunky Underdogs to Title Contenders (CJ Smiles
That says in a nutshell, why I can't wait to see the Power Rankings this week. Sure, it's all BS, and more of a gauge on how the sportswriters respect us than anything else, but still, I want to see what they say.

As for last Sunday's game, I have to say, right off the bat, I didn't think we were going to win that one. The offense was flat, the run game wasn't working, and Collins was taking too much time to throw the ball, and wasn't getting the protection he needed.

Don't get me wrong, Kerry was the best option for that game, as Vince was still hobbled and wouldn't have been able to elude the rush the Eagles were throwing at us. They were blitzing constantly, not respecting the passing game whatsoever.

That worked fine for the half, but something happened in the second - Kenny Britt happened. Make no mistake, it was all Britt, all the time. Collins just had to get it close and Britt would haul it in. The Eagles, a franchise around since the 1930's, had never given up as many yards to a receiver as Kenny got that day.

So, what does that mean for our future opponents? It means they'll have to add Britt to their growing list of players to be concerned about. Not only will this open up the running game, but it will also open up other receivers. They can't spy Vince, CJ and double team Britt all at the same time. If they do, it leaves either Nate Washington of Bo Scaife wide open.

Sounds good to me.

One more thing, that bodes well for us going forward: We haven't even put a complete game together. The secret to going to the Super Bowl is peaking at the right time. The Steelers proved that a couple years ago by winning the Super Bowl from the Wild Card Slot. Granted, doing that is not as unusual as it used to be, but it shows that hitting your peak at the right time is paramount. The flipside of that coin would have to be the Patriots, who lost the Super Bowl after going undefeated the entire season. Peaked just a tad too early.

One the defensive side, it was nice to seen Marks back in the rotation, and it was doubly nice to see Finnegan get his first INT of the year and return it for 6. It's also nice to see that Alterraun Verner keeps making plays. Even better, ATV making plays results in Dave Ball making statements:

“He (Verner) is like a little ferret,” DE Dave Ball said. “There’s a hole he dug into and came up on the other side and he was able to grab it.”

From the same post, this:

“They’ve got a really good scheme to protect the quarterback. Some plays it’s like running through a hedge maze. You’ve got a clown popping out on the right side, a BMW on the left side. Then you have to run over the sprinklers. It’s hard trying to get there.”

Nutty-quote go-to guy, indeed. Although, in my experience, clowns and BMW's do show up together from time to time.

Not much to say about special teams this week, as both kickers were booting into and through the endzone all game long. Mariani did fine on punt returns, and did break off one long one. He's a stud returner.

Off to San Diego next Sunday. Those guys usually give us a hard time, we'd best not take them lightly.

Cross posted at Music City Miracles.

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Blogging Later

2010-10-25T11:32:00.000-05:00

Unexpected turn of events has me busy

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Sunday Music

2010-10-24T06:47:00.003-05:00

I heard this song on the local public access radio the other day:

Great Big Sea "Gallows Pole".

Another Case of "The Disconnect"

2010-10-22T18:59:00.000-05:00

A fundamental difference in worldview:

no "creator" granted ANY right...rights are granted by governments...

Don't bother talking to this guy, he's beyond help.

What I would like is for y'all to read my stumbling attempt at explaining "rights" and see how I can improve. It's at the link.

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Defund NPR

2010-10-22T04:58:00.003-05:00

It's not often I agree with Mike Huckabee:

In the wake of NPR's firing of contributor Juan Williams over comments about Muslims, Mike Huckabee is calling on the next Congress to cut the radio network's funding when it convenes next year.

Huckabee said he "will no longer accept interview requests from NPR as long as they are going to practice a form of censorship, and since NPR is funded with public funds, it is a form of censorship."

Cries of censorship come anytime somebody is denied their time on the soapbox. Most of the time it's bullshit, but ol' Huck has a point. The government can't engage in censorship, therefore, it should deny funding to NPR.

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Now starting at quarterback for the Tennessee Titans … Rusty Smith?

2010-10-21T10:19:00.000-05:00

So asks the Nashville City Paper.

It’s not likely, but the rookie out of Florida Atlantic did all the work Wednesday during an abbreviated workout because Vince Young and Kerry Collins did not participate because of injuries.

My prediction? QB order on Sunday will be Collins, Smith and Young. I think the Titan party line of Young as having a "slight sprain" is gamesmanship on their part. Young might not see the field again till after the bye week.

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The First Reasonable Argument Against (State) Constitutional Carry

2010-10-20T11:49:00.001-05:00

By "reasonable" I mean "has a valid point":

This is simply a bad idea and would put TN HCP holders at a disadvantage in other states. My TN HCP allows me to carry is most other states, without it I could not legally carry outside of TN.

How do we address this person's concerns?

Found in comments here, right above mine. Yeah, I got kinda pissy. Wanted to stir the pot a bit.

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Quote of the Day

2010-10-20T05:10:00.003-05:00

This one from Lyle:

"I disagree with the fact that..." is saying you disagree with something while acknowledging it as fact, which is simply another way of saying you're crazy.

LOL

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Titan Thoughts - Week 6

2010-10-19T10:29:00.001-05:00

It was a game only a Titan fan could love, I guess. Not much to say about Defense or Special teams that hasn't been said before - really, really good. Again.

I imagine the only chatter this week is what to do about Vince Young's injury. We still don't know how bad it is, although Vince didn't need crutches last night, which is a good sign*.

What we do know is we have the best back up QB in football** in Kerry Collins.

We also know we don't have another Division game till after the bye week.

We also know we have five Division games in six weeks to close out the season (whose bright idea was that, anyway?)

So, knowing all this, should Vince Young play before the bye week if he's anything less than 100% ?

Hell no.

Sit Vince till after the bye. He'll have two non Division games to get tuned up, then we go into the meat grinder that is our last six weeks.

The one non division game in that time? The Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead. In December.

We'll need everybody at the top of their game if we're to make the playoffs this year. Sit Vince now, for the future.

Cross posted at Music City Miracles

* all that follows is predicated on VY having a minor injury that will need a week or two to heal.

**the Mike Vick/Kevin Kolb situation doesn't count. Neither of them are backup QBs.

I Did Not Know This

2010-10-19T05:40:00.001-05:00

Roethlisberger considered quitting NFL

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said in an interview screened Thursday that he considered walking away from the NFL as he struggled to come to terms with sexual assault allegations made against him.

Funny, when Big Ben talks like that, it's no big deal, but when Vince Young said it (in 2008), it was a "maturity issue", and talked about to this day.

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