From time to time I have held break-room conversations with co-workers.
They knew I'm a "Gun Nut", and some of them know I have a license to carry a concealed firearm.
But of course, my co-workers are are Academics, who are more concerned with the concept and have no idea that I had been carrying a firearm on my employer premises (a university campus, where concealed carry is illegal) since the first day of my employment .. which lasted for over 15 years.
That's another story, which I shall not visit today. They never knew; they never asked.
In our conversations over coffee, when the subject came up (rarely), I asked them:
"Do you have a driver's license?"
All did, of course.
I asked them: "Do you carry it at all times? Do you have it on your person now?"
They said yes.
"Why do you carry it?"
Friday, November 07, 2014
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Bread and Circuses ... and Pot
2014 Oregon election results :: The Oregonian | OregonLive.com: regon [sic] results
For those who care ...
Oregon voted FOR Democrats in most significant races, and FOR Marijuana legalization ... but AGAINST mosquitoes and flies. *
Apparently, the weed-heads are more annoyed by flies than by Democrats.
(Which seems a good reason to oppose the legalization of Marijuana.)
Democrats only annoy them the one day a year when they can't ignore them. Perhaps if Oregon held elections more frequently, the preposterous Dem campaign ads would be seen as more pernicious to those of us whose perception of reality is more concerned with pot and television than with reality.
*(for party splits by state, see this graphic)
For those who care ...
Oregon voted FOR Democrats in most significant races, and FOR Marijuana legalization ... but AGAINST mosquitoes and flies. *
Apparently, the weed-heads are more annoyed by flies than by Democrats.
(Which seems a good reason to oppose the legalization of Marijuana.)
Democrats only annoy them the one day a year when they can't ignore them. Perhaps if Oregon held elections more frequently, the preposterous Dem campaign ads would be seen as more pernicious to those of us whose perception of reality is more concerned with pot and television than with reality.
*(for party splits by state, see this graphic)
Tuesday, November 04, 2014
Politicians and Diapers ....
"Politicians and diapers should be changed often, and for the same reasons."
Often cited to Mark Twain and Winston Churchill (and others, without rhyme or reason), the aphorism seems to work. The defination of "an honest politician is one who, once bought, stays bought" also seems applicable.
To tonight we are witnessing another evolution of the same old revolution ... "kick the bastards out".
The only CHANGE is that the bastards are the 'other' group; the only HOPE is that the newest group of lying bastards will provide sufficient resistance to the current Clown In Chief to force a degree of ... well, conservatism ... in his constant flow of outrageous, arbitrary social changes.
If nothing else, (a) the tendency toward acceptance of unrestricted/illegal immigration of people into this country, and (b) abrogation of our constitutional rights.
Yes, we will continue to deal with President Obama's "revolution by fiat" (aka: "I have a phone and a pen") zeal as he will doubtless continue to attempt to establish his leadership in a manner reminiscent of a nascent Community Organizer on a national scale. (God protect us from naif in power!)
But the Legislature has to duty of forming the laws (senate), and will not pay for the enforcement of inane laws (house); so we now have resumed a balance between the judicial, the legislative and the executive branches. Well ... sort-of.
Nobody wants any political party to rule both the Executive and the Legislative branch; it is a conundrum which has ALWAYS led to extreme measures, when one party is in power. When a 'new' (different from last week?) party gains control, we usually see excessive policies undermined, or boldly cast off.
Both parties are guilt of excessive legislation, arbitrary decision-making, and fear-mongering.
Often cited to Mark Twain and Winston Churchill (and others, without rhyme or reason), the aphorism seems to work. The defination of "an honest politician is one who, once bought, stays bought" also seems applicable.
To tonight we are witnessing another evolution of the same old revolution ... "kick the bastards out".
The only CHANGE is that the bastards are the 'other' group; the only HOPE is that the newest group of lying bastards will provide sufficient resistance to the current Clown In Chief to force a degree of ... well, conservatism ... in his constant flow of outrageous, arbitrary social changes.
If nothing else, (a) the tendency toward acceptance of unrestricted/illegal immigration of people into this country, and (b) abrogation of our constitutional rights.
Yes, we will continue to deal with President Obama's "revolution by fiat" (aka: "I have a phone and a pen") zeal as he will doubtless continue to attempt to establish his leadership in a manner reminiscent of a nascent Community Organizer on a national scale. (God protect us from naif in power!)
But the Legislature has to duty of forming the laws (senate), and will not pay for the enforcement of inane laws (house); so we now have resumed a balance between the judicial, the legislative and the executive branches. Well ... sort-of.
Nobody wants any political party to rule both the Executive and the Legislative branch; it is a conundrum which has ALWAYS led to extreme measures, when one party is in power. When a 'new' (different from last week?) party gains control, we usually see excessive policies undermined, or boldly cast off.
Both parties are guilt of excessive legislation, arbitrary decision-making, and fear-mongering.
So what if you DO save your family and home from predation?
[Video] Couple Who Shot, Killed Burglar Last Year Discuss the Toll the Incident Has Taken on Them:
But this day, Dan Cannon talked about the burden which defending your family against a home-invasion imposes on the people who choose to defend themselves, their home, and their families.
It's a subject which deserves your attention.
Is it better to shoot? Or to be shot?
Is The Law less threatening than the Lawless?
.... one thing that we don’t talk about often enough is the toll that is taken on you and your family after a defensive shooting.Guns Save Lives is one of the few websites which I visit every day.
But this day, Dan Cannon talked about the burden which defending your family against a home-invasion imposes on the people who choose to defend themselves, their home, and their families.
It's a subject which deserves your attention.
Is it better to shoot? Or to be shot?
Is The Law less threatening than the Lawless?
Monday, November 03, 2014
Politics! What is it good for? (Absolutely Nothin'!)
I've been reading my ballots (Oregon is a "Vote By Mail" state) and I admit that I am despondent.
When I think about the presidential elections ... yet to come ... it's even worse.
Oregon cannot field a decent candidate in the Senatorial elections. This sorry state of affairs (pun intended) has existed for years.
When it comes to local elections, it's even worse. I'm sure that there are honest folks out there who would represent their constituents honestly and in good faith .. but are they capable? We can't know.
I'm reminded of the quote (often attributed to Mark Twain and/or Benjamin Disraeli .. but perhaps even those citations are wrong) concerning the three types of lies:
"Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics"!
Perhaps the more mordant quote should be: "Liars, Damn Liars, and Politicians!"
And how about war? Watch the video ... and substitute "Politics" for the word "War":
When I think about the presidential elections ... yet to come ... it's even worse.
Oregon cannot field a decent candidate in the Senatorial elections. This sorry state of affairs (pun intended) has existed for years.
When it comes to local elections, it's even worse. I'm sure that there are honest folks out there who would represent their constituents honestly and in good faith .. but are they capable? We can't know.
I'm reminded of the quote (often attributed to Mark Twain and/or Benjamin Disraeli .. but perhaps even those citations are wrong) concerning the three types of lies:
"Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics"!
Perhaps the more mordant quote should be: "Liars, Damn Liars, and Politicians!"
And how about war? Watch the video ... and substitute "Politics" for the word "War":
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