Just the Library Keeper, the four R's: Reading, Running, Riding and the Rifleman

Big day today... Men's Bible study at home...

2012-01-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

My wife has been throwing herself at this for weeks, it will be a wonderful rest to leave Church on Sunday and get ready to travel to California and get to know the grandchildren (I have mentioned they really are GRAND? haven't I?).

Today is all about the Men's Bible Study, and it has been my turn for awhile, and my wife was getting nervous. It would look like we weren't many things (all of them bad or at least anti-social) if we didn't host it at our home. Now I like Bible study, with the other men, but you may have noticed that I am mostly a quiet recluse and I don't want to bother anyone.

Days in food preparation, furniture movement, figuring out what needs to be hidden or just out of the way. I haven't hurt myself moving anything, although because things are moved I have bruised myself well traveling at speed through a dark house with furniture to bump solidly into, sigh. I have asked for prayers for help against envy and pride, and people thought they were for me, but they weren't. My wife's culture will shame her when she has nothing to be shamed about - me, I am just blest with the best wife I could never have imagined.

The men do like to get together for the Bible study, realizing we need all the help we can get and give, we will sing (badly but with conviction), pray with passion, and study and talk about the lesson, then we will join the ladies - which have prepared the feast and eat the buffet away. There is no way any of us need that much great food - but none of us will complain, and we will try to eat a bit of everything and too much of the stuff we really love. In moderation, then during the clean up the ladies will divide the leftovers - there isn't any way we could finish all the food in three meals.

Well, I had best get back at it, I have some more little things to adjust in today for my wife, some dusting, vacuuming and moving for when they get here in five hours or so... God love you all and be good because it is wonderful.

Blood pressure 112/70 pulse 44, not bad for a fat...

2012-01-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

fool.

Woke from a wonderful military dream, Fort Bragg modern, me dressed in NATO woodland BDUs, and challenged by a suspicious Division Commander, who sent his Command Sergeant Major over to bust me. We had a great conversation and helped a young paratrooper clean his weapon and watched a weather weapon system start to crash and burn during a demonstration of its capabilities. Great dream. Noticed today that the US Army is going to decrease eight brigades - nice that we can send in Congress and the TSA to fight the nation's battles in the future. Yes, I insist that the Commander in Chief lead them.

Also in the news that Demi Moore is having problems with whip-it, which I thought was some sluty sex game. I am so wrong, but then watching a sob piece on how troubled she was (she was a military dependent I understand), I figured out she hasn't accepted Jesus and been saved. Although, no one on television would break it down that quickly - I can, because I am not feeding off her fame.

I am almost certain I am starting to believe that Warren Buffet is correct, that his secretary shouldn't pay a higher tax rate than he does. No, I definitely KNOW that his secretary shouldn't pay a higher rate. God only wanted the first and the best and only ten percent tithe to the temple. And He created everything, and destroys it periodically. I think only nine per cent for all taxes of your increase a year, is enough for the government. And quit thinking that the government needs to handle everything, we would all handle what is necessary without the government if it was gone. Really.

Dependence on government got you 9/11 air traffic shutdown, four highjacked aircraft, three buildings attacked and all air traffic shuts down because we can't handle the trauma? London in WWII under constant bombings, Berlin and Leningrad same war - they didn't shutdown in panic.
Just think of what we could accomplish if there wasn't so much government telling us how bad it would be... to be free and independent again.

All of my siblings read my 'rant' yesterday, not one of them has the same idea about what I meant, or even said - I am sure. It is nice to know they thought I might say something meaningful. Thank you all, for the love.

Nope, my choice for office holder makes no better...

2012-01-25T17:21:00.000-08:00

Look, if the person is not someone I would follow into combat to take out an enemy machine gun nest - then I shouldn't vote. Guess that make November really easy - and since I am sure it is all too complicated for me to understand I will just read how many to vote for, spin a dial and mark the one that come up.

They aren't following the Constitution of the United States NOW, it won't change on my vote. In Washington State they can't count the votes the same way every re-count except in small counties, so the Democrats add as many votes as they need in Seattle and King County. My one vote doesn't count.

Now, the other thing, most of these laws, regulations and executive orders are because I am a BAD Man, a STUPID man, and UNTRUSTWORTHY man. They aren't going to stop passing that kind of constraint on my terrible behavior. I have a reader that says we have to have rules - his point being that the number of women I have never raped is because of my fear of punishment for that crime. Okay, make it murder, the number of people I don't kill is only because I am afraid of the government coming after me and doing something awful to me in justice for my bad manners. Or, that I am stupid enough to abuse alcohol or drugs - because that is the fun thing to do... I don't need laws against drug or alcohol abuse, I won't. Personal choice, and if you think that any of the Drug Enforcement works - why are all the illegal drugs available within driving distance of you and your telephone? Mostly I do know what is bad, may have consequences and I will have to answer to God for. Don't need the government guidance and direction.

If the number of abortions were based on laws passed against it, instead of the number of sane women that understand what sex, pregnancy and birth means - well, since the government realizes that they can't legislate against bad, stupid and immoral behavior and have decided it is legal - we still have more healthy babies being born than aborted. Sad about the others, but we will meet the Judgement in Heaven.

I have made too many references to a Superior Being and Power, and I know that God exists - that is not your problem but my blessing. So let us go far away from a moral issue.

We seem to be electing stupid people, or people that think we are stupid, evil and can't be trusted and then on top of that - they can't figure out how to pay for their stupid attempts to regulate their goodness gracious on the gullible. They want you to understand it is your fault that they haven't got enough money to pay the bills they make. You will be punished for your success - it is only fair. After supporting all the stupid, lazy, and just nasty people with all their bad behavior with your good work and such, well, you will die - we all die, they haven't written that rule that says we won't yet. (Yes, and then they will tax the estate - don't own farmland in Indiana).

Doesn't matter which party you are talking about, doesn't matter which candidate - it isn't going to change, the real people in charge don't want it to change.

You can make a difference, every day, by being the best human being possible, having lots of love, good manners and living outside the law. They won't even notice, they haven't got control of the criminals yet, there is no way they will ever get control of the saints.

Seems to be getting back to normal...

2012-01-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

Sliding through the television stations looking for background I passed the most current Presidential Candidate debates and thought to myself that looks so like Reality Television no wonder I can't be stopped to pay attention. I was reading an Elmore Leonard Western, Gunsights, he tells a great story and television quickly fades. My wife was away celebrating the New Year, the Year of the Dragon, and I was wrapped up in the West as it never or always was. Combine that with reading Girl Hunter (I skip all the recipes - would eat them just not going to cook them) and I had a dream about taking a shot.

So folks dream about love or the distant second of sex, some folks dream about Heaven and many are stuck in nightmares of Hell with sweat and pain and waking frightened. I am dreaming of being with a group of men on a hillside going to shoot some other men on another hillside and I have a very fine rifle, and am adjusting the sights to hit them. Adjustments made and I am ready and I raise the rifle and get my sight adjustment, sight picture, pause, focus on the front sight and squeeze and hit perfectly the biggest bull elk. I feel like Abraham not having to sacrifice Isaac, ever grateful to the Lord.

More wind storms on the way...

2012-01-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Which means more stuff coming down on our homes, power lines, and roads. Or that the media is proudly announcing that the Newt has taken South Carolina. And I don't want a fat, old politician on his third wife (did she pay any attention to how he treated the first two?) as my President. I especially don't want one of the biggest problem creators from the Congress to get back to making really bad laws. He is smart enough to know what should be done, but he has no sense of honor in his word, no sense of shame and wouldn't lead me in an attack on a pillbox. So I guess I will just point out that the three other candidates had more combined votes than Gingrich received. he wins on having the others fighting for the disenchanted ones.

I had a wonderful dinner of ribs, and the Blues are playing, reading about Triumph at Kapyong, Canada's Heroic stand against the Chinese in Korea. The Princess Patricia Light Infantry (which has an interesting military history in WWI and II, too). War is so much simpler than legislation, no it isn't but far from the battlefields and bullets you can relax and read about it. Never knowing about tomorrow, never sure about waking up.

Keep me in the dark and feed me...

2012-01-20T18:57:00.000-08:00

treat me like a mushroom. The power went off about twenty-four hours ago. I know the power companies have been struggling with the falling ice and trees, bad roads and darkness most of each day. They announced on the radio that the Legislature lost power for about two hours and went home.

Well, stay there folks. I am no longer ready for living off the grid, not like I once was. I keep hoping the power will come back on and I can find out how wrong O'Reilly is about whatever. Or so I can recharge my laptop, or have a hot meal. Last night we had sandwiches, then this morning cold cereal, then by lunch my wife was warming something on warming candles (you know the kind one uses at a dinner party) --- then I remembered I had a Coleman gasoline burner (from those roam around paratrooper days before 1994) and she had purchased a propane burner for just this kind of emergency (this has happened before just not recently). So I went out and got them from the storage. Filled the burner with gasoline, tried to read the instructions in Korean for the propane one - not going to happen. She sees what I am doing and warns me about the danger of explosions (happened to her brother-in-law) but she pulls out a newer burner, and it has instructions in English. I start it and we start heating water for coffee, and seaweed soup for the evening meal. We will survive.

One of the stories I read long ago, was about a survival situation and the people made a spear first, later they remembered they knew how to make a bow and arrow and did so. I had always thought everyone should have made the leap to bow and arrows first - but unless one has been crafting basic bows and arrows, flaking flint arrowheads and such - it doesn't come automatically right when you need it. Other things come first, the other thing is waiting for rescue -- how many times do you hear of someone dying alone somewhere - no one knows they are missing, has any idea where they are, and they never light up a tree to call for help, they keep trying their cell phone or iPad and they aren't in range - but it is what we are prepared for and will do in an emergency.

You see two or three young men bothering a woman - what do you do? Call 911, take a video picture, pull your gun and shoot the three or at least threaten them? What do you do? Well, I am betting you will do your best but be frozen by culture and convention - unless the woman is related to you, or you have thought about it and practiced a response. Survival isn't automatic, one has to know the exits, has to be aware of threats, be prepared to struggle for air, the last of the water, for the fertile females or the last of the seed and breeding animals. It isn't just all the regulation and laws that strangle our natural wariness, it is lack of danger - ease of life - the certainty of civilization. We didn't invent it, but it has always surrounded us in some kind of comfort, only when we go off on military adventures and see the savage hidden just under our skin, do we really want to get home and that hot shower.

The end of the world as we knew it...

2012-01-19T22:18:00.000-08:00

There were snow storms dumping Winter wonder on us, beautiful, and the traffic accidents and school closures started. I cleaned the drive and sidewalks, because I was raised that way, I fell a couple of times, old man on icy surface, and hurt my wrist trying to stop myself, but not enough to stop shoveling when I got back on my feet. The next storms were icy rain, coating the limbs of trees, weighing down the branches. We heard the trees crack and the branches fall, hoping it wasn't on any of our roofs. When the light returned with the Sun behind the clouds, we could see why the power was off all over the Sound, the Puget Sound Energy folks were out with trucks repairing and cleaning up, and then our lights went out.

Not too bad, would miss the internet and some of my favorite daytime television, but we had light, and then the power came back and we were happy. I took pictures of the downed branches and the poor Pink Dogwood, it is shorter by about four feet. I get a steak dinner and watch O'Reilly talk about things he knows nothing about. He had a Civil War quiz that had General Jackson shot by his own men, true, and he said that was what he died from, but it wasn't he died of pneumonia as a complication of losing his arm shattered when he was shot.

After dinner my wife tried to get me to go take a shower, in case the power went out again, I said I would get one when I got ready for bed. She took one, and as she finished and was drying off the light was gone from the home, we went to find the flash lights. We already had the emergency radio out with new batteries, I got the kerosene from the garage and filled the lamp, that is one great reading lamp, I ought to buy some more. Two candles, personal flashlights, and a gas fireplace for warmth. The world has come to an end as we knew it.

We sit in the recliners facing the blank television, telling stories about long ago, in her village before electricity, I mention the government that decided to hook all the farmers up to power, long ago. So they could sell refrigerators and washers, radios and power equipment for some farming tasks. My son had called while the power had come on the first time, he had heard about the ice storms (he was in Florida, I believe). The emergency radio is the one I bought long ago while a paratrooper, I wanted one that I could get shortwave on, for news while I was far from home. It had kept our battalion well informed about the First Gulf War, thank you BBC, and I was able to introduce my commander to the Hobbit as we waited to invade Iraq. We listened every morning as I shaved and packed for the new day. It is on Classic KING FM, nice to hear harpsichords, and classical music is soothing. If it returns to the latest Ice Age, it has been good knowing y'all. Good Night!

Gosh, I don't belong in that box yet...

2012-01-17T15:02:00.001-08:00

They want to stuff me into one. I know that young teens should be able to get a real job and work while still in high school, come to think of it, junior high school. Why do I say that, well you can find out about work and wages very early. The better to compare with the ease of being a student. The government protects the young from such exposure and exploitation - so wrong. So we have politicians that think the young aren't smart enough to get a job? Yet we find criminal enterprises grabbing girls and boys for prostitution or drug sales. That sounds more like something they should be protected from -- but aren't?

Waking alone in the bed...

2012-01-16T09:11:00.000-08:00

Too early to get up but my wife is gone, still dark outside. She must have gotten up for morning prayer, the church is empty this morning but all the praying ladies are up and at it for over an hour they will pray in a rhythm that follows closely the Buddhist prayer chants - but don't tell them that, they are real Christians from Asia. Their life flows in a different but pleasing pace.

Prayer is powerful, people that don't know anyone else cares or is concerned will have hundreds of pleas sent to God in their name or for their challenges. Not all will be made well, God works on hammering a better human being and shaping a tool for our future. We will never see all the weave, the back of the embroidery is hidden, the knots and split threads aren't critical for the design brought forth on the front, the viewing side. People are like that, there are marks, scars or tattoos that make you think you see the damage to that person - but the ones that are critical are deep, in the mind and soul. Not on display, but either eating away or covered over like the grain in an oyster, making a hard but smooth pearl to be treasured some day in the future. Pray for more pearls. Never forgetting that it was pain and irritation that was covered up that began the beauty - some of the nicest people you know have been blest by burdens they can never share, or like my father told me - he was a graduate of the school of hard knocks. He had a doctor's degree in life.

Gun Shows, SHOT Show and No Shows...

2012-01-15T07:42:00.000-08:00

I like shooting, I probably don't like spending any serious money on it, but since I smile and laugh and talk to strangers, friends and easy competitors at shooting ranges - it makes me more social than the old guy in the recliner watching the world zip by between commercial interruptions. When you compare the cost of internet, cablevision and the machines to display the wonder of digital visual stimulation -- shooting gets cheaper in comparison. Providing you have found the firearms that make you smile and aren't on a quest for the next best thing.

I don't do gun shows, the Washington Arms Collectors have an annual fee and ID card and it is all based on the idea that only wonderful people should be allowed to view the material and buy or sell at the local gun shows. The wonderful people are the ones that aren't from New York's mayor to buy firearms posing as not so wonderful people, or real felons, insane or underage that are prohibited by law from being one of the People with a right to keep and bear arms. But if you went to a public range, a private home or a parking lot - you could sell or buy a firearm and it isn't illegal or it is always illegal. There are people unmarked by barcode, dress or manner that shouldn't buy or even hold a firearm. I am just not smart enough, and no one else in government is either, to figure out which few are those that shouldn't be allowed to handle a firearm.

In the beginning of this country, there wasn't a morality assigned to the tools called firearms. The morality was always in the person with the tools. There was dueling when this country started, but that became illegal and continued ever after into the culture and gunsmoke and hollywood. Since politicians and entertainment (court jesters?) have conspired to teach you that those in control have a right to disarm you for your safety, which wasn't true for most of the History of America, the country. The idea that you couldn't have a weapon went right along with the legal definition of a slave - an almost human being in a legally defined state of permanent servitude. Although arming slaves for the benefit of their masters has been accepted for centuries. Some masters actually think they will fight for their freedom, or the promise of it.

I don't know much about why others fight in uniform, I do know that I never have because I was paid well to, or believed my country was always right, or that I was as worthless as the nail in the horseshoe of the Chinese thought. There are officers that thought I would do what they said because it was an order - well, mostly I would - but I would do it so much better if it was a great order that would be worth dying for - don't ask any officers how many of those orders they have ever given, it is an embarrassing truth that it is easier to hit a hole-in-one than give an order worth dying for... Famous people I would have followed easily in combat? George Washington, Benedict Arnold on the American side, Lee, Jackson, Lincoln, Crook, Crazy Horse, Tecumseh, Teddy Roosevelt. I say easily, but they were very demanding but wouldn't expect you to do more than they would require of themselves. I like Lee and Washington best, they were very gentle hard men.

I continue to wander about this, but why I thought about this is the idea that this country is better unarmed, total government control of the firearms - like having the safe people disarmed by the law will prevent the unlawful from arming to the maximum they want or need. It doesn't work that way but the Democratic Party believes in sensible gun control (but never define it). The Republicans as a party get no pass - they vote like zombies for the gun control measure of the moment. In 1920, in America, you could own your own personal machine gun and the neighbors were more likely to ask to watch or try to shoot something with you. But then there was a gold standard for money, and indoor plumbing wasn't in every home yet, and you could still teach rifle marksmanship in high school. Things change, not always for the better.

Recently; more money, the end of the world, a re-election of the President and a return of a Democratic dominated Congress, or just the fact that more people are terrified and think a gun will protect them --- for many reasons, there is an increase in the number of people buying guns, many taking training, and some taking the firearm to a locked box (which won't protect them) to make it safer. I would like a lot of Americans to take up shooting, to live safely with firearms, to stop living in fear of the terrorists, thieves and thugs, their own government, and the government regulatory enforcers in black body armor and black ski masks (just a real positive suggestion make the body armor for law enforcement in powder baby blue or pink with a yellow smiley facemask and white gloves like Mickey Mouse).

I want more people accepting shooting as a safe, skilled, sport of choice - not something only ugly terrible people do for pain or profit. Maybe, since the schools are designated as a target rich environment all guns prohibited, I should work on getting shooting as a Saturday church activity?

This is part of the dialog or lack of between the Gun Lovers and Haters. Hmm... the gun control group wouldn't like to be known as Haters, but words have power.

Visual Art needs no explaination, does it?

2012-01-14T13:45:00.000-08:00

I was sent here by an Economist blogger and went to the source and found the man that made the film doesn't have a clue about 'why'. It is timely in the day of protesting 'Vulture Capitalism' and EPA regulations and everyone knowing what is real and what is true -that the real world continues with little regard for the finest government, or the Superpower status. And this is beautiful, but never needed his three minutes and thirteen seconds of explaining how little he can allow God to amaze him. He probably blames his cameras and the editing for what happens, it couldn't be his fault. No personal responsibility.

Ah, bad dreams, and I don't need them...

2012-01-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

I have a television set, I read, and I can figure it out. I don't need the political season following me to bed to confuse and wake me. Ugh!

I like watching the football game, I don't need a woman asking questions of the coach at halftime - I figure the coach is trying to win, I don't need analysis - I have no decisions to make, my vote won't be cast nor counted. But notice that the media covers the political campaign the same way - I need to know what the plan is, who the man or woman is (do they lie?), and then I can vote the way I want to get the representative (the public servant).

If I were the two main political parties and the media, I would look hard at the thirty percent-ers out there. Ron Paul or the TEA Party, these are people that don't see the world and America the way the media or the political backroom boys can control. The only reason I mention that is America won a Revolutionary War against the law and order crowd of King George and his Parliament in England. God fearing, responsible, family men stood up and went to war to break free of stupidity. But they were only thirty percent of the population in the settled East, out West beyond the ridges they were all independent and out of control.

Personally, I am sure that no matter whom is elected or selected that the country isn't going to pay the price of correcting almost a Century of trying to make the government godlike. The government continues to forget or pretend it never happened - that THE PEOPLE created it.
And I could give you the reasons it was created, but then you had to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution didn't you?

I will cling to my God and guns, funny that the government has to have rules about firearms that are so different from God's. I will stay with the Lord. I should design a flag for my political activity (no, I want to be working instead) The LORD and Liberty!

Remember me?

2012-01-11T21:31:00.001-08:00

Hi, its J____ Served with you in Zindorff,Germany

You remember me from that long ago? So, how are you doing?

You were hard to forget. You had a big influence on my life back then which I've carried over even to now. You wont remember but you separated me from the idiots in the bricks,took me running,had me spend time with a german family over Christmas for two years,selected to go to France for a month on a goodwill mission and much more. Today I'm married and very happy to be with Sharon my wife. We share our life with cats and a german Shepard. My occupation is in healthcare and so is Sharon's. We enjoy a quiet life. We also keep a boat off the Delaware river in which we spend time on. Im still involved in photography and running which you encouraged me to do way back then. So for that I thank you!

Very strange to me, how many people find me on the internet and mention that they never forgot me for what I have done when they knew me. I still owe thirty dollars for maroon berets for three former airborne officers and a set of cold weather boots that got turned in at Fort Bragg, which did nothing for the soldier needing them in Germany. Still it was a great four years for me and my family, and I don't think the Army suffered too much.

For sure I am going shooting on 21 January,,,

2012-01-11T17:53:00.000-08:00

There are no television sets on Range 15, I will zero my M1, then go to the three hundred yard target - eight rounds at a time. Just thinking of the range walk out to slap a new target up after taking a picture of the rounds just fired, that brings a smile to me. After I am happy with that I might move back to the two hundred yard line and the sitting or kneeling position - hmm, shooters don't have a problem with kneeling positions, but some of the media immoral will wonder if I were imitating a Denver quarterback, and I don't know if he shoots like I do, he sure plays better football.

I was working on the new garden location, I think that the size is too small, but my wife is the gardener and I am the dirt turner. She sent me out for chicken manure, which I haven't found and I think needs to wait on Spring. But I have some old compost to dig up and add to the tough clay of the yard turned. No rain until this weekend on the forecast, two more days to get the mix right.

According to the media it is their message...

2012-01-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

I am sure that I will no longer turn on my television on election days. Every outlet feels they have to tell you who won, without all the votes being counted. Ever bet on a horse race? Do you pay off on projections? No, you wait for that photograph of the nose that won it. As fights in the courts about dead voters, chads and photo ID, will surely come after the November election we could have trouble deciding who was popularly ignored in the election that will come later by the Electoral College.

According to the way I read the results, Mitt Romney won but there are a lot of people that don't want to have to vote for him. Diane Sawyer announced that he had 'swept' in Iowa. She must have been sleeping it was only eight votes, honest. I am very certain that the Media wants President Obama vs. Governor Romney, no one has to think about the future of America, and the media won't have to explain the large number of people writing in None of the Above, staying away from the foolishness of voting for either candidate, or some other gentle protest. President Obama wins if the best Romney can do is fifty percent of the voters in primaries and Ron Paul keeps a solid twenty-five percent. The TEA Party revs up for the important elections in the House and Senate - which just aren't going to be as sexy as the Presidential campaign, but that is the only place the voters will be able to affect the future of America. The media will try to portray the TEA Party as extremist, disgruntled and a threat to going down the drain with continued stupidity (okay, they won't tell you that repeating the past expecting different results is madness).

Now, the Supreme Court is going to decide if the FCC can regulate speech and nudity on television. Well, I am against it - speech and nudity. And don't tell me they are only enforcing sanctions against improper speech, vulgar speech, hate speech, nasty speech and offensive speech. I have been watching and I am sure there are NO STANDARDS of moral conduct displayed for the benefit of the audience or the sponsors of the time wasted watching television. I am sure that since I don't want the government to decide to push my mute button or fog out a particularly lovely lady in her bad behavior - I would like to encourage criminals convicted of terrible crimes to send their lawyers to sue the productions that caused them to have moral failure and commit crimes. There are a lot of inmates just waiting for the opportunity to blame their blemishes on the immorality displayed as entertainment.

PTSD

2012-01-09T18:00:00.000-08:00

After reading two celebrity 'History' books about Lincoln and Washington, I return to viewing Ken Burns' documentary The War, about WWII and four American towns. I am of the humble opinion that only those who lived it should tell the story - all else seems entertainment for profit by those who really don't understand the price...

I found a lot of left handed German rifles in the movie, I found two fifty star flags hung outside American homes, and I got a kick out of reading the German graffiti on a broken war machine. Overall a very moving production and a good thing to keep around for a taste of History, we just won't be able to ask our ancestors about since they are going so quickly. I recommend it although I have a lot of suspicions about Ken Burns and his message in all his films.

I once said, loudly and too often, that History is told by the victors, but I am sure that Homer and other performance artists will always have the last say. Shakespeare was writing plays about real Kings in Scotland, just never had the time to teach you that there wasn't a Scotland there at the time.

In general I am content that America's boom after the war was mainly from the returning service men that had seen Europe and the Pacific and wanted better for their lives - trying to bury the memory. They did a fine job.

Well, I am sixty-four today... and not deadly at all...

2012-01-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

My Birthday, thank you, Mom. I get spoiled by my wife and went shooting. Or tried to go shooting. Do you KNOW how many people have a new something they are trying out on the range today? Well, they were all in front or behind me waiting for a shooting bench.

The elegant elder man - Air Force Retiree - was shooting today, he takes such care with every shot. Very old school, and I aspire to that level one day. But not today. Saw some great shooters on pistol, serious shooters on sniping rifles in the prone with optics that demand a bipod to get the weight off the shooter. One of the pistol shooters was having his pistol lock back on every shot, he had two barrels for two calibers and something beside an empty magazine was causing the lock back. One guy was double tapping (a no-no) or just rapid firing the whole magazine (another no-no) but I wasn't impressed - his target at twenty-one feet had very few holes in it.

I finally got a shooting point and moved the shooting bench, to pretend I was a real shooter and from the prone. Sixteen at fifty, moved sights right, eight at one hundred and a bit more right and then twenty four at two hundred. The fast stepping going out to target, take picture, slap on a target and repair, move target, fast stepping back to the firing line. One day I will do it all at three hundred, after verifying the zero. Great day to be an American!

Living in the Superlative...

2012-01-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

SEAL!

American's Most Lethal Navy SEAL Sniper Tells Gripping Tale About Killing 'Savages' and Decking Jesse Ventura

The most, the best, the greatest, the proudest, the tallest, the smallest, the winningest (?) - people drool over (slobber?) over a chance to sit beside these wonders, so they can promote their ad space for larger audience share. Now, I will tell you (never having been a 'sniper') that that man waited very long, and built patiently every shot that worked (killed), he was part of a team that made sure no one was coming up behind him, to help him find the target and the distance and the variables, he probably didn't load his own (but likely knows how). And he does take the shot.

He has written a book, seems to be the thing for former SEALs or their like to do. I wonder if they feel driven to write? or did some agent/publisher get to these fighters and ask them to write for the profit. It doesn't matter except to him, listening to his interview he still isn't relating to the current American clueless culture. I hope he can find his way among the sharks and snarks.

I have always thought snipers are very important, marksmanship is superior to bigger bombs and more bullets bouncing badly, although the best people seem to fall to the smallest of things unexpected. One of my favorite books about World War II, written by a paratrooper, ended with his answering his mother's questions when he came home "I don't use a washcloth when I shower now." He couldn't tell her all the changes, so he wrote the book.

I was called to help my wife make the bed with fresh sheets and pillow cases, teamwork gets it done quicker, her guidance makes sure it is done to standards - we can now face the day. Y'all have a great one.

SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper

The 21st Century Sniper: A Complete Practical Guide

American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History

Do you want an extended warranty agreement?

2012-01-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Warranty... I found one that works!

My Springfield Armory Micro Compact broke during the last run at the range. I emailed the Repair people, outlining my problem, the SN, and my address. I received a reply that parts were on the way. Sure enough, I got an invoice for zero cost listing all the parts in the mail today, and by the time I returned from my heart walk the parts were under the porch rug where the UPS guy left them with another box with books. The pistol is reassembled, function checked and locked away until the next time I go shooting. Wish my printer, computer, monitor and other things didn't need extended warranty service. But when I think about it, most of my firearms work far longer well without replacement parts needed.

Put your money where your mouth is...

2012-01-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

So, I have contributed to a political campaign today, last time I did was in 1992, for a Democratic Candidate for President. Senator Bob Kerrey, he didn't win but then he would have been so different than the fellow that did. I expect the United States to continue its decline, something about a company that makes products no one buys, a team that pays the non-players as much as the hustlers, that wastes it goods on those that can't take care of others. The whole system pretends to be based on ethical conduct without a God nor a Heaven. They do it so badly. They only do it that way to make the religious feel guilty for not helping enough.

Okay, it is a race - which light will go out first? Earl or the United States of America? Not much time left for either according to my calendar...

I am not the smartest guy in the room, and I am alone...

2012-01-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

I would have to confess to being a white middle class male, but improperly motivated by my life experiences and the decided lack of leadership. My education was twelve years at the public school system, the church, the public library and extended family and friends. Then I dropped out of the University of Miami, not doing well there, and went off to war - which I had long desired. I had tested smart enough to ask for anything they offered, but young enough to only want Special Forces or Airborne Infantry. I trained for Infantry, including eighteen weeks at Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. But my major weakness was exposed, I was young and said what I thought was the truth at the most unwanted times to the wrong audience. So I was paneled and I said I wouldn't accept a turn back, and I made Private First Class and was in a Casual Company awaiting orders for somewhere else in the Army. I was sent off to Korea, for thirteen months and assigned to the Artillery, which was nothing like Infantry or what I was best prepared for... I adapted and overcame. I learned, I served and grew. Nineteen months in Korea, five in Germany, twelve months in Vietnam, three years in the Airborne, three years in the Drill Sergeant duty, four years in Germany, three more years in the Airborne Division, three more years in Korea, then back to the Airborne Division (six months in Saudi Arabia and a week in Iraq) then back to Germany.. total twenty-seven years, five months and one day I retired in Fort Lewis, Washington. Along the way I had married, raised a son, finished a BA twice. Time to retire and see what the civilian side was like. That is so you understand I am not of the RULING CLASS, I wasn't even qualified to be an officer.

We don't have a Noble class in America, you can be from an important family: Adams, Harrison, Roosevelt, Bush, Kennedy, Clinton but you aren't Noble just advantaged and expected to be special. There is no ONE Political Party in charge: NAZI, FACIST, Communist, Peoples Party -- No, America is everyone with Representation, which because some predators work better in packs, have always seemed to have two major political parties of different philosophies. If you were European you couldn't see the difference between the two, but inside America there are real differences pointed out constantly. I side with the Europeans, there isn't enough difference. That there are political parties is the outside face of the political process, inside the branches of government there are real grouping of power - which is a constant process and has little to do with the public face. To help these movers and shakers of public representation are the men with money, the academic experts in economic/social sciences and the media for promotion and predictions. Put them together; politicians, money movers, media and academics -- that is the American Ruling Class. Now you can get into this class, and you can be thrown out, but it is a real class and the important thing is that they Know and Truly believe they are in charge.

Which is why I am very happy not being in the Ruling Class, but worrisome in that I don't think I need to be RULED. I will be responsible for my actions, borrowing and service and job performance, keyword is "I". Some will say that I can't be trusted without being watched, but they are wrong, and for some reason I don't think I need to watch y'all either. They do keep trying to catch my attention but I have figured out being a quiet old guy at the back of the room gets me very ignored. First they have to control the extremists, then those that aren't comfortable, then when it seems they have everyone going their way by their say... then they will send some minions after me and a few like me. They always want total control, but they will tear themselves apart when everyone else is properly RULED.

Oh, I studied History, and evolutionarily there isn't any difference in the Biblical record of Israel and today's empires - except fewer Ruling Elite follow the rule of the LORD. Nothing new under the Sun.

Ron Paul is not one of the Ruling Elite, and so the Media likes to mock him for being so different, and although I don't think Ron Paul is a Savior - he is so out of favor with the Republican Party Wing of the Ruling Elite that if there were a Roman Authority to bring him up on charges they would have done so... He actually thinks we shouldn't have attacked Iraq, or Afghanistan (so do I, but then I still scared by our first WAR without declaration or goal - Vietnam) he wants to close the Federal Reserve, return to the Constitution and ignore Iran's potential Nuclear Weapon. So there are many entrenched institutions and interests determined not to allow an outsider to take POWER and rule from them, and they know, like I, that even if the thirty percent of the nation supporting independent thought and responsibility and those active in TEA Party operations are not going to carry enough votes for a change. So we will get one of two choices - Obama and Obama-like from the Republicanside of the Ruling Elite - if we know what is good for us. We don't, that is why they are the Ruling Elite.

But wasn't it the Ruling Elite that know so much, have done so much for us in our fears and feeble struggles of life, that got us 15 Trillion Dollars in debt? That think they can control the economy by building more chains? Aren't all those smarter than most of us, harder working than most of us, certain sure that their way is the only way - aren't they the problem? Trying to make America, a debtor nation and dependent on help from some higher government? Our American image becomes one of a welfare dependent, unemployable, only sustained by more government programs that fail?

I think the Presidential Election is going to be a sham, the Republican Candidate will not change the direction of America, Obama isn't going to... the Media has to sell ad time so they aren't going to make America better... bankers will loan money but they are doing it for more profits. No solutions there. So, Americans have to elect a House and Senate that will work on reducing the government size and ability to only that allowed in the Constitution of the United States or a new one. Any have a tax code ready to put in place in 2013? Have any candidates willing to take the label of TEA Party Terrorist, or just one of those libertarian or Constitutionalist? There is no WILL so there is no WAY.

PS: I am tired of "2nd Amendment Right". I am fine with the Second Amendment but the "Right" is of "the People". The Second Amendment lays out what the government will not do -- and the Ruling Elite has done so anyway, while you weren't paying attention. Sigh...

Was going to talk about the Ruling Elite... but..

2012-01-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

This could happen, if it isn't right DON'T LOAD ANOTHER.

Out with the OLD!

2011-12-31T19:57:00.000-08:00

I went to shoot at Wade's Designated Appleseed Range in Castle Rock Washington, the third December I have been there, and today the weather was perfect (forty something and dry) for shooting. I even saw Mount Saint Helens from the road as I drove out, very interesting.

My M1 Garand was right on, and for a bit I tightened up my groups and enjoyed the instructors and other shooters. I helped coach a bit and tried to work out all the kinks and little aches. Didn't work and I started to get tired, but I wanted to try one AQT, and I started on the first stage, ten rounds, loaded two, loaded eight in clip and finished the ten. Then looked at what I had shot. Three were okay, but I was getting tired and started to hit low, and suddenly hit the target of the shooter next to me. Not just wild shots, probably was not aware of which target I was engaging. That is the time to stop shooting and go get rest and healthier.

It was a great day, since one of my younger shooters, that I have talked to much and coached and taught, got it all together today and made his Rifleman with a score of 212. He got his patch from his grandfather, the guy that built the range. I met his sister, seven, too. Loaned her some hearing protection and talked with her, made sure she noted that her brother had earned his patch. She will be back with a little growth, she is interested.

Well, y'all have a happy and Safe New Year, and work on getting out of that recliner and onto the streets and ranges. Take back your American Heritage, Liberty and the Lord. I will have to work on my marksmanship since much of it needs a healthy body and mind - and Country.

Earls Year

2011-12-30T16:25:00.001-08:00

What time is it?

2011-12-30T06:40:00.000-08:00

The end of the month creeps up on me, I need to get the garbage out today, need to pay bills and start the NEW YEAR, and pay some more bills. I was reminded to answer the telephone, since it could be a call from California about a new grandchild. The calendar stops on the 31st and my mind has trouble leaping onto a new page until the day for the roll over. I hope the Winter and Summer Olympics will be good, I will be watching on the Canadian Broadcasting. American coverage is just fluff, just fluff. So there will be some great things happening next year.

Now, having competed at the grassroots, fun run level (yes, I am laughing) I know how much the athletes are training in preparation for their events - for Olympic medals you get one chance every four years. Enjoy the Games. The best, most uncovered by press and media will be the little sports and events. In America, they won't even televise the shooters getting medals, no matter what country they are from, unless it is Woman's Biathlon in the Winter Games. In the Summer Games China will crush the Americans every chance they get. Get used to it... If China can't do it, maybe Japan and Korea will.

I wonder why the Presidential Hopefuls aren't running a strong campaign, because they want to be loved? When I watch Mitt Romney I see all that I saw in Obama - just a successful kind of guy, not a Chicago style politician. Which to me means not a choice. The media thinks they can sell ad space on his run and future years in office. I notice the media doesn't cover any important stuff, you have to go to the search engines to find out what the plans are for each candidate - unless you want to laugh at Ron Paul, he thinks we should return to the Constitution, and EVERYONE knows that won't work. The media covers the sound bites, the attacks, the polls and surveys. Why anyone doesn't set up a vote counter, where you log in and vote daily so they can measure the candidates potential base.

Of the six hundred and some bills sponsored by Ron Paul only one in twenty some years as Congressman got passed. So that is an indication of how far out he is -- and means I don't have to blame him for the mess America is in now. I think we need a simple tax code, flat works for me, and we need to get rid of government gifts, and close any association between the government and the Federal Reserve Banks. Congress and the Treasury can take care of money. But then I am very like Ron Paul, not going to sell well on television... not controlled properly... not Mainstream enough. Guess it is Mitt and continued destruction of America by well intentioned folks.

Ah, I have an answer...

2011-12-29T06:47:00.000-08:00

Springfield Armory, the repair portion, has answered my request for help with a quick reply and warranty replacement. The parts aren't here yet, but I think it will be exactly what I need. You have no idea how frightening it is go out without something to conceal. I was thinking of getting the regular size Colt 1911 out, but didn't. When I went to get my new improved prescriptions I stopped and dropped off two of my carry knives. There is an old guy there (yeah, he is probably younger than I) sharpening most knives at three dollars a blade. He has a pretty nice set up, will engrave your name on your knife, but I figure that NCIS & Abby could find your DNA on you knife without your name. Doesn't everyone cut themselves when they sharpen the blades?

I picked up "That Used to be US" by Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum, hoping to see if they had the solution to the disappearance of America. They don't and they are sure, more tax money and lower debt will work... if I didn't know better I would lump them with Bill O'Reilly on Fox News, hoping the Federal government would fix Detroit. I laugh every time I think about that. It is like common sense Gun Control - which is only well aimed shots, not banning firearms (that doesn't work in Europe, really). I have always held that if you wanted a most perfect Earth the planet, you must get rid of humankind.

I will read on, they may have something I really haven't noticed, and I like stirring the blood by basking in stupidity. If I were in charge, there would be lessons in Correct behavior and manners in schools, there would be lots of children left behind until they caught up to the level they were to be at. My first college class on children was that they don't LEARN or GROW at the same rate. I also think it is very important that the conflict between control of the sexual attitudes of the people stop. One man and one woman committed to each other for their lives to have a family and live responsibly is a winner. anything less than that is an adventure into possible failures. Now, I think you have to have your chance to fail -- really. But this media foolishness about zombies and werewolves and vampires and lustful love? It goes right along with the government's protection of the single parent not being able to make it without monthly checks, counseling and cuddling by agencies of pity. If you really believe in the science of Evolution, all forms of human dynamics should be tried, the ones that don't work -- die. Half of all marriages don't end in divorce, although more divorces happen if encouraged by custom and culture, fewer might happen if two adults were committed to making it work, kind of a life goal. But then that isn't taught in schools anymore is it?

Velva Ara Dungey born Chickasaw County, Iowa

2011-12-28T08:52:00.000-08:00

Kind of neat while worried about my health too much, to know that I have an aunt that today is one hundred years old and family has gone to help her celebrate and be with her in Rochester, Minnesota. She has been reported to have wondered why she has been so blessed with all those years and my opinion has been that she is a wonder and a wonderful person and I wish all elder people were so gracious and thoughtful of others. That is her on the left of the table when she and my mother came to spend Christmas and New Years in Y2K. Happy Birthday!

I didn't know too much as a child...

2011-12-27T11:17:00.000-08:00

I felt sorry for football and basketball players that had to play games in black and white on holidays, when I thought everyone should be at home and hearth. I was also the young fellow that thought the Soviet Union with cradle to school childcare was evidence to their foolishness about what really counted in life. Now my wife is a part-time professional grandmother at the Childcare Center, and my grandson has daycare, too. Watching Green Bay struggle to beat Chicago in color and the cold, I know that they wouldn't rather be doing something else, and they are compensated.

I am still stuck in being Earl, reading about long ago warriors and long ago wars, always trying to figure out why my government hated me enough for Vietnam, never realizing that there are fools everywhere, being in government just clumps them in bunches. I have received Ken Burns film, The War: 1941-1945 and just finished the first disc this morning. Interesting, current Historians trying to explain the life and culture of long ago and far away... without jumping up and down about the real reasons many things happened. They almost always make the mistake of carrying our current cultural norms back to compare against and highlight - and the people from back then, didn't have those and wouldn't have considered them as meaningful. Which pretty much leaves us as lost, as to what was really going on. General Douglas MacArthur becomes Gregory Peck, and my father who had him as a far away commander once - never ever regarded him well. But to many stay-at homes, and media fed fools he was a hero. for three wars, trust me, he was just a man often caught beyond his capabilities trying to win the current battle, complete the mission. And he was never Gregory Peck.

And "War Horse" is on, at the Regal, another silly old thing, doing something so un-holiday like as seeing a film about sex, war or criminal behavior... sad that is fits my mood, and I will go to see all the errors in weapons, tactics and cultural norms done very artistically.

Twas the morn after Christmas and all through...

2011-12-26T05:44:00.000-08:00

I missed two episodes of the current Korean Historic Drama, I know his mother is dead, he has accepted the opportunity to become the 19th King, urged by his father (the 18th King) and trusted advisers. Don't know what happened to his wife and their child, and I am sure all the enemies are still plotting. Still, Christmas was fine and will be dining with my cousin and his wife today.

I have sent off to find out how to get my packing pistol repaired, since it is the holiday vacation period it may be a bit. In shooting goodness I have my ticket to attend the last Castle Rock Appleseed of 2011. Just one day for me will be enough. I am muted, kind of like a trumpet with something stuck into it, the medicines have muted my tone.

I have finished "Battle Leadership" by Captain Adolf Von Schell, good read if you have never done S.L.A. Marshall about WWII, Korea and early Vietnam. He wrote Pork Chop Hill, and many others. Chapter VIII really stood out for me, since it was talking about the development of the German Army since the Great War, when they were only allowed a 100,000 in uniform. That is the chapter that he quickly explains the Revolutions, Communists, Unions, Freikorps and the almost destruction of Germany as a nation, internal strife, inflation and well meaning pacifists in charge.. looks just like Libya now, tribalism and no one in charge. Less than a hundred years ago.. three generations?

So why didn't I go shopping today for that gift?

2011-12-24T17:05:00.000-08:00

It is Christmas Eve, and I didn't go shopping, there isn't a tree inside the house, although the Christmas tree my mother sent us in 1994 is still growing well outside the home, there are no lights on it. The neighbors across the street and to the East and many others have decorations out and nicely lighted up.

In 1971, in the bunker in Vietnam, I wrote a letter to all my far away family and friends, and then sent President Nixon one of the same, since I knew his Christmas Eve couldn't be like mine - so I shared. I was surprised but in January I got a reply from the White House, with a mention of his service in WWII, away from home.

We will be going to church tomorrow, combined service, and I will hear that wonderful question 'What did you get for Christmas?' and my answer is a Savior that was more than I will ever be worth. Don't I like all the traditions? Yes, but not at the cost of my health or sanity, and most of them work best with children to enjoy, family and friends. Then I might, having done so in the past, spend time money and effort to make the season bright.

I guess if I have to make an excuse for not having a gift for my wife, I will have to tell her that I got "The Notebook" and I sat and watched it with her and enjoyed the story, the time and the message. She knows that I will give her almost anything she wants, except to change from cheap procrastinator.

I wish everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, and I hope that you put your trust in God. How did that go, two people in the stable having a baby - no midwife? no emergency room? Only hanging on to the real certainty that angels had given each of them a message that matched their religious beliefs. Sent by Caesar Augustus to pay the tax... all the World. Somethings never change, luckily God loves us even if our governments don't.

What am I reading, too much, but love it...

2011-12-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

I picked up Battle Leadership, by Captain Adolf Von Schell, to add to my A Rifleman went to War, by Herbert W. McBride from Indiana. World War I is well covered on the small unit fronts. I recommend for real readers "A Soldier of the Great War" you have to get by a hundred and twenty pages before you are ready to enjoy finding out how Italy fought the Great War, which might explain how easy it was for the opportunists to take over after Victory.

World War I was a cold shock to the Imperialist world, the elites weren't big enough, the colonies had to provide tons of cannon fodder, and Steampunk was justified before it was born. Exciting times in warfare, killing lots of people and animals in all the most modern ways, aircraft, armor, far reaching tube artillery, almost unlimited submarines, gas of various toxins (and you wondered why the high leadership stayed so far behind the lines, it wasn't just the radio or telephone). What a wonderful war to only read about.

Okay, your assignment for the coming year..

2011-12-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

The PROBLEM isn't Republican or Democrat, the problem is you don't understand the problem. Yes, I said "YOU"! If you understood the problem none of the agents of that problem would survive - it is like giving your child total control and keep nodding off and nodding your head that they are such wonderful children and they are succeeding in keeping the family safe, together and healthy... as they do all the stupid things you did before you actually assumed the responsibilities of an adult and a family.

So, since my health has now been given medicines and a green light. So I should quit watching the trying real hard politicians that can't seem to get it right, they will be fodder for comedy shows for years to come. So, don't worry be happy.

But as an intellectual exercise which might have political applications in the coming NEW YEAR, I think I should design a government system that would be better, since this one is going to collapse from FEAR, GREED, POWER STRUGGLES. There certainly isn't the teamwork and sacrifice that a unit in combat has... even the dirt bags will charge machine guns for people they love - politicians seem to only love the image in their mirror or their mind, or some shameful sexual fantasy.

So, I throw the challenge out to you, design a government for 330 million Americans. Okay, too big for little guys? just design a tax code - the only tax code for every person and corporation in America. Just one, because there is only ONE tax payer for all those levels of government... one of the first problems you should look at and solve. Yes, you can do it, you are not stupid, you are not greedy, you are not power hungry... you aren't a politician. It is a worthy exercise, even if you won't publish it, you will be ready with some answers for those running the country into the RED, or the GROUND. They have no idea where the Landing Gear lever is... no plan for failure of government. Sigh. Have a very Happy Holiday, and thanks to Republicans and Definitely the Democrats you get two months worth of less on your FICA payments, don't go wild and crazy. God bless us everyone, Amen.

Just another cup of coffee...

2011-12-21T06:54:00.000-08:00

And my wife will tell me not to drink too much, it will leach the calcium from my bones. I will say okay, and know that she says that because she loves me, and somewhere she heard that it was so. I will admit to drinking warm water most of the afternoon, too lazy to even drop a tea bag in, just the warm water seems to work - of course I have to have it in a black mug, so I don't see that it is only water.

I am up early for and adventure into the world, taking my wife's car in for services. I will not take a laptop, but will take my current reading "A Rifleman Went to War" by Herbert W. McBride, veteran of WWI in the Canadian and American Forces. Got it as a Print on Demand. Oops, just found that I have a game on my other computer that is waiting for me, well, it will wait. Like the Trusty Triumph in the garage, just waiting until I can get back at it. I did have a motorcycling dream a few nights ago, the biggest part of it was not having all the power I wanted going up a mountain, but I was still going up. Don't read too much into that and I won't either.

Just in case you think I have given up on fool politicians - look at your pay stub, look at what your with holding was before the decrease for economic stimulation, and then laugh at how hard the Houses in Congress are looking out for you in making sure you 'might' have ALL that money they feel will make you buy a better clunker... Gee, there isn't much money there at all by paycheck, is there? If I were working I would wish they would take the money and put it in a bank at more interest than they could get from non-marketable government bonds. Have a great day and try to do everything for and with others with Love, and a smile.

Should we have only blue ink or black in Congress...

2011-12-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

Understand that the House can't figure out as a body, which is better, two months of Payroll tax decrease or a year's worth. Not many are saying that permanently lowering the rate might be best.... that would mean that raising it was a bad idea... and there would be more problems down the road, because you, citizens, might figure out that it is almost a Ponzi scheme or just ineffectual governance. This is from a government that can't balance its book now - no matter it just doesn't have the GUTS!

There are in this country a lot of scurrying little people, hiding from the light, afraid of the cat that can't be belled, that say they don't believe in the LORD or bothering Him, that still for some reason think everyone else is as frightened as they are, or SHOULD BE... So sorry, I know that none of it matters.

Take 9/11, the government couldn't stop the terrorists, only in one aircraft were the passengers able to die bravely. No country sponsored this attack on America, but the United States attacked its citizens and two other countries and encouraged everyone to be afraid with it. Fear, that was the excuse, but the truth is that the people in government don't boldly attack enemy machine gun positions. Government policies had made it very easy to take over aircraft and use them as weapons, and the passengers were mostly sheeple - waiting on someone in authority to take care of the bad men with bloody hands.

I was sure that 9/11 was a crime, but nothing to start a war over, unless you really wanted to try and destroy all those of faith in Mecca. To prevent another attack I was sure you needed to figure out what makes them hate us, enough to attack in that manner.

And the real fear mongers, are the media in frenzy, something to fill their airtime, so someone will pay for their pap. So, is it a surprise that the next election cycle is based on how bad the different candidates will be for America? How the Left will destroy American Greatness? How the RIGHT will starve the poor, make education only for the intelligence species and bring gold back as currency... FEAR.

Instead of learning how to shoot safely and accurately the anti-gun goofs want the firearms banned. Instead of teaching our citizens about drug and alcohol abuse and its dangers -- the banning of the substance is an answer that doesn't work... hmm, one from the Left and one from the Right. And it doesn't work, and both are working from FEAR of the guns or the substances. They have that fear because they actually believe that people can't help themselves. Fear, based on the sure knowledge that no one is smarter and better than I, and I know I have my weaknesses and faults.

There ought to be a law... is part of the problem, too easy to make a regulation, law or give an executive order... and no review, no sunset clause and no way over that fence, just another brick in the wall.

So, don't worry, you can get all those bad drugs, drink yourself to coma, carry a gun and shoot up a school where you know you are the baddest dude in the place. You too can prove you are smarter than those in charge, and feel as badly as you deserve if you live through the experience. Mostly you don't, on the gun issue so many are killing themselves after the blood fest I wonder if they haven't been taking drugs for their problems and sober up in the middle of their confusion -- ashamed.

I have tickets to ride an airplane, and expect it will be a fine trip - except for the Government intrusion into my life (TSA), but then I am going to California and we KNOW that they are running around naked in San Francisco, and only so everyone knows they aren't carrying firearms concealed... or some such thought. I am not afraid, and looking forward to the visit and the difference. But then I don't think the payroll tax hike or cut would have any affect on my holiday, certainly doesn't on my Holy Days.

Why do we put up with government out of control? I am not afraid of it, they don't love me, but then government isn't human and has no love, it is an institution without pity. Thank God.

Sleepless night, we get up for tea and honey, talk...

2011-12-19T00:48:00.000-08:00

I have been ignoring the signs of my coming collapse, and I find myself making excuses - I am older, I am fatter, my doctor is not doing everything he can, I am more alone and irritated over the slights to my pride and position, don't have the position that I once held, and fifty excess pounds is a measurable problem of my making, the no longer able to jog for lack of breath. Hmmm... gives me something to dwell about in my anxious anxiety. It could keep me up at night.

Now, with little problem I can transfer my coming death with the one the United States of America faces. Too easy to compare the excess pounds of weight with the burdensome regulations strangling innovation, enterprise and risk. Really, risk. I have to confess I don't owe anywhere near the amount of money that the Federal, State or local governments do -- but then I don't pretend to be much more important than I really am, which is why the term SUPER POWER will never be mine. For a Super Power to leave the Republic of Vietnam in defeat (don't tell me we won there) - we left and didn't learn the lesson that it could have taught us about arrogance and our true strengths and our weaknesses. I have heard many politicians thinking that we can Restore America, trying to bring back the greatness of America after World War II, and in some ways that was a good goal, take us to the '60s and the Space Race. But we defined ourselves in little ways, little comforts, little victories and turned inward like the ancient Chinese civilization - oh, we still walked proudly upon the World stage, posturing, and beating up the neighborhood punks, but we were no longer willing to risk exploration, exploitation and example of better behavior. We don't try hard enough, as a country, individually we do... until the government decides that we need to be watched, or supported, or just given a safety net.... I wouldn't think too much parental supervision is good for children to grow into adults, not if you want them to be strong and still meek. Never have met a meek bully. Anyway, the government and the culture and the people are in stress and conflict -- the best solution to the problems is stop making more problems, cut back on excess and fool infringements and allow the millions of people and ideas to grow solutions and strengths as they will. The future is not in returning to the old ways, the old ways (this week's wonders) will continue to build cages, chains and push off for political expediency the rust and gunk killing America. I hope the coming elections help clean house and a smaller government and massive cuts in services shows up. Lower taxes, less regulation and more LIBERTY to risk and fail. Don't know why the education system teaches everyone will always succeed, and no child will be left behind. That is a funny way to run a race, play a game, build an empire or peace on Earth.

Well, that is two cups of tea with honey, and I can feel sleep calling me. I am not as close to falling totally apart as I think the country is. If I can't run for want of breath I can walk. If the pains in my chest were significant my doctor would tell me when I see him on Thursday morning, they aren't that bad that it has stopped anything in my life, just seem to be an indicator that they weren't there years ago when I was younger and foolish. Foolish, now isn't that a nice thing to have constant in one's life or government? No, I don't think so either. Start and end your days with a prayer of thanks for being able to make the Lord's way straight. And don't be too proud of only being a pilgrim on passage to glory. Its our job, dude.

Do the Christmas cards go to the range reward...

2011-12-17T20:41:00.000-08:00

A beautiful Saturday, blue skies and Gleaming White Glory of Mount Rainier watching over us. I got the Christmas letter, addresses on all the cards and postage and made it to the Post Office, so sometime before the New Year everyone will know what we have been doing if they haven't been watching me waste time on facebook games or note what I have said in this blog. I was off to Range 15 on Joint Base Lewis McChord (only a newbie would like that improved name, JBLM).

I was only going to exercise my packing pistol, a Springfield Armory Micro Compact 45 APC, and only the shooting of it. One can't carry concealed, even with a permit, on post. The Commander says so... he/she never has a name. And on Range 15 you can't draw from a holster and shoot, like you might have to in the darkness of the time you need to defend oneself or loved ones. You can practice in the safety of you own home - but isn't that part of the warning on many of the marvelous things one sees on television (professional driver on closed course, expert shooter in controlled area -- don't try this at home)? Okay, I was there to shoot and see. What do I see? The fine firearms, family and friends shooting together. Lots of ARs on the Rifle side, lots of Sigs on the pistol side. Red Case sale buyer shows me his and explains - the price seems right.

I shoot, talk, meet, admire and learn while I take some pictures (always record the targets, get a video to watch for errors and stupid mistakes - like a private coach). I meet Fred, who will come and talk to me as I am reloading, he didn't anchor the bottom of his target and the wind presented it to his position on edge (a very narrow target). As I reviewed the video, I noticed how perfect the safe handling of the pistol I demonstrated - muzzle stay on target, fingers not on trigger, and I turned to the rear to point out the range house. Then I went back to my target, chamber a round and engage.

I went down and gave my forty-five brass to Fred, he casts his bullets and reloads for his own shooting. He allowed me to shoot three rounds from his pistol, and says that the three bullets on top of each other on the lower right arm of the X were mine. I believe him, a beautiful pistol and only a pound and a half on trigger pull. It was a very good day in the Great NorthWest.

Happy Boston Tea Party Day!

2011-12-16T06:43:00.001-08:00

I wander the time remaining, before Christmas, trying to get it together. No lights, no tree, no stocking hung yet... what is going on? Well, I am not sure, I am distracted by fine sea stories and knights of old, and facebook calls constantly, reloading goes well. None of that seems Christmas-like. I did send a digital Christmas card from me in CastleVille, so sad.

There are eight real Christmas cards from family and friends they brighten the bookcase. Which meant I went and got some, did the annual letter, and am stuffing envelopes to mail. Then I discover the addresses needed may not be there, I haven't been keeping a good address book for years - everyone is on email now, until you want to send them something in the mail. Ugh! You haven't seen how bad my email address maintenance is, four or five for some constant movers - I could delete but which ones?

For sure something I can handle waits me outside in the frosty morning, the moles decided to fill the water meter cut-off in the front yard again. Why don't they get the neighbors?

They really aren't listening, sigh... Boycott TSA protections...

2011-12-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

Response to Petition on the Abolishment of the Transportation Security Administration
By John Pistole, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
Thank you for participating in the We the People platform, we respect the right of the petitioners to be heard and value the feedback we receive from travelers who share their experiences – good or bad – with us. The men and women of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have a challenging, but critical mission, and they take their jobs very seriously. TSA understands that the terrorist threat remains real and continues to evolve, as evidenced by the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day 2009 and the disrupted air cargo bomb plot last year.
Why TSA Exists.
TSA was created two months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, when Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act (ATSA) [.pdf] to keep the millions of Americans who travel each day safe and secure across numerous modes of transportation.
Over the past 10 years, TSA has strengthened security by creating successful programs and deploying technologies that were not in place prior to September 11, while also taking steps whenever possible to enhance the passenger experience. Here are just a few of the many steps TSA has taken to strengthen our multi-layered approach to security:
Establishing an Intelligence-Driven Approach.
TSA uses intelligence in real-time to strengthen security and share key information with state, local, and international partners, to ensure they can respond to evolving threats.
Vetting of Passengers and Transportation Workers.
Today, 100 percent of passengers flying to, from, and within the United States are prescreened against terrorist watch lists under TSA's Secure Flight program. In addition, employees with access to airports and ports, and those who transport higher risk materials, are vetted to ensure a secure environment.
Screening for Explosives.
TSA screens 100 percent of carry-on and checked baggage for dangerous items including explosives. TSA has also deployed explosives-detection canine teams. The teams are used to detect explosives and deter terrorism in aviation, mass transit, and cargo environments.
Deploying Advanced Technology to Detect Evolving Threats.
As part of its multi-layered approach to security, TSA uses Advanced Imaging Technology and Automated Target Recognition software to detect metallic and nonmetallic threats, including weapons and explosives concealed under layers of clothing on passengers. Using Advanced Technology X-ray, Bottled Liquid Scanners and Explosives Trace Detection (ETD) Technology, TSA can more efficiently and effectively screen checked and carry-on bags for potential threats.
Covert Testing.
Covert testing provides TSA with valuable information that can be used to modify security measures, improve training and inform the development of future technology. The statistic cited in the petition was from testing performed nearly eight years ago and doesn't reflect the current security environment. Since then, TSA has implemented new security measures and deployed enhanced technology to address evolving threats to aviation.
Strengthening In-Flight Security.
Hardened cockpit doors and the Federal Air Marshal Service serve as additional layers of security against an act of terrorism.
Establishing a Professionalized Workforce.
Transportation Security Officers (TSO) working at 450 airports today are hired through a rigorous vetting process and go through extensive training that did not exist prior to September 11. Today's TSOs have an average of three and a half years of experience on the job and have a turnover rate of approximately 6 percent. This compares to an average of 3 months of experience and a turnover rate of 125 percent for screeners prior to the creation of TSA.
TSA's Next 10 Years.
TSA is working to enhance its risk-based, intelligence-driven security initiatives to strengthen security while continuing to improve the passenger experience whenever possible. Current efforts include: changing the way TSA screens passengers ages 12 and under, evaluating the expanded use of behavior detection techniques, and piloting expedited screening for known travelers. Efficiencies gained by implementing more risk-based security methods allow us to make the best possible use of the resources to secure air travel.
Additionally, new software has been deployed to further strengthen privacy protections by eliminating passenger-specific images on Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines. The new software has been installed on all millimeter wave AIT units currently in airports, with plans to test and deploy similar software for backscatter units in 2012.
Our Nation is safer and better prepared today because of these and other efforts of the Department of Homeland Security, TSA, and our federal, state, local and international partners. TSA is constantly identifying ways to continue to strengthen security and improve the passenger experience and appreciates the feedback of the public.
We invite you to stop by TSA's blog to continue this discussion.
Check out this response on We the People.
Stay Connected
Stay connected to the White House by signing up for periodic email updates from President Obama and other senior administration officials.

Wasn't my goal to throw stones...

2011-12-14T09:32:00.000-08:00

Charlize Theron Dior commercial, on television only thirty special seconds, on YouTube much more. The best part, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Charlize still make the cut, Madonna doesn't - she is only worthy of the Superbowl halftime show. Isn't it wonderful what you can do with computers? No, I am not buying the perfume, don't want to meet the models, and am only going to allow you to know that I really hope their beauty was matched by the goodness of their heart and soul.

A South Korean Commando was killed by the Chinese Captain in a fishing boat dispute. Now I don't think it was reported on MSM, so I like watching other news sources and the Internet and the Canadian Broadcasting on cable. But we are still worried about the War in Afghanistan, and who Iowa will choose you won't see the hundreds of deadly confrontations around the world until the LAST SUPER POWER decides to notice and do something about it. Remembering that they are making sure you know what kind of medicine and all its side effects would lower your risk, they are not ready to keep you informed of anything beyond our culture, unless it is Discovery, PBS special, or National Geographic or the Travel Channel. Ron Paul is right.

"He who is without sin cast the first stone." and the older men left first. Never was that the accused wasn't guilty, only that the punishers were not worthy.

Okay, there is class warfare out there - and in order to win it we have to reduce the tensions. All you RICH people making over a million dollars, give it all to the government and die quietly in the corner. All you richer than I people over there, those making more than fifty thousand a year, give up half of all you made to the government, all you people over there that can't take care of yourselves the government will give you a non-marketable US Bond of fifty thousand every year. Then no one will try to make a million dollars, everyone not making money will get a non-marketable US Bond, and those making more than I will not be that much ahead of me in my declining years.

Actually, if Everyone making money would just give it all to the really smart people in government for the protection of the Snail Darter and Spooky Owl, the world would be a much better place. Then there will be enough Snail Darters and Spooky Owls for the homeless to harvest and eat.

This rant, because it isn't much worth reading, is brought to you because I am getting tired of hearing the same lies repeated about how tax cuts make being poor difficult, being poor should be rewarding I guess it the implication. And how does anyone know that the government does anything correctly? Is there any proof? Governments rise and fall around the world, the poor are always with us, and in case you really aren't paying attention -- little countries that offer no more than private banking and post office addresses make a good living hiding the money from the governments. Because Kings have all those expenses with their mistresses and the palace buildings.

I want two things to make it all equal, one flat tax rate for everyone - no deductions no special trust fund hideouts, all corporations (profit and non-profit) get taxed at that same rate. All citizens of the United States will serve in government jobs in uniform for two years, at minimum wage without benefits except basic food and shelter and medicine. After completing the two years of service they would be issued a voter ID card. That is all.

Shut it down...

2011-12-13T13:06:00.000-08:00

I am tired of Chicken Little running around crying, I like the story of the Little Red Hen so much better. Must be because I love homemade bread from the oven and slathered with butter. Get a life, politicians, you have no money but approve a COLA for Social Security and the Military Pay. If I don't have enough money coming in, I can't honestly spend more than I have - that is just trying to steal from Saint Peter to pay Saint Paul (the Churches in London).

Shut the government down, kind of like a little heart attack, wake up!

Sunday Sermon...

2011-12-11T11:34:00.000-08:00

I went alone to church, which if you really understand is impossible, you can be the only human in sight and never alone in a house of God. Then thinking even deeper realize the most beautiful religious building is nothing when compared to the Universe that God builds... and that could mean you are never alone, just blind and deaf to all that is Holy and inside you.

As I departed the service and sanctuary I was peering over the crowd, and heard someone calling my name - not my real name. My Korean name. "Gideon's Apogee! Gideon's Apa-ji!" It was my wife's friend Moon. In Asian cultures one is known by relationships. One of the reasons I know not any of the real names of the people my wife hangs with - they are all somebody's mother or father, and I would hardly pay attention to the little ones unless they called my attention for assistance. I brought and transferred the regards of each lady, Moon and my wife to and for each other. Then went to get my coffee and be with the guys.

We gave into the temptation of half a doughnut, one waiting to be charmed by another's daughter before he fell into sugary sweetness. May all one's sins be small. Men's Bible Study at my home last Saturday of January. I should take them to the range in the Summer for shooting, Bible study and the fine feast that seems to follow because our wives care... I am sharing a short video of Christmas Carols from Moscow, Idaho. Some real friends of mine in that fine group, but then most strangers are friends you haven't met yet. Happy Holy Days and a Prosperous New Year.... and that is all up to y'all. For God has blessed us with all that we need. Amen!

Didn't sleep at all last night...

2011-12-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

I was the boy, sneaking a book to bed to read by the street light far outside our home. I spent my first semester in college reading all night and sleeping in class most of the day, and didn't notice the coeds (had my priorities right). Sure enough, bad habits don't disappear - especially if you don't get a chance to sit around waiting for something to happen next like you once did (long lines at Disney Parks are great for reading fat books). So last night I had a book that I had read long ago, that I just wanted to do another couple of pages, and another couple and finally it was over - and I was happy and it was time to allow the body to rest for the mind was in the zone.

What would you do to improve the government? "Ignore it" come immediately to mind. If they didn't try to scare you all the time, pretend to be your protector, and give you stuff for nothing or just your support in the next elections -- would you care much about the government? Family and friends are more important, real work and producing and harvesting and caring for your life is all more important than the government - by type or anything else. God is the same in all the nations, so there is much that is critical that the government doesn't do.

If I were to change the American government, I would have a balance budget amendment. Government gets money three ways - it creates it, taxes the economy, or borrows it from somewhere. It doesn't really think it into existence from future earnings (although I think that is the current ploy).
I would have automatic reviews of all laws at the level of enforcement (yes that means regulations from Agents of the government) every other year. Odd years would be spent reviewing the existing laws - if they don't apply they get repealed, if they are never enforced - they get repealed (if they get repealed the people convicted under those laws are released from punishment for that crime, which isn't any longer). A whole year for destroying, or pruning the laws - things change you know.

The last most important thing is to keep the government flexible, and able to meet new challenges. So, no person may serve at the Federal Level of government in any elected office for more than twelve total years. That is it, twelve years and you are out. No retirement beyond Social Security, no pay beyond ten percent of the National average. All staff works for twice Minimum wage, housing and food provided, no more than twelve years in government service in one location.

Now health care, it isn't really a good thing for the government to be engaged in, like the government controls space exploration and nuclear power - and this country isn't really going anywhere that way is it? So if they get in charge of medicine, nah. But let us have exactly what we have in education. Public Health Service like Public Education, government hospitals, training certifications, and honest competition between real doctors trying to heal and make lots of money and those government hospitals where you sit and wait to be seen and cared for. Yes, the Mayo Clinic will still be better than the Crow Reservation Medical facility - but there will be health care. Those with money will go to private schools, have tutors, or continue to build Home Schools. So those with money will continue to get the best care they can buy, plastic surgery and mind numbing medicines to feel better, and the remainder of us will just get the required immunizations to protect the population.

Now that was an interesting exercise, but the truth is that I am not smart enough to design a fine functioning government - but that the government at all levels isn't smart enough (putting more computer systems and humans brains together don't always produce the best of anything) to make my life safe, happy and productive. If the market were free then you could design a country that people would flock to (duh, 19th Century America?), or flee from (Eastern Germany of the 1970's). As we design a free market economy, a participatory government and define public service better - but a real key is ability to adapt. Tsarist Russia, fine nation and empire for a long time - was built on repression, Russian had the potential of the United States but didn't know how to change and allow the people to grow. One of the things that troubles me is the idea of the media that a Czar of Education, Drugs, or anything is an improvement in making something better.

Honest I will get better by learning all my life, not using drugs that make me stupid or numb, by not drinking to excess, by moving more than is minimally required, and a bit faster. Do I need a government to make me understand what a great life is? Oprah would bring a guest on, Doctor Oz will tell me about organs and health, do I need the government conducting a survey of results? the media polling people instead of reporting the vote count on election day? Hmmm, should sleep through more of these thoughts. The book was really great.

Okay,, I won't answer the telephone anymore...

2011-12-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

I don't like interruptions of my day, especially from the telephone. Now I do like to hear from my family, old friends -- and my wife thinks one has to answer even if you don't feel like communicating.

But the very helpful Congress persons had a great idea, have a no Call List -- just so I wouldn't be answering during dinner and such. So I jumped on that bandwagon. A better idea is a number I could have dialed after answering that would have charged the caller for use of my phone service and time. Yeah, I like that. Still it was a move in the correct direction, but charities and political problem children were exempt from denying me an opportunity to slam the telephone down in disgust.

Well, Newt Gingrich called me today, I answered but he didn't ask how I was or catch my name. When he started telling me about 'one who loves America' I hung up, gently - I did pay for that telephone. I have little regard for a man that doesn't know what real love is, I hope in his third marriage he has found it, I really hope that his life is wonderful and full of love. Honestly, but I don't trust someone that I know isn't trustworthy, and I know that about him.

The Constitution is not the rules of the House, and I don't think he is my choice for President. I hope that the Republicans can find a better candidate - there are hundreds of thousands of them out there - they just aren't running for office (they don't seek power or fame).

Stopping to catch my breath... seems to go faster than I...

2011-12-08T13:02:00.000-08:00

You have to go, when you have to go... and walking your heart may be all that you can do, make sure you do it. There is a world out there, as I pondered that I don't go as fast as I once did. But if you dwell on what isn't there, the fear builds and you may not appreciate what is there for you.

As I walked I noticed an apple tree, from back in the day when we took care to grow our own food sources close to home. It has seen many better years, and the bugs and weather have beaten the fruit till what hangs now is not worth harvesting, but we are spending our great-grandchildren's money at Safeway for Apples from Chile. I know they aren't born yet, but no one has figured out how to turn the existing politicians off, and clean house on laws and regulations that are going to kill the economic engine.
If you looked through my blog roll, I like people that take care of the land, plant and harvest. That tree is on property awaiting a developer to add forty more housing units and cut down the fertility of the former farm.

Everyone does the best they can, and are diverted from really important things while they have their best earning years. There are also pressures to conform, just get along, and what makes you special? Envy and coveting your neighbor's stuff, there are so many traps out there, and you think if you are crossing the Donner Pass or something similar, that if you get stuck you can call 911 and the Park Rangers will save you from the flies looking for dead flesh to feed their babies...

I have to thank God for all that I have, it wasn't some President, a political party, a public education system that I was ready to drop for boredom at fifteen or so. I was given to the right parents that had dreams and values, I was actually part of their dream -- I was wanted. Brother and sisters were wanted. Not expected to be perfect, but always expected to be trying and trusted. Lying is so easy, unless you betray trust and fall short of your parents' expectations. I could have been a very similar man with the same parents in many of the former British Empire's now independent nations. I am an American, which doesn't sit well with those folks that think they are a lot better than I, and want me to live their way - with themselves in charge. Sorry, I am one of the People, and that means Liberty. Putting a leash on me to control my behavior won't work.

I have often noted that the laws against something have never really made much difference in my life. I was drinking underage, but most of my years as an adult I just didn't drink - if you changed the drug laws - I wouldn't use drugs - I do get smarter as I learn, but I am engaged in learning as an adult which means to question everything except gravity.

Everything you need to know about firearms within a civilized nation is shown in Israel and Switzerland and America (where there is still FREEDOM!). Everything you wanted to know about real money (pardon me, I am shouting at a Democrat justifying the Payroll tax cut, but not thinking that every income should be taxed at that rate -- instead of cutting it off just above a $100,000) is in the Swiss Franc. That country makes the Dollar look like Monopoly Money... but I mentioned that long ago and far away. Gutless wonders! UGLY! UGLY! Why am I watching politicians lie?

I don't think I have that much time left, but I have been wrong before. I am having lots of trouble breathing well enough to work a little harder. If I am not working, I have no problem. Oh, I am not working. The need to stop going up the hills, to stop at the top of the hill, to enjoy talking to a younger old guy, because he remarked I look like Moses with my staff, to enjoy the young woman with Evergreen Wreathes in her car that stopped and wished us a Merry Christmas (neither of us recognized her), the neighbor lady that stopped to tell me I wasn't going to stay warm at that slow a pace. Stop to catch one's breath is a good thing, the stress level is lower and the oxygen burn controlled. Thank God for His goodness, love and my life at any speed, remember there are snails slower than I.

Light fare today...

2011-12-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

A well known commercial actor was making waves throughout the aviation industry and regulatory agencies yesterday. He twittered about it, but then he is just all a twitter, isn't he? Not as worthy a breakdown as Charlie Sheen, but he is probably on real medication not self abuse. He was working on becoming a much better person but the media wouldn't get out of his way and kept asking fool questions, and he had all the fool answers.

There is a lady in England that the media thinks has had six months to get a baby bump, and isn't she carrying her purse funny trying to hide it? Well, I don't know about the media, but what one does with one's hands and purse have more to do with what one is going to do with one's day than what the cameras are going to catch. Really working that aren't you?

I was glad that the Newt and the Mitt and the other seven dwarves are still waiting on Snow White's return from the clutches of the Huntsman. A girl has to do what a girl has to do.

The Department of Agriculture (?) wants rural children protected from earning their way into maturity. They would like them to be like the inner city Lost Badboyz, never growing up. Some bleeding heart liberal thinks they will die under tractors and other machinery (has happened before) and wants them to die by drug over dose, drive by shootings or getting stomped in the restroom at the excuse for a public school. I am sure there are statistics up about where the young die fastest. Aside from their trying to be race car drivers which could wait until sixteen. How is that working for you, Sex Ed at eleven or twelve and education about work, business and the economy about sixteen or even later? Sometimes it looks like they will have to go into the military to learn about work and the real world...

Inconceivable...

2011-12-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

Why is it that what the founding fathers wanted for the United States of America, is nothing like what the media and current political parties and fools want now?

Ron Paul is correct, you can shrink the government back. Perry is right, send Congress home for longer periods of time, make them stay in their district or state when not in Washington, DC.

But mostly they are ALL WRONG, there is a COLA pay raise for the military - hasn't anyone noticed they are out of money? If they can't cut the waste, then they can't raise pay and benefits. They aren't honest.

Honest doesn't seem to count in the government, one part lies to another part and no one ever goes to jail - okay, some of Nixon's guys went but none of Holder's are going, ever.

They say (MSM) that Newt is going to be the Republican. He couldn't keep promises to two different women, how could he keep his oath of office? Oh, we already know he doesn't follow the Constitution, silly question.

I play games on facebook, I know they want me to spend real money buying their virtual tokens for buying better stuff in my game worlds... and it doesn't take a genius to realize the games are based on stupid citizens that don't care how something is paid for.. it is all virtual, relative to the moment and so much foolish fun. The games depend on a large population that defines the worst of America, the relatively unimportant part -- unless you want to get rich and powerful. Then the game designers, like our politicians and media, want to control the citizens and the game's outcome.

I don't buy, I plod along one thing at a time, gifts from some friends and plod on, destroying those that get in my game and try to plunder me...

More of something I know nothing about...

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Have mentioned that I am not a social person, touching is taboo.

So, I go to shoot and someone thinks they can help me. Talk to me gently and catch my attention first -- I came to place bullets on target and everything behind me (including the Commander in Chief and Lady GaGa) are only distractions. I have six steps to making that shot, and don't want your interruption. A good time to tell me I am a fool, have a happy finger or could do with a little tightening of the sling which is no longer snug -- is after I clear my firearm and have placed it on safe. There are another six steps to making my rifle safe (if you are seven years old and have been to an Appleseed you know them by heart - if you are seventeen you will try and bluff your way through it).

Now if I am accepting of your coaching, you can almost whisper in my ear your observations - I can't hear well with hearing protection and the entire high frequency range is no longer registering - but that is the point where we are working as a team to make that shot. If you are a man, and a young man at that - you might call me something jokingly terrible that my mother should never have heard in relation with me -- don't forget I am an old man, my mother is watching from Heaven, and you might get marked by your foolishness - which take a lot good deeds to erase. If you are of the finer gender, treat me like an old piece of china - drop me and I break, shattering my ego all over the place. Remember I think I am forty years younger than I act.

I once was a Drill Sergeant, and I adjusted a lot of attitude and equipment on other soldiers learning to be better than I, it is better to ask or demand permission to fix something by touching than to touch and set off the bomb inside of a frightened or paranoid human in a stressful environment. No one is prepared for that. As an instructor on the firing ranges I have tried to make sure everyone around me understood that touching is a LAST resort, and should be done only when the shooter is prepared for assistance.

Help clean up before you shoot, clean up after you shoot and keep smiling confidently and others will think you are nice or nuts, but will certainly treat you better. Bring more manners than you have to to every interaction with other people. Although Heinlein said an Armed Society is a Polite Society, he grew old when manners were fraying already - and go with the more manners than necessary.

This rambling is brought to you because someone somewhere touched someone on a range, and many places I haven't been are dirty and not nice to shoot areas now that the savages have done their little war dance. The First People had more appreciation for the ceremonies of passage.

From Cave to Cybersphere...

2011-12-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Shelter, so simple, keep the rain off, keep the warmth in, a place to sleep, work and rest. Cave, it does provide. Then we wanted mobility, follow the prey, make them into herds and husband them, with yurts, wagons, teepees. Or settle and build the hut, plaster over wattle, plaster board over frame, whole trees - still providing shelter from the elements, the predators, the enemies - a place to make babies, birth babies, and raise babies in love - we can only hope.

One had to venture out for food, females and frolic. Sure, you could bring them back to the home (if your parents approved). But public life was outside, and your private life was inside, you were safe there. Now, not so sure.

You bring signals in - radio, television and such, and now they send signals out - radio, televison and such. As you become more immobile, you spend more time putting yourself out, and gathering what you want in... and it isn't LIFE, but it is close? Hmm, time for church - more shelter to contemplate the meaning of so little life inside the shelter, Earth is shelter from the spans of the Universe. Homes brighten with Love, and laughter, and family and friends... why are you bringing in the reporters and commentators with crimes against humanity? Shelter, from those things that bring pain.

Okay, Lord, the will is made, now it is Thy Will...

2011-12-03T14:12:00.000-08:00

Americans, we are not as smart as we should be, we don't study History and Cause and Effect enough.

I went and got my LAST WILL and TESTAMENT done today, on the cover of the original is the Staff Judge Advocate symbol and a scroll with 1775 on it. 1775 was a very good year.

It was the year the citizens of New England decided that the British Army had done too many bad things to good people. Are you listening BATFE? So they drove them back into Charleston and then to Boston and then out of the colony. A very good year, but then a Congress sat around and talked, and didn't talk, and dithered time away. Men in badly run camps, got sick and died, wounds didn't get treated well and more died and have I mentioned that Congress talked? It is difficult to build and train an army, but Congress comes where ever there are politicians with a point of view to make things right...

It took them, in Congress, until July of 1776 to formalize what had been going on in New England and New York, although there were some backwoods boys that had declared independence much earlier (they had no gold, no ports and no possibilities - but attitude, a Bible and a rifle will take you far from reality).

Y'all be good out there, I noticed they are selling firearms in the Post Exchange, had some good ones there. I have enough already, but like good folks it is always to be admired and commented upon. Is Congress still talking?

I feel like a prophet of old, no one listens...

2011-12-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

I don't need a Savior, I have a living one and will hope to be worthy of the price he paid for his government's justice and religious community's fears and scorn. The city of Jerusalem was sacked and destroyed, not long after and the Roman empire fell, and didn't rise again, who is the biggest loser? I can carry all the Love, give away all the Love and grow more as needed...

But it does seem like it will take a real President to save US from the coming collapse of America, and the Western World business/government model. I looked it up, there is no leadership required of the President, the title of savior is also not there. This country was founded by The People and I have only a passing thought that The People will save themselves, correct the course of the nation and get on with what they can do so much better without government RULE. Remembering that I am not the smartest man in any room unless alone.

I have no hope in the 2012 elections improving the members of Congress, House or one third of the Senate. Both the Republicans and the Democrats as parties like the idea that they are in charge and control the destiny of over three hundred million Americans - that sounds pretty powerful... but then they have to hire bunches of people to suppress the illegal drug trade, the attacks by fanatic terrorists, the threats from far countries and different dreams. You haven't seen many politicians going to war recently have you? And they are afraid, secret closed door meetings -- special rules for themselves, and just more lies when in public. That is as a group, as individuals some of them are wonderful people, mature, thoughtful, kind and perfect examples of humanity's best. No, I can't name any - they are lost in the herd, the party, some subcommittee.

So, what needs to happen is The People must wake up and fix the government, ask the questions, demand the changes, elect REPRESENTATIVES (not a ruling elite, we are all in this life and some of us aren't better than the others every day, in every situation). We have to do this, at the same time we are securing our LIBERTY, as we prepare for the end of the world as we know it. Time is running out, but then some of us will die before the end.

The People are not subjects of a King or President or The Congress or the Government, The People are Americans. They consume, and are loved for being consumers but that isn't their purpose in life. They work, and are loved for being workers but that isn't their purpose in life.

I suppose that many of The People don't know the purpose of their life, and hope that media will announce it on Oprah or Fox Business News (you don't get it? demand it!). But life is a long journey and you should know your goals. One of the reasons that the Federal government got so far from the Constitution is that the political players worked on little personal goals. The National government should only work on NATIONAL goals, the STATE work on State goals, and THE PEOPLE work on personal goals. Education is a personal goal, a great education is a better personal goal, no child left behind is a slogan.

If The People don't get this election right, and their Representatives don't get it right, it will all be over too quickly although there will be examples of valiant efforts to stem the wave of destruction... but it is difficult to see how far you have fallen through the trash and slime in the ditch your drunken excesses have produced. Look around, there are many great people out there, and not one of them is running for President, opening up new businesses employing thousands, or betting on a better future -- most are betting on failure, greed, terror, foolishness.

There is a better way - for the individual, for the family, for THE PEOPLE, for their future. It does not center on Government, it centers on Awe of the Lord and the value of His Love. No greater treasure.

I AM, I do exist, even if you don't know it...

2011-12-01T05:17:00.000-08:00

Update the Driver's License, only fifty dollars for five more years. When one isn't certain that one will live that long and what is the joy of that mechanical marvel sitting dirty in the drive... should I? Wait, they are offering the Enhanced Driver's License for only fifteen dollars more. With that one can enter the United States faster! WOW! Okay, when was the last time I entered the United States from Canada, 1967? And I do have an American Passport good until 2015. Just for the new, I will go renew and get the superior upgrade.

Fifty dollars is for driving a car for twenty five, and twenty fire for the endorsement for motorcycles. It doesn't mean that I won't lay it over, hurt myself or others but I do have the State's permission to try and ride it safely. I went Tuesday, and found that I couldn't get the enhanced version, since the computer with the address verification was down that morning. Okay, I would go back on Wednesday.

I went back on Wednesday, and pushed the green button for a number and found I had failed the first test. Can the individual read the number generating machine? not Earl. I liked the green button, it was the one I had pushed yesterday. I was supposed to push the lower one with the flags. Okay, they still took my number and passport and current driver's license and punched it so I can never again use it. Then the mental test, what was my name? address? date of birth, place of birth, My MOTHER's MAIDEN name (???) her birthplace (?), My FATHER's NAME, his birthplace, sure enough the computer did verify my address. Then the tough part, put my forehead in the eye test machine until it turns on, read the top line (first four letters are interesting probably the left eye alone) the last eight easy (four for both eyes, four for right eye only), the color test my father wouldn't have passed, and the blinking lights for peripheral vision - cool, still have it, paranoia rules! So have a seat until you are again called. I brought a book, been here before.

Another clerk, calls for William (as we built a relationship he would change it to Bill) and he asked all the questions again - to insure that what he had was what I thought should be there. Then he asked for my Social Security number (???) He asked me sign a card with a yellow box, putting my signature inside the box. Then I get another seat, called to face the machine and I get my picture taken. Facial recognition (you will have to take major damage to change it all) and a radio replier chip (Radio Frequency Identification) are going to protect the United States from those foreign terrorists and tax cheats. They give me a paper copy of the final finished product, and a protective sleeve so no one can scan my new improved Enhanced Drivers License. The card won't hold all that information, that will be on a computer - duh, probably linked to the Federal folks everywhere - but it will have MY unique individual number. Now I can wait up to thirty days for the real license to arrive at my mail box. Until then I will have to use my passport to enter the United States.

As I departed, to find an out of print book and pick up some reading from the library, I thought about my paper trail. I have a credit history (don't ask me my score - I don't care), I have an education history, a military history, a birth certificate on file in Freeborn County, Minnesota, a wedding certificate in West Virginia, a file with the Passport Agency (have actually picked one up on my way to a flight to Germany), I have an employment history with different libraries. I have a medical history, very extensive with the US Army, a bit dropped off at Veteran's Administration, a local doctor and some dental records somewhere. That is the public records of my passage from the Twentieth Century to the Twenty-first. The financial records are huge! The family and some friends have letters, pictures and stuff that we shared. Oh, I think the insurance companies have some record of me, I have been paying them and they me over the years periodically. Law enforcement, hmm, speeding tickets, one. Stopped by German police for lack of working light on my bicycle, I fixed it. There are probably Historical figures that have fewer words written permanently about them than I do, and just think about their little people that did the kind of work I did in their era - if they even lived as long. No, I don't have a copy of all that paperwork (supervisor evaluations I do have) but it is all out there somewhere.

Now, you do know that Microsoft, Yahoo, facebook, Blogger and lots of other little cyber-spheres have a taint of my passage... and I paid some of them for the privilege. I exist, until the Lord closes my final chapter. I can be Googled long after I will have stopped touching a keyboard or screen... why? oops, that would be philosophy and there isn't that much time.

What do you see...

2011-11-30T09:43:00.000-08:00

As I reach for my cereal bowl to prepare and eat my gruel, I find one of the eight piece set sitting awkwardly on top of 'my' favorite bowl from the four piece set. The other three have fallen in battle with gravity over the years and only one is still at its post. I re-arrange them and get my bowl. There are five bowls from the six piece set below the eight piece set. One of those didn't make it, I seem to remember shattered slivers that had to be carefully cleaned off the floor. I never liked the color or pattern of that last set. I have too much, and it makes for little appreciation of the bounty, all I want for me is 'my' bowl to start my day.

I don't really write anymore... hmm...

2011-11-29T23:10:00.000-08:00

Reading books, raking leaves, playing games on facebook. No excuse.

The games on facebook are money makers, but they aren't really good games. The idea is that the player has no patience, and will pay real dollars for play tokens (what they are called depends on the game) to get advanced quickly. I am on day 177 on Empire & Allies, and get my daily reward for showing up. I am not very interested in their level of combat reality, so I ignore them and just stockpile and gain experience points for little stuff, it all adds up. They do try to encourage me to ask my friends to join me, give stuff to my allies, and do their lame little contests. Me. I just want to build an nice Empire, and get disturbed when my allies come by and cut my trees down in my parks and such, sigh.

Some of the things one can buy for their game cost some of those tokens you had to get for advancing a level (one token) or buying a bunch. So if you are a shopaholic they want you. I just ignore most of them until they go away. I stopped playing FarmVille, only CastleVille and Empire & Allies now. When I have developed and own all five islands on Empire & Allies I will go into retirement on that game too - another six or seven years if I live that long.

Need to sharpen my knives again...

2011-11-27T15:46:00.000-08:00

My knives aren't very useful if they aren't sharp, and it was embarrassing to loan someone your pocket knife and it wouldn't cut butter. One could get called a 'girl' for something like that, which would cause some rolling around in the dirt until they gave... don't call me a 'girl'. How many knives have I? well, I haven't counted recently (I am only replacing belt utilities now) and otherwise my constant carry is like the one Matt Helm carried, a lock blade folder, and he carried it for work - he was a real killer, at least in paperback fiction. I liked him, took me awhile to find lock blade folders. They are everywhere now, I carry two, one deep in one pocket, one clipped at the top of another pocket. I am not interested in being Matt Helm, I am so much above listening to voices from Washington DC about whom to kill, and I have never purchased a knife to harm anyone. I have been accused of it, but never did I think this is why I must have that knife; I need it to cut Fred into little bite-sized pieces. I have many knives designed for fighting, but James Bowie lived in a different time than I and liked his whiskey and women much better than cutting. But a Man has to do what a Man has to do, and backing down wasn't part of that.

Thinking about that brings me to the same conclusion about my firearms, there isn't a gun I have ever purchased for shooting people or one particular person, wasn't even a consideration - I was issued all the firearms I ever wanted to carry to kill humans with, by my government - wasn't any desire nor fun in that, just necessary. I was much more effective computing firing data for long reaching artillery into the heart of enemy territory in far countries. The target description would help me decide which rounds would be most effective and get it out the tubes on targets as fast as possible, with deadly effect. I like to shoot my firearms, not for the noise, but for the effect on target, putting the holes upon one another, or all in the X ring, but I don't shoot to compete (I am too cheap to spend for the needed practice) but I shoot for my education and advancement in the Earl level of marksmanship. I would shoot in any challenge or competition and be happy with my shots, and work on improvement. Sounds very similar to why I jogged, even long distances - not because I would have a chance to win, but that I could measure myself as the distance and weather wore on me. I could hide in the starting pack and pretend I was a social person, hiding in plain sight.

I don't go to church for the theology either, what man has to say about God and our (or my) relationship or lack of it, just isn't important. I go to tithe, I go to sing and I go to pray, but if I don't sharpen my tools, if I don't select the course God wants me on - not the preacher or the teacher - well, I won't be ready to do His work. Someone will call me a 'girl' and I will just deserve the derogatory term and hang my head in shame. It was much more fun rolling around on the ground until he gave up, but I was younger then. No, I go for the Love, sharpen those tools.

I am so Thankful, today... actually always...

2011-11-24T11:03:00.000-08:00

I am a very alone man. I seem to only dance with my wife, which I like to do and mostly I just sit in the back or a corner and watch the world go by me. Reading what one of my constant readers wrote to me about something he and I don't see eye to eye upon (why I don't know but I do like to receive email) -- anyway, I lost my focus on Thanksgiving and trying to write something happy about what I am happy for...

Now, I am thankful for a closer walk with God, that my loving wife hasn't changed and still depends upon me and wants me to do better, I am thankful my son and his family are growing and doing so much better than predicted, I am very thankful that my world and all that I see are so much better than what the current noisy (if not dominant) culture project upon me daily, that I have a waterproof roof over my head, that the power and utilities are working, and that I have more than enough and am willing to share. Those aren't unusual enough to blog about --- but Lord those are wonderful, really wonderful. Thank Thee, Lord, Amen.

But I wanted to write about three hugs. I don't understand hugs, am trying to get nicer about accepting them, and will never give them away as well as the receiver deserves. See, hugs aren't a real Man thing, or so I grew up believing. You do understand that I have been wrong before?

I was giving a lady an award for shooting Rifleman, just a patch to wear proudly, and said something about real Riflemen don't cry and suddenly she hugged me - WOW! panic Earl! where did that come from? But she was really happy and I was too close. That taught me to stay farther away from emotional women, but that it was okay to be part of a joyous celebration of achievement. Too many times it was easy to discount victory as 'so what'. Thanks, Heather, you don't remember it but I will never forget.

I went on my tour of the United States on the Trusty Triumph, and met many fine people, many of them relatives and had a great time and little adventures. Then I went to a blog meet in Indianapolis, with all those famous and more bloggers I didn't know very well. I couldn't talk to them all, and I am not very outgoing so I kind of watched, see above, and one blogger I read a lot, took time to come over and welcome me, just to see how tongue-tied I could be maybe. But I got a real hug from her, and it stuck longer than whatever we had said to each other, at least in my mind. But she has a big black dog, so she understands how to give hugs. Thanks!

I don't do parties well, my wanting to drink too much alcohol was left far behind in my youth - but it is nice to see old co-workers and see how they are doing and wishing them well in their future. So I sat and took pictures and talked and as one of the library ladies was getting ready to call it a night, she gave me a hug. I figured that had to be because I was a tired old retired guy that didn't have long left... or she just saw that I needed a hug... or that it was just part of her way, I will give it the last, she is a well adjusted person.

Yeah, I could get used to being an adopted Great Uncle, a big teddy bear of a old grump, a target of a fond demonstrations of affection. So for today, I will add those three hugs to my list of things I am REALLY thankful for... I am also thankful that I got to give my mother a few more of the hugs, I hadn't all those years I was too much a Man to need, that she could never have gotten enough of in her final years. I can't tell you if it is really better to give than receive - but share the love, folks, and those unexpected ones -- they are the best.

In the News, and I really wanted to write about...

2011-11-23T16:26:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving.

But someone is upset that the President of Russia, would actually say he would target defensive missile systems in Europe if they were put in. I am not upset, that is exactly what our military does on every planned strike on an enemy target. Why shouldn't the Russians be at least as smart as we are? If he can encourage the NATO thinkers to reality, there will never be a missile defense system installed at the cost none of the countries can afford, nor the extra targeting that the Russians would have to do to take them out if they go to war. Europe will break itself to pieces in progressive thinking, Russia will keep getting richer selling stuff to Europe and countries on the move that Western ones fear.

Russia plays chess, Americans play poker, and Europe just plays? Asia plays but looks out much farther and down the generations, and aren't afraid to die. I would wish that there were much more truth on our media, but it wouldn't allow sufficient commercial interruption to pay the big executives that are making money on ad space.

Many of the convincing arguments against firearms are based on lies told loudly enough often enough. If there were no guns there would be people dying from everything else. Remembering that falls in the home are the greatest killer in America. More children killed riding a bicycle than by firearms every year. Actually, thanks to the Fast and Furious Operations of the Justice Department and the BFATE the criminals are arming with Assault weapons and other dangerous firearms - so there is some truth out there. Just that the current administration doesn't want anyone but the former President blamed for it.

The reasoning behind why it is important to deploy the missile defense system in Europe is union jobs, we don't really care to save Europe again, and we always knew that Russia would target our defenses if they were going to attack. The same reason Congress fears American citizens with machine guns and fully automatic weapons - they really hate taking down houses that have more firepower than they do. Look how long it took the German Army to put down the Jewish Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto in WWII.

At the present rate of spending our Posterity to buy votes for today, the Chinese will own every elected official and all our debts that will give them leverage. We don't need to worry about our enemies taking us down or counting us out - we can handle terrorists, what we can't handle is our own foolishness. Do I lose any sleep over Russia, China or a thousand terrorists, NO, I lose sleep over stupid American elected officials, owing their souls and votes to lobbyists, political parties, or their bank accounts. I forgive them, they know not what they are about.

Tomorrow, as I will later today, I will give thanks to the Lord for all His goodness -- especially all the really wonderful people out there that don't want to run my life, tell me who to worship and how I will be better if I buy their product. Yes, forgive the sinners and give thanks to Our Maker.

Yes, they failed again... too big to fail, they did so...

2011-11-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

SUPER COMMITTEE FAILS!

No, the Government is not GOD, it will fail, it will fall, it will not be everlasting.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Where did the intent to enrich politicians come in? Where did all those Agencies and agents come from, why? Like asking why I am fat, how did that happen? One hardly remembers the ease of stupidity and lovely bad things one can do to oneself. How would we expect the government to remember and correct itself.

Unfortunately, the two major political parties would have you believe that it is the other one that is the problem. Nope, the problem is the people of the United States of America. Not the citizens of the last SUPERPOWER on Earth, but the People of the United States of America. Love that phrase 'secure the blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our Posterity.' Today it seems like the Federal Government has no intention of the blessings of Liberty on anyone, and by selling our debts and pretending the future will repay it all - they have sold the Posterity down the river (fine old phrase from slave trading days).

Between now, and the next Presidential election in 2012 - the talking heads, the Main Stream Media, be it FOX or the Leftist others will all try to distract you the people from that truth, They, whom must be obeyed, haven't the ability to correct themselves, don't have the answers and aren't going to die on their swords, the barricades nor in foreign adventures with little point.

Could it be fixed? Yes, even without public schooling (which seems to do less with more every year) children get fine educations in America, at home or in private schools. There are pretty good examples of better behavior and security and sense in many of the States in the United States, even Canada started to change course and get better. It could be fixed in less than a year, but the elected officials would have to have a year of closing agencies, repealing laws and the way Congress conducts business, Shrink the effects of the Federal Government. Or, we can just burn the house down, build a better foundation and rebuild the whole thing. We can start with ending the Federal Reserve, it is a private bank. Just rename it the Monopoly Money Machine and make the Treasury responsible for real dollars.

I say there is hope, because there is God. He isn't government and it all belongs to Him already. I know that the People can create anew or correct the present mess - they did it before and can do it again. What won't happen is that those that made the current mess being able to correct it, they still think of it as art, not garbage. Case in point, if you were to want to dig a fighting position, would you want the Commander in Chief, struggling with a pick to dig it or some Marine back from Afghanistan? I rest my case - politicians are the problem and should be only a temporary drain on the American culture and goodness. You wouldn't put the Devil in charge of sinners would you?

I am preparing for church, another joint service...

2011-11-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

Sing praises to the Lord! Are you suffering enough for your beliefs - actually it isn't a belief as it is the Truth recognized and embraced. You do know I don't do hugs well? So sure of my own ability, strength and character that I hardly ever needed God, just didn't need to bother Him, I was okay.

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. or better translation: AWE of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom --- when you realize that everything is created and founded upon God's Love. That will take awhile to sink in, go ahead I will wait. I wish you be so blest.

I know that blest isn't appreciated by the spell checker, they want blessed, but if you sing there is an extra syllable in blessed, and blest is the way I say it. Also, I have been wrong before, look how long it took me to make epitome (voiced e) and epitome (silent e) into the same word - spoken and read. It was all Greek to me.

Have to get dressed, or is it drest? Kind of like the storm swept in... which is becoming the storm sweeped it all away... Not.

Isn't it cool that I haven't centered my blog on government mess, and looked at God's best blest? Okay, I am flexible -- God's best blessed. You know who you are, give Thanks and share. Amen!

Gun Running and Heart Walks...

2011-11-18T22:13:00.000-08:00

Finished doing whatever this afternoon and had enough time so grabbed my staff and raincoat and ball cap and I went walking my heart. The weather was on my side, cool but drier than the earlier showers had been. It was good to walk, when I jogged a few years back I often passed by an old man, with his rolling walker with the seat and his oxygen bottle. I was always glad to see him, and he always encouraged me by saying that he wished he could run like that. I didn't jog that fast but he would likely never run again. The things we appreciate so much once they are gone are many. I imagine he isn't with us any longer, except in my memory. As I walked I got a couple of dogs excited, they want me to go faster or stop and play. Two trucks honked at me, must be men that I know, but that I don't recognize the trucks of... yes, I know that women also drive trucks but few of them would honk, especially at me.

Gun running, now that could be an interesting idea. Heard the Mexican Drug Cartels need firearms, wonder where I could get some - from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosive - certainly. I do believe that most employees, especially in the military and law enforcement really honor their profession and professionalism. But their political leadership wants results, they want stuff they can wave at their bosses and supporters in the news - of victories, success, importance. If there is no crime it would have to be invented. If someone says that most of the guns going to Mexico came from easy purchase at Gun Shows and Gun Shoppes, well then it must be true. Go find them. Like saying Whiskey comes from Ireland... go prove it.

So when Governor Perry decides that he doesn't remember the third agency to abolish during the debate, I know the BAFTE was at the top of my list. Oops! how did that happen, mostly they are good people doing a thankless job, but then they did start the Ruby Ridge stupidity, yes, the FBI swooped in to make sure there were no survivors, but too many witnesses came to watch and they couldn't just burn them out. By the time they decided to use overwhelming force on the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas - with the able help of the same FBI fools from Idaho they burned lots of innocents, to save them from abuse. I still love the conspiracy theory of the undercover agent that worked with Timothy McVeigh on the Oklahoma City bombing - always talked about but never on tape, never caught and there weren't any BAFTE agents in the Federal Building that day. I don't think it really happened that way. The idea that a government agency would disregard the law, the safety or the catching of criminals to promote more investment in their agency - that is just too hard to believe, until Fast and Furious comes up, and it is the BAFTE agency again, with their superior crime fighting skills encouraging guns to go into Mexico in direct violation of their citizens' trust, tarnishing their honor as lawmen. But then I was discussing honor and Federal lawmen in the same sentence, and I should really get a check up, that fantasy world might be creeping into my reality again.

There are a lot of good folks out there...

2011-11-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

Really, they are everywhere. Well, maybe not on television unless you are watching Leave it to Beaver, but more good folks than bad. But as one notices, bad folks seem to take power way too often - and I am sure President Obama is less blood thirsty than the recent ruler of Libya, but he is piling up dead bodies blasted by drones and military operations in pursuit of less than victory. I only say less than victory - since Congress didn't declare war, and no one has said what is a victory in our operations. I served for many years under that type of lack of leadership, so getting back home was always the victory on our (so low we are never asked) level. Oh, President Obama has fewer deaths than LBJ, Nixon - but Reagan and elder Bush proved that they could project power and leave pretty clean quickly. But my victory score was always the same - not body count, just getting back to home. And I don't think of President Obama as EVIL, I am sure he is ineffectual and misguided as to what is a good thing for government to do. He is not alone, there are thousands in the centers of power that are ineffectual and misguided and are either looking for more control and power or money (which seems to be power).

I have always held that there were two national leaders that I would shoot on sight, because they have destroyed their people and cultures - just so they can stay in their magnificence. Only two, since the only way their stupid "leadership" would end is with their death, and how many of their nations would die before that time all men (even the most powerful) must face? Most other nations have elections, revolutions and financial collapse and change the leadership - the best things the Junta in Argentina did was attack the British Empire in its final days... because they were defeated, the country changed leadership and some better has come out of it. They still have problems but the soil is good, the pampas broad and nice horses and cattle.

The human world, as I see it, is in trouble - because it thinks that government will be able to control all the changes (weather, water, air, space, technology, science, religion, morality, value of a dollar, health, wealth, power) but only adaptation will work, and governments and other institutions don't adapt well - too fat, too slow, too conservative, too afraid of its weaknesses (which it believes that only those insiders know about). I mentioned somewhere that not only the Euro is under stress, but the idea of nationality, it could all breakdown back to tribalism. Yeah, it could never happen, except the Soviet Union broke up, Yugoslavia broke up badly and nastily, even the United States had to help. If the governments shrunk to defense and justice, the people might be able to make the changes that would work to solve some of the problems. Remember the BP problem, that neither BP nor a slow moving government could handle - and offers of help were denied by law, and stupidity? So sad an example but true.

Democracy, everyone has a voice - unless the Union doesn't allow free thought, or the majority of voters are all vampires looking for fresh blood. But like I said earlier, there are a lot of good folks out there, making those adjustments in their lives, work, and service that will improve more than just themselves. Everyday, when given a problem/opportunity they make the right choice and take action ---- and NEVER make the NEWS, which is always spoken of with excitement to catch your attention... I was once under rocket attack, lovely 122mm Communism's best, and woke up to find lack of communication with higher - higher wasn't under attack but needed information to save us (only they thought they could), I took the mike, asked the questions face to face with those that knew - processed a quiet answer and said it calmly into the mike to still the insistent questions. And the firebase did what it had been trained for, organized to do, and properly responsed - adapting to those nasty rockets and their effect, without the Commander in Chief, the Department of Defense, the Congress, the lobbyists, the American and RVN commanders of the theater, of the news reporters (media never gets too close during the most interesting of my times in stress - wonder why?). Blackhawk Down, the President makes a decision, the ground commander makes a plan, and the enemy does also. The conflict was that no one coordinated their different plans - and the soldiers, ground and air, did the very best they could with what they had, provided by the brilliant minds in Washington, DC, the local headquarters and the enemy (which had so many of so little to worry about).

The government of the United States, which is really failing to represent and serve the wonderful larger population of the country - the good people, will fail. Trying to do too much, by threatening all those good people with terrible things if they don't take their shoes off at the TSA check points, read all the pages of the tax code to make sure the government gets its fair share of our production. Anyway you cut it, when all you have left to maintain your power and authority is force, you have become a ruler - probably not a Noble King or Queen, but certainly not a leader (someone must follow or you can't be a leader), nor facilitators (helping two sides get satisfactory transaction or commerce). Just a ruler, which when slapped hard against the palm hurts. No, the government has already picked its Epitaph: Too Big To Fail. Sigh, we started small, we can restart at that same level, small, lovely likely locals... lots of good people out there.

No need for me to write today... Tam does it better.

2011-11-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

From Earl, the idea the Federal Government needs to make sure everyone can carry concealed in all the states -- bad idea. Every state needs to get Concealed Carry or go like Vermont, and then allow everyone with a permit from another state to carry in their state. ALL FIFTY without Federal Law intruding! That would be wonderful, magnificent and totally awesome. And the Federal Government would not be happy (YEAH!) because they had be gone around, which might need to happen much more.

From Tam (who know much more than I about all those things I love: reading, riding and shooting) for those that haven't any idea what the whole gun thing is, what the fears were or are and who cares. She posts Sea Change. I can't say it that well, my readers have to point out there really are Assault Weapons, they were banned after all, the government couldn't be wrong?

Gee, got to get me an Assault Rifle* ... do you have?

2011-11-16T08:04:00.000-08:00

A crazy man was firing an Assault rifle, from only 800 yards, at the White House. Ah, he has been caught. And it turns out that it was an AK47 rifle, which isn't except to the non-shooting media moguls an "Assault Rifle", and Mall Ninjas, of course.

You know it isn't their fault - they are a product of their education and culture. My congressperson voted against HR 822, so I sent him an email and reminded him I cared enough to give him my advice last week. I also offered my future services in the advice department; on firearms, shooting and national security. For emailing the fine fellow I needed to give it an area that the computer would recognize. So I used the area that the Founding Fathers thought critical, the Second Amendment to the original Constitution, you know: Homeland Security.

November 19 is rapidly approaching, don't forget to buy a hundred rounds and a brick of .22 LR. Okay, I added the brick, but everyone (safe shooting militia) needs more ammunition. I am learning the reloading of my 30-06. Shrinking my firearms back (can't carry that many, too many calibers) and knowing that having one rifle that you shoot is better than the ten you don't. Most of us aren't trying to arm the community. Few of us need as many as we have, but it is great to live in a country that doesn't fear its citizens enough to disarm them and make them targets of criminal activity, England anyone? One would think that England would proudly claim its lack of criminal activity with firearms, safer than New York City is London, oops! New York is unarmed, too. Don't ask about Australia, they have had a great heritage of standing up with the Empire against terrible savages, but now seems President Obama wants to station US Marines there for some serious military need unanswered by the disarmed Aussies? I made that up, mostly.

Of note to me, from facebook, is a comment on stopping blogging - if it hurts to think and write, stop, most students do as soon as they graduate from high school, or college. If you have something to say, be polite and write as if someone is going to read. Although I am sure I have been misunderstood more than I intended, just type too fast.

The blue icy patch is for shooting Rifleman in WINTER conditions, yes, they are shooting in sub-freezing weather -- dress warmly, layers, and keep dry. And do enjoy improving your marksmanship, it is always good to improve your life, even in the smallest activities.

A reader says there is such a thing as an Assault Rifle.

*Assault weapon is a non-technical term referring to any of a broad category of firearms with certain features, including some semiautomatic rifles, some pistols, and some shotguns
AK 47 is the model base, and even the Soviets never called it an 'assault rifle'
First Known Use of ASSAULT RIFLE 1972 (might as well think proactive is a real word now)

What happened to MY WORLD?

2011-11-15T09:41:00.001-08:00

I once listened to Rush Limbaugh, in Europe we could get his first hour of the daily three, and he was different and I was innocent about what his point was. His point was making as much money as possible from an under-served audience. Since most of the MainStream Media is Left leaning, he saw the Right was hungry for a program that talked about common sense and was upbeat. He didn't make money from caller connection fees, he made money from people buying his air space for selling their products - that was what he was doing. Now, he did need to be seen as holding a large profitable audience and he worked that well. Heavens, the Republicans adopted him as a standard bearer, they do seem to try and gather anything to increase their power against the Democrats.

Invasion of Haiti, under President Clinton, and a First Sergeant reports he had to jump into combat with only fifteen rounds of ammunition. Rush bit on that call, he was certain that some strange problem caused by the current administration was leaving our troops helpless in the face of the enemy. I, having jumped with the 82nd Airborne Division and having been armed and supplied by the same fine system on my way to Saudi Arabia, KNEW that you are given a box of fifty rounds for your pistol or revolver, and a basic load of rifle, machine gun or grenade, and if you want more and your supervisors allow the extra weight (remember this does get heavy), you could get more. What the First Sergeant didn't tell America was that he didn't make sure all his pistols in the arms room had three or four working magazines. The extra magazines are classified as parts, and you have to budget your money to buy the extra ones. His unit didn't do that, since they didn't really think they were ever going to war and need the extra magazines. That was when I woke up and decided that Rush didn't really have all the answers, and the few more times I listened I could see that he knew he didn't have the answers, but he did know how to keep the large audience entertained and his sponsors very happy.

Now there are other people that call themselves, reporters, commentators and pundits. Sure enough some of them believe they have the answers, hmm, I know ministers and pastors and priests that are sure they have the answers. I know of three political parties that are sure they have the answers. I remember teachers that were sure they had the answers. Maybe I just ran out of questions and am not searching for answers. In the days since the Penn State football freaky follies (found-out'ed) - there are people saying 'should have gone to the police' when they saw someone abusing a child. These are some of the same people that think abortion, homosexuals, assassination, and war against drugs, guns and different thinking are dangerous or the best thing we have ever offered. The Women's Movement went from getting the vote, although there were western states that already had women voting and serving in public office to making sure your daughters had proper sluts to dress like and envy and to becoming available for lesser gentlemen's distraction.

But then that isn't My World, is it? Nope, I only thought the Playboy Philosophy had merit when I was too young to see exploitation for what it was; liberate women! only until they can become sex objects and feel empowered. I don't hold with treating women as equals, if I really thought women were the same as men I would have missed the whole point of having two sexes to produce their following generations. If I thought men and women could do it all better alone, or only, or in gender teams... the point is dividing Humanity into parts is only a little useful for examination of reality, but Humanity only works as a complete complex living organism. I can't find my world on the media, related to me by the experts, I continue to go my way... eternally lost to those that can't see... but maybe they don't see the path I am following... they don't feel the beat of the drum... they need to have a cage around them, one that gives them an illusion of protection, please give us one more law to disobey and modify for the betterment of those that want to make themselves little gods.

Do not take today back into History...

2011-11-13T08:16:00.000-08:00

J. Edgar is still wandering my mind, for a few reasons. Mainly that our present day people want to make Mister Hoover, more like us, flawed. Now I am not going to tell you that he wasn't flawed. If you listen to the wisdom of Earl, you would know that I think as you age you start to resemble the kind of insides you have as character - happier gets happier, and uglier gets uglier, and such.. so by my analysis of J. Edgar's later pictures, he was a toad. What would you expect from someone that spent most of their life in the swamps around Washington DC?

If you go to Asian countries, you often see men holding hands! Shock! and immediately know that they must be having sexual loving relationships... wrong. You transferred your culture on to a foreign one, and missed the reality. We do the same for various reasons when we look back in time to other ages. Benjamin Franklin was never really married to the mother of his children and you can take it all from there.

Now, I don't know anything about Director Hoover's sexual orientation, but since I do believe he was a very frightened man - he wouldn't engage in things that would make him likely to be a criminal or a lesser man in the eyes of the public. And no matter what one's orientation to sexual acts, one is in control, you can spend a life time without ever engaging in perversions or natural sexual exchanges with another human. Now, we have fools wandering the wasteland of television telling us how they couldn't help themselves, for drugs, drinks, smoking - assaulting children for fear of rejection from adults and all kinds of things - and we the audience are supposed to feel sympathy for their struggle...

Sorry, they are adults and doing wrong, I have no sympathy. I like football, if you told me any of the coaches and players were engaging in human sacrifice, serial murder, rape, and the people around them were in sure knowledge of it --- and WAITING FOR SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM --- I would say get your own boat, there won't be enough sandbag fillers to build up the dikes you are going to need for the coming floods.

I feel better now, that all that is off my mind. Sir William Johnson of New York colony, had a marital relationship with Mary Brant -- in the one culture she was in charge of her family, in the European culture he was. They weren't MARRIED, although they lived and raised their children as best they could for their times and place. You just can't take all your values and experiences back in time and re-create what you thought happened. My aunt is still appalled by people that have bedpans as porcelain center pieces on their tables to decorate with flowers.

It is Veteran's Day...

2011-11-11T09:23:00.000-08:00

A Civilian Song

Yes, and I lived long enough to get to be one of those old gray haired or bald fatter fellows that couldn't possibly wear the uniform that he served in, sigh.

The Secret Hero

Once there was a man and a real wonder if was. For the man was just common folk, not too smart, not too handsome, or strong or especially skillful. Unknown to most people the man was a Hero, brave in the face of the most terrible dangers, but this was a secret.

Perhaps his mother knew she had raised a hero, aside from all the trouble he had caused her heart and grayed her hair. She saw him stand forth and strong against wrong in defense of the weak. But it was probably just her love coloring her memory. No one else could remember such actions from him, not ever, mothers only see from their heart.

His father was a strong man, a hard worker, skilled at his craft, well thought of by the community and family, a man that only feared God. Now he knew that his son wasn't a hero -- he had tried to raise him right, but his son had destroyed things of beauty and age in his clumsiness. One day he would make his father proud and the next he would shame him with empty boasts and actions. There was a wildness in the son that troubled the father, he was not doing well in school and found adventure in the darkness of night. This saddened the father that had wished so many good things for his children.

As with sons throughout the ages, the son marched off to the military and did his duty. He never had the opportunity to be a medalled hero and win honors and be written of in song and story, but he served well.

He found a true love, courted and married her and they started a family. They had a son. And the son grew and became a man and a wonder it was... For the man was just common folk, not too smart, not too handsome, or strong or especially skillful. Unknown to most people the man was a Hero, brave in the face of the most terrible dangers, but this was a secret.

Perhaps his mother knew she had raised a hero, aside from all the trouble he had caused her heart and grayed her hair. She saw him stand forth and strong against wrong in defense of the weak. But it was probably just her love coloring her memory. No one else could remember such actions from him, not ever, mothers only see from their heart.

His father was a strong man, a hard worker, skilled at his craft, well thought of by the community and family, a man that only feared God. Now he knew that his son wasn't a hero -- he had tried to raise him right, but his son had destroyed things of beauty and age in his clumsiness. One day he would make his father proud and the next he would shame him with empty boasts and actions. There was a wildness in the son that troubled the father, he was not doing well in school and found adventure in the darkness of night. This saddened the father that had wished so many good things for his children.

As with sons throughout the ages, the son marched off to the military and did his duty. He never had the opportunity to be a medalled hero and win honors and be written of in song and story, but he served well.

He found a true love, courted and married her and they started a family. They had a son. And the son grew and became a man and a wonder it was... For the man was just common folk, not too smart, not too handsome, or strong or especially skillful. Unknown to most people the man was a Hero, brave in the face of the most terrible dangers, but this was a secret.

Perhaps his mother knew she had raised a hero, aside from all the trouble he had caused her heart and grayed her hair. She saw him stand forth and strong against wrong in defense of the weak. But it was probably just her love coloring her memory. No one else could remember such actions from him, not ever, mothers only see from their heart.

His father was a strong man, a hard worker, skilled at his craft, well thought of by the community and family, a man that only feared God. Now he knew that his son wasn't a hero -- he had tried to raise him right, but his son had destroyed things of beauty and age in his clumsiness. One day he would make his father proud and the next he would shame him with empty boasts and actions. There was a wildness in the son that troubled the father, he was not doing well in school and found adventure in the darkness of night. This saddened the father that had wished so many good things for his children.

As with sons throughout the ages, the son marched off to the military and did his duty. He never had the opportunity to be a medalled hero and win honors and be written of in song and story, but he served well.

He found a true love, courted and married her and they started a family. They had a son. And the son grew and became a man and a wonder it was... For the man was just common folk, not too smart, not too handsome, or strong or especially skillful. Unknown to most people the man was a Hero, brave in the face of the most terrible dangers, but this was a secret.

Perhaps his mother knew she had raised a hero, aside from all the trouble he had caused her heart and grayed her hair. She saw him stand forth and strong against wrong in defense of the weak. But it was probably just her love coloring her memory. No one else could remember such actions from him, not ever, mothers only see from their heart.

His father was a strong man, a hard worker, skilled at his craft, well thought of by the community and family, a man that only feared God. Now he knew that his son wasn't a hero -- he had tried to raise him right, but his son had destroyed things of beauty and age in his clumsiness. One day he would make his father proud and the next he would shame him with empty boasts and actions. There was a wildness in the son that troubled the father, he was not doing well in school and found adventure in the darkness of night. This saddened the father that had wished so many good things for his children.

As with sons throughout the ages, the son marched off to the military and did his duty. He never had the opportunity to be a medalled hero and win honors and be written of in song and story, but he served well.

He found a true love, courted and married her and they started a family. They had a son. And the son grew and became a man and a wonder it was...

For this story goes on every day and for years the wonder is that all these heroes are raised everywhere and only waiting for the time they must stand up to evil, and while they wait they raise the next generation of heroes, they support the good in their community and spread love throughout the world, but remember.... this is a secret, and the government never needs to find out.

So, for my grandfather (WWI), my father and uncle (WWII, Korea), myself and my cousin (RVN, Gulf War I), my niece and son (current Wars on Terror). Lots of my family has served in uniform without going to war, my brother, his first wife, my brother-in-laws, all my cousins on my father's side. Happy Veterans Day! Knowing what we do best is all that we love.

The only real party in town today...

2011-11-10T08:03:00.000-08:00

Only two military organizations really know how to throw a party, yeah, the Naval Aviators had Tailhook, but the French Foreign Legion and the United States Marine Corps have picked their day to celebrate and they do it right. Somehow through movies and television probably you think that broadchested scruffy bearded twenty year olds are Marines... but this picture called to me, cause this is more like the Marines I knew - just kids, carrying too much, given too big a mission and only protected by the sure knowledge that they were Marines. My favorite almost quote from the Marines "Come on, you think you are going to live forever?" Happy Birthday, Marines.

Racism, tribalism, us-themism and all divisions...

2011-11-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

I thought I understood racism once, but acknowledge I am only a po'redneck and not smart enough to KNOW anything about it. I feel it is about stereotypes and expected perceptions of reality... once told that there were lots of women available for sex in the field training area I was kind of excited... then the only women I saw all day long were the ones dragging their kids along trying to sell sodas and dried squid wrapped around a peanut to American soldiers on the perimeter. They didn't look like anything I would want to make love to, but the Cokes were priced right and I could learn to like dried squid wrapped around a peanut. Darkness came and the commerce increased (sex, weed and local alcohol), since I was still a real clean living American boy - I didn't engage, I knew nothing about causal sexual gratification. I did know that when one of the women breast fed her baby that afternoon I was not turned on (no matter what they think in California - it is just the other end of needing to change a diaper). Sleep called to me after my guard shift. I just didn't get it.

My father wrote to me, an very unusual thing, and warned me about indulging in things I might mistake as love. It looked to me like he still thought of the Asians as an enemy or not as good as we (White Americans) were. It wasn't so, but then he wrote without trying to stomp on me and my individuality, and I read it as he were still a Father in charge of my choices (which, he always allowed me to make a fool of myself and would call it to my attention straight up, was not his intent). So I stopped sharing much of importance in my life with my parents, just the next mission, the next tour, the problems I found the thoughts I had, but I hid a lot. Before I went off to die in Vietnam I had a quiet talk with my mother in the car, and told her all she had missed and why, she cried and told Dad, and then I could go off and die. Didn't die, they missed me twice, but I was a small target in a target rich environment.

God was good to me, I got an assignment to the 82nd Airborne, promoted, Jump School and then married. Selected (involuntarily) to be a Drill Sergeant, a son and ever onward. Now my wife was a Korean, she is still a Korean although she has become a naturalized American Citizen, High School graduate in 1984, and school trained for several care giving jobs (she likes taking care of old, special needs and babies) -- still she is a Korean, with all her own language, culture and norms. Oh, she was saved and is a Southern Baptist also, a Korean Southern Baptist. I have given you all the boxes you can put her inside, stereotype her and such - she will still surprise you. She does me. I don't think of her as Korean, I have an endearment I call her (Yobo) and her name to introduce her by (KC for Americans; Hong, Kum Cha for Asians). My mother wanted to be her friend, and in Korea the husband's mother is the Evil Elder Female trying to constantly train young fool female into a proper wife - at least until the second son is born... boy, did my wife and mother have trouble overcoming their expectations to find the real person in each other.

Bring my son into the picture, and my wife wanted him to be a Korean boy (they do believe that blood will tell there) and I constantly assured her that he would be an American. We were both wrong, in the end - still being written down in History - he is Gideon and as unique as his father, which will always trouble his mother, my wife.

I did what I thought was correct in raising him, being a Man I thought he needed to try a lot of things, stub his toe a lot (he broke his arms skate boarding, but he fails enough to know he has to get better), know that not too much is going to be given him and if he really wants it he best work for it. But I should have done more because I didn't have any idea of how he would grow up in a world expecting him to be Korean. I should have picked up on his second grade teacher that thought he should do better in Math, because of another Korean boy that was just brilliant. Korean children are difficult to compete against, since you are always striving against the child with two concerned parents hovering over their production and grades. I think he just wanted to have friends and fun, since that is what I think he had most of... can't tell his story. He was a bit rebellious (which his father thinks is great, and his mother can't stand), he was tough (which both parents liked to a degree) but not a bully, since he was picked on a lot as a child.

But America, and probably the whole world worries over the stereotype and expectations and I didn't have enough sense to see that everyone else saw my son as an Asian, a Korean, and he didn't fit that mold well enough for the Americans, Asians and Koreans to be happy with him. He makes his way through the world with lots of fools around him trying to fit him into their expectation boxes, but probably ignores it until it gets to his wife and son. Then the gloves will come off.

Okay, my wife's church selected an English Language Pastor for that service, and it was the American with lots of schooling and four adopted Asian children. I didn't vote, not being a member of much except Humanity and sometimes I wonder about that. I did vote in the local election, and am still waiting for the final results. I don't like projections from exit polls, since they are normally in the cities. And there are a lot of people in small towns and farm country that vote but seem not to count. I am sure we need less government, better system of punishing those that harm us, and stop thinking of our GREATNESS and responsibility for making everyone else in the world wonderful as we are... they can figure it out on their own.

The news folks are concentrating on hanging Cain for his misdeeds, or alleged misdeeds. Penn State is looking for some coaches, it is also too big to fail and can expect a stimulus package, I laugh because I only applied to Drexel and the University of Miami (I didn't want to spend too much money on applications to schools) and I hadn't really thought about it, Penn State or the Pennsylvania Military Academy (which would have been a natural and kept me out of the life I ended up living). The Republicans are supposed to take the victory over Obamacare in Ohio as a win, the loss to the Unions as what is going to happen. I think, seriously, that the Union Contract for teachers should detail how the Union is expected to succeed in education of the students. If that were in the contract it would be great, but it never will be.

I do know, having read "Your Teacher Said What?!" by Joe Kernen and Blake Kernen, that Europe will continue to fold and fail, magnificently. That the more America looks across the pond at the greener grass there and try to emulate the European examples of social justice, the more we can expect violence in the streets - a direct result of too many regulations and trying to provide the world to the voters... and building a debt that can't be paid off. Like taking out that mortgage that you aren't working hard enough to cover in your personal life.

Don't live your life inside a box, especially one that someone else has put you inside of... he can't do that, he's a _____, she is not ready for that, she is ____,.

My brother doubts my math abililty because I wrote a "box of 45 APC was twenty dollars and 30-06 was about a dollar a round" and not being a shooter of those rounds thought they were the same - well, he isn't a shooter at all and thinks most of our elected representatives don't shoot for fun and that illustrated another box to me. The one we put our representatives into, because they are acting on business, agriculture, energy, war, international policy, money, finance and such -- they probably don't have a clue, have to grab the local EXPERT and find out that ONE Opinion. And real experts are stars on TOP SHOT, PhDs in Social Policy or Human Experiences - or just Earl, your friendly rapidly aging blogger. And I know nothing but that God is Good, and we have a long way to reach Heaven. Better get started.

Thought you, the reader, might not understand why I married my wife, you would be like the government (US Army) which worked very hard to discourage our marriage, because you know what kind of a woman would want to marry an American soldier. And this picture is the one thing about her I didn't tell you above, one of my co-workers exclaimed one day that the reason I married my wife was that she was a tough as I was,,, and that could have had a bit to do with it. I always thought it was because I loved her, but I am not an expert.

So do any of the political candidates shoot? Who cares?

2011-11-07T00:40:00.000-08:00

A fine Sunday afternoon and my wife is on the kitchen crew at her church washing dishes. I told her that I was once paid eighty-five cents an hour for that job. She is wearing a black plastic garbage bag, like the real runners do on damp days until they heat up and they discard it. I didn't stay to eat, they are celebrating thirty-six years of the Church in Tacoma area and had a large (very fattening!) Thanksgiving type dinner. I was certain that they just didn't know when Thanksgiving was, but they were always celebrating the foundation of this church.

So I dashed home, changed out of the suit and tie, put my shooting gear in the Caravan (how do you get so much?) and drove off to Range 15 on base. Paid my $5.50 range fee, Civilian guests cost seven dollars. While getting my target I noted the price of the ammunition, for 45APC almost twenty dollars for box of fifty, 30-06 is almost a dollar a round. Buy in Bulk! Reload!(still on my procrastination plate).

Started on the twenty-five yard line, fired eight, adjusted sights. Moved the target to the fifty, repeat. Then it was out to 100 yards with the man beside me that was zeroing his aiming point sight on his SOCOM M1A. We laughed a little at the black clad Mall Ninjas on the pistol side of the range, one was running out in front of his buddy still clearing his rifle to get his target. The Range Safety got his attention before he went two steps. LOUD SPEAKERS and tone of voice. We were not just shooting lots of rounds, but placing them, adjusting sights and not in a real hurry.

A Zombie shooter was off to my right a couple of positions, I looked at his target to see how his AR was doing, forgetting completely that his holes were smaller than mine. When I remembered, found them on the face and wrist. But then he was using a scope. He had to cover the target up, seems someone (always the Commander) doesn't want human target on the range (the targets on the pistol range are human size but the target is a circled bull with rings). Remembering this is a military base, most of the shooters on the line are veterans from one war or another, or train for that.

Great afternoon, I only fired thirty-two rounds and talked to three younger men, still serving, got to show my father's WWII bayonet and talk about the firearms and the shooting fun, that my brother seems to never understand. I haven't forgotten how to shoot, but wondered about why I had four distinct groups of two rounds on the same session, will have to look at the video and work on my dry fire more - then next week - shoot again! Yea!

I missed a Skype.com call with my son in San Diego, was uploading the video, will catch them soon.

Seems I have been sold down the river...

2011-11-05T04:59:00.000-07:00

Or at least my mortgage has been, and they think I have to do something because they got a little richer for the transaction. They are likely correct, but this is how I start looking for a new Credit Union to do business with, isn't it? Being an old cranky fellow, not wanting to learn a better way of doing things and all.

Did the Credit Union sell all the mortgages? Is the new holding company going to try and sell new mortgages to us? Betrayal everywhere. Guess I will go talk to someone on Monday, I do want to know why and who made all the money from such silliness and why I have to do something since they were the ones making money - if they paid me I would be happier.

Okay, go get breakfast and another cup of coffee and prepare to go shoot my rifles today. It may be the only thing I can handle on my own. Andy Rooney has passed on, I am certain to be next, no one likes bushy eyebrow-ed old vets.

A Very Good Look at a solution outside the box...

2011-11-03T20:32:00.000-07:00

Ran across this (You're not voting your way out of this, people) in my blog reading, from Robb Allen.

Errant thoughts while on the heart walk...

2011-11-03T11:10:00.000-07:00

The importance of the 2012 election cannot be understated. Unfortunately, it seems both major political parties and the Mainstream Media want America, land of the Free and home of the Brave, to continue to become the place of Dependent and Fearful. It can't fail, can it, the last Superpower?

The Occupy to Get Attention Deficit folks have to burn the place down, the media finds their supporters, the 99% fools. Ah, actually I am more impressed with the 53% folks.

Ah, well, I have hopes that the Political Parties will chose excellent candidates for all positions of service to their voters, you know Representatives of the People? Not Ruling Elites! But I have noticed that institutions and organizations take on a life, and survival is part of their characteristic strength and weakness. So the media, the political parties aren't just looking at making America better as much as their special project - their objective to make it pay them, protect them, produce more of them... Ruling Elite; politicians and media mogols.

Every once in a bit, look around and pay attention...

2011-11-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

New interest while wandering the facebook I found this, Kenda Lenseigne video. Anyone that follows that activity may know about her but those that don't have no idea. I quickly compared what she does as she rides with the Asian bowmen shooting from their galloping horses, Mongol and Japanese mostly - although the original Persians were similar I would bet. I haven't heard the feminists nor the Main Stream Media lauding that she broke into and dominates in a mostly male venue -- and I won't, seems that firearms are frowned upon. But for those that love competition, horses, shooting and folks just having fun - most worthy.

I am reading "To Be a Runner" by Martin Dugard, who is he? Well, I guess he writes and he runs and I picked it up because I am no longer jogging, so I look over his shoulder as he takes me through his adventures in running. I was a jogger more than a competitive runner, my high school didn't have Cross Country or Wrestling - so I am lacking in having tasted those. I was struck by the way he trained his Cross Country teams and the similarity to the way I thought I was training my soldiers as a Drill Sergeant and later as a First Sergeant, which had all been grounded in my watching how I had been trained in school and the Army by some very fine teachers - and I wasn't an easy student until you got my respect and attention.

I was also thinking that those times I was teaching and grooming the next generation of soldiers and runners were happy times, very much like the times I was working the Appleseed shooting and Heritage weekends. There is a special, sixteen point, Known Distance Appleseed in CdA, Idaho on 12 and 13 November. You have to have already achieved your Rifleman patch - always pushing the limit of your knowledge and experience. I can't go to that one, too far away now, although in 2009 and 2010 I was there more than once. A very nice range, although the toilet facilities need some help. I will schedule shooting rifle on the post that Saturday, and see what beautiful holes I can make in my targets using all that I have gleaned from years of grazing on gunsmoke goodness.

Just as an aside before I walk into my day - you do know that Coeur d'Alene is Lion Heart? Henry's son and Saladin's most Christian opponent? Richard Coeur d'Alene. How was Richard said in French, the language of the Norman Conqueror's courts?

What if real life were like television?

2011-10-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

I am crushing walnuts and almond slices for my breakfast gruel, health food, boring but healthy. I stopped buying Quaker Old Fashioned Oats, and moved to Ralston - just cheaper and my body will never know what the mind can. As I crush the nuts I am waiting for my energy on the game I am playing to come back up, and I am watching a subtitled Korean drama (soap opera). I tell my wife that she is lucky I didn't see Korean Soap Operas before we got married, but then I had seen American Soap Operas and Peyton Place so maybe I knew how badly American life could become. Sure enough, it did. Never watched Desperate Housewives, the title turned me off and I would never understand the humor, kind of dark bitterness when compared to the people I have met in the world. And since real writing isn't filling of all the space on television/cablevision/satellite well, there is the Reality (none reality really) television, sigh.

Also there is the effect of news and politics bought and paid for by smokey mysterious people in the background. No one ever holds up their target in politics like the Riflemen do at Appleseeds, or the competitors in other sports not needing steriods for performance. Yes, the wrestling in the WWE is fake, a performance and we know it - foolishly we hope the performance during elections have meaning in Washington, DC, and it never sinks in that it could be fake, too.

Media has always played a part in how we view ourselves and the world, from bards of King Arthur's court, to Dickens writing serials in the newspapers about the ways of life in England, and Kipling the larger Empire. I win my battle only losing an infantry unit and a Red Tiger tank. The crushed nuts are in a plastic jar for dipping toppings from in the future. The soap opera is done for the day and it is time to go for a walk, a heart walk. My sister invited me to Florida where I could walk on sidewalks instead of the side of the road - I am just happy to be able to walk. Have a nice day, and I hope you get to play for sixty minutes.

I know I am disappearing fast...

2011-10-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

In my email yesterday, was the letter from the fine folks of FarmVille, they miss me. Seems my crops have withered, although I haven't planted anything, and the cows have been suffering because no one is milking them. They just never took the game in my direction, although I built a rifle range and had a magic mirror to shoot into, they would only allow me a barbarian sword to sling upon my back.
They did finally allow me to have some dogs, so I had two.
I had a pub and a farm in England, no shooting range there and I had rabbits but no dog. All in all, it was okay but they kept interrupting me, kind of like the salesman that won't allow you to dream while sitting in the new automobile - the manager/supervisor that wants you to work harder and faster - but with very little point since you already work harder and faster than everyone needs.
It was a virtual playground for me, and a profit making enterprise for FarmVille - not that they made much money from me - I was willing to work long and hard, to forgive them the interruptions, and support all my neighbors, but then they just kept adding more opportunity to make them much more money. Good-bye, FarmVille!

Since there is only so much time...

2011-10-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

My problems with education establishment made me write some things that my youngest sister decided to comment upon. She has been a teacher for many years in the public and now in the Catholic schools.

She told me to read "Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt, and I have just finished it. Now will return to trying to be a better me. It was worth the time and the thought, and I liked much of what he did as a teacher, without thinking I have to drink a pint or two to get with his life.

I would have liked to write about my teaching experience but it wouldn't be the same - since I only took what the education system had prepared and then worked them into something we could go beat up our enemies with... the pointy end of the spear.

Face your fears and know you aren't prepared...

2011-10-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Aside from not being young and lovely (I always started my teenage shaving years with a serious look in the mirror and telling myself I was ugly), I have had to address my failing health, attitude and qualifications - and I am just not too big to fail, nor so poor I am pitiful.

Ever since the last hijacking of my computer and loss of all my data, from years and years of entering every transaction, all the investments and borrowing and such (which I highly recommend to Congress) I have ducked updating my Quicken program, although I did get the 2010 edition to install on my computers, it is only on two of them. But I went into early retirement, shock, depression and fled from reality and have delayed for two years getting in control of what I have done with the dollars. Yesterday I finished updating and now I know, worth more dead than alive. Blood is no good, body parts questionable, enough fat to light some lamps in China if needed. But it is done and I can start working on the future, although there is so much more to life than how much money I have squirreled away. I do have responsibilities to family to build a bit.

Surprising how little except attitude I had when I got married, what we were paying for things when my son was born, how much I spent on the bowling league while in Korea, until I started putting into bits and bytes, I used paper and pen, or clay tablets and stylus. Okay, I never used clay tablets - not quite that old.

The next step is to find our goals, and look at the time remaining and do the best we can. I think we will do okay, I didn't buy land - but it would have been a good investment (not on the beach in the Carolinas) although I have shared owning a home with the banks several times. Most of my investments have been in mutual funds, stocks - not bonds (just not smart enough for bonds). In the old days I even had US Savings bonds and bank savings accounts. Just too fluid to flirt with long term association. Now? cash and carry. Hope I don't out live the promises of the government to pay me, but it could happen.

Investments that have paid off in my life best? One girl friend to long time wife, one son, education as I could afford it and which went in my direction, doing stuff that I wasn't ready for but grew into, belief I could do better, trust in God and His blessings.

Movies to watch, not have to live through...

2011-10-21T11:13:00.000-07:00

War Horse, seems there is a story waiting to be told. And will be released Christmas at theaters everywhere. If you can't wait, the library is always available and maybe they have the story.

This is how one does it with puppets. War Horse

I couldn't find the book at my library, but the audio disc is available.

Important point to make...

2011-10-20T05:48:00.000-07:00

The ability to give information with fewer characters is important for typists. So we have NFL (No Fire Line or National Football League), one is for saving lives and the other is entertainment. Do you know some others that quickly share information? Of course you do.

Recently (last forty years?) this shorthand, short cut has been abused. Instead of using "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Too many people say "The Second Amendment" and EVERYBODY KNOWS what it is and that means. I don't think they really do, nine justices on the Supreme Court and they have their staff and aides reading, writing and whithering around the words and intent of that amendment. Every time we use the shorthand version, the light grows dimmer. The nine justices cannot read the simple statement the same way. We have a better education system in the Twenty-first Century than they did in the Eighteenth?

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. (Early note not the final version)

Of course, if your intent is to destroy a free State - then disarming the People by infringing on their right is a good step. Yes it is...

From my brother with the beautiful newer bike...

2011-10-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Subject: Invitation to shoot?
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:52:11 -0600
To: wmearl2@hotmail.com

I'm betting that there are no takers because it would be more fun to be invited to play Canasta or poker. (I'd like it better.) Shooting isn't fun for most people. If you're going to own a gun, it's a good skill to have, but even those who defend the Supreme Court's interpretation of the 2nd amendment, don't always own guns or shoot at the range. You're probably right that the police can't get there in time to rescue you in a crisis. I'm suggesting that owning and carrying a gun won't always help you in a crisis either. You might actually have more opportunities to use CPR in real life.

and on..... with other concerns.

I answered:
Shooting isn't fun for most people? And why is that? Not taught in school, doesn't immediately lead to romantic encounters, is a serious sport?

The Supreme Court's interpretation of "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." is certainly the same American English language that I can read and understand without their help. I would be surprised if you couldn't read the same as I do. You may wish it said something else but it doesn't.

For the record, I have used emergency medical procedures, I have been carrying a firearm and several knives at the time.

And my brother has a really nice motorcycle for a younger old guy.

Seriously, serving and those running for office...

2011-10-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

I invite you to comment, write or call me and we can get together and shoot some firearms at a local range. If it is your range, in Western Washington, I will meet you, if it is to be mine - since the government doesn't build many for citizens, it will be Saturday on Range 16 at Joint Base Lewis McChord or Castle Rock at Wades for an Appleseed weekend of Marksmanship and Heritage.

Now why don't I believe I will have lots of takers?

1 Not enough people read my blog.

2 Politicians don't do in public things they fear will affect frightened voters.

3 Politicians and their handlers are closer to the Left side of foolish than most of America.

Such a negative post, sigh, there will be a decided lack of response. I had best get to real letter writing to get a real answer for my request to shoot together. I could tell the NRA, and other pro-gun organizations to increase the invitation level to learn how to shoot, to shoot safely and to enjoy being with people of the Gun not just voting blocks and campaign contributors.

Hey, RWVA, have there been any serving political representatives that have held up a cleaned Red Coat?

Religion and Politics, over coffee or beer...

2011-10-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

During the service yesterday they flashed the picture and short biographies of the two final candidates for Pastor of the English Language Ministry. This has been a very long dry spell for those Americans that want the Truth and the Way. Surrounded in a sea of Koreans, they want a real American Bible Thumper to keep them on the path of Righteousness for His Name's sake. The first picture was of a typical American looking couple with about four Korean children around them. The certification and schooling were of fundamental Southern Baptist and Oklahoma regions. They live in Washington state now. Okay, looks okay. Now I normally wouldn't care where he went to school, if his resume was excellent or his Bible came over in the ship before the Mayflower. I would want to hear him speak, a Sermon and his plans for walking with the Lord. Then the second candidate shows up, and his name is Lee, born in Korea and raised in South America since the age of two, graduated from a University in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both will serve one Saturday morning Prayer and an English Language Service on Sunday. Can't wait to hear them, it will be a good change. The last good preacher was Billy King, born in this church, raised same, ordained and wed to my favorite Praise Sing drummer, but he is in the Army as a Chaplain and serving in Fort Hood since his return from Afghanistan. A very moving young man.

Over coffee the men were discussing the two choices. First the Korean, Lee, was already sliding downhill, because he was Korean which gave the men an uncomfortable stereotype to put their discomfort in and wrap around him. One man who has heard both of them says that the Korean speaks four languages and speaks better English than the other. The other, seems to have an Oklahoman twang, yep, that won't bother another American listening. I came away convinced of two things, I will wait until I hear them preach to pick the one that speaks to me. I also know that the Korean, who may be more comfortable in South America will be expected to be a REAL Korean by all those that are Real Koreans in this church. That isn't fair to Lee, but that is the way it is. And he didn't go to a Korean University, and wasn't ordained in Korea, and maybe his children aren't being raised right, or he doesn't have children, or a wife... there are so many potential problems without the American men wanting a pastor that speaks to them. Which is why there hasn't been a replacement for the last Pastor since June.

I don't personally care, am not a Southern Baptist, nor a member of this church (I am just hanging out with my wife getting ready for the Lord). She has enough troubles with the Korean Ladies, the Korean minister wanting more money (as the congregation gets smaller?). Still one of the men says it is all a conspiracy to get another position for a Korean in this church. One of the Pastors in this church looks Korean (since he is of that ethnic heritage) but he is American, speaks nor reads no Korean (but the Koreans shake their head in that he doesn't measure up to a real Korean). He is a fine minister, a very caring man, husband and father. Aren't racial or ethnic stereotypes the pits? Yes, they are. Several of the American men have gone looking for the Lord in other places, they should look inside. The picking a candidate process brought up the coming elections for President Obama and his rival(s). Which one do I like, I was asked.

Being an almost Anarchist, no government owns me! I am for Ron Paul --- immediately I am not concerned enough about Iran. No, I am not. If they get a bomb that they might use, I would nuke them till they glow. I don't think they are stupid enough to build a bomb they might use, but having one isn't the end of my world. My world with all its potential crumpled after NASA stopped going to the Moon, and the Federal government declared War on Poverty and didn't declare War on North Vietnam. We have had flashes of brilliance since, but really we are not getting better when this planet goes - it is all over for Humanity and the Human Species. I have just seen "Waiting for Superman" and the real reason America is in decline is the unions are in charge of public education -- and they are proving they have no reason to be teachers except to make their Union Bosses fat, rich and powerful along with their favorite politicians. Remember union workers, your bosses are part of the 1% in charge of America, skimming the cream and the excess from your pockets. What will happen is in about twenty years over eighty percent of the scientists, engineers and skilled workers the American Economy must have - will be from China, Japan and India. Real Americans, unless from Private Schools, Home Schools or self educated will not have the mathematics nor science skills needed. And as our Hispanic Illegal Aliens have shown us, the real Americans may not know how to WORK for a living, so many of us are getting old and dying off. I remember mowing other peoples yards as a teenager, which is why I have to finish mine today.

I do expect that Mitt Romney will be the Republican Candidate for President. And President Obama has a real problem - (since there aren't enough rich to tax, just enough to get contributions for his beautiful media campaign which has no bearing on reality) - the problem is America is getting accustomed to holding their nose and picking the lesser of two smelly evils - Obama has to go to the Left for masses, and the Center for some thoughtful support and a bit right for some military heroism (NO, He didn't shoot Bin Laden, he gave approval - the shooter would have killed him without approval anyway once he was in the same room.) One man pointed out that Obama had ducked the putting a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for his first two years. I shake my head, a politician will kiss babies, but not change their diapers.

Well, here comes an idea, I should invite the incoming ministers to go shooting with me on Saturday afternoon. Yep. I should definitely bring it to the want to be elected or re-elected folks before next November. Much better than waiting for the NRA (which sometimes looks like a union operation) to tell me which one votes which way. I want to see his or her target, I would like to see how they handle a pistol, revolver or rifle - do they hand it off to a gun bearer for its care? Yeah, all the important points of my values... sure would mean a bit more.

Hmm, should have visitors with children more often...

2011-10-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

But only have one son and daughter-in-law it won't happen, but it was a great week. Spent most of it watching my grandson work himself into this new house. He tested most of the limits, finding that his mother had the same rules and goals for his performance, but the old people would allow him to jump from furniture, climb as high as he wanted. I was pleased to have sticking, heavy drawers that couldn't be opened by boys without more leverage or muscle mass. For being just bite-sized he is pretty strong, and growing.

The son is older and more mature - which comes from being older? and responsible for others! He spent much of his time during his living here in 1995, skate boarding all over Tacoma and places within reach, and they didn't do skate parks in those days, but they have them now. Of course he was just finishing high school and thinking of life after being a teenager... with no prospects. Now if the government gets it together or just gets out of the way, the sky is the limit. Same for the whole nation isn't it? He did well packing out to leave yesterday, but then it is a family and that helps, working together. We dropped them off and I won't tell you that my wife cried, but she watched until the last moment she could see them in the TSA screening area - I remember days where we watched my grandparents making circles with a handkerchief in the windows of the aircraft they were leaving in... no TSA, no barriers or full body scanners. When we got back from the departure we noticed something that shouldn't be there in the garage... my son's skateboard, best get it out in the mail, before he feels he has to replace it. Priorities change over time, don't they?

Went to see Real Steel... loved it!

2011-10-14T16:50:00.000-07:00

Needless to say, it was fun, predictible and without heavy overtones of bad behavior. Had to love the International Truck, the Boxing Gym, the old girl friend and Charlie - although I am sure Atom and Max were supposed to steal the show.

Sun is not up yet, but grandson is...

2011-10-13T07:22:00.000-07:00

I find that television viewing is different, for they have other interests from mine. The rains let up just enough for a short walk on the street.

I once impressed my father by being chased by telephone calls from my gaining unit, now I am impressed since my son and daughter-in-law have talked to people about household good delivery (next Thursday), meeting the Childcare provider with their son, and other connecting things that I just always waited to arrive at my next assignment. I think I was too accustomed to the Army only being able to pick a country for me, and hoping I would get something I would like when I arrived. Improvements in the smaller military community, now? Or the Navy takes care of its own? Moving every two to four years is stressful, and add to the mix that even if you don't move, there are people coming and going in your units and operations continue to change. If they wanted you to have a family they would have issued you one...

Interesting use of laptop with Google mapping and satellite map to show my son how to find the unit on Joint Base Lewis McChord (only a heartless military could make such ugly terms to note a place -- JBLM). Zoomed right into the roads, check points and structures looked for. I expect that he will find the place with little trouble.

Others are getting up now, time to revert to myself. My wife has been working and preparing all the best meals she can, in abundance, and I shake my head at my weight gain to be noted after they leave, and shovel the fine food in because it really tastes fine. There are ways to become a Great grandmother, and she found the best one.

Just to comment on things that I don't trust in...

2011-10-12T07:14:00.001-07:00

Iran, from the time of the Shah to the present has been playing badly in the World sandbox, the Israelis have problems with Iranian supported terrorist groups for years in Lebanon, development of potential nuclear arms - and now the United States (with White House and Justice Department assisting the Main Stream Media) is supposed quiver in fear, but not to the point of declaring WAR. Sorry, nothing the above players have done makes me think they are telling the whole truth, doing anything for my well being or anything that I should pay attention to... remember that the Attorney General has already lied to Congress, caught on tape so it must be fact. I have still a desire to see the press releases and time lines on the NEWS that American was the source of weapons for Mexican Drug cartels, and the Justice Department's Fast and Furious operation to supply the truth to the story about how the Mexicans got the guns.

Look, I believe that using a weapon (to attack, destroy or disfigure something) in a crime against people, animals or property should be a crime. Owning a weapon should not be a crime! Having a ton of some drug shouldn't be a crime, dropping the ton of drugs upon the postal worker should be a crime. So, I want all the laws against keeping and bearing arms taken out of the legal code. Then start demanding prosecution for armed criminals. It isn't going to happen, it makes sense. If the border between nations cannot stop the flow of people, drugs and ideas - then how can the same border stop the flow of technology or weapons? Oh, you passed a new law, added a new tax? Thanks but no thanks, stop the traffic, please.

I want to thank Top Shot for making shooting skills a fine piece of entertainment for the Reality Show generation. I stopped at Blackfork and watched his video of the LEG matches, so there seem to be a healthy number of real shooters in the country, doing a fine job of hitting the target. I haven't expanded to watching the other video presentations of firearms, but you can see some of the same things that made Orange County Choppers... didn't change the joy of riding the Trusty Triumph in the pouring pelting rains for me, and NO, I don't really like most of the Choppers I have seen in life.

One other thing I don't believe in, that the political process in America is worth watching and participating in. The original TEA Party, before the MSM and the Republican Party started claiming knowledge of its intent --- well, the original TEA Party was because the political parties didn't care to address the issues of the American Citizens, clean up their act and get back to business. And the Main Stream Media is only Mainstream because it has lots of FLOW - not because it has answers, content that is drinkable or enough volume to float a boat.

Well, time for breakfast, morning walk and another day with the family. Take care out there, God loves you even if your government doesn't believe in same (God, love or you).

One of the best things about company...

2011-10-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

Is that my world is ruffled, and different things become something new. My son and daughter-in-law are looking at the world so differently than my wife and I. Making plans for their future and their children's. The bold little boy hasn't plans yet, just actions and the time is now. The knights from the Korean chess set have disappeared into his train and toy truck piles and parades across the hearth. They may have defined 'Horse power', the Grandfather clock has been stopped, I started it again, but now it is a place to hide the horses, he prefers the black ones, he will share the white ones with me. Too young to know how powerful the Queen is, or important the King, just wants to play with the horses.

We did the Tacoma Children's Museum, which from adult eyes isn't neat enough, but from their eyes, at their height - it is cool with lots of stuff.

I would love to tell you that he will grow up a runner and a parachutist - he jumps from every piece of furniture making pretty good landings, and he still hasn't slowed down going from one end of this house to the other. The big thing is that he keeps growing and learning to share his power gently - for the meek will inherit the Earth. He is not ready for that concept yet, but hope I am still here to demonstrate it one day.

Time so short, home so small, love so big...

2011-10-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

Says it all in the title. Take care out there and enjoy the moments and the building of memories.

Been busy trying go get out from under...

2011-10-08T06:32:00.000-07:00

There are days I am sure we are next for a video production team to drop in for recording the new episode of the Hoarders. But it is mostly shredded, trashed, packed and out of the ways now. Almost feel light.

I am up early to use the computer, record the moment.

My son, his wife and grandson are visiting, they are on the way to the next duty assignment. The grandson is still a little confused by the flight, new sights and vehicles. BUT - he runs fast from one end of the home to the other, laughing and making childish noises - about time someone beside me made those noises. I am now ancient, and I smile.

The grandson likes the digital slide show in the frame, lots of pictures of him, and others he knows.

My wife bought Kona Coffee, and I will drink it all - for I have been there riding a motorcycle.

The Problem was not so simple...

2011-10-04T10:38:00.001-07:00

One tiny room, the Computer Cave, and I get mired down in moving, dusting, cleaning, throwing away, moving, packing, moving, throwing away. Pictures to look at (often with a magnifying glass), poetry to read and wonder -- too much stuff. I received a letter from my Senator, they both are my Senators - but only one writes me back. Mostly a form response, but her staff could never be as smart as she is, and I wanted the BAFTE eliminated as a fine first step in the proper direction. Has been mentioned that starting Ruby Ridge and the confrontation with David Koresh, wasn't as bad as handing the mess to the FBI, which calmly killed them all to have God sort them out. No one is suggesting eliminating the FBI, yet. The CIA would be first thrown overboard after the BAFTE. Hmm, am I comparing my poor showing on keeping one little room with books, computers and guns and ammunition organized and useful -- and responding the need for clean up with the Federal Government's too many agencies and areas of expertise and its difficulty to clean it up and eliminate waste fraud and abuse?

Don Quixote loved reading about Chivalry, and he believed it was a much better and simpler time. Bold Knights saving beautiful ladies, he really believed, but to save him from his dreams the Priest, barber and maid decided to remove all his books that told tales they knew were part of his problem... I am still certain, that Don Quixote's world was much better than the one they wanted to box him into - and our world? I think we do need more Don Quixotes - but then the media would call in experts, and conduct polls to find out if we favor him.

Enough about my failures, my wife is almost back in the United States, she slept a straight eight hours last night, midnight to eight something. It is never jet lag, your dreams are just not as easy to pack up as your suitcases, and they do get left behind as you gently scream across the skies trying to avoid bird strike. And I had better get back to cleaning and organizing, the garbage can is full and more remains!

2011-10-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

Good solid rains and the grass is green. My wife and her car are totally in sync. She is still on Asian time, and didn't really want to go to work, and the car likes just hiding in the garage and wouldn't start, plenty of battery just wasn't hitting - something about fuel evaporates? It got started and she is off. I am washing dishes, shredding paper and getting the Computer cave up to some kind of better standard. Or when she comes back she might HELP me.

A Ladyseed has happened in Washington State. Glad that they are able to step up and pick up the task of teaching Marksmanship and honoring the Heritage, looks like they had a good time in the rain and cool.

What is going on? too much news worthy...

2011-10-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

Gun control news, NOT.

There is only some truth to most things, criminals haven't changed, they are not as smart as they think they are. So I doubt gun crime has changed that much - immediately as the sides of the discussion would like you to believe.

Media, including the bloggers, will report on NEWS or Thoughts that support their idea of what should or is happening. I am writing this because I don't believe that everyone ran out and purchased or started carrying or had more guns than they did the day before the decision to honor the 2nd Amendment's limitation on government over reach. There certainly were no efforts from government or the firearms industry to increase firearms in Chicago or Washington, DC - the only efforts to increase lack of gun control to cause crimes seem to have been in the Southwest by the BAFTE. I do believe that criminals that aren't drunk or on drugs might consider that other people might be armed and dangerous. The ones that aren't too smart, or are mentally impaired by drugs, alcohol or a superiority complex will be as dangerous as ever - most of them don't have excellent gun handling skills or target engagement (when do they practice, where?).

Carrying a firearm and knowing how to use it leave only the decision that a situation is worth firing a round with the intent to kill. Since most people won't kill unless they are directly threatened there won't be much increase in deaths by firearms. Too many movies where pointing a pistol means that everyone is going to obey the holder of the gun. The entertainment industry, from MGM to Playboy Club, are responsible for much of the fool thoughts about what is proper and lawful.

Take the idea that the government has the RIGHT and DUTY to kill its enemies, I read James Bond when I was a teenager - exciting idea, "licensed to kill". Now we have Presidents that have lots of kills on film, Heavens! they even fight off terrorists on Air Force One. The truth is that mostly we don't see the enemies that the Government kills. But we are now killing terrorist (a good idea) and everyone around them ( a VERY BAD IDEA) - and posting it on media as a lesson? a method to incite more terror? or justification for TSA? or helping us pick a future candidate for political office? Do you remember who died in President Reagan's attack on Libya? All the guilty parties? No. I am sure that God has sorted them all out.

Just like the Death Penalty, the only reason to kill a terrorist (outside the law of the land) is that when they are dead they never repeat the crime. Part of the problem with the Media celebration is there are people that think the government is wrong. There were the wonderful domestic terrorists of the Sixties, and most FBI agents weren't as good undercover as Serpico. If we had only had satellites and drones.

A better start this morning...

2011-09-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

I will eat breakfast soon as I get this typed.

Being old, I only have opinion, but I was listening to Bill Whittle on the laptop and had to mute the television so I could hear Bill. Once I listened to it all -- now I like soloists instead of orchestras.

I haven't turned the sound on the television, I don't forgive machines, computers and sales folks as quickly as I should, perhaps.

Prayer has been started, and as I glanced at the television I noticed a celebrity (maybe a singer too young for me to be entertained by) and his girl friend. She is very good to look upon, although I would guess the natural bloom of her youth has been enhanced by professionals. My thought since they were switching beautiful women on the screen and I had no sound on, was the only difference between the women seemed to be if they had a personality or a mind and I wouldn't know until they spoke. They did all seem to look exactly alike.

This is almost as good as sitting in the terminal making up stories about the people I see walking around - you can do that at a Mall, too, but I don't shop enough to stop there. This muting button may never get touched again until the President speaks.

Have a great day, it is Friday, and I hope you find a child to bring a little world of wonder to - it will make both your days. Zoos, walk in the park, rake the leaves, clean the mud off of you boots together. Get them now, old is often a lonely wait until the sound goes back on, or someone visits.

Mostly I am in decay... but then so is the country...

2011-09-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

I have heard that every generation feels like the younger generation is out of control, in danger of making the whole civilization collapse and as I have gotten older I feel they are absolutely correct.

They will bring out translations from ancient Greece, Rome or China and use that to prove their point. But I notice that those are all fallen Civilizations - we do have some great thought, art and history from those civilizations but we don't live like Rome and the Romans, do we? I also don't think that King David would be excited about trying to live in America, or even Western Europe.
My generation is not my father's, grandfather's or beyond -- my son and I have different views of many things, and similar views on important stuff - but it is all colored by our perception.

So as I get old and reflective, wondering where I went and why, I hope that the best our generation has will be listened to and read in the far future. I don't think Alexander Dumas thought his tale about the Three Musketeers would spin off so many movies - can't anyone in California write a story worthy of cinema production, many times? Yes, we are still telling the story of Troy, although I am sure most people don't understand how far Troy with Brad Pitt was from Homer's Iliad, but I liked it. Another tale of times that we don't live that define our idea of what is important, honor, bravery, family, mercy and love.

If you were to pick one hundred pieces of today's art (music, poetry, literature, theater, dance) how many of them would be celebrated and studied in a hundred years? You would not know, most of us aren't going to live hundred years from today. Some of my favorite reads are no longer in print, or found in used book stores (at least to the point I wouldn't have to win the Lotto to pay for the search to find them).

Since the paint weathered to nothing on the Grecian statues, and left the beauty of the bodies most of mankind will never reach, what will stand the conversion from parchment and paper to digital commands for switches of whatever? My county library says they are prepared to lend me kindle ebooks, two weeks worth. If we were closer to the Starship Enterprise I might not worry, but we have all kinds of books on the shelves that would cure most of our trials - but they take reading and it is so much cooler to do what feels good. Once everything goes electronic and digital one super EMP will take all that away so quickly... oh, they have already done that book, about five times five.

Got to go, movement is important and the Sun won't be shining forever between the clouds. Although I am sure enough that it will keep shining...

A very good Appleseed weekend...

2011-09-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

At Castle Rock, Washington, at Wade's Designated Appleseed Range (DAR) I spent most of my weekend, and six hours on I-5. Four hours sleep on Saturday night and about five on Friday night. I had a great time, was a bit too wordy on the events leading to General Gage and Paul Revere's meeting in History on 18 April, 1775, but I did get the First Strike told, and I taught Offhand and helped coach and adjust sights and shooter's positions. Two days, five new Riflemen made, "Ducko" earned his Red Hat and is now an instructor, he will become a Shoot Boss next year, likely. Three of the Riflemen had been to other Appleseeds, and liking the program stepped up to take up the Instructor in Training (IIT) yellow ball cap.

This is still the best time I have ever had on firing ranges, with people that come to learn, shoot and go home feeling good about America. Nothing I have done with NRA or in the military comes close. Maybe working with shooters in High School might be as much fun, but then there are too many frightened people wandering around in charge aren't there? My only complaint was that I didn't make it through the entire second day, wearing out too quickly and my heart is as big as my memory of my best years - but these are my look around and count my blessings days.

I had best get to writing more letters, and telling more History - do you think we could get more politicians to the ranges - they do go to debates and town meetings?

Yes, I am old and I am late...

2011-09-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

The cool bloggers, in the GUN community, posted a picture of their carry knives on their keyboards or whatever. These are my carry knives, daily, if I get dressed and leave the house, or work in the yard. One always should carry a knife. I feel if Israel must have the right to self defense, then Earl has the same right. The United Nations did not jump up and stop the war in 1948, 1956, 1967 or 1973. Yes, I carry all three, and have been since been since I purchased the clip on on the right, the other two have been carried much longer

Nothing much to tell y'all today, an important point in the recovery of America - which is the real goal of the citizens that are awake - is that without a restoring of 'Trust' it will never recover. What is trust? Well, start with personal responsibility - silly things like Wedding Vows, or 'my word is my bond' . How can you trust people that hide what they did, plan to do, or are doing now - behind the Fifth Amendment?

I will go to an Appleseed at Castle Rock, Washington this weekend. My last time on the line, and Castle Rock will be closed to Appleseeds in 2012. The owner needs to get his truck up to truckin'.
The individual economy is gloomier than the nation economy, mainly because the under employed are not reported upon, but watch too much television which is fueled by conflict and drama. Really, most of the nation is doing okay - not great, but okay. Most of America is making it, not the POOR (15 million) not the unemployed (9.? percent of the workers - around 15 million, again). They do report that the Stock Market fell seven hundred points this week, which means that fewer people are buying than selling - markets only have the value of the moment and that goes back to a feeling of confidence - Real Estate or Stock Market - no one buys if they don't feel they will get a return. No one borrows money to buy equipment, cars, beautiful clothes if they believe that they won't be able to pay it back. No one opens a new business expecting to fail soon. You have to have confidence, you have to have optimism .

Yes, all we need as a country is to restore trust. As I tell people that worry about the coming collapse - one must cling to family and friends - and FAITH in God. You have to trust or it won't work. Take care out there, and don't forget to carry knives with a sharp edge, dull blades are just like Congress, they just don't work well.

News!

2011-09-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

People released by Iran before Iran gets into war with the neighbors. The first non-dancer is kicked of of Dancing with the Stars (I don't follow it, do you?). The Main Stream Media is very happy that thousands and thousands of service members are coming out of the closet, only leaving facing real bullets and rockets and IEDs (which have never discriminated in targeting) to fear from government service in uniform. It won't be too long before the bullying and hate thought crimes will take up combat training time, so no one will remember that they have to avoid the bullets, rockets and IEDs instead of jokes in bad taste and still being a minority in a sea of heterosexuals.

I watched the celebration in the youtube presentation of a young airman telling his father he was "Gay". And he thought his father wouldn't still love him. Hmm, a whole Christian faith based on the fact that God the Father loves the sinner enough to send His son to die -- how could a son not realize that confessing to murder would have still not stopped the love from his father. Parents get to be proud and shamed by their own conduct, why wouldn't they feel the same about their children? What are they teaching in media and schools today?

Don't worry too much, since Microsoft has to fear Apple, and facebook has to fear Google Plus (I only search on Google so they know all my internet sinning sites), but still it is for our betterment... I think they are using the government/politician model of mind control. Why don't I fear the future? Well, the big satellite is crashing into my house, the electricity will get shut off and eliminate all electronic entertainment and tracking. Have some good oatmeal gruel for breakfast and go out and improve your life and the world. Oh, if the power goes off, what will you do to heat the water? Cut the forest beyond that back fence?

Stop updating my life, software, games -- please

2011-09-20T16:22:00.000-07:00

Adobe has an update, Firefox has an update, facebook games are updating -- everyone is sure it is for a better life for me. But I am so old... I don't need an update that I can't handle, sigh.

I just mention it because now homosexuals may serve proudly in the US Military. Updating the software of social life in military life. Now every service member has always been encouraged to serve proudly in the military. There never has been an aptitude test, combat readiness test nor gender preference test that has been based on sexual orientation. But with that decision the military will have to figure out marriage, partnerships, joint assignments, housing - survivor benefits, and we will have to mark the records so no one in promotions boards will show bias either way based on marital status; martial status has always been fair game.

Oh, I really don't care if I sleep beside a homosexual in the field, combat or in my fighting vehicle - shucks, even if they were a beautiful, hot bod, and so sexy - I just am not going to get attracted to another soldier, sailor or airperson -- and Marines are only great for movies and fighting. What do I do if there is youthful foolish Public Displays of Affection? Well, tell them to cut it out and get back to mature military bearing. I am not going to ask if the Articles in the Code of Conduct about homosexual activity have been rescinded. They didn't change the adultery article, although it is very selectively enforced. Only those things that are disruptive to good order and discipline should ever be noticed and enforced. But most of the military is young, and without sufficient sinning in one's life the tolerance level isn't high enough to stop bullying and fear of failures (survival instincts).

It does seem to be part of the continuing decline in civilization, redefining the family and what is good conduct - what actions people are responsible for, which ones they just couldn't resist.

I did take a picture of the decline of the world near me, but I actually got out of the house, went and stimulated the economy and did some praise worthy activity for home maintenance (don't look too close). Anyway, when there was money and money poured in to increase public transportation the local bus service expanded, and now? Well, there isn't that much money although all the managers hired for the expansion are still working. Do you think there were signs in Rome when the borders closed, the bridges couldn't be maintained, courts were no longer effective...

Evolutionary progress...

2011-09-20T10:20:00.001-07:00

There he is, a working man, sitting behind the wheel of his AWD pick'm up truck, he has GPS, a cellphone, an iPad, tools and a place to be and things to do. He drives through the quiet pre-dawn, certain that he has been lucky. He is an American, the greatest country in the world. Winner of the Cold War, World War II, and the Civil War. He flies Old Glory at his home, most of the world can't live as well as he does. Medical and dental plans for him and his family, mostly honest police until you get to the big city where it seems everyone is corrupt, at least on news and drama shows.

He had great parents that taught him well, a school system that was boring but then he got out of it all he wanted, the diploma and work. He is really lucky, not a criminal bone in his body, he passes that sign that announces that Speed Limit Strictly Enforced. Of course it is, he thinks to himself, they have radar and cameras everywhere. He is wearing his seat belt, not drinking alcohol nor smoking some strange substance, his radio plays country music but no one knows outside of his truck, not a booming bass driving his mind into frenzy. He enters the small town.

A one-horse town, they once thought of them, it does have one traffic light. No traffic at this time of the morning, they even have DOT cameras to catch the action and photo shots for traffic tickets. As he rolls to the intersection the light turns red and he stops. Completely, and he waits, burning $3.69 a gallon fuel, with ethanol added to increase corn costs... as he waits he thinks about how Abraham Lincoln would have done this... oh, no traffic lights then. Kit Carson would have gone on, blazing through - heck, he was a run away apprentice, couldn't bottle him up. And he waits for the light to change. You do have to live by rules, everyone agrees, if the light wasn't here there might have been an accident, not this morning on this empty road, but still it was for his protection, so he waits. He is sure that just his impatience is making him think that he has been waiting too long, something is wrong with the light. Not that a simple electric machine with a computer chip would ever be wrong... if Candid Camera were still on the television he would think this was a practical joke. Haven't two songs played already? He waits, he has doubts in the light, in the government - if he pulls through the light there will be a policeman to turn on his lights and give him a ticket, look over his car, ask him to open his storage.... always something. He waits, the light has become the center of his life - it can't be working, can it? He would call someone and complain, except he can't use his cellphone while operating his vehicle. He waits for permission to move, granted by the all powerful traffic light... the center of his life NOW.

Evolutionary changes in human beings? Maybe... certainly have more than enough rules against common sense.

Nothing important...

2011-09-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

My brother sent me a video to watch, and the comment that those people vote. Yep, they do, and I was sure it was a Kennedy that bought his victory in West Virginia for two dollars a vote, cash. They had a price.

What I found interesting was looking at the Mall crowd at a Sarah Palin book signing, and trying to figure out which people were carrying a firearm. They were from the Right side, and according to the editor of the video didn't have a clue about politics. So they must have had firearms.

I should do some more of that viewing especially in crowd scenes. I will be going to church soon, and maybe a movie later, as I look over the crowd can I find all the people carrying? One out of seven qualified adults have concealed carry permits in Washington state - one out of seven. Should be able to find one a day, shouldn't I?

How, where, when do I find myself?

2011-09-16T06:21:00.001-07:00

Oh, and Why?

This is going to be quick, after all I am standing with God and there is so much to do. It looks like there are many people doing just what I am writing about, trying to 'find' themselves. I am not sure it is for themselves as much as to be stereotyped into a consumer classification. Google, facebook and others take all your information, which they gather and bundle to sell to those that really don't know you but want to help you experience - whatever it is they are selling.

I have half a house of failed experience, and it is often in the way, and too heavy to move too often. All the love I have been given, have stolen and grew and gave away - it doesn't weigh much, I never stumble over it in the dark and brings smiles to my heart and lifts my soul. While I was looking into the entertainment wasteland that is called television, or cablevision or whatever service one has, (we really pay for those chains that hold us back?) I found the music, and I have been turning on the Blues, Country and softer stuff, don't have to look at it, and it lifts me up.

Well, I have had interesting emails and real mails, I have stuff to do. Harley-Davidson has realized that the Baby-boomer generation is about done with motorcycling for style and sex. So I guess if I don't look like lovely in the picture I can forget about their product line. Time for breakfast, shave and get on with doing better in preparation of my much better half's return to saving me from lonely.

My cousin is leaving Brazil today, she has been visiting her brother in the hospital, his children are arriving now and she will return to New Zealand. She mentions having lots of God talk while there with people around her, she is a minister/pastor. I like the idea that there are places that having God talk is happening, and even better that people aren't afraid to join in and share, and that it helps define where you could find oneself.

Oh, don't worry about me, I get to call my wife today and exchange visions and values, and she may tell me she loves me, just in case I forgot or she got flighty (that only happens under my youthful influence).