The Lone Libertarian

I was hoping that this video was a spoof, but it appears it is possibly genuine.

This guy was totally irresponsible, and I find his actions towards someone who is inexperienced with a firearm reprehensible.

I think there are better ways of teaching people respect for firearms, and not to play around with them.

You be the judge.

The Memphis-area gun blogger meet-up went quite well on Saturday.  Bonnie, Brandon, Gracie (Brandon’s daughter), Paul, Tracie, Rusty, and I all met at the East End Grill on Hwy 64.  The venue was a definitely a good choice.   The food was pretty darn good, and the service wasn’t half bad either.  I’m still stretching my wings when it comes to the blogosphere, so I sat silent for much of the conversation.  With time, I imagine I will recognize and learn who’s who.  Everyone was really nice, and I look forward to blogging in such good company.

It’s probably good that I didn’t pipe up too much.  I seem pretty proper and decent in blog form, but in real life I have a pretty foul mouth.  Heh.

Anyhow, for the substance of the post.  The range outing after lunch gave me the opportunity to fire my brand-spanking-new Glock G17 9mm.  I’m not going to pretend that the following commentary is a review proper, however I have a few impressions to share (based on my Browning BDM experience).

I grew up on revolvers and shotguns, so semi-automatic pistols are still kind of new to me.  Last year, my father gave me a Browning BDM 9mm, and I fell in love with it.  The BDM is a discontinued weapon (RIP 1998, we hardly knew ye).  The history of  the BDM is quite interesting, as it was intended to be an FBI weapon.

Anyhow, the BDM had only been fired at a range one time.  It was virtually a new weapon out of the box.  Since receiving it I used it in my carry permit qualification and carry it on my person.  All told it is a good weapon, however it has some hang-ups.   I noticed some months back that the slide has the tendency to not return fully sometimes after firing, thus giving the illusion of a misfire when I hear the gun go “click” and nothing happens.  I have also had the slide “jam” on the first round out of the magazine when hitting the slide release after reloading (I’ve also had this happen when I manually yank the slide back to load).

Could this be the side effect of a “fairly new” gun with only about 650 rounds pumped through it?  Maybe, I’m not sure.  I clean it and oil it religiously after each use, so surely its not error in that regard (or at least I hope).

Considering the malfunctions, and how unpleasant they would be to happen when I need the weapon to work, I decided that I needed a more reliable weapon (that parts are still available for, and not highway robbery).  I enjoy a 9mm pistol, and during my level 1 class at Range USA, I had a good experience with a Glock.

Bass Pro Shops was running a Glock sale, and I had a $50 gift card burning a hole in my pocket, so I took the plunge.  Visually the G17 is a beauty.  Compared to the BDM, the G17 is a lighter gun, but not by much.

I really like how the G17 feels in my hand.  The default grip with the finger notches is really nice.  When firing, I feel like I have more control over the shot.  The sights are nice, especially when using against a black target (a half white square on the rear and a white dot in the front).

The weapon fires great.  Recoil is about the same as what I perceived with the BDM.  In alternating between the BDM and the G17, I noticed I was a better shot with the G17.  (Possibly due to a sight issue I had with the BDM since day one.)  I should also just go ahead and own up to the fact that I am not a great shot at all, and I am way out of practice.

Getting the Glock open for cleaning is a cinch.

I also definitely appreciate getting a post-Clinton era weapon with a magazine that holds more than 10 bullets (like the BDM).  The two magazines that came with the weapon hold 17 each, which is sweet.

Placing the weapon in a generic holster I had laying around, it is going to feel much better as a carry weapon than the BDM.  The lighter weight coupled with the shorter barrel will make it a little less awkward to fuss with.

Here comes the gripes.  I don’t like how hard you have to press the magazine release to eject the magazine.  I know it’s probably a “safety feature” but  every time I smash that little plastic button in, I feel like I’m going to break it to get the magazine out.

I also don’t like the slide lock.  It is too flush with the side of the weapon.  I have to turn the weapon to my side to simultaneously  pull the slide back and get enough leverage with my thumb to flick it up.  If I wasn’t a responsible gun owner, this could cause me to unintentionally turn the weapon and point it at someone trying to open it.  I figured out the hand gymnastics necessary to open the slide without turning the weapon, but for a novice, I can see it as a problem.

All that said, I think I’m going to be really happy with my new “traveling companion.”  All I need now is a proper holster.  The generic Uncle Mike’s I bought for the BDM aren’t going to cut it anymore.

I tip my hat to Rustmeister for what I think is one of the best questions to ask those whom challenge the Founding Father’s vision when it comes to the Second Amendment and “assault weapons.” (For those whom think citizens should not be able to posses [semi-]automatic weaponry.)

“They didn’t envision television when they wrote the First, either. Which do you think they would have more readily believed, the concept of a gun holding more than one round, or a box with moving and talking pictures in it?”

Certainly this elegant question will stop many an anti-gunny in their tracks.

I can’t wait to use it.

Over the past several days, all you hear about on the news is this whole phenomenon surrounding failing banks and financial institutions in the wake of the “mortgage crisis.”  This is my plea to the US government to allow these institutions to fail.  Do not intervene.  Allow the robber barrons and Mr. Potters behind the sub-prime mortgage lending and speculation to learn their lesson.  If you engage in high risk activity, don’t expect to come out unscathed.

I know many people will be hurt by the failing Indymac bank, and will be subject to the maximum value the FDIC will reimburse.  However, I think even more people will be hurt if these institutions are propped and allowed to conduct business as usual.

Here are some laughable quotes from Indymac Bank CEO John Bovenzi in a statement he gave on July 13th concerning the closure of his bank:

As you know, on Friday, Indymac Bank was closed and the FDIC was appointed as receiver.  What that means is that over the weekend, we have been working to reopen the bank first thing Monday morning.  This action, on Friday was taken to protect depositors.

That’s a bunch of baloney.  Running this statement through my malarky translator it reads, “This action was taken so that you don’t strip all of our reserves.  We’d rather the federal government front the bill for your accounts.”

Our objective is to protect the bank’s value and return it to the private sector, which we plan to do in the upcoming months.  Indymac Federal Bank now has the complete support of the FDIC.  It is a strong and safe institution.

Completely laughable.  Indymac Bank is a strong and safe institution eh?  Why the hell did you have to forfeit control over to a governmental entity?  This guy is definitely a CEO, he thinks his excrement does not smell.  I wonder what his golden-parachute looks like.  This guy sounds like a jumper.

A Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bailout is currently being worked on in Congress.  Being the two largest mortgage-finance companies in the US, this bailout due to the subprime-mortgage disaster could end up being the largest boondoggles in US history.

One has to wonder, why hasn’t anyone been brought up on charges for the sub-prime mortgage crisis?  Why are there no witch-hunts?  You mean to tell me Martha Stewart had to decorate a concrete cell, and we have thousands of people without homes, while many of these mortgage brokers are sitting pretty?  Take note, the bankers really do run this nation, not the empty suits in Washington DC.

The Baer Sterns bailout set a bad precident.  Expect your bank executives to be just fine, while the account holders lose their savings and their homes.

I decided over the weekend that I should go back to paper for life organization stuff.  Right now I have calendars in Outlook at work, Google Calendar for personal stuff, some dates scribbled on the back of an envelope, and a Palm V calendar.

My Palm battery is virtually dead, (it may last 20 minutes on a full charge), so using it practically is no longer, well practical.  My Google Calendar I tend only to enter stuff into, but rarely look at.  My “date envelope” is on my desk at home, and really doesn’t do me any good there.  My Outlook calendar is just for work stuff.  I don’t want big brother watching me.

This is not to mention that contact information I have for my friends and family are spread across Palm Desktop, some Notepad documents, Thunderbird Address Book, and Apple Address Book.  That’s some serious fuel to the fire.

I dug up my old Cambridge planner that was given to me as a college graduation gift.  I only wish I could remember who gave it to me.  Looking through it I found a mileage log that I kept for my car.  In 1999, when I bought it, I paid $15 to fill up my tank.  Now it costs close to $48.  Bygones.  Anyhow, it uses this weird UK standard called Filofax, which is a little smaller (and sometimes pricier) than what is considered “standard.”

In looking for Filofax planner refills I found the following DIY planner website.  They have printable templates in most popular planner sizes.  Not the most elegant solution for Filofax planners, but I can make it work.  The site has a bunch of templates, and good ideas for keeping even the most anal retentive pacified.

Making refills with card stock and ink sounds a heck of a lot better than some of these expensive refill packs.

OCD away!

This is just a friendly reminder to all Memphis area gun bloggers and readers that our first meet-up is happening this Saturday at 2pm at the East End Grill on Highway 64.

The rundown:
Who: Memphis area gun bloggers, readers, and friends.
When: Saturday, July 19, 2008, 2pm CDT.
Where: East End Grill, Bartlett Location on HWY64
What: Food, drinks, comradery.

After the event, we may hit Range USA for a little target practice.

Squeaky and I had a pretty good outing this past weekend at Range Master in Memphis.  I have not been to this particular range since the mid-nineties.  The facility was excellent, and Tom Givens was a great host to us not to mention a world class instructor.

Tom allowed us to sit in on a tactical shotgun class.  I learned a ton, and now have a craving for a new 12 gauge.

Check out her multi-part review of our Range Master experience here.  Part 1,  Part 2

Considering the closer geographic location than my regular range, I may have to start giving Tom more of my business.

From Presidential candidate Bob Barr (slightly edited by me):

Dear Friend,

This weekend, millions of Americans will celebrate our Independence Day.  They will gather in parks and on front lawns, fire up their grills and enjoy an evening of fireworks, family and friendship.

Children will wave sparklers in the air, tracing figure eights, while fathers will light seemingly endless fuses of fountains and firecrackers.

Most revel on the Fourth of July as a matter of tradition – and it is a good one.  I have celebrated this day throughout my life, even when I lived in nations that did not cherish freedom.

When I reflect on our Independence Day traditions, I am deeply grateful that Americans continue to celebrate this historic day, but I am also saddened by our combined failure to stop the continued encroachment upon our freedom.

Each July 4th, I look back at our year and can literally count the ways in which the path set forth by our forefathers has been distorted and, many times, betrayed.

We live in a nation bursting with people who love liberty but governed by men who lust for power.

For over 100 years, those designing men have been enabled by a political system that favors and protects the powerful.

Republicans and Democrats have maintained and significantly increased their hold on the reigns of our government regardless of the damage that has been done to the men, women and children who work, love, live and die in our great nation.

Today’s America does not resemble the intent clearly laid out within that document that was signed by patriots 232 years ago.

They put more than ink to paper when they signed the Declaration of Independence; they placed their lives, families, prosperity and honor on the line for liberty.

Our founders knew that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights.  They held no tolerance for the thought that we are granted rights by government.

Our rights, our decisions, our very lives are ours.  It is through individual responsibility by which we prosper or fail – not by state decree or legislation.

When Jefferson added the word “among” into the phrase, “among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” he was defiantly stating that our rights are self-defined, short of depriving another of their life or liberty.

Since the day that the Declaration of Independence was signed, we appear to have lost the meaning and intent of the words: independence, freedom and liberty.

Instead, those words have been echoed with abuse on campaign trails and government buildings by politicians who use them as Orwellian tools to mean just the opposite.

We now use “freedom” as an excuse to invade sovereign nations.

The protection of “liberty” is now an excuse to take it from us.

But today, during this election year, we have the opportunity to change the course of events.

We have a chance to send a message to Washington that will rock its foundation.

Together, we can make the word LIBERTY ring true with deafening accord.

My candidacy for President of the United States is not one of vanity or shallowness.  I, probably just like you, have had my eyes forced open by a government that wants to take all that it can from me and my family.

I am running for president to stand firm and demand a return of my liberty, my privacy, my labor and the peaceful heritage of my nation.

I ask you to stand with me.

Together we face the two-party behemoth that will do all that it can to silence us.

[…]

As important, over this coming weekend as you are spending times with friends and loved ones, take a minute and attempt to educate them as to the true meaning of liberty and how it has been lost in our nation and ask them to stand with us.

Respectfully,

Bob Barr

I heard about this on the Glenn Beck program this morning.  This is a propaganda piece from Egypt that is being published in order to convince Egyptian women to cover up.

The arabic text reads:

“You won’t be able to stop them, but you can protect yourself. He who created you knows what’s best for you!”

How nice.  I guess Egyptian men cannot help themselves if a woman isn’t wearing a burka, and will just rape without abandon.  Or maybe it’s that women deserve to be raped if they don’t cover themselves completely up?

Either way, this looks like advocacy for rape.

The planet’s “cradle of life” is seemingly still in the stone age.

I was a caller on the new Internet radio show/podcast Gun Nuts: The Next Generation last night.  The show was about the DC vs. Heller decision that the Supreme Court passed down last week.

I droned on for a few minutes about a Time magazine article that implies the suicide rate in areas that had handgun bans will now go up due to access.  Leave it up to big government liberals to worry about their tax-base as opposed to personal protection.

I’m almost afraid to listen to myself, for fear of how I think I may have sounded.  Heh.