The things that matter in life.

The things that matter in life.
The things that matter in life.

Friday, March 19, 2021

THE DAILY FUDD: E43/44: "More on the fudd defensive semi-dream arm: Mossberg 500 in .410 -- And a word on the Henry Axe and others."

In TDF 42 yesterday, I in passing announced plans for a post listing some fudd-ish options for baseline defense. The problem is, there are so many options out there listed, but so few actually available in the current situation, that a list would be neither complete nor usable. So I'll repeat TDF 14 and discuss or reference some (relatively) common comparable alternatives.

NOTE: I am not in any way compensated by Mossberg for this, though I am quite readily for sale, should it interest them.

Really. I'm just mercenary enough.



Layout 1 (mossberg.com)  https://www.mossberg.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/MOSSBERG-500-.410-SECURITY-SHOTGUNS.pdf

Yes, this is seemingly the perfect gun if one can have only one and regular CCW is not a factor. While some would see it as a jack of all trades and master of none, they'd inadvertently point out that it has legitimate use across the spectrum in the profession of arms. It WILL defend a home. It WILL serve as a light, compact long gun in a refugee flight, with a LOT of ammo. It WILL be concealable to a certain extent. It WILL leave less ballistic evidence that most rifled arms. It WILL be an arm one can hold up seemingly lower end on the arms scale, yet actually rank among the standards of classic RKBA. And, it DOES quite convincing stand as a modern descendant of the classic "blunderbuss to ward off burglars" of the 1688/89 English Bill of Rights.

Now, regarding the Henry Axe and similar arms: It fits through a semi-technicality to avoid being considered a short-barreled shotgun and thus NFA regulated. That is all fine and good for now, but I am leery of using technicalities to avoid gun laws. "If you think you've gotten around a gun law, you're probably in violation of it." Certainly, the ATF'nE has approved it and arms like it. My own worry is about the future. Shotguns with barrels over 18 inches (18.5 is standard, because ATF'nE plays games with the measuring) are well established--"in common use"--in civilian settings. Indeed, shotguns are far less likely to suffer extreme restrictions, due to anti-gunners often touting them as "acceptable" substitutes for rifles, full-power or PCC, for home defense. But specialty items like the Axe might pose a tempting target sometime. Indeed, California long ago categorically banned such weapons. Part of TDF's philosophy is to anticipate without paranoia future actions and threats, and lean on the side of caution.

For more on this, see the discussion of this and .410 revolvers in TDF 28: "A fudd set that should appeal to both sides--plus having a 'political' symbolism."
  https://catsgunsandnationalsecurity.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-daily-fudd-e28-fudd-set-that-should.html  

In truth, the best gun to have is whatever gun you CAN have. Today, that means whatever is on the gun shop's shelf. If you're not armed now, you waited too long. For you Christians out there, you were a foolish virgin (Matthew 25:1ff), and the door to the wedding supper is all but closed. Maybe you can get "oil" from those who prepared and were ready. Indeed I recently chose to set an example and sold a small chunk of ammunition. But there's only so much to share, with some 13 trillion rounds in this country, and the firearms themselves... Well, find out what retail was a year ago, triple it, and that will make a decent starting offer. STARTING offer.

Take what you can get, and with all the terms attached. (No, I won't cite Luke 22 here, as the historical context makes its application too uncertain.)

Truly, all the best.

Thursday, March 18, 2021

"Yes, Virginia, potheads lie: Marijuana is indeed addictive. That's why they lie."

Doing a phone number search brought this up. (502 was the area code of what I was searching.)   

Quite telling disclaimer... not that potheads don't already know they're lying.

Not strictly speaking "bias," but Facebook's "Community Standards" enforcement is laughable here.

Yes, I get how the algorithm failed.

In truth, it shows they monitor me, at least by algorithm, since the original post has not been gigged. I'm recognized as a threat--that is, a Patriot!





Wednesday, March 17, 2021

THE DAILY FUDD: E42: "Waiting periods."

The recent shootings in Atlanta apparently involved a 9mm handgun. Given that handguns are core Heller and relatively big with liberals, the most that will be made of the weapon will be magazine capacity. The big point that will be made involves "cooling off" waiting periods for purchases. The alleged shooter apparently purchased a 9mm the day of the violence.

Whatever the motives, mental state, methods, and morals of the alleged shooter, this issue of waiting periods needs addressing. The arguments for such are obvious: In cases of intending impulsive violence, let the individual "cool down" before acquiring these means of violence. The counterargument is that such periods impact by purposeful delay a purchaser obtaining the constitutionally-guaranteed means of protection.

The TDF position here is two-fold:
1. Despite the emotional appeal, the rational arguments for waiting periods on defensive arms simply cannot outweigh the rational right and general need in society ("necessary to the security of a free State") for an armed citizenry. Yes, that is a hard case to sell in many cases.

2. Responsible citizens should ALREADY possess the basic means of fulfilling the 2A vision--which is NOT hunting, sporting, collecting, etc.--thereby making waiting periods a practical issue only in non-essential (per Franklin) exercises of arms. As I told Californians during their crazy efforts to buy firearms during 2020's pandemic and insurrection:


And there's the sorta-Catch-22: Waiting periods on firearms we might see as filling the role of the 1688/89 English Bill of Rights blunderbuss (Blackstone home and carry protection) are where such periods have their biggest negative impact on the 2A vision. Yet it is those arms, along with higher-end military-grade long guns, that are most likely to be impulse-bought by someone intent on a hot-blooded murder. And of course, if a murder-intent person already possesses such baseline arms, they don't need to do the impulse buying.

The ultimate answer would be a societal change wherein becoming personally armed is considered an essential rite of passage to adulthood. Then, apart from that initial appropriation of a firearm, any waiting periods would be little more than a nuisance from the innocent buyer's perspective, as the essential of the liberty (again, per Franklin) was already met. But alas, that is not the situation today. We will continue to have people like those "Angelenos" leaving themselves unarmed until there is an urgent need, one that does not safely nor 2A-functionally admit to delay.

There may be a system that covers both ends of this matter, perhaps one linking initial arms acquisition to my proposed universally mandatory firearms training 
(see below--a work in progress), wherein passage of it entitles the person to a home-defense long gun upon reaching 18 or graduation from high school--whichever comes last. 


Or, LOL, I can conceive of a system whereby purchases by someone after age 30 hold a waiting period, on the basis that if a person has gone that long without defensive firepower, they either have nefarious intentions in only now obtaining firepower, or they deserve a lesson like those Angelenos learned last year.

Yet even I dislike teaching such a lesson. Perhaps this is a place where no good (for society) settlement exists, and we face THIS in the microcosm:



So, whatever the future holds, if you don't have a suitable defensive arm, acquire one now. The HiPoint pictured in the tweet exchange with the Angeleno is a fine choice. I plan a TDF edition in the next day or so featuring a selection of particularly appropriate fudd-ish arms. But in truth, right now EVERYTHING is hard to get. So if you're an Angeleno by spirit in this... do your best.

"Seriously, though, good luck."

OFF TOPIC, posting because this is... Nothing's surprising anymore: Bombshell Belles do SWING cover of Sabaton Metal song--"The Last Stand."

Sabaton actually posted the cover on their own YouTube channel.

As I replied to a comment about that and the differing styles: 

Cross-genre respect. Not surprising at all from Sabaton. Stand-up fellows.

The groups need to duet this, like Ricky Skaggs and Barry Gibb did with a Bluegrass rendition of "Stayin' Alive" on the Opry years ago.



SABATON Metal version: SABATON - The Last Stand (Official Music Video) - YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9BupglHdtM



BOMBSHELL BELLES Swing cover: SABATON - The Last Stand (The Bombshell Belles Swing Cover) - YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cav9lT-UmW0



LYRICS:

The Last Stand

In the heart of the Holy See
In the home of Christianity
The seat of power is in danger
There's a foe of a thousand swords
They've been abandoned by their lords
Their fall from grace will pave their path, to damnation

Then the one hundred eighty-nine
In the service of heaven
They're protecting the holy line
It was 1527
Gave their lives on the steps to heaven
Thy will be done!

For the grace, for the might of our lord
For the home of the holy
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Gave their lives so boldly
For the grace, for the might of our lord
In the name of his glory
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Come and tell their story again

Under guard of forty-two
Along a secret avenue
Castel Sant' Angelo is waiting
They're the guards of the Holy See
They're the guards of Christianity
Their path to history is paved with salvation

Then the one hundred eighty-nine
In the service of heaven
They're protecting the holy line
It was 1527
Gave their lives on the steps to heaven
Thy will be done!

For the grace, for the might of our lord
For the home of the holy
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Gave their lives so boldly
For the grace, for the might of our lord
In the name of his glory
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Come and tell their story again

Dying for salvation with dedication
No capitulation, annihilation
Papal commendation, reincarnation
Heaven is your destination

Dying for salvation with dedication
No capitulation, annihilation
Papal commendation, reincarnation
Heaven is your destination
In the name of God

For the grace, for the might of our lord
For the home of the holy
For the faith, for the way of the sword
Gave their lives so boldly
For the grace, for the might of our lord
In the name of his glory
For the faith, for the way of the sword

Come and tell their story
Gave their lives so boldly
Come and tell the Swiss Guards' story again

Songwriters: Joakim Broden, Paer Sundstroem, Christoffer Roerland
For non-commercial use only.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

THE DAILY FUDD: E41: "Separate the legitimate and illegitimate aspects of 'Universal Background Checks.'"

Libertarian-types go wrong by refusing to separate the legitimate "compelling state interest" side of Universal Background Checks (UBCs) on private gun sales--that is, combatting sales to/acquisition by Prohibited Persons--from the illegitimate aspects of many of the bills and laws--that is, creating a backdoor gun registry by connecting private deal buyers to specific weapons. By fighting it all as one big matter, these people give cover to anti-gunners to push the illegitimate. If pro-gunners worked to separate them by ensuring whatever system that might be put into place in this regard does NOT connect any person to any specific gun, and by offering legitimate alternatives in addressing legitimate matter, we would deprive anti-gunners of their cover. To get the backdoor registry they really seek would require separate naked legislation that can be fought without looking like we are enabling Prohibited Persons to acquire weapons.

--------

First, let us address an issue often brought up when I am addressed on this issue--"enforcement": Many conservative-types--and certainly libertarian-types--are understandably resistant on law enforcement departing too much from their intended reactionary function. Police in a non-police state are more about dealing with crimes while or after they are committed. Too many of those concerned, though, are knee-jerk and almost religious about this, focusing only on prosecutions (which should be indeed increased, to be sure), and will admit to almost no preventative action.

Ron Paul, a libertarian who overtly worked in the 2000s (decade) to cause a U.S. military defeat in Iraq, made this mistake in the 2008 GOP primary debates when he claimed that Timothy McVeigh, the 1995 Oklahoma City bomber, was a case of our domestic security system actually working--that is, he was caught, tried, convicted, sentenced, and executed. Newt Gingrich pointed out his libertarian fail: "Timothy McVeigh SUCCEEDED!" He managed to blow up the federal building and kill 168 people, including children. Gingrich rightly and accurately pointed to the law enforcement's role generally to be "on defense," while pointing out in such matters of terrorism that preemptive action is necessary.

Now, people can legitimately argue whether or not legally compelling UBCs on some private sales for the legitimate purpose is good/proper policy. As with any security provision, the potential misuse in the name of "fighting terrorism" or anything else is a VERY legitimate concern that needs to be addressed. (We saw such a misuse in the Deep State "Resistance" to Donald J. Trump from even before his election as possibly the last LEGITIMATE President of the United States.) Indeed, there may be more secure alternative ways of addressing the matter, and opponents should bring those forward (I briefly addressed my call for facilitating and encouraging voluntarily checks by private sellers in TDF 37). It is not reasonably denied, though, that the concept is on that legitimate side an attempt to address a compelling state interest--combatting acquisition by Prohibited Persons. Preventing such checks from connecting specific guns to specific persons in the records is a way to address the very real and serious concern about its misuse.

As a practical matter, so long as any such law includes logical--dare I say, "common-sense"--provisions on the scope of when such a check is needed, it is not necessarily egregious or burdensome. Handing a hunting rifle to a friend while climbing over a fence: No check. Permanently selling a firearm to "some guy at a bar": Yeah, probably a check. With a range of transfers in between (intrafamily, range sharing, immediate and anticipatory self-defense, "long-term loan," etc.) that can be discussed at a future time. 

"THE SECOND AMENDMENT AIN'T ABOUT DUCK HUNTING." It's also not about a hobby. As I noted in TDF 37, "you don't need to be trading and such like [guns] were baseball cards." When one's private buying and selling--especially selling--of firearms reaches such a regular level that one truly considers it a "hassle" to do checks, then in reality that person is crossing into being in the firearms business, and ought to get a dealer license. Some twenty years ago, I heard a conversation at a gun shop wherein the typical "purist" was griping about the then-fairly-new NICS system. The dealer-clerk talked about people at gun shows or flea markets who every month sold a few guns alongside other things as private sales. "That's, 'engaged in the business'" (a legal standard for when one is required to get a license), he said. And he was probably right.
The political truth is, most Americans want UBCs of some sort, but not nearly as many want a national gun registry. Those are two separate issues that can and should be separated. But that separation can't and won't occur in the legislative process so long as supposed "purists" act in kneejerk fashion and allow anti-gunners that cover.

I went on to say in TDF 37: "If you're not careful, your self-indulgence will be your downfall." Dogmatically upholding a situation that appears to many people in the general population to be aimed at expressly enabling Prohibited Persons to acquire arms (which it indeed is for some in the libertarian mindset) and opposing proposed actions to address it WITHOUT OFFERING ALTERNATES is a recipe for exactly that in RKBA.
To put it as a response to libertarians and their aims: "It is not worth risking RKBA in the name of your futile effort to ensure violent felons, druggies, and nutcakes can easily get guns." Such efforts, if they insist on pressing that politically suicidal agenda, should be directed at changing the laws prohibiting those classes in the first place, efforts which can be readily separated from rational and realistic efforts to ensure and enhance RKBA.

Private sales serve the purpose of heading off registries by providing Patriots with a build-in defense in the event of enforced registration/confiscation: "I sold that gun you think I owned at one time to some guy at a bar." Such is infringed upon by connecting private sales checks to specific weapons in kept records. It is NOT, however, necessarily infringed upon by checks on specific buyers NOT connected to specific weapons. 

Let us separate the two, address the legitimate issue, and deprive anti-gunners of a major political cover.




VIDEO with Bill Shatner and my comment, which might explain my "magnetic personality"-derived nerdish difficulty with tools and devices.

Link goes to Story 3 at 33:47 point. It's about a woman who seems to affect electrical equipment and such, as well as being put upon by people and institutions. Suggested explanations are government mind-control testing, mental issues (paranoia), and synchronicity (per Pauli Effect). Following video is my explanation which takes elements from the final two in a rational way (and thus likely the correct one).

https://youtu.be/czX6eDxwuKw?t=2027


Electrolytes affecting personal magnetic fields and the like might explain things like Story 3. I myself have issues with handheld touch-screen devices doing things seemingly on their own, even when in my pocket. I would jokingly attribute it "my magnetic personality," but maybe there's something to it--some people generating different levels of fields due to physiology differences. She put it all at the time she went back to school. More mental activity, more academics, stress of being a non-traditional student... All would contribute to both physiological and mental states. Add stress, paranoia, self-consciousness, and a potential feeling of being put upon.



Sunday, March 14, 2021

My kind of multiculturalism: Two Swedish Metal bands singing tribute to American WW1 hero in Norway -- Sabaton and Amaranthe performing "82nd All The Way" in Oslo.

SABATON and AMARANTHE

Amateur video from front (low sound quality--better in the second video below): Sabaton & Amaranthe - 82 All the way live in Oslo - YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kifNJGqn6zE



Into the fires of hell, the Argonne, a hero to be
Entered the war from over the sea
Intervene, 1918, all the way from Tennessee
Hill 223


(NOTE: York was a member of the 328th, not 338th. Sabaton lead Joakim Brodan acknowledges the mistake was caught after final recording. I don't know if their live performances now use the correct unit designation.)

THE DAILY FUDD: E39: Day off. Watch this video of lost three-legged cat -- It's manly to cry here.

https://www.facebook.com/thedodosite/videos/224418366038001

Stray, three-legged cat who spent 9 winters outside has his own fireplace now.

VIDEO: "[Three-legged] Stray Cat Refuses To Be Caught For 9 Years, Then..."

I'm in tears as I post this.

https://www.facebook.com/thedodosite/videos/224418366038001

Stray, three-legged cat who spent 9 winters outside has his own fireplace now.