The recent Monfort case, where the alleged perpetrator started out burning down police cars and escalated to a lethal ambush of police officers, killing one and injuring a second is, to put it mildly, a bit unusual in Washington.
This morning we have a second targeted ambush of police officers in Parkland, WA near Tacoma and the McChord Air Force Base/Ft. Lewis complex. Four officers were, according to early accounts, huddled around their laptops over assorted beverages at Forza Coffee. According to early reports, two armed individuals then burst in, shooting and killing the four officers. Local officials are currently describing this as a targeted killing.
Investigations continue.
Even as early as it is, and as certain as it is that more will come to light as the investigation continues, we can learn a few things from these recent tragedies - though I will gladly bow to the wisdom of those more knowledgeable than myself on such matters.
It seems to me that as private individuals we need to take note that, as the economy continues to tighten, that more individuals of greater desperation and ever less appreciation for consequences are running about loose attempting bad things to resolve their personal bad situations.
Further, many individuals, when things go south, have been spoon-fed the "oppressor-victim" tripe, and what is a symbol of authority in such a meme, but an oppressor?
In short, things are getting a bit frisky out, and likely to get moreso until the economy begins to improve. Stupid folks, making stupid choices, resulting in various levels of drama and tragedy are and will continue to increase in numbers until such time as prosperity returns to the land - which seems unlikely under the current administration.
With that in mind, upgrading situational awareness while hardening both ourselves and public servants as targets seems a meritorious project.
Be aware of what's around us, recall that a tool in a gun safe or on a nightstand isn't much use when YOU are at the bookstore or the coffee shop, and accept that no matter how good the police organization - they are not (and will not in the near term be) telepathic or precognitive, they have plenty to keep busy with, and that for the first few moments of a given incident..odds are, you will be *on your own*. Make choices accordingly.
As for hardening ourselves as targets - get training on shooting, defensive tactics, and how to avoid bad situations if you can find or afford it.
UPDATE: The shooter is apparently now deceased, after an unsuccessful encounter with a Seattle Police officer at approx. 0245 12/1/09.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Insights of a recovering liberal
At the Bredalucion today, I discovered a linked piece "The Wilding of Sarah Palin" that made some very good points while reminding me of the truism that nobody is more enthused about a given cause than a new convert.
While in many instances in agreement, I found portions of the article bore sufficient resemblance to the classic feminist trope that it made my headache as the urge to grasp the author by the shoulders and shake, while declaiming "you have come so far, Grasshopper, but yet remain so far!"
Regardless, I agree with Breda that it should be recommended reading for a number of reasons. The article does provide some valuable insights on how many liberals approach gender, race, and orientation and the view (common to both parties) "they are just fine as long as they are useful" meme regarding a given parties designated body of useful idiots - the ones that party regulars consider "gimme" voters, that they don't have to placate or consider, because it is simply beyond unthinkable to conceive that said stereotype group might go elsewhere or stay home.
The problem I have with the article is where it goes over the top with a fair amount of fluff and emotion where logic will do the job quite nicely. Just as fundamentalists on the right, women/race-based demographic groups/LGBT folks are welcome in the Democratic Party precisely as long as they are not strong, charismatic, or a terribly demanding.
A strong liberal woman, such as Hillary, provides a classic example of this misogyny, as the article in question points out. I have to ask if Jesse Jackson is really representative of the black community of 2009 (as most folks in that community I've run across are not, umm, quite so...vile?) And as a gay man, surely there must be someone better than Barney Frank to act as the LGBT poster boy on Capitol Hill? Barney Frank a simply horrifying figure on the scale of "Mr. Frank, could you PLEASE go be straight, now? Or at least retire?"
Feminism, to my eye, went awry a long time ago when it bought into the whole "designated victim group" mindset and became beholden to a political party. And that error is perpetuated to the extent that feminists flock to the Democratic Party Mammon (just as Christian Fundamentalists flock to the GOP version).
The beliefs that all persons are entitled to equality before the law (meaningful equality, not just lip service), that all persons deserve respect or condemnation based on their individual characteristics (as opposed to membership in one demographic group or another), and such...isn't really restricted to one party, and need not be.
More on this later.
While in many instances in agreement, I found portions of the article bore sufficient resemblance to the classic feminist trope that it made my headache as the urge to grasp the author by the shoulders and shake, while declaiming "you have come so far, Grasshopper, but yet remain so far!"
Regardless, I agree with Breda that it should be recommended reading for a number of reasons. The article does provide some valuable insights on how many liberals approach gender, race, and orientation and the view (common to both parties) "they are just fine as long as they are useful" meme regarding a given parties designated body of useful idiots - the ones that party regulars consider "gimme" voters, that they don't have to placate or consider, because it is simply beyond unthinkable to conceive that said stereotype group might go elsewhere or stay home.
The problem I have with the article is where it goes over the top with a fair amount of fluff and emotion where logic will do the job quite nicely. Just as fundamentalists on the right, women/race-based demographic groups/LGBT folks are welcome in the Democratic Party precisely as long as they are not strong, charismatic, or a terribly demanding.
A strong liberal woman, such as Hillary, provides a classic example of this misogyny, as the article in question points out. I have to ask if Jesse Jackson is really representative of the black community of 2009 (as most folks in that community I've run across are not, umm, quite so...vile?) And as a gay man, surely there must be someone better than Barney Frank to act as the LGBT poster boy on Capitol Hill? Barney Frank a simply horrifying figure on the scale of "Mr. Frank, could you PLEASE go be straight, now? Or at least retire?"
Feminism, to my eye, went awry a long time ago when it bought into the whole "designated victim group" mindset and became beholden to a political party. And that error is perpetuated to the extent that feminists flock to the Democratic Party Mammon (just as Christian Fundamentalists flock to the GOP version).
The beliefs that all persons are entitled to equality before the law (meaningful equality, not just lip service), that all persons deserve respect or condemnation based on their individual characteristics (as opposed to membership in one demographic group or another), and such...isn't really restricted to one party, and need not be.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Fudge-Packing Tale
Some years ago, a good friend was hotting up to come screaming out of the closet and do his year of madness, and consulting me as a more experienced sort and/or supportive person. His situation was a little different as his Dad had come out when he was in his early teens, followed by a vindictive divorce, and generally shabby treatment of his father and father's new partner - and refusal to tell my friend how/why his father had passed or was buried.
My friend had a little irritation stored up. His proposed Plan A was to stand up at holiday dinner at Grandma's house, come out with a vivid description of what, precisely, he enjoyed...followed by a 45 minute detailed declamation of "fuck you, I'm done".
It was my suspicion that this might be a less than ideal approach, with possible long term consequences, and thus to be averted if at all possible.
Thus, I suggested a trip to the lumber yard. We went down and picked up a bundle of 4'x2"x.25's and some 8' 1x12's and headed back to the house and the table saw, where we made about three dozen old-style wooden crates, before venturing forth to shop again. We bought straw, cling-wrap, and cards.
Mom walked my buddy (carefully not telling her what the ultimate goal was) through the process of making a quality old-fashioned fudge. Buddy goes home, and makes MUCH fudge. Waits for it to cool. Cuts it up in bite-size pieces, and cling-wraps it into about three dozen bundles, and returns to my place, fudge in hand.
On his return we fill the boxes with straw, carefully laying a bundle of fudge in each and a layer of straw atop it, before laying a card into each crate, and stencilling a logo upon each crate top before nailing each crate closed.
That year, my buddies relatives all got a very nice box of fudge. In an old-fashioned classy wood crate. Stencilled "Well-Packed". Containing a little Santa card with the signature line "From your favorite fudge-packer, *GC's Buddy*". Fully 3/4 of them never got it, but buddy felt vindicated and had only one other priority on his settling up list...which is a tale for another day!
Have some well-packed fudge today!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
GC
My friend had a little irritation stored up. His proposed Plan A was to stand up at holiday dinner at Grandma's house, come out with a vivid description of what, precisely, he enjoyed...followed by a 45 minute detailed declamation of "fuck you, I'm done".
It was my suspicion that this might be a less than ideal approach, with possible long term consequences, and thus to be averted if at all possible.
Thus, I suggested a trip to the lumber yard. We went down and picked up a bundle of 4'x2"x.25's and some 8' 1x12's and headed back to the house and the table saw, where we made about three dozen old-style wooden crates, before venturing forth to shop again. We bought straw, cling-wrap, and cards.
Mom walked my buddy (carefully not telling her what the ultimate goal was) through the process of making a quality old-fashioned fudge. Buddy goes home, and makes MUCH fudge. Waits for it to cool. Cuts it up in bite-size pieces, and cling-wraps it into about three dozen bundles, and returns to my place, fudge in hand.
On his return we fill the boxes with straw, carefully laying a bundle of fudge in each and a layer of straw atop it, before laying a card into each crate, and stencilling a logo upon each crate top before nailing each crate closed.
That year, my buddies relatives all got a very nice box of fudge. In an old-fashioned classy wood crate. Stencilled "Well-Packed". Containing a little Santa card with the signature line "From your favorite fudge-packer, *GC's Buddy*". Fully 3/4 of them never got it, but buddy felt vindicated and had only one other priority on his settling up list...which is a tale for another day!
Have some well-packed fudge today!! Happy Thanksgiving!!
GC
Garlic Chicken Soup of Doom re-posting
I usually repost this once or twice a year, when colds and flu are especially dreadful. Tastes good, and tends to clear crud out of a persons head'n'chest for about 45 minutes if made properly. Good Luck!
Garlic Chicken Soup of Doom
2 Large Cans Campbells Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup*
1 lb Boneless Chicken Breasts, cubed to ½” to ¼”
1 8 oz. Can peas
1 8 oz. Can carrots
1 8 oz. Can sliced potatoes
1 8 oz Can Kidney Beans
2½ c. Chopped Garlic
6 tbsp Oregano
6 tbsp Basil
Chili Powder
Tabasco Sauce
Salt
Olive Oil
Coat the bottom of a large fry pan with olive oil. Add 3 tbsp of chopped garlic, 2 tbsp Oregano and Basil, and sauté over low heat until garlic shows just a hint of brown, stirring occasionally. Add chopped chicken breasts, stir vigorously until intermingled thoroughly with spices, then continue to stir occasionally until the chicken is cooked white all through.
Meanwhile, drain all vegetables and place in large crock pot (slow cooker) with Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup. Add water to within 2" of top of pot. Throw in a couple of handfuls of pasta to thicken, if desired. Add remaining garlic and spices at this time, put crock pot on high setting.
When chicken is sautéed white all through, dump entire fry pan contents into crock pot, stirring in. Simmer for at least one hour.
Returning, take test sip. Add garlic until the soup begins to taste salty. Then add another tablespoon.
Now, add chili powder and Tabasco GENTLY, a bit at a time, until when you take a test sip it goes down smoothly…but you feel a distinct heated bite at the back of your throat after imbibing. (Note, if you over do, just let the soup boil down a bit, add some more water and pasta, let that boil down – repeat as needed…and all will be well).
*substitute any preferred chicken stock, and if substituting fresh vegetables rather than canned, be sure to increase cook time for proper spice saturation.
Garlic Chicken Soup of Doom
2 Large Cans Campbells Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup*
1 lb Boneless Chicken Breasts, cubed to ½” to ¼”
1 8 oz. Can peas
1 8 oz. Can carrots
1 8 oz. Can sliced potatoes
1 8 oz Can Kidney Beans
2½ c. Chopped Garlic
6 tbsp Oregano
6 tbsp Basil
Chili Powder
Tabasco Sauce
Salt
Olive Oil
Coat the bottom of a large fry pan with olive oil. Add 3 tbsp of chopped garlic, 2 tbsp Oregano and Basil, and sauté over low heat until garlic shows just a hint of brown, stirring occasionally. Add chopped chicken breasts, stir vigorously until intermingled thoroughly with spices, then continue to stir occasionally until the chicken is cooked white all through.
Meanwhile, drain all vegetables and place in large crock pot (slow cooker) with Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup. Add water to within 2" of top of pot. Throw in a couple of handfuls of pasta to thicken, if desired. Add remaining garlic and spices at this time, put crock pot on high setting.
When chicken is sautéed white all through, dump entire fry pan contents into crock pot, stirring in. Simmer for at least one hour.
Returning, take test sip. Add garlic until the soup begins to taste salty. Then add another tablespoon.
Now, add chili powder and Tabasco GENTLY, a bit at a time, until when you take a test sip it goes down smoothly…but you feel a distinct heated bite at the back of your throat after imbibing. (Note, if you over do, just let the soup boil down a bit, add some more water and pasta, let that boil down – repeat as needed…and all will be well).
*substitute any preferred chicken stock, and if substituting fresh vegetables rather than canned, be sure to increase cook time for proper spice saturation.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wound a little tight, are we?
There appears to have been a great kerfluffle over amidst the liberals, and in a rare display of corporate restraint, the kiddo's over at Google have exercised some restraint and refrained from censorship of, what at base, is an inoffensive but uncomplimentary image of Michelle Obama.
The truth is that none of us can be pretty all the time, and - what with being human and all - Michelle Obama is just as vulnerable to a bad camera angle or maliciously timed shot as each and every one of the rest of us.
As for the monkey comparisons? Tacky, disrespectful, and possibly racist (certainly one feeble attempt at humor I saw while searching the relevant image was) - but after 8 years of the left deriding Bush II as a chimp, my "give a damn" is sharply limited.
"As ye sow, thus shall ye reap", after all...
The truth is that none of us can be pretty all the time, and - what with being human and all - Michelle Obama is just as vulnerable to a bad camera angle or maliciously timed shot as each and every one of the rest of us.
As for the monkey comparisons? Tacky, disrespectful, and possibly racist (certainly one feeble attempt at humor I saw while searching the relevant image was) - but after 8 years of the left deriding Bush II as a chimp, my "give a damn" is sharply limited.
"As ye sow, thus shall ye reap", after all...
Monday, November 23, 2009
Now and again...
I get to watch, dumb-founded, as those I would consider to have interests hostile to civilization practice some variety of "extend foot, open fire"..
THIS is such a moment. ACORN seems more an organization of corrupt thieves, frauds, bigots, traitors, and idiots every day. RICO anyone?
THIS is such a moment. ACORN seems more an organization of corrupt thieves, frauds, bigots, traitors, and idiots every day. RICO anyone?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Ye gawds, not again...
Generally, I find FoxNews less actively irritating than many of the other talking heads of national news (but still basically a dumbed down and thoroughly spun version of reality, just from a different direction that most of the rest of the electronic mass media - just a different spin).
Hell, I even like Huckabee's folksy manner. But what peeves me about Fox (and Huckabee, specifically) is their fundamental confusion about "separation of church & state = GOOD THING for all involved".
Faith groups of one sort or another when funded, protected, or promoted by government are inherently corrupted by and beholden to the government(s) in question - and on the flip side, when by force or persuasion clerics start getting elected to office, rational thought on public policy tends to leave the room in favor of "because it feels good" or "GAWD TOLD ME SO" and variants thereupon. Right up there with "for the children" and "if it saves just ONE life" for sheer irrationality and fear-mongering.
So, not surprisingly, when Huckabee has Chuck Colson on for a PR moment for Colson's nutjob theocracy promoting group and its' thinly disguised bigotry I'm less than amused. Grrrr......
Hell, I even like Huckabee's folksy manner. But what peeves me about Fox (and Huckabee, specifically) is their fundamental confusion about "separation of church & state = GOOD THING for all involved".
Faith groups of one sort or another when funded, protected, or promoted by government are inherently corrupted by and beholden to the government(s) in question - and on the flip side, when by force or persuasion clerics start getting elected to office, rational thought on public policy tends to leave the room in favor of "because it feels good" or "GAWD TOLD ME SO" and variants thereupon. Right up there with "for the children" and "if it saves just ONE life" for sheer irrationality and fear-mongering.
So, not surprisingly, when Huckabee has Chuck Colson on for a PR moment for Colson's nutjob theocracy promoting group and its' thinly disguised bigotry I'm less than amused. Grrrr......
Zero Tolerance, Overzealousness, & Dumbassery in Action
In general, "Zero Tolerance" is one of those things that sounds good to the unthinking, but in practice rules out the use of handy things like common sense, rational thought, or logic - it's "Zero Tolerance" after all, one size fits all, regardless of circumstances - right?
When combined with petty empire building, self-righteousness, and a distinct preference for emotive rather than logical thinking - this kind of thing inevitably leads to drama, injustice, and/or tragedy. It's not uncommon to hear of a child or youth expelled for having aspirin or a pocket knife with them in the educational environment, and now we hear of a case in Chico, California.
16yo Gary Tudesko had been out for a lovely morning hunting with a friend, and was intent on making class on time. Aware of school rules about firearms, he carefully parked off campus. Police dogs on some kind of dragnet mission alarmed on his truck, and when summoned from class, he stated he'd been hunting and that there were unloaded shotguns and ammo secured in his vehicle, and gave police permission to search his vehicle where they did indeed find such items. He was subsequently expelled, a matter now under appeal.
This leads us to a critical learning moment, one that we can't teach our youth too early - that authority is not necessarily your friend, and being "nice" is not necessarily your best course.
Tudesko would have been better advised, IMHO, to refuse any comment on the contents of his vehicle and declined to allow a search until a warrant was produced, thus making it far more difficult for the overzealous sorts now hassling him to find something to hassle him *with*. If arrested, his best course would have been to demand an attorney and a parent (as a minor) and refuse to state anything beyond his personal identifying information until such were supplied.
Now, it sucks that things in California (and sadly, many other places) have gone so far awry that someone with a generally favorable view of law enforcement such as myself is cheerleading for such a hard care and uncooperative approach. But short of advocating insurrection against a nanny state gone mad, minimizing cooperation in ones own destruction is probably the best path to damage control when faced with a bunch of zealots on the rampage du jour.
Tudesko is likely more or less screwed, barring moving to a more sensible state. It's unlikely in the extreme the high school junior will be re-admitted, and if he is, he will be stigmatized and under a microscope for the remainder of his academic career at Willows or any other California school, and they will more than likely do their darnedest to mess with his college prospects. He can pretty well kiss graduating with his friends goodbye. Good luck to him, but I am less than optimistic, and certainly wouldn't wish the joys of a "correctional" or "remedial" California school upon him.
Helpful soul that I am, the folks on the Board at Willows Unified School District that expelled this young man can be reached at :
The superintendent who advocated for this action can be best reached at (since he apparently declines to publish his district contact info on the web) via:
Kim Schmies, Administrative Assistant
Tel 530-934-6600, Extension 2
Fax 530-934-6609
e-mail
When combined with petty empire building, self-righteousness, and a distinct preference for emotive rather than logical thinking - this kind of thing inevitably leads to drama, injustice, and/or tragedy. It's not uncommon to hear of a child or youth expelled for having aspirin or a pocket knife with them in the educational environment, and now we hear of a case in Chico, California.
16yo Gary Tudesko had been out for a lovely morning hunting with a friend, and was intent on making class on time. Aware of school rules about firearms, he carefully parked off campus. Police dogs on some kind of dragnet mission alarmed on his truck, and when summoned from class, he stated he'd been hunting and that there were unloaded shotguns and ammo secured in his vehicle, and gave police permission to search his vehicle where they did indeed find such items. He was subsequently expelled, a matter now under appeal.
This leads us to a critical learning moment, one that we can't teach our youth too early - that authority is not necessarily your friend, and being "nice" is not necessarily your best course.
Tudesko would have been better advised, IMHO, to refuse any comment on the contents of his vehicle and declined to allow a search until a warrant was produced, thus making it far more difficult for the overzealous sorts now hassling him to find something to hassle him *with*. If arrested, his best course would have been to demand an attorney and a parent (as a minor) and refuse to state anything beyond his personal identifying information until such were supplied.
Now, it sucks that things in California (and sadly, many other places) have gone so far awry that someone with a generally favorable view of law enforcement such as myself is cheerleading for such a hard care and uncooperative approach. But short of advocating insurrection against a nanny state gone mad, minimizing cooperation in ones own destruction is probably the best path to damage control when faced with a bunch of zealots on the rampage du jour.
Tudesko is likely more or less screwed, barring moving to a more sensible state. It's unlikely in the extreme the high school junior will be re-admitted, and if he is, he will be stigmatized and under a microscope for the remainder of his academic career at Willows or any other California school, and they will more than likely do their darnedest to mess with his college prospects. He can pretty well kiss graduating with his friends goodbye. Good luck to him, but I am less than optimistic, and certainly wouldn't wish the joys of a "correctional" or "remedial" California school upon him.
Helpful soul that I am, the folks on the Board at Willows Unified School District that expelled this young man can be reached at :
| Sherry Brott | President | 934-7573 | 12/03/10 |
| Alex Parisio | Vice-President | 934-3656 | 12/03/10 |
| Susan Domenighini | Member | 934-2084 | 12/03/10 |
| Jeromy Geiger | Member | 934-3531 e-mail | 12/7/2012 |
| James "Buck" Ward | Member | 934-4320 | 12/03/10 |
The superintendent who advocated for this action can be best reached at (since he apparently declines to publish his district contact info on the web) via:
Kim Schmies, Administrative Assistant
Tel 530-934-6600, Extension 2
Fax 530-934-6609
Friday, November 20, 2009
Q & A courtesy of Mayor McGinn's Transition Team & a Certain Cynic
How do we build the strongest possible team to achieve the policy objectives and values set forth during Mike's campaign?
By carefully avoiding true believers and with equal care selecting phlegmatic pragmatists dedicated to the proposition of a "city that works", and that dreams are best kept as icing. Values and objectives don't feed starving, arrest the criminal, protect the innocent, buy a fire engine, or fill a pothole.
As a city, Seattle is in deep fiscal trouble, and can't *afford* much in the way of dreams or new initiatives. What we need is a strong dose of "back to basics", volunteerism, and task-shedding until the economy improves and the City can again afford the secondary services and luxuries to which our residents have become accustomed.
How do we build public trust in the new administration?
Ending the practice of ignoring the expressed wishes of the electorate - if they vote to build a monorail, man up and build it - even if you don't like it. If the electorate says no to stadiums, grit your teeth and accept the will of the people. End the Nickels legacy of vindictive petty tyranny and governmental dysfunction.
Specifically, pull the hated parking meters from Ballard/Fremont. Restore the 4-lane striping on Fauntleroy, and rather than a long single turning lane...implement smaller selective ones at intersections where left turns are actually frequent, finding the space in either street expansion or minimal reduction of parking spaces...build the Queen Anne firehouse that Nickels spitefully obstructed. Try honesty and listening rather than arrogance and bullying.
What do you view as the incoming administration and the city’s greatest challenge – what should we do first out of the gate?
Roll back the Nickels debacle, and with it, the pretentiousness. Call a spade a spade - SDOT is an over-glorified Street Department - call it a "street department" and be done with it. Let SPD hire cops, not statisticians and administrators. Return the City to it's core missions, which with luck it can actually pay for - fire, police, emergency medicine, and streets - and perhaps, operating City Light, though it could easily be argued that City residents would be better served by City Light as a separate agency with independently elected officials.
By carefully avoiding true believers and with equal care selecting phlegmatic pragmatists dedicated to the proposition of a "city that works", and that dreams are best kept as icing. Values and objectives don't feed starving, arrest the criminal, protect the innocent, buy a fire engine, or fill a pothole.
As a city, Seattle is in deep fiscal trouble, and can't *afford* much in the way of dreams or new initiatives. What we need is a strong dose of "back to basics", volunteerism, and task-shedding until the economy improves and the City can again afford the secondary services and luxuries to which our residents have become accustomed.
How do we build public trust in the new administration?
Ending the practice of ignoring the expressed wishes of the electorate - if they vote to build a monorail, man up and build it - even if you don't like it. If the electorate says no to stadiums, grit your teeth and accept the will of the people. End the Nickels legacy of vindictive petty tyranny and governmental dysfunction.
Specifically, pull the hated parking meters from Ballard/Fremont. Restore the 4-lane striping on Fauntleroy, and rather than a long single turning lane...implement smaller selective ones at intersections where left turns are actually frequent, finding the space in either street expansion or minimal reduction of parking spaces...build the Queen Anne firehouse that Nickels spitefully obstructed. Try honesty and listening rather than arrogance and bullying.
What do you view as the incoming administration and the city’s greatest challenge – what should we do first out of the gate?
Roll back the Nickels debacle, and with it, the pretentiousness. Call a spade a spade - SDOT is an over-glorified Street Department - call it a "street department" and be done with it. Let SPD hire cops, not statisticians and administrators. Return the City to it's core missions, which with luck it can actually pay for - fire, police, emergency medicine, and streets - and perhaps, operating City Light, though it could easily be argued that City residents would be better served by City Light as a separate agency with independently elected officials.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A Glimmer of Light
I love the LGBT community and in many senses, most of its members. I enjoy the diversity, the vibrant nature of the community, the "less BS per square inch" nature of the bars, and the vibe...and who knows, I might get a date.
Of course, all this usually comes to a screeching halt outside of a very few trusted friends when it comes to political discourse...where there seems to be an amazing lack of diversity, acceptance, and tolerance for differing views, and disapproval is expressed with all the enthusiasm and charm of a rabid weasel. Logic is irrelevant, ad hominem attacks are good, and variation from the party line is an offense worthy of public verbal lynching and getting ostracized.
Now and again, however, there will be a breath of fresh air wafting through the flatulence-laden miasma, and I'd like to thank Tam and FarmDad for being gracious enough to first point out and then remind me of this one, so that I might write this post.
In general, personal attacks cheapen political discourse and tear down the attacker as much as they damage the attacked - a questionable strategy. Humor and smart-ass comments are a different critter, as are attacks on a mindset or concept - it's the personal attack, the ad hominem "this person is bad, thus anything they might say is tainted" that has led to the much-bemoaned lack of reverence and respect for our "fearless leaders"...
The multiply linked article above is a step in the right direction...now, if they start saying kindly things about Sarah Palin...well...
Of course, all this usually comes to a screeching halt outside of a very few trusted friends when it comes to political discourse...where there seems to be an amazing lack of diversity, acceptance, and tolerance for differing views, and disapproval is expressed with all the enthusiasm and charm of a rabid weasel. Logic is irrelevant, ad hominem attacks are good, and variation from the party line is an offense worthy of public verbal lynching and getting ostracized.
Now and again, however, there will be a breath of fresh air wafting through the flatulence-laden miasma, and I'd like to thank Tam and FarmDad for being gracious enough to first point out and then remind me of this one, so that I might write this post.
In general, personal attacks cheapen political discourse and tear down the attacker as much as they damage the attacked - a questionable strategy. Humor and smart-ass comments are a different critter, as are attacks on a mindset or concept - it's the personal attack, the ad hominem "this person is bad, thus anything they might say is tainted" that has led to the much-bemoaned lack of reverence and respect for our "fearless leaders"...
The multiply linked article above is a step in the right direction...now, if they start saying kindly things about Sarah Palin...well...
If it walks like a duck...
Over at Walls Of The City, Linoge is running an occasional word substitution project not unlike the "Bigotry Test" I've proposed from time to time.
Take a quote, any quote, about a group of folks...and substitute a *different* group of folks that it's not politically correct or terribly prudent to demonize for each original description....and see if the statement in question sounds so high and noble....or just vile and bigoted. Test seems to bear up pretty well under usage, and after a bit, you find yourself spotting a much higher amount of "spin"...and bigotry.
SHOCK! Those anti-gun folks...are BIGOTS of the first water. I know we're all surprised - but use the above test, and read their writings...heh.
Take a quote, any quote, about a group of folks...and substitute a *different* group of folks that it's not politically correct or terribly prudent to demonize for each original description....and see if the statement in question sounds so high and noble....or just vile and bigoted. Test seems to bear up pretty well under usage, and after a bit, you find yourself spotting a much higher amount of "spin"...and bigotry.
SHOCK! Those anti-gun folks...are BIGOTS of the first water. I know we're all surprised - but use the above test, and read their writings...heh.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Thinking Ahead...2010
Fresh from the '09 election and prior to installing the new harvest of idiots and miscreants to office, it's time to think ahead a bit unless we want to be stuck with the usual choices between marginally different piles of ambulatory defecation that have passed for political candidates in recent years.
Regrettably, merely bitching about the dearth of worthwhile candidates is deeply unlikely to improve matters. The very best candidates (i.e., the ones that would largely leave the population alone, barring some kind of vast emergency) are frequently reticent about running and require substantial urging, while the BFN (Bloody Fucking Nightmare) candidates are only too glad to jump in on the race.
So, as good little activists with GOALS, we need to step up to the plate and either (god forbid) run ourselves...or vastly less trying, recruit up candidates that serve as a voice of sanity and minimalism. In either case, the time to do that for a Fall 2010 election is *just about now* as it takes TIME to roust up cash and supporters for the candidate du jour and begin properly undermining the opposition!
Have YOU considered running for Sheriff today? Or your friendly local legislature/town council/county council/etc? Or do you have someone handy to start nagging to do so?
Start now, beat the rush!
Regrettably, merely bitching about the dearth of worthwhile candidates is deeply unlikely to improve matters. The very best candidates (i.e., the ones that would largely leave the population alone, barring some kind of vast emergency) are frequently reticent about running and require substantial urging, while the BFN (Bloody Fucking Nightmare) candidates are only too glad to jump in on the race.
So, as good little activists with GOALS, we need to step up to the plate and either (god forbid) run ourselves...or vastly less trying, recruit up candidates that serve as a voice of sanity and minimalism. In either case, the time to do that for a Fall 2010 election is *just about now* as it takes TIME to roust up cash and supporters for the candidate du jour and begin properly undermining the opposition!
Have YOU considered running for Sheriff today? Or your friendly local legislature/town council/county council/etc? Or do you have someone handy to start nagging to do so?
Start now, beat the rush!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Local Custom
For reasons...best left to another discussion...Colorado doesn't recognize WA Concealed Pistol Licenses, declines to issue non-resident concealed carry licenses, and doesn't recognize non-resident licenses issued by other jurisdictions (whose licenses Colorado DOES recognize for residents of same jurisdictions.
Result? A whole bunch of folks at Blogorado complied with the law....and went open-carry, some of us for the first time.
Mischievous as I am, at home I usually go CPL-route because despite the amusement value inherent to freaking the mundanes, in my daily life I'm a fan of peace and quiet - and bent-brained mundanes can quickly lead to exciting discussions of the (likely unconstitutionally vague) WA brandishing statute with local law enforcement, followed by substantial expenditure of time and treasure - particularly likely in more PC locales.
Thus, among many other new and pleasant experiences at Blogorado, I open-carried on an *intentional* basis for the first time of any length. And while I haven't parsed out the political/activism pro's/con's of the Open Carry movement - I've a whole new appreciation for just how darned good it feels not to be fretting about concealment and such...
Whether it's generally prudent is another matter...but the up-front honesty, for lack of a better term, of Open Carry...is rather charming.
Result? A whole bunch of folks at Blogorado complied with the law....and went open-carry, some of us for the first time.
Mischievous as I am, at home I usually go CPL-route because despite the amusement value inherent to freaking the mundanes, in my daily life I'm a fan of peace and quiet - and bent-brained mundanes can quickly lead to exciting discussions of the (likely unconstitutionally vague) WA brandishing statute with local law enforcement, followed by substantial expenditure of time and treasure - particularly likely in more PC locales.
Thus, among many other new and pleasant experiences at Blogorado, I open-carried on an *intentional* basis for the first time of any length. And while I haven't parsed out the political/activism pro's/con's of the Open Carry movement - I've a whole new appreciation for just how darned good it feels not to be fretting about concealment and such...
Whether it's generally prudent is another matter...but the up-front honesty, for lack of a better term, of Open Carry...is rather charming.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Drive Home...
A wistful breakfast as friends new and old parted, at least for the moment, to wend their way to their far-flung homes, abodes, and troll caverns via plane, train (well, not so much), and automobile – Blogoradans lingering over their coffee, recognizing this rare and special event was winding to an end.
Farmgirl and Snarky ventured forth, only to croak an engine…even as Ambulance Driver began to resuscitate his vehicle with FarmDad’s assistance, that he and his waif might limp the sacrificial Ram back to the bayou’s. Christina_LMT and I ventured forth to discover our failed stereo and an odd squeak-whine under the hood. Others trod their sundry paths back to their domiciles, with news bulletins rolling in slowly.
En route, after much discussion and logic-chopping, Christina came to the conclusion that Las Vegas no longer meets her needs personally, professionally, or in any other sense. She’s MOVING. To TEXAS. Down near JPG and Matt G.
Christina, multi-talented woman that she is, is good at many MANY things. Sadly, asking for help is not upon this list of skills. Soooo…..
Start calling and asking her when the Christina Convoy forms up. Send her move money. Decent soul that she is, massages may well happen in exchange. No, calling her and breathing heavily into the phone does not help! Hurry, Hurry Peoples!
Note, the theme song of the Christina Convoy will be “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. Fun is a semi-secondary objective. Requests for snack and recreation stops will be considered.
Farmgirl and Snarky ventured forth, only to croak an engine…even as Ambulance Driver began to resuscitate his vehicle with FarmDad’s assistance, that he and his waif might limp the sacrificial Ram back to the bayou’s. Christina_LMT and I ventured forth to discover our failed stereo and an odd squeak-whine under the hood. Others trod their sundry paths back to their domiciles, with news bulletins rolling in slowly.
En route, after much discussion and logic-chopping, Christina came to the conclusion that Las Vegas no longer meets her needs personally, professionally, or in any other sense. She’s MOVING. To TEXAS. Down near JPG and Matt G.
Christina, multi-talented woman that she is, is good at many MANY things. Sadly, asking for help is not upon this list of skills. Soooo…..
Start calling and asking her when the Christina Convoy forms up. Send her move money. Decent soul that she is, massages may well happen in exchange. No, calling her and breathing heavily into the phone does not help! Hurry, Hurry Peoples!
Note, the theme song of the Christina Convoy will be “Convoy” by C.W. McCall. Fun is a semi-secondary objective. Requests for snack and recreation stops will be considered.
Many, MANY thanks...
Verily, let it be proclaimed upon the land, that FarmGirl, she of slender yet distinctly feminine build (let no person cast aspersions upon her feminity, for in truth, all gossip aside, she does indeed have bosoms and buttocks of proper form and shape, and is most unlikely to vanish utterly if turned a mere ninety degrees) and legendary hostess skills hath, in conjunction with her marvelous, hospitable, and congenial family performed a vast and complex task in service of that body known as Gun-Blogging Community, gathering the most talented and gracious among them into a single event known as Blogorado where many loud noises erupted and sulfurous fumes emitted (and yea, know ye that guns were fired also).
The lithe and lovely FarmGirl didst most skillfully arrange a guest list of convivial persons, and in conjunction with her fabulous family (aka FarmFam), didst coordinate Blogorado such that attendees were buried beneath multiple mighty trenchers of marvelous food, arranged an amazing range coordinated with assistance from the Jims Of Legend, and steeds were ridden by parties of frame ranging from waiflike to “of substance”.
Therefore, let all know by this writing that these persons are to be congratulated and honored for their skilled, effective, and talented services.
The lithe and lovely FarmGirl didst most skillfully arrange a guest list of convivial persons, and in conjunction with her fabulous family (aka FarmFam), didst coordinate Blogorado such that attendees were buried beneath multiple mighty trenchers of marvelous food, arranged an amazing range coordinated with assistance from the Jims Of Legend, and steeds were ridden by parties of frame ranging from waiflike to “of substance”.
Therefore, let all know by this writing that these persons are to be congratulated and honored for their skilled, effective, and talented services.
Blogorado #3
With more than 6,000 rounds downrange, the Blogorado crowd retired as dusk fell (and the range policed up for re-loadable brass) to the long and mighty jaunt into town, led by the redoubtable Ambulance Driver in his mighty white Ram Charger, thundering down the local highway into town – a device carefully calibrated for speed, weight, and penetration – when lurching forth from the brush burst a mighty white tail buck.
With a weave to the right, and a jog to the left, Ambulance Driver pursued his vicious prey and with a great THUD struck the miscreant deer while seeming striking a mortal. wound upon the sacrificial Ram, hurling the buck into the brush as it leapt into the nearby field only to collapse after brief flight and pass on to the great cornfield in the sky.
Lest my own role be forgotten, I leapt forth accompanying AD in his great mission, standing in awe of his potent and original invective, and loaning him a .45 lest the yet unfound buck attack again from a slit trench hidden amongst the weeds.
About 100 yards in, the corpse appeared in the glowing light of many many LED light sources, and after a few pokes and prods, the deeply non-aggressive status of the buck was determined.
Meanwhile, the rest of the valiant Blogorado crowd rolled up, impressed with the skill and timing of the intrepid hunter and his vehicular sacrifice to bag a 20” spread 8pt buck.
Springing into action, the most experienced accident response team west of the Pecos leapt to assist the frazzled AD – summoning the local minions of Law, Order, and EMT as if with a chalked pentacle centered on the highway. Between LawDog, MattG, OldNFO, Ambulance Driver his own bad Paramedic-Instructor self, JPG, and Farm Dad an unparalleled concatenation of talent and experience had already flooded the scene long before the "official" officials arrived..
In several flashes of red and blue lights, the minions appeared, with a faint smell of diesel with a tinge of bacon and the faint aroma of Krispy Kreme - only to find the buck largely dressed out, with the head mounted upon the hood of the Ram, dressing out well in progress.
Before their very eyes did appear the spectacle of the angry Cajun Truck-Dead dance, involving much pelvic thrusting and many frantic war cries, “Youse! See What Happens when you have opposable thumbs?!”
Bewildered and bedazzled, the minions wandered boggled into the night (even the hot young deputy that many desired as a chew-toy), having seized the horned trophy fetish and the attached head for their own arcane uses.
Relieved, the Blogoradans loaded fresh venison upon the designated vehicle of burden as well as the mighty hunters lesser weapons and accessories, and the Atomic Nerds attached a strap of fiber and steel to the stricken Ram, dragging it hence that it might be either healed or buried with proper honors.
Matters resolved, even the waif gathered amidst the merry band at the sacred meeting place to recount events of the evening amidst laughter and song, beer and beef distributed in limitless quantity, as the hero of the night was succored and his weary muscles kneaded into submission. Proudly he emerged seemingly unscathed with a happy smile upon his face and a slightly dazed look about the eyes…
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Blogorado #2
Fun, boom-time, and good social moments had by all yesterday. Breda took honors a couple of times, and it turns out it's really neat to shoot after a long time away from the range with some fairly experienced and talented instructors right handy. Speeds up the rust-scraping process on the skills, and such.
Horses today, more turning $ to smoke'n'noise. Got to play with an AR or two yesterday (YES! There ARE centerfire rifles I can get away with!) , some exotic firearms (at least to me), and generally a good time was had by all.
Off to breakfast to greet the last of our latecomers!
Horses today, more turning $ to smoke'n'noise. Got to play with an AR or two yesterday (YES! There ARE centerfire rifles I can get away with!) , some exotic firearms (at least to me), and generally a good time was had by all.
Off to breakfast to greet the last of our latecomers!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Blogorado #1
Landed in Vegas (always fun, one of my favorite airports) Wednesday night, and met Christina_LMT at baggage claim. As the ever-useful drivers license vanished (May Ve See your Paperz, Please?), life grew temporarily complex and intriguing during the pick-up of more sensitive items of luggage...but the re-appearance of the drivers license made things all better.
Twenty hours on the road w/ stops only for food, potty, and a 45 minute nap was...fun up till the last hours wandering the back roads of rural Colorado in the dark, wondering if we were *really* on the right road...educational. Consensus? If this comes down next year, we all fly into Amarillo and drive here while looping "CONVOY" on car sound systems, with OC starting at the Texas Border.
Open carry is a bit of a hoot. I haven't OC'd much at all (at least on purpose) in the past, and it's a new and liberating experience. The notion of our herd of 15-20 OC folk toodling around to lunch and such is more than a bit of a hoot, particularly depending on what setting you imagine this in...
Smartassery and snarkiness abound here, and FarmFam is providing some AWESOME bbq meals and snacks...wondrous host-peoples. More later. Time for brekkies.
Twenty hours on the road w/ stops only for food, potty, and a 45 minute nap was...fun up till the last hours wandering the back roads of rural Colorado in the dark, wondering if we were *really* on the right road...educational. Consensus? If this comes down next year, we all fly into Amarillo and drive here while looping "CONVOY" on car sound systems, with OC starting at the Texas Border.
Open carry is a bit of a hoot. I haven't OC'd much at all (at least on purpose) in the past, and it's a new and liberating experience. The notion of our herd of 15-20 OC folk toodling around to lunch and such is more than a bit of a hoot, particularly depending on what setting you imagine this in...
Smartassery and snarkiness abound here, and FarmFam is providing some AWESOME bbq meals and snacks...wondrous host-peoples. More later. Time for brekkies.