In Washington, where for good or ill I live, one must have and maintain a license to teach in the public schools. To get this license, one must have various credentials and pass assorted tests and background checks.
I propose the addition of one small item to the requirements. The successful completion of a term of military service in the armed forces of the United States prior to being granted an initial license. I.e., in addition to a teaching degree a potential licensee would need to present a DD-214 marked "honorable discharge".
Current teachers are unaffected by this wee change. As time goes on, I suggest a cultural change may occur.
My experience of veterans, while anecdotal, has been largely positive. And I find that the percentage "common sense per capita" of my limited sampling is notably higher than that of the general population. I'd suggest this is the culture we want passed on, rather than a power-blended mixture of anti-American liberalism/green propaganda/anthropogenic global warming cultism.
Beyond that, I'm fairly ok with the notion that if someone puts in their 3-6 years of service where they are potentially in harms way...that they have "dibs" on a fair chunk of public sector jobs. Teaching, postal service, etc. Things that need doing, but that can be springboards to greater success.
GC
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
A .38 S&W, a New American, & History
It followed me home from the Monroe Gun Show...
What I know so far - this .38S&W Colt Police Positive looks to have been born in 1941, cylinder lock is a little iffy, and the barrel looks to me to have suffered a chop job. Otherwise, seems fairly original. Research in progress, and will be talking to a couple of folks about light restoration to "safe to fire" and such.
There is pitting in the chambers, and the barrel has *traces* of rifling left. Exterior of the gun shows extensive pitting. Grips are original walnut and fairly good shape and the lanyard ring of all things is intact.
My current notion is to get the Colt Letter, and seriously consider new barrel and cylinder. Grips
look original (yet surprisingly badly fitted).
My best friend became a citizen this last Wednesday and is finally opening to the notion of learning to shoot (though he still can't imagine owning a functional one) - but was very pleased when I told him this would be his as a "welcome aboard" gift.
More to follow...
Friday, February 17, 2012
Annual re-post - Garlic Chicken Soup of Doom
Garlic Chicken Soup of Doom re-posting
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.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Laptops, Guns, Teenagers & Catholic Pundits
On seeing a particularly annoying faux pas in the National Catholic Reporters coverage of Tim Jordan's approach to his daughters errors with social media, I had to write the below.
My little rant may even appear in their comments - but I think it may suffer "reasoned discourse". My comments are below...
_____________________________________________
A technical correction.
45mm would equal 1.77 inches (rounded).
Anything hurling a projectile of that volume at any significant speed is going to be a crew served or otherwise deeply non-portable (think "mortar" or "light artillery") device.
What Mr. Jordan utilized, for good or ill, were .45acp (Automatic Colt Pistol, muzzle diameter 45/100 of 1" or 11.43mm, with projectiles ranging in weight between 185 and 250 grains) cartridges.
These, in turn, were fired out of a variant on the M1911A1 pistol (introduced to U.S. military service in 1911, carried as primary service weapon through the late 1980's).
Regrettably, in the teen years sweet reason will occasionally fail even the most skilled of parents with the most compliant of offspring and a more transactional approach will become necessary to both teach the fundamental concept of "action=consequence" as well as more immediate lessons around specific actions being prohibited or controlled.
To the extent that such transactional approaches can be kept at the social level (grounding, etc), so much the better. However, in some instances some variant on denial of property is at least as effective, if not moreso, in communicating a behavior or action is unacceptable.
I'm of mixed views regarding Mr. Jordan's approach. I certainly think he is within the realm of reason to demand the daughter pay for the expenses (in my eyes, the cost of the mis-used laptop + any software + labor + ammunition), but would tend to argue a better path might have been to seize and sell the offending laptop and for Mr. Jordan to simply buy himself a new firearm.
My little rant may even appear in their comments - but I think it may suffer "reasoned discourse". My comments are below...
_____________________________________________
A technical correction.
45mm would equal 1.77 inches (rounded).
Anything hurling a projectile of that volume at any significant speed is going to be a crew served or otherwise deeply non-portable (think "mortar" or "light artillery") device.
What Mr. Jordan utilized, for good or ill, were .45acp (Automatic Colt Pistol, muzzle diameter 45/100 of 1" or 11.43mm, with projectiles ranging in weight between 185 and 250 grains) cartridges.
These, in turn, were fired out of a variant on the M1911A1 pistol (introduced to U.S. military service in 1911, carried as primary service weapon through the late 1980's).
Regrettably, in the teen years sweet reason will occasionally fail even the most skilled of parents with the most compliant of offspring and a more transactional approach will become necessary to both teach the fundamental concept of "action=consequence" as well as more immediate lessons around specific actions being prohibited or controlled.
To the extent that such transactional approaches can be kept at the social level (grounding, etc), so much the better. However, in some instances some variant on denial of property is at least as effective, if not moreso, in communicating a behavior or action is unacceptable.
I'm of mixed views regarding Mr. Jordan's approach. I certainly think he is within the realm of reason to demand the daughter pay for the expenses (in my eyes, the cost of the mis-used laptop + any software + labor + ammunition), but would tend to argue a better path might have been to seize and sell the offending laptop and for Mr. Jordan to simply buy himself a new firearm.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Starbucks Adventure
I made it over to Starbucks at about 11:30am..with a Glock 21 open-carried (hey, if I'm trying to send a message, I am not a subtle creature) and chatted up the staff - they'd heard of the buycott, but I was the first one in. Might be because this location is on a busy road.
I was sorry to hear one Starbucks mistreated a 2A visitor, and look forward to hearing of corrective action. Take a gander at the first comment by "Dana McClure".
Most folks seem to have had good experiences on this little venture.
Other posters I or others have found are:
I was sorry to hear one Starbucks mistreated a 2A visitor, and look forward to hearing of corrective action. Take a gander at the first comment by "Dana McClure".
Most folks seem to have had good experiences on this little venture.
Other posters I or others have found are:
- Robb Allen
- A Girl and Her Gun
- Sebastian and Bitter
- Tam
- Uncle
- Linoge
- Weerd
- GodsCaliber
- Irons In The Fire
- McThag
- MastColors
- OnlyGunsAndMoney
- SurvivalBlogs
- In Jennifers Head
- Feral Irishman
- TOTYTR
- Michael Z. Williamson
- Joe Huffman
- Massad Ayoob
- Lucrative Pain
- Dave Workman
And many more...that I don't have time or inclination to hunt down. Good job, all...and remember, we're not "winning" until an anti-gun bigot is commonly greeted with all the grace, courtesy, and affection as a Klansman in full drag showing up at an NAACP convention...
Even later to the Meme Wagon
JayG posts up his 5 "money is no object" guns, and I'll do the same with mine with the same assumptions - if I'm sufficiently well off to afford these toys, I'm sufficiently well off to feed them regularly.
5. Gatling Gun
Call me sentimental, but in terms of historical value and just downright "pretty", a classic Gatling wins my heart. This reproduction by U.S. Armament would be just fine.
4) M2 Browning
Another old warhorse, the classic "Ma Deuce" in .50 BMG has served U.S. and foreign forces since 1921 and would thrill my heart to have tucked away in the safe or blazing away on the range.
3) A certain nameless organization is rolling out an astonishingly ornate 1911 with a truly impressive warranty. WANT.
2) The Ultimate BBQ Gun Pair - a pair of luridly engraved STI Tactical 5.0, with a gloss bluing and gold inlay - and a set of rhinestone grips. The base gun is pictured below. Between capacity and a simply frightening level of tacky...
Image Courtesy of STI International
1) If I'm truly without fiscal limit, why....
This fine vessel as the lead ship in Stingray's Privateer Fleet sounds like an amusing start to the day as we sail off to an extended cruise off the shores of Somalia. MWHAHAHAHA...
5. Gatling Gun
Call me sentimental, but in terms of historical value and just downright "pretty", a classic Gatling wins my heart. This reproduction by U.S. Armament would be just fine.4) M2 Browning
Another old warhorse, the classic "Ma Deuce" in .50 BMG has served U.S. and foreign forces since 1921 and would thrill my heart to have tucked away in the safe or blazing away on the range.
3) A certain nameless organization is rolling out an astonishingly ornate 1911 with a truly impressive warranty. WANT.
2) The Ultimate BBQ Gun Pair - a pair of luridly engraved STI Tactical 5.0, with a gloss bluing and gold inlay - and a set of rhinestone grips. The base gun is pictured below. Between capacity and a simply frightening level of tacky...
Image Courtesy of STI International1) If I'm truly without fiscal limit, why....
This fine vessel as the lead ship in Stingray's Privateer Fleet sounds like an amusing start to the day as we sail off to an extended cruise off the shores of Somalia. MWHAHAHAHA...
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Canada & Culinary Adventure
Decided to take a risk and *meet* someone up in Canada. Who, and activities pursued will be left politely non-specific, but needless to say...it was a very nice weekend, and leads me to believe that my semi-hermitage should, just perhaps, be relaxed a tad.
Nonetheless, he'd mentioned an odd dish that sounded interesting - so in the spirit of culinary adventure, I ventured forth with him to try this odd new dish "poutine".
Emerging out of Quebec (allegedly in the mid-1950's) it's apparently fairly common across Canada today. The basics are fries, gravy, and cheese curds with assorted optional ingredients added.
We visited a poutine place on Davies in Vancouver, B.C. that shall remain nameless. We both had different varieties. In retrospect, I should have been concerned the moment I saw "vegan gravy" proudly displayed. Within a few hours he was feeling poorly, and my gut was a ticking time bomb.
I have not had such adventure since my initial adventures in Ethiopian cuisine. About midnight, as we were completing the B.C. Bar Tour - my endurance expired and we headed back to the hotel, where I sequestered myself for what I believed would be a brief moment in the restroom.
My gut had other plans. Vesuvius erupted with all the violence and flame-based sensation of the after effects of a Thai 5-star curry w/ the shrimp gone bad...reducing me, by the end, to the occasional whimper and trembling hopes that an end was in sight.
Needless to say, this rather crushed amatory hopes for the evening...and my respect and affection for my amatory partner are only enhanced by his understanding and kindness as I lay there afterwards...exhausted and in pain...with little or no desire to move, let alone pursue bedroom adventure.
I am, however, deeply grateful about the whole issue of timing. Things could have been FAR more traumatic all the way around.
I do believe that this establishes poutine, at least for the forseeable future, firmly on the list of foods that are *not* my friends. This may ALSO establish that "new culinary adventures on a first weekend" are a bad choice.
Nonetheless, he'd mentioned an odd dish that sounded interesting - so in the spirit of culinary adventure, I ventured forth with him to try this odd new dish "poutine".
Emerging out of Quebec (allegedly in the mid-1950's) it's apparently fairly common across Canada today. The basics are fries, gravy, and cheese curds with assorted optional ingredients added.
We visited a poutine place on Davies in Vancouver, B.C. that shall remain nameless. We both had different varieties. In retrospect, I should have been concerned the moment I saw "vegan gravy" proudly displayed. Within a few hours he was feeling poorly, and my gut was a ticking time bomb.
I have not had such adventure since my initial adventures in Ethiopian cuisine. About midnight, as we were completing the B.C. Bar Tour - my endurance expired and we headed back to the hotel, where I sequestered myself for what I believed would be a brief moment in the restroom.
My gut had other plans. Vesuvius erupted with all the violence and flame-based sensation of the after effects of a Thai 5-star curry w/ the shrimp gone bad...reducing me, by the end, to the occasional whimper and trembling hopes that an end was in sight.
Needless to say, this rather crushed amatory hopes for the evening...and my respect and affection for my amatory partner are only enhanced by his understanding and kindness as I lay there afterwards...exhausted and in pain...with little or no desire to move, let alone pursue bedroom adventure.
I am, however, deeply grateful about the whole issue of timing. Things could have been FAR more traumatic all the way around.
I do believe that this establishes poutine, at least for the forseeable future, firmly on the list of foods that are *not* my friends. This may ALSO establish that "new culinary adventures on a first weekend" are a bad choice.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
WA & Same Sex Marriage: The Referendum Edition
They have to gather the signatures first. They may (or may not) be able to gather the signatures - but that is the first battle line.
Once they turn in the signatures and begin elections reporting, we must publicize both signers and donors - so that we and our supporters may refuse to do business with or employ signers and/or donors.
Finally, should the opposition turn in sufficient VALID signatures for a referendum - we must make our case to our fellow citizens while not shooting ourselves in the foot.
As a petition signer or donor to a political campaign we surrender a certain measure of our privacy in order to act as citizen legislators - with the policy trade off that the prospect of public shame may deter some less well-advised initiative/referendum/donation choices, and that publicity gives us the transparency to independently verify signatures and know who is trying to buy which election.
Not surprisingly, I favor LGBT marriage both personally and for reasons of policy. I'd favor even more getting .GOV out of the marriage business entirely, but given that I expect armies of flying monkeys to erupt from Rick Santorum's ...ummm....unexpected location shortly before that happens, it looks like 2nd prize is marking sure my community gets the same set of benefits as the hetero kids.
And Lyle? Think of being refused the right to visit with or make decisions for your ill spouse in a hospital or nursing home; of being told that a business you'd spent 40 years building together and the house you paid for....were going to the family that gave you endless crap for that 40 years and you needed to find a nice gutter to live in. Then there's the joy of being coerced to testify against ones partners. And medical benefits. And immigration law, etc ad nauseum. Best of all, think of a 20 year relationship that's gone south...and no legal recourse on how to split up the goodies.
Marriage is the best route, rather than coming up with or settling for some back of the bus "domestic partnership" thing with a different definition in every state that honors it, and haphazard reciprocity at best. Kind of like your marriage was treated like a CPL when you travel.
Neat, eh?
Once they turn in the signatures and begin elections reporting, we must publicize both signers and donors - so that we and our supporters may refuse to do business with or employ signers and/or donors.
Finally, should the opposition turn in sufficient VALID signatures for a referendum - we must make our case to our fellow citizens while not shooting ourselves in the foot.
As a petition signer or donor to a political campaign we surrender a certain measure of our privacy in order to act as citizen legislators - with the policy trade off that the prospect of public shame may deter some less well-advised initiative/referendum/
Not surprisingly, I favor LGBT marriage both personally and for reasons of policy. I'd favor even more getting .GOV out of the marriage business entirely, but given that I expect armies of flying monkeys to erupt from Rick Santorum's ...ummm....unexpected location shortly before that happens, it looks like 2nd prize is marking sure my community gets the same set of benefits as the hetero kids.
And Lyle? Think of being refused the right to visit with or make decisions for your ill spouse in a hospital or nursing home; of being told that a business you'd spent 40 years building together and the house you paid for....were going to the family that gave you endless crap for that 40 years and you needed to find a nice gutter to live in. Then there's the joy of being coerced to testify against ones partners. And medical benefits. And immigration law, etc ad nauseum. Best of all, think of a 20 year relationship that's gone south...and no legal recourse on how to split up the goodies.
Marriage is the best route, rather than coming up with or settling for some back of the bus "domestic partnership" thing with a different definition in every state that honors it, and haphazard reciprocity at best. Kind of like your marriage was treated like a CPL when you travel.
Neat, eh?
Monday, January 23, 2012
Make Valentines Day a Starbucks kind of day
It seems one of the endless number hoplophobic groups of anti-gun bigots is proposing to hijack Valentines Day to boycott Starbucks for not discriminating against law-abiding gun-owning customers and shoving them to the back of, if not entirely off, the bus.
I propose a rather different message - rather than a message of resentment, bigotry and hatred of those more petite, less able, more fragile or simply older'n'slower that have the temerity to attempt to make realistic provision for defending themselves against the two and four legged predators of the world - I suggest a buycott.
A buycott of gratitude, where we go out of our way to spend at Starbucks as enthusiastically as we can - by preference open carrying where legal and practical, concealed carry where it's not, and for those desperate lands of greater and lesser Mordor where carry is not an option for the average peon (for surely they cannot be citizens in such a land) simply spending - but in all cases making a point of thanking counter staff for their corporations stand against bigotry and discrimination against law abiding persons.
Gratitude for the Starbucks policy of corporate courage that states:
While we deeply respect the views of all our customers, Starbucks long-standing approach to this issue remains unchanged. We comply with local laws and statutes in all the communities we serve. That means we abide by the laws that permit open carry in 43 U.S. states. Where these laws don’t exist, openly carrying weapons in our stores is prohibited. The political, policy and legal debates around these issues belong in the legislatures and courts, not in our stores.
On Tuesday the 14th of February 2012, I propose that wherever possible gun folks gather together at a nearby Starbucks and *spend* - buy a coffee, a latte, a pound of coffee, or a dozen coffee makers. It's up to you (and your wallet) to decide what you can afford - but each dime you spend will be a message of gratitude (and market presence of the pro2a crowd) to Starbucks.
I'm going to try and be at the Bellevue Courtyard Starbucks (11010 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98004) at noon on the 14th for a quad mocha and maybe some whole bean coffee.
Where will you be? Take and post a pic, and don't forget Facebook....
I propose a rather different message - rather than a message of resentment, bigotry and hatred of those more petite, less able, more fragile or simply older'n'slower that have the temerity to attempt to make realistic provision for defending themselves against the two and four legged predators of the world - I suggest a buycott.
A buycott of gratitude, where we go out of our way to spend at Starbucks as enthusiastically as we can - by preference open carrying where legal and practical, concealed carry where it's not, and for those desperate lands of greater and lesser Mordor where carry is not an option for the average peon (for surely they cannot be citizens in such a land) simply spending - but in all cases making a point of thanking counter staff for their corporations stand against bigotry and discrimination against law abiding persons.
Gratitude for the Starbucks policy of corporate courage that states:
While we deeply respect the views of all our customers, Starbucks long-standing approach to this issue remains unchanged. We comply with local laws and statutes in all the communities we serve. That means we abide by the laws that permit open carry in 43 U.S. states. Where these laws don’t exist, openly carrying weapons in our stores is prohibited. The political, policy and legal debates around these issues belong in the legislatures and courts, not in our stores.
On Tuesday the 14th of February 2012, I propose that wherever possible gun folks gather together at a nearby Starbucks and *spend* - buy a coffee, a latte, a pound of coffee, or a dozen coffee makers. It's up to you (and your wallet) to decide what you can afford - but each dime you spend will be a message of gratitude (and market presence of the pro2a crowd) to Starbucks.
I'm going to try and be at the Bellevue Courtyard Starbucks (11010 NE 8th St
Bellevue, WA 98004) at noon on the 14th for a quad mocha and maybe some whole bean coffee.
Where will you be? Take and post a pic, and don't forget Facebook....
Saturday, January 7, 2012
A light against the violence....
Kel-Tec P3AT .380 - Affordable, Concealable
One Choice.
One Choice.
Works for me. - GC
Some of us have more than one choice. At one point, for price as well as discretion, the Keltec P3AT (admittedly, unpleasant to shoot...but far better than hurling a cup of coffee) the Keltec was mine.Now the Keltec is relegated to a secondary role, carried when I'm likely to be dealing with folks that, if exposed to a visible and lawfully carried firearm (even in a holster) are likely to soil themselves.
Friday, January 6, 2012
On Consistency and Rights
Lawdog hits yet another home run with his ponderings on VoterID and civil rights.
Go. Read. Now.
Then call your congress-critter.
Go. Read. Now.
Then call your congress-critter.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
New Years & Traditions - Resolutions
It's that time again. Time to contemplate the lessons of past years, combine them with hopes for the future, and distill a few resolutions from the mix - things to do or do better and perhaps a few new adventures to explore.
On the personal side...
Based on the last few years adventures, I need to adhere more closely to "if it makes me giggle, it's probably a bad idea". At the same time, learning to step away from the keyboard and the telephone when truly annoyed is an ongoing learning thing for me - it is far too easy for me to cut loose with unfiltered snark, resulting in distinctly less than amusing attempts at after action damage control. A resolution to attempt to be more measured with my interactions in the world would seem a good choice.
Similarly, while I've learned to let go a bit (certainly far more than when I was introduced to the notion) and roll with the punches, I think I've taken that lesson far enough and perhaps need to shift gears in 2012 and work more on planning and stability. It's been a long stretch of rolling with the punches, and I'd like a bit more control of events. So, a resolution to find a new middle ground between raving control freak and laissez-faire loser seems one worth taking up.
Gratitude is something that I continue to struggle with. I'm presently blessed with BOTH kinds of mentors in my life - both the kind I want in many ways to emulate, and the sort in whom I recognize parts of myself that horrify me (and need fixed, right fast) - the trick is recognizing both are good to have about, but the challenge is that one is far more pleasant to learn from than the other. Learning to be grateful for both seems a worthwhile goal for 2012, while equally important is learning from both sorts.
Over the last few years I've retreated more and more from social life - and no matter how wonderful a given event is, a single social event a year where one is surrounded by ones chosen fellows is simply insufficient - and in my instance, deeply unlikely to improve my dating prospects. Resolved for 2012: Get out more, maybe plan a dinner or two.
Similarly, for a variety of reasons, I've not been out shooting much in the last few years and as a result my skillset has melted. I'm reasonably sure I can make the broadside of a barn flinch in terror, but a 100 rounds a week could probably improve the precision of that sort of effort and create a higher plateau to deteriorate from should I find myself in a situation where I'm shooting for survival rather than satisfaction.
I need to write more, and with more precision in 2012. One is likely to follow the other. Must get to that.
I need to continue to support Mom better. On the list is getting her a new battery for her scooter device, getting her out more on excursions, and shifting the house to a lower maintenance stance while prepping it for eventual sale.
Clutter reduction. Oy Vey. I need to get rid of a BUNCH of crap - books, clothes, furniture, tools, a truck, etc.
I'm sure there's more, but there is plenty to keep me busy for a bit just with what's above...
On the personal side...
Based on the last few years adventures, I need to adhere more closely to "if it makes me giggle, it's probably a bad idea". At the same time, learning to step away from the keyboard and the telephone when truly annoyed is an ongoing learning thing for me - it is far too easy for me to cut loose with unfiltered snark, resulting in distinctly less than amusing attempts at after action damage control. A resolution to attempt to be more measured with my interactions in the world would seem a good choice.
Similarly, while I've learned to let go a bit (certainly far more than when I was introduced to the notion) and roll with the punches, I think I've taken that lesson far enough and perhaps need to shift gears in 2012 and work more on planning and stability. It's been a long stretch of rolling with the punches, and I'd like a bit more control of events. So, a resolution to find a new middle ground between raving control freak and laissez-faire loser seems one worth taking up.
Gratitude is something that I continue to struggle with. I'm presently blessed with BOTH kinds of mentors in my life - both the kind I want in many ways to emulate, and the sort in whom I recognize parts of myself that horrify me (and need fixed, right fast) - the trick is recognizing both are good to have about, but the challenge is that one is far more pleasant to learn from than the other. Learning to be grateful for both seems a worthwhile goal for 2012, while equally important is learning from both sorts.
Over the last few years I've retreated more and more from social life - and no matter how wonderful a given event is, a single social event a year where one is surrounded by ones chosen fellows is simply insufficient - and in my instance, deeply unlikely to improve my dating prospects. Resolved for 2012: Get out more, maybe plan a dinner or two.
Similarly, for a variety of reasons, I've not been out shooting much in the last few years and as a result my skillset has melted. I'm reasonably sure I can make the broadside of a barn flinch in terror, but a 100 rounds a week could probably improve the precision of that sort of effort and create a higher plateau to deteriorate from should I find myself in a situation where I'm shooting for survival rather than satisfaction.
I need to write more, and with more precision in 2012. One is likely to follow the other. Must get to that.
I need to continue to support Mom better. On the list is getting her a new battery for her scooter device, getting her out more on excursions, and shifting the house to a lower maintenance stance while prepping it for eventual sale.
Clutter reduction. Oy Vey. I need to get rid of a BUNCH of crap - books, clothes, furniture, tools, a truck, etc.
I'm sure there's more, but there is plenty to keep me busy for a bit just with what's above...
Sunday, December 18, 2011
A few thoughts on abortion...
Well, it's not the simple debate either side claims. To clarify, two questions:
1) Under what circumstances and conditions is it justifiable to take a human life?
2) When does human life begin?
Traditionally, inconvenience/poor timing/negligence and "I don't wanna" have not been acceptable standards for killing someone. Nasty little names like murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide have all been applied to such merry activities.
On the other hand, every legal system in the country has in it some provision in it for "he/she needed killing", typically wrapped in a self-defense statute, and usually with phrases like "threat to life", "engaged in a felonious act", or "reasonable threat to physical safety of self or others".
The felonious and assaultive abilities of an infant still in the womb are fairly minimal. There certainly exist medical circumstances where some variation of the dread choice "kid v. mom" needs to be made, as one is merely choosing coffin size, not the impending presence of coffins; and similarly, there exist at all points in life "quality of life" issues for a patient that we as a society have come to realize justify "plug-pulling".
Then we come to the challenging question - "At what point does human life begin?"
Surely, someplace between mitosis and age 70 we can come to an agreement that a human life, mostly worth protecting, is in progress.
The medieval definition could be considered "at birth" (whether natural or by primitive c-section). But the middle ages were a *long time* back, and survivability has advanced a little bit since then.
I think all the sane among us can agree that "once born, is life" and we can move on from that point with a narrower question - "Where, between mitosis and birth, does life begin?"
I would suggest that a reasonable expectation that if removed from the womb unmutilated by the process of infant survival indicates that the fetus/infant is a pretty clear indication that fetus/infant has achieved personhood. And killing off people without a damned good reason is murder, morally.
Being female, historically, has until quite recently not been a get out of jail free card. And in the presence of todays wide range of effective contraceptives and a 4-5 month pre-viability window (it ain't independently viable, thus not yet a person), there is no reason that it *should* be.
Now, I expect I'm in trouble now from both the "abortion is evil" and the "women are the only one that can make this decision, abortion is a RIGHT" crowds - and that's a good sign, because if you piss off the extremists at either end of a debate...you're probably making sense.
1) Under what circumstances and conditions is it justifiable to take a human life?
2) When does human life begin?
Traditionally, inconvenience/poor timing/negligence and "I don't wanna" have not been acceptable standards for killing someone. Nasty little names like murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide have all been applied to such merry activities.
On the other hand, every legal system in the country has in it some provision in it for "he/she needed killing", typically wrapped in a self-defense statute, and usually with phrases like "threat to life", "engaged in a felonious act", or "reasonable threat to physical safety of self or others".
The felonious and assaultive abilities of an infant still in the womb are fairly minimal. There certainly exist medical circumstances where some variation of the dread choice "kid v. mom" needs to be made, as one is merely choosing coffin size, not the impending presence of coffins; and similarly, there exist at all points in life "quality of life" issues for a patient that we as a society have come to realize justify "plug-pulling".
Then we come to the challenging question - "At what point does human life begin?"
Surely, someplace between mitosis and age 70 we can come to an agreement that a human life, mostly worth protecting, is in progress.
The medieval definition could be considered "at birth" (whether natural or by primitive c-section). But the middle ages were a *long time* back, and survivability has advanced a little bit since then.
I think all the sane among us can agree that "once born, is life" and we can move on from that point with a narrower question - "Where, between mitosis and birth, does life begin?"
I would suggest that a reasonable expectation that if removed from the womb unmutilated by the process of infant survival indicates that the fetus/infant is a pretty clear indication that fetus/infant has achieved personhood. And killing off people without a damned good reason is murder, morally.
Being female, historically, has until quite recently not been a get out of jail free card. And in the presence of todays wide range of effective contraceptives and a 4-5 month pre-viability window (it ain't independently viable, thus not yet a person), there is no reason that it *should* be.
Now, I expect I'm in trouble now from both the "abortion is evil" and the "women are the only one that can make this decision, abortion is a RIGHT" crowds - and that's a good sign, because if you piss off the extremists at either end of a debate...you're probably making sense.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Gay Bashing: Far from Over
Things are better.
I remember when, as I was first coming out or not long after, Q Patrol (a LGBT-oriented "Guardian Angels" type group was founded in Seattle). And when it faded into history.
Things are better.
I remember reading of the common place violence, institutional and individual (and the widespread systematic and personalized discrimination and harassment) my predecessors in the LGBT community suffered to a far greater degree than I or any of my successors (who have had it yet better than I) have had to tolerate.
Things are better.
I am blessed with history to instruct me. Courtesy of those gone before, I am allowed to remember by proxy the burgeoning LGBT culture and openness of pre-Nazi Germany. I am allowed to understand that every shred of progress we have made stands on a foundation made of sand and hope, and every victory for freedom and individuality is potentially transitory - subject to the winds of economics, social whimsy, and fear. The battle never ends.
Things are better.
I am, unless I wish to distance myself from reality far more thoroughly than either Neville Chamberlain or Nancy Pelosi, forced to admit that things are far from perfect. That gay bashing still takes place, and that crosses still burn. And that cops, regardless of any special nobility or unique lack thereof, are merely human - that barring miraculous events, they get to show up with a mop, a notebook, and investigative tools...but can't make murder or assault somehow "un-happen"; that even hopes of prevention are wildly optimistic.
We are each responsible for making the choices necessary to guard our own safety, based on our own personal ethos, priorities, and in accordance with local legal conditions. Once we've made those choices, we need to take responsibility for them and at least admit them to ourselves - and allow others to make their own, similar, choices.
My own fundamental guide in such matters is the notion that it is, under any normal circumstances, morally wrong to initiate the aggressive use of force against another person. That it is sufficiently wrong as to justify the application of the defensive use of force up to and including lethal force. Others mileage may vary. I also observe that very few principals stand in isolation.
I could wish that more members of the LGBT community seriously re-examine the prevalent views regarding self-defense and the tools thereof in the community. Being vulnerable hasn't, in my opinion, proven a really winning strategy for us - and it seems unreasonable to assume demanding others become vulnerable to the little inequalities of nature and numbers will improve the safety of either thus or those we would strip of extant civil rights.
Yet, things are better.
I write this after local hair dresser and pillar of the local Filipino community Danny Vega has died, subsequent to being beaten into a coma by three young assailants yet to be apprehended.
Most believe that Vega, as a visibly identifiable gay man, was assaulted in the course of a hate crime - a gay bashing. One that, now, includes his murder - his death from injuries his assailants inflicted.
Things are better. But they still sometimes suck. And this is certainly one of those times. Much remains to be done.
My condolences to the family and Mr. Vega's friends and admirers.
To the rest of the community? As individuals, examine how you think about your safety. Look at how well your assumptions stand up to reality. And consider learning some form of self-defense - something that will let you have a fighting chance versus 3:1 odds...even if you're 5'2", or with medically fouled-up body strength, or with asthma such that "run away, run away" isn't a valid option.
Not only does each LGBT person that becomes a "hard" or "dangerous" target (i.e., bad things are fairly likely to immediately and violently happen to those that attempt assault upon them) have a better chance of going home with roughly the same number of pieces they showed up with in the event of proposed mischief - but each time an assault on an LGBT person fails, disastrously, for the assailant(s) it works to shatter the meme that we are a populace safe to assault.
When, after all, was the last time you heard of a bunch of bigots gathering together to beat the crud out of a Blood, a Crip, a Hells Angel, or a uniformed cop? Bigotry rests on a foundation of cowardice, and is seldom eager to tangle with targets that - at a physical and effective level - fight back, and fight back in ways that may exact a terrible price from the assailant.
Things are better. We need to work to make them better yet.
I remember when, as I was first coming out or not long after, Q Patrol (a LGBT-oriented "Guardian Angels" type group was founded in Seattle). And when it faded into history.
Things are better.
I remember reading of the common place violence, institutional and individual (and the widespread systematic and personalized discrimination and harassment) my predecessors in the LGBT community suffered to a far greater degree than I or any of my successors (who have had it yet better than I) have had to tolerate.
Things are better.
I am blessed with history to instruct me. Courtesy of those gone before, I am allowed to remember by proxy the burgeoning LGBT culture and openness of pre-Nazi Germany. I am allowed to understand that every shred of progress we have made stands on a foundation made of sand and hope, and every victory for freedom and individuality is potentially transitory - subject to the winds of economics, social whimsy, and fear. The battle never ends.
Things are better.
I am, unless I wish to distance myself from reality far more thoroughly than either Neville Chamberlain or Nancy Pelosi, forced to admit that things are far from perfect. That gay bashing still takes place, and that crosses still burn. And that cops, regardless of any special nobility or unique lack thereof, are merely human - that barring miraculous events, they get to show up with a mop, a notebook, and investigative tools...but can't make murder or assault somehow "un-happen"; that even hopes of prevention are wildly optimistic.
We are each responsible for making the choices necessary to guard our own safety, based on our own personal ethos, priorities, and in accordance with local legal conditions. Once we've made those choices, we need to take responsibility for them and at least admit them to ourselves - and allow others to make their own, similar, choices.
My own fundamental guide in such matters is the notion that it is, under any normal circumstances, morally wrong to initiate the aggressive use of force against another person. That it is sufficiently wrong as to justify the application of the defensive use of force up to and including lethal force. Others mileage may vary. I also observe that very few principals stand in isolation.
I could wish that more members of the LGBT community seriously re-examine the prevalent views regarding self-defense and the tools thereof in the community. Being vulnerable hasn't, in my opinion, proven a really winning strategy for us - and it seems unreasonable to assume demanding others become vulnerable to the little inequalities of nature and numbers will improve the safety of either thus or those we would strip of extant civil rights.
Yet, things are better.
I write this after local hair dresser and pillar of the local Filipino community Danny Vega has died, subsequent to being beaten into a coma by three young assailants yet to be apprehended.
Most believe that Vega, as a visibly identifiable gay man, was assaulted in the course of a hate crime - a gay bashing. One that, now, includes his murder - his death from injuries his assailants inflicted.
Things are better. But they still sometimes suck. And this is certainly one of those times. Much remains to be done.
My condolences to the family and Mr. Vega's friends and admirers.
To the rest of the community? As individuals, examine how you think about your safety. Look at how well your assumptions stand up to reality. And consider learning some form of self-defense - something that will let you have a fighting chance versus 3:1 odds...even if you're 5'2", or with medically fouled-up body strength, or with asthma such that "run away, run away" isn't a valid option.
Not only does each LGBT person that becomes a "hard" or "dangerous" target (i.e., bad things are fairly likely to immediately and violently happen to those that attempt assault upon them) have a better chance of going home with roughly the same number of pieces they showed up with in the event of proposed mischief - but each time an assault on an LGBT person fails, disastrously, for the assailant(s) it works to shatter the meme that we are a populace safe to assault.
When, after all, was the last time you heard of a bunch of bigots gathering together to beat the crud out of a Blood, a Crip, a Hells Angel, or a uniformed cop? Bigotry rests on a foundation of cowardice, and is seldom eager to tangle with targets that - at a physical and effective level - fight back, and fight back in ways that may exact a terrible price from the assailant.
Things are better. We need to work to make them better yet.
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