Monday, December 22, 2014

North Korea is offline

Reports indicate that a DoS attack against North Korea's Internet service is underway:

SANS Internet Storm Center

Arbor Networks

CNN: North Korea's Internet is being disrupted

Fox News: NK experiencing widespread Internet outages

So far the US gov is denying any comment on what could be occurring.  I wouldn't be surprised if someone in the .gov is providing a bit of a nudge to Anonymous ;-)

The craziness gets even more crazy

First, two NYPD officers were shot and killed in an obvious assassination in revenge for the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, with the shooter then running to a nearby subway station and taking his own life.

Now comes the news out of Florida that a officer in Tarpon Springs, FL was killed on Sunday and the shooter is in custody.

And add the fact that police unions are advising their rank and file to double-up on patrols and always be watchful, and it seems as if someone is deciding to initiate open season on LEOs.

While I can understand the furor over what has been taking place in the wake of these tragedies, that is no justification for painting a target on their backs.  Then again, it seems that anarchy and rule of the mob are not too far off; it just needs an additional push to get the ball rolling.

Let's hope that doesn't happen.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Witness to history once again

I have just watched President Obama's speech to the nation announcing normalization of our relations with Cuba and have just realized that once again I was watching a defining motion in history that will begin to unfold in the coming weeks and months.

I have watched on TV as the Berlin Wall fell, as the two Germanys reunified as a single nation and finally gain full sovereignty after the final peace treaty between the WW2 allied powers and Germany finally was signed in 1991.  Just a short span of months later, the Soviet Union dissolved and the Cold War finally ended.  And of course, there is September 11, 2001...

Now with the prospect of normal relations between Cuba and the United States opening new opportunities for both us and the Cuban people, it would be fascinating to watch and see how things would unfold going forward.  The only fly in the ointment would be how intransigent our Congress and the Cuban-American community would be in allowing this to come about, for they see this as allowing a restrictive regime to remain in power and keep oppressing the Cuban people.

Obama did give the classic definition of insanity in describing how the last 53 years of the embargo have not achieved the desired results that Eisenhower and Kennedy had intended.

 Now it is time to see whether there are true changes blowing up from Havana and if we are truly seeing a new chapter unfold.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Good news out of Texas

Texas to consider allowing open-carry of handguns (from Fox News)
That in itself should take care of the crime rate a little bit.  If criminals know people are definitely armed, they'd reconsider or likely wind up being examples of evolution in action.  On the other hand, it could also make is easier for a potential mass shooter to choose which targets to get first, which proves the necessity of always being aware of your surroundings.

Here in Nevada, open carry is permitted, although in some places it might be a little bit too attention-getting (such as on the Strip).

I personally think it would be a matter of personal preference, since I think concealed makes it a little easier to blend in to the crowds.  YMMV though.

An important community reminder (from WRSA)

Got ammo?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Home on the Range: I am the Second Amendment

Home on the Range: I am the Second Amendment: " Most civilization is based on cowardice. It's so easy to civilize by teaching cowardice. You water down the standards which wo...





Please go and read the full posting at Brigid's blog.  Very thoughtful words from a wonderful person.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Happy Birthday, KatyBeth! - Ambulance Driver Files

Happy Birthday, KatyBeth! - Ambulance Driver Files



A very moving and personal message from a dad to his daughter.



I guarantee after reading this, you'd be reaching for the Kleenex.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day 2014

A heartfelt thank you to all those that have stepped up and offered their service to our country.

I made sure I got my poppy from the Jewish War Veterans donation down at Sam's Club last week.  They hang on the corner of my sun visor as a good-luck charm along with a couple of others I have had through the years.

Remember, the 'Greatest Generation' will soon be gone, so make sure to give them some special thanks.

Monday, November 3, 2014

New month, hopefully better things to come

This past month has been an exhausting one for me, both physically and even more so mentally.  With the house finally sold, things went to hell in a handbasket with my sister and she had to get herself and her family somewhere else to live, and I had to bear the brunt of her abrasive and outright abusive behavior towards me due to the stress of the situation.

This had finally reached my limit, and I have decided that I was not going to go out of my way to help her any more, and my dad had reached the same conclusion after decades of having to bail her ass out.  So with any luck, I won't have to be bothered with her for at least the rest of this month and hopefully through the end of the year.

Meanwhile, I am trying to get my body accustomed to the cooler weather which is approaching, and hoping that it won't be too chilly a winter here in these parts.  Hopefully I will be able to post more this month.

Friday, October 10, 2014

U.S. lawmakers call for travel ban on nations hit by Ebola

U.S. lawmakers call for travel ban on nations hit by Ebola



I think it's getting crazier...time to stock up on N95 particulate filters from Home Depot and a few boxes of nitrile gloves.



Sorry haven't been on much due to personal issues, but should be back soon.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

For those who like their radios old-school (from drjim's blog)

There is nothing that gets me going like seeing old-school technology, especially older radios.

At the Every Blade of Grass blog, check out the radio transmitter room from the Battleship Iowa and marvel at what it took to have comms from HF to Milsat.  According to drjim, the restoration of this hardware is an ongoing project, and it is just getting started.  I look forward to seeing what other interesting objects will soon come into the light.

Thanks for sharing the pics, drjim...hope retirement is going well for you!  ;-)


Friday, August 29, 2014

Something else to worry about coming from the Mexico border besides illegals

Legal Insurrection posted this interesting missive from Judicial Watch that reports that members of Al-Qaida and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) are setting up shop in border areas adjacent to El Paso TX and San Diego. 

The lessons which Al-Qaida have learned well when the 9-11 hijackers infiltrated the US to plan their successful attacks would no doubt carry over well, especially with reports that Britain has raised their alert to the second-highest level, advising that a potential attack by ISIS would occur soon.

If they choose to attack, it would be perfect for a strike to occur either this Labor Day weekend, or possibly on Patriot Day.  Maybe an attack at a busy amusement park or other large gathering of civilians.

While there are reportedly few Americans involved with ISIS, there are plenty (about 500) of British Muslims who have made the journey to get in the fight.  I can easily see them coming to the US via Mexico and infiltrating via the smuggler routes over the border.  Crazy?  Perhaps, but until 9-11 the average person would not have thought hijacking a plane was seen as utilizing it as a flying missile.

So just be aware of your surroundings, and not obsess too much on what the MSM is harping...

Saturday, August 16, 2014

The downside of militarization of LEOs (from WRSA)

If libtards could hopefully learn something from the recent events occuring in Ferguson, MO, this pic should serve as a good visual aid.

Product Review: Blauer Clash Boot | Ambulance Driver Files

Product Review: Blauer Clash Boot | Ambulance Driver Files



Those boots look pretty awesome, and the Boa lacing system is a definite plus-no more busted laces or jammed zippers.

I intend to try and acquire a pair in the near future.  Considering what AD put them through, they should work out just fine for my purposes.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Random items from the blogosphere and updates from the home front

Came across this fucked-up tale via The Lonely Libertarian on a Minnesota woman's battle with the state insurance exchange.  Guess Minnesota just went into the Twilight Zone now.

The Lonely Libertarian: ObamaCare Fucking in MN

And from American Mercenary is an interesting analysis of one of the Libertarian Party's components of their platform, to wit: open borders is a good thing.  To me I just shake my head and find myself in agreement with AM's analysis.

American Mercenary: The Libertarian Case for Border Control

I am in total agreement that the concept of open borders would wind up being fatally incompatible with the right for a person to control their own property.  Hopefully other libertarians who would have the same views would prevail on the party to make some changes to their platform, but am not gonna be an optimist on this one.

Moving right along, my dingbat sister is finally starting to do some packing on the old house.  The garage is mostly clear, just need to get my stuff in the garage moved down to the property so I can be ready to set my listening post back up once suitable shelter is obtained.

And speaking of which, Sparks31 offers some tips on what the prepared commo specialist can do to get themselves going.  Check out his blog here and look at the entries, there's plenty of good tidbits to utilize in your own shack.

Hopefully the weather will stay decent but being August and the middle of monsoon season here in Vegas means things can change quick.

Stay safe folks, watch your 6...

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Full of win!!





Proper weapons handling being shown by these girls :-)
Original post was here at The Proud Parents.

I just had to laugh when I saw this comment:
"Some rape whistles go “weeeeeeee!”
Others go “boom!”"

:-)

Monday, July 7, 2014

Yay, another year of living

Today is my birthday.  Since I have to work it, the usual partying it out for this year...so just have to save it up for the next one ;-)

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Our sad state of affairs (from Wirecutter's blog)

Came across this from Wirecutter's blog; this echos my own feelings as well (link to original):

The Fourth has always been a special day for me. Anybody that knows me knows I’m not big on holidays. Christmas and Thanksgiving are a pain as far as preparations go and having to deal with family that doesn’t want anything to do with me the rest of the year, Easter – I’m surprised they still celebrate Easter seeing as it’s offensive to muslims and liberals, Veteran’s and Memorial day always rubbed me wrong because those are days for memories that should be thought of everyday, Labor Day is just an excuse for a barbecue, but the Fourth to me was always special because of the anniversary it represents.
Not anymore. The Fourth is nothing but a reminder of what a mess our Nation has become. Our Founding Fathers and the Citizens of that period sacrificed everything to ensure Freedom for their descendants and immigrants coming here to seek a better life for themselves and their families. There were provisions in the Constitution to prevent the new government from becoming what they were trying to get out from under. The Bill of Rights came later naming our basic human rights so that future generations wouldn’t pervert the Yellowed Paper in order to grant them powers that weren’t theirs to begin with.
Now I get up in the morning and read what the government wants me to read. If the press isn’t in lockstep with the president then they aren’t allowed in his press corp. If you file for something under the Freedom of Information Act, you see only what the government wants you to see, everything else is blacked out.
My weapons of self defense are government approved but they say if I don’t have a permit for them then they must stay at home, but at the same time the government says the police have no obligation or duty to protect me or mine.
My food has to be approved by the government. I can no longer drink raw milk or eat cheese that hasn’t been homogenized or pasteurized because evidently I don’t know what’s good for me. Even homeopathic medicines have to be government approved if I want to buy them instead of growing and harvesting them myself.
Our children are wards of the State. If they attend a public school, they learn what the government wants them to learn. The government has changed history to suit their views, not what really happened. You are not allowed to discipline your children with your own hand under threat of law. The government determines if your children are eating healthy lunches or not – not lunches from school but what Mom has packed for them.
We’re under constant surveillance. Every time I walk out of my house I have to assume I’m on somebody’s camera. Traffic cams, security cams, dash cams, you name it. My emails are being monitored by the government. My website is being monitored by the government. Every piece of mail – every piece – passing through the post office is photographed and recorded. Every phone call we make, every text we send is monitored by the NSA. Boxes on the side of the roads log in bluetooth information from passing cars to determine who’s in what car traveling down the road, where you got on the road and where you left it. Radar is monitoring our speed.
Our public lands are no longer public. The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service determine what we can and cannot do on our own public lands and reserve the right to charge us fees for their use. If you resist you will be arrested, fined and possibly imprisoned.
Everything has to be registered. Our vehicles are registered, our animals are registered, our firearms are registered, our watercraft is registered. By the way, you can read that as taxed.
Our police have gone from being peace officers to law enforcement officers. They have the right by decree of government to search you simply by stating they believe you may have committed a crime. In some cities they can search you just because they want to. They burst into our homes, kill our dogs and search our personal belongings with only the simplest of causes. SWAT teams – a concept that was designed for hostage situations – conduct an average of 124 raids every day. Now they raid barber shops for unlicensed (read that untaxed) barbers, they’re raiding dairies suspected of selling raw milk and they’re raiding mom and pop marijuana growers.
With the NDAA and “Patriot” Act, we no longer have a right to an attorney or a Right to a speedy trial in front of a jury of our peers, in fact we no longer have a Right to a trial at all. Indefinite detention is the Plan of the Day at the pleasure of the government.
The tax man takes between 30 and 50% of our paychecks, most of it outright theft. We support, out of our paychecks and from the sweat of our brow, cash and food for those that won’t work, medical and child care for those same deadbeats, organizations through federal and state grants that we don’t morally support or agree with, wars that we may not agree with, and anything else that the government feels is necessary.
Any mention of God has been removed from our schools and government buildings even though this once-great Nation was founded on Christian principles. We can no longer pray before meetings nor can our children while at school. Our churches are regulated as far as mentioning politics. The entire “Separation of Church and State” has been twisted from not allowing the State to force a religion on us to not wanting to offend anybody by asserting our personal beliefs.
Our Nation is presently being overrun with illegal immigrants and our government who swore an oath to obey the Constitution and the Law of the Land is ignoring the law by not defending our borders. In fact, they’re encouraging these illegals to come by rewarding them with promises of a better life and citizenship. If you think this bothers you, think about the immigrants that came here legally and got pushed to the back of the line because of promises that our politicians have made to the illegals.
Our politicians truly believe they are above us, forgetting that they serve us and not the other way around. We have politicians that carry firearms and surround themselves with bodyguards, yet they deny us the very basic human Right to defend ourselves by outlawing us commoners to own and carry firearms and other weapons. They break laws with impunity, yet imprison us for doing the same. They refuse to listen to the People’s desires and instead enact laws they want. We have a president that says we must conserve energy and cut down on pollutants, yet he and his family fly on Air Force One for their many vacations every year. Our fuel prices have been above $3 a gallon for a record breaking 1200 days because our president refuses to cut our dependency on foreign oil and use our own natural resources which would also provide much needed jobs for us. Our president bows to foreign Heads of State, showing them that he believes we are subservient to them. Our government has done everything it can to make sure that we, as a Nation, serves it instead of the other way around.
This is not the Nation our Founding Fathers wanted for us. I know that if they could see what we’ve turned into, they would be appalled. I know I am, and that’s the reason the Fourth holds no special place in my heart anymore.
-Kenny Lane (Wirecutter)
www.knuckledraggin.com
Ceres, CA.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy Independence Day!

In the spirit of our country's 238th year of independence, I offer this press release from the Libertarian Party's website.

For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 3, 2014

Libertarians urge Americans to declare their independence

On Independence Day, the Libertarian Party calls on American voters to declare independence from the Republican and Democratic parties.
The Declaration of Independence says: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
Libertarian Party Chair Nicholas Sarwark said, "Those words from the Declaration also hold true of political parties. The Republicans and Democrats have no interest in securing our rights -- they have become 'destructive of these ends,' and now spend most of their time working on new ways to violate our rights. It's time to throw them out."
Sarwark continued, "According to recent Gallup polling, 46% of Americans now consider themselves 'independent' from the Democratic and Republican parties. We urge the other 54% to join them.
"The Republicans and Democrats have maintained their power partly by fostering the illusion that they are significantly different from each other. Supporters are told that if the other team gets elected, the world will end. In reality, the Republicans and Democrats are so similar that it doesn't matter which of them are in power. George W. Bush and the Republicans grew government across the board. Barack Obama and the Democrats grew government across the board."
Libertarian candidates show strong support among independent voters. For example, a recent Public Policy Polling poll in North Carolina showed that 19% of independent voters supported Libertarian Sean Haugh for U.S. Senate, versus 31% for the Democratic candidate and 25% for the Republican candidate.
Sarwark added, "We encourage all people who value freedom and individual rights to join the Libertarian Party."

The link to the original is here.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Nude pranks (NSFW)

Not sure how old this is but titles appear to be Russian, but it also can be something imported then shown on Russian TV.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

And the craziness continues...

LV Review-Journal: Henderson police officer wounded, suspect killed in morning shooting
Just like I said in a previous post, the summer madness is continuing to evolve.

Am definitely keeping my eyes open to what's around me.

Funny and clever video


All by myself from Richard Dunn on Vimeo.


This is what happens when you are stuck overnight at McCarran Airport's D gates and just have the cleaning crews watching.  Kudos to this guy for originality.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Chip in for a worthy cause (or a decent read)


I have been a big fan of Chris Muir's online comic Day by Day, which loves poking fun at the establishment and has a delightful libertarian bent.  Right now Chris is having his annual support drive for the website, so please drop by and make a donation.