Diogenes of the Rifle

ummm, Like a new home, the walls need some paint

2011-08-28T13:20:00.002-04:00

But the site is up and I will start posting there instead of here.

SOOO,,,,, on with the show

the New name is Diogenes:Freeholder (though wordpress will NOT let me have that colon in there, dangit)

anyways, I hope to see you over there, pardon the spartan look and empty shelves, I am still movin in.

Gots it figgered out

2011-08-28T08:29:00.003-04:00

Well, not all of it, but I can see where much of what is wrong with this country, resides.

Take for example the quake.

???? What quake? Oh, you mean the Japanese quake, right?

No, the east coast quake that had the MSM's aflutter with fearmongering and pantswetting.

And then consider the BIG Hurricane.

??? Katrina???

Nope, Irene, slamming into the Big Apple as I type this.

Again, Much Ado about nuttin. Panties in a wad, harping to the world about how horrible the planet is to them.(talkin 'bout the MSM's again)

Tam made a great point about this the other day.

And many AmeriCan's wonder why the rest of the world looks down noses at us.(well maybe not) How can any of us be taken seriously when we have such pampered numbskulls 'representin' us in front of the world. I am not talking about the SElected class either, these are college bred nincumpoops get HIRED to spout this shit. That leaves a lot to be said about those doing said hiring too. but I digress.

Is it any wonder that I REFUSE to watch the bubblevision with anything other than a bypassers role. The most I watch is about 15 minutes spread out over several days. Long enough to know that the disease is still in place and the infection is spilling over the same as yesterday.

Gah, I think its time to go climb a tree or something.

a lil catchin up

2011-08-27T06:50:00.004-04:00

It has been something of a crazy week for me. As y'all know, I am no longer employed with said company, no matter, and have been getting things taken care of while I still have some cash flow (in).
Went to Cincy to see the kids and sis, had a good time and grabbed some good pics of Granbehbie and a short video of her being her cutest. Had a few beers with Sis and had some good conversation.

Another good highlight of my week was cutting another shackle to the system.
When I bought this PC I was planning on making it a linux machine and just never got around to it. Lazy, I know. Won't make any excuses about it, just lazy.

No longer.

I had a little issue that arose that I have had before on other units and it is strictly a Windows issue that annoyed the hell out of me. I am sure it is one that you all bite your lip over too. UPDATES. How many times have you been trying to do something and the whole system seems slower than glacier drift?? Reason being that update engine is running in the background and hogging processor power and RAM. Well, I tried to suspend it and ended up causing a glitch in the system. PLUS I managed to completely FUBAR Office at some point and had both 2003 and 2010 loaded up, and neither would work at all, nor could I get rid of them through control panel.

Now before anyone goes posting cures or suggestions on fixes, I murdered that OS, MURDERED IT I say! FUCK MS!

I loaded up Mint 11 on this machine and OMG! it IS a different machine. FAST! Responsive, and forgiving. I am having to bone up my commandline skills but I have needed to do that for sometime. Command line in MS is highly discouraged by MS and finding info on the newer OS's CL is daunting. TO hell with that infection prone system. OS from here on out. There is the one point I have to address of installing Itunes so that I can manage my phone but there is plenty of documentation on that.

I do have some good computer habits that I have carried with me for some time. All music and vids that I have are stored on external harddrives, Same for all of my files that I don't trust to fickle machines. One thing I love about Firefox is its portability. Being able to quickly transfer ALL bookmarks and settings from one machine to another is pretty damned sweet (and for those that say its a tedious process, bah! cut and paste baby, cut and paste!)

Now, since I made one major change, Maybe its time to get serious about switching to Wordpress.

back, kinda sorta

2011-08-25T13:35:00.002-04:00

Went to see Granbehbie and family over the last two days. Should have been out looking for work like a good boy, but I am a free spirit and said to hell with it.
'Sides, who knows when the cash flow is going to be good enough to support the cost of fuel to do so at a later date, right?

Good times, no worries, lots of good conversation with Sis, feeling a bit relaxed about things right now. And the Jimmy did awesome in both directions, considering age and mileage. (and I ain't complaining about the 28mpg either considering the monster has 311k on the clock and 20 years under her belt.)

I have nothing to add that ya'll haven't heard 16 ways to sunday and will again. I only know that I am biding my time as best I can while I watch the cracks grow and widen.

My only real comment is on the earthquake. There should have been more damage to key places. I know, I know, Mamma Nature isn't that selective: one can dream though. LMAO.
As for Irene, I wish you coasters luck. I know most that live on the coasts have seen this before and know what to do. Its not like you aren't recieving ample warning so if you get caught with your pants down, its probably due to having your head under a rock. But good luck anyway. (Sorry Mayb, I know you guys need the rain but Mama N is thinking she has something else in store for you guys and isn't telling anyone "what" at this point. Go get your boat wet and have a beer :) )

Well, back to trying to make like a good slave and hit the bricks for work (but then I am going to be a good rebel and do some cheap ($wise) and sweaty stuff on the freehold. Figure its time I stop playing games and get it done despite my dads protests. More about that later.

just a quick link, back later

2011-08-23T19:55:00.003-04:00

Insider: Played it out? No, not…you might think so but no…his people are going to raise the issue of race to a level this country hasn’t seen since the Civil Rights movement. White guilt got Barack Obama the nomination. White guilt got Barack Obama into the White House. At least it was a big part of it…they are not sure they can run on the economy by summer of 2012

RTWT here and here and here.

Just linking to something to think about, not passing a judgement in any way, nor am I trying to validate authenticity, which I cannot, in any way shape or form. But it really needs thought, and see if you can refute any claims made from what little information is actually making it out of that fortress.

All Quiet in LaLaLand.

2011-08-22T11:08:00.002-04:00

At least that is my take on things right now. I haven't had much to say over the weekend, and with the surfing I did do, seems that others were of the same mindset. Little to add to the fray.

The predictability of the MSM and our .GOV is actually pretty pathetic when you get right down to it. While stopping for a cuppa, I saw the headline "Gadhafi's reign ends!"

woohoo, yippie, time to party like it's 1001BC

Just for giggles, would someone please, please, tell me what that has to do with jackshit in this country: just one snippet of reality here, and it doesn't need to be much at all.

Probably can't come up with much can you? Well, let me tell you why its "important": It is the "hey, whats that?" that someone pulls when they don't want you to see the suckerpunch coming. That is what this is all about. Only, in this instance, its to distract us from the fact that O'boy is on, yet again, vacation. Its smoke in front of the mirror, pure and simple.

And it works.

I know the mans job is a hard one, every president needs a break from that role even if its for a few days every once in a while. And while I really want to bitch about how many times this guy has done this and how many trips he has taken that were blatant holidays on our dime; I won't. The fact that he is taking time away from his job is a good thing as it means that there will be less intrusions developing in the interim. Not to say that there won't be further intrusions later on; there will be. BUT right now, Him, CONgress, and whatnot all being "on vaca" is a damned good thing for those of us in the field.

Only, O is schmoozin it up with, you got it, The MSM's. Hmmm, could that mean he is starting to lose his base of "objective" supporters and is working on regaining that confidence? Prolly: more than likely I think.

And who fuckin cares right?

Well, seeing the teeter totter of reality this country is on, I think there is much more going on behind closed doors in high places than many would suspect. I think that there is a coming power grab that is going to shock people into submission if they aren't 'all for it'. And many will be for it since they want something for nothing at the expense of others. Even though we all know TANSTAAFL is reality, there are many that don't and think we are crazy.

The tipping point is past, long past. Now we teeter on the fall that has been predicted time out of mind. Only it won't be fast and sudden. No, the training of the progressives has made fast and furious impossible. Just as in the Roman Empire, the fall will be spread out over time, more sudden in small areas but incremental over the whole sphere. And like the Roman Empire, our Armies will be spread out around the known world, to be absorbed or destroyed over time.

It ain't TEOTWAKI so much as HISTORY humming the same old tune.

When will us hairless monkeys learn to dance to a different tune?

Or am I holding too much hope for the species?

Back on later with my trials and tribulations within the Circus of Local Government agencies. LOL what a hoot, and nearly as predictable as the MSM's are.

Thought dump II

2011-08-18T11:20:00.003-04:00

I said yesterday that today would be trivial and frivolous: I lied.

I run around crazy in my own head, to the point that some think I am 'slow' at times. In all actuality, this is due to the fact that I continually try to cook a 7 course meal for 8 on 4 burner stove. Things get put aside until they have simmered a bit.(and I know that I am not the only one.)

This is one of those times. This article was read in the past by me and while it meant something, it took more time to really pick up the flavor. I guess what it needed was a little spice. Craig gave me that spice unintentionally but my thanks go to him nonetheless.

I would recommend reading BOTH articles before proceeding as the rest of this is drivel without that background.

This is also gonna piss some off.

I have had my say on somethings involving SSI and SSD in the past, I understand the whole "worked my ass off and paid into the system for years" attitude. Believe me, I DO understand. The fact that the system is beyond broke(n) should be without question and, sorry 'bout your luck, but if you aren't on it now, you probably won't be. Remember, I am right there in the same boat as you with the 'paying up'. It is money that is taken without my permission that could be used for some greater purpose and I have no doubts that I will never see anything but the numbers on my old check stubs, never to return to my hands. I am over it. Move on.

But when you really think about where this country has been going over the last 80-90 years (longer actually but the ball really took off after WWII) You have to ask, What was the cold war really about? Look around you and you see multiple shades of Socialism: communism under a cuter name. Yes, I do consider SSI a form of socialism even if the original intent was not designed(worded) that way. There are far too many on the dole of that system that have not really worked for it, unlike the many that did. (for example, look to the first recipient of SSI. If this doesn't scream Ponzi scheme at you, you may need a hearing aid.)

Now we are facing a seriously screwy piece of legislation that is called medicine but makes the worst socialized medicine program look pretty good.
That brings me back to Fred's article. Maybe I am that heartless bastard. Maybe not. Then again, maybe I don't view the world through rose tinted glasses. (which in fact, I do not.)
First in my line of objection to anything that has .GOV written on it, I refer to the movie "Idiocracy". If you have not seen it, I highly recommend it. It will come off as a campy BS comedy, but its a ticking bomb of thought; It will blow in your mind when you least expect it. Without giving too much away, there is a point that is brought up, in the movie and in Fred's article about stupid people. The point in the movie is how stupidity was bred into the populace. In Fred's article, how it is devolved from Societal standards. Both are correct.
My issue revolves around the fact that "Stupidity" more often than not is just plain ignorance. Ignorance is more of a choice than a standard. Some don't realize they are ignorant and that is rather sad. Some DO understand that and choose not to correct the situation: THAT is stupidity. Ignorance is curable, but the victim has to want the cure or any efforts outside of that person are wasted. I choose the word 'Victim' since many of the ignorant grouping are simple products of Government controlled indoctrinations.

And I am preaching to the choir on that note. We all know this.

Yes, there are many in this world that fall in the "Ignorant/Stupid" class and it is entirely by design. There are those that only want more power and control. Shallowly taught persons are perfect to lead around with fear and intimidation. It is those that are aware of the facts, that are difficult and dangerous. (Hence, why 'patriots' and 'Preppers' are considered "Terrorists".) And if you can encourage breeding enmasse (through subsidies to livelihood) your voting base grows exponentially, equating to even more power and control.

When this country was founded, 90% of the land mass was "unexplored". Granted, there were indigenous persons all over the place, but that didn't count. They were never taken seriously until they had a blade at your throat. And yet, with that threat, colonists and explorers would brave that world to achieve something. What was it that they were trying to achieve? A better life? Seems that it would be safer to raise your kids in town than drag them into the bush with God only knows what hiding behind every tree. And then there was all that hard work of clearing land, building a house, cleaning all the daggum rocks out of the soil to plant crops, raising cattle, pigs, sheep, chickens, what not. Then hoping that at some point there would be travelers coming through to replace those things you couldn't make on your own, or having to send someone back to get them, never without a promise of success, on either end of that trip. And there was NEVER any promise of success to survive any of the above. Many didn't make it, but many more took the calling and challenge, and so we conquered the "New World". Why? Why go through all that, hoping and trusting in something you couldn't see or feel? Pride? I don't think so. I think there was something more to it and its something that we have lost: Freedom! Freedom from Government intervention. These people were more willing to take on "savages" and wildlife, than take on that critter on the hill. Then, it was easier to 'get away' as there were still areas that you could get away TO. Now, the encroachment is complete. The only way to get away is to drop out of the system entirely (which they did then but had better odds of doing so) and possibly find some other country to take you in. There are no places left on this continent to run to. You may be able to find somewhere within the confines of our prison country but the odds are much longer.

And now the encroachment is to force us all into one system of medicine whether we like it or not.
I know this is late in the game but there comes a point where one has to vent a thought. This one took on some damned potent spices from Craigs post.
There was that thought, of my being some horrible bastard because I don't like the idea of supporting every swinging dick in America; habits or sniffles. The one thing I have seen in countries with SM is decline. Decline in the level of care since it takes money to support that care, and decline in the skill levels of the care givers since many that learned the practice, wish to make a decent wage at it; not 'just give it away'. Like anything in this world that requires skill, the choice should be placed on the one with the skill, not the receiver. If I chose to do machine work or mechanic work for free, I would have no end of work, but free doesn't put food on the table. Another side of that being, that free work tends to be the most critically eyed. Many times that 'customer' will be the first to backstab you when you can't afford to help out any longer. We all know that negative word travels faster and farther than positive ones: truth has little to do with it.

(side note: There was recently a free dental clinic in the Atlanta metro area. They had to turn away people and even have the police manage the line. This was a great deal for many and I applaud their efforts. My concern are of those that will be less than happy with that work, and try to turn it into a money maker with some lawsuit or what not. I am sure they covered themselves on that in some way, but the fact that it could rear its head shows just how bad that side of our culture has become. This also goes to my argument of "provider choice".)

So, Ignorance/stupidity, Skilled labor wanting to retain the value of that labor, Bad attitudes from the first group when denied, Government intervention from the wrong direction (mandates) and Power Junkies with a vested interest in keeping the first group 'happy' (at the expense of all groups of course)

So how does Craigs work cycle into all of this.

Every man for himself is the new "normal", best get used to it.....

What if that is the lowest common denominator and always has been, DESPITE all of the liberal mouthwash that has been ingested by us over the years? It fits right in with the natural order of the world, and while we don't have to like it, there could be much worse that we would tolerate. (as witnessed by all of those groups that have been wiped out via genocide in all parts of the world, including this continent.) What if all of this is really just a cover to something much bigger that is leading to a full out class warfare, instigated by TPTB, to get further control over "the voting class"?

And what if EVERYTHING you were ever taught was ass-backwards wrong?

Including what you were taught about that green piece of paper, folded up in your wallet?

More thoughts to follow, as always.

Peekin out from under my rock..

2011-08-17T13:09:00.002-04:00

Haven't really been dwelling much on the nets lately, same reason as always: lack of reliable net access. Yet, Seems to me that things have settled down a bit, for now.

Not that its a good thing. Tribulations means that there is just nonsense abroad, silence means something bigger is brewing.

I read somewhere,(I believe on The Woodpile Report) that what is itching the .GOV types is not "Terrorists" so much as what they define as "domestic Terrorists". In the Domestic terrorist realm, a terrorist is someone that doesn't wish to "toe the line" with the system. Seems counter-intuitive to me seeing how I was taught a terrorist is someone that uses violence against the public at large to sway government action to their (terrorist) point of view. Seeing how so many of us preppers just "want to be left alone", Terrorist is the last thing I would call us. But then, I am just a little fish in the big bad sea with no influence on public opinion in any form.
No, what I see is a label to sway public opinion towards the thinking of TPTB/W. THAT equates to terrorism by the definition given above. Even if a word is not violence in and of itself, the connotations of said word reflect violence. And words are all we have at this point. Words can kill. History will reflect that every war started within the last 2 centuries started with little more than words that escalated into violence. Yes, words can kill.

But how does one little guy in that ginormous sea, use words to inflict damage upon a self-designated enemy(as they have done by applying labels) ?

I don't see it.

Not one person. And there are so many that are out there waiting to infiltrate any group that seems to be gaining traction,(see current TEA party affiliations) that forming a group seems even more pointless.
Yes, I think we could make great changes in the system as it stands now, IF and only IF, we could maintain integrity internally. Yet, that is actually the harder part of the game, is it not?

I guess that I will just bide my time as best I can, to see this leviathan implode. Monetarily, we will. Where we go from there will say more about the integrity of "Americans" than anything else. I personally feel there are more "Ameri-Kants" than the former, and if I am right; there will be a new tyranny unleashed upon the face of this planet, and it will be at the whim of the last group.

There are days where I think our best hope is for the racially driven tribes to rip us apart internally before that can come about, but I ain't holden my breath either.

Will be back tomorrow with something completely trivial and frivolous. dunno what yet, but it won't be near as intense.

Kickin back and watchin

2011-08-15T10:28:00.002-04:00

And that is just about the extent of what I have been doing the last week since my last post.

Not a whole lot to add to consensus amongst freedom lovers. Yes, there is more shit taking place within the world. Yes, London is burning
(For James D, LOL, you asked for it)
Yes, the Military is getting a handful of the Classic Shit. Yes, the world economy is teetering on the brink of implosion. , , ,,,, @$%%%!!!!!

I just haven't that much to say about it all since we have seen it coming, See more coming once this is expended, and When that gets expended, even more to boot.

Why bitch? Nothing I can do to stop it and in many ways, I kinda look forward to see what way history falls. There is no doubt about it, everyday that goes by, we watch further pages of history being written. The Tribulations of the world are coming faster and harder with decreasing lapses of stability. Only one thing to do and that is to "Grab your socks and hang on". We may get fucked in the processes we see, we may not, but the Events WILL unfold whether we like it or not.

OK, Now on to one thing that had been on my mind. I read Bill's post the other day and I have little to add to or disagree with. I would like to reach a little deeper into it with an example though. AND explanation of where things went awry in some sense.

Recently I was looking for a masons hammer. You know the ones, squared head, long pick like extension on the other side for chipping brick and mortar.
Tried to find a good one lately? Finding one is easy. Finding a GOOD one is much more difficult. Most of the ones that I found were Cast. CAST! Just how is a cast iron hammer supposed to withstand the rigors of breaking shit?
Oh, that's right, its not; its disposable so that when you break it you will return and get a new one.
Seems that is the round up of tools as of late. IF you are on a budget and looking for tools; you are pretty much SOL for quality. IF you find quality, you will pay through the nose for it. AND sometimes, that quality is only marginally better than the Chinese knockoffs.

Short story, I found my hammer. It wasn't cheap but it was reasonable, And, its about twice my age. If found it at a roadside stand here in the state by some guy that buys up estates and sells off the 'junk' he finds. Granted, I needed to find a handle for it but that is simple. This hammer still has the hammer marks in it from when it was forged. I will re-harden and temper it but this one should outlast me the same as it outlasted its original owner.

BUT, where did we go awry? INFLATION. This all goes back to that argument about the Federal Reserve. The way our economy is set up for "growth" is to grow debt. This works well for the "Box Store" up to a point but it really kills the little guy on the corner and especially hurts all of us. Our current economy is actually the killer of Capitalism. True Capitalism is beneficial to all parties involved and should be self sustaining. When one of the parties manipulates the system to their benefit, the balance quickly shifts like a load of bricks. The only reason it has taken a hundred years for that shift to take place was due to manipulation by the main parties in the scheme.

(On a side note: Bill, you are a capitalist, by the true meaning of what that means. You believe in honesty with your customers and treating someone with respect, as you show by your commentary about those that are robbing other preppers blind on the seeds. There is nothing wrong with making a profit, but the balance should be that all parties end up the better. )

Once the inflation starting making MASS PRODUCTION the only way to do business, the little guy and the mom and pops were destined to die. I like the nature of Industry standards such as we have with nuts and bolts and the like, but not at the expense of losing the brain power of all those that have to be absorbed by the "industry" to get by. There are many in the world that have solutions to problems but the systems are set up to squash them before they ever get off the kitchen table. You only need to look at history to see that. Look how many Private individuals filed for patents back in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Then compare that to the filings of the last 20 years. Most(though not all) are filed by corporate lawyers for some internal division of said corporation. The Hoops that one has to jump through to get a patent are horrendous. And they say it discourages frivolous inventions. (granted, there will never be a perpetual motion machine but to rule out the little guy while thinking they 'can't come up with original ideas' is just mean.)

Anywho, I have more on that line, it seems lame compared to the fires in the world but it is A symptom of what ails us.
Maybe when it all comes apart, guys like me will be able to float back to the surface and get the wheels back on.

The hurricane from a flutterby

2011-08-10T12:16:00.003-04:00

Ya have to wonder just what kind of education really takes place within the halls of large, ominous Universities. I am talking Harvard, Yale, Columbia and the like. I don't think it is so much of an education as a Brainwashing. Education by my definition teaches one to think for themselves and deduce reality from fictions. The "Educated" I have seen lately tend towards Marxist ideologues that haven't the first clue what reality is. There are just some facts of nature that can't be broken, to include HUMAN NATURE, yet these jackknobs seem to think that human nature can be nurtured into something it is not.

I dunno, the shit just gets to me some days.

Was thinking about Chaos Theory and how it applies to so many different aspects of reality. Y'all know this one, The Butterfly Effect is only one aspect of it but really lays the gist of it out quite nicely.
In this case, I was thinking about the whole job aspect. My losing a job is 'dramatic' to me, but where does the ripple end? As a shipping business, there are so many other areas we reach into that will have major and minor effects across a much larger sphere than the dozen or so people I deal with on a regular basis. The fuel we use, the maintenance of our vehicles, the tires we burn through on a regular basis.(each vehicle puts on 2400 miles a week, 60K tires don't last a year under that grind)etc etc.
All of these things are usually handled locally even though we are a national chain. SO Shutting us down, while dramatic on a personal scale; has the potential for a much larger effect across a much larger area. Individually and locally, it may not be HUGE, but the accumulative effect WILL reach into the tens of millions. And quickly.

SO, When I see El Presidente harping about Jobs, I chuckle. I have to laugh about it as the only other option is to get angry. I am done being angry about any of this crap. I have no control over it outside of my personal sphere, therefore, I can't let it control ME. Would rather laugh and have a beer and wait for the fireworks show. But I digress, El Presidente: Talking about jobs. Laughter on my part. Why? That Marxist jackass hasn't the first clue about what a real job is. Not one. I don't think he ever held a job that actually produced anything. His title had been either "student" "Professor" or "Community Organizer" up to the day he entered politics (and technically that last one is political) BUT NEVER production of anything other than hot air.
Other than service positions, the Government is not, and will never be able to "produce" anything. Even with the Military Industrial complex, the Government only provides capital, not innovation. Even amongst the NASA types, there really hasn't been all that much innovation in the last 20 years. Even the Space Shuttle was farmed out to subcontractors.
Keep talking about Jobs, El pequeño Presidente , keep it up; your antics amuse me. When the races start, as we are seeing happen elsewhere and even in small variations with our borders, I will be ready. Not to fight them, only to defend that which is mine. But I will be one of the ones that is able to pick up the pieces you so flagrantly ignore as essential to what makes a country (and economy) actually exist, not just posture.

Let the wings flap, the hurricane will come.

Got check?

2011-08-09T11:15:00.002-04:00

Well, well. Seems that a discussion is order. Not that I mind or that its a bad thing. Just that, maybe, my thought experiment hasn't panned out.

Unemployment insurance: Do you pay into that program while working? Many think that they do when the fact is, they do not. If you are a sub-contractor, doing things by the book, then you probably do. I did for a few years and know just how expensive that program is.
The fact is, when you are an "employee" you really don't see just how much money exchanges hands between a business and the GOV. Its HUGE. When I was sub-contracting in Audio, I was dishing out roughly 65% of my pay into taxes. When you are employed by someone else, they match your input so you really don't see just how much is going out every week. As for the unemployment insurance. That is never taken from the employee, but is a program that the business is involved in. The fact that it is a federal mandated program should give warning to just how monstrous it is. Many business don't pay into it UNTIL someone laid-off or what not, files a claim. Then the business is footing part of the bill towards that former employee.

That's why so many business have that '3 strikes, your out' thing going. Its a great way of covering your ass when someone files an unemployment claim against your business. It all boils down to being legit under the color of law. (if you have Tom's book, this isn't news to you)

Where unemployment is getting the hype is all the extensions that keep getting pushed through the halls. Those on unemployment want the money to keep flowing. Granted there are probably a majority right now that are fighting tooth and nail to stay afloat in this economic mess: but in many cases, those that go on unemployment, stay on it till it runs out, THEN go get a job. I have seen it on a few occasions. In some ways, its just another 'welfare' handout. I have even seen a couple of cases where the person works just enough to re-qualify for it then "gets sick" or some such thing to 'take a vacation'.

(I have to use my position as a case example here. Here I am being legitimately laid off, through no fault of my own or my actions: "its just business'. BUT, I am contemplating taking the money and running with it. There is an underlying cause to my thoughts but the fact is, my intentions are less than honorable here. Yes, there is some tossing and turning over it. AND I have not made up my mind completely yet. Fact is, I may have no choice but to take the shill.)

Now I know that there are those that have, and will need it to keep afloat. All well and fine. I hold no grudges for those that take this in full honesty of need. I just don't think the system functions very well and is full of corruption (on both sides of the desk) and actually inhibits job growth within the country. Much easier to farm out the work to a machine or computer program that only needs an initial investment and maintenance, then a lifeform that has moods and drive swings.(and believe me, there are positions that are filled solely to assess that investment curve to do away with a warm body.)

Social Security: I think we can all agree, the current system of SSI is a Ponzi Scheme that make Bernie Madoff look pretty tame. Right? Here is my problem with the whole mess. This is a fairly recent development of our country. There was no 'safety net' or 'retirement plan' instituted by our founders. NONE. Why is that? Didn't they have our best interests in mind when they started this country?
Yes they did. And they also understood human nature far better than and Degree'd and PhD'ed Sociologist of today. Given the right motivation (IE being left to their own devices) people are pretty danged good at looking out for their best interests. BUT if you take that motivation away by exchanging it with a "Free ride, just pay a little in and the accrued interest will take care of you later." many will fall right into it and forget about that whole "take care of your own". I pay into the SS system, damned near everyone does if they collect a paycheck (and there is a way to get out of it but I have no idea how to go about it. ) That money is collected up and distributed to those that ARE collecting now. It doesn't go into a "lock box" or some annuity account for later. The intended standard was for that, but as history shows, was NEVER held to it even before Reagan 'balanced the books' using the funds from SSI. (Don't get me wrong, Reagan would have been much better if it hadn't been for the whole compromising that HAS to be done to get anything done in D.C. No matter who gets in that seat, their ideals will be compromised into some pudding that only greases the rails, but never actually accomplishes anything)
Then you throw in the Re-Written rules of the system and you get into even more issues. For example: If a person dropped out of School at some point and is now unable to compete in the job market, they are eligible for SSD. Think about that.

Is that an award for failure or what? Someone may try to sell it to me as "insurance" but I see it otherwise. I have busted my ass for my position in life and never asked to be carried by anyone though I may ask for a 'hand up' from time to time. SSD for dropouts is only encouraging failure to those in school now, that don't want to TRY. Nowhere have I seen one of those (and there are a few around here) going to get that GED, or taking advantage of the schooling (big surprise) to move forward in life. (My dad was a forced drop out from the 4th grade(family reasons), He never received a dime from the GOV until his retirement and that is SSI, not SSD. He did well by us kids even as a single parent with little education. I do remember him 'helping' with homework, to supplement his education. Stubborn? y'betcha! Proud, without a doubt. And I take after him in many ways.)

Again, I know this doesn't apply to all, not by far, but the abuse is rampant. (again, take my example above) Does one go along because that is the norm or does one stand on the principles they were raised with and get trampled under the flood of parasites?
In the interests of "helping along the crash" I am considering 'going along'. But there is that ripple of pride in my spine cursing against it. I know what will win out in the long run.

Do I expect everyone to understand this? No. I do know that many were sold a bill of goods by a long past Government that had no possible way to fill the bill. The figures looked good until you actually factored in people LIVING past a point in time. That was the underhanded side of SSI. They didn't expect you to live long enough to collect on it. (and why they keep bringing up age adjustments) In all reality, SSI is just another form of taxation by the FedGov only it has a pretty bow on top to hide the festering wound underneath.

Here we GO!

2011-08-08T10:27:00.004-04:00

The job is toast: I have 7 total working days left before it goes the way of the wind(Last official day is Aug.20th), but I am not worried. The Goobermints within this country are about to take a shellacking with money; and at their own hands no less. I can’t wait to see that mess unfold. Maybe I should step back a bit and explain my own thoughts over the last few days while watching the time bomb unpack itself.

I stated the job situation, that’s a given. I can’t change the business model of free market enterprise, nor would I want to. Keynes did that way back when with his monetary philosophy, and all you have to do is look around to see the legacy of that mess. Nope, I am quite content with the job loss even though it tightens the straps upon me. Well, maybe; that remains to be seen. I am considering, seriously considering, Hoisting the colors. Since I have been employed with that company for over a year, my unemployment is back on track. Part of me wants to ignore that fact and do what I must. It’s a pride thing I freely admit. There are those that will tell me to collect on the unemployment as it’s an entitlement I deserve, that I worked for. Sorry; no it isn’t. It is one more example of just how the liberal (Communist/Socialists) have infected this country. I could expand on that thought line but I leave it as a mental exercise to those that read it and go “huh?”

BUT, why not? Not because I “deserve” it, but because “TPTB” deserve it. Take the money and run, take the free education “Re-training” option to boot and use it for my benefit (and it will have little to do with retraining me for a new job)

There is a term for this mentality. One that goes back to the Pirate days and is in common use amongst the entertainment industry still: S.W.A.G. It stands for Stolen Without A Gun. Basically, take what you can with minimal risk to your skin and breathing. If the Fed/Local governments feel like making such Swag available to me, I think it may be high time to play pirate and help that slippery slope get just that much more slippery. May not be much in the total picture (a molecule in the damned bucket with that new Debt Ceiling they ‘approved’.) but every little bit of highway robbery gets us that much closer to where it all accumulates (the Cesspool).

So lets put aside that thought for a minute: there are other thoughts in my head that need expounded upon. Let us discuss the Presidente for a minute. I was thinking, when I heard that our credit rating had been downgraded, that the Presidente must have some “Mucho Grande Cajones” with being able to sleep with the fact that he has done something NO other president of this country has been able to do. Then I thought about it a bit more. Of course he can sleep at night, his plans are unfolding EXACTLY the way he wants. Maybe not exactly, he probably would prefer a much faster fall then we are actually experiencing, but the point is moot. THIS is exactly what he intended with that whole CHANGE crap he spoon-fed his minions and deluded voters back three years ago. The HOPE part of it was his idea for being able to pull the drapes over our eyes long enough to get away with it. Yeah, this rat bastard sleeps quite well. That gray hair on his head is from fighting tooth and nail with the other rat bastards on the hill. Not one of them is rational about what our future holds, they seem to think that this is some grand evolution to a better country in our time. Evolution is a funny thing. They will find that out personally I am sure. She isn’t something you can force into anything, and it always takes time: Lots of time.

No worries though: “on a long enough timeline, the survivability rate for everyone reaches zero”.(tyler durden)

The time line has been accelerated towards the fall of the Great Experiment. I know that Tom B. sent out a letter stating that he sees said fall sometime in 2012 (and denies any ties to the Mayan calendar in the same breath, as do I ) But I don’t see the fall being confined to any one year. What I see is going to take at least a decade. The bell curve is on its downslope and has been for 40 years. We are about to hit the bottom, but if you look closely at the right side of said bell curve, it never really bottoms out. It steadies and then levels off. Rather like a pilot pulling out of a controlled dive. In this case, there is not a pilot, not in any real sense: the recovery from actual disaster will be due to people in general, dropping the charade of dependency and starting to fend for themselves. We may be monkeys, but we are smart monkeys.(Wildflower, I haven’t quite figured out if you are monkey or alien.) We just don’t always show it. (and that keeps us coming back to this shit century after century)

Like any monkey, we focus on our own welfare over that of the group. That is where these Socialists fuck up. They seem to think that you can get rid of that basic instinct in some way. They have tried it in their breeding programs (Planned parenthood) only to reinforce it. They have tried it in the welfare programs, only to reinforce it (generational welfare families) They tried it with the Social Security Scam, again, only to reinforce it. They only real effect they have accomplished is to reinforce the Mentality that “someone OWES me” across the board. That mentality is the entitlement process at work and is how anyone that follows it ‘justifies’ theft from others. AND that is why we are where we are today.

Where do we go from here? Well, I haven’t a prognostication bone or anything so this is prolly the equivalent of a pantsload from a two year old. We know we are going down as a country. The road is full of holes and there is nowhere to turn around and the end of the road is actually starting to show through the fog. It ain’t pretty either. I am just going to state how I see things ‘progressing’ over the next 10 years.

Over the next 2 years. O'boy gets re-elected despite how much digging of a cesspool he has been doing. The opposition basically lets him have the race since they are so divided amongst themselves, they can't pull together enough electoral college rankings to get off the pot. (Go ahead and prove me wrong on this one, I would thank you for doing so.) That puts us into late 2012. Between this day and that, the name of the game will continue being "Decline". That will be our new norm. Each week will show further tumbles into the pit, people will continue going about the routines that they are programmed for until their program expires. Then they will just wander lost amongst the bureaus of local Governments, gobbling up the free goodies for awhile.

AFTER e swearing (in) of O'boy in January of '13, things will start to get a bit more interesting. Having no idea, nor any inkling of what kind of monsters will be inducted into the halls of CONgress, the only option I can come up with is that we will see further restrictions of permissions amongst the Mundano.(I refuse to say rights any longer as we have ZERO rights in this country as deemed by the founders. We gave them away and never realized it. Now we are only 'permitted' to do things and are all criminals just waiting to be sentenced, within the minds eye of the GOV. If you want proof, try to leave the country, you will figure it out real fast)

During the years 2013-2015 we will see a further splintering of the country along racial lines. I am not saying that we will see massive disruptions due to race, but I wouldn't rule it out either. There will be a continuation of 'Racial Drift' into or out of major metropolitan areas (direction being color coded BTW) This isn't a white or black thing either but a mental state. There will be those whites drifting into the 'black' areas just as there will be blacks drifting into the 'white' areas. It will really depend upon principles. We will splinter into large tribes of coalesced thoughts. We will also see further growth of the Latino population, both legit(by birth) and clandestine (by foot) This growth will center around areas predominated by Latinos now.

2015-2017: The splintering will become shards. SHARP shards and we will, WILL, see the riots and segregation of large blocks of land. Financially, this country will start to see the trouble noted in Greece and Britain lately. There will be those 'entitled' that fight tooth and nail to lay claim to further theft of the coffers. (I hope they can eat dust, that's all that will remain then.) Food riots are in order about this time too. Farmers won't be able to plant, or harvest if they could plant, the food needed by this country. No Golden Hoards, Yet! But to say that they won't happen is farting in the wind. Hoards are dependent upon several factors and usually started by rapid Destruction of some main System. Food sources are only one aspect of that equation though they are the motivator of the hoard once the ball is rolling.

Its during these two years that we will likely see a move for secession. No idea where the chisel will fall but fall it will. The only real question will be if the wedge gets seated and has enough drive to make the split. IF it doesn't, there will be another right behind the first and then things will really start to get interesting.

This is where my prognosticator gets really screwy. There are far too many points of contention at this juncture: Secession or not, Complete Federal GOvernmental control or not, Total financial meltdown or not. My only thought past this point is this: We ain't seen nothing yet. No matter what befalls this country into 2017, the next 4-10 years from then will be like making out with Lizzy Borden then inviting the entire Manson clan over for a beer with Freddy Kruger and Jason.

I do think that we will see instances similar to the Great Depression long before we ever see things really start to melt down. The fact that this country is on the ropes should not even be a matter of discussion any longer. It is, but that is beside the point. What we do from this day forward should be the only thing to discuss. The "leaders" in CONgress need to be removed but that will take much more doing than we are able to deal with at this point. Now our only goal should be to live through to the other side as best as possible for the rebuild; IF there ever is one.

Dio catches another spark!

2011-08-03T14:22:00.004-04:00

And that is the inspiration that struck me yesterday immediately following the bad news of the month. Non-Gratus, Free, Ready to pick up and throw in the back of the truck.

Add in the following and you have the makings of a drum forge.
This little tidbit is under negotiations right now. My uncle has had this in his basement for some time and I asked to borrow it. Found out when I did that it needed a massive tuneup. Years of neglect. Now, I am trying to talk him into selling it to me.(cheaply of course, I am a cheap rat bastard.) Here I am cutting the legs for the forge.
And here we are, all welded up, and pieces placed, ready for the blower to be attached. Cutting that disc was a breeze with the torch; damned good investment. All the metal I am using is either scrap that I have picked up along the way, or stuff that I purchased in bulk during some other project. Cost on this one, NADA. Other than my expendables like gases and welding wire, I haven't really spent squat on this project.(yet)

TADA! One drum forge ready for a liner of refractory cement and fire brick. I plan on using the firebrick to raise the sides up about 8 inches. I am thinking that I will be able to use this for my melts instead of digging a hole in the ground every time. The brick and cement will be the only things that I have had to go to a store to get for this little project. Everything else was on hand in some form. Still have plenty of gases left, about 7 pounds remain on my wirespool, and I still have 15' of 1 1/4" 1/8"wall- square tubing left. (and loads of 1/8" plate remaining. )
After I have the liner in place and dried, I will do a slow 'cookoff' to set the refractory. More pictures then. That should be interesting. Then I plan on finishing making that daggum tool that I have needed a forge to finish. High quality steel really needs a good heat that just isn't really all that easy to attain with just a torch. This should be just the ticket for that.

Back on the block and lookin smart,

2011-08-02T14:44:00.002-04:00

Well, maybe not lookin smart but feeling just fine. See, the "End of the World As I Know It" took place a couple of years ago. This is just a minor glitch in the already glitched up mess I see this world in.

Here is the deal. I have a job up until the 21st of this month. Standard hours, and standard pay. I will receive a severance pay in addition to any sick time or vacation time I have built up (and I have exercised neither so the build up is significant) Two more standard paychecks and a severance check and I am done. At least with that job I am. I have a couple of things lined up 'under the table' so I won't be hurting, the only real loss is the insurance. Since I haven't used that either, I am seriously thinking about calling HR in the morning and having it dropped completely for the last checks.(actually, I will, no need for it and it won't extend past the 21st anyway. The money in my check will be better used elsewhere)

C'est la Vie. Like I told my boss before I left the meeting: There is going to be about two weeks of "my 'give a damn' broke" and he gets to pick up the pieces in the interim. Not saying that I will act like that but there are a few others that I can see just that happening. I am sure that they are expecting that though. You don't cut loose several hundred people nationwide and expect everything to be hunky-dory. If you do, you are as delusional as the ass-cracks in the District of Criminals.(yes, this was a business wide decision, not just this region.)

Time to move on. Was hoping to string this out for at least another year. No loss really as It has allowed me to get my footing in place but I am not so in deep that I can't cut the roots I have set. Seeing how this is starting to become more and more "The New Normal", I am not setting my goals too high. And no matter what, I will survive this "TEOTWAWKI" and excel in the new one. I am a stubborn bastard like that; just ask my ex. LOL.

Who knows, I may get a newer job that allows me more net-time. Will see, I always do.

Leashed to a wall :-(

2011-08-01T12:43:00.002-04:00

Well, bit the bullet, dragged the charger along with me to the library so I could get my net fix. Using the phone is like slipping powdered sugar in the syringe for a junkie. Yeah, I am a Web junkie, but I have gotten better by not spending HOURS a day on it. I have throttled back to just a couple of hours a week.

The one downside of that being, lack of realtime information. I don't/won't use the mass media sources as the blatant lying has given me more nightmares than my ex-wife. I have to use Drudge Mobile for now to try and stay up on things. Works to some extent, but I also have to limit my file transfers to a set amount on the phone. (AT&T really gets outrageous with billing if you 'go over' even just a little.)

SO, without spending hours pouring over massive threads of information, I have very little to add to the fray at this point. Far too much information to absorb and process BEFORE I can give an decent opinion. BUT I can say that what I have seen, really boils down to "Stay of Execution". That kicking the can down the road that they have "accomplished" is just a further delay of the inevitable. It is really nothing more than giving the junkie a watered down shot of crank to keep him hobbling along for a bit longer. The look on Turbo-Timmy's face in the shot with Reid says far more, to me, than any MSM report about "doing the right thing".
(H/T to Concerned American for the pic, Link to post here.)
Yeah, that is the face of a power broker not getting his way," right now, the way I said to do it the first time; someone is gonna get put up against the wall if you assholes don't 'get on board" look.

I am sure that TT is getting that look quite a bit from O'boy and that O is getting that look (or at least the tone from the speaker phone) from Soros over the last 14 days. And of course Tearful Boehner had to play right into the shit with his stance (on jello).

Dammit, They can't do a damned thing right. Let this shit fail please! Yeah, its gonna hurt but you can't coddle the kids forever. They have to bust some knuckles, scrape some shins, get some stitches and end up in a cast at some point. If you surround them in protective padding, with rubber bumpers on everything, they will be far worse for wear when all of that protection 'goes away'.
Those 'kids' are the American populace, if you hadn't figured it out.

--------

Conversation with my sis while in the Armpit of the MidWest: We were discussing everything from the Economy to Boson Particles/quantum physics to home repairs. That list went wild and I stopped trying to track it after awhile. What did get brought up was my take on what a collapse could do FOR this country. I had to pick an industry to show how things would improve IF the the Gov went into default and how it would better others around it in said situation. There is one assumption that has to be made in this argument and it hinges on that one assumption but the case can be made for MANY industries along the way using the same premise.
Higher Education: If the funding/subsidies all failed due to the Government going broke, The higher education system would go through a 'cleaning house period'. Those Researchers and Professors that are living in tenure due to those subsidies would take the 'high road' as they would be forced to 'earn a living'. Colleges are businesses, just like every other business. They would be forced to compete in a marketplace that was just as beat up by the economy. Without the subsidies to keep them alive, they would have to drop costs, and in order to do that, they would have to lower salaries among the professors. Many would just say to hell with it and move into public sector research or leave the country all together. The REAL educators would stick, they would be willing to take the cuts so long as they were able to do what they loved. Granted, Everybody has a limit as to how deep you can cut before they hightail it to higher ground, but there are educators in this world that Teach because it is the higher calling that they chose.(IF the government would get out of the damned way, I would jump into those waters with a quickness. I actually enjoy teaching people, far more than I enjoy any other thing I have done in my life. And I like to do many things.)

I am sure you can reason out the rest of that cycle. And it would be cyclic. Better teachers + more freedom in teaching style= better students= better teachers= better citizens= more business proposals=better country growth etc etc etc.

Did you figure out what the assumption was?

No tyrannical government to replace the one we (desperately) need to lose.

yup, big 'what if?" eh? I know, a pipe-dream of sorts because there will ALWAYS be those that want power over others. Always. Just as there will always be those that are more comfortable as slaves than Freemen. I really think it boils down to aspiration. So few have aspirations to grow past semi-adulthood: those are the ones that are happy in the chains of servitude. The ones that don't mind someone stealing them blind of 35%(or more) of their labor. The other side of that are the ones that think being fair is every one sharing equally. They are the ones blinded to the power hungry that would happily feed mom to the wolves if it meant they could gain one more ounce of political power.

With that in mind, I am going to cut this short today. My battery should be in soon and then I will be able to lug the anchor around without the chain. Both are heavy but together they are a real pain the ass. Tomorrow is that meeting and I really have no idea what is coming down the pike. I will drag the anchor with me tomorrow so I can update all on the further trials and tribulations of a working stiff named Dio. (and just for peace of mind: I have other work already lined up that falls very neatly into my plans of 'getting off grid'. I am good no matter what happens tomorrow)

Patience

2011-07-30T14:44:00.002-04:00

I know, I know, Hard to follow that rule sometimes.

Short story, Lithium Ion Batteries SUCK!!!!!

Puter's down for a few days while I wait for the new battery to show. Will post more about my thoughts on batteries, the economy and how Li-Ion batteries make as much sense are our current 'leaders'. Back in a few days. Assuming that my luck holds, that is.

Oh, forgot, may be getting some "stimulus" at work. (you can read that as "downsizing" or so rumors have it right now.)Won't know for certain until Tuesday afternoon at our quarterly drivers meeting. Wish me luck.

Are you still carrying her?

2011-07-24T11:07:00.002-04:00

There were two Buddhist monks walking along a path towards a shrine; one a master the other a student. They came to swollen stream and met a beautiful woman traveling, unable to cross the stream. Without thinking about it, the master picked the woman up in his arms and carried her to the other side.
For miles they traveled, the student becoming more and more agitated as time went by.
Finally, he blurted out "I can't believe a great master of the art would break such modesty by touching a beautiful woman so casually."
To which the master replies " I set her down at the stream; Are you still carrying her?"

I had a visitor on my site yesterday. Not a new one but I believe this is the first time he actually commented. Either way. Peter, You're right; we have our differences, we are individuals, it can't be helped. The reason am posting directly instead of in my comments is I want everyone to see this. I don't know if you are what I have claimed in other posts and comments on other sites. I don't KNOW if you are playing "Jenkins" as an alter-ego or what not. I have had my reasons to believe so, but that is all water under the bridge and to be honest, I don't give a damn anymore. If you are, that's your business. If you aren't, My Apologies for the accusations. I am setting this down now and don't want it to go any further.

There is so much going on in the world and I see so many different manifestations of it happening in people all around me. As I posted yesterday, something is building. Because of that tension, I am trying to keep as much of my world on a neutral heading as possible. Gonna have to have the ability to roll with the wind when it blows. It also means, holding zero grudges. There will be a time and a place for grudges, now is not it.
When I first started blogging, there was a tension. NOW, there is quite a bit more and in more areas. It is not all political either. What ever is coming is going to happen just like the slipping of tectonic plates: Sudden with a huge, quick release of energy. That energy could be harnessed by the right people to do good, or ill. It really all depends upon how steadfast certain persons are when things are all going wrong. It also depends on those that are trying (and succeeding) to building that pressure. There is definitely the hand of man in this buildup. As they say, don't let a crisis go to waste. Sometimes, what is not said is more important that what IS said. They never mentioned WHAT crisis nor did they mention if they were trying to create one. Well, there is one coming and they will be ready for it, no matter how 'ineffective' they appear.

I will be in Cincy for a couple of days visiting the brood. I may post while there, or not, dunno. I need some granbehbie time to cheer me up. (and she is word spilling now so it should be noisy and fun. LOL)

Darker times ahead, and it ain't real light now.

2011-07-23T11:08:00.002-04:00

I had a post all typed out ready to post today. Upon re-read, I dropped it right into the round file. The reason why follows.

I am watching the blogs and seeing darkness invade so many people. Granted there isn't a whole lot we can look forward to at present, but I am seeing something much more, ,, insidious, taking place. It seems that everyone, worldwide, are starting to feel this dread, desperation, blue funk, what have you. It is starting to invade personal relationships, both local and distant. It is really starting to show that something MUCH bigger is in the works and while I have no idea "what" that something is; it is starting to show a very real presence. I don't believe it is entirely human in design either. I get the impression from wordings in conversations that this is something much more natural. (or spiritual, hard to separate the two sometimes. At least in my world it is.)

Clif High has made comment about these things. I have read the HPH reports and there are aspects I see in fruition, others, not so much. While I don't take these things as Gospel, any information, no matter how obscure or vague, is a plus when times are so in flux. (that whole think-tank rule, no idea left behind.) And right now, there is a lot of information in those reports that is starting to make sense as time goes by. Too much sense.

No more doom and gloom though. Not today. Just be aware that any 'conflicts' you may experience are probably reflections of the gloom that others are feeling. Slow down, think about it, talk about it, and definitely, don't take it personal until you know for fact that it was personal.

I wish I had more light-hearted writing today but things being as they are, I just ain't feelin it. Maybe tomorrow.

It's for the children.

2011-07-21T11:02:00.002-04:00

As most that read my crap will attest, I am an education advocate. Not that I agree or approve of our current public education system; I do push hard for self education and in the cases of lil'uns, homeschooling.

Here is just another example of WHY. (While I haven't personal experience in Memphis schools, my understanding is that its pretty bad when it does work. Seeing the current history of schooling standards, I haven't any doubt.)

It's all about the children, right?
NOT.

It's all about that almighty fucking dollar, and has been for a LONG time. Dewey, that Satan inspired socialist of the early 1900's had much to do with how perverted and corrupt our current scheme is. And Scheme it is. There is not one legitimate purpose of our current system other than indoctrination into a socialist society. Our testing scores in relation to some (supposed) "Third World" countries is atrocious. The fact that our current system was truly established to educate (just enough) future factory workers of the industrial revolution, indicates that the system was designed with political intent SPECIFICALLY. And you can see it in some of the early textbooks of that time. Where stated intent is to provide information for the technician, BUT NEVER THE FOUNDATION of said technology.

If you understand nothing but one key concept, then you haven't the foundations for rational thoughts, NO MATTER HOW INTELLIGENT YOU ARE. Our founders were NOT keyed and trained pigeons, they were quite educated in a variety of subjects. Not all were even formally educated at all except through church founded educations. The classic education of the time, The Trivium and the Quadrivium didn't make it so you would be able to be a carriage maker or cooper-smith, or even a blacksmith. Nope, but they gave you the foundation that you could LEARN those skills quickly, without having to have formal training OR CERTIFICATION.(another of my pet-peeves.) Those classic education techniques were what led to the likes of Issac Newton, Bernoulli, Tesla, etc. They gave you the foundations to understand the world around you, question it, figure out if your questions had merit, and come up with new orders if they didn't.

Does our education system do that? Or does it teach you to 'go along to get along' and 'don't question your betters(masters)'

Personally I say the latter. Good thing I had parents and grandparents that were better educated than that, that were able to instill in me a sense of curiosity and pessimism.

Now, this doesn't apply to private schools (in general) or Catholic schools. The first should be taken on a case by case basis. The latter still use the older techniques (even though I still don't abide the forced religion part of it. Different subject but relevant to this point)and still offer courses that others have long abandoned due to fashion. (Latin etch)
But those schools are not PUBLIC by any means. If my father had been Catholic, I am certain that I would have attended one. He wasn't and the point is moot. None of that fixes what we currently have.
(((((Just for fun: For a test of your knowledge, current and historical Read this. See if you catch the twists.
When you are done, read this and see what you missed. Won't lie, I missed a good share.))))))

And yet again, I find myself saying the same damned thing. Let the shit fail so we can rebuild. It is too big to kill, it has to devour itself or become consumed by its own poison.
That applies to our education system (a part of the next one) Our Governments (State all the way up to Federal) Our economy, and in some ways, our pride.

Yes, I said 'our pride'. Our pride is what lead us here, and our pride is what holds us here. IN MY OPINION. Until we fess up, AS A NATION, that we are fucked into a stalemate of stupidity, we are never going to be able to move forward. This country needs to re-find its backbone and start using that and not some inflated pride that is based upon history only. Yes, history is important but if you can't back up that history with solid flesh in the present, you are just another history lesson on the books. (and part of me feels that is all this country is now, just like Rome and Persia and the Ottoman Empire. History lessons)

extension of yesterdays post.

2011-07-20T10:27:00.002-04:00

Once again, the socialist hacks of the great depression and beyond had a good hand in the indoctrination of those that I live near and among. My commentary from yesterday was induced by a growing feeling of angst that is taking place among the dependent class. (I can't look at them as anything else) They KNOW that something isn't right in the world (maybe it was the 2 years worth of NO COLA in the 'pension', Dunnofushure.) Throw in O'boy saying "not sure we will be able to send out the August 3rd checks" and you have a recipe for "TAX THE RICH!" from the Dependent Party.(to cover ALL of the parties). (8.13.11? We wonder, No?) THAT is what spurred my reaction yesterday. All overheard while sipping on my coffee and trying not to spew. It took an intense act of will power to not strangle one of the louder mouths.

O'boy isn't stupid, not by any measure or metric use to determine such things. Nope, this guy is smart: TOO smart in some ways. Deluded for certain, but not even slightly stupid.(and I say deluded simply due to the fact that he is convinced Socialism is a good thing) Oh no, This guy is slick like greased pigs in a mud pit. Try and catch him at the game and the media will scowl and try to paint you as some child-molesting, satan loving, Fearmongering hate machine.

The tipping point is past, now its just that slippery slope of no return. And it would seem that O' just keeps throwing more oil on said slope, to give us a little more momentum.

Why lie, I am to the point of cheering him on at this point. I can't see any other solution than for the whole mess to break. None. Granted, if O has his way about it, we are all going to be fighting for our lives and property, but the alternatives are not much better and more often worse.

All you have to do anymore is read the headlines to get a feel for where we are as a nation. The theft rates rising and theft of highly risky materials at that. The media won't paint ANY picture of the homeless situation but call around the local governments and you WILL find out just how bad it is getting. Jobless rates are just flat sickening for a country that WAS "the Manufacturing Mogul" following WWII. Then try and find one area that hasn't sent at least 50% of its product manufacture overseas. You won't find it. Not unless its something simple like the Weber Grill(tm). Even John Deere gets a lot of their electronic components from overseas.

Nope, not one bit concerned about those that are 'gonna go hungry' next month if the checks don't roll out.

But they will roll out.

There is no doubt in my mind. They may be a couple of days late, but roll they will. Right along with those printing presses. Right along with the raise that congress will give itself 'for averting a national disaster'.

Why? Because no matter how well the system has been manipulated, TPTB are not yet ready to grab the brass ring. They are getting close: closer every day. But they are not there yet; and they know it. They most definitely are not ready for a massive upheaval of pissed of dependents howling in rage about bribe money. That would be a catalyst to a genie they really couldn't put back in the bottle.

But while O and his minions play with the Mercury Fulminate, I continue pounding sand, packing earth, setting posts, and tilling crap soil with good soil, in preparation for when there is not 'a city up the road with what we don't have local'. I can't stop what is coming, and I sure as hell can't educate those around me to what is right in their damned faces. Denial is a hard wall for a teacher/doctor to beat through. I refuse to try now. They won't learn until its too late, then when they come for what I have worked so hard to accomplish "because its only fair", well, Me and the legacy of John Moses Browning will have a different lesson to teach.

Just sick of ignorance

2011-07-19T18:44:00.003-04:00

I haven't had much to say lately due to the levels of idiocy that abound around me. I have been reading the blogs of those that 'get it' more for a sanity standard than for insight.
It really amazes me how few people understand eventhe vaguest portion of our economy. Few realize just how much a trillion anything is. Even fewer realize just how far down the rabbit hole this country has fallen.

It exasperates me beyond words.

All I can say about it is: "Let the fuckin mess fail, please.". I feel for you if you are dependent upon public assistance, I really do; but I wont shed a tear for your delimma when it all falls apart. The information is there IF you are willing to look for it. Lack of planning on your part is not my fault and I will refuse to assist your demise through extensions to your further dependence. If you desire further travesities in the media, call your rep and plead for more money. It will only bring about the fall that much faster.

Will have more to say later when I have a real keyboard, not the touch screen on thos damned phone.

Noise, chips, and a hole

2011-07-15T10:42:00.003-04:00

Nothing to add to the fray of distraction called "debt ceiling" other than the fact that Timmy G-boy will get his new credit card, The Critters on the hill will then vote themselves another raise, and of course that check that Grandma gets will only by 2 loaves of bread instead of three like last month, , , ,

Yeah, not much to add to that.

SO to lighten the mood, hot flying metal for y'all to enjoy.

Here is the first pass on the block. I have only cut .005" and you can see that I don't have much more to bring the surface to true. WOOT!, I did good. LOL

And here, after about 2 hours of meticulous and tedious 'back n forth' with the traversing screw, I have a hole bored out to 1.850". (I don't have a powered TS on my lathe, all hand crank.) To say my boring bar is a little peeved at me would be an understatement. (its not meant for holes of this size and chirped a squawked the whole time. )

Still a lot to go and as I mentioned yesterday, several more pieces to cast. (and patterns to make for said casting. All of which hinged upon my getting this far.)

Moving forward, which is far better than I can say about other things. Best to let that lie for now. Far to close to a blow up if I dwell on it right now.(guess I do still care some, eh?)

WHOA! Double post day.

2011-07-14T11:12:00.002-04:00

One good and one, well, I will let you make your own mind on its status.

Was listening to C2C again on the morning drive. New (to me) Speaker on the 'American Economy'.

Nothing new to report. Same old shit, different day.

Then it hit me.

I just don't give a rats ass about what that psychotic bunch of theives does anylonger.

See, The country I was raised to 'Pledge Allegiance' to, is no longer. It may not be dead, but it has been castrated and lobotomized into some drugged shambling resemblance of its old self. Now it just sits on the couch in the east wing of the psych ward, drooling on its overgrown belly watching "Americas got Talent" and "Dancin' with the Stars".

It is almost like watching a family member with terminal disease and brain issues fade away. There are days where you (guiltily) wish they would just pass on so that everyone could just get on with their lives and the patient could be at peace.

And speaking of "talent". I know that show business is really hard work. That schmooze they show on the bubblevision is NOT talent. That is just one more manifestation of the above monster sitting on the couch.

How can I care when I see the ripple effect of that crap percolating throughout the general populace?

You want talent? Find a skill you enjoy, study it, learn it, live it. And even then you aren't guaranteed success. That takes dedication that few have. All you have to do is look at how many guitars Gibson or Fender sells a year and then look at all the Real Guitarists that actually make a living playing. You can probably name most of them off the top of your head, that list is that small.(in ratio to be specific.)

But that doesn't apply to the U.S. citizens, Does it? Nope, they can just audition for some sleazy crap-ass show and make a mint just by being willing to get up and show how fucked they really are.

Anywhoo, As I was sayin, I am at that point of wanting the patient to 'move on' so that we can get on with the rest of the history. I know that its going to be hard on a HUGE majority of people. Oh well. We have had it WAY too soft for far too long. There was a time where this country was known for hard charging people of character. Not so much anylonger. Hopefully the crucible of collapse will boil off the dross and what will be left will be a shining example of "Ameri-CAN"

If we don't fall into complete civilwar and tribal 'redistricting'.

Ok, I am done for the day. Have at comments, Looking forward to reading what ya'll have to say.

Lucifers Furnace in Satans Sauna.

2011-07-13T20:28:00.002-04:00

Had a hella day yesterday. Didn't start off that fast but by the time the sun was rolling over the horizon, I was beat.

Helped out cutting down some lightening struck trees, did some yard work, cooked lunch, ran to 'The bigger city' up the road to hit some stores for stuff we don't have local,

Then,

THIS.

First up, I was working on this yesterday and the idea I started with, while sound on paper, failed completely due to humidity issues. Those that have worked with wood will know well, just how quickly thin wood can warp under high humidity conditions. (especially when you are cutting intricate shapes crossgrain.)

This pick shows how bad that warp is. It looked great for about 3 hours then started that silly creep thing. Even under clamps, the center hole started showing distortion from circular to ellipsoid.

SO, Back to the saws and a different idea today. I also decided to hell with that hole in the middle as it makes for a more complicated mold. That's why I have a 3-1 machine, right? To make those kinds of holes in things (among other kinds of changes in structure.)
Here are the patterns in progress. The triangular shaped one gets the hole filled with bondo a little bit after this pick was taken. (Seeing how I am alone while doing these things, I get into a groove and all thoughts of camera go out the window. I am trying to get a recorded history here; I slip though.)

Here are the finished patterns. I did something a bit different this time around. (inspired by a product seen on a shelf somewhere) I did all the usual things, Clean up rough spots, bondo holes, sand smooth as a babies butt, and primer with filler primer. I went one step further though. The last coat of primer went on after I was satisfied that there would be nothing to hang in the mold. BEFORE it dried, I dropped it in my box of Plumbago parting dust which is 95% raw graphite. I use the parting dust liberally as it is, but thinking that a graphite coating that wouldn't 'rub off' would do even better. (results later in the article.)}

Time to pound sand!

(in my world, that ain't a bad thing, LOL)

I could show you the process of packing a mold, removing cores and patterns, setting the cope and drag, etc etc etc. It's really kind of boring until you go to pull the patterns out but that means My attention is 100% on doing it right; Pictures are really not a thing on my mind.

So, things went well with pounding sand, time to invite Lucifer into the game. As you all know doubt know, there's a heat wave going on. Call me crazy but when the mold came out as nice as it did, thanks in no small part to that new technique I used; hell, I was inspired to melt metal. Un-Godly heat index or no. (rain would have stopped me though)

And Lucifer did well. I had 12 pounds melted in less than 45 minutes, ready to flux and pour.

I did get a bit sloppy and there was a spill and a small fire on the flask. No big deal. I am still getting used to using the large tongs to handle that crucible. You don't improve by sitting idle doing nothing. And this is a risky hobby at its best (and deadly at its worst) No burns on me and I didn't burn down any buildings; Guess thats all that matters right?
The moment of truth.

Looks good, still hot enough to be smoking.

The end result in front of the new patterns.

And here, I am hand working the two parts to match each other.(that is an old table saw plate, covered with plate glass and bondo, and I use a spray adhesive to hold the sandpaper in place. Cheap and highly effective for achieving a truly flat surface)You can see that even with great castings, there are still imperfections to deal with. Still, I am absolutely stoked on this pour. This is quite literally the best casting that I have done EVER! When I go to face off the crankcase, I won't have to take more than .010" . Thats HUGE to me.

Now, I have to make the cylinders, the crankcase faces, the heat exchanger, and the mounts to attach it to some piece of wood I conjure up. (walnut looks good with aluminum and brass) And of course, machine and hand fit all the parts AND make it work. Thinking I will add a pulley and and a 'dynamo' and light just for grins. (just like I were in school doing a science fair or sumpin. LOL)

Takin a break

2011-07-10T21:46:00.002-04:00

That is something that we all need now and again. Funny how certain personality types find "takin' a break" in work. Not work you neccesarily get paid for (not monetarily anyway, though sometimes it works out that way) But in good, honest skull and bone sweat.

Craig managed to get invited out on the water to 'work'. (and you can read the smiles in his post about it.)

Me, Been making chips on the lathe and crunching numbers for my Stirling engine. Won't lie about it, I am cheating some this go-round. I found a couple of old "green machine" weed whackers and since they were junk, disassembled them for spare parts. In this case, a press fit crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons (with RINGS! Woot!) along with bearings and seals. (of course this means my original plans will need modified just a bit. Scrapped more like it. NO plan ever survives the first engagement.)
I might have been able to restore them, but honestly, the company is defunct and finding parts would have meant tracking down more broken ones. Naw; time to play. Side note, I also managed to get another 8 pounds of good solid cast aluminum for my stocks. Those particular machines were made damned beefy. These units weren't worn out in anyway. Just plugged up with Mud-dauber nests.(which is abrasive and really gets shit screwed up in carbs and the like.)

This newer design will be smaller since the pistons are nearly half an inch smaller in diameter. Since this is just an experiment with a design, scaling down is not an issue. It does mean that all of my past calculations are shit though. Oh well, I am not going back to re-work all of that. I will only do enough to figure the sizes needed for the tube works and the exchanger but that one is easy as it is just a ratio issue. Still, lots of modeling to work on, have a simple design for the crankcase laid out and now have to do the woodwork. Going to try and do it in 2 pairs of castings. Mirror images of each other I guess you could say. That will make final fitting so much easier (and if I ever get offered cash to build one, I will have the basics to make it faster second time)

It has been really nice to be able to look at the headlines on the Drudge and not get irate; just shrug it off as there isn't a damned thing I can do about it.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with those 3/8" cable drives from the shafts. Hate to pitch good steel like that.

(By the way, My next post is my 500th. Gonna have to do something special for that post. Never thought I would get past 200. Didn't think I had that much to say. LOL,)

What a world.

2011-07-09T10:49:00.002-04:00

I find the silence of the people in this country just a bit disturbing. The antics or our President; the Twitter soft "town hall", his use of AF1 for his current campaign (granted all of em are guilty of this one). The antics or our Quite Liberal Government (on both sides of the aisle), The abandonment by the churches (both Bill and Ann cover this one this week.)

Hell, even this little tidbit got my goat this morning.(that in reference to my last post)

And yet, other than a few bloggers, NOTHING. Not a peep. I am sitting here at a fast food joint stealing WiFi listening to the jabberjaws on FOX chattering up, with much enthusiasm, the crap about the 'food police' and how the Gov wants to cut funding to them. (Good say I, but I am just a little shit in a big toilet bowl.) Yet, again, Nothing about what is really going on. The directions that are being herded along with no chance for course correction. How can a change be made when the problems are blatantly avoided by those that MIGHT be able to make a difference? It can't. Plain and simple. The fact that these events are being manipulated and ignored selectively, is proof positive that there is driving force behind it and that it is towards a given end. There is one aspect that I think those responsible fail to see. That is the simple fact that Humans are individuals first and while you can herd them along for some time, eventually some are going to see the cliff and your stampede will shift course against your designs.

I know a few are seeing the cliff. Many are seeing that the grass is giving away to rocky ground but they haven't looked far enough forward yet to see said cliff. Then you have all of the followers that only see the ass of Lady Gaga and nothing else. No cliff, no rocks, everything is good, follow the herd.

And on that note, A little trip back to the 80's for ya.

Enjoy. (and this is how I wish we could deal with stupidity some-days.)

(and for those that aren't familiar with Gwar, Art students with a really sick sense of humor. Good people though. )

when

2011-07-07T12:31:00.002-04:00

It isn't a matter of if, it hasn't been for a long time. There are people that have prognosticated our future from several different standpoints over the years. Some of these go back into the late 1800's and for everyone of them, there is an ounce of truth in what is now being played out. From Orwell, to Heinlein, etc etc Ad Nauseam, It is all coming to fruition.

I have little to add and I truly am not the wordsmith of those greats, not even a molecule of their ability. My skills lie in making things you can touch and manipulate, not words or thoughts.

Having read the book, Civil War 2, I am seeing more and more of the actual game plan as it was laid out for TPTB generations ago. To think that all of this is about one mans agenda is a fools errand. Yes O'boy has an agenda, but his agenda would be for naught if it weren't for the generations of communists and socialists that infiltrated out system prior to his "comeuppance". Heck, if it hadn't been for those generations prior, O'boy would never have made it to where he is now. While I don't know the details of his life, and many don't since so many of his records are completely sealed, I can only speculate that his handlers have been doing a lot of work to ease him through the system up to this point. BUT He is only one man, and there is much more work that is in order for the 'End Game'.

But not near as much as you would think. If you have not read the book mentioned earlier. Please do so. I don't ask you to agree with it, I don't even ask you to like it. BUT think about it what the implications are on the premise that, MAYBE, this guy is right. Think about how the game of PC thought is laid out and how it has affected your NATURAL reactions to events. Don't look at what you did: look at the hesitation you had because of an unnatural training cycle in place. Think about that 'reaction' held over 100 million other Americans when things 'break'. Think long and hard about it. Then look around and see what potential breaks exist in your area.
I know that there are some that haven't the means to uproot given they are in a bad location come Civil Strife. With the economy doing its little death dance, The IMF holding the notes, and Our "Representatives" failing basic first level economics: Being able to do much of anything can be a gut-wrenching experience.

I have stated that there is trouble brewing. Fact is, those that don't see it, won't see it until its in their face. IF they live through that, they will start looking for those to blame. Like any junkie in need of a fix, loyalties rarely are deep enough to protect those close to the junkie. Our nation is a country of junkies. Either addicted to drugs or technology,(or money) matters not. When that net is no longer there, the addiction will surge into a frenzy feeding on those close at hand.

"May you live in interesting times"

The Chinese cursed us well. Very well indeed. BUT, we are the ones to blame for allowing it. Us and all of the generations that came before that closed their eyes in shallow comfort "because our leaders watch the gate".
Well the gate is now closed but the beast owns the yard. We can only watch as th events unfold now. They are unfolding as I write this, and soon, very soon, it will be a Black/White/Brown question. There will be grey only where the lines are drawn and that will only be due to the fog of war.

I hate people some days.

2011-07-02T19:49:00.002-04:00

Last night, before I had to head to bed for work today; My Dad and I rescued three young kittens that had been dropped off on our backwater track of road. These poor things were barely weaned when said asshole dropped them off in the middle of nowhere to 'fend for themselves'.

Now that is bad enough to get my ire up. It happens frequently enough around here that My Dad is a well known face at the shelter. Dogs, cats, matters not, if they can't feed it or whatever, they tend to end up way back here. I guess they figure that no one will care if the animal dies alone in the woods.

BUT, what made this bad was the shape of one of the kittens. This little guy had an abscess on his right shoulder. I have spent part of the afternoon in an attempt to 'doctor' him up. Lost cause. He isn't dead yet but its just a matter of time. The leg is already a lost cause. No blood flow to the pads on his paw, the leakage from the open abscess shows muscle AND bone clear down to the rib cage. This thing has been festering for at least 2 weeks. The poor thing wants to be a kitten with his siblings but just hasn't the energy to get off the towel I laid him on.

The best thing I could do for him at this point is to dope him up. Childrens tylenol straight down the gut. I mixed in some e-mycin but I don't expect him to make it through the night. We can't take them to the shelter till Tuesday, and keeping them is out of the question. Besides, its not like we chose to get anymore cats, we are just trying to keep them from dying horrible deaths on the road. IF this little guy makes a recovery, he will have to have that leg amputated. I figure that the shelter will euthanize him anyway since they just don't have the budget to help hardcases like this. My only hope for him is a sleeping death.

I would do the deed but when it comes to baby anythings, I am a big softy. I can shoot a deer but not a fawn. I can shoot a dog or horse beyond help but not a pup or foal. Just can't do it. (and you can call me a pussy for it all you want. Its just not in my nature.) I can make the crossover as easy as I can but I can't pull that trigger on a baby anything(not even a baby snake).

But people; I hate 'em. The bastards that are cowardly enough to just leave a baby to die of starvation need to be shot, repeatedly, with malice and bad aim, and in small calibers without 'passthrough'. Then they should be left on the side of some lone country road without food or water 'to fend for themselves'.
@!@$$(&&&%!!!!!! Grrr. It makes me angry beyond words.

Just my thoughts on how some judgements should be passed on. (eye for an eye kind of thing.)

Ok, rant over, back to 'vet status' for a while.

Lots got me thinking today.

2011-07-01T14:26:00.003-04:00

Maybe its time for me to get off the keyboard and go beat up the rest of a stable. Well, I guess that can wait until I have a day off and time to kill. Better that on those days when I would otherwise sit and stew over stuff like I have been hearing and thinking about all day.

Where to start? Since I am going off the cuff here, with no notes or links or anything, I guess just hitting the accelerator and letting the wheels spin might be a good start.

Coast to Coast. Sometimes Tinfoil hat stuff, sometimes Ghostesesses and creepy crawlies, sometimes very relevant stuff to the days events. Today was one of the latter. A lady was on with George talking about the economy. She had lots of relevant information, not one bit was conspiracy stuff, just hard nosed facts and her take on how things MAY (and she stressed that part) will fall out over the next decade or so. One point of contention she mentioned was the mess with the IMF head swap going on now. (and remember I mentioned that the 'pervert' had probably been set up? well it looks like the trial against him is falling apart. Witness testimony is crumbling under scrutiny. Girl may have been a patsy after all. The fact that it has dragged out this long shows it did what the PTB needed done and now can move on.) Well, her take on it was that the new head is now a puppet to the Banking Cartels and of course those cartels want to keep up business as usual for as long as possible. What better way to squeeze as much profit out of the turnip? She also mentioned that there is a general wave of control going on that once highlighted is obvious but being hidden in the light makes people think otherwise. That is the fact that Corporations are, and have been, setting public policy in the Government for years. This is growing at an exponential rate though. Of course, the Corporates are in control of the banks, the Media, and pretty much everything down to the food you eat and the toilet paper you wipe your ass with, so of course, people would NOT think these same corporations would drive policy to the negative. Of course not. ' That's unfair!' But what better way to control your competition? Regulate them into compliance or out of business. (sounds just like Starving the Monkeys strategy no?) What better way to control your Resource of labor? What better way to make sure you have the room to maneuver than to 'Own' a politician or 5 (or more)

So, my thoughts were kicked off on that plane for at least the first hour. Then I got to thinking about a book I have, that tends to be rather dogged eared from all the times I have picked it up to use as a crystal ball of the future. That book is 'Friday' by RA Heinlein. If you have never read it, you may want to, just to get a taste of a possible future on this planet. I am not saying that it will happen, just that it might. One aspect of that book that always hits home is how the Corporates took over ALL governments on the world. Wars still happened but they tended to be a bit more obscure than the ones we have now. As RAH put it, "How do you Nuke IBM? Do you know where its headquarters really are? Do you know that they aren't set up with fail safes in every country around the world? " Think about that. Lets say Monsanto 'controls' Mexico. And (for giggles) Google 'controls' the U.S. and Canada. Well, Monsanto wants to change the aspects of the U.S. food market and of course Google has an issue with that. How do the corporations settle it out? Nuke France and call it a draw. or some similar stupidity. Just showing force instead of actually trying to work with one another may be the new corporate norm in the future. Or not. Again, that's just a piece of speculative fiction. (though he did nail the idea for webcrawlers/search engines in it. Go read. You might be surprised)

But then I read a piece on the possibility of future civil war in this country. The author put his book out in 98 and re printed it 2006. (the original links are at WRSA) This falls DIRECTLY in line with what others have been saying about tribes and the fracturing of this country. There were a couple of points that I had to take a face value since I couldn't refute what he was saying nor could I confirm it.(low band width BLOWS) But even with those points, his argument is kinda disturbing.

All of this going hand in hand, well, my thoughts are really gelling up on what is growing more and more possible everyday. And the sad part of it is, IT IS ALL BY DESIGN with NO thoughts given to those that will die or suffer due to these things(other than wanting them to die). To think that EVERY strife issue is coordinated by some jack ass with an agenda of power, EVERY SINGLE ONE, really shows me, just how far this world has fallen from that Glorious re-Awakening called the Renaissance. We are on the verge of another Dark Ages and its guys like us (all 10 of my followers lol) that will hold the fort of knowledge as best we can. The Monasteries are pretty much gone the way of the dinosaurs (there are a few but they are really far and few between unlike those during the European dark ages)

Well, no matter how it falls out, I know that there are more than a few of us out here in Reality that see the possibles, are flexible enough given enough motivation (and we will have plenty) that there will be a rebirth (though not in our lifetimes, of that I am fairly certain.)
But there is that other possible outcome of it never coming to fruition and things just continually declining into further and further hellish versions until there is an evolution of a sorts and the human race divides into two separate species. (ok, I have officially reached beyond my cuffs and hit 'way out there'.) (and my punctuation went to shit. LOL) I think its time to put up the keyboard for the night and go bash a building to splinters (usable ones though)

Community and PT, what a blessing.

2011-06-30T10:52:00.003-04:00

LOL Some title eh? It will make sense when you finish this.

Lets start with the PT part. I know many of us are in need of 'getting in shape' in some form or another. Running walking etc, doesn't matter so long as we are able to get a bit further than our original couch butts are/were capable.
The following picture is MY version of a work out. That bar goes by many names: some call it a spud bar, others a tank bar, whatever. Fact is, Its fuckin heavy. Only 50 pounds but when its hot, and you are using it to smash things apart, that 50 turns into 500 pretty damned quick when you are using it over your head. Especially if you are out of shape.(which I am not)

NOW, community. The below pics represent what happens when a community comes together and manages to keep the monetary squeeze out of things. This old horse stable has been sitting here for years. The last horse that resided here passed on about 6 years ago. The house that sits on the property had been abandoned for 3 and it burned last week. The bank wanted the property cleared off or something. Well, the stable didn't burn. The wood here is mostly Oak and poplar but is all good for the most part. There is some rot at the ends near ground but not really all that bad. All of it is rough cut from local trees sometime in the last 50 years (I know the son of the guy that built it and the son is my dads age.)
Well, As you can see, I am knocking this thing apart to salvage the wood. Don't really know its future destination yet but that is not the point. This mess was pointed out to me by a neighbor that knows that I am building on the cheap and told me about it. The fact that it is on abandoned property doesn't bother me in the least. Maybe it can be considered theft but after several years of neglect, I figure the original owners AND the bank have no desire to actually take any ownership of it. Free wood.

Here is the clean up process including removal of nails and cutting off the rot. Yeah, thats a sawzall on the gate. I am running it off an inverter powered by the truck. Cheating? So what. Thats why we have technology. I am still using hand tools (like that monster bar earlier) in the destruction side.

And here is the end result of one afternoons efforts. I didn't measure it out so I have no clue how many board feet I ended up with. I will be back after a couple of days to recover some more (days off that is. Gotta actually earn a living right now.)

As for how this all ties into community is that people around here actually look out for the people that are decent. It doesn't take long to figure out who the scammers and losers are. When a small community numbers in only a few hundred, there are rarely Secrets. It can be annoying but there are more times when it is a blessing. We are spread out but still close enough that if someone has an issue you can usually holler for help. (or start shooting, that always get attention)

Well, time to get back to earning that paycheck. Talk to you all laters.

previously written but unposted

2011-06-29T08:37:00.003-04:00

Overheard on the porch.

There are days where I find myself surprised in the simplest ways. Today was one of those days. Sitting on the porch watching the mountains eat the sun, I was pondering which direction my next couple of days should be focused on. Suddenly, my dad states "what this world needs is a massive die off. About 95% or so."

Flat footed I am! Yes, I agree that a die off in one form or another would do Mama Terra massive amounts of good. It would lessen if not outright end much of the troubles the world population suffers through. 95% might be on the high side IMO but even so, it has potential for a lot of good.(unless you are in that percentile of dead of course)

ANd yes, its a HARSH statement. Truth usually tends to be rather harsh.

But to hear this from my dad really stopped my thought train. Derailed it actually as I haven't a clue what my thoughts were at that point now.

This I do know. 95% die off would be cataclysmic. Not only would it make one hell of a logistic/health issue, it would also lead to a further die off of the remaining 5% due to emotional issues. Of course that thought is debatable, hell the whole premise is nothing but a debatable point.

BUT, Are we on the verge of a massive die off?

Look deep into Monsanto. Really study up on GMO's and Roundup(tm) and just how the AG business has been railroaded into this mess.

Look DEEP into the Food laws that have been shuttled through our Government over the last 30 years (with increasing frequency).

Look at what Soros has been up to the last few months.

Look at how Bees, simple but highly effective lifeforms, are dying off. Find a list of some of the reasons. (hint: some of them are due to the first objective)

Look at how few people KNOW what is edible outside of a supermarket or fastfood joint. (yuppers, us cro-mags that like to cook with FIRE are gonna be the shit when it hits the fan.)

Look at how few people know how to actually cook, properly, when they don't have a computer controlled oven/stove or microwave oven (or even electricity).

Look at how small a percentage of this population knows how to hunt on even a mediocre scale (and lets not even go into how many know how to butcher out the meat without completely ruining it.)

Other than that garden of storebought (and questionable lineage) seeds, how many have stocked up on the basics? How many have plans to do so? How many even know how to plant a garden let alone successfully plant and maintain one?

Then look at how fuel is being manipulated on a world wide basis by TPTB and try and figure out WHY it is being manipulated and fought over. No conspiracies here, just honest figures that the media suppresses by ignoring the connections. Look closely at how 'cheap fuel' has lead to a revolution of growth that is not sustainable if said fuel becomes scarce.

On a side note, look at how WATER is being hoarded by countries. Water covers most of this planet but there is only so much that is actually able to be used by people, the rest is salinic or poisoned (see first objective and the petroleum industry;just to name a couple)

Things aren't looking good. At least for the majority of people on this planet. Is this going to happen soon. In some eyes, NOT SOON ENOUGH. In others, too soon for comfort.

How does this effect those with our eyes open? Simple. If you are solo, you are going to die.

If you aren't solo, you are probably going to die.

If you are in tribe/group/community etc You may die.
IF you are ready to do what needs to be done, even to the point of defending your efforts from the most pathetic of sad eyes, you MIGHT live. (and I have little doubt as to where I stand in this. I am working on getting into the right position.)

When is all of this going to happen. 2012 is too soon IMO. But then again, as I have said, my desires and reality rarely have a common ground. It may start that soon. Those little gardens I have mentioned in the past, will probably be plowed under in ignorance by some .GOV employee; leaving a small group to die of starvation. At best, it may be confiscated to be 'redistributed', again, leaving a small group to die (so that some lazy couch potato can live another week)

Doom and Gloom? Yup, more than a little. But reality is going to be playing hard and fast with the rules soon. The PTB are seeing to it. The unintended consequences of thier actions are going to trickle down slowly at first to become a torrent of sewage fairly quickly.

I feel for you if you don't see it coming, but not enough feeling to warrant suffering for your lack of planning. Just remember the rule "Lack of planning on your part DOES NOT constitute an emergency on my part." And there is going to have to be more of that hardnosed attitudes to get us through the next decade or two. Cruel? Yeah, but better than the alternatives in my opinion.

a boon

2011-06-27T14:57:00.004-04:00

Being netless the last couple of days has allowed my mind to twist and turn upon itself. This is actually a good thing. My little world needed the break too.

To that end, I have spent the morning doing a little catching up. Seems that we have hit that 'stability' that was mentioned recently in various predictive sites. Not much going on, and while that may or may not be a good thing in general; to me it means that the beast is flexing its coils for the next round. This party is long from over and each new round will grow progressively more sick and twisted.

Bill mentioned the other day about DHS rolling some rather interesting vehicles around the country.
I cover quite a bit of area in my runs but only one of importance when it comes to this 'topic'. I haven't seen DHS vehicles but I have seen the TSA tractor trailers that are mobile screening booths to include the full body scanners. This is only part of the story. Here is the other part.(broken link though dont understand why or how. Curiouser and curiouser methinks)
Thanks for the headsup from Craig and Shy Wolf. Worked just fine on original posting but went shitty pretty quick.
Like I said, This party isn't over by a long shot.

I have also stated that I don't believe we will see Civil "war" in this country again. How can we when the government has been at war with its civilians since the mid 70's. A war within a war? Maybe, but the way I see it, each time someone one either side dies, its just one more, Highly localized battle. There will never be the "facing across the fields, honorably displaying strength against the King" type of battles, EVER. This war will always be about small group tactics, and propaganda. The PTB don't want an all out fight as that would dissolve far too much of the artificial power they hide behind. They like the fact that there are so many cop shows on the tube providing the needed anesthetic for numbing the masses to just how horrible the real issue is. Tom B. put it well with building up our reserves by finding those that have been abused by the system and fostering them into reality. There has to be quite a bit of vetting going on here as there are some that are afoul of the machine that have every legit reason for being so.
There are also a lot of tools of the machine out there too. Be careful.

But, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty either. This mess isn't going away by nitpicking around the ick.

And it isn't going to happen tomorrow. There is a lot of give in the minds of those that don't understand just how far down the rabbit hole we have fallen. There are many that just DO NOT care one iota what befalls this country as they don't understand it anymore than TPTB like it. We, the ones that do, and see, are far and few between. There are inroads to make us so inconsequential to be nearly non-existent.

I don't need to go into anymore about it. My question is, when it fails, who rebuilds? Will it be us, the ones that have been aware and unable to stop the madness? Or will it be the likes of Soros? Or the PRC?

You know where My desire lays, but what I want and reality tend to be mutually exclusive on a regular basis.

Wuz da net? Ahdungitdat!

2011-06-24T10:32:00.004-04:00

As you have no doubt noticed, my posting has been pretty light as of late.

Not that I haven't anything to say, really, hell, I have written posts that sounded damned good at the time. The problem is in the provider in my area having issues with the local net. With all of these storms that are creating problems elsewhere in the country in the form of flooding, when they could be used in other parts where there is too little rain; we keep getting washed out. In this case, our local net provider's building was completely washed up and our connections are sporadic at best. I am posting from a McD's 100 miles from home while at work. Not exactly a habit I want to promote very much (the greasy spoon, not the skipping work part)

Oh well. All of those "killer posts" look rather lame after the fact so This is What I Give You today.

RIP brother. There are those that remember and miss you. (and I can't believe I missed that. Thanks Tom for calling me and letting me know.)
,

Sometimes ya gotta turn your back.

2011-06-21T14:26:00.003-04:00

There are people in this world that, no matter how much the truth is placed before them, they just won't see it. Try as you might, the walls of indoctrination won't allow them to see that the world IS NOT what they were taught.

I should know, I was one in the not to distant past. Even though I was raked over the coals by my command and given a discharge 2 levels BELOW what my charges called for, I still had faith. Even though my wife was able to use the courts (and that second set of books) with a skill admired by lawyers, I STILL HAD FAITH.

Faith in what?
The education I had been given and the fact that we live in a country with the greatest Legal document ever produced by mere mortals.

Still, my hope for the future resides in that document.(the first one, not the one manipulated by Hamilton and Madison. Though the original 10 Amendments can stay.) There is a very real connection to GOD in our founding, and the fact that our country has lost its moral compass has much to do with the shape we are now in.

I am not a very religious person. Heck, the last time I stepped foot in church was in the mid 90's. I do though, have a sound belief that there is a higher power in this world. One that has some influence over how things are AND will be (but refuses to completely interfere). I also think that the vast majority of this country have little faith in that power. Especially those in the Gospel Churches. I have heard those sermons many times(on tour with the gospel plays). Those sermons tend to lead towards entitlement thinking. Maybe that is just a throwback to the slavery days, but it seems to be a highly prevalent attitude on that side of the book. It is also a large majority of what is wrong with our country as we all can plainly see. (welfare entitlements, and union policies abound and all are bankrupting us.)

There is a point though, even having that christian charity in you to give and give and give, where you MUST turn your back on someone. Granted, the tie period of that 'turning' is also dictated by how well or how closely you are related to said person. In my most recent case, I didn't know the person from Adam, and I turned quickly. From what I can see of his writing style, he is hiding, what and why, I have no idea, nor do I care any longer. I had accused this person of being someone else, and I still have that feeling. Even so, I have written him off of my concerns. I won't try to illuminate anything for his benefit since everything is viewed from a very distorted lens by him. It would seem that lens was 'corrected' by past indoctrinations and those must be shed by the person wearing them, not someone else. As those of us that have "woken up" can attest, the event is troubling at best and highly disturbing for most. Some, in the future, are not going to be able to handle that awakening at all. I only hope that if someone you know is at that stage or near it, that you are going to be able to comfort and aid them through that waking up period. Enough that they don't lose hope and do as Stack or Ball did.

No matter what, there are going to be more of these suicides. I stated it when Stack kamikazied the IRS building, and I state it again now that Ball has passed us the torch (literally BTW, just read his words)

THERE WILL BE MORE DYING, BY CHOICE, TO MAKE A STATEMENT AGAINST THE EVIL THAT RESIDES IN OUR HALLS OF GOVERNMENT.

Note that I did NOT specify any one particular section of our Government? The disease is rampant from the lowest village house to the top seat of the administration. There are some areas/states that hold to the best parts of our founders, but for the most part, the cancer is in every orifice.

And its not all in Elected positions. For the many of the issues, the problem resides in those Appointed positions and the selected hirelings that NEVER go away no matter how the elections fall. The ones that have seats for life, or have been appointed by someone far in the past and 'policy' states that the person has that position until such time as THEY deem it unnecessary. Kinda like having your 7 year old grade his own proficiency.

This is not going away without a fight. If you really want to see what our future holds, look towards Argentina. Study what has befallen that country over the last 50 years, From Ava Perron, to the collapse of 2001 on to todays Argentina.
That situation has a much higher probability of happening than any civil war or rebellion. Far Greater chance.

Why?

We lost our moral compass. The vast majority of this country doesn't understand what made our founders as stoic as they were. Our way was lost before WWI. Some (to include me) think that our way was lost back in the 1860's. Some think that the disease actually started under our very first President(and I find it hard to argue against with some of the facts in place.).

There are those, that given some time, and free rein, could turn this country around. The problem is the free rein. Look at what has happened when people permitted the elected to go beyond representation, and into "LEADERSHIP". I don't want to elect LEADERS, I can lead myself pretty well. I don't want to hire "PROTECTION", I do pretty good at that myself too. And isn't that were our country is at its weakest? That people want to do as little for themselves (lead and protect themselves) as possible so long as the entertainments don't stop. I think when things get rougher, people are going to see past the plastic smiles and $300 haircuts to the sleek fur of a well fed wolf and that the smile is actually the dripping snarl of anticipation for the meal. That will be the rude awakening that many won't be able to deal with.

And there are those that will never wake up. And for those, you must turn your back.

Or lose yourself as well.

(edited for doubled text. Oops.)

Nuttin much today

2011-06-20T20:58:00.001-04:00

Local net is down again thnx to a pretty awesome storm last night. Should be up within 24 hours or so. Blogging by phone sucks ass so this is all I have for ya today.

Talk at y'all tomorrow.

In light of that last post.

2011-06-19T18:30:00.001-04:00

Happy Dads Day to all of you out there. Hope you get to spend some time with those that set that status in your life.

Hold 'em close, they are the future.

Just a little whisper and it peaked my curiosity.

2011-06-18T22:35:00.003-04:00

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/trading-over-counter-gold-and-silver-be-illegal-beginning-july-15

Has anyone else heard about this?

Does anyone have a clue if it "means what I think it means"? An honest opinion without all the Government Spin and Media Froo-froo to paint a bluer sky for us Mundano?

I am looking at the Frank-Dodd Act and what I am reading is ominous even in layman terms. Of course, more regulatory BS from that Cesspool on the hill. BUT what does it mean to the common man on the street? I have some ideas but want to reach out to others that may have more of a finger in the pie than myself.

If it does, I may have to make a serious dent in my finances here pretty quickly.

OTC without paperwork baby, no trails. The only way to fly in our day and age.

Anyway, if you have something on this, please chime in, OR, if you want to remain anonymous, feel free to use the email as posted.

MUST go Viral.

2011-06-18T18:23:00.003-04:00

Having been through a divorce and 12 years of fighting it out with the CSEA and the courts system, Reading this mans, I guess manifesto puts it best, I have only sympathy and respect for his actions. I wish he hadn't gone "Stack" but we all will hit a point where we "have to do what we have to do". (my only hope at that point is to be in position to do as much damage as possible to the system and its drones.) Thanks to the commenter at Craigs site and Craigs willingness to Broadcast this.

If you haven't read it, do so. IT is very informative to those that have never had to go through this shit.

Now for my naysayer that will try to whittle this down and belittle the hell out of it. Before you go ripping this guy to shreds over his actions. READ his words FIRST. Break it down into its simplest points.(you will need to translate some grammatical errors but that is beside the point) THEN try to refute his statements. TRY. In doing so, I think you will find that the world you were taught to believe in and reality are about as far apart as they can get while maintaining the same space.
You see, I don't need the proof of his statements to know the reality of them. There are TWO realities within our world and the one we operate under is far different than the one the Government Employee works under. Yeah, these police may be 'working Joes' but when it comes to the end of the day, the orders they follow are NOT from 'the people' and have little to do with reality as we see it. It takes them, all of them standing up against this to stop it at the root. Since they don't want to be looking for a job in this crap ass economy, they are going to follow orders (as you have stated elsewhere) despite these orders failing to abide by 'Rule of Law'.

That creates a danger point for EVERYONE, including them. Throw in the fact that most Departments evaluate performance with "convictions" as the Metric (We don't have quotas! )and keeping a job is dependent upon Revenue Generation, not LAW.

"Protect and Serve"

Protect and Serve "Whom"? Not us. The courts have stated that the police have no obligation to any individual for safety. They are there to collect revenues, take notes for cases (bag the body and document), and be a show of force for those whom they do 'serve'.

Maybe this doesn't apply to all cops. I know better than that. But you can't isolate any one person for doing the right thing when they are completely entrenched in the mechanics that are eating this country alive. It starts at the local level and only becomes more and more rigorous as you climb the ladder to that "Shining city on the hill" (Nuclear glow? it sure ain't polished silver)

Push back on the system: the energy and money it will use to destroy you will be trivial TO IT. You can't fight that and live. No way. Not as an individual. Fight it hard enough and they will put a bullet in you and call it good. Hell they will even honor those that did the shooting. The man above chose to use his 'loss' as a call to arms that won't be heeded. I don't see buildings erupting into flames around the country. But his words should give you pause.

NOW, about the laws he was fighting. He didn't mention one point that I found out while doing 'my research' during my fight against the CSEA. The laws for child support were written during the Great Depression. MOST to be more to the point. Written in a time when it was uncommon for a mother to work outside of the home. Not unheard of but uncommon.
How does that apply to now.
To quote a judge from my time under the thumb. "I don't give a shit if she is using the money to buy drugs, you are the male and YOU WILL PAY." Go back an re-read his article now and see if what I just wrote falls in line.

I wasn't aware of the homeless side of the fight but seeing his evidence, I can easily believe it. His evidence is backed by my own observations from the Armpit of the Midwest and only helped connect some dots.

This isn't over by far. And the ratchet just keeps getting tighter and tighter.

FLutterbyes, runnybabbits, flunicorns and ghoosteses.

2011-06-17T14:26:00.003-04:00

Ok, now that I have your attention, this post has NOTHING to do with any of the above. (BTW, those are the names that my daughter had for such things when she was quite young. I still giggle when I hear/write them down.)

Been checking out various posts. This one kind of grabbed my attention but for a slightly different reason than I gathered at first. It took a couple hours of driving to clarify the mix of thoughts on it.
Cop Kills kid in Domestic Violence dispute. The money line: "I don't need a warrant MotherFucker!"

Now, I read in one of the comments that this guy is up for murder now. I didn't follow the linkage to backtrack it since I was originally surfing using the phone. Bad me, I am not going to check now since my bandwidth sucks. Here is what I can conclude just based upon what I read and some basic assumptions based upon recent history (10 or so years worth at this point.)
1) He probably did say the above, I have heard worse from cops in less stressful situations.
2) IF, and evidence and witnesses seem to agree, that this was an execution, not a defensive shooting, This guy surrendered his badge and the protections thereof the microsecond the muzzle of his gun touched human flesh. (IE Before he pulled the trigger.)
3) IF anyone in his department tries to defend his actions at this point, they need to be placed upon a list of Traitors, immediately.

Now my thoughts on WHY he said what he did and possibly his justification of his actions.
1) Recent court rulings, (not necessarily in his state) stating that we can't expect protection against unreasonable and illegal searches and that our only recourse is in the courts system. (180 degrees of what our bill of rights states)
2) Department actions following the Guerena Murder. (he may have felt that the department would cover his ass.)
3) Media Coverage that has been suppressing Black-op Cops for decades.

I hope like hell, the department in this case sees this incident in similar light and runs this guy through the gauntlet of criminal proceedings. IF They don't, I would not be the least bit surprised to hear of this guy being found on some street corner, body riddled with multiple random leaks in the middle of some night later down the road. Call it vigilanism if you want but sometimes street justice is more blind than our own court system. (usually cheaper too.)

NOW, onward.

Takin' a stroll to Texas for a minute.

Senator asks "why aren't you speaking English?"

Here is the breakdown. Council meeting. Guy wants to voice his opinion PRO for immigration sumpin or other. Guy has been in U.S. since 1988. 23 friggin years. Don't know, nor does the story mention his alien status or if he is now a citizen. BUT, the guy is using a translator to discuss his views. Senator asks the above question and is now under the spot light for it.

MY TAKE. We have been down this road before but I want to illuminate it a bit. For one, I am studying spanish, but that has little to do with what I am bringing up here, other than the fact that I have learned a fair conversational level in about 3 months.(and that is just dabbling in it.) THIS jackass has lived in this country for 23 fuckin years and chooses to use a translator instead of speaking his mind in the COMMON tongue of the country he now resides in.
Lets see. WHY is ENGLISH the common tongue of this country? ALL of our founding documents are written in Kings English for one. Second, ALL court or government documents are written FIRST in English. Our Justices submit arguments and opinions in ENGLISH. Even that witch Sotomayor submits her opinions in english.(after that " wise latino woman' comment Snark!)

Now, I don't know if this guy is now legal or not. The fact that he is an immigrant is without question. NOW, if I were to move to Mexico, live there for 23 years, have a life, home, family, speak the language even if only rudimentary, IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL FOR ME TO DO WHAT THIS GUY IS DOING! They don't mind you living there IF you are able to support yourself, work, speak the language. BUT THEY will NOT, allow you to mess with the politics NO matter how long you have lived there IF you are not a natural born MEXICAN. You are considered and always will be considered a Foreign national with NO political rights.

SO, IMO this senator not only has the right to ask this question, he also has the right to have ANYTHING this asshole said, stricken from the record of the council meeting.

Ok, news time is over, It was just my opinion anyway. About as substantial as Runnybabbits, Flutterbyes and Flunicorns.

Meh, mumble mumble, grumble, grrr

2011-06-15T15:09:00.002-04:00

Guess y'all have noticed my lack of posting lately. Sorry 'bout that. Hadn't much to say really.

Been going over things in my head and on paper, just nothing bubbling up out of the brew. Seems like others are stating far better than I what I would like to talk about. Since blogging is really a one sided conversation (for the most part, dependent upon commentary, or lack thereof) after awhile you feel like you are talking to your toenails or the cat. Both allow you to vent but neither has any decent feedback. 'Meooowrr' isn't a good response to "dagburned repugnicrats!' (and toenails respond even less)

The further decline of Western Civilization is now (IMO) on that slippery slope that has only one ending. The only changes to that ending have nothing to do with what is at the end of the slope but everything to do with what is done WHILE we are on it. The more the PTB play the games, the harder the fall of the end of the slope will be.

They are getting more intense in the game playin.

That can only mean that, by the time we take that plunge, we are going to see hardships the like this country has never seen before.

Remember, this is all speculation at this point. I have no proof other than a gut instinct based upon education in historical elements and a vague understanding of how cruel humans truly are. Candy coat it all you want, the fact that the human animal is at the top of the food chain while having NO natural, built in weaponry; says all I need about the nature of the beast called HUMAN. I think that's why I laugh when I hear our 'representatives' talk about 'humanitarian aid'. Like most concepts, the coating appears nice but the underlying intent is pretty ugly.

I saw something rear its head over the last couple of days that only reinforced this thoughtline in my head. There was a post by Bill, that caught a lot of flack. His intent was pure, and applied with broad strokes of a mop, but the flack he caught came from a direction I hadn't suspected. Bad move on my part I guess, seeing how I see the same shit happen around here when I talk about cutting out "entitlements" to people.

See, most people are all about getting more freedom, or applying the foundation principles of our founders, UNTIL you mention cutting off the money tap. That applies to those that are on ANY Government program. ANY. SSI SSDI AG benefits, Welfare, Unemployment, Actually working for the Government, you name it. Any and all of those get that money from somewhere and that somewhere is usually, indirectly, the pocket of the productive American. Yeah, they can print money out of thin air, make some cleric book entry and come up with a trillion dollars to 'make the budget work'. Fact is, that 'stored value' has to come from someONE, not somewhere.

But thats alright 'so long as you don't touch my money'.

Seems to me that there was a time in this country where people didn't retire so much as just kick back and raise the 'chilluns' while the parents were the ones working. The same way that their parents did. Family stuck it out through thick and thin and the children WERE the reason for the family. Every aspect of existence was directed to improving the lives of the children so that they would be better off than the prior generation. The parents reared them, the grandparents taught them, and when it came time to move on, they didn't go far and if they did go far, THEY CAME BACK to continue the line. People would travel to meet others to keep the gene pool from getting stagnate but for the most part, they stuck together.

Our nuclear families fly in the face of nature in that regard.

And then you have this declining population thing going on. Seems like its only in the "modern world". I have a theory on that. With the failing status of our world, I see many thinking, albeit subconsciously, "why bother? This world sucks and is getting worse." When the main population of citizens (natural born) is declining due to higher deaths than births, yet the population is growing, you are not going to see a continuation of prior policies. Good or ill. There will be a morphing of old and new, not to keep the current populace at ease, but to transition to the newer population.

Aren't we seeing just that with the RINO's and DEMOn's trying for all the amnesties and twisting of benefits for the newer influx of peoples. (and lets not even go into the legalities of it at this juncture. Just take it face value that this is happening in front of our eyes)

But what do these people have to sacrifice for in this country? Why here, if they are just bringing the old world with them. They left it for a reason, right? Or did they leave it to try and bring it here? If the latter, they are not here as 'future Americans' but as Enemies of the State.

IF the latter, do you really think that they are going to want to pay into an entitlement system supporting Current American Citizens?
Do you really think that once they hit a level of majority, that they won't push harder for a reversal of certain things that this country has taken for granted (for far too long I might add)?

Alright, comments is open, feel free to let fly. Hope I gave something to you to chew on.

WOW!, Damned good stuff out there.

2011-06-13T15:43:00.003-04:00

I really don't think all 5 or 6 of my readers would appreciate a list of links today. Even so, LOADS of good stuff on the nets the last couple of days.

And it all boils down to people THINKING! Not just griping as we are wont to do, but Thinking.

So much so, that I have little to add to the thought processes. Freedom won't be silenced for long no matter how much Freedom minded people are resemblant of wayward cats. Trying to get us to agree on ANYTHING is similar to herding cats in the dark while wearing a blindfold. (and I couldn't find the original place I read that but it was fitting)

SO, I decided today to talk about energy and money. Two completely different things but one completely tied into the other.
ENERGY In physics, energy (Ancient Greek: ἐνέργεια energeia "activity, operation"[1]) is an indirectly observed quantity. It is often understood as the ability a physical system has to do work on other physical systems.[2][3] Since work is defined as a force acting through a distance (a length of space), energy is always equivalent to the ability to exert pulls or pushes against the basic forces of nature, along a path of a certain length.

How is that tied into money or Vice-versa: Well, look into your day. You expend energy to accomplish a goal. That goal for most is earning a paycheck of some sort. You have agreed with someone else that your time and efforts are worth something.(and I won't go into if that is actual or perceived value at this point. Stay on topic.) Time(a measurement of space) and effort(Force) are simple definitions of energy. SO, you are paid for your energy. What is money? Nothing more than a capacitor for human energy. It's not a good one though, but the best compromise that we all agree on. The real problem comes when there is more than one definition of what that capacitor is capable of holding(its value). Look at our systems they way they are set up now. There is a distinct difference in the way that various people see said value in the capacitor.

For starters, The working class/middle class/mundano/average Joe sixpack.
He/she busts butt all day long for, more often than not, less than desired pay. I say it that way since many have had to take paycuts in some form or another to get or keep a job over the last 3 years. We put forth more effort in the same amount of time to store less energy. The capacitor is weak and holds less.

Then you have those at the bottom of the monetary barrel. The Welfare or dependent cases (to include children of the first class that haven't had to work for a living yet.) They don't see the dollar as a capacitor, but a transit vehicle. Yes, Transit. It gets them things, and places that they wouldn't be able to achieve through skill or wit, under normal circumstances. They are just 'Given' that power, with little to no input on their behalf so the actual value of what it represents is lost upon them.

Then you have the Elite/Minoría Selecta/Power Brokers. They perceive the capacitor in a completely different light than the first class of people. Similar to the difference between how a metal worker perceives the difference in a Oxyacetylene torch and a plasma cutter. They do the same thing, but in highly different ways. In this case, the capacitor is simply a quantity to be manipulated and expounded upon.

But there is a further disconnect from the first class. It also has to do with quantity. Where most MC persons are well aware of how much they make, how much they can spend, and for the most part, stay within that framework; the Elite do not. The difference in a Million and a Trillion is in magnitude to the first's power. And yet most of the people in the first group only hear a name of a number, not its relationship to reality.

Let me spell it out for those that just got lost. One million anythings is something that most people understand though may not be able to fully conceive of. One trillion anythings is a million times bigger than one million. Get it?

The difference between the mundano and the elite is that the elite do 'GET IT', and are fully aware that the budgets they use (real or not) are being paid for by the first group. SOLELY. Even if the first group can't pay 'this go round', the kids can.

They are stealing the energy of our kids for use today.

Remember that law of physics about creating and destroying energy? Well, you can 'create' money out of thin air but you can't Create the energy it represents. You either have to devalue the current capacitors or find someway of doing the impossible. (in this case, its Accounting magic, which is nothing physically real)

In the words of "The Matrix" "We are coppertops".

Where is all of this going? What energies did you expend today to charge your personal capacitors? Are you working for 'the man', or are your efforts more inclined to perpetuate you and yours?

There are many different ways you can charge your capacitors. Knowledge is one, PT is another, Preps are yet another. Even working for FRN's right now is not without some reward (though its getting damned slimmer every week it seems) But you have to put that energy somewhere so that it can be released AS NEEDED at a late. When you are packing the neurons with chemical trails, is it trivial, or is it a grouping? Do you PT to gain bulk or stamina and strength? Are you converting those nearly depleted FRN's into a more substantial form, something with a longer shelf life?

It may seem like the efforts I have displayed on this blog (my hobbies) are petty and trivial. They are not. In some instances, they are my 'practice while I can afford the mistakes' phase. Are you getting in yours? I know Mayberry is investing pretty heavily into a boat that, in appearance, IS COMING ALONG DAMNED WELL: No, its not going to ferry him and his family to safety in a hurricane. But the tricks and shortcuts he is learning are going to save the day at some point in the future. I don't look at the boat as the actual investment so much as the chemical pathways he is creating in his grey matter.(and don't get me wrong Craig; she looks great, but she is only 11'11.75" LOL ) I would have never thought to use a circular saw to cut a radius, unless I had seen(read about it) it done.

Learning tricks for the future are investing now. Preparing now is an obvious investment. Getting out and moving while you can do so without incoming, is investing (and will make moving with incoming much more livable, literally)
Packing your head with knowledge is investing. (old books I found again that may be invaluable later. Foxfire series. Way cool.(and there are plans in that one for Craigs next project)

Griping at each other over trivial points is not investing. And wastes energy that our would be masters enjoy seeing wasted. Its when our investments disappear from their books, that they start to get nervous.

I, for one, plan on making some of them VERY nervous before the planned economic collapse.

Edit for my being a shithead and not reading my own words and how they were out of line. My bad. Situation self correcting. :-)

Get your Game face on!

2011-06-11T16:37:00.002-04:00

At least that's what we called it in my time, while on the way to a little country in the middle of a sandbox. We drank ourselves stupid on RedStripe and Redhorse beers in Olongopo, trying to beat the embalmer. (yup, they use formaldehyde to preserve beer there. Leaves a lump in your gut the next couple of days that is pretty gross to deal with later.)

Tom has done a lot of legwork for us, even if it's "to drum up book sales", his Intel gathering is quite convincing. Purple Rhinoceros Alpha Two Six indeed. Go read, think about the three 'parties' he discusses, think about the fourth that is only occasionally allowing a ping or two to get out. Tom knows intel, his past is perfect for Intuitive deductions such as this. I trust his assessments.

Yes, there is a lot of shit going down, and its not always where we expect to see it. There is a huge disconnect with the majority of our society that only wants the coddling and toys. They could care two shits about our "liberties" so long as they can keep the Iphone/Android and the Xbox (or whatever the latest craze is)(and yes, I have an Iphone and would happily drop it in a river somewhere if I didn't need it for communications while a slave to the system right now. there will come a day, soon, soon.) Now, IMO, there is only one thing that would wake them up. Hunger. Ravenous, raging hunger. IF things continue along the path that they have chosen, this may be sooner than later. Again, go read the others for further insight. As it stands though, I think that around these parts, there won't be that issue. The gardens are far too abundant and scattered about. I chose a different route on my return trip today. Took a little 'country highway' through the hills. 80 miles of two lane twisty-curvies and in that 80 miles, I didn't go more than 1/2 mile between gardens. And those are just the ones on the sides of said road. There are probably more further back up in the hills (and some of those may not be edible but a higher value cash crop if you get my meaning.) The smallest I saw was probably 10'X30' Quite a few were probably closer to an acre. Think about that; roughly 160 VISIBLE gardens in an 80 mile stretch. There may only be 200-300 people living in that stretch. I can't quote actual figures, I doubt that the census bureau could either: People around these parts are still 'cautious' about strangers and talking too much, and with good reason.

I feel sorry for the first Ag Agent to start making a fuss about 'unlawful' gardens like they are pushing for. The term "Revenooers" is still common place around here. They don't chase the 'Shiners so much anymore, but there are other 'commodities' around here that have attracted their attention.(it doesn't all come from Mexico.)
Even though there is a serious crutch issue in this area with Welfare and the like: I still like the fact that people around here are STILL wary of strangers and especially so of anyone with a badge that isn't LOCAL. (and even the local boys are pushing through mud while doing their jobs.)

Yeah, when things get tough, this area always seems to pull right through. When things aren't so tough, they all seem to just 'keep on' as if nothing had changed. There is always an underground economy going on. Cash is king and if you have plastic, "wuzdat?".

And of course, the one item I saw today (in passing, not a lot of details and not that they actually matter any longer) was that Princess Nancy is calling for Wieners Resignation.

Yeah, lil miss know it all from the Bay area has a lot of room calling for that. Seeing as how she should be strung up of treason and inciting terrorist activity, I have a lot of faith. LOL NOT!

and on that note, Bed with me, one more run tomorrow then three days off. Maybe my head will be back in the game tomorrow.

Nothing, blank, ,

2011-06-11T03:18:00.002-04:00

After reading several pieces yesterday, I have nothing to add to the fray. Others stated, far better than I, what needs said.

Will be back later with something. What, haven't a clue.

Till then. Check out Bills page, Craigs page and Concerned Americans page. Follow the links. Read. Think. Then get out and get your heart rate up in a way that is good for you, unlike the way it gets up when You are reading these things.

Further research, and commentary about a blog.

2011-06-09T15:52:00.003-04:00

First up, Research time. I am not saying to take this man at his word. His arguments are quite compelling in and of themselves. Do the research yourself (as I did) and make up your own mind. Then apply what you have learned to current events within our .Gov: See if the events that recently transpired with the 1st and 4th Amendments getting trampled on, have any bearing to what this man is discussing.

I also recommend, if at all possible, comparing the 5th edition of Blacks Law Dictionary to the current one.(9th Ed.)

Now. Onward to Commentary.

Kerodin did a piece(Death is Riding for You, Now) that raised up some memories from my past. No, I have never been involved in 'gang' activity or the like. These experiences are from touring with the Gospel plays as an monitor engineer/stage manager. We hit all of the cities he mentions and almost always had shows in the locations he mentions. (along with several others that he does not.) I can tell you, with all due intensity, he is right. Having been in combat, knowing the feeling of that; I would have to say that my survival instincts were on high alert MORE in these areas than that of Kuwait. Think about that for a minute. These are rather large areas too. Kuwait was a COUNTRY about the size of the Greater Cincinnati Metropolitan area. You could literally drive from the Gulf to Iraq in less than 2 hours.
These areas that K is talking about are similar in size, have disproportionate amounts of "entitled" persons living in them. Have a 'code' that really has nothing to do with the general populace. And are very much reminiscent of other countries I have visited where there was a defined Rebel force with underground Weapons dealing along with other aspects of an underground force.(the Philippines for instance.) Yes, if you are known, you can go to these areas, get a fully automatic "whatever" and just ask about the "registration fees" to get a good laugh.

Most of us are NOT known in these areas.

Most of us might last 30 seconds in an area like this at night.

The only reason I can state these things is the tours. Because of persons I hung out with from the cast and crew, I was 'accepted' AT THAT TIME!. I have no illusions that I would be 'disappeared' if I were to show my face without that 'backup'.

These areas are in EVERY major city within our borders. There are more not in Major cities, but little burgs on the fringes.

And they are all very Tribal in nature. Yes, there is squabbling between the tribes. But what happens if suddenly, there is an alternate 'enemy' that threatens their existence? What if that enemy is completely unaware of the existence of these tribes?(as many are in this country, just as many are blind to the real horrors going on at the border.see previous post
)

Now what would make these tribes get to feeling that they are threatened? Well, I mentioned that the 'entitled' level of these areas is pretty high. Hell, I am gonna drop the PC bullshit for a bit. These ghettos have an extraordinarily high Welfare level in them. Section 8 housing is skyhigh. etc etc. What would make these areas uncomfortable? Simple, Loss of those entitlements. Even 'threatened loss' is enough in some of these areas. (DC and Philly come to immediate mind)
SO, if 'threatened', What would these tribes POSSIBLY do?

I leave that as a thought experiment for you.

(edit: Added missing links)

Not a white flag

2011-06-08T13:41:00.003-04:00

But definitely a flag for help.

If you haven't read about it on Bills or Craigs blogs, MMPaints is having some issues that could use assistance. Go to her site and check her out if you aren't familiar with her.

Good people, in need of Good people right now.

Go.

GM and the further adventures of a cheap ass.

2011-06-08T10:04:00.003-04:00

yah yah, I know, GM sucks. At least now it does. Back in my heyday, it was actually a vehicle to own, to some extent. There was always rivalry between the GM owners (within ranks) Ford owners, Dodge owners, yadayadayadahey. GOoood times for all, with lots of smokin' tires and copious amounts of octanes being uselessly burned for fun. All in fun and games and teenage stupidity. Gotta learn your lessons somehow and I know we all learned a lot about making things go when they should have fell apart.

The only difference between teens of yore and now is the manufacturer. It will either be honda or Some offbrand PC that is overclocked and running a water cooled CPU. Guess I am showing my age as I find it interesting but kinda bland. Not enough smoke and flaming exhausts.(and yes, I know I mentioned two completely different objects there. )

Still, I am a cheap ass MF. I hate to spend money on things when they can be had in other forms cheaper and better.

Here is what my latest $500 Obammy bucks purchased.

Yup, GMC and here's the good part about it. GM got their money for LONG before they got stupid and blew it all. They received NOTHING out of my pocket for this purchase. They will receive nothing in the future either as I won't by GM parts. There are plenty of aftermarket parts available for this beast without resorting to GOVERNMENT-SHILL MOTORS for it.

I couldn't pass up the deal. I saw under all the dirt what a gem she was and the price was just right. As it is, this monster rides better than my Dads Dakota, has a larger engine, and still has the room I want inside for Roadtrippin (like to Texas to meet up with long lost never met friends later this year) I measured out the cargo rack and its just the right size for my 60watt solar panel so I could have electric with me without straining the alternator or starting battery. I may have to look into a trailer for the remainder of my stuff if I decide the road life is for me. Not likely though it is a thought to ponder.
Win Win all the way around.

And GM received not one thin dime this time around.

Next up

2011-06-07T23:12:00.003-04:00

How to get your brain in order in thirty days or less.

OR

HOW to stop seeing the smoke and mirrors and find what the hell those things are hiding.

Truth be known, I haven't the foggiest clue how to teach someone to think for themselves: At least not in 30 days or less. Sometimes the whole picture is not needed to come to a conclusion. Just for the record, its called intuition. Old timers called it Common Sense. I prefer to call it an Educated Guess.

In order to 'see the light' you have to educate yourself. That means stepping out of your comfort zone and reading! And more than likely some REALLY BORING HIGH FALLUTIN LONG WORD BOOKS!!!!

Heres one I keep handy. Its not one you can just sit down and read but,,,,
IF you do, remember this, you are looking into the mind of what has manipulated this country since 1797 when Hamilton and Madison directed the drafting of the Constitution. Wait until you find out what a 'legal fiction' is and just how it effects you. If that doesn't piss you off, Well, you may be numb.

Here is another one I keep around. Despite the title, its actually quite neutral.(here is a link to a site on the revolution's characters and quotes thereof. )

Another point on history is the venerable "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire". Long read but the parallels to our current world are startling to one that ignored history classes in High School. (Which I did not. That was the start of my 'awakening') Pay attention to the "Bread and Circuses" points, then think about our Welfare system, Food stamps and then watch a week of Prime Time "entertainment". I don't think I would need to 'quote facts' at that point unless you have the IQ of my shoe size. (and I have small feet for a guy that is 6')

Good articles on the differences between Keynesian Economics and true Free market enterprise are available at the Mises Institute. They also have some pretty good political commentary that reflects why our world, not just our country, is in for a long Endarkenment. As Billy says "at the bottom of every stack of paper in our Govt, lies a loaded .45". And I don't want to have to explain that one. Like the Jeep thing; you either get it, or you don't.

NOW, onward to one more Item of interest, to enlighten my thorn.
Human Nature.

Study it all you want, but keep in mind one key point: Humans are animals first and foremost. We hide it well with all the trappings of society and civility, but at the basest core, we are driven by the same things that drive the rest of the animals in this world. The need to procreate, which is a driving force for many different aspects of our lives. The need to protect our offspring (and this one is debatable but has many facets that are seen in the wild, emulated in human reaction) and that when cornered, just like a mamma cat, we will react VIOLENTLY. Being cornered can be recognized as many things. Actually being pushed into a corner where the only escape is towards your aggressor. OR, having your livelihood disappear threatening your existence and the existence of your progeny. When that point happens, societal morals, unless firmly entrenched, will go the wayside. As can be seen by the larger loss of morals in our 'representatives', morals are hardly "FIRMLY ENTRENCHED" any longer. Take a walk through a ghetto in Detroit at night for a lesson in "Street Morals" if you dare.

As for my last word dump, study up on a couple of things.
One: Why is the Dollar the "basket currency" currently in the world (and teetering on the edge of oblivion FYI )
Two: What happened to the Wiemar Republic (and why was it called Wiemar and not Germany, but I digress)
Three: What happened in 2001 in Argentina? Could it happen here? (I know but do you?)
Four: run a thought experiment in your head. What would happen if over the course of, oh for sake of argument, 6 months, if fuel went to $10 gallon. Don't just think locally either, think System wide. Deliveries of everything, food, medicine, basic Safety issues, like fire departments and the police. Top this off with Local Governments that are already cutting basics to meet budgets that continuously run in the red. (Cincinnati for example)

Then think about race. Is there really racial harmony in this country? Seriously answer that, as I am not playing by asking it. Yes, I have friends from other races other than white/Caucasian. That is, believe it or not, NOT racial harmony; those are called friendships. Broaden the picture to communities and think about it.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. The clock is ticking and has been gaining speed since about the time Argentina went into default in 2001. Some would argue with me that it started picking up the pace in the 80's. It's more of a moot point, rather like picking nits at this point. The direction we are headed in is getting narrower and narrower as time goes by. Soon we will hit that point where trying to turn will only drive more surface area into the iceberg making the fall that much damaging.

Go, educate yourself, open your eyes, stop believing the unicorn farts and rainbows of the media and PTB. They DO NOT have your better interest at heart, no matter how much they say otherwise.

thought dump..

2011-06-07T17:53:00.003-04:00

One thing about having been in the Marines: they certainly reinforced my bullheaded, tenacious, 'don't back down fer nuttin' attitude.
There is just so much one person can stand but it seems that the more I get thrown at, the more I can handle. Maybe some of this shit gets put on a back burner til later, but it will be dealt with.

What am I talking about?

Corrupt politicians.

The whole damned lot of 'em. From the President on down to the local Dog Cop.

I can't harp on it enough to say that they are all evil to the core. Evil in this case is making a living by causing others irreparable financial and emotional trouble.

"Oh come on Dio, it isn't all that bad." you say?
BULLSHIT! There is not one thing I collect on from the taxes I pay. The roads are a complete disgrace around here so don't even try that one on me. I don't have 'city water' nor will I once my home is finished, I won't be connecting to the grid even though that is 'privatized'. There is NO sewage around here to tie into so thats off the table. There is not a trash service around here. (we recycle and burn what we can't recycle.) I pay a lot of money for a less than adequate health plan and don't depend on Uncle Sugar for that. I work for my wages, whether they be in FRN's or in barter/silver on the local scene. (and there is very little of the latter for my liking.) And I know that by the time I am of retirement age, I will not be receiving ANY Social Slavery benefits. (either due to the fact that they bump it around or it just goes belly up. Doesn't matter as I won't SUBJECT myself to them in that manner EVER!)

And still, they choose to push their reality on me. I have done away with the T.V. since I think it is at least 50% of the blame of our current 'reality'. But that leaves the remaining 50% that they won't leave me alone in. Hell, this time around one of the sick pukes has decided to show his junk. Ann does a hell of a breakdown on what that amoeba really is.

There are times, like today, where I would like to just pack up everything I own ( that will fit in my truck) and head into some remote location between here and Alaska somewhere and just turn my back on all of this "Society".
And I know, I know: No man is an Island, there has to be more than '1' to have a life, etc etc etc.

So the fuck what.

Not that this will happen. I know better than that. Where one flees, the enemy would soon follow.
Yeah, I said 'enemy'.

Look at the state of this country. You all see it. We all bitch about it. Having mentioned it before, the only way it seems to really make a statement is to destroy yourself in the process of destroying something else. Something that will give the Statists, Socialists, out right Communists, a damned orgasm as they would see an opening to FURTHER restrict the SUBJECTS in their realm.

I thought we did away with all that nonsense 230+ years ago. We told a king to shove his stupidity up his ass, then proceeded to help him do so. And now, while they don't call themselves 'King' or 'Lords and Ladies' (gag), they sure as hell do act like it. The 'What is good for me is not for thee' fucking attitude pervades EVERY SINGLE FUCKING GOV INSTITUTION WITHIN THIS COUNTRY! All the way down to the lowest clerk in the DMV.

And it's all our fault.

How we live with it I have no idea. The Founders would have been doing the Tar and Feathers thing back when McCarthy was doing his little number. (and I remember some teachers talking about how EVIL he was. Damn, looking back on that time, the man should have been up for the medal of honor. Too bad he didn't finish the job.) And yet, we do, put up with it that is. Bitch moan complain but put up with it nonetheless. (and yes, I am pointing those three fingers right back at myself when I say this, knowing full well I am as guilty as anyone.)

But what to do about it.

I am of the mind to just let it all go. To hell with them, they care not one iota about our 'livelihood'. So long as we keep paying in (at the point of a gun) they could care less if we are walking skeletons.

Starving the monkeys? Yeah, who are the monkeys now? The ones being/having been supported by all those tax dollars that the Government no longer has? (used to be that we were into July before they were into the red. Seems to me, I recall them saying that this year, it was in MARCH!)

Nope, I am going to sit on my porch, have the Drudge doing an hourly update, eating my popcorn and drinking a beer while I watch the fires from the local town flare up. Oh yeah, .30-30 leaned against the post near me with more in reserve elsewhere in the house. I ain't gonna run, but I ain't going alone.

The Bodies Politic

2011-06-06T10:11:00.002-04:00

Look at your hand; What do you see? A hand? Or do you see the amazing piece of machinery that it is? The amazing combination of electro-chemical connections for manipulation and negative feedback control, coupled with bio-engineered structure to allow finite movement?

But it is nothing more than a hand, so commonplace in your world that you don't really even think about it unless you TRY.

Each of us is made up of this stuff called nerves, bones, muscles, organs, etc etc. And yet we manage to get through our days without contemplating the most mundane yet important aspects of existance, Like breathing, or our hearts pumping blood. Each is a VITAL component in a massive system of components. Eliminate one and the whole thing would shut down, or at least limp along greatly impaired.

And that is exactly what a country is. A system of components that affect all the others to greater or lesser degrees.

Take the people. People make up the muscles of the country, literally. Without the people, you could have a structure but it would be nothing more than a skeleton hanging on a hook. It may even have a brain but without the muscles to move it, incomplete.

Information networks make up the nervous system. You can have lots of information but if the information is fouled or manipulated, the reactions will be false. Imagine if you will, putting your hand on a hot burner on the stove. IF you nervous system is fouled up, you may sense a feeling of cold, or just pressure. You won't receive the information "HOT!" and in result, Burn the hell out of your hand, possibly even to the point of loss.

Blood: What makes up the life blood of a country. How do you measure its quantity, flow, use, etc. Could you use currency as 'blood'? Why not. Muscles require blood to bring them the essentials to work correctly. Nutrients, oxygen, etc. It also removes the wastes. Money purchases the essentials a person needs and pays for the removal of wastes and excess. Money/blood will be a good analogy. But what happens when the blood becomes tainted, or thinned out. What happens when the white blood cell count is outrageously out off proportion to the red cell count? Or the plasma levels are far too high in relation to the actual cell count? What happens when a muscle has its supply cut off (for whatever reason)? (pins and needles comes to mind but thats temporary, what happens when its 'permanent')

In a living organism, there are systems that function autonomously 24/7. They are not regulated by thoughts (laws) but by system needs. Blood is manufactured by the bones (the system) for use of the entire system. If the manufacturing process gets off kilter, the remaining systems get off kilter as well. Infusions may help, or they may even aggravate the problem.

Isn't that what we are seeing in our economy? Infusions intended to help, but actually causing problems unintended.

What about our information network. Our nervous system. Seems that information flowing along the spine is changing polarity between points. while the subsystems are functioning in limp mode.

And the skeleton has taken on a quite a bit of phosphorous instead of calcium. Its hard and bulky but is becoming quite brittle.

Of course, the brain is suffering from some serious chemical imbalances due to the polarity shifts in the information network. And there is probably an embolism growing somewhere in that mess.

To boot, many of the systems are on life support just to maintain the network complete. There are still functioning muscle groups but there are also many muscles that are healthy but surrounded by infected ones. They carry the load of the whole group. When they complain of the strain, the remainder of the group cries in agony.

This country is sick, possibly even terminally so.

So how does one little muscle save the whole conglomeration? Any ideas. I am at a loss. Do we maintain our health in hopes of a transplant into a healthy body? Are there any healthy bodies on this planet?

One wonders.

Look at your role in your network. At this point that is the only thing where we can do anything of effect. Look at those around you, feel them out. If you find infection, how do you isolate it from the healthy. Is there someway to regenerate it? Is it worth it?

I figure we need to stop looking at politics as war, but as medicine. Even so, there are 'wars' within a body on a daily basis. (just as our country has its wars) We need to heal ourselves FIRST, before we can heal our country.

But I don't know if there is any hope of removing the disease that ails us.

Sometimes, you just want a belly rub.

2011-06-04T16:16:00.006-04:00

(this is Bertie, He still lives at home with Mama (my ex) )

Looking silly is the easiest way to get one too.

Only with us Hoomanz, it could get your ass kicked.

So, Why has no one gone and kicked O'boys ass for making the entire Country look silly? (Just to be clear, not talking anything other than a good old fashioned bitch slap here. I really would fight off a hoard that wanted to make this yahoo president a fucking martyr. Oh what a world of shit we would be in then, no?)

Oh, thats right, we can't touch our hired help without an election. All those secret service guys would stop us. All 200 or so of them.

Ummm, we number 300+ Million. Well, Maybe I shouldn't reach that high. There are a lot of them that are either in love with the rat bastard or being bribed by the Government in general to shut the fuck up.

The idea is nice though.

Time to break it all down. I have little to no hope at this point of anything happening. No civil action(you can read this as 'war' if you want Jenkins) of any large movement. Little to no gain in the acceleration of the economy (up or down) Really no hope that a majority will wake up in time to halt the forward progress off the cliff we are edging up to. Nope, Just a bunch of lemmings shuffling around, occasionally getting killed, or blown up or burned up, but no massive wake up call. Just this slow waddling goose march into oblivion. I feel like I am living during the fall of the Roman Empire and while it feels like its accelerating somedays, most days its just a slow creep like watching goop leak out of a sewer pipe.

Even if there were a revolution, and the constitutionalists won it, there would still be the re-education of all those "entitled" propaganda raised slaves floating out there. Throw in another 100 million that wouldn't 'get it' through the simple fact of "Change"; and you are talking one hell of a logistics issue that a young country couldn't handle all that well. It may well just tear itself apart internally before it even gets it feet wet.

Then again, economic collapse won't be any fun either. The likelihood of this event is evident, but with the international manipulation that has been going on, it may be a slow parachute fall with that sudden snap at the end. Time will tell.

BUT Lets talk about triggers.

Things that have happened, leaving out any conspiracy theory.

Ruby Ridge. Focal point of several fringe groups, leading up to,,,
Federal Building Bombing.
(and the list is much longer than that, but)
Neither event triggered any 'uprising'. Why? more specifically, Why NOT?

Media. First and foremost, the media controls the minds of a huge swath of the American public. Whatever the spin is, the pools swallow it without question.

Laziness. Yes, the Americans are living up to the 'myth' of laziness. Most just don't want to get out of that Comfort Zone they have built up for themselves (on multiple credit cards and revolving mortgages) Even if they do get angry about current events.

FEAR. Even those of us awake are guilty of this one. We call it all kinds of things. Suicide by cop for one. We excuse it away in many different ways but it all boils down to that basest of emotion. Fear. We are mad, we hate the way things are, but we haven't been pushed into the corner yet. Our Fight mode is not being triggered yet. We have no where to Flee to either. Yet our 'day to day' isn't that bad, even though we can see the tiger coming down the trail. Admit it, even on your worst day, you aren't feeling cornered (not by the government anyway, maybe your circumstances, but not the government directly. And it is designed to feel like that.)

SO what am I advocating here? Hell, I don't know. Right now, I just wonder if there is a chance in hell that this will get straightened out before it comes around to my granddaughter. I would like to hope so but you know my take on hope. Hope never got anyone out of foxhole alive. But to make the jump on a personal basis is to pull a Stack. That isn't fear talking, that is just plain simple logic. Really buck the system and it WILL kill you.

What I do intend to do is live as I need to until such time as my skills are needed elsewhere. I intend to raise my granddaughter in a way that keeps the claws of the system out of her mind. My daughter is all for this and is already starting while I build my gulch for them to join me at. I would hope that she doesn't have to deal with this as an adult but I am a realist. The chance of this not reaching that Apex until long after I am gone is a very real possibility.(sorry for the split infinitive there, it was necessary.)

All I can do is prepare now, and prepare her, just in case.
Somedays, All I want is a belly rub. Today would be perfect. (and it ain't gonna happen)

ADDENDUM: I didn't get my belly rubbed, but I did get a little tickle. Back in a better mood tomorrow.

Shocked I am

2011-06-03T20:25:00.001-04:00

Though I shouldn't be surprised.

There are some good teachers out there

A spark of hope, but not enough to sway my feelings about the upcoming reality crash.

Reality?? Wuzdat?

2011-06-03T13:42:00.006-04:00

Dunno 'bout all of you, but I was raised in a fairly Christian household. There may not have always been a strong influence there, but when it wasn't, the morals taught by it were still very much in place. While frugality may or may not be a completely christian point of view, my families circumstances while growing up had much to do in teaching me how to do a lot with very little. We weren't bad off, but we sure as hell weren't rich either. We made do, and never starved. I even remember when I was quite small, my dad raising chickens, rabbits, turkeys and a small garden. This was during the oil crunch of the mid 70's

Well, I look around in the news now and wonder what the hell has happened to the country I grew up in. I know times change things but what I am seeing is like looking upon two separate realities. They kinda look similar, sound similar. At least the language is close enough that there is little that can be mistaken. Heck, we were even involved in a war at that time to. I remember Cronkite talking about it though not what he was saying. Its not like it really meant that much to me, at that time.(I was less than 6 when we pulled out of 'Nam._)

I won't lie, I read the headlines. Like this one and just have to ask, What?
Then this one. Heck, for little guys like me, that make not one red cent doing this, it seems that those being embedded would see a free advertising venue. They may not make any money directly from my site, but it costs them nothing more than allowing us to 'spread the word'. Word of mouth was the advertising norm in my youth. It still is a large portion of the local economy in these parts.

Some things never change though. Most of the people I grew up with had some background from this section of the country. This area has never really recovered from the first round of Depression. Most have grown up with alternative solutions to cash (or lack there of)

Recently I have been accused of 'wanting a revolution'. Those that have been following me for awhile KNOW that I would rather not have to fight it out but am willing. Wanting a Revolution? No. But there are days where the alternatives seem much worse than an outright war from the get go. Don't know how many have had to deal with an economic collapse. From historical references and a more recent survivor of such, I glean that war may be the lesser of two evils (or at least shorter.)

No matter what, I think we can all agree; Whatever is coming, its gonna hurt long before the fires start.

Addendum: Sorry there, I was distracted for a minute.
The point I am trying to bring to light, is perceptive at the basest level. My reality is not your reality, is not O'Boys reality (not even close.) Our perceptions are restricted to physical inputs. Be that tactile, oratory, or written, we don't have ESP or telepathy. (and there are days where I thank God greatly for that fact.) When someone makes a statement, it is usually off the cuff with only that persons upbringing backing it up. That is entirely how this blog is written. There have been only two times where I refered to hand written notes while tapping out my post. Both times were complete and total flops and one never even made it to the publish button before I deleted it into the void.

That said, YOUR Perception of my post is going to be off the cuff backed only by your upbringing and what my input did to that. If you agree, you will (or not) comment accordingly. IF I pissed you off, You will comment (or not) accordingly.

I would like to think that some of my posts are intended to hit a bit deeper than the base level and actually try to light a spark of thought. Usually I ask that you think about what I have written BEFORE commenting when I hit those posts. One recently, I only put in a disclaimer. It was never intended to be a spark. It was intended to add a little braking action to keep some from going off half cocked. The laws of unintended consequences are not prejudiced by any means. When stupid laws get enacted, the UIC will bite it. When people individually get stupid UIC also kicks in (and is sometimes mistaken for Murphy though he is of a completely different bent.) IT was that, that I was trying to get across.

BUT each of us has our own reality. So long as your reality doesn't induce conflict into my reality, we can get along just fine.

And that is the real problem isn't it. From O'boy on down to the lowest cop, they all want to push their reality upon mine, while all I want is to let my reality flow on through like a spring breeze. Leaving nothing behind except maybe a feeling of something better in the air.
When the reality crash comes, I will be ready. Call me the Breeze.

Hey Jenkins.

2011-06-02T18:01:00.003-04:00

I left a comment for you but I wanted to touch on something else for a minute.

You seem to think I, Me, Ol Diogenes, also known as James Maynard in the real world HATES AMERICA.(and if you hadn't noticed, I do post my email, right out there where all can see it. I ain't hidin behind no keyboard dude!) Not by a long shot, not by a long shot. IF I hated America, I wouldn't be here raising a stink about the travesties that your YES YOUR heroes on the hill have been doing to the country I Love. I have had ops to Expat out over the years, Still do to some extent and yet, HERE I AM! trying to figure out how to make it better for my grandbehbie and her future. Do you get that? It is NOT hatred of America, its hatred of what people like you have done to her. Please say that you have at least that much intelligence.

I mentioned in my comment that you should read my blog. Maybe you should. You claim that I am calling for others to do "my dirty work" for me. Read this one first. Tell me where, even if its one sentence, where I am telling anyone to do anything. Please, enlighten me. I am one person on the net that will happily admit to being in the wrong if it can be shown to me, WITH PROOF, and not just some opinionated crap spouted off by some liberal tramp with a chip on her dick.

NOW, as for doing something, you know, actually doing something to show how PATRIOTIC I am. Read this one. Still wanna call me a Faketriot? You can if you want, but I would lay even money that you wouldn't do it to my face.

I would also lay even money everything I have said here and in my comment, I would repeat, well maybe not verbatim, but would HAPPILY repeat TO YOUR FACE, in the real world. Verbatim wouldn't do it as I tend to be a bit more colorful in person.

Well with that said, I would like to see you came back with a little more reasoning behind your hatred of people that truly love this country, just not the socialist turn its on now. Let us all know how YOU have helped your country out, even if its just trying to get the truth out there, (and that means more than just leaving hate filled commentary)

Let the crashing commence.

2011-06-02T16:21:00.002-04:00

Wash: This landing is gonna get pretty interesting.
Capt. Malcolm Reynolds: Define "interesting".
'Wash' : [deadpan] 'Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die?' interesting.

I don't think I need to point out that the crash started back BEFORE O'Boy took office. Most of us agree that the real decline started back under Bush and the only thing that delayed it as long as it did, was war. Two wars to be exact.

The Build up to said screw up was built into the system a LONG time ago. But thats all water under the bridge at this point. We should take it as a lesson learned and the next time some banker pokes his serpentine head into any legislation it should be immediately removed with all due prejudice. (and same goes for the danged lawyers. But that is another post entirely.)

Fact is, everytime I read headlines like this; I just want to smack some reporter upside the head. Its like the character Wash in Serenity making the statement about crashing. When it happens to you once its scary. Twice gets annoying. Three times starts to get a bit amusing, without losing its annoying edge. Four or more is just downright stupid.

We see this weekly now.

Are they preparing the populace for even worse, rockier roads? I doubt it, since most people see a bit of a squeeze but not outright heartbreak yet. (there are those cases but they are spread pretty evenly about so it appears thinner than reality) No, the real purpose, IMO, is to numb the masses to the shock factor to lessen the violent response when shit really crumbles. (like when the IMF or Moody's reacts to our stupidity like they keep warning) People grumble when gas rises in price, they then adapt and purchase less. But what will happen when it takes an entire paycheck to get a half a tank worth? (it may never get that bad, but no one can be for certain.) OR, when you spend one entire paycheck on nothing more than a little fuel, a little food, and the rest is eaten up by even higher taxes. (and that is in the works too.) Forget the bills, you won't be able to pay them at that point.

I do know that for most, the kids will come first. We may be dumb as a nation but we are not cretins. There are cretins in the mix though. There are complete barbarians as was shown in that video link in my last post. And when people get hungry: and I am talking DESPERATE HUNGRY, there will be little moral upheaval for some of those to turn Cannibal. Desperate times make us hairless monkeys unpredictable as hell.

The shock factor will happen. Its creeping along slowly at this point and only because the PTB are manipulating the hell out of the system to keep if from outright imploding. Sadly, the longer they manipulate the system, the worse the implosion will be. When I hear Wall St. "experts" talking about how things are reacting without any sense, I know that the system is rolling around on loaded dice.

It also makes me think that there are larger powers at work here than just those on the Hill. The persons (serpents, Rodents, moonbats, or kobolds might be better descriptives) on the hill are acting important but there is an air of shallowness to it that lends credence to the "actor in a play" conspiracy. The highest seat is even worse at this as indicated by Ann yesterday.(( Obama is a complete illiterate.))

Let me just wrap this up with an apology.

For those that aren't ready, I apologize. I wasn't working hard enough to wake your "dumb, rock headed, want the latest toy, need a good high, gotta look good for the camera", asses up. When things get rough, you can come by my place and work for a meal but then you need to move your ass on down the road. Work hard enough and I might, MIGHT allow you to stick around.

Aww, who the hell am I kidding. Keep your lame asses off my property and I am not one bit sorry for you if you haven't seen this shit coming down the pike. When your head is ripped out of the sand and you are trying to figure out who to blame: I know it will be the first person you see that DOES NOT look hungry. Well, That person you see may be me (I know it won't be the real parties responsible, they will be long gone out of country) and I will have no issues shooting first. Got it?

Good.

Targets of Oppurtunity

2011-06-01T06:41:00.003-04:00

And NO, this isn't about combat but BUSINESS. Every good business owner and CEO will happily tell you that there are targets of opportunity that present themselves in the course of business, and the smart ones jump on them like pitbulls on a raw steak.

Isn't that what the Mexican's have done?

I would like to direct you to Fred Reeds piece on American history. Go read it, then come back.

Here we have a country that is riddled with medicated (legal and not) subservient egotistical 'wannabes' that want the latest and greatest toy/high/easy XXXX. Think long and hard about that. If you really want to see why we are where we are, we need only look in the mirror. (As is the case, this doesn't apply to all, but enough of the majority that the minority is irrelevant to this discussion)
I hate to say it, since it applies to me as well, but we are a bunch of spoiled brats, and now that things are going to hell in a handbasket, of our design: we start to whining about it, but never really doing anything about it.

Yes, I said WHINING ABOUT IT.

Isn't that what we are doing when we get online to bitch about the latest travesty of a fucked up government? What about when we gripe about how our elected class gets caught diddling the mistress and gets away with it? Or when our elected "raise the debt ceiling" so they can continue paying the bills with credit cards?
Oh that list could go on and on.

IF Voting were EFFECTIVE, it would be illegal. So don't even hand me that shit about "Vote the bastards out". Look at how the Glory boy of KY, Mr. Rand Paul, just voted up, for a further continuation of the Patriot Act.
You can hand me all the excuses of "needed the amendments" or whatnot, the fact that his actions directly contradict his promises, only reinforces my disdain for the "politics".

There are ExPats living north of The U.S. There are ExPats living in Mexico and other parts of South America. There are ExPats living in the Philippines (I know, as I picked up a tattoo from one in Debarrio outside of Olongapo._)
More than a few of them are ex-military. Why? If you signed up to "defend your country", Why would you then choose another country to reside in once you served your term?
Maybe your eyes were opened to just how psychotic our country REALLY is. And yes, we are VERY psychotic. I hear it in conversations amongst my dads friends and family on a daily basis. You can see it in the subdivisions on middle America: Soccer moms harping about illegal drugs while doped up on Valium or some other anti-depressant. Look at the Prescription drug market and see how it has grown in leaps and bounds over the last 50 years.(at a markedly higher rate than population growth)

Theres no need to go into WHY, all you need to do is look around and realize that we are in 1) Prison and 2)most of inmates are batshit insane. Is it any wonder that other countries have Immigration laws in place that make it near impossible for a US citizen to become a part of their country? I don't think so. Even our immigration laws are tough (and quite convoluted and contradictory. What else would you expect to be written by a drug addled power hungry elect) BUT UNENFORCED 90% of the time; unlike those other countries.

SO. Why do we whine?

Because they let us.
So long as we are whining about how fucked up shit is, we are being good little brats sitting on our stools in the corner. IF we start to get a little more vocal, they tend to lock us up or burn us out, or just flat shoot our asses. Maybe Jose wasn't raising a stink. But he didn't kneel when they wanted him to and that got him killed.

All of this goes back to the "Wars" and I am not talking about Afghanistan or Iraq or Libya. Nope, these wars are called many things but they all boil down to one target. US. The Citizens of this country. The war on drugs, how many dealers are really doing time? I would imagine that a good amount of research would find that 95% of those doing time for drug charges are usually in for under $100 worth of shit. Petty 'crime'. The war on terrorism has little to nothing to do with terrorism since it targets American citizens the hardest. Do we really need to enact laws to allow the CIA to do its job? Why go out an create another Alphabet gang for this "terror war"? When asked like that, the answer is obvious. NO. But when you ask it another way: Do we need a control factor to limit the actual movements of Inmates within the prison System? The answer is an obvious, YES.

The Mexican Cartels may be brutal and sadistic but they are business first. IF the inmates of this Asylum weren't 'druggies', they wouldn't have much of a market. IF the drugs were legal, the demand wouldn't be so centralized and there wouldn't be so many issues involved.

As I have stated before, there are only two ways out of this mess and neither is going to be fun or inexpensive. This mess was started a long time ago, but we have to deal with it now. The drugs are really only a symptom of the real issues.

The real issue stares back at you in the mirror.

gag reflex suppressed

2011-05-31T19:11:00.003-04:00

Yup, I am suppressing the gag reflex today. Ain't got nuttin to tawk'bout. I started tappin out a post about three times today and if it weren't a reflection of someone elses blog or just gettin gnarly about current conditions, it was hollow. Even the posts about those things were pretty hollow.

Maybe its a form of burn out. Dunno.

Don't care too much right now either.

Its hot, the air isn't moving much at all and believe me, when you are standing in front of a furnace melting metal (as I did for about 5 hours today) 100 degrees adds up really quick if there isn't a breeze. Granted, gettin away from the furnace made the ambient air feel like air conditioning for a few minutes. The real issue was not being able to shed the sweat through evaporation. Luckily, there is a really nice little creek running right there and sticking most of me in it on occasion made life completely bearable.

Up side? I now have 50 lbs of completely 'rendered' aluminum ready for casting when I need it. 1 1/2 lb ingots that stack really nicely in my new crucible. Cleaned using the degas/flux stuff I got (which is really cool to watch working!) and of course, LOTS of heat.
To say I am bushed is an understatement. Heat will kill your stamina quick like.

I will be back with something of substance tomorrow when my brain stops sizzling.

Dangerous times

2011-05-30T15:21:00.004-04:00

Don't get me wrong, even my thinking of late has been of the dangerous sort.

In more than one way, the Chinese have really managed to inflict one hell of a curse upon us AND manage to get us in deep debt to boot. (Not that I can blame them, the jackknobs on the hill are the spending freaks, and the electors that always run 'em back in office)

No, just cruzin through todays posts while thinking about some long lost friends and getting the general vibe of despair and downright "gonna fuck sumpin up".

I liken current events to a man made lake (since we made the damned mess as a species) You have water, sand, pebbles, and rocks. The water represents time and currents, sand; the masses. Pebbles; the Government lackys, and Rocks: the driven that pass all of this crap to those below them. Everything but the water is on the shore. That's where the life is. You take a handful of sand and toss it in the water (removing it from time/IE killing it.) and you barely get a ripple across the surface. Do the same with the pebble, and there are ripples slowly spreading outward. There is a rhythm to it when observed from above but at the surface, the ripples seem random and chaotic. Now toss in a rock. BIG splash, right? BIG ripples. LOTS of chaos.

Think about that for a minute.

The one that shot a cop in Texas this week has set up a small ripple in many communities. The III'pers. The Preppers, the LEO's and more than likely, the local Government to some extent. (they may not introduce a bill but you know damned well someone is coming up with something 'just in case'.) These ripples will spread out, lose energy, lose chaotic appearance until they are just another part of the general current on the surface of life. UNLESS, someone starts dropping more pebbles in along with the first. Then the ripples will continue, popping up elsewhere, cancelling out others here, being reinforced there. Just like standing waves in a concert hall. You get dead spots, then 5' away, you couldn't hear the Rapture trumpets blowing over the cacophony of noise from the PA.

Lets make some presumptions here, just for a minute. (and in no way am I advocating this, nor encouraging it: just throwing some thoughts out there. What a body does is that bodies business. NOT MINE. Disclaimer out) Say there is the current ripple, which has not run its course all the way yet. Say in the next two weeks, there are 3 or 4 more pebbles thrown in, adding to the ripple effect. Somewhere there will be a standing wave on the shore. This wave will disturb more sand than the original ripple. It may even be strong enough to disturb some Pebbles. It may even move enough pebbles that a rock shifts a bit. (remember the analogy lineup.) It won't be enough to displace a BIG rock, only a smaller one.

So 5 weeks down the road, there are a few more pebbles tossed in. Maybe even a handful of sand along the way. Each action will further disrupt the surface. Until suddenly, someone gets to feeling their Cheerios, and tosses in a rock. Suddenly, there are more than ripples on the surface, there are WAVES.

Do you follow what I am talking about?

Dangerous times indeed.

And I feel F.I.N.E.

Just remember.

Make of it what you will.

2011-05-29T16:44:00.002-04:00

He built a crooked little house
upon a hill overlooking the river
With a three legged dog,
and a one eyed cat
his life was simple,
without want or need

Then the rain came and his neighbors began to moan
within weeks FEMA came to “help”
Seeing his crooked little house
and his three legged dog
they thought he was in distress
so they bulldozed the house
and put the dog to rest.

Now he sits in his rotting trailer,
addicted to pain killers and foodstamps
feeding his one eyed cat dead rats.
His life is simple,
with only wants and needs;
for a crooked little house,
and a three legged dog.

Just a little ditty I awoke to this morning and couldn't shake.

Welcome to the new world order. The spark has been struck, question is: will it become a flame.

Keep your goals simple, keep them to yourself, have 2 ways in and as many out as you can find or figure up, and above all, NEVER EVER FUCKIN TALK ABOUT IT. EVER!

Build ya a crooked little house. Something that we all know you will be proud of.

purple rhinoceros alpha two six

False alarm?

2011-05-27T19:20:00.003-04:00

Not 100% certain what the hell is going on but something is definitely NOT right. I double and tripled checked my settings in firefox, no changes anywhere. Cleared Cache and Cookies, even went so far as to clear recent history out MANUALLY, just in case. No change. Still can't log in through firefox. Did the command line thing, flushed DNS, renewed my IP lease (set to renew hourly anyway) and had the router reset my address.(obviously not my MAC but I was starting to consider a MAC spoofer, again, just in case)
Then, on a whim, decided to try logging in via IE (spit, cough, double spit)

Voila! I am in.

OK BLOGGER, WTF??? over. Why is Firefox suddenly compromised? Or should I get in touch with Mozilla and see if its on their end.

Dunno, but I am going to do another once through, then reboot (AGAIN!) and see if Firefox holds my settings. If it does, I will try again. Update soon, I hope.

Addendum: 5 minutes later, all is well. I hate blogger. I hate browser cookies, I hate computers some days too.

Time for a beer. Sheesh.

Blgger has my netbook blocked

2011-05-27T16:31:00.001-04:00

Strngely enough can log in and do what I need to from the phone.
Question is, is this due to my last post or is this just a glitch? Curious minds would like to know( namely MINE)
(sorry for the typos, an iphone isnt the best keyboard for stubby thumbs)

What we have here is a failure to communicate.

2011-05-26T14:59:00.007-04:00

yah yah yah, same old song and dance. The failure is one way. They say, we do. When we say, they ignore. Right?

So why do we allow it. These are Public servants if I recall correctly. And yet we do nothing.

NOTHING

And I hate to pull race into it but there is more than a little racism going on in this country. It has come full circle.

Even the Attorney General called when he said we were cowards of discussing the race card. He said it, the media played it off (in true fashion I might add) and yet, the race card is there for all to see but NO ONE really ever brings it out in the light.

Actually, it is out in the light. Frequently. and of course gets great coverage but no one ever really does anything except put bandaids on the mess (read; payoff to someone)

For example. The Rodney King riots. The Cincinnati Riots. The list is actually quite long but they all revolve around one point. RACE. (I want to make one point here, the source is questionable at best in its portrayal of all sides. Seems rather biased to me. Of course it is Wiki)

When was the last time you ever heard of a group of Whites that got angry over one of 'their own' getting up in arms, rioting, burning their neighborhoods, looting, and being complete jackasses, all because the LEO was 'the other color'? Heck, the last time I heard of whites rioting was because they won a danged basketball game (or something like that) and all they did was bust up a couple of cars and run crazy for a couple of hours.

Now we have "Flash Mobs".

United States

In the United States, in 2009 and 2010, the city of Philadelphia experienced a wave of flash mobs that either started with the intent or led to the destruction of private property, rioting, violence, and personal injury.^[16] As a result, police used pepper spray to disperse crowds and arrests were made.^[34]^[35] Law makers and lobbyists in the city are pursuing enacting bylaws to counter flash mobs by extending curfew hours, limiting the hours of bus passes, and holding parents more accountable for the actions of their children.^[16] Bill Wasik has expressed "surprise by the new focus of some of the gatherings" and called it "terrible that these Philly mobs have turned violent".^[16]

While Flashmobs are NOT, repeat NOT, racial (they started out as a form of 'artistic expression') They are being used with racism attached to it. The Philly incidents are the only ones I know of, I am sure there are or will be, others.

Now, we have incidents of blacks being killed or beaten by white cops with the result being rioting and systemic failure in those areas. This has seen a downturn lately but thats not to say it isn't brewing in some other location now.

But what happens, when a Hispanic man is gunned down by a stack of LEO's in his own home for the simple act of defending his family? Do the other hispanics/latinos/spanish speaking races RIOT?
Not that I have heard of.

This guy was a Marine in the highest order; two tours over seas in active combat. Do you see Marines going out and rioting over his death?
I would seriously doubt it (Marines tend to take stuff like this personally and react in very personal ways: not by rioting. Think about that one Pima Co Sheriffs Department. ya might want to watch the skylines a bit more.)

But you have to consider the ramifications of what really happens when enough people get angry and say "ENOUGH".

Why have we, not as a race of middle aged white guys, but every one; white black, yellow, brown red, all AMERICAN CITIZENS, not stood up and said ENOUGH? There have been riots over 19 year old punks with a rap sheet a mile long. But not one over a Combat vet doing what was RIGHT? Where the hell is the logic in that? Please, someone tell me. If its there, I sure am a dense one as I do not see it.

I hear everyone of us, at one point or another say, "I don't want to advocate violence here,,,," and THAT is part of our problem. Since when has Violence NOT been the deterrent in ANY political factor? Think about that one for a minute. Look at the Healthcare bill. Do you see any violence IN IT? no? How about that whole fine issue, followed by jail time. Is that not a form of violence. Legalized theft? Legalized Hostage taking? IF you continue to push it; Do you think for an instant that there won't be a "stack" lined up in your bushes waiting for you at some point? VIOLENCE is POLITICS is WAR is LIFE.

There isn't one thing "fair" about this life, and there are a few that are going to find out the hard way. We are born in pain and blood and hopefully, we can leave on much easier terms. But the way the future rolls, I highly doubt it.

The shit storm that is brewing is, more than likely, not going to be ONLY economic or systemic failure. I believe that there will be more than a bit of racial tension to make the whole mess quite explosive.

Here are the links to the articles that brought this rant on.

Arctic patriot.
Fred Reed
Bill Nye (as posted above)
Sultan Knish
Go read, think, flame me at will if you so wish but please, THINK.

Arachnid has a Vesuvius moment.

2011-05-26T13:51:00.004-04:00

Little change of pace here today.

Was out smashing up scrap cast aluminum for a future ingot casting run when I found this in my 'scrap box'. This is a sprue from one of my last casts.

Mrs Spider didn't have a good day is all I can say. All that is left of said spider is a cavity in the sprue and some carbon. Molten aluminum that is able to flow quick enough to catch a spider in mid breath is DAMNED HOT! As the spider found out.
(and for those that feel for 'little creatures', I can tell you she felt nothing. Her last thoughts were, "is it getting hot in here?" then FphiZZZT!)

Why Bother?

2011-05-26T07:30:00.001-04:00

As I watch all the newest contenders for the upcoming (S)election cycle for Prez running around squawking like headless chickens, I realize that we are stuck. Stuck in a 3' rut of slime that has no way of being emptied.

This Whole Repugnicrat/Demoncrat nonsense is just that, NONSENSE. It is geared to provide a sense of choice where none exists. And that is that. NO CHOICE. Matters not that there may be 7 or 8 actual runners for the seat. 2 or 3 may actually be a good choice. But they will NEVER be given a voice to talk to the people that actually vote. ONLY those two 'parties' will ever get a 'fair shake' at the process.

And I find talking to some people the (extremely annoying, to me) habit of voting the same path NO MATTER how rotted the corpse is.

" My daddy was a democrat, and I vote democrat. Don't matter who it is."

WTF?!?!?!
You don't have a f@#king brain? You can't see that EITHER party is a F@#KING Scam?!?!

Maybe I am the nay-sayer here(though I am not alone by anymeans) but there is no way, NO WAY, we are gonna vote ourselves out of this mess. When the faces change but the intent does not, there is NO SOLUTION short of the endwall called tyranny, followed by lots of pain and death.

And you can say election fraud if you want but they put the fraud right in front of our faces and call it "primaries". IF its not behind the scenes, it must be legit, right? NOT!
Voting is only giving consent to the fraud. No other way for me to look at it.

I withdraw my consent and see no man as my 'master' or 'leader'. I go through my life with my own needs and desires, not theirs. If any of these 'would be masters' were to show on my doorstep, cold and hungry, it would take little for me to just close the door on their nose. I have more respect for a dropped off Curr than I do any of these charlatans.

Let the facades fade, allow them one more go round. There is no other way for the public to be awoken at this point. Keep plugging the blogs as long as we have Net. When they kill the net, it will be game on for many.

Bring it.

Smedumikation, indoctrination, and damned lies

2011-05-25T09:22:00.003-04:00

You all know I occasionally harp on about the BS levels we have in our current, propaganda indoc, system.

Lets step back in time a bit, say to 1982, when I was a freshman in HS.
We had a choice of classes that was pretty eclectic for a HS that had a graveyard on one side of the Football field and a Cornfield on the other. As a freshman I had the choice of several introductory courses including one called "Industrial Arts". This course was divided up into 4 quarters each covering one topic: Metal working, wood working, Graphic communications/photography, and Industrial drafting (using T-squares and protractors!!!! This was before CAD ) These courses were set up to introduce you to the concepts only and potentially inspire you to further study and even potentially a career in one of the said fields. Each course had two follow ups that advanced the knowledge gained in the intro. None of them could be complete without an outside source to further it. Anyone that knows anything about any of the above trades, knows that there is no way to teach every aspect of them in less than 4 years and more often than not, a lifetime. These are trades where when you 'know it all', you still learn something new, everyday.

But why teach these courses at all? Especially when there is so little actual industry in this country anymore.

Did our school board see something was coming and tried to establish a new curriculum to compensate? I highly doubt it. Fact that within 2 years of my graduation they sold off all of the machines: Lathes, Vertical Mills, furnaces, casting supplies, wood working tools, even the platen presses (that were made in 1885 and still functioned as if they were made the day before. Big Gorgeous pieces of cast iron with neat scroll work and solid as granite. ) All of it, Gone! (and I am sure there were a couple of small shops that were ecstatic to get the stuff)

Nope, my school was still a throwback to the mid to late 50's, at least in that department. And for that, I am happy. If I had gone to a more modern school, I may not have received the education I did get. I may never have woken up, and I damned well wouldn't have become the perpetual student that I am. I may never learn everything that I was put on this earth to learn, but I will do my damned best trying. Still, I have to wonder where all of the education in this country has gone to.

Now, the Education system has been hijacked by unions intent only in furthering power, with very little in the way of education in intent. There are probably good teachers out there with intent to actually do what teachers should do, but I bet they don't last long. If they do last, its usually by falling into the role forced upon them by the unions, forgetting (forced to actually) the intended role of a teacher. As in my case, quitting before ever taking the role when I realized the direction that the education system was headed.

Teachers are supposed to teach, that should be blatantly obvious, just in the title. Parents are also part of that as they should be teaching too. The teachers fill in where the Parent lacks, but Teachers also have another role that goes one step beyond that of the parent. Inspiration. Teachers should inspire students to want to learn. A good teacher is able to adapt the program to a student, without sacrificing other students ability. A great teacher inspires the mind.

We still have some great teachers in our schools I am certain. Sadly they are far and few between. I would bet, with good odds I might add, that there are more in private and catholic schools by a large margin, in comparison to that in the public sector. (yet which one gets more money? Shows that real teachers aren't in it for the money doesn't it?)

Now lets go back in time a bit further. All the way back to the 1900's, turn of the century. Public schools only taught to the 8th grade. Signs of that are still in our public school system as you cross out of "middle school" into the "higher school" and shows by the terms Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. Higher school was strictly for those that showed promise for further education. The higher school was intended for those that would go to college. The fact that the education through the 8th was much more intense than we see now, shows that education was an incredibly serious matter to those in the system. (if you can dig one up, find an english primer, or math primer from that time period. Bet even those with degrees will find the curriculum difficult. ) But kids would only be in there early teens once leaving "middle school": what did they do then.

Many went to work. Either for their parents or family. Many would apprentice out to trades: Blacksmithing, Foundry work, Farrier work, Cooper wrights, Dockworkers, day laborers, etc etc etc. Yes, the work was hard, yes the conditions sucked, yes the pay sucked (in the case of apprentices, none or just a stipend. The education received was a payment.) Apprentices might spend 4-6 years under one 'Master' before going out as "journeymen". There is a reason for those names. Journeymen were masters of ONE particular area of their trade. They would travel about to gain more experience, either to return to the shop of their start, or to strike off on their own when they felt competent enough. THIS was how trades progressed. How ideas were spread. Yes, it was a slow form, but the crafts grew stronger for it. The weaker of the breed would fall the wayside to mere existence, while the true masters would gain more knowledge and further the craft for the entire field. Word of mouth was a huge factor in how well a craftsman would grow.

Today, this practice is still in use in some of the 'black arts' like blacksmiths and foundry workers, though only in the private small scale places. A journeyman may have to travel across the entire country to find ONE shop to work in to gain new knowledge.

But all of this was killed a long time ago by regulations and Feel good policy's. Kick me all you want, no, I don't want my granddaughter growing up to work in a sweatshop anymore than any of you want your kids doing the same. BUT you have to admit, there is a serious gap in knowledge these days. How many people working on an assembly line understand the craftsmanship that went into casting and machining a part that they are putting on XXXX? How many of the "machinists" today understand how to manually cut a thread, or various other operations that they have learned how to program a CC machine to do?

How many Fryguys at McDonalds know how to run a short order restaurant?

One other aspect of working as an apprentice was learning ALL about the business. Not just swinging that hammer or running the bellows; but keeping the books, taking care of custom, (there is an interesting run in semantics for you. Custom. At one point EVERYTHING you did was "for the Custom(er)" where as now, Custom is a one off and everything else is cookie cutter and customers are just walking liquid assets.)

WE have devolved as a nation. It didn't take long either considering the nature of how they did it.

Smedumikation baby. Teach a person that they are 'special' and that they don't have to strive to achieve and you have 'em hook, line, and sinker for the rest of their lives.
Indoctrination: Teach em only what you want them to know, not how to figure it out for themselves: instant slave.
Bold faced lies: after the first two are inplace, Lies are nothing more than reinforcement towards and end. Keep them working at a no end place with no growth potential, keep em paying into a system that is far beyond house odds. Keep feeding the lies.

When all of this falls apart, those of us with skills are going to have to incorporate that old style of learning again.

Are you ready to teach what you know?

Best be takin my own advice here,

2011-05-24T18:15:00.002-04:00

and blog sump'in.

Followed a link the other day at WRSA and picked up an Epub of an old book. (BTW, the epub is full of typos and may have been based upon pre-publication. It read kind of rough.)
The basis of said book is a mass exodus of third world countries to 'paradise'. The story is actually kind of short (I started it and finished today and still had time for tooling around a couple of hours) and has some extremely well written descriptions in it. It leaves a whole slue of things to your imagination too.

Maybe too many.

Now, couple that book and its premise to the Video linked by Mayberry a few days back. (if you haven't watched it, read the comments section first, you may not, actually, probably won't, want to watch it. IF you do; fair warning, its bad; real bad.)

To say my personal view of the world has a rather dark tinge to it right now would be an understatement. I don't see a bleakness of despair. More the coming storm clouds of a war that we have been on the fringe of for decades. (the previous book was written in 1973 and the thoughts then are still prevalent today.)

And it's a multiple front war. We have a Government that is about as corrupt as they can get before going all "killing fields" and what not. We are already witnessing an exodus from a third world country into ours. We are already seeing "unorganized" military action within our borders and not by our own military. And of course there is the ever present "terrorist" crap we have to deal with (and if you think you aren't dealing with it on a daily basis, why are words like 'TSA' or 'DHS' so readily recognizable? Hmmm? )

SO, Immigrants demanding equal rights (to be read, better rights than citizens) not requesting asylum as was the norm. A Corrupt Government. Multiple wars that appear to be, directly or indirectly, leading towards a new Crusades that will wash over 90% of the earth. A direct war (though never mentioned as such by those that could make a difference *cough- msm - cough* ) against the very persons mentioned in the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence. (a war of attrition if you will since they only occasionally go into fight mode. Or only so often does it get reported I should say) And I am not even going to go into the whole MENA debacle that is being called "Islam Spring". Talk about a load of Bullshit disguised by cute words. Thats the Ministry of Truth for you.

Yeah, there are some serious storm clouds rolling in. Big ones that have that eerie greenish gray cast to them that tells your spirit 'this one is gonna be bad' .

Then to boot, the weather is complete crap today. I know Texas needs some of this rain, and we are down right sick of the shit. All of the southern states along the Mississippi are sick of all of our rain too since they get it 2 weeks after we do and they get ALL of it. And yet, whats the Prez doing: carting his ass around the world doin what he usually does? Not sure what it is exactly but it never really accomplishes anything. Guess he is shuffling chess pieces around the board for the coming events. Trying to make sure his ducks are in a row for bailout time. Fuck us, he could care less about us so long as we keep paying our way or getting enslaved by the dole so they have the leverage on us they like.

Time for a beer. Gonna try to get my mood lightened a little. Talk to ya'll tomorrow'

T'aint no Obama Drama. (pt 3)

2011-05-22T15:57:00.003-04:00

MOTIVATION: is the driving force by which we achieve our goals. Motivation is said to be intrinsic or extrinsic. The term is generally used for humans but it can also be used to describe the causes for animal behavior as well.

Break it down some. Some people are A types, others B types. A types like control, B types prefer order first. I am only going to go into the A's here.

Control. What kind of control? Well, in my case, since I know myself pretty well and can speak without question on the subject; like to have a very prominent amount of control. I don't like when things get out of my control but can deal with it. I don't like controlling others though. My world, my control (to the best of my ability). OTHERS though, like to have complete control. They want to have say in matters far out of their reach. These are the types that have been in power for a long time, will remain in power for a long time, and no matter how many pass the gates, there will be others waiting to fill those positions. Kings come to mind. Dictators come to mind. Presidents come to mind. Etc etc Ad nauseam. There will always be that type. The trick is getting the B's to accept something a bit more tempered.

In my side bar there is a vid called 'Political Spectrum explained'. It uses the right/left principle to explain the difference between Anarchy and Dictatorship and everything in the middle. Using that principle, look at the spectrum as control. Control of oneself on the right, control of others on the left. I lean hard right in the control spectrum. I lean right in the political spectrum without going towards complete anarchy. (the reason boils down to the B types that need the order of something less than full right)

Keep this in mind when you start looking at the motivation behind certain moves by individuals. Is the reasoning behind their actions motivated by Control right or control left? Most all of us are A types. We like to have control of something. My case is my tools, my forge, my ideas, most of all, my life. Look at Mayberry: He wants control of a boat. Bill: Control of his AO for comfort for his family.(not leadership, just good planning for the future.) All of us would very much prefer that others leave well enough alone in our controls. We don't need some "Big Sis" to tell us how to walk a line. We don't need some papered B-crat to tell us that we can't dig a trench or till a certain weed under "because its protected". We understand our surroundings, know how and what we can do that will maximize our needs without sacrificing others needs ((for the most part)) and prepare for alternatives beyond our control.

Sadly the B types outnumber us. (read part2 about ARII)

So, what is motivating you?

What is motivating the self appointed leaders of the movement? Yes, I think that many of the 'leaders' are self appointed, only held in place by some that don't question intents. (read part 1 again)

Why are we not motivated to turn the tables on what ails this country?

One point was mentioned by T.L. Davis the other day and I personally think it is the real motivation for NOT doing anything. I guess you could say "self preservation" is that answer. Are we done talking yet? I hope not, but then, what if we did, just like I mentioned previously? Do you think the admin would start accelerating the already racing engine, or would they suddenly put the brakes on, just to slow down and have a look-see?

I won't quit posting. I can't shut up about this crap, no matter how sick in the gut it makes me. I am hoping that T.L. doesn't either as he has viewpoints we all need at times. The same with the rest of you out there. Don't stop, no matter how you feel about it. Shift gears, cover something else for a bit, but stay motivated to say something, anything, no matter what.

Until we go silent as a group, that is.

We need a course of action, we need a plan that can capture the minds of those not awake yet. But I am no leader, I can only advise. Until we 'get it together', we are just farts in the wind to amuse the "leaders".

I don't care what the leaders think: I know my desire to control my world is at direct odds to their desires and THAT is what will 'motivate' some shit-storm down the line. This isn't about Obama, this isn't about Race, this isn't about anything but a desire to be a human being and living life the way God intended.

And that wraps up my uber-post today.

T'aint no Obama Drama. (pt 2)

2011-05-22T15:03:00.003-04:00

Let's continue, shall we?

Individualist's, of which I am one, are not necessarily a dying breed. BUT we are a minority. When this country made it through it's birthing pains and BEFORE it was subjected to a little twisted manipulation, Individual's were the norm. I am quite certain that there were some 'not so much' types in the mix but they were a lot farther and fewer between.

We will not be able to have a country of individualists this time around. We will need all of the individuals we have available but as a whole, it would be a short lived effort. The big bad world would swallow it up in a couple of large chunks and then we would be right back to where we are now.

It is for this reason and this reason alone that I really don't wish a fight this time around. As I have stated; we need the individuals, every one of them. IF this were to come to a fight level 'party', we would lose a significant amount of good people. I also think this is why the changes in this country since the second American Revolution have been so damned effective and rarely contested. The majority of those that understood what the real American stood for, were killed defending that principle. (and yet one more reason I despise Lincoln.)

That is not to say I won't fight if push comes to shove, hell no: they want to push, I am gonna punch, they want to arrest, I will shoot, They want to start camps, I start home visits. I won't be left to the devices of those that want to ' create a better America'. Persons stating as such should have every facet of their being questioned, IMO. There is nothing wrong with the original intent of this country, not one thing. The only problem is how it has been manipulated, twisted, and warped.

Considering the above, I think the second option is the prudent move. Let the machine destroy itself. I know that there are others of like mind. I also know that I am an impatient person (as are others but I digress) Waiting for it is torture to say the least. Like watching your car slide sideways off a cliff in slow motion, knowing that there is not one damned thing you can do but be ready to jump and pray.

Lets talk about a revolution. What are some of the common traits of successful ones? Leadership? Specific goals? (IE the Declaration of Independence.) Support? At least some anyway.
How about MEDIA? Yes, it is a much needed part. You have to have some way of keeping the information rolling to those not directly involved.

We ain't got no media dude!

Yah, I know. They do and they use it to their every advantage.

The way they have completely trashed the image of the real Militias for one.
Back in the late 80's, people were starting to reform state militias. Nothing organized really, but they were forming. It really started taking off under Bush I but started accelerating under Clinton. That was about the time of all the media spin against militias. There are several points here that could be made but one I will point out was the leadership issue.
The leaders of the said militias could have done a much better job in controlling image issues. Yes, training is important, and should never be downplayed, no matter what the media is doing. BUT there should have been much more interaction with local LEOrganizations. Helping during events like floods, etc. Yeah, I am talking PR here.
IF the leaders of the 'movement' had followed some simple PR rules, they could have avoided drawing fire from higher up. Sadly there were too many fringe groups that were more than willing to get set up for the fall, and a Government that was getting nervous with 'all the talk'.

Hind sight is 20/20. Too late now. (think about that environment when you are reading the posts from Bill. Something stinks and he is trying to find it amongst the refuse left over from that time.)

I am betting that all the talk now only has them laughing in the hallways at the end of the day.

I would also bet that if the talk suddenly just stopped, ceased, disappeared from the webs: They would suddenly have a case of the spray paint shits.

Not that this would happen, but the thought amuses me some.

Next up, More thoughts from me, but I am going to shift gears a little. Lets discuss "motivations".

Back in a bit.

T'aint no Obama Drama. (pt 1?)

2011-05-22T10:27:00.002-04:00

Oh where to start with this thought-line. This may end up being a multiple post simply due the length of what I have going round and round in my head.

First up: Talkin 'bout a Revolution.

Has anyone ever noted that all Socialist/marxist revolutionaries are rarely shown from anything other than shoulders up? Might that be due to all of the bodies piled up around them?
Sadly, its not just them though. No matter what: Revolution, Civil War, Police action, or even in the case of Syria lately, Civil protest; there will be piles of corpses. PILES. MASS GRAVES, you name it. Look into our own history that we are all so proud to pull up to show 'higher ground' and you find one of the bloodiest wars known to man. More dead in one battlefield than most of our other wars, internal or not combined. (the whole States vs Fed is another discussion)
Yet, there are glory hounds around every revolutionary in history. Che Guevara has(had) his following as well as George Washington or Thomas Jefferson. Just as there are many different personality types, there are nearly as many Revolutionaries to go around. Even Mohammed was a revolutionary in his time (and still inspires his followers with the same twisted inhuman zeal) Think about it hard enough and you will even see that Jesus was a revolutionary. (and you shouldn't have to think that hard about it.)

We have persons within our ranks that would like to be the leaders of said revolutionaries too. There is no escaping the fact that a successful revolution has to have a leader(s) but you must always question the motive behind said 'leaders'. There is one in our immediate ranks that is doing just that. Is he right? Is he wrong? I leave that for you to decide, or better yet, sit back and watch the facts fall into place. No matter how it falls out, it is a healthy move for those that are sick of the current situation in our country. If the one is dirty, it will be found out and corrected. If he isn't dirty, than we have a good leader. Win/win for the threepers, Freepers, Libertarians, etc etc etc. Not calling our leaders out for bad moves is one reason we are where we are as a country. We, our founders, established a corrective procedure that is as effective as allowing 4th graders to grade each others tests; with about as much moral backing to boot. This corrective measure is in a positive feedback loop. Once that happens, there is one of two options. Shut down the machine or allow it tear itself to pieces. Sometimes, the difference in the choice is irrelevant as the damage is done and the machine is not repairable. I think that we are in the state now where it matters not how if breaks, it has already failed. We may be able to use the frame again, but the guts of the machine are scrap.

SO, Revolution. Who wants one? Me? Not really. I may not like what we have and feel like an stranger in a strange land within my own country; but wanting a revolution? Not so much. When I was younger, Oh yeah! I was itching for a fight and wanted the whole shebang to go to hell in a handbasket. I was asked by a GF at the time a question that shut down my thoughts for a time.

"SO, you win the Revolution, who do you put in charge? Yourself? Run an election? Where do you start the rebuild?"

These are questions that need answered before you go running against the wind and start shit you can't finish. (I would like those 'would be leaders' to think long and hard on this question. Then post a proposal to the remainder of the community. Wonder how many would lose the backing of their followers when the narcissistic side shows it true colors?)

Another question we need to answer if there were to be a jump in that direction. Actually its the same question as above but it covers all, not just the leaders. See, the opposing side has a very finite view of what they want; We do not. Individualism? Ok, good one but explain that to the remaining 95% of the population and see how quickly eyes glaze over. Freedom? Good also but I have to say there is a good 80% of the population that would end up cowering in a closet in fear if given true liberty. There has to be a damned good answer to the questions; they have to have concise answers that can be understood by the average HS freshman. The simpler the better.

+++++++++++++++

This morning on the start of my shift, I was listening to Coast to Coast. Funny how little the 'rapture' attracted my attention, but they had a guest speaker on there to discuss the ramifications of the non-event.
He scared the hell out of me. NOT because of his views on the fallacy of trusting a three time loser prophet but his socio-psychological views. This guy was as serious a Marxist as K. Marx was. He kept hinting around "better Government" to legislate away Personality traits that don't meet approval. (I am imagining his approval of course) He even went so far as to call it a SociaDemocracy.

THAT is our enemy. Him and all those like him that think you can legislate people to do good.
That is not Obama Drama, thats a damned fact. IF we were so damned successful at legislating good, why do we, as a country have the highest ratio of Civilian to Prison population in the world? (oh, its because they can't just outright eliminate them yet. That would be too reminiscent of Stalin and PolPot.)

More to come soon. Right now my brain is running like a squirrel in the road. Gotta slow down some so I don't get squitched.

Stay tuned,

2011-05-21T20:16:00.002-04:00

have a doozy of a post running round my head itching my skull. (and no, I don't have fleas! I get a flea dip once every spring! : P )

Seriously though, something worth thinking about and one I want to share. A accumulation of thoughts in response to several other blogs. Deep stuff. (and may be considered deep shit by certain someones left unnamed)

Simple link up(feelin lazy 2nite)

2011-05-20T18:33:00.001-04:00

The American people need to be shocked out of their entertainment-induced stupor long enough to understand what is really going on and what needs to be done to solve our nightmarish economic problems.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/collapse-of-the-economy-2011-5?op=1#ixzz1Mw0xeqe6
Go read the whole thing.
Not new to us but it may be just the ticket to wake up someone close to you.

Or not.

(thats always a hard call)

H/T to Claire Wolf for the direction.

Curiouser and curiouser

2011-05-19T18:54:00.002-04:00

Reading over the Drudge report and a few blogs and links therein since I came home. One point I would like to bring up, and probably others have noticed as well: the tensions are becoming palpable. Highly so. All you have to do is cruise, you don't even really have to read the whole articles to get a sense that something is brewing. No real center to it all. Most of it has to do with O and his blatant disregard for our historical alliances and several of the key players attached to some of his decisions (IE Pakistan, Israel, Etc etc.) There is a new IMF player on the scene and I have to wonder just how deeply entrenched she is, in American politics (and you know, no one is going to do the digging, Too many trying to keep the shit off the trousers, and there is a lot of shit flying around right now)

Within the Blogs and links, I am sensing a mounting tension, good or ill, only time will tell. I think we are on the cusp of something big breaking and its going to be centered around 4A not 2A like so many have thought in the past. Then there is the media expanding its coverage of "reasons" to maintain the 'War on Drugs'. Lots of that shit floating around the cesspool right now. There is only one aspect of that term that is correct. WAR. Yeah, its a war alright with, so far, only one side doing the shooting. The Cartels are a part of it but they aren't the ones that take the outright heat so much as American Citizens. Yeah, something is definitely brewing on the home front.

I think, and I am torn on the emotional side of it, that things in the next 30 days (or sooner) are going to get very interesting to say the least. I am torn as I really would like to not have to fight, and on the same note, I am totally itching for the fight as I am sick of this shit just building and building with no release of tension. What happens when the stresses continue to build and build in a fault line? Eventually you get a really nasty quake and all of its sidekicks. That is what we are building to. I am thinking that this thing is going to avalanche and go global within a week of whatever happens. It may be small scale on the local scene for some persons, but its going to be like a wildfire, bursting up in strange ways everywhere.

Hang on to your hats people, the ride is going to get very erratic here soon, I can just feel it.

My nose has a tickle.

2011-05-19T06:29:00.002-04:00

This whole mess with the IMF board member in New York seems just a bit to airtight to be real. Maybe this is a legit case of sexual predation, maybe not. Lets look at things from a different perspective though.
The perspective of convenience.
Just how convenient is it that a sitting board member of the IMF is under 24/7 surveillance at this time (they are calling it 'Suicide watch'.) For the U.S. Gov extremely. This person in question has the ability, along with his colleagues of making the Dollar just another backwater currency instead of the backbone of a world economy. Keep that in mind while I continue further.
IF you are in power, and all of the players in this scenario ARE, how do you best remove a potential enemy from the playing field without killing them out right? Answer: Character assassination. Its a whole lot cheaper than sending in the Marines. (Current Libya conflict for example) and has the potential of making said person a 'useful ally. Now, the best character assassination there is, involves sex. All you have to do is see what they have tried to do to Julian Assange and you can come up with some pretty good scenarios without stretching too many braincells very far. The reason for using sex is it aligns all sides of a conflict. No one wants to admit thinking 'perverse' thoughts. The right are 'morally upright' so they will not question motives past what the media paints in a case like this. The left stand by seeing a chance to corner a different 'market' while the right is wallowing in how upright they really are. Its all smoke and mirrors to hide a potential enemy removal.
Now, is this what they are doing? I don't know, but the coincidences and timing are too tight. There was a meeting scheduled this week amongst the IMF and the Federal Reserve and suddenly this guy gets popped for sexual assault. Things that make you go Hmmmm. This is after the IMF has stated that they are considering making a basket of currency for the Reserve, dropping the dollar in the process. The plot gets a little thicker considering how far up the shit creek this country is in debt. Remove the one aspect holding the dollar afloat and there is a whole different take on what a dollar will purchase. (and you thought $1.29 candybars were bad. Ya aint seen nuthin yet if they pull the dollar as the reserve currency)
Now what got me to thinking about this was a Drudge report saying that 60% of French citizens think this is a setup. It really doesn't matter if it is or isn't, the end result is a win for the U.S. Gov since it puts a delay in the decision making process of the IMF. They have managed to insert themselves in the IMF's OODA loop.
Yes the potential for this guy being a pervert or rapist or what not are in the cards. Hell, It only takes a little alcohol to make even the most saintly get a little off center. And in this country a charge of rape is as close as a girl changing her mind about a 'close encounter' because the guy farted during sex. (think I am lying on this one. Look at how many military guys are doing brig time for rape when the girl decided to change her mind mid-fuck. It happens. It happens enough that 2 old friends of mine were doing time for just that point. No rape, just a little drinking then a change of heart at the last minute. Here's a tip for the girls. A stiff dick has no conscience, or a moral code. If you don't want to play, don't lead the guy into the bushes then expect him to take no for an answer.)
My point here is pretty simple. There are a lot of girls in NYC that would jump on a dollar sum to cry wolf. And that isn't to pick on NYC, that's pretty much everywhere. Just look at the porn industry to see how the saying “sex sells” really works. Money talks, and enough money can talk some people into forgetting all about 'Morals' with a quickness.
Is that what may have happened here? I don't know. Just analyzing here and making some subjective points using my limited knowledge of human nature and political wrangling. Remember my point about money talks? Think about how cheap it would be to stop the IMF from devaluing the dollar (which is exactly what removing it from Reserve status would do) if all you had to do was set up a call girl with a trust fund to cry wolf at just the right time. You could probably stave off a major calamity for less than 1 millionth our national debt. 13 million could tempt me pretty strongly. I am sure that it would have been less than that but when you are talking millions to save Trillions, the investment is a no brainer.
Now, keeping this guy under 24/7 watch may actually be a suicide watch. If this guy is guilty, with his position, his life is ruined. Why not end it all.
OR What better way to keep him from contacting those in his sphere to warn them of the truth. Either option is valid and with current law within the states, Umhum, patriot act anyone; well within the means of this .GoV.
My nose is twitching from the smell.
Seems like it does that a lot these days.
Guess the septic system in the District of Criminals has started to erupt more frequently.

more thumps and bumps

2011-05-18T17:18:00.004-04:00

and more than a few FRNs back into circulation BUT

I have an anvil and am now the proud owner of a Oxy/acetylene torch set. Investing in my future and more shit to haul around but damned useful tools. Next up is a portable forge or furnace. If I make the forge, it will be made from scrap. If I make the furnace, I will have to purchase refractory materials for the walls. I haven't quite made up my mind which yet but I have decided on portable (well, as portable as a few hundred pounds is. * cough* Lathe/mill *cough*. Starting to think I need a BIG enclosed trailer. (and that means bigger truck, dangit)

Update on the stirling engine: back to square one. I have the crankshaft made and am happy with the way that turned out but the block design left lots to be desired. Luckily, it remelt for the next round of trial and error I will attempt.

Here is the finished anvil. I will admit that the front half is rough but I really don't mind; the thing is meant to be beat with hammers. It can look like an ugly step sister for all I care.
This is one step I took to ease my gas usage for the final cuts. The top of the beak was cut out using a 12" gas powered chop saw. I attempted to cut part of the throat out the same way but ended up chewing up too much blade in the process. (hence my decision to get a torch)
And here is my personal boost to the economy today. $575 out the door including filled tanks and I OWN it, tanks included. I can take them anywhere in the country for refills, haven't a monthly bill to deal with, and, It has potential for far more uses than just cutting apart a piece of rail.
Back to work tomorrow and I have an outline for a post all in my head and jotted down in notes. Waiting for another shoe to fall before I post though.

Talk to ya all tomorrow.

Last night, was (s)election fraud #1

2011-05-18T08:27:00.003-04:00

IE the Ky State Primaries.

Watching the befuddled masses continue to play the charade, I wonder if maybe this 'oldie but goodie' isn't in our near future.

Corrosion Of Conformity - Vote With A Bullet (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Corrosion of Conformity

This was the song that held me together when I was sitting in solitary in the brig awaiting the court martial. The lyrics may still be scrawled on the back of that cell door. LOL

Here are the lyrics.
CoC-Vote with a bullet

The number in nations
The god in their hearts
The justice in swine
The devil in God

VOTE

This long hand that breaks our backs
Still casting shadows on all that we see
Unjustified...mercy killing is just a feeling
To keep our numbers from being free

(Chorus)
Prison for praise is not worth thinking
Sin is still in and our ballots are shrinking
So unleash the dogs - the only solution
Forgive and forget, fuck no
I'm talking about a revolution

The prophet man's got a needle in his hand
Draws his dreams from your soul - bleeding
minds into sand
The year of the fear has arrived decades too late
And our right to stand and fight is now
solely sealed in fate

(Repeat first chorus)

One last chance mission with a vision
'cos our lives are just cards in their stack
Our time is short but theirs is shorter
How much longer can they hold us back

(Chorus)
Prison for praise - the obvious answer
Once had power mad - living disaster
Don't fuck with me 'cos I'm on a freedom train
That bears no name - this time
I'm voting with a bullet

This view they once knew made our nooses too tight
This justice in swine
This devil in god

So God bless my soul - I've got total control
And the crosshairs lined up dead in my sighthttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

I'm voting with a bullet

To rip off the lyrics, its only a matter of time, isn't it?

Addendum: AP has a great piece on his site that reflects my mood today.

Not Playin 'round no'mo

2011-05-17T17:25:00.003-04:00

When a body finds that they are, without a doubt, captured or enslaved, what do ya do????

Really you only have two options but there is a third one that takes patience.

Option one: Accept your chains, be the slave
Option two: Rattle your chains, make trouble, be a thorn in the master's side with potential retaliation that will eventually end in your 'ultimate freedom', IE death. (Remember that the old slave songs are about freedom in heaven but rarely in life?)

Then there is the third option. This is the one that's actually a compromise of a sort.
Option three: Pretend compliance while you quietly assemble the means to cut said chains.
I guess you could say that I am actively in option three at this point.
Some would say that my ripping up an old piece of rail with a grinder is a waste of time. There are some that would say my attempts at building a stirling motor are a fools dream. There are those that think my sitting on the porch with my mind turned inward or focused strongly on a book in my lap are simple acts of laziness
Nope, none of the above. I am a very obsessive person. I have (in my opinion) a mild case of Obsessive Compulsive disorder. I focus on projects or issues with an intensity that scares hell out of some people. Maybe its the Marine in me.
Maybe it is an actual disorder. Don't know, don't care: its a part of what makes me, ME. Intense is only one aspect of my personality. Another side of that is being a serious introvert. Yup, introvert, you read that correctly. I don't bond easily, nor do I enjoy crowds.(funny coming from someone that used to mix live bands in front of audiences. Front of house is a great way to see the show, have room to move and still be a part of the action. Introverts do real well like that) I self-reflect endlessly. I am my OWN worst critic without fail. One simple comment from a friend and I immediately start to reassess my actions and statements from day one to see if I am at fault. I do this long before I start pointing fingers at others. (remember, when you point at someone, there are three fingers pointing right back at you and they are yours, none other)

Recent trends within the spheres, political, blogs, net in general, what not; have led me to go silent on my thoughts other than to state that I won't be held prisoner in my own world any longer. I will build my place to the best of my ability WITHOUT permissions. I will get my shop setup so that I can cut the chain of dependence on a fiat economy. I will have my own power sources that stretch the imagination back to the 1800's and will love every minute of it.

Am I a slave. Yup, for now. There is one slavery I won't fight though and that is slavery to myself and my goals. If that means I have to abide by some rules “to get along” for now, so be it.
But I won't be a slave for long. Even if that means I have to go mobile.(and that thought is in my head)
I am not playing anymore. This is all serious, even if I don't post seriously.

As posted in comments over at the Cliffs of Insanity.

Seems to me that if the cops are at the door....you might as well start shooting. You can forget a 'fair trial' and you can forget not having evidence 'manufactured'.

Sean

I am done playing. I won't go quietly, and you can forget Miranda rights (actually, they already have. No one is innocent until proven guilty. It's up to us to prove innocence which is 180 degrees from the intentions of the founders)

This is all serious. I won't go quietly. And I will do my outright damnedest to take as many with me as possible to thin the herd for the next target.

BUT, I am not going to go out and jump in front of a bus either. Bring it or don't, I won't go hunting for trouble.

For though it has been forgotten by men of our time, it was known then that a man only possesses those rights he can defend by force.

Not everyone has forgotten this Very Basic Tenet of living. (and there are hundreds more links just like those, and all represent someone that believes in individuality.)

Local net down flyin by phone backon soon

2011-05-17T16:23:00.001-04:00

SPARKLIESSS!!!!!!!

2011-05-16T16:54:00.004-04:00

THAT, is what I heard from a youngun when I was working on this.

yup, its a piece of Rail that my cousin found in a ditch near the railroad. I figured it would make a fine Anvil for the limited amount of work that I do in the smithing arts. BUT it needed a couple of additions for proper work. One being the Hardie hole for accessories.

How do you cut a square hole in a large chunk of steel? You drill, baby, you drill. In this case, you pilot 5 holes. One in the center, four on the periphery of a circle in a square shape. You can do triangles, or even hex shapes. Much more than six and you start to lose the 'edge' and it just starts to look like a round hole. But you drill to the depth your main hole will be, then once you have all 5 to depth, you step up on the center hole. By the time you get to the size you need, you are beating hell out of a bit so you have to take it slow. But it works. here is an example of the result.

Now, you aren't done yet at that point. For smaller holes such as this, you really need some extra help. In my case, it was my mill. I used that to smooth out the sides of the hole to accept my hardie tools that I welded up yesterday. This one is a bending fork. Talk about a useful tool. I can bend up to 5/8" rod in this one. I will make another that can do 1" but it can wait.(lots of heat helps but you can bend plate with just annealing it)

And this is how it will sit in the anvil when needed. Of course turning it 90 degrees is an option too, depending on needs. I also made a 'roll bar' and a hot cut chisel that also fit in the hole. I am sure that there will be others that I come up with.

Now, obviously I am not done at this point. I still need to finish making the beak on the anvil, and cutting out the mounting holes. Lots more to do yet and lots more 'sparklies' to create in the process. I have cut the beaks main shape out (sorry, was too busy handling a gas powered chopsaw to take pics) but it is rough at this point. Rail is some tough ass steel, let me tell you. Should hold up to the minor abuse I will throw at it.

But, its keeping me busy on my day off and keeping my mind off politics. Plus I end up with a decent tool for future projects. Double win for me.

Now, where to find a large oak stump to put it on,,,,,

Busy,(BANG!) Hang on (CRaasHHHH!)

2011-05-16T12:23:00.002-04:00

Back in a bit.

Making sumpin useful from something else. Both are danged heavy. Will have pics, Promise!

Also starting to 'just up and do what needs done' so that my functionality in life is not hampered by the slowgo of a dozer operator. Setting the posts and hauling rock to make my 'foundry' Will set a 'foundation' to hold the sand and earth floor and start ramming that together. Don't want concrete flooring in a foundry: Hot metal spills cause concrete to explode sending concrete shards and molten metal into rather uncomfortable places.

Why lie, I am trying like hell to stay busy so that I don't get too 'twitchy' in my index finger. If they want to tear the country apart, let em. Then we can rebuild. Till then, I am living my damned life as I wish, making things, growing things, and doing what God intended me to do within the short time he as allotted me.

So to all ya Federal fucknutz that want to track us "Urban Terra-ists" or whatever BS name you have labeled us with this week: I am in So. KY and you know fully where, and if you want to come pay a visit, feel free. If you don't honk at the gate, I do shoot, but if you come in good manners, I may even share a cup of coffee with you.

Whadoyahdo?

2011-05-14T17:27:00.002-04:00

When the law (br)makers shit all over the founding principles of this country; Whadoyahdo?

When you know that if something happened on your doorstep, right or wrong, involving LEO's; Whadoyahdo?

When knowing that your moral code is stronger than that of the people that 'represent' this country: Whadoyahdo?

At one point, in this country, when a person became fed up with the current situation; they could pack up and head west into opensky country and start anew.
Open sky country is now called Fly over country but its all under control of the current shits we call Government. We haven't anywhere to head to once we get our wagons packed.
Hell, I won't lie, I had thought about going Ex-Pat more than a few times. The problem I keep coming to is that there is NO WHERE ELSE that isn't in worse shape (though we are quickly getting to a point where even Mexico looks better than here, sad to say). Even thought about Australia a time or two (but that would be nearly as bad as moving to Kaliforniastan only with a cooler accent)

Guys, I have to say, I am sick of it all. I know that you are to. To say that we want to stand up to this shit is noble but pointless. We do, but we also know that the current administration is looking for a group to "Proselytize" as a gesture of control; the same way they did under Clinton. (and is there really all that much difference in the current or past regimes from Clintons time?)

No Fort Sumnters? How do we really know that there hasn't already been one? The Police state grows stronger DAILY and the Media cooperates whole heartedly in the painting of 'the crazies' without one ounce of dignity. Heck, I have met street whores with more dignity than the current MSM operators.(and what difference is there in the professions other than pay scale? )

So,,,,,

When do we say "ENOUGH!!!"? It's not a matter of where or how but WHEN now. Do we just continue our slow shuffle like we have been doing, just waiting for the shoe to fall or the economy to collapse. Do we keep up the deathwalk to the ovens? We all know that is the end game no matter how it falls out: whether its camps, or just surgical removal under the guise of "police operations". I just don't see any other outcome. The current run we are having, while it seems that the wheels are about to come off, will just keep slugging its way down the track. The history of things doesn't call for a total collapse so much as a slow build up of vacuum to be replaced by just another form of the same old same old. Dunno 'bout you but I am just plain sick of it. With the way this country is enslaved, and it is, we won't get out of this without a lot of pain and suffering on EVERYONE'S behalf. Most won't make it at all.

I just don't have that much encouragement to spread right now. And I know that there will be little to no backlash over any of the further encroachments we are seeing. The fact that there haven't been up to this point only encourages our enemies. Our enemies are now in control and in a sense, we are allowing all of this to go on. We all say to ourselves "but I am just one person, suicide by cop doesn't appeal to me". I know, I have said it myself. We are the law abiding, whether we like it or not. That means WE are the ones that suffer the most by more and more Draconian laws. Not the Criminals or the Lawmakers (one and the same in my book)
And that is the leverage that they use against us: Ourselves and our moral codes. How does it feel to be your own worst enemy?

We need a new strategy because so far, our strategy has been nearly the same as the one the Jews used in Pre-WWII Germany. We don't need to go into how that all panned out.

I don't have any input at this point because my right index finger is twitchy. That is not the strategy we need right now, though at some point, it may be the only one we have left.

Dangit blogger!

2011-05-13T15:24:00.003-04:00

Had a post up yesterday, and blogger ate it. No surprise really but it gets frustrating. Guess I need to go back to my old method of tapping out posts in Open Office before publishing them. That way, I have a good solid backup.

The post yesterday was about Profits and the scam on the hill with the Oil Companies.

It matters not where you stand on the issue, the scam is being played out to further class envy. If you side with the oil companies, you are bad. If you don't you are playing right into the hands of the agenda. I sat and listened to some of the arguments yesterday, both online and between mundano's at work. The whole mess is a hollow BS run on squeezing more money out of someone. Whether that plan gets the oil companies to cough up more tax revenue is irrelevant. If they do, guess what? They will just raise the price of fuel to compensate. They stated as much with straight faces. No bullshit, this is the way it is; "Fuck with us and everyone pays."

This was brought up at work today and I was able to see just how one sided my arguments were. You can't argue with uninformed or completely misinformed persons. You just can't do it. It's rather like taking an AT4 to the local turkey shoot. The end result is a few pissed off shooters and a lot of mess. No one wins.
My only consolation is that I know I am right.
One comment I made today shut down the argument quick though. Everyone was harping about the "level" of profit the CEO's are making. I asked if they thought that it was fair that they weren't making that kind of money? Of course the answer was that it was NOT fair. I then asked if they were willing to lay down their entire lives, sacrificing every waking moment and family to the task of earning that kind of money. And of course the answer was no. Well then, don't bitch, right?

AT4 at the turkey shoot. I may as well have pulled up to the argument in a Warthog with dual 20mm cannons and Javelins. The result would have been the same either way. Least to say, when things get tough, the taxes go up on the oil companies, and they are paying $10/gal for gas or diesel: I get to say "told ya so, asscracks" I know for a fact that if diesel hits $6/gal, they are cutting my department out of the business plan. OF COURSE that little tidbit of information was greeted with "yeah right, they need us too much".

If you can't explain simple business strategy to someone, explaining any other economic concept is like trying to teach a chimp how to do brain surgery (without a club or rock that is)

I give up on them, I really do.

Maybe its time to get the wheels and head for higher ground. Maybe Craig has the right idea with a boat. Today I feel like I am floundering in that sea of gelatinous fish shit that Craig so eloquently described.

Just like on the Titanic though, there are only so many lifeboats to go around. Someone is going down with the ship, period.

I would like to think I won't be one of those.

the frustration in a thousandth of an inch

2011-05-11T16:12:00.005-04:00

There are times, where I sit and look at my toys and wonder what the hell happened to this world. There was a time when men AND women went to work, dressed like they were on the way to church. When trying to make something of yourself was the EXPECTATION not the 'just go along to get along' attitude of now-times.
My toys are throwbacks to those times. The work I do with said 'toys' are also throwbacks to a much simpler time, where a car was a work of genius kept alive by the local blacksmith. Our cars are still works of genius, but you danged near have to have a masters degree in computer sciences to get anything done on one now. (even though the premise that they all work around is still, Suck, squeeze, bang, blow.)

But I have to struggle harder than they did then, to acquire some of the basic stuff to make other things. Basic chemical components that were available over the counter at the hardware store or pharmacy, way back when. NOW, I get put on a watch list just for looking at aluminum powder online. Yes, I know it has many uses in Explosives and other items. It is a great oxidizer. In my case, yes, I am (wanting) making a thermite component; not to burn anything, but to create something. Thermite welding is still in use (railroads) and it can still be much more cost effective for a simple casting than setting up a cupola furnace and making all kinds of pollutants and WAY more molten Iron than my crucible is capable of handling.
Not for the mundane though. We can't have that stuff because we might be compromised by some terrorist group or something. Or be openly hostile to our current government (with merit I might add.)

The regulations of now-times really puts a hurting on everything that could be better. Maybe there is a small amount of truth in how certain regulations have made the environment better. Just maybe though. The real truth being, given time (and a short amount of time at that) the consumer would have 'regulated' offenders right out of business. The short amount of regulation needed should have been nothing more than having your intakes mounted downstream of your discharge. That little bit would have circumvented any waste issues right off the bat. The same things go for silly protection measures. The fact that our legal system allows so many frivolous lawsuits to go through over 'protection measures' show just how far down the coddled path we have come.

Here is a woman I would love to know.
You can see she is tired, worried, probably more than a little hungry, but look deep into those eyes and you see Wisdom, and love. Far more than you see in the eyes of most people nowdays.

You see, in this pic, this woman's family just had to sell their tent to by food to feed the kids. They are share croppers and the pea harvest just fell through.

Let me ask you. Do you think this woman is thinking of leaving her family over the hard times? She is still pretty enough that she could move on to someone of more stature and better financial status. BUT do you think she is thinking about that?

Then ask yourself if this woman would have the same resolve if times got as tough.
Why did I choose her pic over some others? Only due to the facial structure. They are very similar to the woman in the first pic.
Now I have to ask. The first woman is a share cropper. There may not be that big of a skill set needed to pick peas, but there is one requirement. Hard back breaking work in the hot sun. The lines in her face attest to that. The callouses on her hands attest to that. The dirty nails attest to that.

Think you would EVER see Kim in that condition? No? Bet she would drop her current beau, like a stroke of lightning if he even thought of selling the mansion let alone a damned tent 'just to eat'. Heck, without actually knowing her, (just her type) chances are, she would find some way of selling her looks before she went down that road. (oops, she already did, didn't she?)

That trait alone; already common enough of an attitude amongst the lower/middle class families of now-days, makes that particular 'type' really unattractive to me. They may be easy on the eyes, but damn are they hard on everything else. And they represent a large majority of the voting class in this country, they also encourage similar behavior in those, that aspire to such heights. (trust me, its hard ladder to climb but when you fall off, its a short way down, that hits like a long fall.)

I sit here an look at my 'toys'. The only ones that I have that represents my current age are my netbook and my phone. Everything else is much simpler, more robust, much more useful. Those two are really only to compete in the rat race. Information. Other than that, they do little but eat up juice and create heat and frustration from me. No T.V. No microwave. No crazy entertainment system. (I will admit that I have 35Gb worth of audio on my HD as well as 280Gb of video. Rarely do I watch anything but the music is essential and takes up a whole lot less space on the HD.)

I sit and look at my 'toys'. Thinking. One more thousandth of an inch. The time line is long but the time we are here is short. One more thousandth.

Thinking.

ridin the monkey whirligig.

2011-05-11T13:53:00.003-04:00

(fair warning, I am all over the place today)
If you haven't yet read Starving the Monkeys; you should.

Tom has a way with words, boiling things down to the simplest point without losing the integrity of the argument. Kind of like distilling a fine whiskey: the difference between rocket fuel and a high quality liquor is subtle, but unable to be done away with. That subtle difference is what makes him a better writer than I.

Yes, there will be consequences to secession. Some states, such as Michigan, will fall to Islam. Similarly, some states will fall to Christianity. Others will be reduced to cesspools of wounded bankers feeding on each other at last. But each of these will be powerless to infect the rest. Some states will fail of their own accord and become pits of despair which the good will flee. A few will prosper and act as beacons to the others. Far better than this vast gray paste of compliance we currently enjoy, don't you think? (emphasis mine)

Read the rest here.

There are a multitude of counter arguments that can go along with this stuff. One reason I like Toms style is his way of pulling in the counter argument at the same time. Showing the fallacy of propaganda based training. Yes, there has to be a common ground for things to make sense of anything; and that is where there is so much crap in the world today. Every body is screaming about "the one" this that or the other but so few look at the fact that we are all, ALL, human first. There are certain facts that go with that groundwork. Freedom of choice for one. Freedom to defend yourself and your property, family, even just your freedoms, for another. Once you remove all of the added luggage from the basest form, what you have is a weak, hairless monkey that has only one tool to use against the rest of the big bad world. Our teeth are pretty useless against tigers and bears, our 'claws' leave house cats laughing at us, we aren't exactly the fastest runners on the planet. And we have to move so much blood through these outrageously long limbs; our endurance is pretty crappy too(in comparison to other animals) BUT we have been given the most powerful brain on the planet (arguable but work with me here) One that we barely use 10% of on our best days. (and even so, have completely revamped the surface of this planet using that 10% of the brain)
Yet, many don't use even 1% it seems. They fall into the latest trend, to get along without rocking the boat. Or maintain silent oblivion in a secret hell they created due to the manipulations of someone else ( And I will let you make of that one, what you will. Archaic? you betcha)
Those that fall into the trap of 'keeping the norm' are, in my opinion, committing the greatest wrong of all. The entire goal of our existence is to improve our chances at everything. Better health, longer life, more intelligence, whatever: all to be passed on to our progeny in the understanding that they continue the improvement.

Yet every few hundred years, we get caught up in this argument of politics, government, socialization, and the most hateful of all, Altruism. That last is NEVER about what its stated intent is. NOPE, its all about the things that Barry boy and his minions have been preaching. Spreading the wealth. You lose so that someone else can gain, temporarily; all the while, hatred spreads like a brush fire.

We need to look past the large complex of rules and see what we can do to step back to a simpler existence. One were we are moving forward and bettering ourselves so that our children can do the same.

desilusionado

2011-05-10T19:53:00.002-04:00

I wrote earlier that I was going to be coming back with something of a situation report.

I read about 'thwarted' hijackings, strange bags or boxes in major travel hubs and I think to myself, " the herd is paranoid now". And they are. Facts: 28,537 number of commercial flights per day.
and we have heard of what, 5 maybe as many as 10 incidents in the last week?
28537 Number of flights daily average.
10 Number of days since OBL was killed and the crazies have had time to do 'sumpin'.
15 I am being generous here, the number of incidents that may or may not be legit.

15/285370=5.2563X10(-5) or let me take that out of scientific notation. .0000052563% 1/500000th percent of all domestic flights. Damn dude, you'd better play the lottery, you have a better chance of hitting that then jumping on a flight supporting a terrorist activity. (well, maybe not the powerball ;P )

Seriously. I am just to the point of not giving a rats ass. Not one iota. I have more important shit on my table that needs attention. The fact that there are so many that freak right the fuck out over something that has that chance of probability (enough that they scream for further restrictions on ME dammit); really makes me wish for a Mother Nature/Darwinian moment for a large portion of my fellow man.

SO, is this just heightened awareness on the part of the flyers? Maybe. If so, good. Awareness will keep you alive (or if not you, at least a multitude of others). Situational awareness is one of the key points to surviving anything. Period. And also one of the least exercised skills amongst the majority of people.

Herd mentality.

I think our country would be much better off if we were able to develop "pack mentality" instead. Watch the wolves of Yellowstone and you will understand (if you don't already)

Individuallism is even better but there are just far too many that wouldn't 'get it'.

in the heat of the day, in the heat of the night

2011-05-10T14:14:00.004-04:00

Dio will melt! (and with the heat today, it felt like I was melting! LOL )
That, My friends, is a block for a stirling engine.
I realize that the inside of the block looks rough as hell, it is. This is the first time I have attempted a hollow chamber in a casting. I didn't have core material so I made it up as I went along. BUT, as you can see in the next pic, there is room for the crankshaft without having to machine the hell out of it. I would rather a little too much metal than not enough and have to start over.

Anyways, I will be back with some commentary about scared herds and idiot media later. Now its time for a beer and a pizza. Back soon.

mind whupped

2011-05-09T16:31:00.004-04:00

My crucible came in this morning. Can't wait to get a good melt. Have to 'season' it first but then, Look out! Dio is gonna make sumpin!
I also picked up another 50 lbs of casting sand so needed something a little better than a couple of 5 gal buckets to keep the stuff in. I decided to make my sandbench before the stuff got here so I would have something to put the new sand into, straight away. This is said bench. That is half of a 55 gal drum (old antifreeze drum) and a mess of 2X4's. After I took the pic, I added a shelf to it and put a lid on it (to keep cats and bugs out of the sand). It's gonna live life outside under cover.

From another angle and Ol' Blue is in the shot. Yuppers, thats the MIG I acquired a few years back. Beat to hell (was in a box in pieces when I got it) but runs and will weld 22 gauge up to 3/8" (and With patience could do 1/2")

And here are the lifting tongs for the new Crucible. This is the first go round. I wasn't real happy with my original idea when it met reality. That, and thinking that I am going to want slightly larger rods for the handles. A 4lb crucible and 10lbs of Aluminum that are hovering around 1500 degrees, better safe than sorry. I will cut these apart and make something else out of them later. (maybe fire tongs or something)

Thats one aspect about my 'hobby' that I love. There is really NO waste, ever. The dross biscuits make great paving stones, the clinkers from the furnace end up as gravel in the drive; something doesn't quite measure up, in the scrap box, not the trash. It will remelt, bend, cut, or be incorporated into something else later. The only trash I have are chips and grindings and those all go into a different boxes for recycling. (aluminum separate from the iron!!!!!!! trust me on this one!)(I have tried to remelt aluminum chips but they generate WAY too much dross from all of they oxides they have ) Even wood will get reused, either to heat the shop or melt something if it doesn't get used as a something else. No waste. (though I am sure that the EPA would say otherwise since I use coal for my furnace. LOL)

NO politics or situational analysis today. I have had my head figuratively in the sand today. Will play catch up tomorrow.

Something interesting on DBD today.

2011-05-08T20:07:00.002-04:00

I always have issues when trying to paste this comic here. Instead, go read.

I am not 100% certain about the status of GunWalker though I have been following it enough to know that Barryboy has stated to some that they are working on 2A 'under the radar'.

No need to go into just how bad of an idea that would end up being but again, in response, BRING IT.

I am getting just a tad sick of the dickering around that all of this crap is doing. Ya wanna raise the taxes, DO IT. You want to track every single conscripted 'citizen', DO IT! You want to prove just how much of a prison you have turned America into (one way doors, in only) Then crank up the heat a bit more.

Or are you all a bunch of chickenshit cowards trying to kick the responsibility of your actions down the road to the next scapegoat? (the same way that Bush did to you. LOL)

Seeing how they continue to kick that can of economic reform down the road just a bit more every (s)election cycle, I have to wonder if this is exactly what the whole routine is. Just keep adding a ratchet here, a ratchet there, but NEVER enough to actually cause the vessels to burst. Facts are, they are scared shitless of what the outcome of these actions will be. THEY don't want to know what will happen if they actually abolish 2A. The potentials for more than tar and feathers are being plastered everywhere, starting at most gunstores. (ever notice how many gun mags are on the shelf at some stores?) Hell, just the number of KNOWN guns in the U.S. is enough to equip a rather large army of footsoldiers. One larger than our current military forces.

And there is NO way to actually get an accurate number of how many rounds are sitting on shelves. I know that I shoot a lot, but I buy more. I am sure that there are more than a few 'just like me'. And I consider myself the average shooter (at least in this area) not the hardcore prepper, on that note. (yah yah, I know, need more ammo, more food, more water, etc etc. I have some and I know what I can carry, and have alternatives if,,,,)

And yet, 2A is only one part of this shit. There are other points well in advance of that motion to further restrict us. The nets are more monitored now than ever. There was an actual admission of 'facial recognition programs' in effect at major airports and other transportation hubs recently. The further creeping of the "national ID" is getting closer and closer to home for many.(all through extortion techniques that are proven and well founded in our current 'political climate'.) Trying to get a passport to get out of our country is now setting yourself up for perjury charges. (optional questions my ass. who can tell me the name and address of your first boss? Seriously, that was over 25 years ago and a two bit stint at McD's for myself)

BUT it got me to thinking. Our economy is tanking, right? All of the signs are leading to just that point, including the fact that there are more and more outside negotiations between countries, leaving the Dollar out of the equation completely. Our 'credit rating' is under threat of a downgrade. AND our administration just pushed for ANOTHER debt ceiling limit lift. (another 3T!!!!)(they said it was necessary so that we could pay our bills. Yup, just try that line of logic with your credit card company and see how long it takes the laughter on the other end to die down.)

Our borders are virtually unguarded. Enough so that there is a continual influx of illegals from the south. The actual content of that flood is questionable at best. Supposedly there are enemies of the state that are coming through that hole in our fence. (in addition, there are 'terrorist' on the watch list that have been granted citizenship. HUH? talk about a loophole you could drive a herd of trucks through, side by side!) The question arises though: Why are they coming to America now, when we are, at best, only one step above what they are experiencing south of here? WE do have work that they can do. Because they are willing to work at a 'reduced wage' under the table, they make more. PLUS, the progressives that are ripping the life right out of this country have made it so they get a free ride without question. As do any that are not that "hated (minority) majority": (and here it comes. ya'll ready for this?) White middle class America. ANYONE that fits that above 'type' and has tried to apply for 'help' KNOWS what I am talking about. The runaround you get. The claims that you make too much money or have too many cars, or have something that blocks your chance to 'earn' the dole. Now, if you are white, no education or a drop out, or on drugs, or ,,,, then you may have a chance but not like any of the others out there. Be they black, brown, or just a plain non achiever, you have pretty much a guarantee to get 'help'. Especially if you have never payed a dime into the system.(and I know that this doesn't apply to every black or brown skinned person out there. But the system IS, without a doubt, biased. It doesn't take a whole lot of investigation to come to that conclusion either.)

Ok, I went off on a seriously wild tangent there. My bad. I ain't gonna retract one word of it though: its the damned truth and we all know it. Call me racist (I am not) call me a bigot (only to the lazy, of ANY breed) call me a hater (of what? the ripping apart of my country? if thats 'hatin' then I am guilty) Call me whatever you want and it falls right off me. I know who I am and what I am willing to do for my country. Watching all of this 'manipulation' fall into place over the last 20 years (longer actually but I was an ignorant jackass for a long time) kills me.

If you, TPTB, truly want to destroy the best damned thing on this planet, BRING IT. I am sick of waiting on the party.

Downshift.

2011-05-07T14:38:00.002-04:00

What happens when you down shift? Engine speed increases, right?
Maybe we need to downshift.

Let me explain a bit.

There has been this 'probe' going on that seems like a really BAD idea from the get go (and is but,,,,) Here is a link for you to read. Please do as the rest of this post is in direct relation to it. This will be my two cents on the whole mess (since I conveniently avoided providing my opinion on it early this week).

This is a bad idea and we know it but it is more than likely going to happen simply due to the fact that a growing Leviathan needs food (tax money).

BUT it isn't going to hit the mundano straight away. Nope, they are going to do this progressively by mandating business's comply first. Yup, The taxes they collect on fuel aren't enough, they need to find a way to get more out of that necessity in our lives. I figured people would scream when the local economy started taxing food. Nope, not even a burp. I can easily see them slipping something like this GPS tracking for taxes into business mandates to get a little leverage towards doing the same thing to the mundano.

One point in the article mentions how people will have "accidents" and what not, to destroy the components. Oh yeah. I have no doubt about that. Without knowing the actual means of implementation, I can't say I would know how to negate one, but I can guarantee that it would take me not ten minutes to figure it out. IF the system is GPS based, there are ways of completely wiping out the integrity of that tech with a small transmitter. (granted it would also mess up cellular networks but, at that point, who really cares.)

BUT I started out by saying we need to downshift. How is that related to the above? Easy. They need to bring it on. I want them to do this so that the fence sitters will wake the fuck up. We need to downshift and that would be the downshift we need to 'raise the speed' just a bit more. I am not saying I would comply, nor am I saying anyone else should either. But the intrusion in peoples lives should be enough to make others fully aware of just how screwed up our system is (and how much more screwed up its going to get before all of it breaks).

again, just my two cents.

puddin brain has left the buildin.

2011-05-05T14:47:00.004-04:00

Lets talk about what the Eagle has told me.

The Economy, for starters. As has been predicted by many a person and computer since about, oh, 1971 (Bretton Woods for those that aren't all that knowledgeable on our economic history) things have steadily bounced back and forth. Going back as far as 1913 when the Federal Reserve was created out of thin air the sacrifice of one (arguably assinated) dead Senator, things have been, well, interesting.

The eagle has made comment to me that we are going to see the real fall of our system by the end of this year.

Think about that. Let it sink deep in your core for a few. Step out and have a smoke if that helps. Don't panic yet though. There is more to come.

As you have seen, the weather sucks. All kinds of theories have been bandied about; from Sunspots, to Gorebal warming, to Global cooling, and the ambiguous and so lighthearted lie called "Climate Change" (duh asshole, what isn't climate change?). Facts are, the earth is a cyclic being. (I state that as if it were a living thing. In my opinion, it is, it just operates on a different time line from us. We are just a blink of an eye to mama earth.) The sunspots may have something to do with it as the earth is a part of the Solar system (keyword there, SYSTEM as in MACHINE-LIKE) There are so many possibles, I personally don't think any 'mere human' could come up with an honest answer that explains it. The other side of that is, to what end would the explanation to any good. Ease a persons mind? Lot of good that does you , to know there is a reason for your house looking like it was swallowed up by Satan's blender, or your town appearing to have tried the mud baths of Crete. When Mama Terra has a mind to move mountains or grow new land or just doesn't like the lay of that river bed; Who thinks they can stop her? Not me brother, not me. I just try to stay out of her way and pray I made the right choices.

Now, lets throw in "stupid human tricks". You know the ones. The one where you Significant other decides to 'spare your feelings' and lays out a little white lie. The lies that continue to build to a point where there is a complete re-writing of personal history.
I wonder how it feels when the leader of the free country (patooie!) does similar shit? Oh, who am I kidding: that is exactly what our "transparent" Prez has been doing. Transparent like a Brinks Safe. All for what purpose? To spare the feelings of the soft and pliable voters that got his lame ass elected the first time around. You know the ones. The ones that don't get all bent out of shape when the TSA is groping their 6 year old. The ones that call 911 when McDs is out of Nuggets. The ones that would have nightmares for months if they saw a legit picture of Anti-christ #3 after a double tap to the face.

And now, its looking like there is enough division amongst the not so soft (well some of 'em are pretty squishy 'round the mid section but who am I to talk. LOL) but right leaning groups, that this lamestream 'leader' is going to have better than even odds on getting re-(s)elected. Anyone remember Ross Perot? Remember how he tipped the scales enough to swing the vote in favor of the opposing force? I see similar happening here.

But what does it matter? The economy is tanking (and showing a few signs of manipulation to boot. nasdaq is up while EVERYTHING else is diving for deepwater) Food is getting to the point that the only way some are going to be able to eat is to get on Foodstamps (1 in 7 in the U.S.) or grow and hunt their own.(my personal choice) Transportation is going to get the point of deciding on work or food. Which will it be? (I know my choice here too) ( or going out and finding a cheap horse. But that is another post in and of itself.)

See, the one thing the Eagle told me about this year, was that there were going to be MANY permutations of Human dignity stepping up and stomping on the testicles of TPTB starting with the low level fruit first.(pun intended) The PTB of course are going to step up on their countermeasures to try and keep it all together. There is going to be a point when the choice is "abide by Bullshit laws or feed the kiddos." When that point hits, I don't care if the name of the Prez is Washington: people will take care of themselves first.

This could be the beginning of a great RE-Awakening in this country.

Like I have said elsewhere: "Births are always bloody and painful" And this one will be no exception. The trick will be to have a level head, a willingness to shoot on need, and the ability to know when to shoot without provocation(IE ratbastard warlord potential). There will need to be compassion for (some of) the lost that have potential. There will need to be lots of backbone across the spectrum. The Eagle has landed, things are going to start getting really fun from here on out. (just watch the shrinking timeline between OMGTWISBSC! news spills)

Time to be honest with yourself here. R U READY? In the head?(no matter how many preps you have, if ya ain't right in the head, you ain't ready.)

(Oh My God, The World Is Bat Shit Crazy! FYI)

Just been buzzed!

2011-05-05T11:31:00.002-04:00

Had an eagle land on my shoulder, and he started whispering secrets to me. Not real sure what to make of them right now but then, I am at work and suffering from double yellow fever right now too.

But till then, Check out Mayberry's site.
Then check out this little tidbit.

I could direct you to a few others but one to think about is how the commodities market AND the S&P and DJIA are all slipping at the same time. (and of course, the Mexican banks take advantage of the slip in Gold. I am sure that they aren't alone either.)

Then think about all of this stuff that people call weather 'round these parts.

I have heard it said that the world is cyclical. I have no reason to doubt that. Look around you and think about what part of what cycle we are in. Then think about how, just maybe, the current dildos in charge, may not be the real problem. Think about that. Maybe they are just the symptom of something much more detrimental.

More to come later as this pudding of a brain I have right now gels up a bit.

Stratagems or extortion?

2011-05-04T15:27:00.003-04:00

Been pondering this whole Osammy bin Rotten (Love that name, thanks Mayberry!) thing for a couple of days.

I don't really give two squirts about his death to be quite honest. The whole mess should have been cleared up years ago. The fact that it wasn't shows the 'quality' of tool that he represented to the PTB.

And tool he was. The convenience of his 'recent' demise really show a level of desperation by the PTB. One only has to watch the media clamoring for 'juice' to 'expose' to realize that this is a con job from the get-go. IMO any time the media harps this loudly about something, there is smoke somewhere. They are trying to force the opinions against a tide. From conversations I have had amongst persons I work with; 10 for 10 so far have had doubts about the whole she-bang.

With reason I might add. Those reasons vary from person to person but all have one common thread. Convenience. Things are just too glossed over. After 10 years, this rat bastard should be a hard target. His corpse should be shown at the beginning of the Super-bowl or something. Hell, the Dillinger gang was easier to nab and the evidence of their demise was plastered all over the front pages from here to L.A.

Nope, they nail him in a simple raid, double tap him in the face (bye-bye distinguishing features) then pop him in copter to run to a ship off the coast, then drop him in the wide open blue wonder to become crab bait.

Yeah, Like others have said; " If you buy that, I will throw the Golden Gate in free".

But lets take a look at the key points of this stratagem. One dead guy that is now a martyr for a cause, no matter if he is now dead or has been dead for years (on ice). He is now PUBLICLY dead.

Cue Bono?

Obama? What would he benefit from this 'stunt'? A few brownie points towards a souring re-election? Seems to me, that if this were the scenario, he would have held his cards a bit closer the chest and dealt them out later in the game. SO....
That leads to a point brought up by Ann B. The WhiteHouse insider supposedly had an article about who was really behind this. Take it with a grain of salt as the source is questionable at best, but the vindication behind those supposedly usurping O'boys position then handing him the reins to 'take credit' makes quite a bit more sense than O'boy pulling a fast one to gain a few points in the polls.

But really, WHO benefits? Obviously not the PEOPLE of the U.S. I don't see any legislation to repeal ANY of the draconian measures that were enacted after 9/11. Not one blip on the screen of that action. Quite the opposite. More 'threats' coming down the pike (and possibly more real than the ones we have been getting now that the scab has been yanked off that pustulant sore.) Tighter 'security' (to be read "more aggressive molestation"). And yet, we still have open borders; unless you are trying to get out, of course.

SO,, once again, Cue Bono?

There is only one answer to that. It ain't good either. The facts are in, all you have to do is watch the opposing theaters for action to see where all of this is heading. One of those theaters is the markets. Commodities, stocks and bonds, the dollar index. Hell, even oil took a dip today. People are pulling out at a rate that has potential to really pound another stake in the heart of this Zombie we call a country. But that's not the only arena to watch. Watch the III'pers too. Watch how little is actually being said. (as noted on Bills page, the leaders that propose themselves, are little better than the ones we already have. )

Yeah, we are talking but most of us are pretty much done with talking now. Its time to pull together in the smallest target possible. Our families and ourselves.
Is the ball rolling now? Who really knows. But I wouldn't hedge my bets against it.

About the PSL

2011-05-03T19:19:00.003-04:00

This is a response to a comment I made elsewhere in the blogosphere. I am no expert and this is mostly opinion, but all of it is based upon my experience with this particular gun and some of my experience within a two way shooting gallery.

The PSL (aka Romak3 and the Dragunov though it is NOT a dragunov) is a support weapon. Similar in use as they use the M14 now. It is NOT a main battle weapon nor is it intended to be. It is most definitely NOT a sniper rifle either. Yes it has the range, but its accuracy is not sufficient to that role. By support weapon I refer to the Marine role of Designated Marksman. This person is not to directly engage the enemy like a squad would but to support that squad from a distance by eliminating threats to the squad with well placed support fire. It is good for that role. I have shot mine quite a bit out to 600m and it does well enough that I know I can hit a man sized target in center mass consistently. Due to this support nature, the rifle is designated with either 10rnd mags or 5 rnd mags(this is more dependent upon when not where you purchased it. Lately 10 rnds is the rule of the game.) Having shot this rifle from the prone, no tripod, just sling and forearm for support, anything more than a 10rnd mag is going to be a PITA. Let alone setting you up for becoming a bigger target, literally. As a support rifle goes, you really shouldn't need much more than 10 round mags since you will only get off ,maybe, 2 rounds than scoot to the next position. If you can't change a mag while scooting, you definitely need to be practicing more and watching Hollywood war movies less. If you find yourself in a position where you need a 30 round mag, you are probably carrying the wrong weapon for your role. BUT, the PSL packs one hell of a punch and probably could hold its own if you were proficient at mag changes while in cover.

Reloading: This is a point of contention among many people in the prepper arena. I continue tossing the idea back and forth but keep coming up with an "against" the idea. THIS reason I chose the PSL over something more powerful, or accurate. Cheap ammo. The PSL could possibly be reloaded for though finding the actual bullets and brass may be a tad difficult. The real issue isn't that though. The PSL is abusive of brass. Terribly so. Even the steel cased rounds I shoot show bashed in throats and occasionally a dented case. Looking at the extraction method used (AK based system) the spent round is literally bouncing off the side of the receiver on ejection. This rifle also throws the round about 20 feet right and rear of your position. (hint if you are looking for your spent brass. It ain't close to you.) I had one person that refused to believe me and he ended up with a goose egg on the side of the head from one of the shells hitting him. They come out fast and hard.
Some people reload to gain as much accuracy from said rifles. This is well and fine when you are able to take your time making the shot placement. IE: at the range or when in a sniper role. When the flak starts rolling though, you will be amazed at how "minute of badguy" is good enough. That is one thing the PSL is very good at. Even with 'cheap hungarian' or Cheap Yugo steel cored steel cased berden primed milsurp stuff, this rifle is accurate enough to warrant a redefinition of "concealment vs cover" by tightening up what actually covers your ass. (not much by the way.) That steel core stuff gets through things even a full metal jacket will disintegrate on. Currently I have personally witnessed shooting through a 22" white oak, about 10" of sandstone, and concrete blocks explode on impact. I haven't felt the urge to shoot up my truck yet, so I can't say what it would do to a vehicle. (check out the Buick of Truth for an idea what bullets do to cars.)

Of all the things I didn't like about my PSL was the iron sights. I did a post about making a rear Peep sight for that long ago. (dig for it, its in here) But the Scope this thing came with: Wow. I wouldn't want anything else for shots over 200m. I keep mine Zero'd for 600M that leaves a little overlap on closer ranges (the scope is not centered on the rifle) but still leaves a little room for error at 700+. The scope is also calibrated for the 54R round with 150gr bullet. Why mess with a known system. I have not, YET, shot past the 600m range. I have a place to go but just haven't been able to assemble a reliable spotter yet. In time.

Yeah Magazines are expensive. No more so than most others out there. Fact is, if you can find them, they are worth exactly what you pay for them. I got lucky and found a guy that was selling off a case he had acquired. I got 10 mags for $50 plus shipping. 10 mags filled with 7.62X54R is some heavy gear to be hauling around. Granted you will need to carry more 'loose' and there is the distinct disadvantage of not being able to use stripper clips. Sorry, one round at a time for these babies. Again, this goes back to the original intent of the weapon in a combat role. Not a highspeed weapon but one meant for careful shot placement under high stress.

As for MBR, the PSL could be, but only if a person were willing to take the chance they wouldn't be going toe to toe with the enemy. This rifle is best served at moderate distances. Close up work she can do but she is going to limp along. That long sight radius means you won't be shooting from the hip with ease. That reason alone means you may want to be carrying a second weapon 'just in case'.

SO, for a weapon that 'fully loaded' can usually be had for under a grand (occasionally can be found 'stripped down' (no scope, one mag) for around $500) My advice is. Grab one up, IF and only IF you think you will have some luxury in 'choosing the showdown'. If not, find you an AK and a lot more ammo. If you are in a situation with people that you trust already, this is a good one to have around but I wouldn't want to load everyone down with this monster. (10 pounds unloaded) Keep in mind what its intended combat role is when considering what your intentions(and needs) are.

What to do on a rainy day.

2011-05-03T17:27:00.007-04:00

When the rain falls, there ain't a whole lot to do 'round here. UNLESS,,,

Your Dio.

While I can't do any casting today; or for another week while I am waiting for my new crucible to come in, I decided that wasn't going to hold me back from doing something else.

There are parts for the stirling motor that don't need cast. Actually casting them would probably be bad. Far too many stresses to be absorbed by said parts. One, the crankshaft. Never made one before and I have a few ideas on how to go about it. In this case, I decided to do an assembled shaft. One where the components are made separately, then assembled in a, more or less, permanent fashion. I thought about welding it but the parts are so small that my welder would turn them into a puddle pretty quickly. That left either brazing, or silver solder. I decided to go with the solder as it is fairly easy to use without having to use near the amount of heat that a braze would. Also, glad I did too, since I have to take the danged thing apart again. Looking at it, I decided the shafts are just a tad too small for what I want. The main shaft in the pic is 1/4" and the crank arm is 3/16". There is also a slight imperfection in the alignment that I didn't catch until I had the main shaft cut. I will be upgrading the shafts to 3/8" and 1/4" respectively.

Now, How to go about building a crankshaft out of your scrap bucket? First, you have to have an idea

This is my wooden mockup using brass as the mainshaft and crank arm. (the connecting rod is actually my blank for when I go to cast them)

Then you have to figure out how to do things consistently. In this case, the actual crank weights will have to be identical.
This is my jig for 'machining' the bottom of the arm. Both pieces are held together by a brass pin that I hammered inplace on the top of the crank. The 1/4" bolt is actually the guide in this case.
Here is the jig being used on the grinder to shape the bottom of the arms.
I tried to mill this part but the stresses induced by the mill were threatening a broken tool. This actually worked better and faster so it is a technique I WILL remember.

Shaping the top portion was a bit easier since I had the two holes in place and these were straight cuts. I bolted the two pieces to another chunk of metal that I drilled and tapped to the right sizes, this was then mounted up in the vise on top of a set of parallels and machining commenced. The top curve was eyeballed on the grinder in similar fashion to the bottom edge though I didn't use the jig in this instance.

Here are the finished arms.

This is how to set up the shafts for soldering (in this case.)

Note how the shafts go completely through both sections. This is to maintain alignment. As I found out though, even 1000th of an inch play in the holes is enough to throw the whole mess off quite a bit. There is a very pronounced wobble in the end shaft. Either my shaft was bent or it developed one while I was heating things up or I didn't have things as straight as I thought. More than likely the latter.

And the 'soon to be taken apart and remade' crankshaft. (like my cheapo v-blocks?)

But this is only a start. I have never done this before, and I am learning in leaps and bounds what to do, and more importantly, what NOT to do. Always a better option than staring at the propaganda machine and stewing about how the rat bastards continue the box of lies.

THEY GOT BIN LADEN!!!!!

2011-05-02T07:45:00.003-04:00

And?

Sorry, I just don't see a whole lot to cheer about. Those that went to ground zero and celebrated are just as delusional now as they were 10+ years ago.

Look around you, The Boogie man is still amongst us.

And he ain't where you think he is.

PATRIOT Act.

TSA

DHS

You name it, there he is.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Tools.

I use 'em everyday. Whether its a hammer, or a set of tongs to lift a yellow/white glowing crucible. Tools.

The Government uses tools too.

Our troops; to enforce diplomatic/political policy in places about the world.
Our Alphabet groups: to enforce more and more draconian rulings (that are called laws but,,,,)
The media: to sway public opinion.
Us: to pay for all of this bullshit. (I wonder how much they payed for the bullet to do the trick. I doubt they bought it at Wal-mart)

The problem with the tools that the .GOV uses is that you don't always know its a tool until after the job has been done.

Sometimes,as is the case with the military, they use the tool in ways entirely beyond its means or capabilities. (and thats not to belittle the military people in any way, only the institution of it)

You do not use an Oxy/acetylene torch to cut two by fours.

You don't use a 5 1/2" radial saw to shape filigree work.

Tools have fairly specific jobs and they don't work nearly as well when used outside of that realm. It may work, but it isn't going to be nearly as good.

The real problem here is the person/people using said tools.

I have a hard time blaming the troops for any SNAFU's overseas. They have a hard ass job. The real problem is orders being hand down from on high by buttheads that haven't the first clue how to use the tools they have on hand. Three wars, Massive draconian measures in our borders, and it took them 10 years to run this guy out of the rabbit hole?

Maybe they did get him, maybe not. (and since the navy buried him at sea, or so they say, we may never really know. Not one to place a whole lot of faith on the 'good word' of those in charge of this mess)
Fact is, It matters not one smelly burrito fart. HE was a tool of our Government LONG before 9/11 (we used him against the Soviets in the same theater) They broke the tool and had to get rid of the evidence.
He won.

The damage is done.

The fix isn't in.

And it ain't gonna get any better unless something breaks.

In fact, its probably gonna get a lot worse.

Late addendum: With the timing of this, one has to at least partially, suspect that, yet again, Osama was a tool for our 'leaders'. It sure doesn't take much imagination to put 2 and 2 together on this one.

Stirling engine project update.

2011-04-29T19:54:00.002-04:00

Was running the foundry tonight to cast the block for my engine project.

Ran into a little snag.

The bottom fell out of my crucible during the melt. NO INJURIES!!!! Just loss of about 3lbs of fine aluminum straight to the bottom of the furnace.

Wrapped everything up, brought the flask back to the shop after shutting down Ol' Lucifer (the pit furnace) and had a smoke and a beer.

Just ordered another crucible, and some other supplies that I am running low on.(to the tune of $180) Thinking that when my bonus check comes in; I should order a couple or three more for later. Like everything else in this economy, they are going up in price and they aren't cheap to begin with.

The last crucible was actually a 1Qt cast iron dutch oven. I am happy that I managed to get as many melts out of it as I did. While not optimal for casting, it worked and in a pinch works just fine.

Funny, I am a frugal being to begin with, but this economy is making frugality just a tad painful to boot. I would hate to be someone that has to have the latest and greatest with no mind to cost. They are going to be going hungry real soon.