disclaimer or statement of choice?

This is my blog, there are many like it but this one is mine.


Sound familiar? Yes, its a rip on the Riflemans creed but it applies the same.

I write this blog, not to entertain others but to vent internal pressures within myself. If some are entertained by it, good. If some find useful information within the scribbles (chicken tapping) that I put forth, even better. If you are offended by the occasional typo, intentional dialect 'misspelling', or regional euphemisms: To bad. Like I stated in the comment section of a prior post, ' I write from the hip' Not everything is well planned and laid out when it comes to my tapping away on this keyboard. I prefer one outlet where I can loosen the straps and just let go for a bit and this blog is that outlet.
I don't get that luxury with my other hobbies. Far too exacting and no room for errors. If I get 'loose' when I am melting metals, I am going to get hurt,BAD. If I get loose with a pass on the lathe, I just wasted HOURS of work and have to start over.

I don't blog for money. I have a couple of advertisements up but not one has paid me a thin copper coated zinc penny for that privilege. These advertisements are there because I have used the services, felt the company deserved the spread of information. If I get bad service, no ad.
I have a tip jar that has had some use but not enough to justify 'blogging' for a living. If you look at that tip jar, you will find it is nothing more than a wish list for books. Knowledge in the scribbles of others. I ask nothing in return, but if you feel the urge to send me something, I prefer it to be something that transcends economies, time and tyrants.

I know the Anonymous poster was only ribbing me but I felt the need to air out the fact that there will be 'verbal slips' on this blog. Some intentional, some not. Chances are, if its a misspelling, its quite intentional; coloring or spice added to make a point.

Anyways, Yes, I was raised in the north, some of my euphemisms will reflect that. I have been around this great country and you will read others that indicate that too. (Tango Uniform will be one I use on occasion and if you are from the lower west coast you know it has nothing to do with a dance or uniforms. LOL ) I have spent time in other countries also but had little to do with the natives for the most part(other than in the Philippines; sodden drunken memories leave little color to add to the blog.).
If you don't like it, don't read it. I think that should apply to most things in life, the net, the news, etc etc.

Some observations.

Was on Mental Militias today and from that, and the experiences we(a friend and I) have had on IrateNation: I find it hard to discuss anything online with the exception of a handful of people.(and one of the reasons I have been doing more lurking than posting lately)

Far too many fractured and fragile personalities online. I see it as a sign of the decline of our culture myself. To few willing to step up and call things as they see them. Far to many willing to take offense at the slightest affront to their point of view.

America is sick. I really see it now. Its not just the politics either. They are just a symptom of the disease that show better since its isolated among a handful of the total populace. My grandparents wouldn't know this country if they were alive today. I think that is one reason I am desiring of moving to somewhere more "country" in attitude. Somewhere that people understand self reliance above all. Communities are fine but if the core of the populace isn't self reliant, the foundation of that community is non-existent. What was the saying? "all for one and one for all"? That should be the call to arms for the future. You can stand alone but to rise up take a multitude of people, skills, and ideas.(and resources) Something that, at one time, this country had aplenty. Not so much anymore.

Probably one of the reasons I have so few 'friends' here in town. The ones I do have are just as self reliant as myself and multi-talented. Also elusive as we don't "need" each other very much and tend to be loners. LOL and that is our downfall too. We aren't herd animals and the herd is able to be heard (no pun intended) better. Yet the herd will be dependent upon those of us with a clue when things get rough. I think one of the founders said " the patriot is the most despised person in the community until his services are needed." or something to that effect. Patriot. Self-Reliant. Morally upright and Steadfast in resolve. All the same and all different but all the basis of what this country was built upon. We are the smallest minority now.

I have been following the goings on in Haiti through Hermit and GR4U and see how quickly things can break down. The Herd will bleat for help and the wolves will do what wolves do. I have heard of the 72 hour cascade before but seeing it in action is something else. Hours 1-24 find everyone, to some extent, helping each other out. hours 25-48 find the wolves waking up to killing fields but not going into action yet. 49-72, the Wolves realize that they are now the law and things really escalate.

I mention the above Haiti points in reference to the first part of my post. With such fractured and fragile personalities afloat in the country, I see an added level of "prepared" people with false confidence. These are the ones that will inadvertently arm and feed the wolves. This will further raise the confidence of the wolves.

I do see many that are prepared for the worst but not thinking the environment through. People that have the means but not the big picture of what could be.

Then I meet people like Hermit. Already in place and far enough out that he may never feel the pinch except in boredom from lack of Internet.(and for his sake I hope that is the worst of it.)

No matter where our future goes, we are in for interesting times. Some days, I wish it would all blow up so we can get on to the restructuring that needs to be done. Other days, I hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime.

Sorry for the downbeat post. Just some random thoughts in my head today while catching up.

Job: A Comedy of Justice

A comedy of Justice or just some higher power showing a sense of humor?(and that was the premise of the book)

I find it funny that my ex handed me that particular book when we first met as my 'introduction' to Heinlein. I became a voracious fan of him quite quickly even though this was one of my least favorite books by him.

Maybe that's because it hits too close to home in some ways. I am not whining here, but there comes a point where one only wants peace of mind. You can only handle disaster after disaster for so long before your soul starts to show scar tissue.

I guess thats why I want to build my house away from all of the drama of life and people and settle in. Nothing big, simple things to maintain, a small garden capable of supporting one or two people with enough livestock to accomplish the same. A small workshop for my creative side and somewhere to go shooting to keep my hand in the art of the gun.(never know when some others may want to take your peace away)

I won't go into details but I have found that alone, I have comfort. When I start interacting with others on a daily basis is when things start to get uncomfortable. Maybe I am the loner that I was labeled as in School. I know that I tend to work best when left to my own efforts. I can work as a team member but I have always been more effective solo than in a team effort. Granted there are times where everyone needs to interact as a group and I am capable of that; I just prefer to not have to deal with Politics and diplomacy in that situation.

My Ex gave me my wings by forcing my hand last year. I haven't used them yet and for that I am at fault. Its time to fly again.

More forthcoming as I figure out how to stretch these damned wings out and try to get some wind under them.

Addendum: I don't remember who this quote is from yet it sums up the above quite well.

The more I learn about people the more I like my dog.

Happy Birthday. To all of the Devil Dogs in the World

We are 234 years old today. OORAH!

I am only going to link some articles today. Going to be lazy and go work on the truck.

Sipsey Street recognizes the Event
Dedicated_Dad has some things to say, well worth reading.
GR4US relates a Boortz presentation that I completely agree with.(Punishment should be cruel in my opinion. What better deterrent)

These are only some of the reads I do daily. Feel free to check em out. You may find something you like.


As for the whole Cruel and Unusual punishment article. I think this is one of the more twisted up sentences in the Constitution. The lawyers played that card out to the point that the Criminals are now more protected than the victims. (read Heinlein's Starship Troopers for a more detailed debate on that view along with other moral and ethics issues that I find relevant to events of our times. RAH nailed it in that book in my opinion.)

I will be back tomorrow. Not much going on in my world at present but the world doesn't wait for Diogenes.

You grab the work where you can get it.

That seems to be the theme of my life. Guess that's one of the reasons I have so many skill sets. Well that and the fact that I am the eternal student, constantly trying to learn something new in life.

Today was framing.

Tomorrow is some demolition and duct work.

Still viewing R.V.'s and Campers. Won't be long now in the grand scheme of things.

Little new in the political world that isn't already up in arms at this point. I see internal conflicts growing on the hill that encourage me. Palin is opening up the gates on a sea of independents with her open backing of an indy in Upstate New York. Things come 2010 election cycle could be rather interesting to say the least. Heck, I would rather a congress and senate so full of parties that nothing gets accomplished than the mess we are witnessing now. Things should move slow when it comes to the lives of 300+ million people(especially when the decision today reflects upon even more in the future.) IF we can fill the seats with 5 or 6 broad parties we would have to re-examine the infrastructure of things like majority and minority seats, yet that could be a good thing. I think it would more correctly represent the divisions that I am seeing within the country. Having a Hockey mom in the presidential seat would also more correctly represent the country too(my opinion and fully capable of being shot down in flames I know.) To date within my life I haven't really seen ONE person in that position that represents AMERICAN LIFE on average. Reagan was the closest in his values but even he was not so middle classed as the majority of the rest of the nation. The current head of state may be from a simple background but he sure didn't stay there NOR does he seem to remember his roots that much. Look at how he is absorbing taxpayer money for living expenses and jerking around more than actually doing his job. (how many games of golf has he played since taking office? Yet we still are waiting on word of what to do in Afghanistan?)
I think I am going to leave it at that for now before I start going down a road that only keeps me up all night.

Different note though, Caleb (whom I will meet one of these days, among others) had a little incident with some Starbucks. Glad to hear that the worst of it was some spilled coffee. Made me do some thinking about work environments more though. Guess My little .22 should be enough in a pinch but You can bet that I will carry more than one mag for it "just in case".

slow posts

Sorry for the slow posting. Been trying to get two buildings up to code for occupation by the end of the month. Good points: No injuries, no more break-ins.

Bad points: The fools on the hill in D.C. are still up to their shenanigans. Luckily the Health reform bill seemed to hit a stall this past week though we will see how that progresses. I know that The Hermit is iffy on that deal and I can understand how his experiences dictate that this isn't as bad of a thing as the rest of us make it out to be. I do agree that there needs to be some type of reform in the health care system. I just don't want the government being in charge of it since they have totally butchered the Medicare/Medicaid system. As it stands I don't have insurance and I never have any issues going to see my Doctor. I spend less on an office visit than when I had insurance. It is strictly a cash basis but without the overhead of trying to get paid from the insurance companies he is able to do things "at cost" The most expensive thing I have had to deal with was an X-ray for my hand when I smashed a finger and broke the tip loose. Granted if something serious were to happen I would have to fall back on the system to help me but knowing that is my only option I tend to be quite careful of what I am willing to get into. Sadly though if this bill passes my Doctor is going to retire early as he knows that he won't be able to work within the system for his patients; most of whom are geriatrics(though not all ;) )

Other bad points though I am not sure its 'new': The media is reporting more and more violent crimes like abductions and home invasions. I haven't researched to see if these are on the climb or if this is just sensationalism on the medias part. It does make for a better argument for getting guns if you don't already own them though. Key thing to remember though if you fall in with the 'new' catagory. Owning one isn't enough. Learn all you can about the weapon and yourself. Find someone to give you some training in the use of one as a defense. Being able to put holes in paper isn't enough.