Boomershoot 2020 and COVID-19

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Too long, didn’t read, version: I’m going to wait and see until the end of the month before making the decision to cancel or not. The refund policy is here: https://entry.boomershoot.com/Refunds.aspx

As I live just a few minutes from ground zero in the U.S. I’m just as, or more concerned, than the typical Boomershoot participant regarding COVID-19.

I’ve talked to many people about what we should do in regards to Boomershoot 2020.

There are several components to Boomershoot. If the Federal guidelines remain in place and we adhere to them, then the Boomershoot dinner will be canceled.

One could make the case that the rest of the event is not at all that serious of a risk. People are outside with good air flow and, except for the portable toilets, not sharing door knobs or other transfer surfaces. With a big stash of disinfecting wipe the portable toilet point of risk could be managed.

There is another component that is of more concern and not as easily mitigated. Our target production facility has very tight quarters. I have dramatically improved the air filtration since last year but still it’s not nearly as good as I think it should be to be safe if someone were contagious. To top that concern off is the fact that two essential staff members are in the group considered “high risk”.

This leads me to conclude that unless things get remarkably better we should cancel the event.

My day job is working on a Cyber Threat Intelligence team. I get access to other types of threat intel as well. Last week I listened in on a call with DHS regarding COVID-19. There wasn’t any information that wasn’t already public but it was packaged a little bit better. I have also talked to a couple sources that have information that hasn’t been widely circulated. While still technically public information this information leads me to some conclusions.

  1. My expectation is that the seriousness of the situation will continue to get worse for some undetermined amount of time. It may be that summer weather will slow or even stop the spread of the virus. The threat, however, will continue to be significant for months, not just a few weeks.
  2. While things will get worse it’s not going to be life threatening to most people outside of the high risk groups.
  3. Avoiding contact with contagious people is extremely important for people at high risk. Some hospitals in the Seattle area are already at nearly full capacity and are sending injured emergency patients, sometimes, hundreds of miles away to hospitals without a COVID-19 burden.

What this means to me is that if we get some hot summer like weather for the next two weeks and things look summer like at Boomershoot things may be good enough that I will not cancel Boomershoot. I don’t think this will be the case but there is no harm in waiting. We are continuing to get the last of the supplies and will be able to put on a stellar event should we decide to continue.

The refund details are here. Basically, if the event is canceled you will get the option of full credit for next year or a refund of 95% of your credit card payment (details differ for a few people, read the policy). Your choice.

If you have questions or concerns I have not addressed here please send me an email or give me a call.

Joe Huffman
Boomershoot Event Director
Cell: 208-301-4254

Quote of the day—Alex Gangitano

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The Brady Bill, which Biden helped pass in 1998, implemented the modern background check system.

Alex Gangitano
March 13, 2020
Brady PAC endorses Biden, plans to spend $4 million in 2020
[That would be the same type of background check John Hopkins and UC Davis found had no impact on gunshot related deaths. And, in fact, no background check system can possibly work to make people safer.

But that doesn’t matter to them. It’s not, and has never been, about public safety. It’s about a backdoor registration scheme, ultimately confiscation, and control of the general population.—Joe]

Boomershoot 2020 shirts and mugs

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Get your Boomershoot 2020 shirts and mugs!

This year’s image is:

BoomershootShirt2020

Thanks to daughter Kim for the image.

Thanks to Matt for the slogan.

Quote of the day—Ahmad Ibsais

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The NRA often accuses Democrats of trying to abridge Americans’ Second Amendment rights. Nevertheless, Democrats should be united on a comprehensive plan to remove semiautomatic weapons from the streets.

Ahmad Ibsais
March 14, 2020
What we need to hear from Biden and Sanders on guns
[No thought is given to the obvious infringement of the rights of 100 million or more people.

The politicians and their supporters who work to implement such policies need to be prosecuted.—Joe]

No. It’s just the big lie thing again

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Via American by Choice @Q_undivided:

RussianAgentVsCommunist

There is a certain amount of truth to that. But it mostly applies to the useful idiots. The high level people know better. They will say anything they think will help them achieve power. It’s just the thing about telling a big lie often enough and people will believe it.

Quote of the day—RyanSepe

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All this awareness would make us liable. Without them its ignorance, if we hire them it becomes negligence and I prefer ignorance.

RyanSepe
February 28, 2020
Suggested caption to this cartoon:


[There is way too much truth in this.

Companies have finite resources. They have to prioritize their cyber security efforts. If something is documented as an active issue, or even a potential weakness, and they don’t address it in a timely manner they have legal liability issues to deal with as well as fixing the problem.

In the “big picture” view of things companies have a lot of motivation to “not put it in writing” until they have the resources to deal with it. On the other hand, if managers don’t show they have a backlog and are overworked they aren’t going to get the resources to fix things in a timely manner. I have more than a little sympathy for cyber security managers caught in this dilemma.

After illegal computer access incidents have been made public Barb sometimes tells me, “I wish they would just stop doing that!” I would be out of a job, but the world would be a better place. So much money is spent on security that from a big picture you see it as huge waste of human and even natural resources (millions of computers monitor and guard against intrusion as their sole purpose). Even when the criminals are caught (extremely rare) they will never have to pay for all the resources spent in finding them and bringing them to justice.

And, of course, it’s never going to happen. Some of these criminals do it for the “free” money. Others do it for the thrill. And some do because they are spies in search of information useful to their country. There are always going to be those type of people. The best we can do is find them, stop them, and prosecute them if we can build a case against them.—Joe]

Boomershoot 2020 speaker: Kim du Toit

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Kim du Toit is attending Boomershoot again this year and he has agreed to be our Saturday night dinner speaker.

I believe the last time he and his son were here was 2005.

Anyone who has spent more than a few seconds around Kim knows he is a rather “colorful” character. His personality fills the room.

He’s publicly called me both “Paparazzi Bastard“ as well as a “National Treasure“. Those blog posts of his are gone but I haven’t forgotten.

I wonder what colorful language he will use this year. Attend Boomershoot dinner and find out.

Boomershoot art

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Via Brian:

GuaranteedFun

image

Brian also asks:

Please ask your community what captions they would like to see on Boomershoot pictures.

Send me the answers and I’ll mock them up.

Leave your suggestions in the comments or send me an email at joeh@boomershoot.com.

Quote of the day—Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

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Joe Biden has repeatedly stood up to and defeated the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the corrupt gun lobby. As a senator, he helped pass the Brady Background Check Bill and enact the Assault Weapons Ban. He authored the Violence Against Women Act that has served as a guiding light in America’s effort to disarm domestic abusers and protect the lives of women. As vice president to President Barack Obama, Biden helped lead the effort to enact stronger gun laws through executive actions following the tragic massacre in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.

As president, Joe Biden will fight for a safer and more secure United States of America. With 40,000 gun deaths each year, we are facing a public health crisis. His comprehensive gun violence prevention plan includes addressing the scourge of gun violence that wreaks havoc in communities across our country. He will enact policies that address and reduce the tragedy of firearm suicide, and he will continue to fight for laws that disarm domestic abusers and stalkers. His plan also includes incentivizing life-saving permit-to-purchase programs in states and creating buyback programs to get weapons of war off of America’s streets.

Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence Endorses Joe Biden for President of the United States
March 10, 2020
[Emphasis added.

Don’t ever let anyone get away with telling you that no one wants to take your guns.

Just in case you were considering Biden for President, that the CSGV endorses him should be sufficient to dissuade you.

Remember, some people believe there is a “epidemic” or “public health crisis” exemption to the Bill of Rights. Or at least that is the rational they give. I’m pretty sure they are just saying that to hide their hatred of individual rights.

Biden is clearly one of those people. He says that if you believe the Second Amendment protects your right to own anything other than a shotgun then, “You’re full of shit.”

Don’t let him get into office.—Joe]

A Target Rich Environment

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I was going through some Boomershoot pictures Oleg took in 2010 for someone who wanted a few for “Boomershoot art” to caption.

I happen to like this one particularly well to which I gave my own caption:

_MG_4186A Target Rich Environment

Continue reading →

Quote of the day—Anthony Smith

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No, Voting is NOT the Answer.

Are Your RIGHTS Up for a VOTE?

Anthony Smith
2A Productions
March 9, 2020
YouTube Video

[Via JPFO new alert.

Elaboration here.

This reminds me something I have said before:

Some questions don’t make sense in a free society.

Just say, NO!

molṑn labé.—Joe]

Quote of the day—John Hood

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The federal government has lost its proper moorings to its founding document, and that the Framers of the Constitution would be horrified at much of what is even being debated in Washington, D.C. these days (quite apart from which side in the debate they might, upon reflection, endorse).

North Carolinians should take the lead in this important cause. We are (or used to be) “First in Freedom” for a very good reason. We used to be the cantankerous old coot at the constitutional garden party. It’s time we became him once more.

John Hood
March 9, 2020
Let’s spoil the garden party
[It really is a states issue to bring the Feds back in line with the Constitution. But it’s going to take more than one state to do it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it requires a constitutional convention of the states. And that gets us into scary territory.

The second best approach I see is the sanctuary movement and related activities. Just look at what’s happening with legalization of marijuana. It’s still against Federal law but so many states are ignoring the Feds and businesses in those states are getting away with it. When will this start happening with suppressors, machine guns, 4473’s, and NICS checks? Or even W-2’s, 1099’s, and 1040s?—Joe]

COVID-19 exemption to the Bill of Rights

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Via email from Jason.

Apparently there is a COVID-19 exemption to the Bill of Rights. At least a judge found one. I just looked at my copy of the BoR and didn’t find it. But I guess Federal Judges just have better eyesight than I do. Here is what he said:

Given the significant number of identified and projected cases of COVID-19 in this
District and the severity of risk posed to the public, and given the above public health
recommendations from local public health authorities, it is hereby ORDERED that, effective
Monday, March 9, 2020:

1) All civil and criminal matters scheduled for an in-Court appearance before any district or magistrate judge in the Seattle or Tacoma Courthouses, including any associated
deadlines, are CONTINUED pending further Order of the Court;

2) All grand jury proceedings in this District are CONTINUED pending further Order of the Court;

3) With regard to criminal matters, due to the Court’s reduced ability to obtain an adequate spectrum of jurors and the effect of the above public health
recommendations on the availability of counsel and Court staff to be present in the
courtroom, the time period of the continuances implemented by this General Order
will be excluded under the Speedy Trial Act, as the Court specifically finds that the
ends of justice served by ordering the continuances outweigh the best interests of the public and any defendant’s right to a speedy trial, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
§3161(h)(7)(A);

4) Case-by-case exceptions to the continuances provided herein may be ordered for nonjury matters at the discretion of the Court after consultation with counsel;

5) This Order does not affect the Court’s consideration of civil or criminal motions that can be resolved without oral argument.

Here is the clause in Federal Law he refers to:

A) Any period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by any judge on his own motion or at the request of the defendant or his counsel or at the request of the attorney for the Government, if the judge granted such continuance on the basis of his findings that the ends of justice served by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial. No such period of delay resulting from a continuance granted by the court in accordance with this paragraph shall be excludable under this subsection unless the court sets forth, in the record of the case, either orally or in writing, its reasons for finding that the ends of justice served by the granting of such continuance outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant in a speedy trial.

I understand the practical matters involved. And I’m not sure I disagree with the action taken. But it does worry me that such precedence will be misused in the future.

How many times have we heard about “The Gun Violence Epidemic”?

Fill in the dots as appropriate.

Quote of the day—anon

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She demonstrates total ignorance and admits complete incomprehension of the subject and its complexity, and then demands we listen to her and take action on the topic.

anon
March 9, 2020
Comment to Quote of the day—Lori Haas
[Excellent point.

The arrogance, as pointed out by Lyle, is very telling.

I have my doubts about the severity of the suggested punishment, but that is a concern for her judge and jury a later date.—Joe]

Mandatory “social distancing”?

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Hmmm…

Gov. Inslee says ‘mandatory measures’ under consideration to combat coronavirus in Washington

Since the novel coronavirus emerged as a threat in Washington, officials have sought to keep people here from infecting each other by offering advice, health care and other assistance. What they haven’t yet done to slow the spread of the virus is tell residents what they can and can’t do.

That could change at some point, however.

Officials are considering mandatory measures for social distancing as part of the state’s effort to combat the outbreak, Gov. Jay Inslee said Sunday.

Barb, my oldest daughter, her spouse, and I, all in Bellevue, have been doing our part for the last week. We have been working from home and minimizing contact outside our homes. We are also prepared for several more weeks as needed.

We live in interesting times.

Interactive COVID-19 database

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A nerd could probably spend hours looking at things in here.

It’s updated daily.

Quote of the day—Lori Haas

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I just could not understand why people cared so much about a piece of hardware and the inconvenience of a small segment of our population taking priority over saving lives. I just found that inexplicable.

Lori Haas
March 8, 2020
Not going away: Virginia Tech families fight for gun control
[Wow! She is totally clueless and/or totally evil.

And notice that it’s one of those fractally wrong statements. There are at least three false item in just that first sentence.

This is what they think of you and the specific enumerated right to keep and bear arms.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Widener’s Blog

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Cooper understood that legislating guns away from the public was only a small part of the problem. The larger issue was a false social construct. One that was intent on disarming the populace of reason and will, of the mindset to act when necessary. He was not just talking about the direct attack of a mugger, but the steady erosion of “society” through the demand of conformity in defenselessness. Whether it be against criminals on the street or those in the capitol. Small wonder his copious quotes are often questioned by those who refuse to understand the virtues of violence.

Widener’s Blog
March 5, 2020
Historic Profile: Jeff Cooper
[Reading his profile made me miss him again.—Joe]

Pushing the limits

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I like pushing the limits in certain directions.

Recently I have been spending nearly every waking hour working on my Bird Dog software for work.* I’m dealing with information on billions of network connections. I extract the stuff of interest and present it in an way which makes it easier to find the wood slivers in the hay stack. After using all the algorithmic tricks available I started finding places to do more parallel processing.

It was with great satisfaction that I found that I pretty much continuously keep all eight logical processers at 100 percent when doing certain tasks:

Limits

Each one of those processors is over 1000 times more powerful than the single processer I had on my first personal computer. And just the Bird Dog executable would take up over 75% of the hard disk space on that computer. Never mind the O/S or the database software which wouldn’t fit on a dozen hard disks I was so proud of at the time I first purchased it. “I’ll never run out of room on this disk!”, I foolishly told myself.

I now routinely open up text files in Vim for review and/or editing that are 50 to 100 times larger than what that hard disk could contain.

I like living in the future.

* I received an email from the company patent team earlier this week. They told me they are pursuing a patent on Bird Dog. I think the existing invention disclosure is okay, but the next one will be AWESOME! I’m really excited about what is coming up next. It’s as if a decade or more of my life’s work is coming to a focus on this one thing. I’ll probably need a more powerful computer, or set of computers, though.

Boomershoot mentioned in Idaho Magazine

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Idaho Magazine March 2020: Gauge the Shot.

Idaho Magazine used a couple of my blog posts and several pictures, with permission, as an article. The blog posts were about putting up the two different weather stations.