Quote of the day—Kirby Ferris

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We all might wish that evil men could be persuaded from their vile behavior with bleeding heart entreaties, a kiss on the cheek, or proper toilet training. But it ain’t that way, folks, Pacifism is a sickness, an actual moral perversity, and dangerous when its effects spread to anyone else beside the pacifist. You may choose to walk to the cattle car, but damn you if you let your children be led up the ramp. You must never allow any group or government to steal your right to exercise armed lethal force in a just situation.

Kirby Ferris
Research Director of JPFO
Violence solves a lot
1998
[I have nothing to add.—Joe]

Social Distancing Card

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Via Ry.

SocialDistance

Boomershooters will get it.

If you don’t, you might want to figure it out.

Quote of the day—William Booth

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The Imperial College group reported that if nothing was done by governments and individuals and the pandemic remained uncontrolled, then 510,000 would die in Britain and 2.2 million in the United States over the course of the outbreak.

These kinds of numbers are deeply concerning for countries with top-drawer health-care systems. They are terrifying for less-developed countries, global health experts say.

If Britain and the United States pursued much more ambitious measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, to slow but not necessarily stop epidemic over the coming few months, they could reduce mortality by half, to 260,000 people in the United Kingdom and 1.1 million in the United States.

Finally, if the British government quickly went all-out to suppress viral spread — aiming to reverse epidemic growth and reduce the case load to a low level — then the number of dead in the country could drop to below 20,000. To do this, the researchers said, Britain would have to enforce social distancing for the entire population, isolate all cases, demand household quarantines of households where anyone is sick, and close all schools and universities — and do this not for weeks but for 12 to 18 months, until a vaccine is available.

William Booth
March 17, 2020
A chilling scientific paper helped upend U.S. and U.K. coronavirus strategies
[Welcome to the new normal.

This could permanently change all industrialized societies. High population densities, mass transit, and high density offices will be far less attractive to the population at large. The effect could last for a generation or more. How does this affect the political climate?

Live entertainment, restaurants, and the travel industry are going to take a tremendous hit which will ripple throughout society.

We live in interesting times.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Lires

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I think the one satisfying thing about this pandemic is watching all the anti-gunners in my area now freak out and scramble to buy guns and ammunition then complaining how it’s not as easy as they thought to obtain shit.

Lires
March 23, 2019
Posted on the IGN boards thread Lets have a thread about gun control for old times sake.
[There is that. And it is my belief that becoming a gun owner contributes to a change in mindset. You become more inclined to think in terms of self-reliance and individuality rather than government providing for your needs and identifying as part of the collective.

So, there is a least one “silver lining” in the cloud hanging over our heads.—Joe]

Quote of the day—Alan Gottlieb

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We sued New Orleans then, and we’ll do it again. The presence of a nasty disease does not suspend any part of the Bill of Rights, no matter what some municipal, state or even federal politician may think.

While we certainly recognize the seriousness of this virus and its ability to spread rapidly. Treating Covid-19 and taking steps to prevent it from infecting more people has nothing at all to do with the exercise of the right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment.

Alan Gottlieb
March 16, 2020
SAF TO N.O. MAYOR CANTRELL: ‘WE SUED CITY ONCE, WE’LL DO IT AGAIN’
[There probably some minor points that could be quibbled about (freedom of assembly and travel comes to mind) but the bottom line remains untouched. Politicians have no business infringing upon the specific enumerated right to keep and bear arms any emergency circumstances that I can think of.—Joe]

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.