Great Words, But Still Just Words

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Quote of the Day

Why are there small lifeboats on gigantic steel ocean liners? Why do we spend thousands equipping our vehicles with airbags? Why do we wear seatbelts and place our infants in safety seats? Why do we build storm shelters under our homes? Why do we install ground-fault interrupter outlets by sinks and bathtubs? Why do we get painful inoculations? Why do we voluntarily undergo sickening chemotherapy? And why do we protect ourselves with firearms?

…

Sadly, there are those who seek to usher in a sort of post-Constitution era where the citizens’ individual rights are only as important as they are convenient to a ruling class. Seeking ancient laws that may partner well with a present-day infringement on a right proclaimed in the Bill of Rights without reading it in conjunction with the aforementioned history is nonsense. The Statute of Northampton cannot in the least bit be used to vex the rights of Illinois citizens in the 21st century to keep and bear arms. The oft-quoted phrase that “no right is absolute” does not mean that fundamental rights precariously subsist subject to the whims, caprice, or appetite of government officials or judges.

Stephen P. McGlynn
U.S. District Judge of the Southern District of Illinois
November 8, 2024
Barnett v. Raoul

McGlynn writes some great stuff in declaring “assault weapon” bans illegal. But his “permanent” injunction was stayed upon appeal. It will probably take SCOTUS to put an end to this nonsense. For now, it is just words and not the force of law.

Russians are Now Shooting at German Aircraft

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This makes me very uncomfortable:

Russian warship ‘fires at German helicopter’ as WW3 tensions continue to rise

A Russian warship has reportedly fired warning shots at a German reconnaissance helicopter mid-flight over the Baltic Sea

I’m not sure what to make of all the headlines talking about WW III:

My first impulse is that sensationalism gets clicks, so this is mostly clickbait. But it does not take much thought to convince myself this is far more serious than ordinary clickbait. But what is the actual risk? Are we talking things going sparkly in the next week/month/year? Or is this going to be a bunch of saber rattling and chest thumping for a while before everyone backs down and claim they won the confrontation?

I want to be in an underground bunker in Idaho until this all gets sorted out.

Paying the Price

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Quote of the Day

Despite a busy news cycle, CNN had a smaller average audience from 8-11 p.m. than 29 other cable networks, including Bravo, TV Land, Freeform Investigation Discovery, FX, Food Network and History. 

…

CNN had its lowest-rated week among the key demographic of adults aged 25-54 in nearly 30 years, averaging a dismal 41,000 viewers from the group coveted by advertisers. But MSNBC was even worse in the critical category, averaging only 29,000 total day viewers among the demo. 

MSNBC had a smaller audience among the demo than 36 other cable options, including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, E!, The Cartoon Network, Oxygen, MTV, Hallmark Mystery and a pair of Lifetime networks. It was MSNBC’s worst week among the demo since November 1997. 

Brian Flood
December 4, 2024
Fox News Channel dominates cable news as CNN, MSNBC collapse to embarrassing weekly lows

For comparison:

  • Joe Rogan has 12.3 million followers on X and 14.5 million on Spotify.
  • Mark Smith of the The Four Boxes Diner has 20.4K followers on X and 165K subscribers on YouTube. Smith is a law professor and advocate for Second Amendment rights.

CNN and MSNBC have been leading the pack in lies and giving Democrats what amounts to free advertising for a long, long time. I remember when people called CNN “Clinton News Network” for their biased reporting and opinions. And that was Bill Clinton, not Hillary!

That people have finally wised up and moved on is great news. It is time these talking heads paid a price for the harm they have done. I will be even happier when the companies collapse into bankruptcy. Most of all, I want to see the talking heads unemployable, and their old office space turned into gun shops and indoor shooting ranges.

They Always Want State Violence

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Quote of the Day

It would be useful if state violence extended to killing gun freaks

rumtytum @rumtytum
Tweeted on June 4, 2022

This is what they think of you. They want you dead.

And, of course, they want someone else to do their dirty work for them. They want the state to kill the people they don’t like. Also, note that it is an entire class of people they want dead. Considering people as individuals on a case-by-case basis would take too long.

Communism is a crime against humanity.

Underground Bunker Memes

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Via an email tip from Peter. Who found them at Meme-etic – According To Hoyt:

I’m not saying they are wrong. But just so you know… The deeper you go the tougher the problems with:

  • Water leakage
  • Flat roof expense
  • Sewer drains or septic drain fields
  • Construction excavation footprint size
  • Cranky building inspectors

Finland, the Baltic States and Alaska?

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Quote of the Day

We need to reclaim a lot more historic land, restore historical fairness… Finland, the Baltic States, everything is ours. Let’s take Alaska too

Vladimir Soloviev
May 5, 2024
“We have to take back Finland, Poland, the Baltic States, Alaska…”

Funny stuff!

I suspect that is some vodka talking. The last time Russia took a bite out of Finland… well, Ukraine is turning out to be more cooperative than Finland was. Even if Finland ended up being a pushover… all the Baltic States and Alaska? I suspect there would be a vote on that initiative whether Russia wants one or not. Expect the vote results to be delivered to the Kremlin via drone and missile.

Grok Draws a Picture of Me Based on My Tweets

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The prompt was:

Please draw a picture of me based on my Tweets.

It responded with:

I generated image with the prompt: ‘Bald man in dark sunglasses, smiling, wearing a dark polo shirt with a logo, medium build, light complexion, leaning against a column, black-and-white vintage style, with elements reflecting interests in libertarianism, gun rights, Ukraine support, and space technology.’

This is the image I have on my X profile:

Even for an AI, it is poor. The text is gibberish. It is not even creative.

I give it a B-.

Doubling Down on the Childish Insult

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Quote of the Day

Nah y’all just have smol pp’s

LiL MopHead (@XxSPINELxX)
Tweeted on July 1, 2022

It’s not only another Markley’s Law Monday, it is another science denier (see also here)!

This QOTD was the response when I pointed out Markley’s Law to them and suggested their previous childish insult helped reduce their fear of gun owners.

What Libertarians Mean By Pro-Gun

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Via Will Harter @RealWillHarter:

As a libertarian, I suspect there is some truth in this claim.

People Have their Own Falsehoods

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Quote of the Day

Democrats didn’t like what voters told them on election night, and they don’t seem to like hearing what they have to say to each other in the fallout. 

If they want to avoid defeat and become a reasonable party again, they will have to learn how to listen to each other, and their voters, again. 

Max Thornberry
November 24, 2024
Democrats turn on each other in battle for soul of the party

I get it that reality is tough. But reality eventually wins.

This gets back to something I have been saying for years. There is a process by which one can determine truth from falsity. Many people not only don’t use a process, but they also can’t comprehend that such a process exists.

For some people truth is what they believe. Many people have beliefs which not only lack evidence but are in despite of evidence. They may not say this explicitly, but they use phrases that mean that. My “favorites” are variations of “people have their own truths.”

It would be more accurate to say, “people have their own falsehoods.” There is some ultimate truth “out there.” But frequently it is tough, really tough, to get at it. Some people have beliefs much closer to truth/reality, but ultimately it boils down to people believe different falsehoods.

Just because everyone is “wrong” it does not mean everyone is equally wrong. I think this truth escapes the majority of the Democrat Party leaders. They can correctly find flaws in the in their political opponents’ beliefs. This does not mean the Democrat Party belief system is correct or even better.

No Reason to Believe They Are Not That Stupid

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Quote of the Day

If New York’s powers that be really are stupid enough to go after Peanut’s family on this — and there’s no reason to believe they aren’t — they not only will get their anti-gun butts handed to them in court, but they’ll deserve to be ravaged by all of the furies of PR hell they’ll raise along the way.

Either way, it seems that Peanut may get the last laugh.

Jennifer Sensiba
November 24, 2024
How Peanut the Squirrel Might Get Revenge on New York’s Gun Control Laws – Shooting News Weekly

Via Richard.

I think the problem is the powers that be cannot comprehend there are or should be limits to their powers. And, of course, they also believe they are the smartest people “in the room.” This leads to a whole cascading wall of failure.

They Are Not Distracted by the Truth

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Quote of the Day

Our reverence for the truth… might have become a bit of a distraction that is preventing us from finding consensus and getting important things done.

Katherine Roberts Maher
CEO and president of National Public Radio
2022 TED Talk

See also here.

Those following the gun owner’s rights movement should not be surprised by this attitude. Our opposition certainly gets things done without being distracted by the truth.

I am, of course, reminded that some people can’t handle the truth.

Grok Answers “What is Boomershoot?”

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I asked Grok, X’s AI chat bot, “What is Boomershoot?” This was its answer:

Boomershoot is an annual high-power rifle shooting event held in North Central Idaho, near Orofino. Here are the key details about Boomershoot:

  • Event Overview: Boomershoot is known for its unique targets which are explosive. Participants engage these targets with long-range precision rifles at distances ranging from 375 to 700 yards.
  • Targets: The targets consist of high explosives, with the closest and smallest being 4-inch square boxes filled with an ammonium nitrate and potassium chlorate-based mixture. Larger targets, used for longer ranges, are 7-inch squares with a stronger explosive charge. When hit by a bullet, these targets explode, providing immediate feedback to the shooter.
  • Event Structure:
    • Main Event: The primary day involves participants shooting at these explosive targets, typically held on a Sunday in late spring. Over a ton of explosives can be mixed and used over the event’s duration.
    • Precision Rifle Clinic: Held on the days before the main event, this clinic offers training with both steel and explosive targets, focusing on precision shooting techniques.
    • High Intensity Events: These are evening events where participants can shoot at closer distances and experience more explosive action, with a limit on participants to manage the quantity of targets.
  • Safety and Regulations: Safety is paramount at Boomershoot. Participants must adhere to strict safety guidelines, including rules on muzzle awareness, loading, and firing only on command. Joe Huffman, the event’s organizer, holds an ATF Type 20 License for manufacturing high explosives, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
  • Community and Culture: Boomershoot not only serves as a shooting event but also fosters a community of firearms enthusiasts, offering opportunities for camaraderie, learning, and celebration of marksmanship. The event includes social activities like a Saturday night dinner featuring guest speakers, further enhancing its community aspect.
  • Location and Logistics: The venue is near Cavendish, Idaho, with specific directions available on the event’s website. Participants are encouraged to prepare adequately, with advice on equipment like spotting scopes and ammunition.
  • Cancellation History: Boomershoot has faced cancellations or modifications due to external factors like the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the event’s adaptability and focus on participant safety.

Boomershoot has built a reputation over the years for being an exciting and challenging event for those passionate about shooting sports, with a strong emphasis on safety, precision, and community.

This is a great answer.

Gold Price Forecasts

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The current spot price of gold is $2,656.41. But what will it be a few months or years from now?

From earlier today we have a self-proclaimed expert saying:

Gold Won’t Save You From Historic Market Bubble Bursting: Henrik Zeberg

“I think gold is actually in a kind of a smaller bubble by itself now,” Zeberg stated. “I think you’re going to see a rather strong decline in gold to the very reasons that I just said talked about here.”

Zeberg’s bearish stance on gold is rooted in his expectation of a deflationary bust. As the economy contracts and inflation falls, the US dollar is likely to strengthen, making gold a less attractive asset.

“I don’t want to hold gold into that environment,” he said. “I actually think it’s a very bad environment to hold gold.”

From an entire panel of experts on October 22nd:

Latest Gold Price Forecast & Predictions | Gold Eagle

Gold Forecast 1 Year
Bullish: $3,200
Medium-term price drivers:
US dollar, bear market in stocks and recession, investor sentiment

Gold Forecast 3 Years
Bullish: $4,825
Long-term price drivers:
US dollar, US budget deficits, central bank monetary debasement, negative real interest rates, and the potential for an uptick in sovereign buying.

I’m reminded of something an old engineer I knew many years ago was fond of saying:

The wonderful thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from.

No Sharks Allowed

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“No Guns Allowed” signs are nearly the equivalent. They differ in that “No Guns Allowed” signs attract two-legged predators.

Anyone advocating for gun control is advocating for the occupational safety of predators.

Via Hannah Madden.

Excellent Point

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Quote of the Day

Governments do not censor articles that they could expose as lies.

markm
November 16, 2024
Comment to A Low Bar

Concise, obviously correct, and very powerful.

Nukes for Ukraine?

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I understand the temptation. I’m not convinced it is a good idea.

US and Europe consider granting Ukraine ”punishing blow” capability to prevent future ceasefire violations – Euromaidan Press

Several officials even suggested that Biden could return nuclear weapons to Ukraine that were taken from it after the fall of the Soviet Union. That would be an instant and enormous deterrent.

If they had not taken the nukes from Ukraine initially, the entire mess might have been avoided.

Look at what happened to the American Indians, the German Jews, etc. The examples are endless. Never give up your right to self-defense or your weapons.

The Best in Life Arrives Next Summer

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Quote of the Day

We are on a path to have “assault weapon” and standard capacity magazine bans declared unconstitutional nationwide by summer. If SCOTUS decides to accept the case, which most observers think they will, then we probably will win.

See also what Mark Smith has to say:

If it is successful, it will be just short of 31 years after the original national “assault weapon ban.” It will “only” be 17 years after the Heller decision.

The 1994 ban and Ruby Ridge motivated me to buy my first gun and start advocating for gun owner rights. It has been a long fight for me and much longer for a lot of other people. And even if we win this case, it will be far from over. We need to start prosecuting the perpetrators of these rights infringements. Otherwise, it will be another 30 years until their constant whining is little more than noise.

That said, a win will be a really big deal. A win will crush our opponents moral and create a powerful precedent. It will be among the best things that has happened on this long journey.

As said by Conan when asked, “What is best in life?”

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women.

Why Do Humans Mate in Seclusion?

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Quote of the Day

Despite considerable cultural differences, a striking uniformity is argued to exist in human preferences for concealing sexual intercourse from the sensory perception of conspecifics. However, no systematic accounts support this claim, with only limited attempts to understand the selective pressures acting on the evolution of this preference. Here, I combine cross-cultural and cross-species comparative approaches to investigate these topics. First, an analysis of more than 4572 ethnographies from 249 cultures presents systematic evidence that the preference to conceal mating is widespread across cultures. Second, I argue that current anthropological hypotheses do not sufficiently explain why habitual concealment of mating evolved in humans but is only seldom exhibited by other social species. Third, I introduce the cooperation maintenance hypothesis, which postulates that humans, and a specific category of non-human species, conceal matings to prevent sexual arousal in witnesses (proximate explanation). This allows them to simultaneously maintain mating control over their partner(s) and cooperation with group members who are prevented from mating (ultimate explanations). I conclude by presenting a comparative framework and predictions to be tested across species and human cultures

Yitzchak Ben Mocha
June 7, 2020
Why do human and non-human species conceal mating? The cooperation maintenance hypothesis | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Interesting.

I didn’t read the paper in detail, but it appears to me he is ignoring a significant subculture. There are lots of people who video their sexual activities and post the video on the Internet. There are sex clubs in all western large cities. At these clubs’ people have sex with their spouse in front of other people. They also have sex with people not their spouse in group settings. If this were an evolutionary beneficial behavior, why would people seek out others and places to defy the norm?

I agree that this is far from mainstream. And I have often wondered why people seek seclusion. Growing up on the farm it was common to see the cattle, cats, and chickens mating. It just did not make sense to me that people were so private about it. There was no emotional damage to any of the animals. And it was my understanding chimp, monkeys and other primates mated in public. So, what is going on with humans?

If Mocha’s hypothesis is correct, it’s a restriction created by men for their benefit. One would then expect women to be more inclined than men to engage in public sex. I don’t believe this is the case. On the other hand, women are much noisier during sex than men. This lends credence to the idea that they have an evolutionary bias toward getting attention when they are highly aroused.

I’m glad Mocha put some thought into it. His hypothesizes are far better than anything I came up with. I’m not entirely convinced they are correct, but they are worth discussing and testing.

Interesting Caliber Selections

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A bolt action, multi-barreled, precision rifle, with a ten-round magazine. Very cool.

New Marine Corps sniper rifle is officially operational

The Marine Corps has officially hit full operational capability on its new sniper rifle a year ahead of schedule.

The Corps chose the Mk22 Mod 0 Advanced Sniper Rifle, manufactured by Barrett Firearms, a company widely known for their groundbreaking work in developing the .50 caliber sniper rifle, as a changeable, multi-barrel rifle to replace two existing long rifles and give shooters three caliber options within their main shooting platform.

Those caliber options include the standard 7.62mm, the .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum. The caliber diversity allows shooters to select a munition for specific missions that might require more distance or more penetrating power. The rifle uses a 10-round magazine.

The .338 Norma Magnum cartridge pushes a 300-grain Sierra Matchking out the barrel at 2,700 fps.

The .300 Norma Magnum cartridge achieves a blistering 3,000 fps with a 220-grain bullet.

Those are some interesting calibers for a 15.2-pound rifle. They must deliver some serious kick.

Get more information and clues on how to buy your own here.

I wonder how long it will be before someone brings one to Boomershoot.