Okay, if you own your own business and care about your low-level, low-skilled employees, that's great. If you want to advocate to me that similar employees working in similar businesses should be paid a higher wage, awesome.
If you, yourself, only pay your employees right at or about the legal minimum wage, you are a hypocrite.
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label community. Show all posts
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
In Remembrance
Has it really been twelve years? A few moments of silence, if you please...
And, these colors don't run:
And, these colors don't run:
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Happy 4th of July, America!
I appreciate that this day celebrates the signing of Declaration of Independence; however, I think it is just as crucial to celebrate that which grew from it:
And, let's not forget this one:
And, one more:
Like so many other Gen-Xers, I had a leg up in memorizing the Preamble for my Civics classes thanks to Schoolhouse Rock. They were a bit simple but, still, f#cking awesome!
We don't make 'em like this anymore. And, that dear reader, is to our detriment.
And, let's not forget this one:
And, one more:
Like so many other Gen-Xers, I had a leg up in memorizing the Preamble for my Civics classes thanks to Schoolhouse Rock. They were a bit simple but, still, f#cking awesome!
We don't make 'em like this anymore. And, that dear reader, is to our detriment.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
They Stood Still and Did Nothing
We should all be sickened by what happened this week in Woolwich, England—not just by the crime directly perpetrated, but also by that indirectly through the inaction of the onlookers. Have we become a flock of sheep idly bleating in some form of, "Thank Gaia [can't thank God any longer unless it's Allah] that's not me!" whilst the wolves devour one of our own?
I offer this compare and contrast...
First, review this from Richard Fernandez in his PJ Media post, The Manhood of the West:
I offer this compare and contrast...
First, review this from Richard Fernandez in his PJ Media post, The Manhood of the West:
The women came forward. Children in nearby schools were locked down by their teachers.Now, let's contrast it to Leslie Loftis's thoughts on The Essence of What It Means To Live In A Gun Culture:
This incident illustrates, if nothing else, the endpoint of the social engineering of the West. It has been remarkably effective.
From a certain point of view, the British crowd behaved perfectly and this is the way “they” all want us to behave. The populace sheltered in place, didn’t do anything rash, talked to the perpetrators as people. They waited for the police to come and the hospital helicopter to take the corpse away. Some will doubtless get counseling to overcome their shattering experience.
And then they will congratulate themselves on how tough British society is; resilience and all that. The more caring will leave some flowers by a railing and hold a few candle vigils for healing and peace, until these wither and blow away and the news cycle washes up a new object of attention.
The attackers knew they were actors in a drama — as keenly watched in their communities as on the BBC. And in that other audience they were asking: “How will the locals behave?” We know now. And that other audience may derive an entirely different lesson from this tableau: “See? Only their women act like men. They follow orders. They are nothing anymore — these Westerners. They are a civilization whose core has been destroyed.”
Amen....Taking the time to “earnestly contemplate” self defense is the essence of the gun culture. So much so that we hardly notice it.I didn’t until the London Riots of 2011. While friends described locking their doors and hoping for the police, Zoe Williams wrote that she had never contemplated defending her home. This shocked me. But then I thought back to the 2001 massacre in Norway, when the shooter rampaged for about an hour, taking 77 lives. They waited for the police.
Most people outside the gun culture have been conditioned to wait for the police. Unarmed, without good options for self defense, they’ve never considered it. They assume we haven’t either, hence their worry that every charged situation would collapse into a shootout at the OK Corral. But in a gun culture, we plan self defense. In a gun culture, we accept that ultimately it is our responsibility to defend ourselves. Follow Bolyard’s series. She’s asking, learning, and practicing while guided by those who have already done so. This is commonplace.
Sometime after the Batman massacre, five men sat at my dining room table discussing not whether they would have acted, but how. Things like how to move the non-combatants into cover and how to charge a shooter. During my shock at the London Riots, I asked a friend if he would “step off his porch and defend his neighbors from violent rioters.” He gave me a look that suggested I was being a bit thick and replied, “Leslie, I don’t have to step off my porch. That’s what the long guns are for.”
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Habemus Papam!
I'm not a Catholic and, not necessarily even a practicing Christian. That said, I do pretty much respect the faiths of all who respect others.
On that note, I would just like to extend some congratulations to the Catholic faithful on the conclusion of a successful conclave.
On that note, I would just like to extend some congratulations to the Catholic faithful on the conclusion of a successful conclave.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Juneau Day of Resistance 2/23
Or...
There were a bunch of kooks with guns (and no one got shot or hurt)!
That was how I'd almost sarcastically titled this post. I'd found out about the Day of Resistance rally at the Capitol back on Thursday, when someone passed along a heads-up about the event with a statement from someone else that essentially said that there would be people carrying assault weapons in front of the Capitol and all it would take is one wacko to set it all off. Naturally, I had to go check it all out and give at least a quick report.
I wasn't carrying but, in hindsight, maybe I wish I was.
I'll be honest that I'm not really a big fan of open-carry at events such as this. I've always felt that it only provides ammo for an already hostile media to keep trying to portray us exactly as wackos; however, I'm seriously re-thinking my stance on this. As my dad related to me in a phone conversation after I'd got back, we can't do anything without them portraying us as such, anyhow, so might as well be proud of who we are (this, from the man who years back passed on membership to a respectable Cape Cod gun club because they required NRA membership).
Something else that was continually said by the speakers and attendees of the half-hour gathering was the reaffirmation that there were so many visible with their guns and not a single person in any near proximity ever felt endangered.
As you can see from the first photo, this was a typical winter's day for Southeast Alaska (sideways blowing sleet and 27-degree windchill).
There were maybe 30-35 hardy souls gathered when I first got there.
The weather conditions certainly gave meaning to "cold, dead fingers."
At the peak of the rally, I counted approximately 50-plus people, about half of them women.
Along with about 10 children that I counted at various points in the crowd.
Among the attendees and speakers were State Senators John Coghill (speaking) and Fred Dyson (standing to the left). Senator Dyson read the text to Senate Joint Resolution Number 6.
Also speaking were State Senators Lesil McGuire (above, with organizer Thom Buzard) and Pete Kelly (not pictured).
The cold crowd may have been small, but it was certainly noticeable...
I found it really interesting that the car in this photo has a "Do No Harm" and an "Obama/Biden" bumper sticker.
I'll quickly conclude with something that organizer Thom Buzard said:
As always:
There were a bunch of kooks with guns (and no one got shot or hurt)!
That was how I'd almost sarcastically titled this post. I'd found out about the Day of Resistance rally at the Capitol back on Thursday, when someone passed along a heads-up about the event with a statement from someone else that essentially said that there would be people carrying assault weapons in front of the Capitol and all it would take is one wacko to set it all off. Naturally, I had to go check it all out and give at least a quick report.
I wasn't carrying but, in hindsight, maybe I wish I was.
I'll be honest that I'm not really a big fan of open-carry at events such as this. I've always felt that it only provides ammo for an already hostile media to keep trying to portray us exactly as wackos; however, I'm seriously re-thinking my stance on this. As my dad related to me in a phone conversation after I'd got back, we can't do anything without them portraying us as such, anyhow, so might as well be proud of who we are (this, from the man who years back passed on membership to a respectable Cape Cod gun club because they required NRA membership).
Something else that was continually said by the speakers and attendees of the half-hour gathering was the reaffirmation that there were so many visible with their guns and not a single person in any near proximity ever felt endangered.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As you can see from the first photo, this was a typical winter's day for Southeast Alaska (sideways blowing sleet and 27-degree windchill).
There were maybe 30-35 hardy souls gathered when I first got there.
The weather conditions certainly gave meaning to "cold, dead fingers."
At the peak of the rally, I counted approximately 50-plus people, about half of them women.
Also speaking were State Senators Lesil McGuire (above, with organizer Thom Buzard) and Pete Kelly (not pictured).
The cold crowd may have been small, but it was certainly noticeable...
I found it really interesting that the car in this photo has a "Do No Harm" and an "Obama/Biden" bumper sticker.
I'll quickly conclude with something that organizer Thom Buzard said:
I'm tired of being quiet. I'm tired of being afraid.
As always:
Be Seen. Be Heard. And, Stand Firm.
Monday, January 21, 2013
How Far Have We REALLY Come?
[Quick note that my original drafting of this post intended to end with Dr. King's speech. As I began to write it, I felt that it was more appropriate to lead off with.]
This is something that I had begun to mentally draft a year ago, before I'd begun to blog. Unfortunately, I'd not written most of those thoughts down and I've found myself struggling to recapture them for this post as they'd first been...
Back at New Year's, I'd linked a video of and provided the lyrics for Creed's One in my post An Earworm to Start 2013 With. Perhaps, I should have saved it for this post?
Believe it or not, for this white boy, growing-up on Cape Cod in the middle of the middle class, MLK Day and, recognizing the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement in the 50's and 60's, was important and motivating. Despite being a household of supposedly evil conservatives, we're all firm believers in "judging a man not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character." Possibly, were it the 19th century, we would have been on the front lines of the Abolitionist Movement.
I still get goosebumps every time I hear the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
We're not always perfect in our applications but, then again, none of us on any side of any issue ever are.
Being staunch supporters of judging by the content of our characters also means that we cannot hide calling things as we see them behind that charade of censorship, the PC Movement, which has so intrinsically embedded itself into our culture. I've almost allowed that sense of political correctness, so nearly beaten into my head in my waning college years (I matriculated just as the movement was gaining solid momentum in the 90's), to stop me from writing this specific post for this specific day.
We are all god's children and if I shuffle my feet and fail to to look you in the eye and address my concerns directly with you, that means that I don't truly see you as my equal and vice versa. And, yes, Mr. Holder, we are a nation of cowards for not having these difficult conversations; however, the cowardice come not in the way you intimated. I fear that in our drive to reddress past wrongs, we have succumbed to offering solutions based on guilt, self-loathing, anger, and a perpetual sense of victimization.
Ms. Parks may no longer have to fight to sit at the front of bus but, now, in our hearts, are we all not still thinking of each other as that "other"?
Overall, we are probably at the most integrated and equalized point in the history of our republic and, yet, every continuing turn yields discussions about and accusations of racism. It all continually has to come back to race, race, and yet more race until it is quite obvious that there are those of us all too willing to perpetuate past grievances and leaving us all still saturated and wallowing in the evils of racism.
The fact that any of us who dare state this are quickly shouted-down on confirms it. We are a nation of cowards for allowing this perpetuation.
As loathsome as any segregationist may have been, s/he was direct and you knew the content of that person's heart. Today, we hide ourselves in either shamed self-censorship and avoidance or direct manipulations to convince others of the continuing grievances in order to benefit ourselves, positions, or partisan affiliations.
The actions of anyone of any race—and, I don't care if you're a white politician or journalist throwing the term "racist" at anyone who dares criticize our current president (it's part & parcel of holding the office folks, get over it), preaching the inequalities instead of steps taken towards equality in order to keep interest in your political party, or a two-bit hustler trying to provoke the us & them mentality at every turn in order to keep his/her name in the news—to intentionally provoke the perpetuation of racial divides instead of truly seeking ways to heal them is just as despicable as any hooded Klansman. One needs look no further than the manner in which minority Republicans are treated by members of their own race and supposedly liberal and tolerant members of the other party.
Let's face it, if you do these things you wear a similar hood; only, yours is all the more evil for you profess to do so for everyone's good.
A while back, Julia from Mininerd really hit the nail on the head regarding thoughts and feelings I've had for a long while regarding race and partisan identity. In her post, The Democrat plantation, Julia fisks this NY Times article by U-Penn Professor Adolph L. Reed, Jr.
And, go back and listen to Dr. King's words again and try to think on what it means to "judge a man not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character."
This is something that I had begun to mentally draft a year ago, before I'd begun to blog. Unfortunately, I'd not written most of those thoughts down and I've found myself struggling to recapture them for this post as they'd first been...
Back at New Year's, I'd linked a video of and provided the lyrics for Creed's One in my post An Earworm to Start 2013 With. Perhaps, I should have saved it for this post?
Believe it or not, for this white boy, growing-up on Cape Cod in the middle of the middle class, MLK Day and, recognizing the accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement in the 50's and 60's, was important and motivating. Despite being a household of supposedly evil conservatives, we're all firm believers in "judging a man not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character." Possibly, were it the 19th century, we would have been on the front lines of the Abolitionist Movement.
I still get goosebumps every time I hear the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.
We're not always perfect in our applications but, then again, none of us on any side of any issue ever are.
Being staunch supporters of judging by the content of our characters also means that we cannot hide calling things as we see them behind that charade of censorship, the PC Movement, which has so intrinsically embedded itself into our culture. I've almost allowed that sense of political correctness, so nearly beaten into my head in my waning college years (I matriculated just as the movement was gaining solid momentum in the 90's), to stop me from writing this specific post for this specific day.
We are all god's children and if I shuffle my feet and fail to to look you in the eye and address my concerns directly with you, that means that I don't truly see you as my equal and vice versa. And, yes, Mr. Holder, we are a nation of cowards for not having these difficult conversations; however, the cowardice come not in the way you intimated. I fear that in our drive to reddress past wrongs, we have succumbed to offering solutions based on guilt, self-loathing, anger, and a perpetual sense of victimization.
Ms. Parks may no longer have to fight to sit at the front of bus but, now, in our hearts, are we all not still thinking of each other as that "other"?
Overall, we are probably at the most integrated and equalized point in the history of our republic and, yet, every continuing turn yields discussions about and accusations of racism. It all continually has to come back to race, race, and yet more race until it is quite obvious that there are those of us all too willing to perpetuate past grievances and leaving us all still saturated and wallowing in the evils of racism.
The fact that any of us who dare state this are quickly shouted-down on confirms it. We are a nation of cowards for allowing this perpetuation.
As loathsome as any segregationist may have been, s/he was direct and you knew the content of that person's heart. Today, we hide ourselves in either shamed self-censorship and avoidance or direct manipulations to convince others of the continuing grievances in order to benefit ourselves, positions, or partisan affiliations.
The actions of anyone of any race—and, I don't care if you're a white politician or journalist throwing the term "racist" at anyone who dares criticize our current president (it's part & parcel of holding the office folks, get over it), preaching the inequalities instead of steps taken towards equality in order to keep interest in your political party, or a two-bit hustler trying to provoke the us & them mentality at every turn in order to keep his/her name in the news—to intentionally provoke the perpetuation of racial divides instead of truly seeking ways to heal them is just as despicable as any hooded Klansman. One needs look no further than the manner in which minority Republicans are treated by members of their own race and supposedly liberal and tolerant members of the other party.
Let's face it, if you do these things you wear a similar hood; only, yours is all the more evil for you profess to do so for everyone's good.
A while back, Julia from Mininerd really hit the nail on the head regarding thoughts and feelings I've had for a long while regarding race and partisan identity. In her post, The Democrat plantation, Julia fisks this NY Times article by U-Penn Professor Adolph L. Reed, Jr.
Reed doesn’t even attempt to disguise his belief that black people belong to the Democrat party–and that any black person who leaves his or her owners’ plantation must be shamed and disowned by the black community.Definitely read the whole thing!
...
So let me get this straight. The “how far we have come” narrative does not apply to minority Republicans, because they are all just “tokens,” trotted out to cover up the fact that Republicans hate minorities. You know, for a group of people who supposedly hate minorities so much, we sure do support a lot of them for leadership positions. I mean, really, if we hated these people, why in the world would we be happy that an Indian governor appointed a black Senator? Unless . . . we’re just happy because she gave us another token on the game board? I think maybe Reed is claiming to have psychic powers, if he can read our minds and determine that we are all lying. (Hint: we’re not. We love Tim Scott because he is an authentic conservative with strong values. His race is utterly irrelevant, and only the Democrats bring it up)
...
Republicans can’t prove they are not racist by supporting minority candidates, of course, because everyone knows they are just tokens. Now, I doubt this professor would have the guts to call Lt. Col. Allen West a “token” to his face, but still, all tokens that we only pretend to support. No, no, in order to win the black vote and prove that we aren’t huge racists, we must “take policy positions that advance black interests.” What are those positions? Well, not being “anti-tax, anti-union and anti-abortion,” to start, I guess.
What it boils down to is that anyone who does not toe the Democrat line on policy issues either isn’t authentically black (if outwardly black) or must be a racist (if white). The indicator of blackness or tolerance is adherence to . . . what? Keynesian economics? Unlimited abortions on demand? Disarming the public and leaving them at the mercy of armed criminals? And if you disagree with those things? Well, you aren’t black, and you’re probably a racist.
And, go back and listen to Dr. King's words again and try to think on what it means to "judge a man not by the color of his skin but by the content of his character."
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Helping A Fellow Blogger Out
Alphecca's run into a rough patch and could use a little help by hitting his tip jar.
I've been reading him for a lotta years and enjoy his posts. If you can spare a bit, he sure could use it.
Thanks!
I've been reading him for a lotta years and enjoy his posts. If you can spare a bit, he sure could use it.
Thanks!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
A Quick Message for the Day
Hhhmmm...
Happy Holidays?
Happy Hana-Rama-Kwansa-Solsti-Mas?
Nah, don't think so. We've visited this before...
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, I got it!
And, on that note, I'll leave you with a couple of my favorite carols:
And...
Nah, don't think so. We've visited this before...
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh, I got it!
Merry Christmas!
And, on that note, I'll leave you with a couple of my favorite carols:
And...
Friday, December 21, 2012
In Which I Feared The Chirping Of Crickets
If reading this, it means that although the predicted apocalypse didn't happen, it sure as hell has been feeling as though it's about to for the gun community.
Hear that; that chirping of crickets? Yeah, probably not. It seems like it's the sound of the only responses I've received from some of my emailing efforts at trying to prod various members of the gun community into something proactive being Please remove me from your mailing list.
That, was the original opening I'd started for this post a couple of days ago. I have to admit that I am genuinely terrified that those might be crickets that could be chirping in what will be the empty fields that used to house our shooting ranges...
Alright, I admit that I proposed something rather intense to a lot of folks at a very sensitive time. Think I got ghoulish and jumped the gun; tried to push too hard and too quick? Perhaps. It's more than very likely as I was reacting with a lot of fear. Did I carry my final point in the recommended ground rules too far? Oh, hell yeah! And, I'm sorry for that part.
I was not trying to generate hits and I sure as hell wasn't expecting everyone to agree with me and jump. I was hoping that people would respond—whether it was to voice agreement, that maybe it's an idea that needs improvement and better tact, or even tell me the idea's wrong or outright sucks. What I was trolling for was reaffirmation that we are all engaged or willing to engage. Maybe I was subconsciously trying to be in control.
I still feel we need to organize something like it but presented less abrasively and with better timing and preparation. With the best intentions I was rather passionate and somewhat misdirected. Throughout my life I've never considered myself an activist and, have even despised many of such ilk. Out of being tired as being portrayed or seen as something a half-step off of villainous by the media, progressives, and ill-informed, I've caught myself becoming an activist of the type I don't care for.
But this is the place that I come to vent my passions and, may hap, express that more abrasive, assertive side of me that doesn't usually manage to come-out in more polite company (and, yes, anything I say here I will say to someone's face). And, I will remain blunt and say that my activistic side just can't handle and is agitated by the thought of so many of us in the gun community proverbially pounding our chests in the company of our shooting buddies and proclaiming how much it all sucks while doing nothing further. I'll also be blunt that I feel buggered by folks who may run out to get that last AR or high-capacity mag before the ban's enacted but won't write his/her congress critter or otherwise rally the troops beyond more bitch sessions within our own company. I've seen too many do it in the past and we are so much better and capable than this.
Since I've already put my foot in my mouth all the way up to my ankle, I may as well keep gnawing up to my knee. Here's another concern that I need to express:
This time around, we can't hide behind the shields of the admirable efforts of groups like the NRA and Second Amendment Foundation.Oh, don't get me wrong. I've been an NRA Life Member for a long time and just became a Defenders Club member of the SAF; however, the press and progs have maintained a brutal and effective publicity war of attrition to convince many of the less-than-informed of the villainy of these organizations. Again, we do need to keep our support flowing. I just can't shake the feeling that this time we will swarm outside the protection of the shield wall and win our cause through grass-roots efforts.
As I've been saying here and, out in the comments to posts at other members of the gun blogging community, we really need to show that we are substantial and respectable members of our communities and the constituencies of our legislators.
Despite my persistent gloom, there is some good news in the middle of this. But, because of my persistent gloom (I lived 23 years under Massachusetts gun laws before coming to Alaska), I'll leave off with this thought: a lot of conservative pundits and voters thought Romney would beat Obama. We may have a stronger tide in our favor than initially believed but we can't rely on that.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Bitter's Ideas For Taking Action
The ever-sensible and stalwart Bitter, over at Shall Not Be Questioned, posts the first of her Specific Steps You Can Take to Oppose the Coming Obama/Biden Gun Controls series, where she begins with:
As I've been trying to scream in comments at other blogs, through emails, or in-person to friends and acquaintances in the gun community, get out there and do something beyond buying your last pre-ban AR or magazines.
And, fair warning to all three of my readers, I'm not yet done!
I’m going to do a short series of posts on this topic over the next few days with specific ideas for various communities of gun owners. Whether you’re just some gal who owns guns and finds their “gun community” online, own a commercial gun range or shop, or are a member of a community gun club, I’m going to collect specific actionable, easy ideas for you to think about. Today’s list is for gun shops and commercial gun ranges.And, among them:
If you have room, set up a table with paper, pens, and envelopes – pre-addressed if you really want to make it easy. If there’s a wait, strongly encourage people to sit down and write 3-4 letters – one to their Congressman, their Senators, and (if relevant for state concerns) the Governor. Put out sample language and talking points taped to the table to get them started. Put up a collection box for the completed letters, and eat the cost of a stamp to mail them all. This way you know they make it to the lawmakers.Read the whole thing and also be sure to check out her second post, where she focuses on actions that could be taken at community/non-profit gun clubs.
Offer a discount or freebie of something to people who prove their participation in the issue.
If you already have some kind of points/frequent renter club, give extra points to those who participate in the letter-writing campaign. If you do this, don’t make the reward very small. Make it worth their while.
Post a petition-type letter that opens with something “we the undersigned members of the InsertLocationHere lawful gun owning community” and make a letter that’s pretty focused on the gun issue. Then, leave lots of spaces and pages for people to sign their names and include at least their cities or zip codes. Collect signatures until you fill a sheet (or more sheets) and then mail it in to all of the regional lawmakers.
As I've been trying to scream in comments at other blogs, through emails, or in-person to friends and acquaintances in the gun community, get out there and do something beyond buying your last pre-ban AR or magazines.
And, fair warning to all three of my readers, I'm not yet done!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Chipping Away At The Foundation of Christmas
[Note: This is a revival of my earlier Chip... Chip... Chip... post, which met an untimely end as I was trying to pull an update.]
First-up, that which I was going to update with...
I've been working part-time for a local retailer, folks whom I've worked for on-and-off over the years since I've moved up to Alaska, during the Christmas rush. An elderly gentleman came in with who I assume was his granddaughter. They purchased an item as a present based on a recommendation that the would-be recipient had provided.
I was asked if I could wrap it and I replied that it would be no problem but I'd have to go to the back room to do so. They had no problem with that and mentioned they'd continue browsing around the store. I got it wrapped in record time and found the gentleman out in the aisles.
He thanked me and started to wish me, "Have a Merry-", when the granddaughter suddenly interjects, "Don't you dare say it!"
He kind of looks at her and says, "Huh?" To which, she replies, "I'm serious, don't you dare say it." He doesn't finish his statement to me and follows her out the store. I was stunned.
And, now, back to our earlier scheduled post...
Brace yourself, I’m going into "full-bore, I haven’t had enough caffeine to get my morning started" ranting and raving mode (or, maybe, I just need time back on the water to fish again). That sound you hear? That chip-chip-chipping away? That’s the sound of yet another stone in our social foundation being slowly worked away until we stand on nothing but crumbly gravel and infirm earth.
Once again, we come to the ever-increasing PC Holiday Assault:
And, who could forget this gem from last year:Nina Totenberg: ‘I Was At – Forgive the Expression – a Christmas Party...’
We’re celebrating a holiday season predicated on Christmas, a Christian holiday, and should pay it some respect. Instead, we find ourselves forced to respect everyone else's feelings except for the folks whose beliefs it celebrates. It's bad enough that we've lost much of its essence to rampant, self-centered mercantilism but, now, we've got to put-up with all sorts of proselytizers. And, I've got news for all the humanists out there hell-bent to prove how idiotic, wek-minded, and just plain old wrong the religious and spiritiual folks are: you're proselytizing just as hard as any callous-knuckled bible-thumper.
I'll give you a "Have a Happy Holiday" for something like Thanksgiving but I sure as hell am going to wish you a Merry Christmas and, Happy New Year, to boot.
Oh, yeah: feeling grand that taking away someone's Christmas tree is a righteous blow in the face of Christian tyranny? You're taking it away from its origins in far more ancient beliefs.
First-up, that which I was going to update with...
I've been working part-time for a local retailer, folks whom I've worked for on-and-off over the years since I've moved up to Alaska, during the Christmas rush. An elderly gentleman came in with who I assume was his granddaughter. They purchased an item as a present based on a recommendation that the would-be recipient had provided.
I was asked if I could wrap it and I replied that it would be no problem but I'd have to go to the back room to do so. They had no problem with that and mentioned they'd continue browsing around the store. I got it wrapped in record time and found the gentleman out in the aisles.
He thanked me and started to wish me, "Have a Merry-", when the granddaughter suddenly interjects, "Don't you dare say it!"
He kind of looks at her and says, "Huh?" To which, she replies, "I'm serious, don't you dare say it." He doesn't finish his statement to me and follows her out the store. I was stunned.
And, now, back to our earlier scheduled post...
Brace yourself, I’m going into "full-bore, I haven’t had enough caffeine to get my morning started" ranting and raving mode (or, maybe, I just need time back on the water to fish again). That sound you hear? That chip-chip-chipping away? That’s the sound of yet another stone in our social foundation being slowly worked away until we stand on nothing but crumbly gravel and infirm earth.
Once again, we come to the ever-increasing PC Holiday Assault:
Residents in a Newhall senior apartment complex are protesting an order from management to remove their beloved Christmas tree from the community room because, they were told, it's a religious symbol.
On Tuesday, Tarzana-based JB Partners Group Inc. sent a memo to staff at The Willows senior apartment building demanding they take down Christmas trees and menorahs in communal areas.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I-R.I.) told CNSNews.com on Wednesday that his administration calls the decorated evergreen tree erected in the Rhode Island State House in December a “holiday tree”--rather than a "Christmas tree"--because that is what the tree is traditionally called.
And, who could forget this gem from last year:Nina Totenberg: ‘I Was At – Forgive the Expression – a Christmas Party...’
“I was at – forgive the expression – a Christmas party,” NPR reporter Nina Totenberg interjected on Inside Washington in the weekend’s oddest cautionary separation from a common description for a common event, seemingly embarrassed to invoke any religious terminology for Christmas. She didn’t say what she’d prefer for parties this time of the year to be named. “Winter solstice party”? Just plain old “holiday party”? Or a “seasonal gathering”?For the record, I’m not a practicing Christian. I've always thought of myself as something more akin to a Neo-Celto-Shamanic-Elementalist (with a skosh of Budhist thrown in). Despite non-Christian bent (and I said "non", not "anti"), I really don’t give a damn to wish anyone anything like hypothetical PC wish of “Happy Hana-Rama-Quansa-Mas”; or, even that bland, stale and generic "Happy Holidays" for that matter.
We’re celebrating a holiday season predicated on Christmas, a Christian holiday, and should pay it some respect. Instead, we find ourselves forced to respect everyone else's feelings except for the folks whose beliefs it celebrates. It's bad enough that we've lost much of its essence to rampant, self-centered mercantilism but, now, we've got to put-up with all sorts of proselytizers. And, I've got news for all the humanists out there hell-bent to prove how idiotic, wek-minded, and just plain old wrong the religious and spiritiual folks are: you're proselytizing just as hard as any callous-knuckled bible-thumper.
I'll give you a "Have a Happy Holiday" for something like Thanksgiving but I sure as hell am going to wish you a Merry Christmas and, Happy New Year, to boot.
Oh, yeah: feeling grand that taking away someone's Christmas tree is a righteous blow in the face of Christian tyranny? You're taking it away from its origins in far more ancient beliefs.
Saying A Quick Congrats to Jay G!
Jay notes that he's just hit his 7,000th post just under 6 yearsat MArooned in Massachusetts. I look at the work it's taken me to get going and just crank-out 60+ and think WOW!
I think he sums it up nicely:
Here's to 7,000 dispatches and, many more, from behind the enemy lines of occupied Massachusetts.
I think he sums it up nicely:
Thousand posts a year, and given that I was nowhere near as prolific in my rookie year, that means a heck of a lot of posts. As I've joked, this blog is a form of therapy for me - rather than scream in impotent fury at the biased news displayed on TV, I can write in impotent fury here... Like Unc says, I do this for me, not you - and as the often-missed Acidman used to say, a ceaseless quest for adoration from people who don't know me...
Here's to 7,000 dispatches and, many more, from behind the enemy lines of occupied Massachusetts.
Monday, December 17, 2012
President Obama's Newton, CT, Prayer Vigil Speech
Worry, agitation, horror, and grief for victims are keeping me up this night.
I'd worked this afternoon at the 2nd job and had Tulip tape the Pats-49's game for me. She warned me when I got home that parts of the game had been preempted for a speech by President Obama. She tried to counsel me to please try and approach it with an open mind.I almost fast-forwarded through it but didn't (and I did try to be open-minded).
I have to say that his opening was one of his better ones in a long time. He was more animated and didn't engage in that god-awful metronomic back-and-forth between his teleprompters. For once, I actually felt he was being genuine, which would ultimately scare me, and I wish I could've stayed on that line of thinking.
My often quick writing on this site may not reflect it as well as I'd like and am capable of, but words—both written and verbal—are potent and have substantial meaning in my current profession. People's job titles and pay ranges, along with the related arguments from one side or the other, can hinge on how information is phrased. To be blunt, a seemingly innocuous email intended to provide a little help can come back to professionally bite on the ass when least expected. As such, I feel these takeaways from the transcripts are critical to the future of the gun community:
What will you propose? What will you do based on "whatever power [your] office holds," Mr. President? Those are strong, potent words.
I found the above statements worded exactly as I would word them to build the rhetorical argument. I can't help but see this as the opening political shot across our bow, folks. There is that old,"If there is even one step...:.
We don't have to engage in the ghoulish tactics that the antis do. We do, however, need to be prepared to be heard and seen. We need to respectfully remind those not otherwise paying attention or, thinking that profound change is necessary, that we are many; we are law-abiding; and that we are their neighbors, dentists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, police officers, baby-sitters, dog-walkers, crossing-guards, alderman, waitresses, clerks, and even job classification analysts. I talk of the gun community; however, this community is also their community and is inseparable.
Do we remove the ability (as far as I know, it is not a defined right) for everyone to drive a car because of those who continue to drive drunk—often multiple times and with revoked licenses—and kill children on our highways?
If you think I'm being idiotic and comparing apples to oranges, just know that my own family knows tragedy and victimhood as a result of someone recklessly or maliciously using a piece of equipment. Perhaps, that'll be a post for another time?
I'm going to leave this post off with a thought about statements that I used to hear members and supporters of the gay community use when I was back in college:
If we don't speak now, we have given-up our right to speak after.
I'd worked this afternoon at the 2nd job and had Tulip tape the Pats-49's game for me. She warned me when I got home that parts of the game had been preempted for a speech by President Obama. She tried to counsel me to please try and approach it with an open mind.I almost fast-forwarded through it but didn't (and I did try to be open-minded).
I have to say that his opening was one of his better ones in a long time. He was more animated and didn't engage in that god-awful metronomic back-and-forth between his teleprompters. For once, I actually felt he was being genuine, which would ultimately scare me, and I wish I could've stayed on that line of thinking.
My often quick writing on this site may not reflect it as well as I'd like and am capable of, but words—both written and verbal—are potent and have substantial meaning in my current profession. People's job titles and pay ranges, along with the related arguments from one side or the other, can hinge on how information is phrased. To be blunt, a seemingly innocuous email intended to provide a little help can come back to professionally bite on the ass when least expected. As such, I feel these takeaways from the transcripts are critical to the future of the gun community:
Since I've been President, this is the fourth time we have come together to comfort a grieving community torn apart by a mass shooting. The fourth time we've hugged survivors. The fourth time we've consoled the families of victims. And in between, there have been an endless series of deadly shootings across the country, almost daily reports of victims, many of them children, in small towns and big cities all across America — victims whose — much of the time, their only fault was being in the wrong place at the wrong time.[Emphasis and, again, mine]
We can't tolerate this anymore. These tragedies must end. And to end them, we must change. We will be told that the causes of such violence are complex, and that is true. No single law — no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world, or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society.
But that can't be an excuse for inaction. Surely, we can do better than this. If there is even one step we can take to save another child, or another parent, or another town, from the grief that has visited Tucson, and Aurora, and Oak Creek, and Newtown, and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that — then surely we have an obligation to try.
In the coming weeks, I will use whatever power this office holds to engage my fellow citizens — from law enforcement to mental health professionals to parents and educators — in an effort aimed at preventing more tragedies like this. Because what choice do we have? We can't accept events like this as routine. Are we really prepared to say that we're powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?
What will you propose? What will you do based on "whatever power [your] office holds," Mr. President? Those are strong, potent words.
I found the above statements worded exactly as I would word them to build the rhetorical argument. I can't help but see this as the opening political shot across our bow, folks. There is that old,"If there is even one step...:.
We don't have to engage in the ghoulish tactics that the antis do. We do, however, need to be prepared to be heard and seen. We need to respectfully remind those not otherwise paying attention or, thinking that profound change is necessary, that we are many; we are law-abiding; and that we are their neighbors, dentists, teachers, doctors, lawyers, police officers, baby-sitters, dog-walkers, crossing-guards, alderman, waitresses, clerks, and even job classification analysts. I talk of the gun community; however, this community is also their community and is inseparable.
Do we remove the ability (as far as I know, it is not a defined right) for everyone to drive a car because of those who continue to drive drunk—often multiple times and with revoked licenses—and kill children on our highways?
If you think I'm being idiotic and comparing apples to oranges, just know that my own family knows tragedy and victimhood as a result of someone recklessly or maliciously using a piece of equipment. Perhaps, that'll be a post for another time?
I'm going to leave this post off with a thought about statements that I used to hear members and supporters of the gay community use when I was back in college:
Silence is agreement.If we don't show solidarity, if we don't allow/ensure ourselves to be seen as the respectable members of our communities we know we are, then we are silent and give our unspoken support to the loss of a significant factor of our lives and a constitutional right.
If we don't speak now, we have given-up our right to speak after.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Planting A Seed Of An Idea For Gun Owner Solidarity
I feel a little ghoulish even jumping on this so close to Friday; however, it needs to be done. We need to show our solidarity and, if you're reading and even partially agree with this, please forward it along to as many of your friends in the gun community as possible.
I'd originally thought about this as a potential response to send to our senators should the U.N. Small Arms Treaty have been (or still could be) moved forward; the point being to show our country just how many lawful and respectable gun owners are actually out there.
We are not a handful of red-necked hicks who throw lots of money at the NRA to do our dirty, gun industry-driven lobbying of pliable lawmakers for us. Perhaps, we could consider this a variation othe old "I'm the NRA" campaign from way back when?
The Idea:
A nation-wide show of solidarity by lawful gun owners. This would involve getting as many members of our community (and, remember, we are a community and not a "culture") to meet at the nation's capitol and our respective state capitol buildings at the same time on a given day.
The Possible Time:
Thursday, January 31, 2013. This should occur at exactly the same time across the country, so we could consider folks meeting in the Eastern timezone could meet at 2:00 pm, Central at 1:00 pm, Mountain 12:00 pm, Pacific 11:00 am, and Alaska 10:00 am.
It is extremely important that we show others that we are the respectable members of communities we know ourselves to be. The gun-control movement and media will be looking for any little slip-up to paint us with every negative possible. Remember how the Tea Party movement is continually treated. As such, I'd like to propose...
Some Possible Ground Rules:
I can be reached to discuss and/or help coordinate this in any possible way at lawful_2a@yahoo.com.
Thank you!
I'd originally thought about this as a potential response to send to our senators should the U.N. Small Arms Treaty have been (or still could be) moved forward; the point being to show our country just how many lawful and respectable gun owners are actually out there.
We are not a handful of red-necked hicks who throw lots of money at the NRA to do our dirty, gun industry-driven lobbying of pliable lawmakers for us. Perhaps, we could consider this a variation othe old "I'm the NRA" campaign from way back when?
The Idea:
A nation-wide show of solidarity by lawful gun owners. This would involve getting as many members of our community (and, remember, we are a community and not a "culture") to meet at the nation's capitol and our respective state capitol buildings at the same time on a given day.
The Possible Time:
Thursday, January 31, 2013. This should occur at exactly the same time across the country, so we could consider folks meeting in the Eastern timezone could meet at 2:00 pm, Central at 1:00 pm, Mountain 12:00 pm, Pacific 11:00 am, and Alaska 10:00 am.
It is extremely important that we show others that we are the respectable members of communities we know ourselves to be. The gun-control movement and media will be looking for any little slip-up to paint us with every negative possible. Remember how the Tea Party movement is continually treated. As such, I'd like to propose...
Some Possible Ground Rules:
- Leave your political affiliations at the door. This is not a Democrat/Republican, liberal/conservative/libertarian thing. It is the gun community and, overall, it is a very big tent indeed.
- Invite and encourage any of your congressmen, senators, state legislators, and municipal officials that you know are gun owners or otherwise sympathetic to gun ownership to attend.
- No open carry. This is not the time or place to engage in "in your face" activism. If you such a strong need to fondle your gun in public, save it for the range. Think of how the media manipulated the footage of an African-American gentleman carrying his AR at a Tea Party Rally!
- This is a gathering at the seats of our respective national and/or state capitols. Be aware of and respectful of the laws concerning concealed or any other form of carry on the premises and in the community at large. Plan to leave it either at home or otherwise safely locked-up.
- This one's going to be more controversial and I am very open to alternatives: I recommend leaving off or minimizing the names of your favorite lobbying organizations. Hear me out. The point on this is to not give the antis any opportunity to paint us as puppets. We are anything but!
- Keep any speeches, your overall language and, should you carry any, signs respectful.
- Dress as the respectful citizens of our nation as we know ourselves to be.
- If you feel the need to act like or otherwise portray yourself as the media's stereotypical portrayals of gun nuts, hicks, and bubbas, then stay home.
- Finally: if you don't feel this is worthwhile or are otherwise unwilling (and, emphasis on unwilling) to participate, don't bother to gripe and complain at the next round of bans and other ridiculous regulation. You've effectively sealed your own lips and abrogated much of your rights.
I can be reached to discuss and/or help coordinate this in any possible way at lawful_2a@yahoo.com.
Thank you!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
How's Your Thanksgiving Going?
Here's some views of Gastineau Channel from my deck this morning. Weather forecast is calling for gusts in excess of 65 mph. That's nothing, up here, when the Taku Winds are blowing...
Where ever you enjoy your turkey day, I hope it's safe and enjoyable. I'm thankful that I have a snug roof, from which to appreciate this show. Don't forget to say a prayer for those folks without a home, this year, thanks to Hurricane Sandy.
From mine to yours, have a happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A New Addition to the Guns & Hunting Community
It looks like the wonderfully informative and irreverent folks over at Ace of Spades are gearing-up to join the online gun community.
They're among my favorite daily blog stops. I highly recommend checking them and, the current poll in the post, out!
New Feature: Weekly Guns & Hunting Thread
I was going to do this on the weekend, but it looks like there's popular demand, so what the heck.
Here's the overall plan for what this post is going to cover. First, if there's firearms/hunting related news, it'll get featured. Big events like Fast & Furious developments warrant their own posts, obviously, but we'll reference them in the weekly posts as well. This will cross into the political at times, for obvious reasons, but it will always be topical.
Second, I got the idea to make this a regular feature a couple of weeks ago when we were discussing what gun was in the picture on Dave's Veteran's Day post. The prize went to 'andycanuck', who identified it as a 1916 French 37mm gun. I like gun trivia like this, and I know lots of the Moron Horde does as well, so I thought we'd do a featured gun of the week and either do a poll for a visual identification trivia contest or just do a profile of a historical piece.
As this is the inaugural thread, throw out other ideas in the comments. Now, on with the show.
They're among my favorite daily blog stops. I highly recommend checking them and, the current poll in the post, out!
Hurricane Sandy Open Thread
My family weathered the storm fairly easily up on Cape Cod. Seems like with respect to the initial reports of damage and mayhem the reporting is rather thin up here.
How's everyone doing? If you'd like, please feel free to report in through the comments. Get the word out...
How's everyone doing? If you'd like, please feel free to report in through the comments. Get the word out...
Saturday, November 17, 2012
While on the Topic of Helping Out...
The other night I brought attention to someone in need in the blogging community and, how that community's rallying to help out. Broadening things out, let's also not forget there are plenty of others out there still in need of help. Thought I'd clear a couple of tabs and put some links out there...
Not necessarily everyone's favorite agency; however, it's somewhat of a start:
Not necessarily everyone's favorite agency; however, it's somewhat of a start:
http://www.fema.gov/volunteer-donate-responsiblyWith all of the options popping-up and, via CNN.com, let's be careful out there:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/11/us/superstorm-sandy-charity-scams/index.htmlAnd then, there's always:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/11/us/superstorm-sandy-charity-scams/index.html
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Sending a Little Help Tam's Way
As a little background, I have a routine where every day, on my 3 o'clock break, I head out for a little View From The Porch to sit back and enjoy a bit of the wit, wisdom, and snark from the porch's mistress. I honestly can't remember if I'd discovered her blog through a link at Bob Owens's old Confederate Yankee blog or through spending online time over at Home on the Range.
Although my specific introduction has fled my easily distracted thoughts--squirrel!--what does matter is that I have enjoyed Tam's brief, cut-to-the-chase writings for a couple of years and anticipating her posts often helps me get through some tedious days in the HR Galaxy.
Having just launched my own blog and, still frantically trying to "get up on step," if you will, with all the ideas and thoughts I've been wanting to post, I am pathetically behind in doing my part to gladly help spread word throughout the community about some difficult news she's recently received and the phenomenal efforts folks are going to in order to help her out.
Her prognosis appears fairly positive but, even so, this is a challenge that I am absolutely terrified of ever having to face and would not wish on anyone.
Anyhow, there have been a lot of other folks getting the news out, rallying the troops, organizing things, and saying it much better than I find myself doing at the moment. That said, I'm going to send you over to the HQ set-up at Jay G's place at MArooned in Massachusetts:
Expat
Although my specific introduction has fled my easily distracted thoughts--squirrel!--what does matter is that I have enjoyed Tam's brief, cut-to-the-chase writings for a couple of years and anticipating her posts often helps me get through some tedious days in the HR Galaxy.
Having just launched my own blog and, still frantically trying to "get up on step," if you will, with all the ideas and thoughts I've been wanting to post, I am pathetically behind in doing my part to gladly help spread word throughout the community about some difficult news she's recently received and the phenomenal efforts folks are going to in order to help her out.
Her prognosis appears fairly positive but, even so, this is a challenge that I am absolutely terrified of ever having to face and would not wish on anyone.
Anyhow, there have been a lot of other folks getting the news out, rallying the troops, organizing things, and saying it much better than I find myself doing at the moment. That said, I'm going to send you over to the HQ set-up at Jay G's place at MArooned in Massachusetts:
Thanks!Snark Mistress Fundraiser Update and Mega-Post
Expat
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