Thoughts While Shaving 01/05/23

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

Well it's a new year, one I view with cautious optimism (can't get much worse, right)? But we do have a new granddaughter, so there is a little morale boost there for some extra effort to make her world a bit better.

 

I am convinced that there are some folks that would climb to the top of a mountain to argue with an echo.

 

Wondering if the folks in Arizona gummed up their elections so the folks from Illinois that moved there wouldn't be so homesick? 

 

I am done with the relentless pursuit of the primer. Early on I accepted the supply/demand theory, but now I get the feeling that some greed has seeped into the equation. This is just a feeling, no articulable facts. Some chatter here about primers prices changing within a short period of time is concerning, but I don't know the whole story. But I do know that matches will be more carefully looked at in that regard. SASS is fun, shooting is fun, but it's just a hobby, period. I have a nice supply so far, but that will be it. I have no problem attending a match to visit with friends (come for the shooting-stay for the people) and maybe helping out. But being on waiting lists, text alerts, email alerts, carrier pigeons, tea leaves, ad nauseum starts to take it out of the hobby category (definition-a regular activity done for enjoyment) and more of a job (definition-something that has to be done-task). Should more folks sit some out to make primer prices drop? Not my call. You do you and I'll do me. We all have to draw our own lines in the sand. This was mine. I know some folks that are quietly sitting back to see how the dust settles, so we'll all see how it turns out. Hopefully better for all of us.

 

Illinois and the no cash bail debacle. Amazing what passes for a good idea nowadays. Believe it or not, where I grew up in North Central Illinois, we had mostly Democratic representatives in the State Capitol. And these folks used to get annual awards from the NRA, NSSF, DU, etc, for promoting hunting and safe firearm handling. The Chicago pols were kept at arm's distance with their silly policies that had little to no merit for downstate citizens. Much like the current "weapon of the month" legislation being discussed. This month's special is the AR-15. But there's more! About 100 other guns we want to ban if you order today! Operators are standing by! Like an old Ron Popeil/K-tell commercial. These sanctimonious twits that bathe in self-righteousness and clothe themselves in pearls of every size to clutch, know what is best for the whole state. They have no idea that many counties in downstate Illinois have NO law enforcement from 10pm-6am. Some agencies went to 10 hour days to cut that number down by a few hours. But one or two cars for an entire county or counties, can hardly be called effective coverage. That's when your 30 round magazine seems like a real good idea. The suburban mad moms have the luxury of a cop and a Starbucks just down the street.

 

I think I have a handle on why Congress blows taxpayer cash with alarming frequency. They have adopted the casino method of taking money. If it doesn't look like money, it won't feel like it's really being spent! Like taking $100 in casino chips, then using your credit card to get more. You're touching plastic so it feels like more of a game and not actual money. Similarly, if you go to a store with just cash and no credit card, you will be a much more careful spender. Let's give each congressional district X dolllars in cash on a table. Every time Congress wants to fund some silliness, the appropriate amount of cash is taken from their district pile. Actual cash and not nebulous numbers on a ledger. I'd like to see that.

 

I don't know about you, but I am enjoying the debates for Speaker of the House. We see to many "one and done" elections with no opposition, no debate, no questions, no fresh ideas. It's so easy to let so-and-so be president/v-p/board member of a group because they want it anyway, so we don't burden ourselves with responsibility of actually taking a position on an issue or issues. Fast forward that mentality 20 years and we are flabbergasted at how these folks got into office with their crazy ideas. Well now you know.

 

Youngest son (veteran) scheduled an appointment for the VA for January 3rd in November. Doctor is sick so they cancelled and rescheduled him for March 3rd. But if he was able to get through our "closed" southern border, he could get medical care on the spot. Disgusting.

 

Be careful out there.