What kind of a Nation and what government are we...

using, really.

I ask because there is the ideal of what we think the good American People are, and the Democracy which we think we are living under, but I am very uncertain.

I am reading "NO THEY CAN'T: Why government fails - but Individuals Succeed" by John Stossel (he would like you to buy the book) which I got from my local Library. He is correct, but too hard on government, they do succeed, just not as well as the individual can. Remembering that an IQ of 100 is in the center, with half of the population above and have below, and it is a Bell Curve, most of us are close to 90 to 110. Cynic says 'I am a little above that', and might be correct. Realize that we do not test for IQ for government jobs, nor is it on the resume, or the ballot behind the candidate's name. Those in government are not smarter or better qualified for anything they haven't been trained to, and being experienced in failing does not make you into someone that will perform better in the future in that position. Then there is that "The Peter Principle", you get to be promoted to the level that you no longer are effective.

I like the thought that the Highest Ranking Officer in the nation is the very best. But the truth is that lowly private in the muddy fighting position or on the sight on the gun, is key to winning any battle participating in... no matter who was in charge, after the enemy and our military might meet, the winner is the ones left alive to clean up and claim the battlefield. I know, the Generals and Admirals will write the books, and George Washington in uniform spent more time writing Congress for things he didn't have, he was never hesitant to ride to where he could affect the combat on the battlefield, but in the end - the privates, corporals and lowly LTs win the battles, there are more of them, for they die faster and need replaced more - but the higher leaders will take much public credit.

Originally, our Founding Fathers, wanted a small effective federal government and wrote the Constitution, they didn't want the Nation's Capital running everything. Where we have gone is to grow it bigger and think that means better, but it isn't. One great weakness of current thought is that the person in charge must monitor the engagement, and our technology allows them to think they are critical to the operations. Think the OBL assassination operation. Found him, assign the team to strike, and go - strike - get away. Professional. Announcing success, proof that it was OBL, and then trying to smooth it over with Pakistan is the National Government's duty. But cheering like a high school at their big games, photo opportunities -- that is taunting the enemy, and the enemies are still out there. Make me feel bad and I might start a feud with your family, which is kind of like what got us into a War on Terror.

Currently the President has a Kill List, but it hasn't been published. Seems to me, if the government especially in the person of the President has a list of our Nation's Enemies that are to be KILLED On SIGHT, it should be published so all three hundred million of us can take the shot. Yes, I know that all of us don't carry and can't hit a target farther than we can throw a rock, but we can help. The government might not succeed but the individuals could. Which isn't exactly John Stossel's point but close.

After the attack on 9/11, in panic the American Government grounded all aircraft because they couldn't tell how many more were in the control of, or could become under TERRORIST control. At that time, the terrorists had won, the entire country surrendered to its fears. I know, we didn't really surrender, and I know on the day, at the time I was watching the planes strike the towers, over and over -- I wasn't afraid, and if you had asked me (but they didn't) I would have said to treat this like a crime, investigate, get the people and shut their operations down. The Federal government has shut our operations down, found a few of the people responsible and fought two wars, and attempted to convert the heathen or build a better nation (not our own). I almost blame the Atomic Bomb on this mentality that we don't dare fight a real war, to the point of an enemy surrender and change - or that the Nation cannot treat little things as something little bandages will cover until healed.

How many airplanes would the TERRORISTs have taken over if ten percent of the passengers had been carrying personal weapons? Well, now you know that the President can't have his best security guy on the aircraft full of fuel and innocent passengers that the pilot or copilot have decided to crash into his lover's penthouse or downtown Detroit. What do you want the government to do now?

London was bombed in WWI and WWII, Berlin was bombed, Leningrad was bombed, Tokyo was bombed, only Washington DC closes shop and surrenders when attacked.  You can't surrender unless you want to live in fear and maybe raise your children that way, the government hasn't the answers. Only God will sort us out, and I will trust in the LORD, so I will fight until He calls me home. We are supposed to be brave Americans.

It is all about perspective, your point of view...

There is a name for people like that, a horse's a--, which could be the partner in producing a mule, but we are way beyond that culture. Yes, I know, we don't breed mules, George Washington thought they were special, but we like John Deere and some Asian copies, don't we? Oh, wait most of us don't know anything about them bigger than lawn mowers. Here we are in the 21st Century (we should repeat that much more often).and what everyone knew about the world we have lost -- which is why one must relearn what the label was meant to mean... horse's ass. For such a noble animal, harnessed and driven to pull plow, chariot, wagon or sledge gives the driver only one view and all that comes with it. If you were a driver, or teamster, coachman you would have a love of the whole animal and its efforts and power. But if you are just along for the ride, it is beyond you. Perspective.

I have a date to visit a Home School expo... This Friday, it will be interesting, since I am to promote Appleseed, that fine effort by the Revolutionary War Veterans Association. I am almost that old now, but should be able to answer questions and encourage others to shoot much better there. I once attempted to home school my son when we were overseas, beyond the Command Sponsorship Comforter, and ended up sending him to a Christian School. Teaching is very important, not all of us can encourage and enlighten our replacements, it might take a village. One lesson I remember from a teacher long ago, was how to crochet a rose, taught during recess. No, I never engaged in that the remainder of my life, but it gave me a much deeper appreciation for lace, and the Christmas ornaments (snowflakes!) my aunt would make and include in her Christmas card.

I am happy to write that I have been feeling much better. On the question about guns and why the Appleseed is important to me, I give you Western Rose's post.

Olympics and Presidential Election...

Both seem to represent a contest, a struggle for the award, the acclaim, and then getting on with life while glowing with the glory. Considering how important they are, we only close the Olympics down when the world is at war but hold elections during them, I think we, the watching world, should pay much more attention and cheer.

I know I am tired of Media telling me what is important, Bill O'Reilly telling me that Ron Paul wasn't Presidential enough is just like the NRA telling me that this politician is better on Gun Rights, I don't need that to form my opinion. I don't need to only watch the American competitors in London, luckily I have access to Canadian Broadcasting so I will get to see some great efforts. I don't need most of the polling to find out how everyone else is lining up behind this candidate or that question - I sit across the breakfast table with my wife as we talk and fill out our ballots, the number of times we pick different candidates is many more than we would wish, but we aren't a voting block.

All those professionals that craft the public opinions and drum up the vote are a terrible waste of money. Give my household a one page resume with a photograph of the candidate, that is how I am supposed to get my job, except for the picture. Send it to me three weeks prior to the election. Here they print out a voters pamphlet and mostly we get pictures, and goals, and the discussion for or against the items in the ballot that aren't people for office. Good information, the only thing I can get from television is the newest medications to relieve pain, promote pleasure and investing in gold... silly me, that I thought the News coverage would be in depth, sound bites forever, just text me. Lucky me, I don't Twitter.

I don't expect that Main Stream Media will cover shooting sports in the Olympics, even for medal awards they try to pretend that the bad guys are only good with guns. Sigh, like I expected any truth in television.

So change hasn't happened here, how about there?

I did not take my firearms to the range today - the weather was promised gloomy and periodically very wet. But that is the folks that don't risk much, they want you to pay attention to the advertisers but forget that the weather changes and they could be wrong. A very good reason to learn how to shoot well, and to prove to yourself that you can control something in the world.. often we get depressed by all that we can't do.

I can't be a handsome dashing hero, saving the Empire and bringing enlightenment to the heathen. So I have to find a certain pleasure in reading about such. And watching such, in movies and television, even live stage was great for pretending.

Reading today about money, and debt, and national government. Going back to something I said before, debt limits you if not used properly. Then the question is what is 'properly'. Never have more debt than your income can repay, with interest and still allow you to have a good life. If there were an emergency you could justify some extra burden, but should go find a second part-time job to pay it off faster. I would like to think that you could pay more attention to you debt if it was a real burden - like a weight vest and leg weights - every time you came home you put it on and start struggling to breath, tire more than you need to - you are carrying a burden and need to get out from under it. If, like most of American mindless, you don't feel threatened or unable to move through your ideal life that easy credit and the implied promise of a potential rescue or that winning Lottery prize - then you might not aggressively address paying off the debt and start investing in somethings that will actually pay you. Benjamin Franklin didn't marry into money, nor spend time in surveying land grants, but he did understand about debt, investment in growth and stopped working around forty-five, but remained busy the remainder of his life. So should we all.

I should look up the IRA history, when enacted, when modified (and why?).

Facebook phobia and such fears...

I spend too much time on Facebook, but that is where all the cool kids hang out, or something. I do think I ended up there because of my sister, but maybe I can only blame playing FarmVille on her encouragement. She is normally so much fun and right that I followed along. Soon, family and more friends from everywhere showed up and out of the billions of human beings, most which have more to do than join my small circle of a hundred and so. But I like seeing pictures of people, points of view and that they are still FB with me.

Recently I have noticed I am being asked not to say so much about shooting, and God seems to be a problem for some. I haven't done or said anything that I thought was hurtful, pointed at anyone or decided I need an enemies list. Funny as much as so many nameless military and paramilitary men have tried their best to end my days, I kind of admire their guts. I mean, I was representing a Superpower, and there were so many of us bad boys. But I do notice that there isn't anything to fear in firearms, and that God can't be that powerful if there is still all that darkness inside of me I have to control, so why would anyone fear my words about any of that?

In Seattle they were shocked a man got some powerful handguns and killed so many good people that told him to go away and not bother them. So, being Seattle, the cry is for more gun control, more laws. It was already unlawful to kill another human being in Seattle but the crazy guy killed anyway. That he was wandering around crazy is never the responsibility of his friends or family, or the City or the State. It is sad that so many died, including the crazy man (suicide when confronted - didn't do well in stressful situations). But I am sure that keeping firearms out of the hands of the insane will be a better solution than most against the sale of firearms.

Ah, well, since I couldn't affect the opinion of those on Facebook and don't want to bother anyone, I posted I was off to take a walk since Facebook isn't really exercise. I shaved, put my teeth in, put my gun on, put the vest on for pocket for camera, keys and winning Lotto tickets and said farewell to my wife. It has been really raining and as I stopped for my winnings the discussions were about how hard it has been pouring down. I left with smiles as I told them my theory that all the wind and weather is because we have too many big windmills cutting airflow daily.


It was a nice walk, three miles, the warning about getting caught in the rain was not fulfilled, and I got home and moved the garbage can to the backyard as it started to come down. Perfect timing, and now another cup of coffee. Reading about 1776.

I have it really very good about people that don't agree with me, and the current breakdown of civil society mainly in Main Stream Media and Culture is going from teasing, taunting and into terror like this example of SWATing.

Was just watching the television and this thought..

I am very happy I am not living in Syria under the guns of the government, and the roving bands of thugs for themselves, freedom, Allah or revenge... they are all dangerous and may or may not be the same people. And how many doctors are the Universities in Damascus making while all this is happening? Who cares?

Well, I remember how many Cambodian doctors were produced under Pol Pot, and I am sure that although China now has doctors, they don't reach everywhere -- although everyone has medical coverage, some are more covered than others.

Just when you go to bed with that satisfied 'I live in America' smug smile before you sleep -- remember that our current government has a plan to make us all better. This is exactly the same goodness gracious group of government do-gooders (or else) that gives you Fast & Furious cover ups, and the wonderful education system. The same groups that support Occupy Wallstreet, personal bailouts and stuff. And we know how well the Unions have done in medicine, don't we? Why are the sheeple of America allowing bad things to happen?

If the teachers don't teach, if the students don't learn, if the folks just won't work -- what was the reason to reward them? The people in government, and all its agents and agencies must be personally responsible. They need to be sent where they will do the most good - as far away from Liberty as we can make them happy. There isn't a good reason that the United States of America should become a Third World nation, is there?

Once upon a time, Koreans with the means would go to Japan for medical treatments, now both Koreas have modern and almost moderner medicine. I will allow you to figure out which one is available to more people, and it probably isn't the one that says they provide medicine and health care to all their starving masses.

Looking at the success in urban blighted areas of schools not public but performing properly, we could be getting more doctors and nurses from them, instead of inmates, rock stars, thugs, sex slaves and seamy steamy underworlds.

When the whole World as We Know It collapses, the fastest group to regroup had better remember what Civilization was and start producing doctors, nurses, fathers with mothers, teachers and working folks. They had also best kill everyone that thinks politicians have any idea about: fair, equal or how to make things happen (that has to be a bad gene).

I am really happy that Hillary Clinton has the Syrian situation under control, because those terrible videos make me forget about Sudan, West Africa, and other regions killing a hundred times more of folks not like them or their likes. The ones keeping cameras and truth out of reality. Free Tibet!

As the fears grow... the stupidity is increased...

I just read about Aurora, Colorado and their police department. Arresting one bank robber, safely. How they did it and why makes me wonder how many will die in the next attack on population in their area. I can use 'their' because the police are pural, while a robber is singular. And although there were two high powered semi-automatic pistols found on the robber, only one was used in the crime. Guilt by association?

I remain thankful that although the police over reached on authority, that they didn't just shoot them all and allow God to sort them out... but that could be the next step. Y'all have a great day!