Just because I am an American

I am going down the road to instruct rifle marksmanship and the heritage of April 19, 1775. And am happy, be in the Spirit.

Keep it simple, silly.... so much more PC

So you are born an animal, and never ever lose that until you die.

And being human, you have higher brain functions, or we hope so. Sometimes there isn't much evidence.

And being children of God, you have spirituality that again often can't be proved. So it gets
called many other things but I will allow you a secular morality...

The animal and the human will die, and be remembered by those that love you.

If you have spirit, live by your spirit and improve your spirit and relationship with God, you might not expire as completely as expected.


I would complete this post but am still in awe of the change that accepting the spiritual over the human and animal in my daily life. It may take until that departure from the other two to find out what is beyond for that spirit. If you go first find out why Houdini hasn't reported back yet.

Who is still around that thinks the government can do it?

I ask because there are people that think fair taxation will get more support to those that can't do for themselves. Really have no evidence of any love from the government for the fallen by the wayside, slid off the grid, or anything. There is also no evidence that politicians suffer for their stupidity. They may not get re-elected but otherwise no evidence.

If you believe that the government knows what is best, then you want to be a member of the Taliban, the American Indian nations, Canadian First People or those in Australia and New Zealand that were there to watch the coming destructive forces upon their people and culture. Oh, add Africa to the mix, Zimbabwe was the result of benevolent government far away. I know that now everything is fine, because the government has been watching over those groups that couldn't help being less than civilized. Which might be why the Chinese, whose country is not the Middle Kingdom but the Central Kingdom (bad translation, folks) always had so much problem with accepting they weren't civilized, the Japanese knew the barbarians (not a Japanese term, but they have one similar) knew they had to modernize to resist domination of the Western Powers. They did a fine job, remained Japanese while doing it... but they weren't that civilized.

In the rush in America to stop the gun violence, Chicago is still with more murders than the others, and the strictest gun control. You really want to stop violence, but don't know how - not as a government, not enough love in government, not real love. In the gun control debate, back ground checks, training, and licensing have all had their day... comparison to driving an automobile jumps right up - until you get the fool that thinks that the government has been brilliant in control of automobiles to admit that more people die in automobile violence than with gun violence. That government control of highways, automobile design and efficiency and bankrolling failing automobile companies, licensing drivers and lots of laws about texting, reading, drinking, or driving impaired, or lawful insured ownership of the automobile has never stopped underage, drunk, reckless or irresponsible people from borrowing, stealing or operating an automobile to be used in another crime or tragedy - totally uninsured.

A great government doesn't work as a ruler, but as a servant - doesn't think it is God or god - but knows it has weaknesses that only the people may repair. Less government is better, and more willing participation in the problems of the day and tomorrow from the people would be best... but only if they really love each other. 

You can't make a rule against murder that will stop a mad man....

You cannot expect that disarming citizens will make them victims, nor submissive. There have been and will be again large bodies of people without arms willing to die to make their point that the powers that be - aren't.

Now I know that President Bill Clinton disarmed all the military on military bases when he was in charge I can be sure he was a fool about more than California airheads. At least now I don't have to ask the name of the Commander that has prohibited concealed carry authority on the base. He should have crafted the law that those carrying a weapon on base with intent to harm others would be prosecuted by God. Oops! we are talking about a military that regularly carries and uses weapons to harm others, aren't we? I always figured I was going to be fair, they get as much chance to shoot me as I them -- better shot wins. Have I mentioned how much I love 'cover'? Cover is anything between you and your attacker that will stop his weapon from hurting you. An oceans worth is great.

There are several things that could be done to improve the American public, make the media voice retractions, apologies and corrections as loudly and as frequently as they repeat the lies, slanted and heavily edited news material. One could say they should choose their words and pace of delivery, and present the news in black and white without emotional tone nor overtone. Yes, I know - they have crafted a business model for making lots of money for inflaming passions and pugnaciousness. They call airing the same video and comment over and over the news cycle.

Every death is a life ended. However it happened, the person is gone. Being a victim, a rabbit or a sheep, of the authority, the criminal, or the insane doesn't change the reality - that person has gone beyond the point they will be able to see it on the Six O'clock News. They will be resting in peace.

How can I get back to normal?

As I heat up some coffee this morning, I am thinking I should have a plan. I came back from the Appleseed tired, finished the Internal After Action Report (IAAR) for the Poulsbo Appleseed, fell asleep, woke and ate a dinner, shower and went to bed. Get up a couple times in the night, decide still too sleepy and go back to bed. Finally awake at four something and start editing and posting pictures on the AAR.

Appleseeds must be a subversive activity, as soon as a photo is posted there are at least five views of the picture, and no comments ever left behind. It could be other RWVA volunteers checking out your activity and product, friends from other events around the country, all good people looking at good things and thinking well of your Appleseeders. I never know and really only care that the participants look at themselves in action, check for steady hold factors and trigger finger position. When they were shooting they were focused on that front sight, and Earl's theory is I never looked so good as when there wasn't a camera around to catch my fleeting handsome... Anyway, I know that there are more pictures of me in the world than I will ever be in control of, that the only way to find my best shot is to take it using all six steps. Flurry over the NSA, BAFTE, FBI or Google's spying on the data bits flowing the internet -- just another foolish hoarding of stuff no one will look at twice, and since much of it is computers seeking automatically what they have been told to find... a human may never be harmed in looking at another picture of less than perfect Earl.


Coffee is ready, and as I grab a fresh from the garden tomato from the bowl and my cup of coffee, I see my wife has already washed, dried and folded my Appleseed garb from yesterday - she did it Saturday night, too. How did such a procrastinator find such an energy bunny? Lucky, it wasn't smarts.

So seriously, I have a Caravan load of Appleseed and shooting gear, to unload and repack for the coming weekend. The lawn needs lots of attention, the YMCA expects my ardent participation, and there must be other stuff waiting in ambush to distract me from noticing that hunting season is slip, sliding away...

Yes, I know - for Earl hunting is not normal. But for Earl desiring to try something new, look around and see what I haven't done or thought about. I was fascinated by listening to a shooter, that made his Rifleman patch, talk about his work as an engineer on platforms, ships and large production bodies...making things work, again or better or as designed.

Well, the coffee is good but not working, so I should head back to bed for a bit. So tired.

How to get tired enough to go to sleep early and then wake...

Got to be exciting times, since a light workout at the YMCA didn't put me in nap mode when I had finished my lunch. I was wound up preparing for the Appleseed in Poulsbo, Washington. Going back after a great one in April. I have four support instructors, it is a great range and I get to be the Shoot Boss, which puts it all on my shoulders. Not like I haven't done them before but there is a competing Appleseed in Oregon the same weekend. Many of the instructor crew are going to that one or have other reasons not to commit to this one.


My shoot box was ordered, shipped and about three in the afternoon shows up from UPS. I have a new Shoot Boss hat, I have lots of unofficial green shoot boss hats, but now it is red with a black bill.

As I was playing with my blog this week, linking all the RWVA Appleseed events I have participated in or instructed at... I came to a realization that the blog and the postings show I had really disappeared for almost two years. 2011 - 2012. Did much complaining about being tired.


I am better now, must be since I have two days of commitment and five following to finish this one and prep for the following weekend in Port Townsend. A completely new range where Appleseed has never been before. Exciting times, yes, every new shooter every new Appleseed. Returning the heritage and the marksmanship skills to the American public.

In the mail was a small box today, with my new M1 Rifle Appleseed cap, a small Essential Liberty paperback, an RWVA oval for the back of the Caravan, a Betsy Ross and a Gadsden Yellow banner for posting on my Trusty Triumph. and my new FIVE year membership card in the RWVA.  With two free Appleseed passes for future clinics.Timely, now since this is a totally non profit organization, and there are so many dedicated to serving on the lines and behind the scenes, what seems to trouble the media so much about America... besides lack of leadership, commitment and no values. My wife is going to support tomorrow, her packing list concentrated on keeping us fed and watered. On Sunday I will be doing leftovers while she is at church. Wouldn't want to cross the great plains without her, or a fast food chain called Subway.

For the children, remember the kids...

Too often I see the words 'for the kids'  or 'because of the children' and I am supposed feel for them and be protective of their innocence. And I do love kids, but I want them to escape, to try, to dare, to run and scream or sit silently and watch and question, or read.

The Dutch farmer with goats noticed the kids and the children had shared characteristics and lovingly called them kids. One syllable and very easy to spell the Americans used it a lot and still do. Kids. Unfortunately, like Saint Nicholas, the word morph'd and times changed. The Dutch farmer (boer) would expect his kids to grow, and learn, and work and become adults and take over the farming when the old folks wore weary.

Now, it seems that kids aren't able to grow up, they certainly are protected from work (exploitation?) by government agencies and do-good'rs.  And since education is a growth industry, everyone should keep the kids, children or kinder forever... and ever... Amen.

It hasn't always been that way. People once believed that children are supposed to grow up, be responsible, and accountable. Abe Lincoln paid all his earning to his father until he was twenty-one, Kit Carson fled his apprenticeship and the reward was a whole penny if he was caught and returned. He was on his way to Santa Fe at sixteen and a life full of adventure as a short but capable young man. Maybe Peter Pan and the lost boys, and the ever sensible Wendy were over used by Disney and the idea of  'won't grow up' was musically etched in our minds.

Our culture seems to kill a lot of kids, unborn and still growing infants, children and youth. There is a thought that they freeze in time and place - but they are growing and that is by design, and this too will change should be every thought when looking at the young. Expanding one's control of this fast moving, faster growing and constantly a threat to our tranquility (they are our replacements! kill them before we are out numbered and over worked trying to stamp them out) is an impossible task.

Those that want to pretend that life isn't dynamic, that humans aren't ready to be hammered into round holes like square pegs are likely the same folks that think you can predict behavior based on your perception of the life form and ones vast experience base listening to fools, are fools. Life is precious, life is to be loved and never smothered, by control or pillows or plastic bags.

Our founding fathers, those fine folks that resisted the King and Parliament's tyranny, they didn't do it for the children, or their kids. They did it for their Posterity, which in modern America seems to be mixed up with Prosperity. 

It could very well be, that as the children of Lexington awoke to the battle on the Green, between their training band and the three light infantry companies, they still worried about their animals, their mothers, their friends and getting something to eat and getting on with the day - which was certainly going to be different.

Current culture must be too self centered, like I am the most important consideration, while long ago the family and its survival was central. Then the village, the community, the larger and larger units of shared values, experiences and common goals. But then, we hardly consider family, or posterity those are things that other philosophies want to destroy and deny... but their true value is not considered, is it?