Good Advice
From JayG…
* Your kids must know the Four Rules as soon as possible
* They must also know the Eddie Eagle program’s “What to do if you find a gun”
* All unattended firearms should be stored under lock and key.
* Most importantly of all, kids should know that guns are not toys, that they are tools that can cause injury or worse if misused, and must be treated with respect.
I’ve made it a point to make sure that my little one knew this stuff from the time she was very small. Eddie Eagle at three, the four rules at five.
I’d only add one thing. I’ve tried to take the mystery out of firearms. My daughter and I have a deal. She can see the guns any time she wants, as long as I am with her. She just has to ask.
It’s official…
I’ve been awarded a degree of Master of Business Administration. Go me! Now to find gainful employment…
Pelosi: Unemployment Checks Fastest Way to Create Jobs
This story is so shockingly made of fail it makes my brain hurt.
“It injects demand into the economy,” Pelosi said, arguing that when families have money to spend it keeps the economy churning. “It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name.”
Nance, honey, stick to something that you understand, like…umm…that well is pretty dry.
Where to begin with the fail?
- For one thing, Nancy baby, in order to create jobs, you need to grow the economy. Very few folks I know on unemployment (including yours truly) make MORE money than they did when employed. In my case, my weekly benefit is about 1/6 of what my regular take home pay was.
- In case you can’t figure it out, I’m spending a little bit less than I used to. My economic activity is decreasing, not increasing.
- Oh, and that money? I’m getting in unemployment? You are taking from other taxpayers. It’s a zero sum gain, sweetie.
- And, BTW, we are running at a deficit. So, you aren’t even taking the money from current taxpayers…your stealing it from my kids.
- By your logic, the best way to grow the economy is for EVERYBODY to go on unemployment. Then we will create jobs like wildfire.
And these jokers think they are the smartest folks in the room…
Microstamping update
NSSF has some updated info on microstamping in NY.
Microstamping moves forward in NY
North Carolina is my adopted home, but New York is where I grew up. Thus it is with great sadness that I note that the New York microstamping bill has passed out of committee. The NSSF has launched a media blitz in opposition.
I’ve got some friends in Albany, and the rumors that I am hearing is that a certain big city mayor is pressuring the Senate, trying to convince them it is a done deal. Remington and Kimber are both in New York, and both of them would be (pardon the pun) impacted by a bill that effectively bans semi-automatic handguns in New York by mandating an unproven, expensive, single source technology that can be easily defeated, one has to wonder if they would continue to manufacture in the Empire State. New York is hemorrhaging jobs as it is. It would be a shame to loose two manufacturing giants, and the associated jobs. The Democrat side of the aisle recognizes this, and is getting nervous.
Keep the pressure on, New Yorkers. Call your state senator. Right now. If this goes through in NY, they are coming for the rest of us next.
Amazing Guatamalan sinkhole
A 30 story deep sinkhole has appeared in Guatamala City. The picture of this thing is amazing. It looks like something out of a science fiction movie!
To the young gentleman on I-77…
While driving home this afternoon, a young gentleman in a Kia drove up behind me, abruptly pulled to the right, and displayed the international driving signal known as “The Bird.”
Now, I am no stranger to being told that I am number one…but this one puzzled me. I was moving with the flow of traffic, I hadn’t tried to merge near her…why was I being honored with his display of affection?
Then I realized…it was probably because of this:
Stay classy, buddy.
Thoughts from Russia
Some thoughts from my trip to Moscow:
1) Russians love to play American music. Unfortunately, they also believe that the American music scene stopped in 1987, and they LOVE to play American music. I should have known when I got off of my Aeroflot flight when they were playing an instrumental version of “Porgy and Bess” that something was not quite right. There was a lot of Abba and mid 80′s Madonna.
2) You cannot swing a dead cat in a Russian business hotel without hitting one, if not several, young ladies offering “professional companionship.” Sunday evening there were several ladies of the evening in the hotel but by mid-week the guest::hooker ratio was rapidly approaching dangerous proportions. As near as I was able to discern, the going rate is $100-$200 US$ per hour, and pre-payment is encouraged. There is no pay-at-the-pump option as far as I can tell.
3) Contracts. In Russia contracts are more like guidelines, really. Kind of like a fantasy baseball: a fun enough diversion, but not having any relation to the real world. True story: one of our speakers showed us a building that they were building that had received the necessary approvals. The mayor of Moscow happened to be driving by the site, and decided it was “too tall.” They were forced to shorten the tower. Total cost to builder: $4.5 million $US.
4) Related story: When they told us the above story, it was being relayed through a translator. Being a finance guy, I asked “How much contingency is generally budgeted for in Russian building projects?” I got a blank stare. “Contingency? You know, like for unexpected things that might come up?” “Oh, you mean bribes!” “Err….no.”
I’m had a good time, and learned a whole lot. Moscow, architecturally, reminds me of the South Bronx. The architecture is about of the same period, and like the Bronx it looks like it was built and then never maintained. The Russian economy is very dependent on oil…the price of oil drives everything, and building projects shut down when it gets too low. The food was, surprisingly, very good. The food at the hotel was essentially inedible, but I was able to go to several restaurants that were excellent. Including, incidentally, Макдоналдс. A cheeseburger is 25 rubles…about 85 cents at the current exchange rate. I got 2 burgers and”Coca-Cola Light” for 90 rubles. It was a little slice of heaven.
Back in the States and new blogroll addition
Well, I’m back from my week long Russian sojourn. Lots of great learnings.
Welcome to the blogroll Weer’d Beard, who has a new home at Weerd World.
NRA Annual Meeting, Day 3
Great day! I brought along the littlest Newbie (my daughter V) and my wife. V spent some time at the airgun range, and hit 5 out of 5 targets. Not bad for a 6 year old.
I ran into Breda, Alan, and Sebastian at the media room. I introduced Breda to V as “another girl who likes to shoot.” She regaled Breda with tales of the airgun range. “And the best part was, I was very safe. I kept my finger off the trigger.” Dad wiped a tear at that one.
On the ride home, I got to talking to my wife about the annual meeting. My wife understands and tolerates my passion about guns and the shooting sports, but she is hardly what you would call a gunnie. Our exchange:
“It wasn’t anything like I expected,” she said.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, from reading the Observer, I expected 70,000 people shouting ‘From out cold dead hands.’ But it was nothing like that. It could have been the Southern Woman’s Home Show, except with guns. Everyone was so friendly and polite. I had a nice time.”
Two thoughts on that. One, I’m not so sure what that says about me. 
Second,I think this is why we win. The anti-gunners paint us out to be frothing manics, and when the public encounters gunnies, they see we are just like them.
Finally, it was a real treat to get to meet so many members of the blogging community. It’s a little weird to meet someone for the first time, but think of them as old friends because you have read so much of their writing of their inner thoughts. So to Alan, Bitter, Breda, Countertop, Jay G, Joe, Weer’d Beard, Sebastian, Sister Toldjah, and XLRQ: 1) I hope I didn’t come off as a pyscho stalker, and 2) Thanks for coming to the meeting and hanging out for a bit.
Do your part!
-
-