errors-in-judgement

Building Character

I’m all about building character.

Not THIS kind…

Largely because of errors-in-judgement I’ve made in my own life, I find myself drawn to other’s opinions with regard to how one should live.  And I sometimes even try to apply them to my standards, and see how (or if) they fit.

I’ve occasionally referred to The Art of Manliness in this blog.  While much of what is written there is a how-to, some of it is a paradigm-breaking thing.  Thinking outside the box, as it were.

This recent essay challenges the mold of modern parenting.  The one wherein a parent tells the child they can accomplish anything if they put their mind to it.  Now my parents tried their own version of this which was I wasn’t living up to my potential.  Not exactly a positive message.  I tried to encourage my own daughter, but let her figure out her own limits for herself.  She wasn’t necessarily supposed to live my dreams.  She was to live hers.

“You can do anything you put your mind to!”

“The sky’s the limit!”

“You’re the best!”

“Follow your dreams!”

Did you hear these kinds of things growing up? Your parents sure meant well. They really felt like you were the most special creature to arrive on planet earth – a beautiful boy full of limitless possibilities. You could do anything in the world!

But now that that boy is grown up and in his twenties, you might find that such encouragement has become more paralyzing than motivating. If your possibilities really are endless, how will you ever decide which path to take and what to do with your life? (TAOM)

I would encourage you to visit the link above and also read the other essays.  I often learn things there – and I’m old!

Better than thinking I can blow up the Earth because it blocks my view of Venus!

Meanwhile, back @ TMCCC…

aka That Major Credit Card Company…

(from whence I medically retired)

Being a fraud investigator for a major credit card company was always educational.  Having worked with ex-military and ex-cops before as a PI, there were expectations with regard to fact-checking, double-checking and due diligence.

Because most of the staff had not the experience, background or education, sometimes short cuts were made.  (This is not to say that some of those investigators weren’t excellent…)

Fast forward to meetings for the IACCI  (The International Association of Credit Card Investigators, which later morphed into Financial Crimes Investigators in a new name).  Our building had lots of meeting space, so we always volunteered a place for the organization to hold meetings.  Folks from other financial institutions and local and federal law enforcement usually attended.

This particular day, the Attorney General for the State of Arizona was scheduled to attend and speak.  I was familiar enough with the AG’s Office to know he was a Democratic mover and shaker.  His name was (and is) Terry Goddard.

The black rubber marquee with white press-in letters stood proudly in the foyer opposite the main entrance, announcing both the meeting, and welcoming our guest speaker.  (I considered taking a photo of it with my cell-phone, but, only recently had personal photos inside the building been banned.)

The marquee read:

Welcome Attorney General Teri Goddard 

Whatever nimnul who had prepared the sign either had no idea who the AG was, or was a poor speller.

I toyed with the idea of letting it go, because I can sometimes be snarky that way, but did eventually alert management as to the error, and it was duly corrected.

Kinda wish I’d taken the picture, though…

Our Tax Dollars At Work

World Net Daily reports on the findings of Judicial Watch with regard to the federal government promoting tax-payer-funded benefits to potential illegal aliens foreigners.

To wit:

Judicial Watch, the Washington watchdog which is known for tracking down and trying to stamp out government corruption, has issued a report revealing that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with the Mexican government to promote the U.S. food stamp program to illegal aliens.

The report said the program, called Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, features a Spanish-language flyer supplied to the Mexican Embassy by the USDA “with a statement advising Mexicans in the U.S. that they do not need to declare their immigration status in order to receive financial assistance.”
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/04/feds-caught-promoting-welfare-to-foreigners/#ZgQm63wMS5677xss.99

As if we don’t already have enough trouble with illegal immigration and the ‘budget’ federal spending!

The report continues…

… that taxpayer money was used to run Spanish-language television ads “encouraging illegal immigrants to apply for government-financed food stamps. The Mexican Consul in Santa Ana, Calif., at the time even starred in some of the U.S. government-financed television commercials, which explained the program and provided a phone number to apply. In the widely viewed commercial the consul assured that receiving food stamps ‘won’t affect your immigration status.’”
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/04/feds-caught-promoting-welfare-to-foreigners/#ZgQm63wMS5677xss.99

We’re already broke.  WTF?

h/t  Plan of the Day

So, they got the bastard.

AND, as it’s Massachusetts, and he’s being charged* with acts of terrorism, killing at least four people, wounding 180+ others, evading arrest, shooting at authorities, killing a police officer, etc., I fully expect a show trial (complete with the trashing of the United States), followed by 3 years in minimum security.  Or probation.

Have they actually called this terrorism, yet, or is it ‘workplace violence’, like the Ft. Hood guy?

Perhaps he’ll be out in time to run for Congress in 2014?

Of course, I’m jaded.

(and YES, I know he’ll be doing federal time.  This is more a comment on ‘the system’, and the courts in Massachusetts)

*correction – he’s not yet been charged.

Slow and Steady Wins the RACE…

with the help of factual reporting.

Bob Owens shared with us the sins-of-omission, as committed by CBS ‘News’.  (and also reportedly PBS, et al)  As well as sins of commission.

It seems they are going out of their way to blame the Tea Party movement for yesterday’s atrocities at the Boston Marathon.  With no facts as yet in to support their rant.

Of course, this is not news.  Much of the mainstream media has been anti-Tea Party since their inception.  Remember the claims of racist epithets and spitting toward liberal Congress folks?  Remember the proof of these acts?  Neither do I.

They’ve scoured Tea Party events, looking for something on which to hang their hats of hate and violence.  And found very few provable hat racks.  I don’t think we can say the same for the leftist/anarchist OWS movement.

Quelle surprise.

I believe much of this comes from two directions.  Those folks who truly believe in the vision of the President – and anyone who disagrees with him must be racist.  And the members of the media who laud leftist causes all day – excluding the principles on which this Nation was founded.  Like the Constitution.

Define irony – Members of the press who beat the drum of the First Amendment all day about their right to write whatever they please.  Including supporting an agenda which leads to restriction of that same free press.

Stuff I Didn’t Know…

…could fill uncounted libraries stacked to the rafters with (blank) telephone directories…

This was one of those things:

Human Events.  Yes, Human Events (!) brought me this information.  Quelle surprise, eh?

I’ve owned a few rifles.  Most were acquired due to the previous so-called Assault Weapons Ban.  Because I greatly dislike the government telling me what rights I have and don’t have!

But, while I’m an ‘okay’ rifle shot, I’m no rifleman.  I’m a much better pistol and revolver shot than I am with a rifle, comparatively   And with the exception of a .22, the AK variant, and the M-1 Garand, all the others were AR-15 style rifles.

And I didn’t know this.

Is firing a 5.56 NATO cartridge in your .223 Remington chambered AR15 dangerous?  Or do Internet forum-ninjas and ammunition companies selling you commercial ammo instead of surplus overstate the dangers?  Believe it or not, a real danger exists, and some gun owners who think they are doing the right thing may not be safe.~

~The significant difference between the .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO lies in the rifles, rather than the cartridges themselves.  Both the .223 and 5.56 rounds will chamber in rifles designed for either cartridge, but the critical component, leade, will be different in each rifle.

The leade is the area of the barrel in front of the chamber prior to where the rifling begins.  This is where the loaded bullet is located when a cartridge is chambered.  The leade is frequently called the “throat.”

On a .223 Remington spec rifle, the leade will be 0.085”.  This is the standard described by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. (SAAMI).  The leade in a 5.56 NATO spec rifle is 0.162”, or almost double the leade of the .223 rifle.~

~Many of the AR-15’s currently sold on the market are made for the 5.56 NATO cartridge.  If you own one of these, you should be fine with any .223 or 5.56 ammunition.

However, ATK dropped this bomb in the bulletin on the .223/5.56:

“It is our understanding that commercially available AR15’s and M16’s – although some are stamped 5.56 Rem on the receiver – are manufactured with .223 chambers.”

So, even if your AR is stamped 5.56, is it really?  Check your owner’s manual or call the company directly and make sure you get an answer you feel comfortable with.~

You should go and read the whole article.  Then check your rifles’ manuals and markings.

Just to be and stay safe.

Now we both know.

Veggie Farmers Home Breached in Drug Sweep

My Daily Kona shares with us the tale of a couple retired CIA employees (not agents), whose home was raided in a two State drug sweep, because they had the audacity to purchase hydroponic gardening equipment to raise an indoor veggie garden.

Is this EVER going to stop?

Obviously going after real criminal marijuana farmers (who are growing an illegal drug for profit) could be dangerous.  Let’s go after a retired couple; they’re less likely to shoot back!

Kinda like going after an uber-conservative religious type after brow beating him into cutting 1/2″ off a couple of shotgun barrels (Randy Weaver).  Or going after a major guitar company for using hardwood illegal in some foreign country (Gibson Guitars).  Or making folks sign their life away to buy a decongestant in personal use quantities (most folks in most States).

Or…

That’s enough, rant over.

Personally, I think marijuana should be legalized.  Just think, then the jack-booted-thugs would have to go after real criminals.  Assuming they could find any.

The Dog House

I now share a house with my roommate, a cat and three dogs.  This is not about the animals.

Keri Russell

My roomie and I were watching ‘The Americans’ (an excellent show about the KGB in Reagan’s USA), and she was remarking about Keri Russell, who plays the female lead.  (Quite a stretch from Felicity, huh?)

And she took note of a small imperfection on Ms. Russell’s upper lip.  Not surprising, as Ms. Russell is quite beautiful.  And inquired, “What’s THAT about?”

Being the know-it-all I sometimes pretend to be, I suggested it was an intentional flaw – as one may not notice beauty without a minor flaw with which to compare it.  (I don’t remember, some philosopher…anyone?  Bueller, Bueller?)

And my roommate, who is quite fetching herself asks me, “So, what’s MY flaw?” -  with a big smile.

OOPS.  Danger, Danger, Warning, Will Robinson!

Of course, she does have them one, but I’m not about to tell her!  Perhaps it’s constantly denying her beauty.  A real modesty and self-deprecation that makes her even more attractive.  After all, if she thought she was all that, she’s be insufferable.

But, please don’t tell her…

I LOVE the L.A.P.D. !

Or more correctly, all police.

I was raised in a police-loving,respecting family.  My Dad’s Dad had been a railroad cop, as was my Dad for a short time.  He went to the Rhode Island State Police Academy, but washed-out due to health reasons.

And I went to community college majoring in Administration of Justice.  That’s what they changed to from Police Science.  And I ate it up.  Graduated with high distinction.

BUT, I was disabled, and in the mid-70s environment of inflation and job problems, there were many more physically-capable folks in the line at police personnel.  No cop job for Guffaw.

I was taught the purpose of the police was not only to enforce the law, but to make certain the individual’s rights were protected.  THIS is what separated us from banana republics.  And made their job much more difficult.

But, according to the media, it appears there is police incompetence and corruption everywhere.  Websites and news stories abound with tales of bribery, malfeasance and crime by sworn officers.

And then we have the L.A.P.D.  Lauded in song and story.  Well, story, anyway.   (In)famous Chief Parker decided after the war that there was simply too much graft, corruption and mob influence in his department.  He established ‘The Hat Squad’ to get the mobsters out of town, and worked with film and TV producers to make the image of the department better.  TV shows like Dragnet and Adam-12 were the result.

I grew up on this stuff.  They further reinforced my already sainted image of police, and did so in other major cities as well.  Naked City, The Detectives, and M-Squad were among the other shows.  Federal law enforcement was not left out.  The Untouchables and The FBI come to mind.

But the twenty-four hour news cycle has evolved into the instant Internet news cycle.  And now we hear about this recently-fired L.A.P.D. officer killing other officers and firing on them.

And the panicked police were firing willy-nilly on anyone who might be a suspect.  And other folks.

These folks were injured, and were promised a new truck for their trouble.  I sense a lawsuit in their future.  Rightfully so.

The latest news stories indicate this maroon has died in a fire, saving the taxpayers the cost of a trial.  And a professor on CNN praised the cop-killer!

I truly believe most police departments consist of good folks trying to do an ever-more-difficult job.  But, that doesn’t excuse this kind of behavior.  We have a sheriff here locally who has done some remarkably positive things, like having inmates staff county animal shelters, saving many tax dollars.  Of course, the many costly lawsuits against the county for prisoner abuse and ‘accidental’ or ‘negligent’ death of inmates cost many tax dollars, also.  I’d like to see comparison spreadsheets, just for fun.

We need to support the police.  They are the blue line between the criminal and the citizen.  But we need to make certain they are properly trained and policed themselves, to keep aberrant behavior to an absolute minimum.  They are, after all, the in-your-face, on-the-street representatives of government and it’s power.  Let’s hope it’s not gone to their head.

And that government needs to recognize we have the right to also defend ourselves.  That sometimes, the best they can do is to draw the chalk line and write the report.

h/t Weasel Zippers

Demon Rum. and it’s relatives…

Brigid just did a post regarding an educated view of distilled spirits, especially Scotch.  I was immediately brought back to my history with spirits, sadly much less educated.

I hail from Irish and German stock, both (in)famous for their (mis)adventures with alcohol.  My own father having his issues with it didn’t stop me from wanting to ‘be a man’ and ‘learn how to drink’.  And what.

A friend’s older brother procured for us a bottle of Scotch (so it read on the label) from a local discount store.  We were in high school.  We enjoyed it, but didn’t have anything with which to compare it.  Ummm – good turpentine!

Years later, I was celebrating at my bachelor party, and feeling no pain.  I began drinking from a Haig Pinch bottle I’d received for my birthday a month earlier, then got the bright idea I should drink my Michelob beer and chase it with said Scotch.  I was nervous – after all, I was getting married in four days!  While the quality of the alcohol had improved, my desire for subtlety had not, and I went from euphoric to ill in short order.  It’s a good thing I wasn’t getting married the next day.  I was unable to stand up.

I was well into my forties when I developed a taste for finer liquors.  And the ability to afford them, occasionally.  I also began to develop appreciation for the sublime, the subtle.  Not just the buzz.  Bourbon and tequila became interesting.  Not together.

And now?  A good microbrew, maybe a Margarita?  An occasional dram of bourbon or blended whiskey.  Not always drinking to excess, but sometimes as a supplement to lessen my chronic pain.  And, appreciating it for what it is.

Not always while watching Moonshiners on satellite, though…