tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74823221847324103502024-03-13T13:10:34.348-05:00Steve's BlogspotThe Personal Blog of Steve in TennesseeSteve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.comBlogger327125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-80910611474240954652014-07-04T20:03:00.001-05:002014-07-04T20:16:03.942-05:00Independence Sunset<div dir="ltr">
RT @IrishTea1 I love this picture so much! RT @Beyond_I_Do: A patriotic sky this Independence Day. http://t.co/0PQXvwOdOi http://twitter.com/IrishTea1/status/485216236855644160 </div>
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Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-21893623923145800032014-02-08T11:53:00.002-06:002014-02-08T11:53:44.942-06:00Attenshun Crimnals! The local police are in the midst of an undercover operation, and here's the proof:<br />
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Move along, nothing to see here...Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-33349583482582180922014-02-04T21:05:00.000-06:002014-02-04T21:05:38.519-06:00Long Time No Blog... AgainYeah, I know. I thought that the Android Blogger app would be a bit easier to use so I could blog on the go. However, even the simple things are not simple... Plus, busy got in the way again. I'm thinking of chucking Blogger for WordPress. Most of the other cool guys have done so - some long, long ago.<br />
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And, <a href="https://twitter.com/sdo1/status/430805132771852288">I am a statistic now</a>. I was forced to use Dear Leader's horrid ObamaCare to obtain something resembling health insurance. That means I helped Obama count one policy to his goal of 7 million by the end of March. Ick.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-29117663605402697042014-01-28T19:05:00.001-06:002014-01-28T19:05:07.691-06:00Abuse of Power - Lawless Obama<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eR1kGxBON8k" width="480"></iframe>Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-66139685402350207302014-01-27T22:48:00.000-06:002014-01-27T22:48:10.205-06:00Clearing the Browser TabsHere are a couple links I saw today that were interesting...<br />
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"<a href="http://straightforwardinacrookedworld.blogspot.com/2014/01/securing-your-six-teachers-edition.html?m=1">Securing Your Six: Teacher's Edition</a>" One guy's thoughts on how to defend a class room from the spree shooter. Lot's of common sense. Too much common sense would be arming teachers, I guess.<br />
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"<a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/01/27/how-a-seemingly-innocent-charge-of-9-84-on-your-credit-card-statement-could-be-bad-news/">How a Seemingly Innocent Charge $9.84 on Your Credit Card Statement Could Be Bad News</a>" Don't ignore that little charge on bill. The scam has been around a while, too.<br />
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"<a href="http://chessforallages.blogspot.com/2014/01/fishing-on-river-chess.html">Gone Fishing on the River Chess</a>" Bunch of chessy goodness for someone supposedly gone fishing.<br />
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As you were...Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-40987437622172586982014-01-22T00:11:00.000-06:002014-01-22T00:11:31.699-06:00Nashville Closed! Come Back later. Yep, in Nashville we close for <a href="http://www.wsmv.com/category/211161/nashville-school-closings-snowbird-closings">COLD WEATHER.</a> Not snow, mind you... It is simply COLD.
Seriously. According to <a href="https://twitter.com/NashSevereWx">@NashvilleSevereWX</a>, there will be <a href="https://twitter.com/NashSevereWx/status/425825799808483328">NO SNOW</a>. But we're closing the schools.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-23895165073417265232014-01-21T19:09:00.003-06:002014-01-21T19:09:39.704-06:00If Obama has lost USA Today...And he just may have. Here's an <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/01/20/irs-scandal-obama-donald-korb-tea-party-column/4647671/">item</a> that refers to Obama's "<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">weaponized IRS</span>" in the nation's largest liberal newsrag. Oh, wait... The author is <a href="http://instapundit.com/about.php">Insty</a>. Wow. They published Professor Reynolds? Maybe there's hope... <br />
The larger point is that <i><u>Obama has weaponized the entire government and they're all targeted at us</u></i>.<br />
<br />Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-69919088544805254862014-01-21T17:51:00.001-06:002014-01-21T17:51:41.567-06:00Fifth Anniversary of Citizens UnitedFive years of Left Wing Heartburn and free speech later...
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oTu5QZvZJi8" width="480"></iframe><br />
via <a href="http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2014/01/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-citizens-united.php">PowerLine</a>Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-19738503732583186452014-01-21T16:26:00.002-06:002014-01-21T16:27:51.466-06:00Don't Leave America...if you want Second Amendment Rights. Seems that Amendment is ignored in our Nation's capitol to the extent that <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jan/20/dc-businessman-trial-one-shotgun-shell-wasnt-given/">merely possessing an inert shotshell</a>, a shotgun round that can NOT be fired, gets one prosecuted.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Thus, the single vaguely legitimate remaining charge for “unregistered ammunition” is the misfired shotgun shell that </span><a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/witaschek/" style="color: #164a6e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 2px 2px 2px 0px; text-decoration: none;">Mr. Witaschek</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> has kept as a souvenir from deer hunting years earlier. The shell cannot be fired because the primer was already stricken and failed to propel it.</span></blockquote>
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Of course, if you are a member of the "<a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/who-are-the-only-ones-we-can-trust-with-guns">only ones</a>" like <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/david-gregory/">David Gregory</a> the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/topics/david-gregory/">prosecution will ignore their "law.</a>"</div>
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I guess Washington, D.C. is not in America.</div>
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(via <a href="http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2014/01/dc_going_to_tri.php">Of Arms and the Law</a>)</div>
Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-16532310346460987422014-01-21T15:26:00.002-06:002014-01-21T15:26:53.447-06:00A Return To Blogging? Maybe.It has been almost two years since I last put up a post... The reasons I stopped are many and varied. The biggest two reasons have since been more or less resolved <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righthaven">here</a> and <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/01/i-got-rights/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LegalInsurrection+%28Le%C2%B7gal+In%C2%B7sur%C2%B7rec%C2%B7tion%29">here</a>. I remember three or four years back combing through thousands of posts looking for any links I may have posted to clients of RightHaven on my personal blog and having to consult an attorney before that regarding posts on a chess blog I had regarding - of all things - chess politics. Now, RightHaven is a disgraced memory and the Ninth Circuit Court has recognized, as noted attorney William A. Jacobson <a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/01/i-got-rights/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LegalInsurrection+%28Le%C2%B7gal+In%C2%B7sur%C2%B7rec%C2%B7tion%29">writes</a>, "I Got Rights."<br />
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I even starting catching flack at my former job (I worked for the nation's largest newspaper publisher) about my blog being competition. I left them last September so that's another reason gone.<br />
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In the meantime I've had fun keeping up with old blogging friends and new friends on Twitter and - very sporadically - on FaceBook. I keep reading that blogging is dead as more of us lose our attention span for anything more than 140 characters. Despite that, it seems almost everyone has a blog and even most traditional media types disseminate their wares via the blog format.<br />
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So, a return to blogging? Maybe. Who knows? Perhaps I need a bigger space than Twitter allows to vent my spleen. Then again, maybe not. Decisiveness is my middle name.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-29830804946328252202012-03-16T16:16:00.003-05:002012-03-16T16:18:48.816-05:00An Interesting QuestionFrom David Hardy: <blockquote><a href="http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2012/03/an_interesting_14.php">An interesting question</a>:<br />After President Obama apologized to Afghanistan for a soldier who cracked and killed 16 Afghanis, <a href="http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/15/dnc-dissembles-as-thedc-presses-for-answer-on-fast-and-furious-apology/"> shouldn't he apologize to Mexico for the 300 deaths caused by Fast and Furious</a>?</blockquote>Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-84218172660621704502012-03-14T07:16:00.004-05:002012-03-14T07:40:22.348-05:00End of an EraFrom FoxNews: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/03/13/after-244-years-encyclopaedia-britannica-ends-sale-print-edition-69037531/">After 244 years, Encyclopaedia Britannica ends sale of print edition</a>.<br /><br />I remember in the '70s when my dad was a salesman for Encyclopaedia Britannica. I still have a set he bought with "heirloom" binding in 1977. I also have a 1958 edition I picked up in the '80s. I recall as part of his sales pitch Dad would pick up a volume using one page to show how well made they were and how they would last.<br /><br />I once had a library full of dictionaries, thesauruses, encyclopedias, and other reference works. Many are now gone and I haven't purchased any such in a long, long time. It's all on the web, you see... I may be alone, but I think our world is poorer for it.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-25764403210716601682012-03-12T14:26:00.003-05:002012-03-12T14:30:52.839-05:00Police Department Shut Down; 9-Year-Old TaseredWhen is it appropriate to <a href="http://global.christianpost.com/news/police-department-shut-down-after-9-year-old-tasered-71236/">Taser a nine year old boy</a>? Mt. Sterling, Ohio police decided the line was drawn when a nine year old boy wouldn't go to school. <blockquote>The incident occurred when Michelle Perry called police because her nine-year-old son, Jared, would not go to school. Authorities responded, and when the child became unruly, an officer used a Taser gun on the boy. Neighbors have described the child as "large for his age," according to The Columbus Dispatch, though they have chosen to remain anonymous.<br /><br />Police Chief Mike McCoy has been suspended for not reporting the incident to city officials. Council President Lowell Anderson told the local paper that an investigation is currently underway. The entire department has been closed, and Sheriff Jim Sabin has been given authority to patrol the town.</blockquote><br /><br />Words fail me.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-48437381267534062302012-03-08T14:09:00.005-06:002012-03-08T14:14:31.131-06:00Ted Nugent Destroys CNN Gun Control SpinPiers Morgan plays the dummy...<br /><br /><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/OzJbpA8_wl4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Via @Smitty_One_Each at <a href="http://theothermccain.com/2012/03/08/she-could-have-said-of-whom/">TOM</a>.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-88601209054110580072012-03-01T13:45:00.003-06:002012-03-01T13:49:57.727-06:00AT&T, You SuckThis Wired item is why my latest AT&T contract is my last (plus the fact that I had to spend ~14 hours on the phone with "tech help" to fix my warrantied phone). <a href="http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/03/att-throttling-adjustment/">AT&T Adjusts Data-Throttling Policy in Response to Customer Complaints</a><br /><p></p><blockquote><p>Here’s how AT&T’s new policy works, according to the carrier’s <a href="http://www.att.com/esupport/datausage.jsp?source=IZDUel1160000000U">updated support pages</a>:</p> <blockquote><p> If you have a smartphone that works on our 3G or 4G network and still have an unlimited data plan,</p> <ul><li>You’ll receive a text message when your usage approaches 3GB in one billing cycle.</li><li>Each time you use 3GB or more in a billing cycle, your data speeds will be reduced for the rest of that billing cycle and then go back to normal.</li><li>The next time you exceed that usage level, your speeds will be reduced without another text message reminder.</li><li>If you have a 4G LTE smartphone and still have an unlimited data plan, the same process applies at 5GB of data usage, instead of 3GB.</li></ul> <p>You’ll still be able to use as much data as you want. That won’t change. Only your data throughput speed will change if you use 3GB or more in one billing cycle on a 3G or 4G smartphone or 5GB or more on a 4G LTE smartphone. </p></blockquote> <p>Wired reached out to AT&T to determine the degree to which user speeds will be reduced under the new throttling plan, but the carrier hasn’t yet responded.<br /></p><p></p></blockquote><p><br /></p>Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-84688603969213736362012-03-01T12:35:00.003-06:002012-03-01T12:41:07.238-06:00GOP Slightly Ahead in Voting Enthusiasm - GallupI likely won't do much 2012 POTUS posts since I'm not very motivated by the remnants of the GOP lineup, but it seems even we Red Staters are more enthusiastic about Mittens and Company than the Democrats are by the train wreck that is Barack Obama. From Gallup: <a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/153038/GOP-Slightly-Ahead-Voting-Enthusiasm.aspx?utm_source=add%2Bthis&utm_medium=addthis.com&utm_campaign=sharing#.T0_BUxThLOI.blogger">GOP Slightly Ahead in Voting Enthusiasm</a> <blockquote>By 53% to 45%, Republicans, including independents who lean Republican, are slightly more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to say they are "more enthusiastic than usual about voting" this year. Republicans have consistently led Democrats in voting enthusiasm since last fall, but to varying degrees.</blockquote>Heh, guess it sucks to be Blue.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-36003974734191790432012-03-01T10:57:00.003-06:002012-03-01T11:04:38.701-06:00Andrew Breitbart Dead at 43The Flame of the Right New Media and the Bane of the Left is gone.<br /><br /><a href="http://theothermccain.com/2012/03/01/r-i-p-andrew-breitbart-innovative-genius-of-new-media-dies-at-age-43/">Stacy McCain</a> and <a href="http://pubsecrets.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/in-memoriam-andrew-breitbart-1969-2012/">IrishSpy</a> have comments, <a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/LegalInsurrection/%7E3/8VW4t5gciWc/">Legal Insurrection</a> has a detailed wrap-up. And, of course, <a href="http://www.breitbart.tv/in-memoriam-andrew-breitbart-1969-2012/">Bretbart.TV</a>.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-76877617966030052982012-02-26T16:01:00.005-06:002012-02-26T16:14:46.644-06:00If You Love Me You'll Ride The Lightning.From <a href="http://summerville.patch.com/articles/husband-tasers-wife-after-church">Patch.com</a>: <blockquote>With the idea to teach his 70-year-old wife how to use a self-defense Taser, 76-year-old Thomas accidentally deployed the weapon, striking the her in the face, according to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office incident report.</blockquote>It seems Harry thought this would be a good after Church activity.<br /><br />Come to think of it, there are times... Nope, don't even think it. <img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpuydbmghvY/T0qtjmmDj_I/AAAAAAAAA9I/yDOo4B7yID8/s400/nono.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5713569904440086514" border="0" />Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-75735675962370065422012-02-23T18:10:00.003-06:002012-02-23T18:21:29.679-06:00Obama Abandons Tennessee - No State Campaign HQWhile I was in the ATT store tending the <a href="http://sdo1.blogspot.com/2012/02/tech-help-blues.html">broken CrackBerry</a>, a "gentleman" came in wearing a blue polo shirt with the horrid "O" Obama emblem over the heart and "Rusty" stitched on the left. It seems he is an acquaintance of the ATT tech fellow who was trying to fix my phone. They began conversing about the 2012 Election during which the Obamite stated he is fairly high in the Tennessee Obama minion structure and that Obama will not establish a Tennessee campaign headquarters. It seems Obama's team has given up on Tennessee as a "Red State." <br /><br />The Obama minion went on to state that the Tennessee Obamites are traveling to North Carolina to campaign there instead of in Tennessee as they think it will be a closer contest and a more likely Obama win.<br /><br />Fair Warning to Bob Owens and Sister Toldjah... Targets headed your way.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-60377651792631929932012-02-23T13:07:00.003-06:002012-02-23T13:25:40.203-06:00Tech Help BluesAT&T and BlackBerry, this time... I wasted NINE hours on the phone yesterday with a multitude of techies from both AT&T and BlackBerry trying to find out why my Torch would not access WiFi. It will log on to the WiFi, but won't use it. It will only go online via the mobile data connection.<br /><br />Before I finally got to the BlackBerry techs, the AT&T techs (don't know if it was their mobile phone folks or their Uverse guys) found a way to not only wipe all data from the phone, but also corrupt the backup files on my BlackBerry desktop software.<br /><br />Fun.<br /><br />So, this morning has been spent re-creating the environment I had made on the Torch over the past three or so months.<br /><br />A special place in Hell is reserved for the Gmail folks who thought it would be a good idea to not only stop support for the Gmail app for BlackBerry, but also cleanse the entire web of the app. It occurred to me this morning that I still had the Gmail app on my BlackBerry Bold so I copied it from there to the Torch.<br /><br />The upshot is that the phone is no where nearer being fixed than it was when this started yesterday, and I've lost a lot of data that WAS backed up before the "experts" got involved. Consensus is that the phone is at fault, which is what I told everyone from the start.<br /><br />Where do I go to get a wasted day and half of my life back?Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-7033517253172696362012-02-22T12:20:00.002-06:002012-02-22T12:23:16.545-06:00Problems With A Gun Shooting Wife #38She shot last Saturday and STILL hasn't cleaned the weapon. I've hinted, used direct statements...<br /><br />I've held off doing it myself, but it is KILLING me.<br /><br />Arg.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-53831539507989701832012-02-21T11:26:00.002-06:002012-02-21T11:29:55.668-06:00You Could Get Tased...If you try to break into a car and then <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103476/Police-shoot-man-brandishing-sword-times-tasers-failed-stop-stand-off.html">wave a sword looking knife</a> at the Po-Po. And if a ride on the lightning doesn't work, even Brit cops will shoot your keister. Four times.<br /><br />Via <a href="http://www.saysuncle.com/2012/02/21/stopping-power-9/">SayUncle</a>Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-35858278773916424042012-02-19T13:11:00.008-06:002012-02-19T13:52:35.896-06:00Self Defense Mentality (Update)This is a <a href="http://sdo1.blogspot.com/2010/10/self-defense-mentality.html">re-post of an item</a> I wrote almost two years ago. I recently re-certified for the Tennessee Armed Officer license and also went through the course with my wife who took it for the first time. I've taken all my certification classes at <a href="http://www.appstraining.com/">APPS</a> (for both Security licenses and the Tennessee Handgun Permit) with Buford Tune and we attended <a href="http://www.appstraining.com/">APPS</a> again this last week. Perhaps because (<span style="font-style: italic;">I think, I haven't asked</span>) of the compressed time constraints to stay competitive with other training offered in the area, detailed examination of the below videos and specific incidents have been omitted from the class time. I'm no expert, but I considered the examination of the FOUR D's OF SELF DEFENSE GUN FIGHTS and the Dinkheller incident the most important part of the class time with Buford Tune at APPS.<br /><br />I'm re-posting this because I think it is VERY important to keep in mind the lessons learned for every law abiding citizen who carries for self defense and for the defense of loved ones.<br /><br />From <span> 8 October 2010:</span><br />I often see items from various self defense gun bloggers/writers about what to shoot, how to shoot, why we need to be able to shoot, where to go to learn how to shoot... And very seldom on the mental attitude needed when one decides to provide the basics for one's self defense.<br /><br />One video that Buford Tune at <a href="http://www.appstraining.com/">APPS</a> shows every concealed carry course and every armed security officer course is of a self defense expert speaking (someone told me it was John Farnam but it didn't LOOK like Farnam)<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span> about the mentality needed to carry a firearm for self defense and what to do when the firearm is needed versus an armed opponent.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">*</span>[EDIT: It IS a very much younger Farnam!]<br /><br />The end of the video is striking: The expert describes a self-defense situation where <span style="font-weight: bold;">you</span> have just used your firearm to defeat the bad guy. The bad guy is on the ground. He slowly grasps his handgun and begins gradually raising it toward you.<br /><br />What does this mean?<br /><br />In a stern, authoritative voice the expert states: <span style="font-weight: bold;">It means you have not shot him enough!</span><br /><br />In the video the four <span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>'s of self defense gun fights are explained. When confronting the bad guy:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>ivide his focus.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>isrupt his plan.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>isable his body.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>estroy his will to fight.<br /><br />In the above scenario it is assumed you have accomplished the first three D's. However, if the bad guy is still trying to fight, the fourth is still unfulfilled. The fight is only over when all four have been checked off the list. Here is where we come back to the mentality needed to carry a firearm for self-defense. Those who choose to carry must have the will to follow through on all four D's. You must be willing to <span style="font-weight: bold;">destroy</span> the opponent who means you and your loved ones harm.<br /><br />Another video shown is that of the <a href="http://policelink.monster.com/videos/videos/14724-deputy-kyle-dinkheller">1998 murder of Deputy Kyle Dinkheller</a> (Caution: the video is very disturbing) during a traffic stop in Georgia. Dinkheller stopped a pickup truck for failure to display legal tags. Noting a large dog in the cab of the truck, Dinkheller asked the driver (who will be nameless in this blog) to step to the back of the vehicle. The driver was immediately confrontational. When Dinkheller initially was able to get the driver to come to him, the driver attacked Dinkheller and was repulsed by use of an Asp baton.<br /><br />The driver retreated and began acting irrationally, jumping around and shouting "Shoot me, Shoot me!" and declaring that he was a Viet Nam combat veteran. All the while the driver was maneuvering back to the driver's side door of his vehicle. During this Dinkheller was repeatedly ordering the driver to come back to the rear of the truck, stop what he was doing, etc...<br /><br />When the driver reached the door of his truck he retrieved a .30 caliber rifle (in the video it looks like a M-1 carbine) and began loading it. Dinkheller can be heard screaming for the driver to put the rifle down. Dinkheller fired the first shot in the ensuing gun battle. The driver can be seen using cover and combat techniques to isolate and expose Dinkheller. The driver shot Dinkheller in the arms and legs to disable him - areas not covered by a vest - before finally killing him with a close up shot to the head.<br /><br />The driver sustained one wound to the stomach. He was sentenced to be executed in a 2000 trial and has been appealing since. He is still scheduled to be put down.<br /><br />In the after math and investigation it was revealed that Dinkheller had just prior been reprimanded by superiors for his demeanor during traffic stops. He was told to be nicer.<br /><br />The video demonstrates that bad guys can and do use the Four D's just as well as we can. It is incumbent upon us to make sure we have the proper mental outlook to make sure <span style="font-weight: bold;">we</span> succeed and not the bad guys. After seeing that he could not defeat Dinkheller unarmed, the driver made the decision to escalate the encounter an armed fight and acted upon a plan to win.<br /><br />The driver: <span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>ivided Dinkheller's focus and <span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>isrupted Dinkheller's plan with erratic behavior and statements. Once armed, he <span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>isabled Dinkheller's body and <span style="font-weight: bold;">D</span>estroyed his will to fight.<br /><br />Meanwhile, evidently because of the reprimand and his youth (Dinkheller was 22), Dinkheller made plenty mistakes in the encounter that led to his death. And, no, I'm not speaking ill of this murdered officer, I'm trying to illustrate that we can learn from his mistakes. I'm sure that he would understand this. <span style="font-weight: bold;">His first mistake was going out with a mind set that did not allow him to act on what was transpiring in the encounter.</span> His mental attitude did not allow him to act aggressively enough, or to "bail out" when the situation went south.<br /><br />There was a vital point after he repelled the driver with the Asp that he either had to press the attack or retreat to wait for backup. His mind set did not allow either. On one hand, he had been reprimanded for not being nicer during traffic stops so he did not disable the driver and prevent him from going to the truck. On the other, the "macho" aspect did not allow him to get in his cruiser and get the heck out and wait for backup.<br /><br />As concealed carriers we do not do traffic stops, but similar scenarios and incidents can happen to <span style="font-weight: bold;">us</span>. Will we have the mental attitude necessary to defeat the threat and save our loved ones and ourselves? We must answer that question every single time we put the weapon in its holster. If not, Dinkheller's sacrifice and the lessons taught in his encounter will be in vain.<br /><br />And the bad guys will win.<br /><br />That can not happen.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-35748644491813018972012-02-19T11:48:00.005-06:002012-02-19T12:06:32.420-06:00Obama Slashing Armed Pilots ProgramObama has slashed funding in his 2013 budget for the Federal Flight Deck Officer program from $25 million to $12 million. The funds are used to conduct background checks, pilot training, periodic retraining and re certification, and administration costs.<br /><br />The proposed budget also cuts the Federal Air Marshal Service by 4% to $<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">927 million</span> dollars.<br /><br />Here's the kicker: <span style="font-weight: bold;">We spend about $<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">15 </span>PER FLIGHT for FFDOs (armed pilots) and about $<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">3,000</span> PER FLIGHT for federal Air Marshals.</span><br /><br />Via <a href="http://johnrlott.blogspot.com/2012/02/obama-moving-to-kill-armed-pilots.html">John Lott</a> and <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2012-02-13/us/us_budget-cuts-armed-pilots_1_air-marshals-federal-flight-deck-officer-budget-cuts">CNN</a>.Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7482322184732410350.post-70403809942838427242012-02-16T12:04:00.003-06:002012-02-16T12:14:54.546-06:00Tennessee Firearms Alert - Employee Safe Commute and Non-Discrimination BillsIn the Inbox from <a href="http://www.tennesseefirearms.com/">TFALAC</a> this AM:<br /><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong></p><blockquote><p><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.<br />Legislative Action Committee</span> </strong></p> <hr /> <p><strong>UPDATE ON EMPLOYEE SAFE COMMUTE -- </strong></p> <p>So, one might ask, what is the status of the Employee Safe Commute (SB3002/HB3560) legislation at this point?<br /><br />The bill has been delayed in the Senate. It is unclear if this was a move by the governor or those who are bowing to the pressure of "Big Business" or a benefical strategic move by the sponsor. At any event, progress in the Senate, if statements of legislators are accurate is positive. The biggest risk is that some form of amendment, probably bought by Fedex or its cohorts) could substantially remove the objectives of the original bill. To guard against that, citizens who support this bill must be called and contacting legislators to encourage and demand of them that no amendments pushed by Fedex or other Big Business dollars be accepted unless approved by firearms interests.</p> <p><u>Senate Action Plan</u></p> <ul><li>Call and email you individual senator (use the email and phone number lookup on the <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/" target="_blank">Senate directory</a>. It is important for you to get a written statement if possible that they will co-sponsor and support the bill <u>as written</u> and that they will oppose any Fedex or other "big business" amendments that would dilute the intent of the bill.<br /></li><li>Call and email to encourage the sponsor Sen. Mike Fault to keep the bill free from Fedex or "big business" amendments<br /><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/senate/members/s4.html" target="_blank">Faulk</a>, Mike </td><td>R </td><td><br /></td><td> - 615 </td><td>741-2061 </td><td><a href="mailto:sen.mike.faulk@capitol.tn.gov" target="_blank">sen.mike.faulk@capitol.tn.gov</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>Call and email to ask that the Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey work with citizens to keep the legislative effective and to defeat any Fedex or other "big business" amendment.<br /><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://ltgov.tn.gov/" target="_blank">Ramsey</a>, Lt. Gov. Ron </td><td>R </td><td> - 615 </td><td><br /></td><td>741-4524 </td><td><a href="mailto:lt.gov.ron.ramsey@capitol.tn.gov" target="_blank">lt.gov.ron.ramsey@capitol.tn.<wbr>gov</a></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ul> <p>With respect to the House, we are expecting that there will be at least 30 House co-sponsors. Many of those are Republican legislators who are probably starting to realize that the mandates of House Leadership (<a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h56.html" target="_blank">Beth Harwell</a>, <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h45.html" target="_blank">Debra Maggart</a>, and <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h26.html" target="_blank">Gerald McCormick</a>) would probably cause those legislators to violate their promises to constituents, to violate their personal convictions, to violate their constitutional oaths of office or their fundamental beliefs that they were elected as conservatives to protect the rights of citizens and to minimize the influence of government in areas where government influence is nothing more than government tyranny needlessly supplanting the rights of citizens.<br /><br />We do not expect, in part because of the pressure being exerted by FedEx and other "Big Business" interests on those legislators that they controll through their funds (both reported and "indirectly" applied), that the bill will move forward in the House without SUBSTANTIAL pressure and interest from individual voters. It was made clear repeatedly this week by statements to news reporters from House leadership such Debra Maggart and Gerald McCormick that House leadership is working to kill any pro-2nd Amendment legislation and that they are applying pressure in the nature of the proverbial "hounds of hell" against their own members to abide by the demands of leadership's own masters.<br /><br />For example, this week <a href="http://www.wsmv.com/story/16936061/gun-advocates-want-ability-to-bring-guns-to-work" target="_blank">Debra Maggart told Channel 4 News</a> in response to an apparent question about the Employee Safe Commute legislation :</p> <blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"> <p>"We have been focused on what we know what people of Tennessee want us to work on. Our economy needs to be looked at, and we want to make sure it's a job-friendly state," said Rep. Debra Maggart, R-Hendersonville.</p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Now, you have to put this into context that Debra Maggart has "represented" to firearms owners in the past that she was soundly in support of the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment and working for firearms owners. Indeed, she even has used the firearms owners to raise campaign funds through programs such as her <em><span>On Target to Win in 2010"1st Annual Sporting Clay Fun</span> </em><span><em>Shoot</em> fund raiser (see, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=160853824412" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/note.<wbr>php?note_id=160853824412</a> ) <wbr>that was heavily promoted not only to the Tennessee Firearms Association but to others as well.</span></p> <p dir="ltr">So what did Maggart <em>really </em>mean with her statement this week to Channel 4? </p> <p dir="ltr">Essentially, that the House Leadership have been admonished by "Big Business" that they want "their" legislators to do what they want them to do - including killing the Employee Safe Commute bill and firearms nondiscrimination bills - or the floodgates of corporate campaign money may be redirected against them or cut off. She probably meant that because "we" are addicted to the corporate money to crush the Democrats and even any prospective primary opposition, we will do what is requested of us to make sure we, individually, are able to get re-elected and to recruit more RINO's and moderates to help us implement our agendas (which do not put any emphasis on constitutional rights).<br /><br />Why does it appear that these Republican House leadership (and a few in the Senate as well) are so clearly deeply obliged to "Big Business"? Well, step away and look at one of the most common themes that you hear from House Republican leadership this year - "jobs, jobs, jobs". What they mean when they say that is NOT that they are creating more government jobs (although they likely are). It is not that they are making it easier for people to start new small businesses. It means most probably that they want to do whatever is possible - forget the Constitution (look what they did last year to the 7th Amendment and their lack of any focus on the 10th Amendment) - to appease businesses like FedEx, Bridgestone, AT&T, Amazon, etc. Their idea of "jobs, jobs, jobs" is to court big business in hopes that many minimum wages will suddenly be made available to Tennesseans. Not high paying jobs. Not careers. Just simply any job will do.<br /><br />A verification of that comes from the enormously misguided statement made by Gerald McCormick this week concerning <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h65.html" target="_blank">Rep. Eddie Bass</a>. Rep. Bass - a very conservative legislator - has indicated he is considering running this year as a Republican. Perhaps he senses that the Democratic party continues to move left under the leadership of Obamit. Perhaps he feels that his conservative voting record is more consistent with Reagan style leadership than it is with Obamit/Pelosi leadership. It really does not matter because the "hint" from McCormick is in what he said to the news when he REJECTED the potential that Rep. Bass might run as a Republican.<br /><br />Leader McCormick made this <a href="http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2012/Feb/14/gop_cool_to_possibility_of_rep__bass_party_switch.html" target="_blank">statement to the AP this week</a>:</p> <blockquote style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"> <p style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr">Republican House Majority Leader Gerald McCormick of Chattanooga said he's heard that Bass has been mulling a party switch for the last two or three years, but said he is satisfied with potential GOP candidates considering a bid in House District 65.<br /><br />"I'd rather he'd stay where he is, to tell the truth," McCormick said. "He's not doing himself any favors running that gun bill." * * * House Republicans would prefer not to take up the bill in an election year.</p></blockquote> <p style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"><br />McCormick apparently believes that his leadership (Harwell) is of the opinion that the progress for citizens such as the Employee Safe Commute bill is not "favorable." Clearly, firearms owners are a significant voting segment and they favor this bill overwhelmingly. Who does not? Well, clearly House Leadership and that is probably because their "masters" - "Big Business" do not want it.<br /><br />Also note that House Leadership, according to McCormick, "prefer not to take up the bill in an election year." </p> <p style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr">Why is the election year so significant that he would mention it? Campaign funds? News coverage? The foolish belief (after the last 15 years) that voting FOR 2nd Amendment rights would cause a legislator to lose a material number of votes rather than voting AGAINST 2nd Amendment rights causing sustained frustration and anger from voters.<br /><br />House Leadership has picked its bedfellows and those bedfellows are purchasing their "favors" primarily with cash. Not the Constitution. Not Biblical principles. Not natural rights. Not common sense. Not the demands of their voting constituents. CASH - and that is one of the oldest professions known to man.</p> <p style="margin-right: 0px;" dir="ltr"><u>House Action Plan</u></p> <ul><li>Call and email you individual representative (use the email and phone number lookup on the <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/" target="_blank">House directory</a>. It is important for you to get a written statement if possible that they will co-sponsor and support the bill <u>as written</u> and that they will oppose any Fedex or other "big business" amendments that would dilute the intent of the bill.<br /></li><li>Call and email to encourage the sponsor Rep. Eddie Bass to keep the bill free from Fedex or "big business" amendments<br /><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h65.html" target="_blank">Bass</a>, Eddie </td><td>D </td><td> 615 </td><td>741-1864 </td><td><a href="mailto:rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov" target="_blank">rep.eddie.bass@capitol.tn.gov</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>Call and email to demand that Speaker Beth Harwell honor her oath of office and support the Constitution and the rights of citizens even if "Big Business" is paying her to do otherwise.<br /><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h56.html" target="_blank">Harwell</a>, Speaker Beth</td> <td>R </td><td> 615 </td><td><br /></td><td>741-0709 </td><td><a href="mailto:speaker.beth.harwell@capitol.tn.gov" target="_blank">speaker.beth.harwell@capitol.<wbr>tn.gov</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>Call and email Rep. Debra Maggart and demand that she honor her oath of office and support the Constitution and the rights of citizens even if "Big Business" is paying her to do otherwise.<br /><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h45.html" target="_blank">Maggart</a>, Debra Young </td><td>R 615 </td><td><br /></td><td>741-3893 </td><td><a href="mailto:rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.gov" target="_blank">rep.debra.maggart@capitol.tn.<wbr>gov</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li><li>Call and email Rep. Gerald McCormick and demand that he honor his oath of office and support the Constitution and the rights of citizens even if "Big Business" is paying her to do otherwise.<br /><table><tbody><tr><td><br /></td><td><a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/house/members/h26.html" target="_blank">McCormick</a>, Gerald </td><td>R 615</td><td><br /></td> <td>741-2548 </td><td><a href="mailto:rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.tn.gov" target="_blank">rep.gerald.mccormick@capitol.<wbr>tn.gov</a></td><td><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ul> <p><strong><u> </u></strong></p><hr /><strong><u> </u></strong> <p><strong><u>Big business access</u></strong> </p> <p>Big business and their lobbyists often have direct access to legislators through their cell phones and their personal (non-government) email addresses. If you have access to this information, please post it on the <a href="http://www.tfaonline.org/forum" target="_blank">TFA Online Forum</a> so that we can take that step to leveling the playing field of legislative access. This would be particularly true for leadership in both houses and in both caucuses. </p><strong><u> <hr /> </u></strong> <p><strong><u>TFA Action Center</u></strong></p> <p>The <a href="http://www.votervoice.net/Core/core.aspx?APP=GAC&AID=1360&SiteID=-1" target="_blank">TFA Action Center</a> remains up and operational. So far, more than 10,000 emails have been sent to the legislature just on the issue of the Employee Safe Commute bill.</p> <p>I encourage you to use it at least once a weel. <strong>It is important that you edit both the subject and the message to reflect your personal thoughts. Edit them even if you agree with the sample message.</strong> Legislators do not want or need to see 1000 of the same message. They want to hear from constituents and individuals. They do not need long messages, angry messages or threats but they do need to hear that citizens support this legislation.</p> <p>Share this link, this effort and this mission with every firearms owner, constitutionalists or friend you have. Make sure that they keep the messages going to our legislators that we want progress made on this legislation even if "Big Business" is buying influence with House Republican leadership to do otherwise.</p> <p>Keep in mind that FedEx, Bridgestone, Nissan, AT&T, Amazon and others spend hundreds of thousands on their lobbyists and contribute hundreds of thousands more - if not millions (directly and, uh, "indirectly") to purchase their desires from the legislators. But, these corporations do not vote. These corporations do not speak for all of their employees. Often, its only a handful of the "upper management" that make these "policy" decisions and those decisions often do not reflect the desires of the shareholders, owners and certainly not the employees. </p> <p>It can be done but it is critical that voters get involved to remind the legislators that the citizens elected them as <u>our</u> representatives and we do not appreciate them selling their time and efforts, once elected, to whichever "Big Business" will wine and dine them, give them money and perform all manner of indirect "perks" that provide photo opportunities in their districts. </p><strong><u> <hr /> </u></strong> <p><br /></p><span style="font-size:85%;">If you would like to join or renew your membership, you can do so online at this link <a href="http://www.tfaonline.org/index.php/tfa/join" target="_blank">JOIN TFA</a></span><br /><a href="http://www.tennesseefirearms.com/" target="_blank">www.tennesseefirearms.com</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.tennesseefirearms.com/" target="_blank"></a>Steve in TNhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09990498448942991511noreply@blogger.com0