The poiwer of personality

So this story was related to me a couple weeks ago. Thought it was funny as hell.

Not sure how many are aware, but Chief (the founder of BACA) is friends with the members of Kansas. Well, they had a show in Florida the same weekend as our International Conference in Orlando. Meaning a couple lucky pukes from Australia (no, I'm not jealous. Why do you ask?) not only got to go for free, but also got backstage passes. Chief himself couldn't go, as there was a meeting the same time as the concert.

Since their friend couldn't be at their show, Kansas decided to join him in Orlando for breakfast. Which is where the story gets funny.

Aych & Kuhn, from our temp charter in LA Crosse, were in the restaurant. As they put it, they saw Chief sitting with "a group of older looking guys", and went over to say hi. They greeted Chief with hugs, waved at the rest, and headed for their table to sit down for their meal. Only realizing later that the rest of Chief's companions were the members of Kansas.

Says something about your importance in a group, when your presence outshines that of actual rock stars. But that's my brother Chief  for you

Thoughts on gay marriage, and hyperbole

So the Supremes are hearing arguments about the gay marriage issue, with both sides hoping that their ruling will end the discussion their way. A couple things I've noticed about this issue over the years.

First off, those opposed have shown that they stand solidly with the debate techniques of all "antis" I've seen, resorting to sillyness and illogic to support their position (my favorite has been "what's next: allowing pedophiles to marry their victims, or people to marry their pets?"). The "religious argument" is (or should be) a non-starter: plenty of non Christian folks in the US, who feel no obligation to follow Biblical law. This leaves most of their points to boil down to "Ug, the gheys... YUCK!".

That said, I HAVE heard one decent point in the "con" column. And it's a powerful one: "the government doesn't belong in peoples' bedroom". Unfortunately, they're already there, with benefits granted to married couples. So...

We come to the "pro" side of the argument. The funniest I've heard from them was on Facespace, written by someone obviously single: "but this is an issue that effects these people EVERY DAY".

Bullshit.

The only ways the government recognizing a marriage has any effect are rare circumstances: taxes, inheritance, insurance, and (in some places) hospital visitation (and I haven't been in a hospital in over a decade that still restricts to "immediate family").  Government recognition (or it's lack) doesn't make you more able to love (or cohabitate with) whoever you wish, regardless of the design of their plumbing, and it's similarity to your own.

So really, either way the Supremes rule is a net "meh" for society. It might have further repercussions on some other issues, but is anybody who's invested in "gay rights"* really interested in those other issues?

There is one thing that keeps popping into my mind, though. Many years ago, the Supremes had a big hit with their "Ten Commandments" decision. All the pundits covered it, media lauded it, women swooned. I was on a pagan mailing list, and it was all afire with justified vindication.

Funny thing: that same day, the USSC handed down the Kelo decision.

Now, don't get me wrong: keeping government buildings from posting the legal base used by one faith (OK, three major faith groups) was important. But isn't being secure in the ownership of your paid-for property at least AS important?

The "Ten Commandments" decision was trumpeted from the roof tops. Kelo? Not even close.

So now, I ask you: while we're spending so much time and energy on gay marriage... what else is the USSC writing a decision on?

             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* "gay rights" is a term that's always bothered me. Aren't the talking about basic human rights, not some advanced special rights?

Earning your title

So... over at Squeaky Wheel, we get this abomination.

Seriously? You kill a mentally handicapped person over the cost of a ticket while working a gig off duty, then invoke your "rights as police officers not to provide statements"

Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot?

You don't kill someone for not respecting your authori-tay, Barney

We're at a gun show, and you want us to WHAT?

OK... it has been a LONG while since I've been to a gun show. Although I agree with Tam about being required to unload your carry piece, I can kinda see it.

But demanding that I surrender my magazines at the door? You said WHAT? Whose side are you on?

Interesting observation from inside: never saw a Mennonite presence at a guns how before. Guess they see things coming, too

Underhanded tactics for political purposes

Like many of you, I see a LOT of things on Facebook. And most of the time, I just sorta write them off, given how common exagerations are on the net.

Yesterday, someone posted a letter from the owner of American Spirit Arms, about the tactics Bank of America are using because they "don't think you should be selling guns on the internet". And this time, I did something different: I contacted American Spirit Arms, and asked them to verify the letter, and give me permission to write about it.

The email I received this morning said "The letter is legit, and you have my permission to post"

Here's the original letter:

All,
My name is Joe Sirochman owner of American Spirit Arms and I wanted to share my recent experience with Bank of America .(which we have been doing business with for over 10 years)…. Everyone is familiar with the latest increase in guns sales , dealers selling out of inventory , Manufacturers back logged for months , large revenue all generated in the last two weeks …. American Spirit Arms is no exception to the overwhelming demand . What we have experienced is that our web site orders have jumped 500 % causing our web site E commerce processing larger Deposits to BANK OF AMERICA ..Well, this through up a huge RED Flag with Bank of America . So they decided to hold the deposits for further review , meaning that the orders/payments that were coming in through the web ,( being paid by the customer and that were shipped out by American Spirit Arms ),the BANK was keeping (UNDER REVIEW )..as you could imagine this made me furious…After countless hours on the phone with BANK OF AMERICA I finally got a Manager in the right department that told me the reason that the deposits were on hold for FURTHER REVIEW …HER EXACT WORDS WERE …
..” WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD NOT BE SELLING GUNS and PARTS ON THE INTERNET “
…I flipped the F**k Out and told them that they have no right to make up their own new rules and regs..that we are a firearms Manufacturer with all the proper licensing FFL (Federal Firearm license ), SOT and that we follow all Federal and All
States’ rules and regulations on shipping Firearms and parts ..and that we are also Audited by ATF and Homeland
Security on a regular basis … She said that she understands that but that the deposits will be released After they have a
Chance to review and clear them …I told her that This was unacceptable and the those deposits (that were a week old by now ) needed to be released ASAP, that we are a small business and rely on the revenue to run and stay operational.
After that being said another Manager got involved and released one of the deposits (to help out )… So far to date after
Two weeks of sales only 1/3 of collected internet sales have been released ..I am still pissed and looking for another
Bank and options …
I just thought the public should know ..

I will keep everyone posted on new developments ..

Sincerely

Joseph P Sirochman
American Spirit Arms
16001 N Greenway Hayden Loop
Suite B
Scottsdale AZ 85260
480-367-9540 phone
480-367-9541 fax

Now I don't know about y'all, but this (to me) is nothing more than a corporation utilizing an underhanded trick to promote a political agenda (namely, interfering with the lawful commerce in arms).

If you have a BoA account of any kind, and can drop them, please do. They need to know we, the public, do NOT support such actions

"Common sense gun control"

So, we've been hearing so much talk about "common sense gun control", and that we need to have a "discussion about gun violence". And the antis are pushing hard. And I have had a LOT of people question why my side isn't willing to come to the table.

Here you go, folks. Basically every scheme the antis try foisting off on us, laid out as a step in a full ban.

Also...

... in tonight's random discussion: Spoon was claiming to have far more cleavage than I, while wearing a crew neck sweater. I commented "if it can't be seen, it isn't there", leading to a discussion of Schrodinger's Bra...

More (oddball) thoughts on school shootings

So... sitting around the kitchen table, and having semi serious discussion about current events. The recent twit in NY is mentioned, and I suggest "maybe we should outlaw nutjobs", to which my friend Skip replies "nah... that would just create a black market for nutjobs"

Go ahead, run with it

On ghouls

Sometime before 10am this morning, a sub-human walked into a school and committed an atrocity.

Within hours, the bodies likely still warm, pundits are calling for gun bans.

Yes, I disagree with that premise. But that's not the point of this post.

I've also heard pundits calling for allowing teachers and admin to carry, so that any future shooter faces resistance. I kinda agree, but that's also not the point of this post.

The real point, is the ghouls need to fucking stop now. The bodies aren't even cold, the parents of the victims are still completely shell-shocked. In many cases, they probably haven't even started to wrap their heads around what happened.

And yet, folks on both sides are already trotting out their position, trying to use this tragedy to further their political agenda.

You wallow in the blood of the innocent, you're lower than the monster that shed that blood.