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.

Thoughts on monsters...

Caught this post over by LawDog. And it got me thinking...

There have been many times I've had similar discussions to the one he describes, dealing with people who wish to profess that they could never hurt anyone. That call themselves "pacifist", and claim moral superiority to me, since I am armed and willing to defend myself and those around me.

Oddly enough, they usually end up calling me when there's a "problem" in their life. Funny, that.

I met my monster early in life. It took many years for me to learn how to keep him leashed. Took even longer for me to learn the other part of the control equation...

A couple times in my life, I have sensed that I was about to blow: that the monster was about to slip his leash, and run amok. Realizing that Hell was about to break loose, I leave: no explanations, no dramatic words or gestures. Exit, immediately.

The last time was at an outdoor event with BACA. Tempers had been running high all day, and mine had finally gotten frayed to breaking. I recognized what was about to happen, and left. One of our SSMs ("prospects" to you MC folks) asked me about it a couple days later, and self-rightously denounced me for my "inability to control my temper".

I looked at her for a few seconds, and calmly asked if she always kept herself under control. When she replied yes, I asked about her arrest for disorderly conduct, and some of the other conflicts she'd been involved in. "That's different!", she exclaimed. And I agreed: *I* recognized when my temper was about to slip, and would remove myself from the situation. Whereas she didn't have that self awareness.

Folks, everybody has a bad day. And controlling the monster doesn't just mean keeping it locked down. Being human, it will sometimes slip it's leash. Knowing that it can happen, and being big enough to walk away from the provocation, makes one an adult.

Also know when it's appropriate to release the beast: he's there for a reason. Spend the time to get to know him, learn his ways, and learn to not only restrain him... but control him.

Overheard on the tee wee...

As usual, while sitting at my desk, I have H2 on as background noise.

Right this minute, they're going through the different myths. And one of the commentators made the awesome statement "In Greek myth, when a young girl is picking flowers in a meadow, something BAD is about to happen"...

Maybe it's lack of sleep. Maybe it's all the BS going on in life. But that kicked my gigglebox

Something silly

For those of you on Facespace, the son of one of my BACA sisters is trying to win a contest at school.

Click here. "Like" the page, and leave a comment that TJ Villa sent you. He's a good kid, and I'd like to help him out a lil

Federal Holiday

Hope y'all have a happy "But I thought I could get to India this way!" day today

Correction

Ok... two loyal readers pointed out that the link I posted yesterday was, in fact, from a parody site.

Not to self: don't post when worn out from working too much

Easter Eggs=Evil?

Ok... someone posted to a friend's FB page the cover of a book, entitled "Are Your Children Playing with Lucifer's Testicles?"

Of course, my mind blanked for a bit on that: seriously? So I Googled the phrase, and found this.

Yes Virginia, there ARE psychotic nutjobs in the world. And not all of them are Muslim (just the most organized & violent). Couple of quotes:

is a Bible based book for Christian parents who by lack of faith can't afford to send their children to a decent Christian school.

Because, of course, the ONLY reason you wouldn't send your child to a "decent Christian school" is due to lack of faith. Which I suddenly find... disturbing

"In the old days, deluded pagans would gather round and hump like bunnies on Easter Sunday because they thought it would make their tomatoes grow faster"

Wow... just, wow...

"Pagan kids didn't have anything to do on Easter Sunday because their mommies and daddies were stuck in a false temple all day

Wait... it's only a "real" temple if it's dedicated to Christ?

Go take a look. Make sure to read the reviews: they're just as "worthwhile"

Gotta love football players

Anyone that knows me, knows I personally despise professional sports. I absolutely refuse to pay any attention to what someone paid obscene amounts of money to play a damn game has to say about most issues in life.

So imagine my surprise to read this lil gem.

Lemmie break it down. Seems that a player for the Baltimore team made a statement in support of gay marriage. And one of the local politicritters, in response, sent a letter to the team management to try and stifle this player's right to speak his mind.

So far, so oppressive? Well, it seems a player from Minnesota took umbrage at the 'critter, and sent a letter of his own. Let me quote some of my favorite parts:

The views you espouse neglect to consider several fundamental key points, which I will outline in great detail (you may want to hire an intern to help you with the longer words):...

It baffles me that a man such as yourself, a man who relies on that same First Amendment to pursue your own religious studies without fear of persecution from the state, could somehow justify stifling another person's right to speech. To call that hypocritical would be to do a disservice to the word. Mindfucking obscenely hypocritical starts to approach it a little bit...

They won't magically turn you into a lustful cockmonster...

Read the whole thing: almost makes me a Viking's fan...

Religious shenanigans

So, I just realized that I'm tired of hearing about religion on Facespace. Seems like once an hour, I'm either having an Atheist(1) challenge me to "prove the existence of my invisible friend", or someone else wanting me to repost "if Jesus is welcome in your house"(2)

Folks, this is one of the major problems we're having in our country: y'all are taking that stuff WAY too seriously. Not everyone in the world has to have the same views as you do. And some people (most of them) who have differing views from you are not complete morons. Nor do they want to hear constantly about how they're doomed to Hellfire.

Worship a kumquat for all I care: if it gives you solace/happiness/whatever, knock yourself out. But do you HAVE to broadcast your faith to the world?

(1) I always try to capitalize the name of any religion. And, at this point, Atheism qualifies

(2) Jesus is perfectly welcome in my house. Like any other visitor, He's expected to say "thank you for dinner", and haul Himself out the door when the evening is done. A short stay is even ok, but rent gets charged after one week. Privateer policy

Dear Manitowoc County Republican Party

Having worked with you the last couple of years, live blogging election night from your headquarters, I figured we had something of a working relationship. Your president's voicemail today, stating that "this is a Republican endeavor, and our office is only for that purpose" came as a little bit of a shock. Especially in light of the fact that, since the last election, you haven't spoken to me.

I'm glad to know that the leadership on the Right in Manitowoc County is so capable of making snap decisions, without getting all the facts or talking to involved parties. Particularly in light of the fact that we have until November to make that decision.

Good luck, folks. With leadership like this, you'll need all the luck you can get.

Collateral damage in the War on (some) Drugs

Via Popehat, we find this lil gem. Go, read the whole thing. I'll be here.

Done? Blood pressure spiking? Good.

Folks, is this REALLY the price we're willing to pay to wage our War on Drugs? Are we willing to have kids terrorized, to attempt to combat something that has been proven to not go away?

Children traumatized, and one denied needed medication, all to try (unsuccessfully) to stop the use of some chemical. Or to block the usage of a plant any idiot can grow and dry.

Is this REALLY what we're willing to accept as a nation?

Protect your damn eyes!

Ok... before I ever got on 2 wheels without a bucket, I needed a decent set of shooting glasses that could accept a prescription. I did plenty of research on several boards, but it seemed that every variation would involved an expenditure of several hundred dollars.

Then, I discovered Rudy Project. They have a system in several of their lines that uses a prescription clip in the frame, leaving the different lenses straight. Which, needless to say, reduced overall price considerably!

I picked up a pair of Ekynox (no longer available, but can be found on Ebay), and fell in love with them. Lens swapping was easy, they had great field of vision, and were stylish. Heaven!

Then, I decided I wanted to ride sans bucket: this means finding a way to protect your eyes. Well, no problem: there was a goggle system for the glasses I already had. And they worked like a charm, completely sealing my eyes from the dangers of windborn debris (and bugs).

When I went to work for Freedom Roads, I contacted Rudy Project about advertising with us. And they sent me a pair of new glasses/goggles (their Guardyan) for review. That review was written within a week but, sadly, the magazine was closed down before publication of the review...

It's been a few years now, and I've worn that set of specs almost daily during riding season for all those years. I looked over the review I originally wrote, and decided to completely rewrite it.

To start off with, the package had almost everything I needed: was missing the prescription clip, which I ordered fairly quickly. Inside the hard case was the frame with regular temples in place, smoke black lenses, goggle strap, and counter mask. As straight-up sunglasses, they were good: switched over to goggles, they quickly replaced my Ekynox!

Comfort is awesome: I often forget I'm wearing them, especially with the addition of photochromic lenses (another Ebay find). Periphiral vision is not QUITE as good as with the Ekynox, but I have yet to have had any problems.

But how well do they hold up, you ask?

Well... I received these in midsummer of 2008. Since that time, they've been worn as goggles almost every day of each summer (I tend to forget I have a car during riding season), and often as shades during the winter. THE only problem has been the counter mask. The mounting tabs in the bridge broke off during the first year (rough handling, my fault). This season, the foam rubber has started to give up the ghost. And, in rain, the vents at the top of the mask allow WAY too much water in.

Even with those problems, these are probably one of the best sets of riding goggles I've yet to see. The lenses are incredibly durable, and Rudy Project has a replacement program. Given the easily removable prescription clip, they can be used as loaners for folks who have good vision (or those who sometimes wear contacts). And switching between goggle and glasses takes roughly 30 seconds.

The only changes I could see making would be to use a closed-cell foam or similar, in place of the open-cell. And eliminating the top vents. Otherwise, it seems they've come up with the perfect riding goggle.

If you're in the market for riding or shooting glasses, especially if you need interchangeable lenses and/or prescription, look into Rudy Project: you won't be disappointed!

Upcoming content. No, really...

Working on a couple of product review posts, aimed at the "on two wheels" crowd. And getting things ready to bring back Humpday Hardware, and see if I can't finish out the Privateer's arms locker...

LOTS going on, including far too much work. Desperately need to get back to the gym, and get more up here...

Kilted to Kick Cancer

Well, it's that time of year again: AD has the details up here, Jay G throws down the gauntlet here

I doubt I'm going to participate directly, because me wearing a kilt is no big deal: I wear one regularly, when I'm not on my scoot. So I have to decide now: who should I support?

See, I consider both AD and Jay friends. Thing is, Jay I've actually met: he let me know when he was gonna be in Wisconsin. AD, on the other hand, forgot about liil ol' me when he was gonna be in Milwaukee.

Decisions, decisions...

Colorado

Not going to roll around in the blood of the victims: I'll leave that to certain other folks, who have lesser souls.

However, my heart goes out to the families of the victims