A Keyboard and a .45

I know squat about the new smart phones. I know the IPhone has some cool aps that I would use (shot timer, ballistics to name a couple), but I don’t know if these type of aps can be run on other phones.It is well past time I upgraded my cell phone. I…

…will be manning a table at the Texas Scooter Times Summer Swap Meet in Dallas. My friend Phil and I will be looking to sign up new members for the Texas State Rifle Association.This looks to be a real good time.If you happen to end up there, look me…

From my friend Ken. Ken is one of the organizers for the Dallas Tea Party Group and the Director of the North Texas Gun Owners.From Ken:I’m going to ask you, right now, to mark the date MARCH 2, 2010 on your calendar. If you don’t recognize the date,…

Well I did it, this week I passed the first real milestone on my weight loss journey. I am no longer officially “Obese”. I am now just an Overweight American. And you know what? For the moment that feels pretty darn good.In my ninth week I lost 4.5 …

…the propane tank exchanges that are popping up at gas stations, grocery stores and just about everywhere else were more expensive than getting a tank filled by a propane supplier, but I didn’t realise just how much more expensive.We started exchangi…

V called me at work Monday afternoon saying that one of our toilets was “leaking from the tank”, so on the way home I picked up new tank and wax seals. I get home to find that the tank is cracked top to bottom and end up having to replace the toilet. Yippie!

But hey, at least it was a good week on Medifast. During Week 7 I lost another 4.5 pounds for a total of 39.5 pounds lost. I’m near half way to my goal. The program is very simple, has to be for me to work it. Do X plus Y and stay away from Z and you will succeed.

Here is an image of me taken at Blackwater last year (I think by Joe Huffman)

And here is one taken by V last Sunday:

One thing that I have noticed about losing weight is the fact that it is harder to conceal a 1911 type pistol. I never gave a second thought to throwing on a pair of shorts and a Tee shirt and heading out to the store or wherever. Now some of the same Tee shirts that did such a good job before are really showing the outline of my gun. Purchasing smaller shirts will most likely fix that problem, but it caught me by surprise.

Another thing I have learned so far on this weight loss journey is that a shooting mat makes one heck of a good exercise mat. ’nuff said.

Last week V and I drove down South near Houston to pick up the Step Son and move him in with us. On the way down, on Highway 45, we stopped at Buc-ee’s for coffee and a quick break. I have to tell you that place has the best public restrooms I have ever been in. I have been in most of these United States and various countries throughout the world, and when I say the best, I mean it. V and I were both very impressed.

On the way back we stopped at Chili’s in Corsicana for a late lunch (I had my Medifast meal before stopping so had tea at Chili’s). Behind the Chili’s was a Gander Mountain so we decided to take a quick peek to see how they were set on ammo.

It was like ammo heaven. Isle upon isle of ammunition, the pistol ammo behind the counter. They had .45ACP, they had 9mm, heck they even had .380. Needless to say V and I purchased some ammo.

All in all a good week. I continued to lose weight and we found a store with ammo on the shelves. The fact that V and I are no longer empty nesters is…. well it just is. It’s just one of those things you have to deal with.

The 2010 Governor’s race here in Texas is already heating up. Our Senior Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, has decided to challenge Governor Rick Perry in the Republican Primaries next year.

This is exciting. Two very popular politicians running for the same position should make for some good politics.

Reader Jay from Houston sent a link to an AR15.com thread with images of Governor Perry at LaRue Tactical. Like Mark LaRue says, “Bet our Texas Governor can out shoot y’all’s Governor”.

Here is Governor Perry being spotted by Todd Hodnett as he shoots 1/2 MOA groups.

Here is a close up of Governor Perry’s form on the bench.

Seems our Governor likes to shoot EBR’s. The fact that he can shoot sub MOA groups shows that his range time includes more than just photo ops.

What does Kay Bailey think about EBR’s and EBR owners?

The following video was clipped from a presentation at the Heritage Foundation concerning an individual right to keep and bear arms. Even though Senator Hutchison joined with fifty-four other senators, 250 representatives, and Vice President Cheney to submit an amicus brief in favor of Heller in the SCOTUS DC v Heller case, she still supports an Assault Weapons Ban.

This one statement shows just how far off the mark she is with her definition of an individuals right to keep and bear arms. I have comments on this issue previously, and have contacted her office concerning these remarks. I know for a fact that at least one member of her staff is reading this blog and knows of our concerns over this issue. The Senator’s response so far has been less than adequate.

There will be more to come comparing and contrasting the records of both these politicians concerning our right to keep and bear arms.

Sorry about the quality of the video. I somehow got the sound track a couple seconds off track from the image. I’ll continue to tinker with it and see if I can get it right.

I have now officially been on this diet for over a month, five weeks of sticking strictly to the plan. I have to tell you that I am very glad that I made this decision. I lost another 4 pounds this last week for a total of 28 pounds lost. Medifast really does work.

I received the exercise DVD’s in the mail last week and got to work on Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred. You know, when I was in the Navy we would watch exercise videos quite often. Not for the exercise, but for the eye candy. Watching beautiful women jump around in leotards was great entertainment during breakfast a couple hundred feet below the waves. Things are quite different when you are actually following along in your living room.

The “30 Day Shred” routine is a 20 minute daily workout. Only 20 minutes? Heck, I can do anything for 20 minutes. I’m a big guy, I can pick up heavy things and move them “over there”. This should be a piece of cake.

It probably would be a piece of cake, if, Jillian Michaels were not the devil. This woman packs more into a 20 minute workout than an hour or so of working out in a gym. The first day she finished with me I was jello, my legs just did not want to hold my body up any longer. I went for a quick 10 minute walk after the work out just to get a full 30 minutes of exercise in, and for the first 50 or 60 yards or so it was an effort to keep my feet going in a straight line. She is one tough cookie.

Each day the routine gets easier, my recovery time gets shorter, and my after workout walk gets longer.

It is time to get, Jillian is waiting to get started with our next 20 minute session.

Hopefully a few of you have noticed the “Support Cindy” banner on the sidebar. You may have asked yourself “Who is this Cindy person?” and “What the heck is a Breast Cancer 3-Day?”.

Cindy is a daughter through our extended family. She is fighting a very hard battle against Cancer, and with the Lord’s help she is persevering. There is something about Cindy that makes her truly special, she just glows with an energy that is hard to describe. If you want to learn more about Cindy and her fight with Cancer, you can visit her website here.

Today Cindy sent out an email asking for help with the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk:

Please join me as a I walk to put an end to Breast Cancer

As most of you know, in January of this year I learned my cancer had spread/metastasized from my breast to my liver. The doctors were not at all very optimistic about a cure. Well, during my many stays in the hospital and my time at home being sick during January, February, and March, I kept seeing the TV commercial for the Komen 3 Day Walk that is going to take place in Dallas November 6-8, 2009. After seeing the commercial several times, I decided that was going to be my goal to get through all of this treatment torture. I was and am still bound and determined to make it to November to walk 60 miles in 3 days to help find a cure to this awful disease of cancer. So, I took the plunge and made the commitment and I am now an official registered walker…YEA!!!

I will be walking with a team called the Texas Longlegs, along with thousands of other women, and men too. I have several friends on other walking teams as well and we are all in this together…to make a difference. As part of my commitment as a walker, I agreed to raise $2,300 in donations. However, since I have the greatest friends and the best supporters who have been through this breast cancer journey with me, I decided to set my goal at $5,000 in donations. I have no doubt in my mind that God is going to provide, even in this troubled economy, and together we will reach this goal. So, please consider making a donation of any amount…even $10. If I get 50 people to give $10, that’s $500, and THAT will make a difference somewhere. As you consider the amount you would like to donate, please keep in mind how far I will be walking…60 MILES in 3 days (YIKES!)…and how hard I’ll have to train to finish all those 60 MILES. I started training back in April and will continue to train through the hot months, even while I continue my chemo treatments too.

The easiest way you can give is online. Just follow this link to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 1-800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone. All donations will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. I REFUSE to be one of those 40,000. That’s why I’m walking so far…to do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

From the depths of my heart, THANK YOU soooooooooooooo much in advance for your generosity and donation! It means a LOT to me…more than words can ever express!!

God Bless!

Cindy

Cindy Semple

P.S. Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program!

Click here to visit my personal page.

I would very much appreciate it if you would help Cindy reach her goal of raising $5000 to support this outstanding cause.

If you can not help out now, the banner will be on the side bar through the walk so you can give at any time.

The “War on Gunz in Mexico” is starting to hit home.

From the TSRA:

June 22, 2009 – FFLs and purchasers of “certain types” of firearms in Texas are being scrutinized by BATF due to the gun smuggling into Mexico.

Dear John,

In Border States, BATFE Asks: “May We See Your Guns?”

Friday, June 19, 2009

NRA-ILA has recently received several calls from NRA members in border states who have been visited or called by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In some cases, agents have asked to enter these people’s homes, and requested serial numbers of all firearms the members possess.

In each case, the agents were making inquiries based on the number of firearms these NRA members had recently bought, and in some cases the agents said they were asking because the members had bought types of guns that are frequently recovered in Mexico.

This kind of questioning may or may not be part of a legitimate criminal investigation. For example, when BATFE traces a gun seized after use in a crime, manufacturers’ and dealers’ records will normally lead to the first retail buyer of that gun, and investigators will have to interview the buyer to find out how the gun ended up in criminal hands. But in other cases, the questioning may simply be based on information in dealers’ records, with agents trying to “profile” potentially suspicious purchases.

On the other hand, some of the agents have used heavy-handed tactics. One reportedly demanded that a gun owner return home early from a business trip, while another threatened to “report” an NRA member as “refusing to cooperate.” That kind of behavior is outrageous and unprofessional.

Whether agents act appropriately or not, concerned gun owners should remember that all constitutional protections apply. Answering questions in this type of investigation is generally an individual choice. Most importantly, there are only a few relatively rare exceptions to the general Fourth Amendment requirement that law enforcement officials need a warrant to enter a home without the residents’ consent. There is nothing wrong with politely, but firmly, asserting your rights.

If BATFE contacts you and you have any question about how to respond, you may want to consult a local attorney. NRA members may also call NRA-ILA’s Office of Legislative Counsel at (703) 267-1161 for further information. Whether contacting a local attorney or NRA, be sure to provide as many details as possible, including the date, time, and location, agent’s name, and specific questions asked.

Copyright 2009, National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action.

Sincerely,

Alice Tripp
Texas State Rifle Association
Legislative Director

Just remember – No warrant, no entrance.

Now that the meme that Americans are responsible for the Drug Gang Violence in Mexico has been such a successful propaganda tool, no matter what the evidence proves, the Antis are now starting to blame us for the violence in Jamaica.

David Codrea reports that U.S. guns blamed for Jamaican crime. At least they are not blaming Texas this time.

How long until the BATF comes knocking on your door, asking to see all the firearms you have legally purchased via an FFL?

I must apologize for my recent lack of posting. Work has been a pretty significant drain on me lately and the news headlines make it seem like the Administration is Hell bent for leather to destroy the free market and make every American dependant upon the .gov for their daily needs.

I just needed a little downtime to recharge, and I am just about there.

Week 2 of a 900 calorie per day diet is easier than I would have imagined. I’m not starving, as a matter of fact I rarely even feel very hungry. So far so good.

One of the tools that Medifast provides is the website MyMedifast. MyMedifast is chock full of online tools to help folks on the program succeed and reach their goals. Along with the tools there are forums that provide pretty much any kind of support an individual may need.

This week I lost another 6.5 lbs. That makes 15 pounds lost in 13 days.

I am now on the last hole on my size 44 El Paso Saddlery belt and will have to punch a couple new ones. Visible results are way cool.

…is a favored supplier for the Casa JR “rainy day” preparation effort. When I have mentioned Honeyville in the past, I stated that:

Honeyville is a great resource for folks who like to put a little something away for a rainy day. Their food storage products include a wide variety of foods that would fit very well in any food storage program. The powdered eggs and instant milk substitute are definitely worth a look. They also have high quality freeze dried fruits and vegetables to add a bit of flavor (and nutrition) to your menu if you have to dig into your food stores for any reason.

Honeyville’s main focus has been grains and flour for the baking industry, so of course their selection of these items is going to be top notch.

In their recent sales flier, Honeyville announced a new product:

Greetings from all of us here at Honeyville Farms! It’s time to stock up and prepare for the unexpected. We’re releasing new products, from food staples to treats that will keep your family healthy and happy and give you the peace of mind you need in any economic climate. For a limited time we’re offering 10% off of your ENTIRE ORDER. From Thursday, June 4th, 2009 thru Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 we’re offering 10% off of everything in your cart (except for our already low flat-rate shipping cost of $4.49). Just order as usual and enter the coupon code PREPARE09 during checkout. The coupon code field is on the second page of the checkout process. Enter the PREPARE09 code, click the APPLY button to the right and the savings will automatically be calculated for you. This is a great time to stock up and save on our most popular staples like Powdered Eggs, Milk Substitute, and the all new Hard White Wheat in the #10 cans.

Visit us at http://store.honeyvillegrain.com. ACT NOW as this discount will end promptly on Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 6:00PM PST. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to place an order over the phone call us, toll-free, at (888) 810-3212. We’re happy to help.

Also new this summer are canned Black Beans, Freeze Dried Blackberries, Hard Red Wheat in a #10 can, and much more.

The #10 cans of wheat is an expensive, but convenient way to store whole wheat. The #10 cans contain 5 lbs of whole wheat and, by the pound, are twice as expensive as purchasing the bulk 50# bags from Honeyville. However, the cans are packed with an oxygen absorber and have a reported shelf life of 10 to 15 years. I believe this shelf life can be easily doubled to 30+ years if stored properly. From the Provident Living website:

Longer-Term Storage—30 Years or More

Properly packaged, low-moisture foods stored at room temperature or cooler (75°F/24°C or lower) remain nutritious and edible much longer than previously thought according to findings of recent scientific studies. Estimated shelf life for many products has increased to 30 years or more (see chart for new estimates of shelf life). Previous estimates of longevity were based on “best-if-used-by” recommendations and experience. Though not studied, sugar, salt, baking soda (essential for soaking beans), and vitamin C in tablet form also store well long-term. Some basic foods do need more frequent rotation, such as vegetable oil every 1 to 2 years.

While there is a decline in nutritional quality and taste over time, depending on the original quality of food and how it was processed, packaged, and stored, the studies show that even after being stored long-term, the food will help sustain life in an emergency.

For tips on how to best preserve longer-term food storage products, see Longer-Term Supply.

Many of the canned freeze dried and low moisture products from Honeyville, if properly stored, will last decades and can basically be considered a one time purchase.

How much food should you store? This Food Storage Calculator can help with that answer.

Purchasing grains and legumes in bulk and packaging them yourself (.pdf) is a much more cost effective way to set up long term food stores, but these #10 cans of beans and wheat from Honeyville are a convenient way to get started or add something different to your current stores inventory.

For me, the freeze dried fruits and vegetables offered by Honeyville are a worthwhile addition to any long term food storage program.

If you decide to purchase anything from Honeyville, remember to enter the code “PREPARE09″ at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase.

One last thing. I am not affiliated with Honeyville Food Products in any way. I just like their products and their flat rate $4.49 shipping fee.

…ended yesterday. The good news is that it will be near a couple of years before we have to get busy contacting our Texas Legislators on specific firearms related bills. The bad news is that both Campus Carry and Employer Parking Lot legislation did not get passed this session.

Some time in the next few days I will compile a quick review of how all the firearms related legislation that I either supported or opposed did this session. We did make progress and suffered no setbacks. Some laws relating to Concealed Handgun Licenses have been changed so there is important information to be posted.

I just want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before posting.