Saturday, November 9, 2019
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Trump Vs. The Democrats
 |
| The Democrats have all their pieces on the table, but the Orange Man is playing a different game. |
Friday, October 11, 2019
Monday, October 7, 2019
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Sierra Nevada Tropical Torpedo
When I first tasted Sierra Nevada's Tropical Torpedo, I laughed. The tropical-fruit flavors mellow the initial sips of this IPA to less than a dull roar. But as the apocalypse of this overhopped American IPA overwhelms your taste buds, the tropical fruitiness nicely compliments the overwrought hop cones. This beer surprised me from the start, and satisfied after the initial speed bump.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Positive or Negative Rights
Also posted on Hoplotarian and SteemIt
Is what we want always a lack of something?
I've been looking for the word that succinctly and accurately represents what we are looking for in the "liberty movement." Of late, "libertarian" has fit the bill, because "liberal" has been tainted by back-biting power-hungry abusers.
"Freedom" leads back to "freeneck." Unfortunately, a "freeneck" is a guy lacking a yoke.
"Liberty" instantly - for me - brings to mind "at liberty," as in a sailor that has been allowed to have a day off from his contracted servitude. There is a good, basic foundation for "liberty," especially after the United States revolutionary civil war, but it is still tainted by being let loose from something.
What's the right word? Maybe it needs to be invented - or discovered. Or maybe it will never really exist.
This all leads back to the left's fundamental criticism of the "freedom movement" - that liberty is all about "negative rights." So is what we want just negative.
Even if you journey down the path to no government, the word for it is negative - "anarchy," which means "no ruler." Continuing down this rabbit hole, which doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing, we can come up with a word that is foundational and positive.
Let's break down "anarchy:" "an" = "without" + "archy" = "ruler." So what would be positive? "Self" + "ruler." "Autarchy." Oops! We did go down a rabbit hole. We ended up with an "absolute ruler," which is the absolute opposite of what I was getting at.
"Eaftos" is another form of "self" in Greek. "Know thyself" translated into "gnothi sauton" in Greek. "Sautonarchy" could be it, but it is hard to say. Shortened to "sautarchy" would leave us with "salty ruler" or "shoot ruler," if one confuses the Scottish and French words.
So what about Latin, because "anarchy really is about the same in Latin and Greek. We gets word for "self" like "sui," "sese," "ipse." "Suiarchy" is being used in a very-small scale on the Web. It might be the one. And it might be too close to "suicide." There are alternatives, or are there?
Nope. I don't think there are another way. "Sui" = "self" + "cide" = "murder." "Suiarchy:" "sui" = "self" + "archy" = "ruler."
Job done. Now we have a word that does not draw its strength from being negative, though it shares a stem that is used in a negative word. That's just the way it is.
Is what we want always a lack of something?
I've been looking for the word that succinctly and accurately represents what we are looking for in the "liberty movement." Of late, "libertarian" has fit the bill, because "liberal" has been tainted by back-biting power-hungry abusers.
"Freedom" leads back to "freeneck." Unfortunately, a "freeneck" is a guy lacking a yoke.
"Liberty" instantly - for me - brings to mind "at liberty," as in a sailor that has been allowed to have a day off from his contracted servitude. There is a good, basic foundation for "liberty," especially after the United States revolutionary civil war, but it is still tainted by being let loose from something.
What's the right word? Maybe it needs to be invented - or discovered. Or maybe it will never really exist.
This all leads back to the left's fundamental criticism of the "freedom movement" - that liberty is all about "negative rights." So is what we want just negative.
Even if you journey down the path to no government, the word for it is negative - "anarchy," which means "no ruler." Continuing down this rabbit hole, which doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing, we can come up with a word that is foundational and positive.
Let's break down "anarchy:" "an" = "without" + "archy" = "ruler." So what would be positive? "Self" + "ruler." "Autarchy." Oops! We did go down a rabbit hole. We ended up with an "absolute ruler," which is the absolute opposite of what I was getting at.
"Eaftos" is another form of "self" in Greek. "Know thyself" translated into "gnothi sauton" in Greek. "Sautonarchy" could be it, but it is hard to say. Shortened to "sautarchy" would leave us with "salty ruler" or "shoot ruler," if one confuses the Scottish and French words.
So what about Latin, because "anarchy really is about the same in Latin and Greek. We gets word for "self" like "sui," "sese," "ipse." "Suiarchy" is being used in a very-small scale on the Web. It might be the one. And it might be too close to "suicide." There are alternatives, or are there?
Nope. I don't think there are another way. "Sui" = "self" + "cide" = "murder." "Suiarchy:" "sui" = "self" + "archy" = "ruler."
Job done. Now we have a word that does not draw its strength from being negative, though it shares a stem that is used in a negative word. That's just the way it is.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Sub $300 Gun
Originally posted on the Hoplotarian blog
Michael Bane had said on his Down Range Radio Podcast episode #619 that SCCY had found a niche - the sub-$300 gun (presumably 9mm). He also focused on Ruger's sub-$200 Wrangler, which is now challenging the Heritage sub-$200 single-action .22 revolvers. Ban'es point was that the big players will eventually see potential in a niche and then invade and take it over.
So how many sub-$300 9mm pistols are out there? And according to Bane, we are talking about MSRP - I think.
To start with, SCCY offers their CPX-1 at $284 and CPX-2 at $269.99. The CPX-2 deletes the manual safety.
To my amazement, Taurus now offers NO sub-$300 guns in 9mm. They used to - but no more.
Ruger comes in at $299 with the EC9s, a decontented economy LC9s with machined instead of adjustable/replaceable sites and only one magazine.
Smith & Wesson offers nothing? So where are the big boys with the cheap guns?
600
But first let's explore some of the offerings by some of the smaller players. Kel-Tec offers NOTHING. Then of course, there are the extreme-budget makers.
Hi-Point comes in at $199 ($219 as shown) with the "entry level" C-9.
Cobra offers its Big Bore Derringer in 9mm for a probably MSRP of around $187*. The Cobra Patriot 9mm is priced out of the competition.
Jimenez, possibly the smallest and cheapest pistol maker, offers the J.A. Nine at $199*.
Now price and quality start going up. Diamondbnack's DB9's MSRP is $269.
So where are the "big-boy" manufacturers with this? Remington offers nothing below $300. So it looks like the sub-$300 9mm semiautomatic niche being invaded is a myth, or MSRP is not really the benchmark, or Michael Bane has some top-secret info under NDA wraps.
So what are we talking about? Also, we are also looking at a window in time, because of inflation. My first-ever firearm was an SKS that my uncle purchased as a dealer for $89. So adjusted for inflation and dealer markup we are looking at a gun that would retail for $300 now.
Let's get back to the current sub-$300 handgun thing and what Bane was getting at. Since SCCY had "such a niche," I'm going to make a few assumptions: (1) sub-$300 MSRP and (2) 9mm, and (3) quality, (4) 10-round magazine. All that would make the SCCY 9mms really the current niche firearms.
Disqualified: Price & Form-Factor Violation
2. Hi-Point C-9
Price: $199 +$21 = $220
Capacity: 10+1 (with "accessory" magazine)
Weight: 25 oz +
Disqualified: Form-Factor Violation
3. Diamondback DB9
Price: $269
Capacity: 6+1
Weight: 13.4 oz
Disqualified: Lack of 10-round magazine
4. Cobra Big Bore Derringers (6 pistols)
Price: $1122
Capacity: 12
Weight: 84 oz
Disqualified: Completely Ridiculous
So in the end, SCCY does not have a niche, unless you factor in weight and overall quality. I think in my follow-up post the two factors will be mitigated, if I think I know what Michael Bane is getting at. So the Jimenez JA-NINE stays for now.
*Genitron.com
Michael Bane had said on his Down Range Radio Podcast episode #619 that SCCY had found a niche - the sub-$300 gun (presumably 9mm). He also focused on Ruger's sub-$200 Wrangler, which is now challenging the Heritage sub-$200 single-action .22 revolvers. Ban'es point was that the big players will eventually see potential in a niche and then invade and take it over.
So how many sub-$300 9mm pistols are out there? And according to Bane, we are talking about MSRP - I think.
To start with, SCCY offers their CPX-1 at $284 and CPX-2 at $269.99. The CPX-2 deletes the manual safety.
 |
| credit: SCCY.com |
To my amazement, Taurus now offers NO sub-$300 guns in 9mm. They used to - but no more.
Ruger comes in at $299 with the EC9s, a decontented economy LC9s with machined instead of adjustable/replaceable sites and only one magazine.
 |
| credit: Ruger.com |
Smith & Wesson offers nothing? So where are the big boys with the cheap guns?
600
But first let's explore some of the offerings by some of the smaller players. Kel-Tec offers NOTHING. Then of course, there are the extreme-budget makers.
Hi-Point comes in at $199 ($219 as shown) with the "entry level" C-9.
 |
| credit: Hi-PointFirearms.com |
Cobra offers its Big Bore Derringer in 9mm for a probably MSRP of around $187*. The Cobra Patriot 9mm is priced out of the competition.
 |
| credit: SportsmansOutdoorSuperstore.com |
Jimenez, possibly the smallest and cheapest pistol maker, offers the J.A. Nine at $199*.
 |
| credit: JimenezArmsInc.com |
Now price and quality start going up. Diamondbnack's DB9's MSRP is $269.
 |
| credit: DiamondbackFirearms.com |
So where are the "big-boy" manufacturers with this? Remington offers nothing below $300. So it looks like the sub-$300 9mm semiautomatic niche being invaded is a myth, or MSRP is not really the benchmark, or Michael Bane has some top-secret info under NDA wraps.
So what are we talking about? Also, we are also looking at a window in time, because of inflation. My first-ever firearm was an SKS that my uncle purchased as a dealer for $89. So adjusted for inflation and dealer markup we are looking at a gun that would retail for $300 now.
Let's get back to the current sub-$300 handgun thing and what Bane was getting at. Since SCCY had "such a niche," I'm going to make a few assumptions: (1) sub-$300 MSRP and (2) 9mm, and (3) quality, (4) 10-round magazine. All that would make the SCCY 9mms really the current niche firearms.

credit: SportsmansOutdoorSuperstore.com
So since quality is subjective, and this is my blog post not Bane's, this is a list of the guns available despite quality:
Sub-$300 Guns: Contenders
1. SCCY CPX-1 (safety) & CPX-2 (safety delete)
Price: $284.00 & $269.99 (base prices)
Capacity: 10+1
Weight: 15 oz
2. Jimenez JA-NINE
Price: $199*
Capacity: 12+1
Weight: 30 oz
Sub-$300 Guns: Pretenders
1. Ruger EC9s
Price: $299 + ~$17 = $316
Capacity: 10+1 (with aftermarket magazine)
Weight: 17.2 oz +credit: SportsmansOutdoorSuperstore.com
So since quality is subjective, and this is my blog post not Bane's, this is a list of the guns available despite quality:
Sub-$300 Guns: Contenders
1. SCCY CPX-1 (safety) & CPX-2 (safety delete)
Price: $284.00 & $269.99 (base prices)
Capacity: 10+1
Weight: 15 oz
2. Jimenez JA-NINE
Price: $199*
Capacity: 12+1
Weight: 30 oz
Sub-$300 Guns: Pretenders
1. Ruger EC9s
Price: $299 + ~$17 = $316
Capacity: 10+1 (with aftermarket magazine)
Disqualified: Price & Form-Factor Violation
Price: $199 +$21 = $220
Capacity: 10+1 (with "accessory" magazine)
Weight: 25 oz +
Disqualified: Form-Factor Violation
Price: $269
Capacity: 6+1
Weight: 13.4 oz
Disqualified: Lack of 10-round magazine
4. Cobra Big Bore Derringers (6 pistols)
Price: $1122
Capacity: 12
Weight: 84 oz
Disqualified: Completely Ridiculous
So in the end, SCCY does not have a niche, unless you factor in weight and overall quality. I think in my follow-up post the two factors will be mitigated, if I think I know what Michael Bane is getting at. So the Jimenez JA-NINE stays for now.
*Genitron.com
Monday, May 6, 2019
Democrat Gun-Control Nuts
Also posted on Hoplotarian
The crop of Democratic presidential candidates that are jockeying for also-ran positions seem to be quite obsessed with virtue signalling their gun-control stances. Cory Booker just released his gun-control wish list, and it just begs for a response.
Once again, the lunatic demands for control on the federal (central government) level might just lead to nullification on all levels.
What do you think?
The crop of Democratic presidential candidates that are jockeying for also-ran positions seem to be quite obsessed with virtue signalling their gun-control stances. Cory Booker just released his gun-control wish list, and it just begs for a response.
Once again, the lunatic demands for control on the federal (central government) level might just lead to nullification on all levels.
What do you think?
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Hoplotarian Blog: Decepticons
From the new Hoplotarian Blog
 |
| credit: Pinterest user Kimber Collins |
My wife asked me why I carry a gun in the house. I looked at her and said "Decepticons." She laughed, I laughed, the toaster laughed, I shot the toaster, It was a good time.
- Kimber Collins on Pinterest
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Hoplotarian Blog: Weapons, Man
 |
| credit: IMDb.com |
This blog is not the rantings of weapons experts. This is an enthusiasts' blog. Hopefully, there will be some useful information about weapons, rights, and fun. So first, a little fun portraying what this blog is NOT with the help of a movie portrayal of a truly foolish "weapons man" opportunist by Sean Bean in "Ronin (1998):"
And Sean Bean's character proves that the weapon doesn't make the man:
On a positive note, the next post will be a bit more positive. Let's say "a bit of raspberry jam" up there.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Mixed Economy - in the U.S. of A.
This article on Investopedia focuses on the differences between socialism and communism, but it lays bare the reality that the United States has excepted elements of socialism as normal.
The Difference Between Communism and Socialism
When I was in Germany as an exchange student, our German counterparts proudly presented their "social welfare state." I cringed, but what do we have here? Do we have 5 pillars of a social welfare state?
The Difference Between Communism and Socialism
When I was in Germany as an exchange student, our German counterparts proudly presented their "social welfare state." I cringed, but what do we have here? Do we have 5 pillars of a social welfare state?
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Democrats Go After Black Rifles - Again, and Again, and Again
Democrats repeatedly go after AR-style rifles. Why?
- ARs look evil. They are dark, sinister, unnatural.
- They are easy targets, because they are less prevalent than other weapons. But of course, that is changing.
- Democrats can easily confuse fellow citizens by calling them: "assault weapons" and "military-style weapons."
- Democrats lie about the weapons by overstating or mischaracterizing the capabilities of certain features, accessories, and the overall weapons.
- Democrats constantly call ARs inappropriate for sporting use, while they act like they are avid hunters.
- Democrats ignore that ARs are the exact military-style weapons that the founders of the United States and authors of our Constitution wanted civilians to possess.
- AND FINALLY Democrats exaggerate the impact illegal use of ARs has on us. For example, deaths from rifles in the USA is a small percentage of overall gun deaths. That makes gun deaths from ARs even less significant. Not to mention that all murders are NOT committed with guns in the USA.
Saturday, February 16, 2019
A New Blog, Again!
 |
| credit: BusinessInsider.com |
This is the philosophy of this new blog, Regular Schmoes: Seriously, elite Dems are your fiends ;) - for the time being. It's borrowed, from the wrong industry, but the modern culture war is, well, a war:
Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet.
- Marine General Mad Dog MattisRegularSchmoes.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Clicky.com
