Power and Responsibility

If you have power without responsibility, you have tyranny.

If you have responsibility without power, you have absolute pathetic futility.

- Massad Ayoob, The Safety Solutions Academy podcast, episode 345

Government Profiteering

Fascism, crony capitalism, statism, socialism, communism - all terms that in someway describe our current state of affairs in our country, but they are each in someway incomplete. "Government profiteering" - or "state profiteering" - seem to be a better fit.

I've favoring "crony capitalism"and "fascism" (and less inflammatorally, "statism") as the terms to describe our current political system, but one falsely indicts capitalism by default, the second is too inflammatory, and the third is just gaining traction.

"State profiteering" seems to be the most correct term. But in our country, people confuse the individual states with the federal state, when one refers to "the state." It would be an easier sell, if "statism" was part of term, and maybe it should be. But for now, lets explore "government profiteering."

When you hear "government profiteering, " you might think of corporations profiteering from preferential taxation schemes, sweetheart contracts, favorable regulations,  or protectionist tariffs. But what led me to the term was recent news about Harry Reid, cattle, a Chinese solar-energy company, and the BLM. There are questions about where he got his money. Is Reid a "government profiteer?" So, this could be a term that can cover the abuses of those inside AND outside the government to turn a profit.

And in point of fact, "cronycapitalism" could cover the illegitimate behavior of elected officials and bureaucrats. But again, that's bad for capitalism and its promotion. Then again, "profiteering" in this new term might be bad for the promoting of making a profit and the free market and capitalism.

So, maybe something with "corruption" would be better.  The "corruption state?" "Corruptionism? " "Centralized corruption?"

How about: Take back the language.

A Game of Numbers, Fantasy & Reality

$50,000,000X1 VERSUS $25X4,300,000.
Manufactured grassroots VERSUS real grassroots.
Fantastical safety through ignorance VERSUS real safety through education and training.
Bloomberg VERSUS NRA.

Harry Reid And Misuse Of Language

Harry Potter Reid is a schmuck, as far as I can tell.

Harry Reid threw out this gem:

“Those people who hold themselves out to be patriots are not. They’re nothing more than domestic terrorists,” Mr. Reid in remarks at a luncheon, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which sponsored the event. “… I repeat: What went on up there was domestic terrorism.” - Washington Times, 4/18/14

Bundy supporters might be "insurgents," but they are not "terrorists."

Terrorism (n.) -  the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes. - Dictionary.com

The BLM's behavior appears to be a better fit for that definition.

Taurus (Airsoft) PT92 by KWC Review: Unboxing

(Mock) Unboxclamshelling
I bought this airsoft pistol some time last year, so this is a mock first look at the airsoft springer Taurus PT92 manufactured by KWC.

I was looking for an analog for my Ruger P95, but the only thing available were airsoft replicas of the Ruger P89, and they were of much lower quality. Also, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on my first airsoft pistol, so I went for a spring-powered pistol with a metal slide.

Specs
Taurus PT92 airsoft handgun manufactured by KWC for Softair (Cyberguns)

Overall length: 8-5/8"
Overall height: 5-5/8"
Overall width: 1-1/2"
Weight w/magazine: 18 oz
Caliber: 6mm
Velocity: 328 fps
muzzle energy: .44 ft-lbs
Capacity: 12
Sights: fixed
Action: Single, slide cocking, spring powered

The hammer cocks but has no function in firing the gun. The trigger is about 3 lbs, has progressive tension, and is gritty, so it is not a perfect analog for any real gun that I have fired -  well, except for the grittiness (Ruger P95) and the progressive tension (DAO Beretta 9mm PX4 Storm).

Other issues for using this as an analog for a real gun: The frame-mounted, ambidextrous safety is a dummy. Next to the trigger guard is the actual safety. The gun is light compared to a real full-size pistol, but not distractingly so. And of course, the recoil is "non existent," but it does shake when fired.

 To Be Continued, NEXT: Range Review

Self Defense Against Snipers?

Ukraine made it present. Nevada "Range War" brought it home.

It's an oft stated maxim that you don't need to shoot in self defense past 15 yards - or 100 on a rural piece of property in special circumstances - or somewhere in between, in special circumstances. But if your assailant could be a sniper, then maybe it's time to practice with your scoped hunting rifle in .30-'06, or think about an AR-10-style rifle; bolt-action .50 would be better.

"Strange days indeed - strange days indeed." - John Lennon

BLM Snipers. Credit: DailyPaul.com

Federal Reserve: Crony Capitalism Writ Large

The Federal Reserve is the biggest, most well orchestra, most well planned example of crony capitalism in the history of the United States - and probably the world. Its continued existence will be the coup de grace for the remnants of the free market under a national currency in the United States.