Texican Tattler

Army Agrees to M4 Sand Test Shoot-Off

2007-08-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

Interesting! It would appear that someone was able to convince the powers that be that there might be a better way....

The shoot off will test the capabilities of the M4/M16 operating system against three other rifles: the Heckler and Koch-built HK416, the FNH USA-designed Mk16 SOCOM Combat Assault Rifle and the previously-shelved, H&K-manufactured XM8 carbine.

My bet is that the HK416 gets the nod.

For one thing, it will probably be the least expensive choice. You can use existing lowers and just plop the new upper on top. For another, you won't have to retrain your entire military to use a new weapon system; again, very cost efficient. But then, on the other hand, when has that ever made a difference???

The USPS is Just Another Government Agency

2007-08-03T10:11:00.000-05:00

I'm SO pissed off at my mail carrier right now, I could, um, go postal? Okay, not THAT mad, but pretty ticked. And it's MY blog, so I can rant all I want. Here's the deal. My home backs up to a greenbelt, and I live on a corner lot. I share a driveway with my neighbor, and my garage is around back. There are 4 automobiles in the household. I can cram 3 in the back, but one has to park out front. I've provided informative illustrations below:
My former mail carrier, Don, was a great guy, and understood that I can't keep the front of the house clear all the time, with kids, friends, and neighbors needing to park in front. I enjoyed visiting with him, and he knew everyone in the neighborhood, and I considered him a neighbor. My current mail carrier, Deborah, is not so understanding. In fact, I'd classify her as a lazy government employee, who could stand to get out of her truck every once in a while - it's exercise (hint, hint).

She has refused to deliver mail, and quoted USPS policy that requires the drive-up to the mailbox to be clear. I do what I can, but I just don't have control over people parking in front of my house.

What's worse, she's refused to deliver mail because the garbage man left the garbage bin in the street. I kid you not.

I've called and complained before, and it's gotten better for a while, then she goes back to quoting policy. I do what I can to ask people to keep the front clear, but it's MY DAMNED HOUSE. I should be able to park in front of it, and not have my mail held hostage because someone is too lazy to step out of her truck. I argued with her manager today, and he's a policy-quoter, too. "If we had to get out of the truck for everyone, we'd never get the mail delivered." No kidding, Steve-o, but not everyone has a 12-foot curb in front of their house like I do! He said he'd talk to Deborah, and drive by and take a look at the street.

I told him my next step was to put up a sign that says, "Please don't park in front of my house, because my mail carrier is too lazy to get out of her truck."

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Just don't ask them to go one iota above the minimum required effort every once in a while.

Another Clown Car

2007-08-03T10:04:00.000-05:00

LITTLE ROCK - An Arkansas couple had a baby daughter Thursday — their 17th child and seventh girl — and the pair say they're still not ready to give it a rest.

These people are taking the phrase "go forth and multiply" seriously. But hey, at least they're not popping out one crack-baby after another or living off the state:

Jennifer joins the fast-growing Duggar brood, who live in a 7,000-square-foot (650-square-meter) home in Tontitown. All the children — whose names start with the letter J — are taught at home.

Observations

2007-08-03T07:15:00.000-05:00

Just sayin'...

If you go to the gym in the morning and have to put gel in your hair and wear a cute little golf cap to try and look cool....

Your masculinity is in doubt.

Carry on.

Religion of Peace update

2007-08-02T20:44:00.000-05:00

So what do you think dissent under an islamic government would be like? Here's a sneak peek:

Say something bad about islam - even if it's true - and you'll be threatened, bullied and sue you into the ground. And that's in a country that's not ruled by islam. If you were to dare to question islam in an islamic country, we all know that you're just as likely to have your head cut off or be stoned to death.

Man, 93, Shoots Violent Robber

2007-07-28T09:36:00.000-05:00

I thought everyone could use a feel good story this morning.

Willie Lee Hill, 93, told police he saw the robber while in his bedroom Wednesday night. Hill confronted the man and was struck at least 50 times, police said. He was knocked unconscious. Covered in blood, Hill regained consciousness a short time later and pulled a .38-caliber handgun on his attacker. The suspect, Douglas B. Williams Jr., saw the gun and charged the man, who fired a bullet that struck Williams in the throat, police said. Police plan to charge Williams with residential burglary, second- degree battery, theft of property and theft by receiving.

Drought over

2007-07-26T20:39:00.000-05:00

Boy, like we needed a rocket scientist to tell us that....

What every American should know about jihad

2007-07-24T21:03:00.001-05:00

Watch it all.

Steve, Don't Eat It! Vol. 8 - Prison Wine

2007-07-24T11:40:00.000-05:00

Just in case you ever need to know, this is how to make prison wine, complete with taste-testing!

Regarding Red Prison Wine

Anthony: "I would drink this in prison."

Steve: "I would drink this in high school!"

Read the whole thing. This is hilarious.

Norfolk and visitor with a holstered .45 are tangled in a Catch-22

2007-07-23T22:17:00.000-05:00

Szymecki had come from Yorktown with his wife, their three children and two children from their neighborhood.
Szymecki had brought along something else, too - a .45-caliber handgun in a holster on his belt.
Szymecki was charged with violating a local ordinance that the City Council had passed in May, which set up rules to govern Harborfest. Among them was a provision banning handguns and other weapons.
There's just one problem: A few years ago, the General Assembly barred localities from enforcing laws governing the carrying of firearms. That meant state law prevailed. And in Virginia, "open carry" is legal.

I guess I don't get the headline. Where is the catch 22? He had the right to carry the gun openly.

Szymecki was given a summons and released. When he showed up for court June 22, the case was withdrawn at the request of an assistant city attorney.

Alas, justice prevails.

Kids These Days...

2007-07-22T19:29:00.000-05:00

One of my son's roomates at the University of Oklahoma is a kid that lives across the street. His family is from Baton Rouge, so that makes them okay by me. ;)

His family just got back from a couple of weeks in Europe. They saw many places, and lots of history. He mentioned (unbidden) that his trip made him appreciate life in the United States all that much more.

I asked this young man what impressed him most on this trip. He told me, "Normandy beach." He mentioned that it was the only free thing they did on their trip - the only thing they saw that was American soil.

But he said the thing that moved him most was the sight of 9,000 American graves on foreign soil.

Don't lose hope yet, ladies and gentlemen. We are raising some fine young Americans.

Cigar Tax = $10 per cigar

2007-07-20T19:41:00.000-05:00

Yep, you read that right, friends. The socialist scumbags running Congress right now have proposed a tax of up to $10 PER CIGAR to help take care of the poor in America.

Congress -- meeting in smoke-free rooms -- is looking for an extra $35 billion to $50 billion for the state children's health insurance program and hopes to raise most of it through excise taxes on products like tobacco.

Notice how they neglect to say "Democrat controlled" before Congress...

There is currently 4.8 cents-per-cigar tax cap but under the proposed bill, taxes on "large cigars," a category that includes all but the tiny cigars sold in packs of 20 like cigarettes, would rise to 53 percent.
A version of the bill being considered by the Senate Finance Committee sets the maximum tax per cigar at $10.

Hi, I'm from the government. I'm here to help.

Clearly, the government is out to get us. Between coming after our guns and coming after our cigars, it ain't looking to good for ole Catfish and his crew.... What's next? Beer? Steak? Boobies?

A weapons cache found?

2007-07-19T18:24:00.000-05:00

Ok, this local story has me pretty hot under the collar.

Apparently, there's a leak in an apartment. Maintenance man goes in to fix the leak and finds an assortment of weapons in the apartment. The weapons found are:

2 AK-47 rifles
1 Uzi 9 mm submachine gun
1 TEC-9 submachine gun
1 40 mm ordnance launcher
Handheld ordnance launcher
About 500 rounds of ammunition.

However, even tho these weapons are all perfectly legal, the police confiscated them anyway.

Federal investigators said weapons found in a downtown Dallas apartment are legal and they might be returned to the owner.

They MIGHT return the weapons? MIGHT? Does anyone else have a problem with this?

We have a homeowner who apparently was doing nothing illegal. The weapons "seized" by the Federal government are legal to own. And they MIGHT give this guy back his guns.

In a related story, the news media in all its brilliance, calls the 4 weapons and the grenade launchers (which you can buy legally and fire smoke grenades out of...) a "large" cache.

Federal sources tell CBS 11 News that law enforcement officers have confiscated a large cache of weapons found in an apartment near the federal building in downtown Dallas.

Shit, there's been plenty of times when I've had more guns IN MY CAR than were found in this guy's house.

Again, there's another reference to the statement that the guns were obtained legally, but the cops took them anyway.

Police seized the weapons even though they say they may have been obtained legally.

If that doesn't send chills up your back, I don't know what will.

Now, a couple of caveats:

1. There was suspected child porn found in the guy's apartment - if he's a pedophile, then by all means, he should go down. But that has nothing to do with having a "cache" of weapons found in a house. Owning guns does not make you a criminal.

2. There have also been conflicting reports that the apartment owner is an Arab, and goes to Saudi Arabia frequently; although terrorism has not been mentioned, the North Texas Terrorism Task Force has been called in. If that's the case, then by all means, take a closer look at this guy.

But to go into someone's house and seize their weapons without cause is about as unconstitutional as you can get. Anyone ever heard of Lexington and Concord?

Great Letter to the Editor

2007-07-19T09:52:00.000-05:00

I found this letter to the editor quite amusing.

"CAPITOL SHOOTING
Incident will likely trigger more calls for gun control"

After Monday’s attempt by an obviously deranged man to enter the state Capitol on a self-described mission to take over state government, I feel it is about time something be done to better protect the people of this great land (“Armed man killed at state Capitol,” The Gazette, July 17).

According to reports, the man entered a clothing store, rented a tuxedo and then went to the Capitol with a gun and knife. Fortunately, a state patrolman took appropriate action.

State lawmakers must immediately place a cooling off period on the rental of tuxedos. Why should the deranged and armed be allowed to dress better than the rest of us? I know many out there will say if we outlaw tuxedos, then only outlaws will wear tuxedos. They will also say that tuxedos don’t kill people; well-dressed dandies kill people. I, however, disagree.

For evidence that this will work, let’s look at gun-control efforts in this country. During the assault weapons ban no one was killed with an assault rifle in this country. And efforts in many major cities to outlaw handguns have removed these weapons from the hands of criminals.

Oh, wait. Now I remember. Those efforts were futile and actually counterproductive. Nevertheless, I know some well-intentioned legislator will call for tighter controls in Colorado. As always, these efforts will be just as effective as banning the rental of tuxedos.

Ken Cluck
Colorado Springs

Jaw-dropping Photosynth demo (video)

2007-07-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Wanna see something really nerdy and cool? Click on the link above.

Indeed, Photosynth might utterly transform the way we manipulate and experience digital images.

You can try to install the software at http://labs.live.com/photosynth

Some people just deserve to die - immediately

2007-07-18T15:19:00.000-05:00

And instead of a nice humane death by lethal injection they should drive him out to alligator alley, wipe his naked body down with some pig's blood, tie his hands and feet together and drop him in the water. Damn, people suck sometimes.

Godzilla!

2007-07-17T22:35:00.001-05:00

I hate to bring this up, but isn't this similar to how Godzilla was created, some sort of nuclear test gone awry?

TEPCO had initially said the earthquake had not caused any leaks, but it revealed on Monday night that 1,200 liters of radioactive water had sloshed into the sea from its Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant in Niigata.

Lady Bird buried next to LBJ

2007-07-16T20:23:00.000-05:00

I never had the pleasure of meeting Lady Bird, but if the children are a reflection of the mother, then she was surely a very nice person. I did have the pleasure of flying from Dallas to D.C. on occasion, and in one instance was seated next to Linda Johnson Robb, Lady Bird's daughter. We struck up a conversation, and discussed her husband's politics (just a little). I was reading a Stephen King book at the time, and she inquired about it. Trying to be polite, I asked what she was reading. I think the title of the book was "Leaves of Grey" or somesuch, a book about menopause.

Smooth, JR. Really smooth.

She was very gracious, didn't miss a beat, and put me at ease. Of course, I mentally punched myself about a dozen times, but she was really cool about it.

I told her that we really liked her mom in Texas.

Obama Calls for Permanent Assault Weapons Ban to Combat Inner-City Violence

2007-07-15T19:34:00.000-05:00

The sad thing is not that Obama wants to ban evil assault rifles. The sad thing is that every candidate currently in the race today, Republicans and Democrats, would likely agree with this tripe.

I really hope Fred enters the race.

Gun etiquette

2007-07-13T19:47:00.000-05:00

It’s been said that you can tell within 15 seconds whether or not a person handling a firearm knows what they are doing, and if they are safe. I have yet to see this proven untrue.

An easy start is to know the 4 rules of gun safety:
1. the gun is ALWAYS loaded
2. never point the gun at something you are not willing to destroy
3. always be sure of your target and what’s behind it
4. keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.

After talking with a good friend of mine, I’ve come to the conclusion that when I teach new shooters about the rules, it’s not so much that I’m teaching them gun safety, but rather, gun etiquette. Yes, there are the above-mentioned rules. However, those rules do not encompass the entirety of what is considered good, polite, safe behavior at a shooting range.

As a new shooter, if you want to make sure your first effort at attending a club match is successful, here’s my advice. It’s given based on running, scoring, and setting up matches a few thousand times in the last 10 years or so.

First thing to do is show up early, at least 30 minutes before the scheduled match time. Find the Match Director and introduce yourself. Let the MD know you’re a first timer, and if you have any experience at all in the practical shooting world, let him know. Word of wisdom to you – you are not going to impress any seasoned MD by letting him know how many rounds you shoot, or what tactical schools you’ve been to. In fact, it has been my experience that the more times you’ve been to the holy grail of shooting schools in this country – Gunsite, Front Sight, or Thunder Ranch, the scarier you are on the range. I realize that to some of you, this is heresy, but I’m telling you from my experience, it’s the truth. Every one of us on the Tattler staff can give you stories if you’re interested, but that’s another blog post…. Regardless, let the MD know of your experience, if any, and follow his instructions on how you are to conduct yourself during the match. Again, I don’t care how you did it in SEAL Team 6, you’re going to conform to our club and range rules, or you’re going home. And yes, we have had people show up and try and convince us that they work for all sorts of alphabet agencies and that’s not how they were taught to do it by the Company, blah blah blah. Like I said at the beginning, give me 15 seconds and I can tell if you’re a shooter or not. You’re going to have to sit through a safety briefing where you will be informed of the range and club rules, and what we expect of you. Pay attention and ask questions.

Next thing to find is the Safety Area. Every practical shooting club, whether it’s IDPA or USPSA should have a designated Safety Area. The Safety Area is where you go to fondle your gun, holster up, show off your weapon, whatever. It is the ONLY place on the range where you can handle your firearm without the permission and supervision of the Match Director or Range Officer. Period, end of story. It is also the ONLY place on the range that live ammunition is NOT allowed. Play with your mags and ammo wherever you want, except the Safety Area, and vice versa with your handgun. Do not show your buddy the new pistol you just bought in the staging area. Do not see if your gun is loaded or not in the staging area. Do not do anything with your firearm unless you are in the Safety Area or under the control of a match official. Doing so tends to make the shooters around you very nervous. And it’s exceptionally poor range etiquette.

As you’re holstering up, keep in mind that while an in the waistband (IWB) holster is perfectly suited for daily carry, it has no place on the practical shooting range in my experience, particularly if worn behind the hip. You ask why, dear reader? The answer is simple – every time you holster or draw your weapon, you are effectively hosing the people behind you with the muzzle of your weapon. That, my dear friends, is not good range etiquette.

Speaking of holstering, if you can’t holster or draw your weapon with your strong hand only, you need to get a holster that will allow you to do so and practice until you can do it. Probably the #1 common range mistake we see new shooters do is take their off hand and hold open their holster, or push their gut out of the way or ‘guide’ the muzzle of their pistol into the holster. Don’t do this. Your body came with a set # of holes in it from the factory. No reason to add another one. A final thought on holsters – the cheap assed nylon holsters that sell for a dollar a dozen at the gun shows – leave them at home. They suck and frankly they’re a safety hazard. Either buy quality holsters from folks like Comp-Tac or the less expensive holsters from Uncle Mike’s will do until you purchase a “real” holster but toss the cheapo nylon holsters in the trash.

Ok, where were we?? After getting your gear on (and regardless of which sport you’re playing in, know the rules of what kind of holster you can use and where everything can be positioned before hand – you can find all that information online at idpa and uspsa’s respective websites), help the MD set up the stages for the shoot. Carry walls, barricades, targets, etc; help staple the targets up. Nothing will get you in the good graces of an MD more than lending a hand before and after the match.

Once it’s time to start shooting, listen to the stage description. Ask questions. Pay attention to where you can and can’t shoot from or what targets can or can’t be engaged from a particular position. This is more important in IDPA-land because generally the scenarios in IDPA are much more specific on what you’re going to do vs. the freestyle nature of USPSA. Typically, as a new shooter, you are not going to go first on any stage and you’ll have time to watch other shooters and how they attack the COF. Watch the better shooters – they’ll be easy to spot – and try to emulate them. Not necessarily on how fast they shoot, but where they shoot targets from. When they’re done shooting, ask them questions – keeping in mind that it’s poor etiquette to ask any level of shooter how they’re going to do something right before they shoot, so it’s best to wait till they’re done, or if you know they’re not shooting for awhile. Again, if you know that someone’s getting ready to shoot, the polite thing to do is stay out of their way and leave them alone until the shooting’s over.

When it’s your turn to shoot, follow the direction of the RO and don’t be offended if you feel you’re being watched like a hawk. Remember, as an unknown quantity, you have to earn my trust. You are going to impress me by shooting smoothly, accurately, and safely. I don’t care if it takes you 10 times as long to shoot something as I do, shoot smooth, safe, and accurately and you’ll have earned my respect. Shoot out of control, throw mikes, and be reckless, you’re going to get a lecture, and if you can’t chill out you’re not going to be allowed to continue shooting – particularly as a new shooter. When you are shooting, be predictable in what you’re going to do. Don’t go hauling ass one way only to stop and back up and go back the other way. Be smooth and be predictable and you’ll make friends with your safety crew.

Don’t bring Hollywood to the range. I think most of us know that Hollywood is full of shit, and this of course spills over into the gun world. With very few exceptions, everything you see on TV or in the movies is just plain bullshit. We will tell new shooters to not do either a “Charlie’s Angles” (hold the gun pointing straight up when you’re not shooting) or a “Miami Vice” (point the gun at the ground when they’re not shooting). If you were to trip or fall or have an AD and the gun’s pointing straight up or down, there’s going to be a problem. The weapon should either be in the holster, or pointed at the targets (and as a by product, at the berm). Period, all stop, end of story.

Be prepared to handle yourself if there’s a problem while you’re shooting. If your gun jams, pukes, blows up or just plain quits working, know what you are going to do before hand. Do NOT look down the barrel or your gun or wave the firearm around recklessly while you’re trying to fix the problem. Stop, figure out what the problem is, and fix it. If it can’t be fixed, tell the RO and he’ll instruct you as to what to do next. I have seen someone look down the barrel (a cop); I have seen someone cover the entire crowd with their muzzle after they shot a double charge; and I have had more guns than I care to admit pointed at me by someone who had their head up their ass when they had a problem while they were shooting. Don’t be one of those people. Keep the muzzle pointed downrange and solve the problem.

When you're not shooting, you are also expected to help run the match. Tape the paper targets, reset the steel, and reset any doors or activators that are used. If you're not the shooter, on deck (next), in the hole (3rd), or re-organizing your gear after you shoot, you are expected to help out. Sitting back behind the range and talking about how great you are, or how you're going to run the stage or just flat out being lazy has no place at a match. I don't care if you're a brand new shooter or a World Class champion - you're expected to work. In fact, the bulk of the World Class shooters I know will literally race you downrange to tape targets.

After you’re done shooting for the night, it is decidedly uncool, unhip, and flat out rude to leave. Wait till everyone’s done and then help tear the match down, put stuff up and help the match staff as much as you can. I can think of few things that piss off a match crew more than having someone pack their shit up and leave as soon as they’re done. Again, don’t be one of those people.

Follow these simple guidelines and you’re on your way to being a responsible club member and shooter. After a while, learn how to run the timer and score other shooters and make it easier for the match staff to provide you with an afternoon or evening’s worth of entertainment. You’ll earn their respect and can then pass on everything you’ve learned to the next batch of new shooters, which is our obligation to begin with.

Uranus has no diamonds after all - New Scientist Space

2007-07-13T09:39:00.000-05:00

Some scientists have proposed that the high pressure inside Uranus...could compress carbon into diamonds.

Heehee.

Instructables - How to make cool DIY projects

2007-07-13T08:54:00.000-05:00

Check out the "Not Liable" section. All sorts of anarchistic mischief to be had there. I'm just sayin'...

White House: No specific terror threat against US

2007-07-11T14:32:00.000-05:00

Hmmm. Might be time to toss the AR back in the car again...

Presidential Candidates In First Ever Gay Debate

2007-07-10T20:35:00.000-05:00

For the first time the leading candidates for the presidency will hold a televised debate devoted solely to LGBT issues. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have confirmed they will participate. Several other Democratic candidates also may join the debate.

What a colossal waste of time this is going to be. I think we should try to guess what the top 10 questions and issues are that they are going to debate. I'll start.

10. If you were a drag queen, would you rather emulate Madonna or Cher?
9. Who was better, The Village People or Queen?
8. When wearing short shorts and hiking boots, what is hotter, fishnet tank tops, or wife beater undershirts?
7. Gerbils, should they be put on the "protected and endangered" list?
6. Should Lesbians be allowed food stamps seeing how they eat out so much?
5. Since homosexuals refuse to stop having unnatural and unprotected sex, what is the government going to do to help stop the AIDS epidemic?
4.
3.
2.
1.

CNN - Car Bomb Demo

2007-07-10T13:49:00.000-05:00

You want to see what "responsible journalism" looks like? How about CNN showing anyone who wants to watch how to build a car bomb?

What a bunch of morons. Might as well post Al Qaida manuals on their website.