Monthly Archives: August 2012

Government

The problem with Libertarians

57 Comments

I am libertarian.  I ran as a Libertarian (Notice the difference in “L’s”) for State Representative.  I support libertarian causes and philosophy.  So take what I am about to say as Constructive Criticism.

When I went to the Utah Libertarian Party Caucus in SLC during my Candidacy, I looked around and listened to the other people there.  The event was quite interesting.  Before the event there was a little get together over some food just across the street from where the meeting was to be held (at the SL County Library) and I talked with the other Candidates.

Brilliant people, and good people.  Professionals in Law and Business and Healthcare fields.  Yes, the Ogre sat down at a table of Doctors, Lawyers and Business Executives, and no one got strangled… because we were all on the same page there.  I thought this was fantastic.  If these are my fellow Libertarians (I was a Card Carrying Member) we will do very well as a party.

Well, not so much.  I might be wrong, but I don’t think anyone won their race.  I garnered the highest percentage of the vote for my district out of all the other candidates.   Maybe it was a money issue.  In my race, it sure was.  I didn’t have the funds to get my message out.  But for the State of Utah as a whole, the Party should have done better.  Because the message, when received, resonates with people. The problem though is getting that message received.  Freedom of Speech isn’t saying that people will listen to you.   Back at the Caucus meeting, I saw the problem.  A good solid portion of the Libertarians there were hippies and stoners who all they could talk about was Drug Legalization.  Come on.  This is Utah.  That just doesn’t represent the good and solid side of the Libertarian equation.  The Utah Libertarian Party was still recovering from that clown SuperDell, having run for Governor on the Libertarian ticket, having been arrested for pulling a gun on a guy in some road rage incident. Then the head of the Utah Libertarian Party got this great newspaper article… with a photo that made him look like an Occupy Wall Street type vagrant, and it mentioned his office… above a sex shop.  Yeah, that right there probably killed the chances for more than a few Candidates.  Again, this is Utah.  Not Nevada or California… But Utah.

The Utah Party needs to put people up, front and center, that look like they represent Utah.  Like some of the quieter people I met that day… Those professional guys.  Have those guys do the Interviews and get their pictures taken.  Not me… I’m not that guy.  Someone with a full head of hair and an expensive suite and looks like they sell Movie Contracts or something.  Or a lady, like our own version of Sarah Palin.  Hot Librarian look to her, smart, with a voice that doesn’t sound like nails on a chalkboard.   But we need that Charismatic person to lead the party.  And lets NOT nominate Stoner as the Libertarian Candidate.  If the Party in Utah wants to be taken seriously… Don’t talk about drugs.  Don’t talk about Abortion.  And if asked, “That’s between them and God” and move on.  And in Utah, don’t support it.  It’s not going to get you votes here.

On the national level, the Libertarian’s number one Front Man is a dweeb in a poorly fitting suit who has some great domestic policy ideas… but not only does he completely fail on foreign policy, but he has a history of Anti-Semitic comments that further turn people off.

Libertarians need a good Front Man.  Charismatic like a rock star.  “Clean and articulate” as Joe Biden said of Obama.  We need someone who doesn’t just have the ideas… but has the Leadership.  We need someone other than Ron Paul as the center focus of the Party.

I read some time ago that Dennis Leary was a Libertarian.  He’s make a better Front Man.  At least he’s entertaining and makes you listen to him.

Automotive

Horrifying

8 Comments

Went for a ride on the KTM… this time I went and hit dirt.  About five miles on sand, dirt, gravel, and rocks.

I have to be honest, this was absolutely horrifying.  It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done.  No, seriously… out of everything I’ve ever done – this was the scariest.  I got to a point where I overlook Highway 40, and I had to stop to take a breather.  I was drenched in sweat and my heart was racing!  Oh man.   At one point, it felt like my hair was on fire and my balls were on fire… and I glanced down… I was only doing 28 MPH.  Oh Man!

But I survived, didn’t face plant.  Kept the bike up.  Coming back I was able to open it up some more… went faster.  Caught a bit of air.  It was scary and thrilling.

Government

Ethanol Sucks

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Where can I get Ethanol Free Fuel?  Because everywhere I go to gas up has signs that say “May Contain up to 10% Ethanol”.  I just want good old fashioned Gasoline.  Where can I get that anymore?

Here’s the deal… Ethanol sucks.  It’s bad for your engines.  My motorcycles and my previous motorcycles all said don’t use Ethanol as it will ruin your engines, your fuel lines, and will rape kittens.  Another reason I don’t like it, it doesn’t feel as powerful as good old Gas does.  I don’t get the same pick up and go.  And I don’t get the same MPG.  Not a huge difference, but the difference is there and it’s irritating.  To me, it’s just irritating and I don’t like it.  Why does it feel this way?  Because Ethanol has 1/3 less energy than petroleum… so to develop the same amount of power, you have to burn 1/3 more of it.  Does this sound like an efficient fuel?  No.  It isn’t.  It also grabs and holds water, furthering problems inside the engine.  Not to mention the fact that it takes 10 gallons of fuel to produce 1 gallon of Ethanol.  And we mix 10% into our fuel?  This is a stupid waste.  Especially when our Government subsidizes 3 Billion a Year of Ethanol, because it’s expensive to make.     Don’t believe me?  READ THIS. Just Google Ethanol and spend a week reading about all the bullshit having to do with Ethanol just so Politicians can get Corn Farmer Votes.  Those are some expensive damn votes.

Here’s another reason to not like Ethanol.  It’s made of Corn.  Government Subsidized Corn.  That alone is a whole other issue I’m not touching right now…. but we’re using corn for fuel.  Corn feeds us.  It feeds our Cattle, which in turn feeds us.  We EAT corn.  We live on Corn.  But we are taking crops of Corn and converting it to Ethanol.  This has a side effect.  Let me break it down for you as simple as possible so those in Eugene Oregon will understand.  Beef prices are at an all time high.  Food is getting more expensive… Because we’re freaking turning it into Ethanol.   Cattle Feed is Corn, Corn is used for Fuel, and now Cattle Feed is more expensive, now beef is more expensive.  See how that works?  Now, you can’t say just eat chicken… Because Chicken Feed is also Corn!

Now our incredibly fucking brilliant President says that we need to raise beef prices to protect Ethanol… something we shouldn’t be using anyways!  Motherfucker!  This man is batshit insane!  We need to get away from Ethanol.  We need the Politicians to stay away from our Food and Fuel.  Fuel prices are high because of them.  Their mandated regulations and differential formulas have driven prices through the roof.  Blame oil companies?  They make 10 cents on a gallon.  Go look up how much the government makes.  That’s one reason.  The other reason is that their regulations have forced the oil companies to produce not just 3 formulations of gasoline (Regular, Midgrade, and Premium) but hundred of different formulations for different regions of the country.  Sure, there are Winter and Summer blends, but how about we let the Oil Companies and Auto Industry decide what’s best to run in our engines instead of the Village Idiots we send to Washington?

 

Government

Harry Reid

15 Comments

Horrible Harry has been bashing on Romney for not opening up his Tax Records to the Public.  Harry has hinted at possible Felony crimes – oh which Romney of course has never committed.   Most everything Romney has done is pretty much Public Record anyways.

But Not Harry Reid’s record.  Harry has never opened up his Tax Records to public scruitiny.  Which is a shame, because I am sure they would be far more interesting.  The National Review’s article on this matter is one everyone should read.  Especially everyone in Nevada.  “How Did Harry Reid Get Rich?”  One makes it most interesting to me is Harry’s Ties with someone that the FBI pretty much keeps an eye on because he’s about as shady as it gets.  It would surprise no one if Harry’s Business Buddy went to prison for a very long time.  Except he’s not ever going to go to Prison because he knows too much out Senator Harry Reid.  There is a mountain of Corruption that Harry has been standing on… and he has the audacity to point the finger at Mitt Romney.   Say what you will about Mitt Romney… he’s a dickhead, sure.  He’s a through and through Capitalist, sure.  That’s fine.  Mitt made his money the old fashioned way.  Harry Reid however has made it by means that seem to be highly questionable.

Here’s what sticks in my craw the most… Harry Reid remains Mormon, and from what I understand, remains a Mormon in good standing.  Rumor has it that he can even go to the Temple, which means he’s upholding all the LDS Standards according to our Faith.  But I don’t believe he is.  Here’s the other thing… freaking every time someone mentions Mitt Romney – they have to throw out there somewhere that he’s Mormon.  “Mitt Romney, the Mormon…”  Do they point out Religion when it comes to Reid?  No.  Why?  Because Reid doesn’t let his Faith get in the way.  In the way of what?  Here’s the deal… If I know the girl up the street got knocked up from say… a Rape… and I help her get an abortion… I’d be kicked out of the church.  That’s LDS Policy.  Doesn’t matter the reasons or situation around the abortion, if I am a party to it, I’m done.  Harry Reid has voted in support of Abortions for MILLIONS, and remains in good standing.  WTF?  No, seriously… WTF is up with that.  He’s voted YES on bills that pay for Abortions, he’s thrown his support, his political weight, behind something that would get me kicked out of the church.  He doesn’t live up to his faith… in fact, he’s working against it.

I don’t live up to my faith either – but I don’t work against it.  I’m proud to be Mormon, even if I’m not a good one.  I know my faults… I hate to actually go to church because I don’t feel worthy of it.  But I believe the gospel and I read the scriptures daily, and I pray.  (SHOCKER!)

Another part of the LDS Faith is Honest Business Dealings.  HarryReid’s Business Dealings have been something of interest to the FBI… Huh.  There’s a disconnect there.

I just ask one thing… If I can have one thing given to me by a Djin from a magic lamp… I would ask that I be allowed to kick Harry Reid… just once… In the balls while wearing my Icon 1000 Elsinore boots.  Just one swift kick to the junk.  That’s all I want.  Can I get a “Get out of Jail Free Card” for that?  A Legal Pass?  Kind of a Justice Department’s version of Catholic “Indulgences”?   “This Card is good for one Junk Punt on Harry Reid.”  I want that card.

Here’s the other thing I want.  I want to see Harry Reid’s Tax Records, from now and going all the way back till before he got into Politics.  I want to see how Harry Reid did it.  Going from a Poor Boy to a Rich Asshole while on the Public’s Dime.

Automotive

I got my Enduro Bike

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I’ve wanted an Enduro for years.  And I’ve wanted a second bike to add to the Ogre Ranch Stables.  Finally brought it home.  It’s a KTM 525 MXC… I’ve probably mentioned it before.  Well, the deal is done and the bike is mine now.

The bike is in brand new – seriously, like it’s never been ridden, brand new condition with a ton of upgrades.  First thing I have got to do to it though… is lower this beast.  It’s tall.  I’m talking, big time, Shaq Attack altitude.   To give some perspective, here it is with my Superhawk…

The bikes were parked almost completely side by side, with the Rear Tires up on the concrete pad… The KTM is a big machine.  My ZX-11 isn’t much bigger than the Hawk was in physical size, and the KTM is just dwarfing it.  The riding position is very much upright.  It’s like a Culture Shock Whiplash riding this thing.  Of course, the hard part is getting it going… and by that I mean getting up on it. I’m about 2 inches too short for it, or so it feels.  The bike was set up for Desert Racing, which it never had a chance to do, so it’s in Desert Attack Mode right now.   Yeah, that’s going to have to be changed a bit.  I need it in more “Dual Sport” mode.   She’s Street Legal as she sits now, lights and everything… good to go.  But Tires and Suspension are set for Baja 1000.

The big question:  Why?

Man, I don’t know.  I just always wanted an Enduro.  I’ve been attracted to Adventure Touring.  Go freaking anywhere.  Up trails that disappear over mountains.  That kinda stuff.  Now I have the machine… I need to go do it.  It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

The biggest thing I got to get over is riding on Dirt.  I’ll be honest… it scares the shit out of me.  I’ve not had good luck on dirt and gravel and such.  So this is me overcoming my fear of Earth.  Once I can do that – I’ll be in a much better place psychologically when it comes to riding, regardless of what I am on.

Automotive

Can-Am Spyder

20 Comments

Eventually I will no longer be able to Ride.  Bad knees and dizziness will catch up to me.  Death and Taxes… they are going to happen.
I watched some guys ride past on Sport Touring machines this morning and I thought, man… I never want to give this up, as I rubbed the pain in my knees.
Then I saw a dude motor past on one of those Harley Trikes.  I thought “Oh hell no!”. I’d have o give up riding first.
This depressed me all day.  Like The Ghost of Christmas Future, it loomed over me threatening my inevitable doom.

On the way home I saw one of these Can-Am Spyders.  Goofy looking… but still sporty, still zoomy.
Huh.
I could do one of those.

Someday.

But not today.

Government

3rd Party.

59 Comments

Okay, let’s say there is this titanic miracle that Cancer is Cured, Aides gets a Vaccine, and both George Lucas and Uwe Boll are no longer allowed to even look at Cameras or get within 200 yards of a movie set….

And Ron Paul gets elected president by a sudden popularity swell thanks to all the Facebook Pictures of his face and clever captions.

What do you think that Presidency will accomplish? Fix everything all the sudden? Or will he completely embody the term “Lame Duck President”? He would have Zero support in the House and the Senate and he has no Supreme Court Justices to back him up. He would accomplish Diddly Squat. His presidency would amount to Jack Shit.

For anyone to effect anything – He would have to have Infrastructure under him… a foundation. A martial artists talks about his Stance and that being where he gets his strength from. Same thing as this… A sudden 3rd party sweeping the Whitehouse – Neat trick. But useless because he has no foundation. He would be useless and be made to look foolish.
And for God’s Sake – Find someone that doesn’t look and sound like a fucking lunatic like Ron Paul. He has to have Charisma. He has to roll fucking 20’s on Charisma. Ron Paul is a gigantic dork that doesn’t even wear a suit that fits him. You need someone that will bring voters FLOCKING to him by the Stadium full.
Like this:
http://m.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/romneyryan-rally-planned-for-waukesha-sunday-night-096f6lt-165842666.html

You third party guys – Stop Aiming for the Whitehouse! It’s not TIME. You have to build your base. Get your guys into School Boards, City Councils, State Houses and Senates… Then go for Congress and once you have established a solid foundation – Then you go for the Whitehouse with a Chance in Hell to actually win it.

UNTIL THAT TIME –
Stop wasting our time and stop splitting our VOTE! You guys are being used… by Media Matters and the like to Split our Vote… You are termed “USEFULL IDIOTS” by the Left because you are Serving Their Purposes. You split our vote and that makes beating the GOP and staying in power all the easier!

A Better Plan? And Easier Plan?
Let’s FIX the GOP and put it in the RIGHT TRACK. Make the GOP Conservative again.
How? Take some Seats back from them and push the Lean back to the Right. It’s DOABLE. We’re seeing it already working in some states. It’s far easier to fix the GOP than it is to establish a 3rd Party.

Weapons

It’s growing on me

5 Comments

This is not a Prop from the set of STARGATE.  This is not Admiral Adama’s sniper rifle.  This is not a mock up for the new HALO game.  It’s the TC Dimension hunting rifle.

It’s “Wash Your Eyes Out With Bleach” ugly.  The option of swapping barrels means nothing to me… So why do I like it?

Well, as stupidly hideous as the damn thing looks… it feels awesome when you bring the gun up to your shoulder.  And the trigger… honestly, it’s one of the best “Hunting” triggers I’ve ever felt on a gun intended for actual hunting.  It has some weight to it… but there is no movement and it breaks as crisp as any gunwriter metaphor can equate.  It’s not a Bench Rest Trigger… but you don’t want that on a Field Gun.  Too many people think they do… and those people are terribly wrong.  You want a trigger that has a touch of deliberate intent, and then breaks exactly at the moment you want it to.  Like this trigger.  The height of the comb is perfect for when you mount any reasonable scope.  This allows a good consistent cheek weld, consistent aim through the scope… and combine with that trigger… this is going to let you make those once in a life time shots all the time.

Optics

A Zeiss scope for the Cheater

6 Comments

Don’t get me wrong… when it comes to shooting, I’m all about Cheating.  I’ll take any advantage I can.

Such as this… The Zeiss Diarange rifle scope.  It may not be cheap… but it’s like an FPS Cheat Code for real life.

It’s got a very solid mounting system, one like none other I’ve seen before… The adapters connect to any Pic or Weaver rail, which is fine…. easily adjustable to fit any length action.  All good.

They slide in the groove under the scope body and can be turned around for optimal fitting as the shooter desires.

It has a built in laser rangefinder, 999 yards, hence the name… and combines that with the excellent Rapid-Z reticle system.  This is an awesome combination.  The only thing it can’t do is dope the wind for you.  The glass is typically Zeiss quality… meaning it’s about as good as it gets.  Eye relief, clarity, brightness, strength of the glass and action.  It’s a great scope.  The readout is clear and bright.

If there is anything wrong with the scope, it’s the price.  It’s Tony Stark Level.  But man… if you have the means… this is it.  A good customer of ours came in and ordered this.  Its not something we would have normally stocked.  It’s that expensive.  This is in a town where the rich guys will buy a teenager with a new license a Lotus Exige and their daughters trips to Paris for a Back to School Shopping Spree. But this is still one of those “If you want it, we’ll get it for you” things.

Uncategorized

Monday’s Motorcycle: Kawasaki Z750S

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One of my friends here in Vernal rides a fairly unique machine.  A Z750S.  It’s not the biggest, or the fastest of machines.  It’s not the coolest either. But it does just about everything.  It is fast.  It seems to handle well.  And it cruises just fine.  That’s what I like about it…. Versatility.

This one is M’s.

When I still had my Magna, I was allowed to put the kickstand up on it.  The bike was fun and ran well.  It reminded me of a Cafe Racer in it’s configuration.  No wind protection and fairly aggressive riding position, especially compared my Magna.  I liked it.  It didn’t help me at all to avoid a Sports Bike bug.  Kind of underpowered below 6,000 RPM, but once you get into the powerband… it’s all there.

Now, M’s machine has been modified.  He’s moved his pegs, changed things around, and has improved wind protection by installing a Vetter Windjammer.  It looks strange, I’ll have to say.  And he will be the first to say so himself.  But it works.

This photo was taken in Rangely Colorado.  An hour’s drive from Vernal… but we made it a lot quicker.  The Z750S, dubbed “The Enterprise” due to the bikes overall shape with the Vetter, had no problem cruising at 120 mph even on less than perfect rural roads.  A testament to the Z750S suspension.

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