This Great Nation

07/23/2014 MadOgre 10 Comments

It’s good to be back home. July was a month spent on the road. June 30th I pulled out of North Carolina and headed west. I basically made a loop between here and Utah via I-70 and I-80, up to Rochester New York and then back down to home. I went through a lot of states and stopped to talk with a lot of good folks along the way. And I learned a few things.

FACT: AMERICA is AWESOME.
At none of the border crossings was I stopped and asked for papers or travel permits. I just got in my car, and drove. A lot. Freedom.

FACT: AMERICA’s Colors are Red White and Blue.
I was pleased to find that even in more “Liberal” areas, people are Patriotic and we love our Nation. I saw the American flag flying in every State. I saw it on the backs of trucks and cars. Proudly over businesses. And I even saw it inked as a few tattoos.

FACT: AMERICA has a pathetic Government.
Everywhere I went, Americans have a great love for our Nation, but none for our Government. Obama is just not popular at all anywhere I travelled… No where did I hear anything about Skin Color. It’s all about Policy and no one I talked to had anything good to say about it.

FACT: AMERICA is BEAUTIFUL. Even crossing Kansas and Nebraska – two states that normally cause me to flail simply due to the expanse of them… I have to say I found stunning beauty in them on this trip. Tennessee was breathtaking. Looking at the expanse of the Great Lakes. The absolute majesty of the Rocky Mountains. American is Gorgeous. PA really surprised me with it’s soft hills and wide fields… beautiful little towns. Western side of New York is even beautiful. The Niagara Falls would have been more so if it wasn’t so bloody commercialized. I’d have loved to have seen it 50 years ago.

Overall, America is one amazing Nation. And I truly love it. And I know I am not the only one, who would stand proudly in it’s defense. I only find it mournful that it’s our Government that we need to defend against. Bureaucrats with their Policies… CANCER! And not just on the Federal Level, but on the State and Local. We need to keep an eye on them.

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Spiritual Journey

07/19/2014 MadOgre 15 Comments

As you guys know, I’m a Mormon. I’ve said before that you guys should not look at me as an example of what a Mormon is, as I am not a very good one. I’m trying to be better. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has always been a part of my life – even when I’ve not been active. Even when I was far from Active I’ve always had a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe in God. I believe Jesus was the Son of God. I also believe when Jesus said in The Bible, in John 10:16:

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

I believe he was talking about the people in the Americas, and that Jesus visited these people. I believe The Book Of Mormon is a record of these people.

The LDS Church started out in Palmyra, NY. This is where I am right now as I write this. When I went out to Utah to visit family there and attend a wedding… we decided we wanted to back-track the Mormon Trail. We went across Nebraska, and stopped at Winter Quarters. We went from there to Nauvoo, where my wife and I went through the Temple there. We took my boys to the blacksmith shop there in Nauvoo where John Browning did Blacksmithing and Gunsmithing. John Browning was the Father of John Moses Browning, the father of Modern Small Arms. (I am a descendant of Browning through the Stark line) I wanted to give the Tour Guide a Tour… his illuminations on Browning was filled with incorrectness… but that’s beside the point. The point is I and We have connection with Nauvoo that’s tangible. At the Pageant there was a number of Scottish Bagpipers and drummers. Listening to them stirred my soul. My wife and I loved it so much… So did my boys.
From Nauvoo, we came to Palmyra and toured the Joseph Smith farm, the sacred grove, and of course the Hill Cumorah pageant. The sacred grove is an amazing place. It feels truly sacred in the same way it feels in the Temple. It’s like an outdoor temple. There’s a reverence that one should hold there. It’s not for rowdy kids and loud voices… normal tourists with normal tourist behavior should not go there. But if one can be respectful… then it’s worth the trip. Because you can feel the sacred nature of the place. It was tangible. I know a lot of people that would do well to spend some time there.

This Journey was a special thing for me… to really get back in touch with LDS History… With MY history. Because my History is LDS History. And I am proud of that. I’ve never denied that and I have never denied the Church. Though I have had many issues with people in it. Which is the main reason for past inactivity.

But then a fellow said something to me. Travis, my Manager at Basin Sports, said “If someone is between you and God… Who’s closer?” I dismissed the statement as soon as he finished saying it… but it didn’t go away. It gnawed at me. It haunted me. Because it’s Truth. With a great many implications that are not easy to deal with. Statements like that are always easy to say but hard to swallow. Getting back into the Church as an active member after being inactive for so long is… kinda like quitting smoking. It sounds easy as if it’s just a choice… but it gnaws on your mind… the habits. The thoughtless ritual of things that go into Smoking and make it difficult to stop. Same with being inactive. But I think this journey has really helped me.

I don’t preach on MadOgre.com. And I don’t argue religion here either. I will not Bible Bash on the Internet. (ThoughI have and will Bible Bash in person, face to face. I was a Missionary for my Church once.) I only ask that you Respect my Faith as I Respect yours. Capital R on Respect for a reason. Capital F for Faith for the same reason. Mutual Respect is important for civil conversation. If you disagree with Mormon Doctrine, that is your choice. If you want to talk about Mormon Doctrine, that’s fine too. I will send a couple Missionaries to meet with you to discuss those things with you. However if you want to pull out your Anti-Mormon biggotry and hate – I’ll just delete it with a simple click of the mouse. Because I’ve heard it all before. You will not say anything new or interesting or bring up matters that I’ve not considered before. So don’t waste your time posting it, only to have me delete it offhand. The LDS Church has asked us not to engage the protestors that stand outside of our Conference Hall and Temples and here at the Hill Cumorah Pageant. So I walk by them… I don’t have to put up with it here. It’s not that I don’t like those people… I support anyone’s right to Free Speech. But it’s just that I really really want to punch those guys right in their teeth. I have to actively keep myself from throwing them a savage beating. You see, I am still not a good Mormon… my instinct is to wreck them instead of forgive them. Break them instead of bless them. I have to Try Hard to not hurt them… I fear that one day I will not try hard enough and one of those guys will get knocked to the dirt with a broken jaw. Of course I know that such action is playing into their hand… They are like Palestinians. Knowing that helps keep me from actually lashing out. But they do so offend me. The people in Nauvoo and Palmyra… the Non-Members who drove the Mormons out of their homes and businesses in the past are now profiting from Mormons who come back to visit…. Hotels and Cafes and everything else… They are making fortunes now, because of Mormons. They once Tarred and Feathered us… Literally brought out the Torches and Pitchforks… Now they roll out the welcome mats because of all the money that floods into the communities…

Anyways…

This journey has made me want to be a better Mormon. It’s strengthened me and my faith. It’s been a good thing.

Government

Putting up with it.

07/15/2014 MadOgre 14 Comments

Our nation has a history of completely screwing it’s Soldiers and Sailors and it’s getting worse and worse. US Military gets shafted in pay and benefits, for the sake of budget cuts. GI Bill gets cut back. VA Benefits are cut back. Even though it makes money, due to budget cuts the .Gov is cuts back on Post Exchanges… During Government Shut Downs, your on base stores – where Soldier’s Families buy groceries – gets shut down. Vet’s wait until they die for health care. Soldiers in the field are getting “You’re Fired” letters. Vets that say “Hey, I’m having some nightmares” are getting gun rights taken away. The .Gov looks at Vets as potential terrorists. And now we have a Deserter who may have helped train the Terrorists, traded for 5 Terrorist Leaders, brought back to Active Duty. Ft. Hood Shooter, anyone?

While all this is going on, our Administration is letting one of our Marines sit in a Mexican Jail, for illegally entering Mexico, while thousands of Mexicans enter the US illegally.

We have a US Marine. Honorable service in two Tours. Physically abused and beaten by the Police of a Nation that is supposed to be an Allied Nation… Languishing in a Mexican Prison. It’s been over 100 days and he’s still in jail. The Mexicans want to PUNISH him because he took a wrong turn and accidentally entered Mexico. And our Government has done absolutely nothing to help him. Disgusting.

The CIA and the US Military should be making plans to forcibly get our man back. The Commander and Chief should be on the phone with the President of Mexico offering them a chance to return our Marine. The force of our Nation should shake the Government of Mexico until he’s returned or retrieved. Yet our nation does nothing. We wait for the Mexicans to sentence him to even more jail time.

I am ashamed of our Government. I do not see how our Military is putting up with this. Insult after insult after insult… our military is being abused.

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Being back in Utah for a visit…

07/12/2014 MadOgre 5 Comments

I’ve been looking for suitable jobs for me in Utah, as my family would like to move back. They are Utah at heart. And I have to admit, I’ve enjoyed visiting again, very much.

Hanging out with Steve Ting again was awesome. We went to Sean’s Smokehouse BBQ and then to a sporting goods store – Sheels. Impressive place. Sean’s Smokehouse – that place is awesome. The food is GOOD BBQ. And I’m picky. Everything I sampled was excellent. But more importantly, Sean’s supports the RKBA, as evidenced by the decor:

They have a Hot Wings challenge that I will, one day, defeat. Great food, did I mention that? The place is awesome. Look it up and check it out.

I’ve got a lot of friends here that I would love to go shooting with again… I did get a chance to go shoot some Prairie Dogs with Ben Thompson. Which was very good and therapeutic. But to be honest, I just didn’t feel the blood thirst that I used to. But a couple really good pops with the .17 HMR was satisfying.

I think I would really love to move back to Utah’s Wasatch Front area. Probably on the southern side of it. I tell you what though… Cafe Rio. Utah has a TREASURE in Cafe Rio. Chipolte is popular and common – but not nearly as good. Cafe Rio smokes Chipolte and all the other places like it. Chipolte’s is good… but the flavors tastes off in comparison. So you Utahn’s or those that live near one – ENJOY it. Savor it. Seriously. I could go there every other day.

The traffic is bad… but honestly, after dealing with Atlanta’s traffic, Utah’s worse isn’t really all that bad. Except for Draper. Draper Utah is just… Retarded. No where else the NO EYE CONTACT GETS THE RIGHT OF WAY rule is in such effect. That and you can’t make Left Turns where you need to, but you can make U-Turns where you don’t. Draper is the model of Bad City Planning.

Vernal has grown and changed in some places and has stayed exactly the same in others. Basin Sports is still THE place in Utah to buy your guns and gun related products. But there is no way I could go back and work there again.

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Top 6 Hottest Redheads

07/08/2014 MadOgre 25 Comments

Redheads… My kryptonite. All women are beautiful, but Redheads are truly hot. Some are hotter than others, and then there’s the hot ones that you would love to just hang out with. Here’s my Top Six. In no real order:

Continue reading Top 6 Hottest Redheads →

Government, Weapons

The Army wants a new pistol again?

07/06/2014 MadOgre 12 Comments

We’ve been playing this game off and on for a long time now.
But what the hell? Let’s play…

They Army is wanting something fresh. Which means the Good Old Boys are not in the running… The SIG’s, the Colt, the normal choices are out. They want something new. But the Army is all about having that Manual Safety. That leaves something from HK, one of the FNH FNX pistols, or the Beretta PX4 Storm. I’m betting on the Storm. Okay – just a couple years ago, the US Army threw down a contract with Beretta that’s basically good for five years. So we’re looking at at least another 3 years of Beretta M9’s. Then late last year, the US Army dropped 49 million dollars on holsters for the Beretta M9. And now they want to shake that tree? Doesn’t make sense. But the Military never let that stop them before. Making sense is for Civilian Contractors – not the Actual Military. But since there are contracts in place, it kind of makes sense that the replacement will be a Beretta.

The Px4 Storm would be a great sidearm for the Military. The safety and trigger are the exact same that they are used to, so no new training issues. The Storm’s action does a great job of reducing felt recoil. Accuracy and Reliability are top notch. Mostly likely though the M9’s replacement could be an M9A1… which all those new holsters will already fit. But really this isn’t so much about the pistol, but the cartridge.

Basically the Army is looking at more powerful rounds. .357 SIG, .40 Cal, and .45 are the likely candidates of course. I’m not sure the US Army wants to go back to the .45 because they Army loves higher capacity and going back to .45 Auto would show they made a big freaking mistake going away from it. Even though we have a history of using .45, dumping it, going back to it, then dumping it again… Picking something else would break that cycle of abuse.

Realistically this means .40 cal or .357 SIG. Either way, I’m fine with these choices. But if I had my druthers, it would be the .40. Between these two. Of course, I’d love it if we went to 10mm. But that’s just not happening because 10mm is never going to get the recognition that it deserves. Because of The Prophesy. It’s written.

I like the heavier bullet weights with the .40. But on the battlefield the higher velocity and greater accuracy will give the .357 SIG the edge. .357 SIG just makes it easier to hit the target when it’s at unknown distances. The Sig round also gives us better barrier penetration.

The downside of cost is not a consideration for the US Military. But the requirement of more frequent spring swaps will be. The military is not used to replacing parts at regular round count intervals. But this is something that they can get used to doing.

So a Px4 Storm or an M9A1 chambered in .357 SIG would be a likely and logical replacement to the 9mm M9.

Government

Standing with Israel.

07/03/2014 MadOgre 9 Comments

The story of the 3 young lads, kidnapped and murdered in Israel truly breaks my heart.
Hamas is to blame, but Palestine as a whole is accountable. Their whole culture is about hate. They teach hate from a young age and feed off it for the rest of their lives. Truly disgusting. What’s worse is the Palestinians the news agencies find to comment on it. Even more disgusting that the killings were not seen as a bad thing by these people. All they can do is point bloody fingers at Israel and get completely hysterical and froth at the mouth.
I found the response by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be absolutely on point. Netanyahu had composure and dignity and righteous anger… Man – how would it be to have a Leader like that in the USA?
With everything going on in the USA – we look to Leadership and we find none. Instead, we have a limp noodle that is destroying America as much as he possibly can.

Weapons

My two main guns now

06/29/2014 MadOgre 15 Comments

I know I’ve been packing a Glock 23 for years… but lately I’ve been doing that less and less. Really it’s been relegated to Car Gun Status now, so I always have it close when I’m out and about. But what I carry on my person – that’s changed.

More and more my Go To pistol has been my Beretta 92FS, and I’ve been carrying my 1911 a LOT more. As I type this post, it’s the 1911 that’s sitting by my left hand. Don’t laugh at my desk… I know it’s cluttered, but then again, so is my mind. So it all works out. That’s my beloved GI… which had a light issue with cracking grip panels. That was the worst thing that could have happened, because dang it… now I’m thinking about changing other parts. Like a Beaver Tail and a Commander style hammer… and if I am doing that – I might as well change the sear and trigger… You guys know the drill. The grips were the lid to a bloody Pandora’s Box of tweaks. Why? Why the hell did I do that? I could have got some double diamond checkered wood grips and have been fine. But no… I asked my friends for some regular old black plastics… thought I’d cheap out… not thinking about how they fecking changed the whole dynamic of the pistol and it’s in my head that I could change other things.
And now I’m looking at the Beretta 92FS and thinking… “You know, Wilson Combat is now making Beretta parts.” They have a slick short reach trigger… No… NO!

No… I’m not going to mess with my Beretta. That’s become the Go To Gun. My Almost EDC. I’m not doing that.
But the 1911… Well… that’s different.
I’m thinking why not have some fun with it? I can detail strip it blindfolded, and that sentimental GI memento cherry has been popped with the black grips. Why not?