March 25th, Thursday, 2004:  1430hrs:  DETONICS!  The Combat Master has arrived here on my birthday, and it is better than expectation.  This thing is a gem.  I am going to have to go shoot it.  First thing first of course was a break down and thorough cleaning and inspection.  This is an old and well used .45, so it’s a bit rough in some places.  Not a problem.  Previous owners have loved it and pampered it… and I will do the same.  This time I decided to use the Militec-1 grease.  I’ve not used it yet in a pistol, but I’ve had good results with it in shotguns.  (Steve, Militec-1 is what I used in your Beretta 12 Gauge and I it worked beautifully) The interesting thing about this one is the differences between this early example and the refinements of the later MK-VI Combat Master.  The defiantly made some improvements along the way.  Namely in the captive recoil spring component, and in the graceful swoop they put on the later examples.  This gun’s trigger is not the greatest… it has some problems but it’s not bad… I can get used to it.  This gun should do soldier service just fine.  I’m a very happy Ogre today.   Photos to come after I get some batteries for the digicam and do some shooting with it.

Interesting email:  “Dear Ogre,  My name is ***********. I am an independent producer, researching a show for MTV's documentary series True Life about young gun owners. In the segment we are hoping to demonstrate the great diversity of gun owners throughout the country and the issues that have lead them to choose owning a firearm today. We are looking for young (18-25) hunters, women who can articulate the belief that owning a firearm is an issue of personal safety as well as personal liberty, and maybe someone who is looking to buy a gun for the first time.  In the course of my research I found the Geeks with Guns site and I would be very interested in posting some questions on your board. I wanted to touch base with you first.  I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks,******”   Interesting, very interesting.    I of course referred this fellow to Wil, the Head Geek In Charge of GWG, and I invited him to check out THR… so he will have plenty of good information sources and everything.  We wish him the best of luck.

1030hrs:  Last night my wife and I watched what has got to be the most entertaining movie since “Bandits”.  Secondhand Lions.  I was laughing through damn near most of it.   Those two old guys are my HEROES!    I never liked fishing – but I just might take up an interest in it now.  If any of my readers have not seen this movie yet, it is a MUST SEE.  

Day by Day just hammered Kerry.  Awesome! 

Japan has built a Battle Mech.  Currently unarmed and used for rescue work.  ER PPCs still in the works.

Commander Kupari has a take:  “So lemme get this straight.  Had John Kerry gotten his way with defense spending:

-The 50s vintage M60 Patton would still be our main battle tank; -The long obsolete (though still in service) M113 would still be our main APC; -We'd still be relying on the F-4E Phantom II as a strike fighter; -The Navy and Marines would still need F-4Js, A-4s, and A-7s, because there'd be no F/A-18; -The B-52 would be the only heavy bomber in our inventory, where most of the aircraft are in excess of 30 years old;

Yeah, Senator, that's some real support for the troops you've got there....”

Bush is concerned about the rising gas prices.   Last year when I was racing out to Virginia there were a couple places where the gas was 2.50 a gallon.  It quickly went back down, but now here it is the same time a year later and we are back up to that point and even higher.  I just topped off my Bronco for 2 bucks a gallon. (so I could hit the odometer reset and track the milage… looking at just refueling every 200 miles I guess) You want to talk about concerned?  I’m freaking concerned!  Here is my guess… the fuel prices are going to get insane, and then Bush is going to come in and stomp the prices back to below 2 where they used to be and look like a hero.   Bush – Don’t Wait!  Do it now! 

Here is an alert from the Department of the Obvious. 

Mar 24th, Wednesday: 2004:  1820hrs:  14 years old, wearing an 18 pound explosive vest.  And some would see this as a legitimate expression of resistance.  He is 14 with the intelligence of a 12 year old.  That’s the new weapon of the Palestinians… to try to find kids stupid enough to try to do it.   That’s just great.  They paid him less than 23 bucks to do it.  That’s less than the cost of the explosives.  If you don’t believe in your gut that this is completely evil… you need to get your head checked. 

Geeks With Guns totally nails it.  I knew Kerry looked familiar.  The resemblance is uncanny.

YEAH!  Got my Bronco out of the shop and it’s driving sweet… registered and ready to roll… So I took it out and had some fun with it.

Looking for Haitians. 

1000hrs: I am so sick and tired of the Liberals getting passes by the Media for all sorts of bullshit.  For example, Ex-President Carter’s spew against Bush for this handling of the War on Terror.   Hold the damn bus right there.  Carter?  Excuse me, but Carter doesn’t have the privilege of criticizing Bush about Terrorists.  How convenient that the Media just totally forgets that the US’s involvement in the war on Terrorism is directly a result of Carter’s lack of any leadership whatsoever to resist Terrorism.  It seems that the US has totally forgotten the hostages in Iran.  These Liberals do NOT get a pass on anything from The Horde.  Now, to be completely honest, Reagan dropped the ball as well, with no response to the Marines lost when terrorists blew up the building the Marines bunked in, in Beirut…  that just made the situation so much worse… I’m giving Ronny a pass on that either, but history shows he more than made up for it with everything else he accomplished.  But it all started with Carter.  That was the first time Terrorism struck Americans and Carter’s lack of reaction and leadership set the rhythm that continued through the Clinton administration.  Before the Donks take Bush to task, they need to take a good hard look at Carter, and Clinton.  Fucking Clinton had Bin Laden GIFT WRAPED but he refused.  The situation that America is in is clearly the result of Democrats being completely fucking useless on National Defense and Terrorism.   They only thing the Democrats have battled against… the US Military.      And now we have Carter acting like a sniveling Wormtongue and John Kerry trying to come across as “Strong on Defense” as if he would be a good Commander and Chief?  WTF?  

I just noticed something… John Kerry’s military votes:

He voted to kill the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
He voted to kill the M-1 Abrams Tank.
He voted to kill every Aircraft carrier laid down from 1988.
He voted to kill the Ages anti aircraft system.
He voted to kill the F-15 Strike Eagle.
He voted to kill the Block 60 F-16.
He voted to kill the P-3 Orion upgrade.
He voted to kill the B-1.
He voted to kill the B-2.
He voted to kill the Patriot anti Missile system.
He voted to kill the FA-18.
He voted to kill the F117.

Kerry also voted to kill all anti-terrorism activities of every agency of the U.S. Government, and to cut the funding of the FBI by 60%, to cut the funding for the CIA by 80%, and cut the funding for the NSA by 80%.

So, what did he vote for?  What are two military items that are not on the list?  The V-22 Osprey and the LHX Comanche helicopter… Both pieces of total shit that don’t work and are decades past due and billions over budget.  How come he didn’t vote against those?  We finally killed the Comanche, but the V-22 is still rolling forward even with the Marines saying “We Don’t Want It”.  Kerry’s votes would have destroyed the American Military… the entire Defense of the Nation would be in shambles… and this asshole wants to be the Commander and Chief?   This would be like putting Robert Downey Jr in charge of Drug Enforcement. 

I just checked myself at The Truth Laid Bear and according to their rating system… I am a Slithering Reptile.   I don’t know… is that good or bad?  Hey little Bear… I’m not a slithering reptile… okay, I’m a fucking Ogre, a’right?  An Ogre, end of story. (In my best cussing Shrek voice)  This rating system is not so much based on how good your blog is, but how many other blogs link to it.   Has nothing to do with the depth or importance or the quality… its just like counting the number of autographs you got in your high school year book.  Note to bloggers out there who take this shit seriously – don’t pay attention to it.  It’s interesting on some level, but it means nothing.  You keep blogging genuine, and for yourself… and that’s really all it’s about.  Just imagine if you got hit by a Palestinian truck tomorrow, what would people have to remember you by?  Make your own mark on the world. 

Horde Commander Kupari wrote a very compelling endorsement of a bit of software called “Call of Duty”.  Here is what he wrote:  “If you're interested in buying a top-notch First Person Shooter, pick up Call of Duty.  It's on the Quake III engine, so it doesn't require a $5000 system to run.  Ogre, it's one of the very best shooters I've ever played.  The single player campaign is short, but you'll want to play it over and over again.  You take on three roles: An American Paratrooper, a British Commando, and a Soviet Army Sniper.  You do a night drop over Normany, land in a Glider to capture a Bridge, and cross the Volga on a boat for the battle of Stalingrad.  The game is very cinematic, but it lacks the most annoying features of Medal of Honor.  What annoying features, you ask?  In Call of Duty, you can go prone.  You can carry two long arms and one handgun; unrealistic, but not terribly so.  Much better than MoH, where you could carry fifteen weapons at once.  The game does NOT suffer from "weak weapon syndrome"; the Garand, Mauser, Enfield, and Nagant put 'em down with one good hit, usually.  Subguns and pistols usually two or three, unless you drill 'em in the head.  The game has such a feel to it, that you can really let yourself get into it.  The first time I played the "Red Square" mission, where your comrades are getting mowed down all around you...wow, was all I could say. Oh, and you can actually use the iron sights.  You have to, actually, if you want to hit anything at anything further than point blank.  Of course, the game had me wishing for more missions and more weapons.  The M1917 and 1919 machine guns, the M1917 revolver, the M1897 shotgun, the G-43, the PPS-43 and DP Russian machine guns, the Nagant revolver and tokarev pistol… But oh well.  All in all, one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.”  This endorsement was enough to force me against my will to hit Ebay, where I found a copy for 20 bucks delivered… and I pulled the trigger on it, using the remainder of my funds in my paypal account.   If this game sucks, Kupari will be instantly demoted to the rank of “Horde Biatch”.  I hope it is good… for his sake.  I loved MOH… so if this is better than that, I have to see it.  Realistic?  I gotta check it out.  Now this might surprise the new readers here to MadOgre.com who have yet to discover all the other shit I have here besides the “Blog” part of MadOgre.com…  Yes, I like PC games.   I don’t apologize for it.  A game can provide just as much or more entertainment than a movie or your average pulp fiction book.  If you don’t like games, fine… but I do.  In moderation and only once in awhile… but I like them.  If you don’t like that – then you can exit via the “HOME” button on your browser and run away home because the mean Ogre told you to get bent.

Special thanks:  to the Horde Member for the certain electrons he sent for my electron collection... I'd better stop and rebuild all my ruins now.

Mar 23rd, Tuesday, 2004: 1700hrs: I find it amusing that so many people are afraid that in killing this HAMAS asshole, that Israel is now in trouble for “letting the genie out of the bottle”.  Oh, like maybe now the Palestinians will want to kill all the jews even more?  People – HAMAS as already sworn to kill them all anyways… Taking out this evil-spiritual leader changes nothing in those regards.  What, like they are now going to want to kill all the jews twice?

Wal-Mart now sells 88 Cent downloads.  I had a short list of songs I wanted to download… and amazingly each one was not available… Such as Led Zeppelin’s Misty Mountain Hop and the Immigrant song.   Damn it.  I heard it a couple days ago when I watched “School of Rock” and it sounded great.  Especially since no kittens were involved.    Other than these songs… I didn’t know really what I wanted to listen to that wasn’t already in my playlists.  Oh well.

The Immigrant Song:

Ah, ah, 

We come from the land of the ice and snow, 

From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. 

The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands, 

To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming! 

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore. 

Ah, ah, 

We come from the land of the ice and snow, 

From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. 

How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore, 

Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords. 

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore. 

So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins, 

For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.

That’s fucking poetry, man.  Awesome.  I need this on CD for the Bronco.  Cars should have a Start Up sound file… this would be mine.  Put in the key, it plays this. 

Do the Dimwits even realize what they are doing?  By having President Bush testify that he didn’t have any prior knowledge of 9-11-01 that they are not only making themselves look like gigantic assholes, but they are polarizing opposition against them!  They don’t see it that way… they think that they really are the main stream… they think they have the moral high ground because of the halo of Political Correctness, and that they are no a mission from their Gods against the evil Conservative Conspiracy.  These Liberals are absolutely delusional about this.  There is a pattern here… paranoia, delusion, feelings of grandeur… the medical term for this condition is “Schizophrenia”.   This proves what I have long ago suspected… that Liberals are fucking nuts on a clinical level.

1000hrs:  What does Howard Dean have against Rugged Individuals?  If you have not heard his remark, he said that Rugged Individuals were fine 100 years ago.  Evidently now he wants all the guys to stop being so rugged and to be Metrosexuals like him.  This might be fine if you live on one of the coasts in a big city… but here I live… in these fly over states as those guys like to call the red states on the 2000 election results map… you have to be rugged.  It’s required.  If you are the type of guy that has never popped the hood on your car and you don’t even know what your engine looks like – don’t come out here.  Now you don’t have to be a Marlboro Man, but you do need some degree of self reliance. 

This reminds me of a car I saw yesterday.  The LL BEAN Edition of the Subaru Outback.  LL Bean… Nice.  A sissyboy wannabe metrosexual SUV for nancyboy wannbe city living outdoorsman… perfect.  The LL Bean edition.  My hell.  Oh, I’m not knocking LL Bean… they make fine sweaters… but when it comes to an SUV with a serious outdoorsman sponsor, I want a TED NUGENT Edition fucking Humvee okay?  An LL Bean Subaru.  This must be the work of Howard Dean.  Like those pussies need AWD to hit the local Starbucks. 

I’m working on the Mad Ogre Edition of the Ford Bronco… still have not scored that perfect truck gun yet.  Still working on it.   So many good suggestions have come in that is has me doubting what I was wanting, but I just send on the payment for a Marlin 336CS.     

Email from Reader: “Speaking of truck guns.... I think your initial take of a lever action is good sense.  In my case, I am a revolver guy and the idea of a rifle that shoots the same ammo as the pistol simply makes good sense.  Speaking for the .357, and I suppose the 9mm and .40 are about the same, the .357 in a pistol and the .357 in a rifle are like two different cartridges.  A bullet that will leave the pistol at about 1300 fps will leave the rifle at about 1800 fps.  So, in my case, I have a pistol and rifle that will digest the same fodder.  With a good stout bullet, I am ready for everything from arms length to a little over 100 yards.  All out of the same box of ammo.  Of course, if you are a semi-auto guy, a light carbine in the pistol caliber makes sense if it will also take the same magazines.  Love the blog. Dennis”  Thanks for the email, Dennis.  I was looking at the Marlin 1894 .357 and that was a super slick little carbine.  Amazing how light and handy it felt.  Very tempting.  If I ever get a Beretta Stampede in .357, that Marlin would be next on the list.

Scariest Email ever:  “I think that you are right about Kerry's qualifications for president, however, I don't think that he will make it to the convention in one piece.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the Clintons are holding the information card that will ruin him before the convention.  Then the dimocrats will HAVE to draft Hillary to save the party.  How's this for a scary thought.  Hillary drafted for president and she chooses Bill as vice president?  Can legally happen. That ought to let you rest peacefully shouldn't it? - Andy”   Stephen King couldn’t write anything that scary.

Another email… this one is spam that made it past my filters: “Fuel Costs are reaching all time highs.  OPEC is planning further cuts in production.  We have the answer.  Fuel-Saver-Pro.”  If you have not read my take about the Fuel Saver Pro – you need to find it and read it.  Here… I’ll put a link to it.  Such utter bullshit.  Only a John Kerry Supporter would buy one of these.  The images I linked to have disappeared.  But that the think looks like is a little plastic box that clips over your fuel line.  That’s it.  It’s a magnet that you put over your fuel line it’s made by Harry Potter.  You think this works?  If you do, then check this out… I can lift myself up off the floor by pulling up on my chair.

Mar 22nd, Monday, 2004:  1800hrs:  So Israel nailed the “Spiritual” Leader of Hamas.  You know, I think that is complete and utter bullshit.  He might have been the Leader of Hamas, or the Founder of Hamas or Hamas’ Daddy… but he was not “Spiritual”.  He was an evil son of a bitch and reaped his reward.  Evidently there was nothing left of him but his head.  Fitting as that is usually all that is left of those that follow his guidance into wearing C-4 Vests and blowing themselves up near busses full of school kids.  It is reported that the missile struck this asshat square in the gut.  Good shooting!  Someone buy that gunship crew a round of drinks.    Press play on your MP3 player:  Queen’s Another one bites the dust.

Kim Du Toit posted a link to a site that has lots of nice images of the peaceful war protesters in San Francisco.  Some of these pictures are just repugnant.  The I love New York protestor and the Support Resistance in Iraq protestor… These assholes are celebrating that Americans have died!  I am so glad I don’t live near that city.  If I saw this NY protester with that sign here… I’d probably fly off the handle and beat the living shit out of this fucknozzle.  I don’t think I would be able to rein in the surge of anger… I still can’t unclench my teeth after seeing this.  

Email from Reader:  “Ogre,  Been checking out the blog on your thoughts on a truck gun.  There would certainly be no reason NOT to go with something like a Marlin lever-action ("always wanted one" sounds like a good excuse to me ;-).  However, "form", "fit", and "fuction" are three separate categories, and if you're looking towards a defensive weapon, it might not be something from the "classics"...    Just thought I'd throw this out there.  Through some influence from my LEO buddies, I picked up a Kel-Tec Sub2000 carbine in Glock 9mm configuration for my "vehicular carry".  At first I shied away from these "cheap plastic weapons", but then I remembered that I passed on a Glock 17 for a Beretta 92FS back in 1992 because of the same mentality ("Glock"?  Who the hell is that?  What do you mean it's plastic?).  Now, I can't say enough about my Glocks.  Love 'em.    Kel-Tec Sub200; From the unfolding from a 16" length to the slapping of the bolt (reminds me of the MP-5), it's just plain simple in configuration and action.  My only complaint about it is the long trigger pull, but that's not necessarily a bad thing with a defensive weapon.  I put the picatinny rail option (from Kel-Tec) on it, and mounted my ITI M3 light for night "blinding".  I've shot 2" groups standing at 50 yds, and plan on taking it out to the 200yd range next month to see what it can do.  The 9mm is pushing .357 velocity due to barrel length.  You can carry it folded with a loaded mag and bolt locked back, and with some practice, go from damn near CC to locked and loaded in a matter of seconds.  It's also a blast to shoot.  I picked it up at the last gun show for $279.  Not a bank-breaker by any means.  Slap a pre-ban G17 mag with a Taylor +5 extension, and you've got 20+ rounds on your side...  Just something to consider as a "tactical folder" weapon, and maybe even decent enough to ride around in the Ogre's new truck.  – Brad”

Brad, thanks for the email and for this suggestion.  It’s solid indeed.  SWAT Magazine did a great review of the Sub2000 and it was very positive.  The author of the review is one of the most respected Firearms Trainers in the USA.  This was also the same cat who ripped the hell out of a certain shotgun that everyone else was going Ga-Ga over.   This gun would be a good option for anyone looking for a 9MM carbine.   And yes, it would even be worthy of riding in Ogre’s “Monster”.

Email from another Reader:  “How can people support this idiot?  He votes for base closures, and then, when it would help his cause, he fights to keep the bases open?  I thought he wanted the UN to govern and protect us all anyway.  Why do we need bases then?  If nothing else, the way he flip-flops on every issue should prove he's making his decisions too rashly.  Obviously he's not giving enough time or thought to the positions he takes, or he wouldn't have to spend so much time backtracking.  If he thinks he was wrong voting to close bases, he ought to repay the taxpayers for the time he wasted lobbying to close them.  Do we want someone making rash, uninformed decisions in the White House, especially when he's roved time and time again that he's going to reverse course whenever it suits him? – Dave” 

Kerry is on the same level as a 14 year old girl with 2 different boyfriends.  You are right… he makes snap judgements, based on his personal opinion and then changes them according to who ever he is talking to.  They are trying to call this “Nuance” but I’m not having any of it… Wrapping Kerry’s flip-flopping into some French phrase is not going to win any points from Me or The Mighty Ogre Horde.  We can smell that nuance from over here… and French name or not… it smells like bullshit.  BTW, any votes for Kerry are grounds for instant expulsion from The Horde, and ridicule for the rest of your life.

I find it especially interesting that Kerry, the man who would be President, was under FBI surveillance for so long, and in such depth.   The closer we get to the election, the more about Kerry we are really going to get to know.  I suspect that we are going to find a man that is not only not suitable for the President’s position, but also not suitable for the position of President at even a Taco Bell franchise.  

Email from the Horde’s resident Viking, Stig:  “Sometimes you rant about USA versus Europe. Well here is my take on the differences between us. so when you are dissing us Europeans, I have a look at the picture im sending you and smile!”

Ouch… You might have a point there, Stig.  There might be some differences is weight... but we still kick ass all over the globe.  Now, when I bash Europeans, I do not bash all of them… I’m pretty specific on those nations I bash… Typically France… because they piss me off sometimes.  The other day it was Spain.  No, I have nothing against Europe at all… even as a whole.  I hope to visit Europe as soon as possible.  Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, Ireland and Scotland… Norway even… but France, Germany, and Spain are just NOT on the list anymore. 

Anyone want to submit links to images of distinctly hot American women? We can show Stig (who is about to set out on a long lonely expedition to count polar bear fleas - Dude has some major cajones to go hang with these bears, but he is armed well with a .44 Magnum and a nice .308 rifle.  It should at least discourage those bears) that American women are incredibly hot.  Come on guys... Let's give Stig something to keep him warm up there!  (NO PORN LINKS!)

Special Thanks for the 2 tech manuals for the Bronco from Horde Captain Chase!  When he read that the new Ogre Wagon was a Bronco, he dug these books off and sent them out.   That was just AWESOME.  These books contain the very information I was trying to look up just this morning.  Everyone raise a glass to Chase!

Sorry for the late update today… I had an exam that required attention.  

Mar 21st, Sunday:  2004:  Noonish:   My post about a truck gun has gathered a lot of responses.  The suggestions are all solid ones… for other lever actions in pistol calibers or in .45-70… SKS rifles… M1 Carbines… All good options.  The only suggestion that I didn’t like was for the Browning BLR.  Browning has what is considered by a few, one of the smoothest lever action rifles around.  I was unfamiliar with them, so I went to the gun shop to check one out.  The caliber was .30-06… not a flat nosed caliber, so this was a bit none traditional right of the bad.  It looked fine, but nothing special.  It didn’t “Feel” like a lever action as the gun was heavier and just didn’t balance like a Marlin or Winchester.  I shouldered it and it fit more like a bolt gun… While aiming at an elk head on the wall, I jacked the lever and out sprang this giant fluted dildo that came back almost into my eye.   Holy crap… that BLR has the biggest freaking bolt I’ve seen on anything short of a .50MBG.    No thank you.  I like a lot of Browning arms… but the BLR isn’t one of them.  It feels all wrong… looks all wrong… no thank you.  One of the most enjoyable things about shopping for “the right gun” is the shopping and the considerations… I can almost understand the shoe thing in women.  This truck gun topic is discussed here on THR.  I've wanted a Marlin lever action forever... why I've never actually purchased one is beyond me. 

Email from reader:  “Ogre,  I was reading your politics section about Government only owning guns.  I'm not sure if you really believe that will happen someday or not.  I hope you don't really believe that.  (I am not the most politically up-to-date person in the world, and I am probably pretty close to the "Sheople" that you hate so much.)  But, for the most part, I agree with everything you have said about the government.  It has gone into a downward spiral. – MikeS”  Will happen?  That has happened… Many times.  You sound intelligent enough to be educated.  That photo I posted is of course from Nazi controlled Germany.  But such things have happened in Russia, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Africa (Just pick an African state) Chile, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina, Equador… and yes – Even here in the United States but not in such an organized manner as that… but US Soldiers slaughtered many Native Americans.  Can it happen again?  Look at all the mass graves in Iraq… it just did.  What will stop it from happening tomorrow?

Email from our Horde Member in Norway:  “Hi Mad ogre!  Been a while since i wrote too you last. April the first im going north too polar bear country! Looking forward too it, im gonna spend a forthnight out there in the ice helping a friend with collecting samples for his Ph.d. I got a .44 and a 308, and a fair bit of knowledge of polarbear behaviour, so i am not worried about meeting a bear at all. Not very long ago,  a man in russia got killed by a brown bear, similar accident too the US filmaker who got mauled, this one also didnt reckon he needed a firearm, oh well he is dead now. Yesterday, I went to a range, about 100 k away from where i live. The nice thing about that range is that we can shoot up too 1000 meters there! The longest range i have been shooting before i went there is 425m, and that too only recently. Interesting things happens to bullets as they fly! I got nice groups at 500, 600 and the first time we tried at 700m, but then the wind started acting funny, and i am not (yet) good at judging windage. But the experience of seeing bulletholes, made by me at 700 meters was realy great!  Im using standard NATO 7.62 NM60, 9,45 grams/147grain bullets. Next time i`m gonna try 800 meters as well, which i see as the limit for the 7.62NATO, but real experienced shooters may get hits further out. The plan is too compete at this event this summer!  There the targets can be set as far out as  1000 meters. I wish I could afford a TRG 42 338LM. STIG”    One thing about competition, regardless of winning or loosing, it makes a better shooter out of you.  Good luck!  Say, isn’t that a new scope on your rifle?  What did you select?

SIG SAUER has a new handgun out… I don’t know if it’s going to be coming to America or not.  It’s called the SIG P250 and will be available in multiple calibers from 9MM to .45ACP.  It’s butt-ugly, railed, compactish size, double action only, and very un-SIG-like.  I don’t like it.   

Gun Of The Day:  This is a unique one... Just saw it, but it struck me upside the head.  I had thought that the COSTUME DESIGNER for Romeo & Juliet ruined the Berettas they used for that movie… but at least she didn’t do this to them.    Be careful… these images may be shocking.  Small children may have to leave the room.   This is truly disgusting.  Even paintball markers are not that revolting.  At least we know what Vanilla Ice’s gun looks like.  This gun is WRONG on so many levels.  This is just… sad.  If this gun was GIVEN to me, I think I would send it back to Beretta for a complete refinishing, and see if they can restore some dignity to it.

Mar 19th, Friday, 2004: 1300hrs:  I’ve been thinking about a rifle… no… not an autoshucker.   Something potent, light and fast.  I will admit it, when it comes to a bolt action long brown gun – unless it’s in a heavy caliber, I have little interest it.  I’m thinking about a levergun. 

Specifically I am thinking about the Marlin 336Y.  The Y means “Youth” but there is nothing kiddie about a 16.5 inch barreled .30-30.  However it does have a short 12.5 inch stock, and that’s just too short for me to tuck into.  What would be ideal, would be for Marlin to take the 336CC, and throw on the 16.5 inch barrel.  Unfortunately Marlin just doesn’t do things like that.  Damn it.  I’d rather buy that than to buy the 336Y and then buy the CC furniture.  The Y is a full ½ pound lighter than the CC… but I am sure using the longer stock will add maybe 8 ounces to that… big deal.  A “Butt Cuff” would also go on, giving me just a little bit longer pull and some recoil padding… Not that .30-30 is a heavy recoiling caliber, but that my shoulder is pretty much just completely fucked up like my left knee and right ankle.  Let’s put it this way… if something is coming after me I would be better off stopping it in its tracks before it gets on me rather than try to run away from it.  I didn’t used to be this way… It wasn’t too long ago that I was in a mile long foot chase wearing all my patrol gear and ran down a 19 year old crack pusher who was wearing Addidas and basketball shorts.  You bet I got him!   I did the 2 mile run in 10 minutes 30 seconds too… but those says are LONG GONE.   And when I mean long, I mean you couldn’t hit it with a Tomahawk, long gone.

Where the hell was I?  Oh… the rifle… yes… It’s the overall length that is the desired outcome here… the barrel on the Y is 4 inches shorter than on the CC.  This would make breaking it out of the Bronco much easier.   I’m thinking of racking it either along the roof over the top of side window – or police style horizontally.  The vogue around here is to mount it actually in the window… because well… that’s the easiest place to put it.  But I don’t exactly want to advertise that “Hey, there is a rifle in here!”  I’ve seen two smash and grabs in Virginia and I don’t want that to happen to my gun or truck… and this rifle would be riding most of the time.  Well, I do live out in the fricken boonies so why not?  We got freaking puma, wolves, coyotes and black bears up in this biatch because the Uintah Mountains are my back yard.  I had ELK in my backyard and last week not too far away was a damn MOOSE.  Because of that I was thinking about the 336 in .35 Remington… but that kinda ammo is just impossible to find out here and two .30-30 hits would do just fine.  The 336Y gives you 5 shots, and that’s is ample.  There are several ammo makers that make some very effective loads for .30-30… so I’m confident.  No problem.  This is the gun I should have had a long time ago.  

I was initially thinking about just going with the regular 336 Walnut… but the colors in the CC version’s stock really go with the Bronco.  This is about the extent of my fashion sense… call this Ogre Eye For the Queer Guy.  Matching your Gun to your Truck.  Let’s see if the cable channels picks this up for the next season… I’m open to offers.  Have your producers talk to my people.

Optics?  If I do put any optics on it, it would be something small like an Optima maybe.  Nothing fancy… Small, light and compact in keeping with the theme.  Something that would allow me to grab a fast sight picture in the dark.    Anyways… that’s the rifle I’m thinking about.

I just noted that Spoons has put up a link to me… I’m in the “This Week” list of links.  Don’t know what all that means, but it’s cool.  Thanks Spoons.  I’m guessing that this is a temporary link.  I just wish I knew why I got that tip of the hat… there is no reference to it… Was it “Hey this guy has something interesting to say.” Or was it, “This guy is a Tard”?  Oh well.

Found on Spoons site… a famous movie in 30 seconds… with bunnies…  I’m glad it was only 30 seconds, and I’m glad it was with bunnies… because that movie still gives me the heebie-jeebies.

I must not fear.  Fear is the mind-killer.  Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.  I will face me fear.  I will permit it to pass over me and through me.  And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.  Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.  Only I will remain.  I will face my fear. 

Today I faced my fear.  The only thing that really scares me personally… is heights.  This is strange you see, because I can fly ultra-lights, autogyros… rappel from a helicopter… no problem.   What I have a real problem with though is climbing ladders.  I can’t do it with out wanting to puke.  Well, this morning I had to go help my father in law who is does construction.  He is building a house all by himself and today was the day to put up the roof thingamajigs… “Joists” or something like that… the big fucking wooden triangles that he was paying some cats with a crane 150 bucks an hour to lift up while we positioned them.  As much as I tried to avoid it… I ended up walking on top of the walls over the WORST spot in the house… over the biggest possible drop.  So there I am… on top of a 2X4 over a huge fucking drop… trying to catch and hold these bigass wooden structures that were swaying in the wind.   Frank Herbert’s “Litany Against Fear” seemed to work for me… I got the job done with no drama or trauma.     This was pretty good considering.  I’m not scared of anything else… Scorpions, snakes, blood, mice, badguys, vampires or werewolves… just heights.  Only heights.  It’s weird, I know… but it just is.

Email from new reader:  “I just ran across this page and I assume someone else has pointed out that the Bank of America job was done before the movie was released.  I really think I can remember talking about this at the time. - August”    

Huh?  I'm guessing you are talking about "HEAT".   A few days before the BOA job, in Richmond VA there was a HUGE robbery of a Nations Bank.  Automatic rifle fire and everything... just no helicopter footage.  Running gun battle and everything.  I know this because I was the director of security for the main Nations Bank building in downtown Richmond and I had to go examine the crime scene and the video tape of the robbery.  It was pretty bad.  Heat was out before either of these jobs were pulled... because investigations show that the criminals were fixated on the movie and tried to pull it off like the movie.  For both Nations and BOA…   Interesting thing about the Nations Bank hit – the security guard that was on duty there… was caught flat footed, but managed to empty his .38 Special revolver but to know effect.  The criminals used AR-15 rifles… full length barrels and everything.  The guard (While I know his name, visited him in the hospital actually, I will not post it for his privacy sake and for his family) was shot in the head.  The bullet hit him in the side of the head, and went straight through and out the other side – just behind his eyes.  The bullet severed his optic nerves, so while he survived with little other damage physically, he was blinded for the rest of his life.

Funny how so many people talk about the AR-15 as the ultimate weapon for US Forces – please.  Yes, this guard was lucky, but come on – any other caliber higher would have snuffed him.  Even .30-30 from a 16 and a half inch barrel or .308 from a 14 inch… doesn’t matter.  Either would have done much more damage and I would have made my visit to the mortuary rather than to the hospital.   Glad he wasn’t killed, because he was a good man… a grandfather and a faithful Christian with a sense of humor and just a sweet disposition.  At least he was still able to tell stories to his grandkids and listen to their stories.    5.56MM just does not have enough power to be an effective weapon on the battlefield.  This new 6.8MM is a start in the right direction, but I’d much rather we just went straight back to the .308.

This is all the time I have right now, guys.  I have exams to prep for and to take… so it’s back to the books for me – big time!.

The Gun of the Day:   Is the Gun that I mentioned above that I want, but doesn’t exist. 

Mar 18th, Thursday, 2004:  1515hrs: You want to know how to freak out your spouse?  Show her the layout for the magazine article you wrote that has her picture in it.   She’s cool with it, but was taken by surprise.  I rarely see her actually speechless… but this caused a dropped jaw silence.  Then she freaked out pretty good for a minute before she calmed down to simmer… the only thing that bothered her was that she didn’t like the picture. “I look snooty!” she said.  Well, Berettas are!  Try calling Beretta Customer Service some time.  Judas Priest, you would think they were French or something!

Why I hate Liberals:   To say “I hate Liberals” is a bit inaccurate.  I don’t hate the person… the more accurate expression would be “I hate the Liberal Mind”.  This is very different from a Liberal Idea, belief or even a Liberal Person… A Liberal Mind is one that is actually very “un-liberal” in the classic sense of the word.   We call Liberals liberal, but truthfully they stopped being liberal a long time ago and I can’t really put my finger on when that happened.

Typical Liberal Mind type persons have a pattern of response to anything accusatory… and that is to deny deny deny until they get put into a corner and then they change the tune to my favorite argument in the whole world: “Well, what about…?”   This argument blames the accuser for not busting anyone else, or everyone else for anything else… as if it was your fault for not busting the rest of the world before you have the right to bust them.  As soon as this argument fails – because regardless of what the rest of the population does, it never changes the fact that this Liberal Mind still did something all on their own… The next argument is to try to blame someone else as if there was a conspiracy to get them in trouble.  Whatever they do, they will not own up to their own actions.  I’ve said it before, but it’s all about Personal Responsibility, and in the case of the Liberal Mind, the lack of it.  To the Liberal Mind, Personal Responsibility is an alien concept.

A new term as sprung up recently, “Classic Liberal”.  Classic Liberals are the forward thinkers that are open to change and progress and acceptance… Such as Teddy Roosevelt who was open to the change and progress of the American West and accepting of all those from other countries – and open to assimilate them into the American Culture.  George Washington and Ben Franklin were also Liberals… they wanted to change the whole course of the nation by progressing from mere colonies into independent states.  So in the classic sense – being liberal is quite admirable.  All this is lost to today’s Neo Liberals that try to keep living in the 1960’s with 1960’s politics and social issues.  The last thing they want is any actual progression… So while we have had it, they refuse to recognize it.  You want to talk about Civil Rights?  Come on now, look at the Black individuals we have in the Administration… Powel and Rice.   Yes - *SHOCK* - they are Black!  But according to the Liberal Minded NAACP, you would think they are picking cotton or they are really just “white people” or Uncle Toms or something.  Gimmie a break – Rice – excuse me – If she ran for President would have my vote in a heart beat.  Color or Race means squat to me… but then again, I don’t have a Liberal Mind.  

The Modern Liberal is an interesting creature… a person who is unabashedly ignorant in most areas of study, but especially in the areas of History, Economy, and Science… even in environmental sciences, where you would think they would at least try to make a strong point.  Looking at the L.M. if can find no strong point other than some very misdirected passions for ideology based upon false information or blatant untruths.  

In essence a Liberal Mind is a wasted mind.  A mind that is swayed by emotion and popular opinion… they will take to an idea because it sounds good regardless of the truth.

Rocks and Water… The Liberal Mind can be as dense as a rock, while they follow the easiest path of least resistance in any intellectual exercise.  

It would be so easy to just give in and become a Liberal… all you have to do is to just give up any effort in anything and stop thinking for yourself.   Just leave the TV set to NBC or CBS and zone out… become as Pink Floyd says “Comfortably Numb”.

What ever you do, Liberals, do not think for yourself, examine the issues on any big picture scale, or for the love of Kerry – open a history book!

Seems Coalition forces are in a major gun battle in Afghanistan.  Resistance is fierce and it is believed that they are defended one of the top people in Al-Qaeda.  Wouldn’t it be nice if they had Bin Laden?  Seriously, that would make my day.  Oh, looks like it may be the #2 guy.     

Gun of the Day:  STAR FIRESTAR.  The Firestar has 3 flavors to it, 9MM, .40, and .45ACP.   Spain had two gunmakers that were really good and very underrated… Star and Astra.  Star produced the Firestar as a subcompact single action automatic before such things became the vogue.   The Firestar was comfortable to shoot thanks to a good layout and well designed controls.  But it did have some drawbacks.  Like the trigger guard – which are absolutely tiny.  Spanish people must have some pathetically small fingers.  Matches their dicks, I would guess.  The insides show some tool marks and are a little rough.  The outsides show that the finish is thin… again… I would guess that his matches the Spanish people’s thin skin.   The Firestars start out good, but it’s almost as if the makers got to the point where they just gave up and left the job undone… This seems like the Spanish way of doing things.  The only thing the Spanish have really done well was to wipe out the Aztecs, but then again most of that killing was done my the Spaniard’s cooties rather than the Spaniard’s weapons.   For some reason I think the Spaniards would be more interested in fighting if the Terrorists gave up, offered gold, and all wanted to become baptized.   Fuck the Firestar, fuck Star, and fuck Spain… A bunch of fucking cowards that only acted tough but turned and ran like a big fucking sissy when it got it’s nose bloodied.  If that’s the way the Spanish people are – then we don’t need them.   Look at Italy.  The took a shot to the nose – did they run away?  Hell No!  They just dug in their heels and put their fists up – Bring it on!  So there you go – there is the real gun of the day – Beretta again, but this time it’s the .45 caliber Beretta – the COUGAR.  Fucking Spain…

Mar 17th, Wednesday: 2004: St Patrick's Day!  1630HRS: What is the deal with the Para Ordinance LDA?  I just do not get this pistol.  Other than the technicality of the double action - all you have to do to fire it is to thumb off the safety, pull the trigger. Is there really any difference between such a light trigger pull and a regular single action pull?   I see no point in the LDA system other than to make the less trained feel a little more safe because they see the hammer down. I got news for you guys that think that - the LDA's trigger is just as light as your average 1911 out of the box trigger. You are no safer.  You want safe?  Then just put the gun on "Safe" and keep your freaking twitching finger off the danged trigger! THAT is how you put the 1911 on SAFE!  The 1911 doesn’t need any gimmicky fucking tricks or new trigger systems to be safe.  I swear, Para made that trigger as joke or something. I see absolutely no point in it...   If you like it - Fine. Whatever floats your boat. Be happy with your LDA. I just don't get it.   I can just imagine a bunch of Canadians up there at Para HQ snickering behind their hands.

"The more gizmos and gadgets it's got, the more Murphy it gets." – 1911Tuner, TheHighRoad.org

It’s really simple… if you want a double action .45, then get a double action .45.  There are plenty out there.  If you want and like the LDA, then that’s fine… but it’s not a real double action.  It’s a fucked up single action in my opinion.  Double actions would let you cock and drop the hammer a second time.  This is not possible with the LDA as the gun gets cocked by the cycling of the slide and not by the action of the trigger.   Calling this system a “Double Action” to skirt police department police is intellectually disingenuous.  Thinking that the LDA is more “safe” than a standard 1911 pattern gun is not true.  In fact, I think it is even LESS safe because of this trick system that would have some believe it’s more safe than GI and the operator is less cautious.  You see, a GI operator is well aware of how little trigger pull effort is required.  They are more aware of where the muzzle is point and where the trigger finger is.  They are more careful by nature.  Look at the accidental-negligent discharges fired by police… Funny how most of these guns are Double Action or Double Action Only.  They think they are still safe with the finger on the trigger.  They think they don’t require so much training.  It’s these false feelings of safety that cause such accidents.  With a 1911, the operator thinks just a bit more about what the fuck he is doing.  This makes a world of difference.    You can’t skirt training or awareness with a gadget.  I’m of the opinion that if a Police Officer is not competent enough to handle a GI 1911, then he or she is no more competent to handle any other pistol unless it’s loaded with water… and of course if he or she is that fucked up – they should not be Police Officers in any department armed with any weapon.  I am sure they would make good dispatchers, or meter maids or process servers or what have you... but they should not be on a patrol with a gun on their hip.

I’ve put the Bronco in the shop this morning.  Some work needed to be done that I just do not want to do… such as break down the steering column to replace the turn signal switch and the break booster thingamajig and other little details.  After that’s done, then it’s ready for registration and insurance.  The fuel gauge issue is the sending unit that is inside the tank.  150 to 200 bucks just for the unit depending on other details just for the part, not including the labor.  I’m holding off on that.  It’s not an inspection or drivability item… it’s just an annoying detail item.   It’s going to be a long week till I get it back!  I’ve fallen for this big beast… the thing is awesome.

Email from Horde Lt Glock19: “Hello Dr. Ogre.  Yes, I'm going to keep the Glock after all.  If nothing else it has the most durable finish, so it's the gun I carry. Besides, it's UGLY, but functional.  I did sell my Marlin Camp 9 carbine for the princely sum of $400. -- therefore justifying a new gun purchase.  I looked at the RAMI, in .40 of course --I have to admit I didn't like the feel. I loved the feel of the CZ PO-1, only a few ounces heavier, but the light rail feature left me cold. Let me say it was light, well balanced, and fit my hand better than any gun I have. (including my hi powers).  I ordered the CZ 75 D PCR compact, which is basically the same gun as the PO-1, without the rail, and with low-profile sights.  If you have a chance, check out the PO-1 or the 75D PCR. (Not the 75 compact -it is a different gun). I'm sure you'll love them. - Lt. Glock19”  Preaching to the choir… I’m a huge CZ fan.  The PCR is pretty much the same thing as the P-01, but without the rail.  Eric of HBE leatherworks packs a PCR as his carry rig.  Excellent choice.  Get with him about a good holster for it and you are SET. 

Email from GunsOfNevada with a damn good suggestion:  “Got the perfect idea of what to do with the Cherokee!  Why don’t you sell it off and buy something *better* than the deeds for the lock box in The Monster? Something compact and in .45 would be nice...Maybe a Monster Green anodized Colt Commander?  Wouldn’t it be the shit (Excuse the language) at the range, with a pistol whose finish matched this fucking awesome SUV?”  

I’ve already priced out a green finished fitted Caspian Commander slide on an Officers frame.  It’s just getting this such thing approved by She Who Must Be Obeyed, or pass it flying under her New Gun Radar.  I swear, I start just THINKING about a new gun and she starts pinging.   Let’s see… There are the Green XDs, and 1911’s by Springfield… that would be faster than going by the Caspian route.  Hmmm.   Okay, first things first – Who wants the Jeep?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller? 

Speaking of Ferris Bueller, for some weird reason I looked that movie up… turns out there is a website – no I wont link it – to a bunch of nutjobs that want a sequel.  Thanks to “Mr Rooney” and his comment about “15 years from now…”  Well, in a couple years it will be 15 years and they want to see where Ferris is “now”.  How lame.  Please, Hollywood… come up with a better idea.  You know that chick in the flick that all the guys fell in love with?  “Sloan”?  Damn if she didn’t grow up nice.   Women really do get better with age…  This is why I can tell my wife that she looks more beautiful than ever, every day.  Because it’s true.   Don’t know where this little side trip came from… 

Ford Bronco again.  It’s not in my driveway and I find this disturbing.  I want my Bronco back!  I’ve become accustomed to driving it… I like the power (obviously) and I like the size.  I like everything about it.  It’s just so “Me” that getting back into that damned little Cherokee felt awkward as hell.  It all the sudden felt extremely weak and puny and tiny… I hated it.  And this Cherokee has a V-6 out of a Chevy S-10 in it… pretty good power to weight ratio aside, it just didn’t feel right.  This Bronco is bigger than the old Wagoneer… much bigger.  But it drives better, stops better, accelerates better and even smells better than the wag.  While we miss the Wag, we are well pleased with the Bronco.  I’m looking forward to getting it back even better than before and working on it some more.  I’ve got a new carpet kit lined up for it, new wheels, a new steering wheel, and I’m thinking of doing the roof liner and sides in leather.  When it’s done, it will be ferocious and brutal… just what I was looking for.  Now I just have this long wait to get it back... damn it!   

Early Morning: Thanks to Horde Officer Chase for the Bronco service manuals he just sent me.  I appreciate it.   I was in the Bronco today cleaning it out…  This unit has some work that needs doing... it will be my working project vehicle for some time.  I'm tickled in that this was to be the 1978 401 Wagoneer that was to be the working project vehicle.   The Wag didn't work out, but it looks like this Bronco will work out extremely well.  The interior lining had been ripped out, along with all the interior trim pieces.  This means I am going to be redesigning the thing from the inside out.  The seats are great, and that’s about it.  No, I’m not going to Rhino Line the inside.    Utah gets really hot and really cold… I think I’m going to insulate the Monster so it’s more comfy to ride in and to quite some of the rattles it has when you drive over bumps.  Added bonus is a small Sentry fireproof lock box that came with the rig.  This means I now have a safe and secure fire proof box for the titles to the growing fleet of vehicles in my back yard.  The question remains about what to do with the Cherokee.  It needs a new engine and a new power steering box and new front in stabilizers and a new transfer case.  Other than that, it’s fine.  Oh, and it needs a new AC condenser and a new window switch for the passenger front door… so other than THAT… it’s a fine Jeep.   Any takers?  I’m asking only 500 bucks for it.  Comes with almost new tires and 4 inch lift kit… 500 cash, and it can be yours… you have to come get it.  I've been a little rough on her.  (insert evil laughter here)  The Sube is a keeper.  The engine is strong and has another 150 thousand miles left in it.  We will drive it until the wheels fall off.  And they might fall off soon if we don’t get the CV joints replaced.  I've been looking at the other Bronco's around here and on the Net.. I have a good idea in what I am wanting to do with it... 4 inch lift, bigger tires of course... maybe so Rhino Lining around the wheel wells...  Who knows.

Email from our Horde Member in New York that I thought you guys would find interesting… Obviously Hillary Clinton doesn’t know about this place… “Finally went to Westside Rifle & Pistol Range (20 West 20th Street, between 5th/6th Avenues) -- in Manhattan, of all places! Reportedly the last gun range in the city, it's underground but professional, as were the staff, and they're apparently FFL -- as indicated by the Mossberg under the glass counter.   What I liked was the variety of services and selection -- they rent out sidearms (Glocks, Kahrs, Berettas, Kimbers) for those with pistol permits or LEOs (badge & ID required), a .22 rifle of unknown make, and a Ruger carbine in 9mm, along with hearing protectors for all shooters. Also, they've got a separate area for firearms cleaning, offer ultrasonic cleaning, and even self-serve coffee for $0.50/cup.  Unfortunately, the bad side is the pricing -- it costs $50 just to learn how to use the .22 rifle and be provided with 50 rounds of ammo, the rifle and the target for your first day; the price drops to $25 if you return within three months. Becoming a range member at the Executive Rifle level allows you free .22 rentals and unlimited range time -- but costs $275 the first year, $250 every year after that, and sidearms aren't available at this level of membership.  Also, it's quite a walk from the nearest train station (18th Street).  In short: An acceptable/good range for beginners (the .22 rifle course) or handgunners -- or at least those with the money to shell out, anyway. - Lu” 

The official invitation to come shooting in Utah has been extended.   Evidently shooting in NYC is like eating caviar or something.  Is Manhattan a part of NYC?  I don’t know… I’m not into the Big Apple scene… I can’t afford it.     The most amazing thing is that there is a range in Ne… in Manhattan.

Email from Horde Commander Mike:  “A buddy of mine made a documentary about the explosion of the Howard Dean campaign.  An interesting tidbit was the comment of one of the student activists endorsing Mr. Dean.  She stated that we basically need to return to the United Nations, on our hands and knees, groveling for mercy or some such.  These sentiments seem to be echoed by many on the left.  The Iraq War was wrong, many say, because we didn't have full UN or NATO support.  Therefore, since only a few governments decided to go for it, instead of a few MORE, it was wrong.  Had more governments agreed to it, then it would've been "right".  I don't understand this concept of right and wrong, Ogre.  Because the UN decides something doesn't make it just.  It doesn't make it right, and it doesn't make it wise.  And vice-versa for the US government.  Foreign policy isn't about right and wrong, bluntly.  The United States doesn't have the resources to go around expelling every tin-pot dictator in the world, however just such an action may be, and in any case we'd draw even more venom from our neighbors if we did so.  US Foreign Policy is about protecting the US from threats.  Apparently, the Bush administration saw Iraq as a direct threat to the US, so we acted.  Wars have been fought over less meaningful ideas.  If the administration was wrong, and Iraq really wasn't a threat, then that needs to be explained thoroughly.  However, to say that the US policy is bad simply because it's rumpled the opinions of European leaders is ridiculous.  "The whole world is against us", the left says.  I haven't heard China or Japan complaining, or Thailand, or India, or South Africa, or Brazil.  By "the whole world", they seem to basically mean Western Europe, who frankly aren't such a big whoop anymore in any case.  You think some farmer in Brazil gives a shit one way or another about Iraq?  Exactly.  Europeans in these little socialist paradises are the only ones that seem to really bitch about this, Ogre.  Them and Canadians.   I think John Kerry wants to turn the US into a big Canada.  Canada is fine, if you're a Canadian.  But the US shouldn't try to be Canada. - Mike”   

Beg the UN… upon reading that one statement alone I had to wrap my skull in duct-tape to prevent it from exploding.   First off, the US doesn’t need to beg anyone for anything.  Second off, the UN is complete and utter JOKE.  It is a council of criminals and thugs… the Thieves Guild incarnate.  The UN has proven it’s self to be both incompetent and irrelevant time and time again.  They have refused to look into Haiti because it’s too messy and had admitted that they couldn’t do anything to help them anyways.  This isn’t surprising at all.  The ugly reality about the UN is that most of the Members absolutely hate the US and held fucking Champaign parties to celebrate September 11^th… most of the countries now representing the UN are the very countries that the UN was formed to keep an eye on.  They have a blatant Anti-American Agenda and hate everything about the very country that the representatives enjoy the freedoms of… Come to think of it, they are not that much different from the average Liberal or Network Media outlet.  But come on… to just give these guys even a shred respect is too much courtesy.  These are the very guys that raided and looted their own cafeteria… stealing all the food and even the flatware just because the staff left the doors unlocked!  No wonder they don’t want to raise a finger to help Haiti, because they themselves are acting like the damn Haitians!    You and I both know that President Bush’s bold move in kicking Saddam’s ass has saved many more lives than those we have lost in Iraq.  Let’s look at the bigger picture here.  Bush kicks Saddam’s ass and then looks around the room and says “Who Wants Some?!”  Libya drops his towel and walks out… Libya being the #1 Tango Farm in the 80’s.  They don’t want any.  And now, Mr Rattle-Saber himself drops his towel too… Kim Jong Il of North Korea has recently announced that he doesn’t want any either – because he knows that if they don’t fold, Bush really will come and kick his fragrant midget ass because Bush has nothing to lose in doing it, and everything to gain.  You want to talk about keeping the peace for America?  Right there – those two countries alone represented Global Threats #1 & #2 on the “To Do List”.  Does anyone with more than a spoon full of brain cells think that the UN could have done that?  The UN would have done nothing. 

Let’s look at UN’s history of successes that were not involving the USA doing 95% of the work and paying 95% of the bill:

Uh… sorry… no list there. 
The UN is nothing but a bunch of fucking babies crying a lot and sucking on the USA’s tits… and I for one am sick of it.   Of course the UN doesn’t support the USA’s kicking Saddam’s ass… Most of the UN countries were busy breaking their own UN Sanctions with commerce with Iraq!  The bigger the objections pretty much coincide with the bigger offenders!   

No wonder that France is for Kerry… not only does he look French, but he stinks just as bad… not that Kerry doesn’t like bathing or deodorant or anything – but Kerry’s stench comes from the bullshit that he spews every time he opens his mouth.   I keep waiting for the real Kerry to please stand up… but John F Kerry can’t… because his wife Teressa’s hand is up his giant French Muppet ass.  Don’t believe me?  If you look when John speaks, the Ketchup Queen’s lips are moving.    Of course John named her as the Foreign Leader – because she was born out of country and speaks 5 languages.  Yes, that not only makes her Foreign, but a Leader as well.  Hey Teressa, they are holding your seat for you at the UN.   Fuck the UN.  They are flat out UNIMPORTANT… but they do have some value… they are interesting and fun to watch – but then again, so are “Sea Monkeys”.

Email from the Horde’s official Gungy Guide: “I read your "Guns of Ronin" once before and then read it again after watching the film again on DVD. It was a whole lot clearer but there were two things that you said that I want to talk about. When they set up the first ambush and after Sam smokes the first car with the shoulder-launched grenade, he gets back in the car and picks up the rifle and starts "cranking off rounds down range" (you're right, he also shuts his eyes.) You said that you didn't know where the rifle came from, but when he pulled back the blanket and uncovered the grenade launcher, I could see the rifle in the blanket with the grenade launcher. The second thing is the anti-tank rocket that he uses to take out one of the chase cars. I always thought it was a LAW, but after looking at it again, it's either a Soviet knock-off of a LAW, the RPG-18 or, more plausible, something fake that somebody cooked up to look like a LAW. The reason that I think it's a fake is that normally when you want to use a LAW, you expand it which is a move that shows that you really mean business. If you notice, it's kind of long for an expanded LAW and he opens it up inside the car, which would have caused him all kinds of problems getting up thru the sun-roof. So they don't show him struggling to get up thru the sun-rrof since like an idiot, he opened it up inside the car (think of someone inflating the life vest inside the airplane). When he shoots it, they camera only shows flames coming out to the front of the LAW (it looked fake) and not the back blast. A better shot would have been from behind to show the back blast and then the little rocket flying towards the target.   All in all, I liked the movie and for me, it was like being back in my old stomping ground. I worked for about a year and a half over by Marseille and I used to go to Arles all the time. Oh, that reminds me, when he's in the Arena at Arles (they still hold bullfights there) and gets shot, I was wondering about what they said. It looked like he was hit with a ricochet so I thought that it hit him between the plates on his vest. Later when they took it out, they said that the bullet was Teflon-coated and it when thru his vest. I don't think that a ricochet that was Teflon-coated would go thru a vest. Am I right? Another bit of trivia for you. After he gets shot and they are driving thru the "mountains" to get to the farm house, they show a medieval city on a bluff. The city name is called Les Baux de Provence. There is a castle on top that you can visit and inside they have actual full-scale working models of a ballista and a trebuchet. In case you don't know, a ballista is just a giant crosssbow looking thing and a trebuchet is a siege engine that you will see every once in a while on TV. Some farmer will build once and use it to throw toilet seats and pianos.  El-ahrairah AKA The Gungy Guide”   

I’ve not been able to as of yet verify the RPG-18 thing… but I think you are correct about the SIG 551 being under the blanket.  I’ll have to watch the DVD again when I get the time.  As far as the Teflon thing… Teflon coated bullet’s are not armor piercing because of the Teflon.  You can’t just spray it with Teflon and that makes them magical AP rounds.  It doesn’t work like that, and that’s the biggest gaff in the whole film.  Teflon coating the bullet can help the bullet in two ways – 1. it means you don’t need a copper jacketing over the lead so the bullets are cheaper and still wont foul the gun.  2.  Reduces friction in the barrel giving you a couple feet per second speed advantage and reduces the wear on the barrel.  You could buy these all the time from Federal, they are called “Nyclad” and were absolutely excellent rounds for .38 and 9MM.  To this day they remain my favorite loads for both calibers… because at standard pressure loadings the slugs have great expansion that to the lead being able to freely expand since there is no copper jacket to hold it together.  The advantage there is in longer range or heavier targets where the bullet will have been slowed down even before it penetrates the target.  I think the car chase in the flick are world class and are the best ever filmed… even better than Steve McQueen’s “Bullit”.  Thanks for the info and trivia! 

Email from Coo:  “Hi guy!  I was rooting around your web site this evening and came across the holster blog.  The story about the wind blowing up your jacket at the zoo reminded me of something that happened during Just Cause.  In 1989 I was the XO for an MI aviation company in Honduras.  When the invasion of Panama began we sent down one mission aircraft and a 'push package' to conduct limited recon operations in support of the action.  Part of that package was a team of civilian aircraft maintenance crewmen from Beech Aerospace Services, Inc., who we were obliged to arm (which in itself is another funny story).  Being as we were an aviation unit, all we had to give them was .38 revolvers.  As it happens, one of the BASI guys we sent to Panama was a fellow named Juan Santana.  And, as you might image, Mr. Santana was a decidedly Latino-looking gentleman.  So the invasion begins on 20 December.  The next day, back in Honduras, I’m getting desperate telephone calls from Panama telling me that Mr. Santana is forever being menaced by U.S. military types who see the handle of a revolver protruding from his trouser pocket and assume he is a hostile Panamanian.  I didn't think a holster would solve anything but I scrounged up and sent a hip holster anyway.  The threats to Mr. Santana stopped.  With a gun in his pocket, he was a bad guy.  Wearing the gun on his hip in plain sight, he was a good guy.  Go figure.  Regards, Coo”  

Thanks for the story, Coo.  In Utah, “open carry” is decidedly un-kosher.  For some reason I thought it was legal when I first moved here from VA.  I carried open for about 3 months… no one ever stopped or questioned me.   However one day at the park I kept getting looks from this cop.  I guess he thought I was a police officer as well and was trying to place me.  I just smiled and waved at him.  He did the same back and went on his way.  Later I found out it was a No-No… You can only do it out in the boonies on your ranch or while hunting… NOT in Down Town SLC.  Oh well.

This man is officially a giant asshole.

If anyone has a copy of this I could borrow for evaluation, that would be great.  I want to check this distro out.  It looks to be very promising.  All it needs is a bundle of some good games!

Gun Of The Day:  Springfield’s Mini XD.  One of the top CCW choices out there.  Read my review of it here.  (also note the evil Teflon Coated bullets!  Okay, not “Teflon” but it is a Nylon coating)

Mar 16th, Tuesday, 2004:  1100hrs:  Interesting story about a 10 year old Boy.  My boy at this age is into Pokemon, Pizza, Karate class, Archery, Swimming, and Riding his bike.  I guess in Palestine kids like to play different games… like “Kill all the Jews”.  Is there any chance for Peace any time soon?  Not in this or the next generations.  Peace Talks?  How about finishing the wall and then waiting for 40 years… then – maybe – the Peace Talks will have some purpose.  I mean come on – Palestinian children are indoctrinated to hate and kill while other kids are learning ABC’s and how to write their names.  Sad and Pathetic… the Palestinians are the human equivalent of the Dynamite Monkey. 

There are some interesting movies on the horizon… The Chronicles of Riddick looks to be awesome.  Vin D brings back the bad guy character from “Pitch Black”… one of the better scary Sci-Fi movies out there.  I’ve been looking forward to this one for some time now.  Then we have of course the Aliens VS Predator flick… I have to admit that I hope this one is good.  I want to love it.  But I am afraid that I am not very optimistic about it.  Without the Colonial Space Marines with M-41A Pulse Rifles – it’s pretty much a wasted effort.  BTW, I picked up the special edition DVD of “Aliens” and it’s freaking amazing!  If you have never seen the Special Edition version – you have never seen “Aliens” and the term “Sentry Guns” probably means nothing to you.  Anyways… I’ll have to go see this one while I am crossing my fingers that they didn’t screw up such vast potential.  A small voice in my head is telling me that there is better Fan Fiction out there than what the Screen Writer’s Guild Hacks came up with.  Last movie that looks to be this summer’s best:  The Village.  M. Night Shyamalan has become my favorite Director of Spooky.  Watch that trailer and tell me it doesn’t look awesome… I dare you.    This cat knows how to build up suspense and dread… just look at “Signs”.  Freaking BRILLIANT. 

Is it a surprise that she was a Democrat Staffer?  A fucking Spy for Iraq.  This doesn’t surprise me at all… it only serves to deepen my disgust for the average Liberal Fucknozzle.   She should be interrogated to identify her confederates and then promptly hung by a good rope until she looses 21 Grams.  Fucking spy.

DOG WOLF BLOG ALERT:  Ranger.  I was reading a book about dogs to my littlest boy… in it was a picture that looked just like Ranger.  It was a picture of a Timber Wolf.  So I got on Google and started looking up Timber Wolves.  I found images that looked EXACTLY like Ranger.  I went out and looked Ranger over and came back in and looked at the Timber Wolves… back and forth.  I looked up German Shepards too… Ranger has a lot less German Shepard than I first thought.  The Shelter was wrong… I was wrong.  Animal Control caught this dog, saw the saddle like shape, and called it a German Shepard Mix.  Because of the “Mix” and the markings, I guessed it was a mixed with a Siberian Husky.   No… there is no Mix in Ranger.  There is no German Shepard in Ranger either.  Ranger is a full blood Timber Wolf that the Animal Control Officer just picked up out and thought it was a domestic dog.  Maybe it was born in captivity and grew up with humans… whatever it was… this explains a great many things about Ranger’s behavior…. Ranger is a fucking Timber Wolf!  To verify this, I'm taking him to a wildlife expert in town.    

Gun of the Day:  IMI Timberwolf.  In Ranger’s honor.  A short lived but excellent rifle, can be had in .357 Magnum… it’s an accurate and reliable pump action rifle that was very poorly marketed.  If you come across one for sale, it’ll be probably pretty expensive because it was after production ended that people realized how awesome they were.  

MAR 15th, Monday, 2004:  1900hrs: This is what I’ve been saying for years.  Linux needs games.  If you’re an Uber Geek, you can port some games over to Linux… or some games can run using WINE… but really the games for Linux are thin.  Very thin.  There was a company that ported games, but they are long gone.  I keep pulling for Linux… I want to love Linux… but it’s not ready to take over my desktop.  Here are things Linux needs:  MS OFFICE for Linux, Adobe Photoshop for Linux, (Don’t give me that GIMP line… I’m talking professional grade Photoshop here) Grand Theft Auto: Vice City for Linux, Neverwinter Nights for Linux… and just insert your favorite PC game here.  Here is something else Linux needs – A major maker offering Linux.  Linux is the future… just give it time.  I’ve seen screenshots of the next Windows, and it’s more and more like OSX… You know – MS would do really well to built Windows as a shell over Unix like Apple did… Just my opinion.

I’m still not a big laptop fan… but here is a laptop that I could groove on.  Long battery life, slim and light… and small… this isn’t a Desktop Replacement… it’s a laptop.  Plain and simple.

Boots and Sabers ask a very good question:  If the war was all about oil, where the hell is my cheap gas?  Around here, gas is between 1.78 and 2.00 a gallon.  I’m with them… I want my cheap gas too, damn it!

For my brothers heading for Iraq… We took the Bronco high up into the Uintah mountains.  We went to do some sketches, but ended up doing a nature hike.  After the hike my little boys decided to pray for their uncles.  It was a beautiful day, and the weather was just gorgeous up there.  The boys knelt and said precious prayers.  Beautiful experience.   

My feelings about them going are mixed.  On one hand I am proud of them, I know they will do well and be okay.  On the other hand, I am of course worried about them and would rather they stayed out of Iraq.  They are spiritual and patriotic… I know they will be fine.   But I prayed for them up on the mountain too.  There is a spot that doesn’t take too long to get to… it gives you a fantastic view of the basin.  God is closer to you in the mountains, you can feel it.  We will have to go again soon.

You guys all know my appreciation for horror movies.  I LOVE scary movies.  I rented “Cold Creek Manor” because the trailer for it looked pretty good and Sharon Stone is in it and she’s awesome.  There was potential there… with the location… the house… the back story… everything led up to the possibility of a great scary movie.   Instead of a scary movie, what you have is a good nice long lesson of why people should own guns for personal defense.  If you were to replace “Mr Cooper” with “Mr Ogre”, then this movie would have been maybe 20 minutes long MAX.  It would have been like this… Psycho Guy walks in the house… He is met with by Mr Ogre who is holding a .45 who invites him to leave instantly.  Psycho guy leaves.  Psycho guy comes back and is again greeted by Mr. Ogre.  This time it’s the .45 that invites the Psycho guy to leave, permanently.  Roll Credits.   But that wasn’t this movie.  This movie was different.  This movie has Mr Cooper running around like an idiot just wanting to be victimized.  The flick just ruins all the potential with all the clichés and zero surprises.  Normally if a flick is good, I’ll recommend it… this movie I just recommend you avoid it at all costs.  This movie just sucks.  DO NOT rent this movie.  It’s completely worthless.

Gun of the Day:  Ruger SP101.  After all these years of new handguns and fancy space age technology and guns made out of shit you have to look up on the Periodic Tables and new super duper magic calibers… the small snub nosed revolver remains one of the best choices for a person wanting a concealable weapon.  The .38 is great, but a snuby .357 is better because you can load it for serious work and it aint really any bigger.  The SP101 isn’t made out of anything more fancy than good old stainless.  It’s kind of heavy when compare it to what is popular at the moment in these featherweight air light things.  What you get for the weight is a snubby that is just an excellent shooter even with stout 158 magnum shells… it doesn’t make you hand hurt or cause you to flinch or anything that is a side effect of the Air Lights.  I am not a fan of Ruger automatics (but I did shoot a P90 last Saturday that I have to admit was just fine) but I find the Revolvers to be excellent… especially the little 5 shot .357 SP101.

Early Morning: Just got back from the Wasatch.  Met new friends and old friends and did some shooting and ate some good food… I don’t know about the rest of the guys – but I had a great time indeed.  Being outside of the Uintah Basin was more than a breath of fresh air.   

We gathered at the Utah Shooting Academy and took over the tactical range… I found this range to be less than ideal.  #1, there was no ventilation, #2, the lighting was poor, #3 the target steel plates were angled wrong and we were getting more flak coming back at us than a B-17 over Berlin.  Should there be piles of raw lead in the corners like snow drifts?  I don’t think so.  In a nut shell, the place is toxic.  We were probably there too long.  Over on the paper target range, things were better… air and light and a back stop that caught the bullets properly.  The gunshop part of the range, I’ll rate at a 5.  It was completely average, which is a nice step up from what was before; a 2.  The paper range, I’ll give a 6.  Slightly above average.  The “tactical” range was a 1.  Oh, not only were the range conditions horrid, but the Christmas tree targets – A solid hit on one of them would nock the plate not just around to the other side – but completely off the target stand.  It was pathetic.  If you want an indoor range – Springville’s “Rangemasters” remains the best in the area.  The food was “Durangos”, a tex-mex grill.. the food was good… I will give it an 8 considering that I’m out here in the middle of this hell hole where Taco Bell is considered by the local illiterate as “good Mexican food”.  *shudder*   I was so stuffed that even hours later – I still felt stuffed.

I had a wonderful time – thank you to those who came out.  You all made the trip well worth the experience.     Oh, I have a thread over here about some of the guns we shot there.  No one liked the Beretta Mini Cougar… yet I LOVE IT!  And that reminds me of something else that I love that is hated…

“It’s a piece of shit!” The Bride exclaimed.  She doesn’t like the Bronco.  Not at all.  I guess I forgot to tell her that the speedometer and fuel gauge don’t work.  She said she is going to call it “The Piecer”.   It is NOT a piece of shit!  So what if the stereo was ripped off and there is a whole in the dash… so what if some of the gauges don’t work… It’s a 4X4 that runs great… strong… it’s like a freaking panzer!  A sick and twisted brutally overpowered fucking panzer!   I love it, she hates it, no big deal… I’ll replace the gauges and have a stereo installed… no problem.  Girls… sheesh.  Let’s not forget that this opinion comes from the woman who purchased on GMAC revolving credit, a Geo Metro… and financed the full cost of it!  We paid on that damn car for 6 years!  So before we start talking about automotive taste, missy… please tell The Horde why you picked the Geo Metro; “It was cute”.   I rest my case.  (granted she was a smoking hot redheaded dancer that would make a priest want to kick in a stained glass window, so I wasn’t about to say anything – If she thought it was cute – then damn it, it was cute!)

My two youngest Brothers have been activated.  This is why I am late in posting here… Shortly after I got home, I received a phone call them giving me this news.  They will be deployed to Iraq after the unit cycles through training to change the unit from Artillery to Military Police, and then off to Iraq.  This news came as a shock to me.  My bros are full time college students at SVU and are Guardsmen to help pay for the schooling… my comfort is that they are both extremely smart fellows, and ferocious soldiers.  They come from a long line of good soldiers and I know they will do well… but I will still be praying for them during all my prayers.  They are optimistic and in good spirits about it.  I am optimistic as well, but I can’t say I’m in good spirits.  These are my brothers over here – my blood brothers.  My little brothers…  We were all soldiers so I guess it’s their turn.   Thank God they are going over as MP’s.  MP’s have good firepower and they all have sidearms. They will be okay.

To cheer up from the above news, we watched “School of Rock”.  Jack Black is amazing… I feel much better now.

Mar 12th, Friday, 2004: 2100hrs: Okay, so I pulled the trigger on the Bronco.  It’s a 1984 with a 460 Cubic Inch V-8.  It’s a monster.  It also has a busted fuel gauge so I’m going to drive the Subaru out to the Wasatch Front, because… well… it’s fucking 460… that and I didn’t put insurance on it yet so I’m not going to be foolish.  The rig drives great, tons of room in side for my little Horde… and the four wheel drive works great.  I’ve already tested that.  I tested it by climbing a hill that caused the bride to scream like she had just been snake bit and my Wrecking Crew to cheer in delight.  The rig has been dubbed "The Monster".

Again, I'll be out there at the shooting range at about 2:00... not driving The Monster.  The forecast calls for snow.  The Subaru scoffs at snow... The Monster is still an unknown element in snow.  Hope to see you guys out there. 

0930:  I’m going shooting this Saturday, March 13th, 2:00PM.  I’m going to The Utah Shooting Academy , 55 North 1400 West, Lindon, UT  84042  (801) 785-7880. (Driving Directions: From I-15 take exit 276 and turn West on 1600 North. Drive west on 1600 North and turn right (north) on Geneva Road. Drive north on Geneva Road under the freeway overpass, through the traffic light, and over the railroad tracks. Just past the railroad tracks (the ones that run diagonally to Geneva Road), turn left on Center Street (There's a large steel building on the northwest corner). Drive west on Center Street. It will curve to the southwest. Follow it until you come to the stop sign at the end of the street. At its end, Center Street intersects 1400 West. Turn right (northwest) on 1400 West, drive about half a block, and turn left into the driveway. If you come to the barricade at the end of 1400 West, stop, and look at the building directly to your left. That's the Utah Shooting Academy.)  If you are a near there, come shooting, and afterwards, let’s grab something to eat!

I found an Ogre Green Bronco that looks solid and runs great.  I’m thinking about getting it.  But before I pull the trigger on it, I’m going to shop around a bit.    I don’t want to jump the gun on something and then drive around the block and see something better.  “D’oh!”  I hate it when that happens and it happens every damned time.

Site Meter.  I installed the Site Meter code to give me a count of what this site is doing.  Holy Shit!  I deleted it off – I don’t want to know this.  The numbers were altogether too high for my comfort level.  This is like singing in your car and you look over and there is a whole bus load of people watching you.  *shudder*  How many hits?  Well, you know how some blog tracking sites rate popularity based on how many people link to you?  Well, I let’s just say that I kick a lot of those blogs above me right in the nuts.  They might have a lot of links – but I get more hits.  I get a shocking number of hits.  And here is the cool thing – this is a complement to The Horde – You guys hang out and actually READ.  Average time spend reading was 3 minutes.  More than twice the time of other sites.  I’m going to have to change the name of The Mighty Ogre Horde to The Mighty Fucking Huge Ogre Horde!  Speaking of "blog", I'm no longer going to refer to this site as a blog.  MadOgre.com is much more than what most people refer to as a "blog".  Especially since my Horde actually takes the time to read everything, do I really need to be in such a hurry that I have to use such simple contractions all the time?  I'm not sure how to define what MadOgre.com is... but a "Blog" seems to fall short.

I caught a little bit of the NAACP Image Awards and it made me wonder.  Why are these guys taking such pride in Black Accomplishment?  They still support Affirmative Action… That means they are having accomplishments because Whitey is letting them.  Without Affirmative Action – they have accomplishments all on their own.  It’s theirs… they own it.  Why don’t they want that?  Now the other thing I don’t understand is why the NAACP and their ilk continue to vote Democrat when all the Democrats do is take them for granted.  The biggest Donk used to be a freaking Grand Wizard of the KKK – yet these guys will STILL vote for him – and do so year after year.  Yes, I’m talking about Senator Byrd.  The prick.  If these NAACP awards are supposed to be a showing of pride for themselves and for black accomplishment – then they need to vote for the party that appreciates accomplishment and achievement.  The broken logic of them voting Donk just cracks my skull, it gives me such a headache.   And don’t give me that I don’t know their issues – I patrolled the streets of Richmond – at night - I know the issues there.  I’ve seen the best of it, I’ve seen the worst of it.  And if they claim to have any pride, then they need to stand up and prove it… and stop voting for the free hand outs… they need to take themselves seriously and take responsibility for them selves.  Most of the violence in America is Black on Black – yet they call each other Brother.   Fucking show it.  So much potential… the whole American sub culture that has so much beauty and intelligence and faith that it can be at times utterly breathtaking… and all the potential remains largely untapped because they put them selves at the feet of the Democrats.   White guys who say “I’m Black!”  Let’s see Kerry eat some beans and rice and some collard greens.  I have.  You bet I have.   Do I think I’m better for it?   Maybe I am… I’ve not just talked about “diversity” or used it as a mere buzz word… I’ve tasted it.  I’ve experienced it… What’s Kerry done?  Voted for some more welfare?  Come on.  Stand up for yourselves!  The Democrats don’t care about you.  How many Brothers have sat at Ted Kennedy’s table with him?  The Democrats are not your party!

Mar 11th, Thursday: 2004:  1600hrs:  Mobil Computing:  I need to type when taking notes.  I can type faster than I can write.  In my classes I have found that note taking is a challenge.  I’m going to get a Pocket PC device, one that connects to a folding keyboard or one that has a keyboard in it that I can at least peck at.  As much as I have always loved the iPaq… I am leaning to the Dell Axim X3i.  Oh, it’s got to have built in Wireless too.  I’ve been looking at some of the options out there and the Dell is looking to be the best.   If the Sharp Zaurus had built in Wi Fi, I’d buy one.  But I’ve seen the difficulties getting these things hooked up can be.  Screw that… It’s an awesome handheld, but I also need the Wi Fi now.  The iPaqs with the built in are nice, but a lot more than the Dell.  The only thing the Dell doesn’t have is the CF slot.  But that’s not such a big deal to me.  I’d like a handheld that has a qwerty board like Psion unit, but I don’t like that Psions.  And don’t even go there about the Sony.  I can’t do Sony.  If Sony had Pocket PC OS instead of a Palm OS – then maybe.  I don’t do Palm.  Fuck Palm.  I hate Palm.  I want something like the NEC Mobilepro 780, but up to current standards… and for the price of the X3i.  That’s what I want.  If I was to pull the trigger right now – Dell – but I want to hear from some other guys who are up on the current PDA thing.  I was last year… but a year can make a big difference. I’m thinking of the X3i with a folding keyboard.  Anyone has one of these?  How do you like it?

Mike… Why do you send me this kinda stuff?  WTF is this?  My only explanation is a whole shitload of Angel Dust.  That’s almost as bad as this.

Email “I would like to get this experience out there for the gunowners- Thanks: GUNBROKER SUCKS !!!! , They are nothing more than an online store for a den of thieves . If you have been defrauded and complain to them about it they will most likely terminate your account , erase the feedback you leave about a dealer that is supposed to keep things honest. In my case a dealer sold me a scope that was in "perfect" condition and he himself had used , Well one trip to the range revealed the scope had a major defect and could not be zeroed (wandering reticle) , Dealer then said no refund/exchange "cause you must have damaged it" ,So now I have a $375 scope that is worthless , luckily the manufacturer(Thanks-Yukon Optics) replaced the scope and even explained that the scope indeed had a defect . So this A$$HOLE DEALER WAS LYING AND GUNBROKER PROTECTED HIS INTEREST BY ERASING THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK I LEFT ON HIM AND THEN TERMINATED MY ACCOUNT ! . Maybe that is why they claim fraud is rare on their site , they censor and hide it to protect the sellers/dealers that generate their profit , I welcome all to view item#14872338 on gunbroker and see that feedback I left on this dealer is "gone" , yet his feedback on me remains and he has a perfect rating , wonder how many other buyers left feedback about this dealer or deals gone bad that got erased?, I'm not the only one complaining , others have had a similar experience on gunbroker - BUYER BEWARE , dealers run things at gunbroker and a good rating means nothing!!! , If you can't use your Visa/MC to pay (Stay away from PAYPAL) you run a high risk of getting Screwed , at least Visa/MC will try to get your money back - GUNBROKER WILL NOT HELP YOU.  Sincerely,  James.”

I know.  I complained about a dealer and they did nothing.  I proved beyond all doubt that the dealer was a lying sack of shit.  Others did as well.  They did nothing about it.   The dealer is still there.  I don’t deal with GunBroker.com anymore. 

Email:  “Ogre, I long for debates right about in October, just in time for that all-important October Surprise that goes something like this.

After a long and spiteful debate, Bush holding is own and it is time for each candidate to give their closing comments.

Kerry: The American people are tired of the deception and lies that have come from this Administration.  They don’t appreciate being deceived about WMD’s and circumventing the UN coalition of nations.  America is ready for change, and the Kerry/Clinton ticket is here to answer that call…..blah, blah, blah…

Moderator:  Mr. Bush, your closing statements?

Bush:  America is a strong nation and the spirit of the American people…

…. A well-dressed man wearing sunglasses walks up to the Bush podium touching Bush on the elbow and whispers in his ear.  President Bush gives a couple nods of the head and the man with the sunglasses exits stage right.  Bush regains his composure…

Bush:  Excuse me, but a matter of National Security has just come to my attention.  Thank you.

Bush exits stage right and the news stations spend the next hour replaying the last words of Bush leaving the debate trying to analyze what could possible terror could have happened to pull the President (yes, the media have stopped calling him Mr. Bush now and are now calling him President Bush) away from the stage so abruptly. Several hours later, President Bush addresses the American People via national news conference on all the major networks, all the while the media hyping and speculating what could have happened to us now.  The cameras roll, Bush enters the room walking down the hall way in between the gauntlet of his cabinet, flanked by the American Flag and teleprompters and the Presidential Seal hanging behind the podium with the room packed full of reporters locally and around the world.  Bush:  Good evening.  It has come to my attention that in our ongoing fight against terror with the cooperation of our united coalition of friends in the war on terror, I’m happy to announce to the American People and the world that our Special Forces have discovered, captured and verified massive stockpiles of Weapons of Mass Destruction….  Oh baby, we are talking a steak right through the heart of the entire DNC and egg all over the face of the leaders of foreign countries who criticized the Bush Administration.  Can you say landslide?   I read your site everyday, Ogre, keep it up. Dennis”

That would be sweet... but it wouldn't mean dick to the Left.  Because it was never about the WMDs, it has always been about Bush.  Just like Gun Control... it's about Control, not the guns.

1000hrs:  Email Regarding the GOTD: “I picked mine up at a gunshop $180 out the door. I chose the 45-70 because at the time I couldn't afford $1800 for a Creedmore or Trapdoor Springfield copy.  Man, I love this little rifle it is accurate and quick handling. The only drawback is the skull rattling recoil from this 6 pound gun with hunting loads.  Don't forget about being able to buy a additional barrels for your Handi-Rifle in any caliber they offer for about $80 each. - JRS” 

I can imagine that in one of these, .45-70 might not be the most pleasant to shoot.  There are some recoil pads that you can get to put over the stock… this would help out.  For me, that would be required because of my bad shoulder.  Ouch.  Such a benign rifle… you wouldn’t think it bad in any way… too bad there are those on Capital Hill that refer to these as “Sniper Rifles” and would ban them in a heart beat if given the chance.

Fell news from Spain this morning.  Terrorists have committed a horrible atrocity that has killed 173 and injured 500 more.  Such a thing is hard to imagine… but they planted a number of bombs in train stations an along the railways to make the hit during the rush hour commute.  This is utterly disgusting.  Spain as we all know, was part of the Coalition and supported the USA during the Iraq war.   Why would anyone want to put a hit on Spain?  I mean, come on, it’s Spain… it’s like Europe’s Canada.  They are not offensive, very polite, and quiet folks over there.  Why would someone want to put a hit on them?    Unfortunately asking “Why” is a waste of time.  Spain got hit because Spain was a target of opportunity for them… like the Climber who was asked why he wanted to climb the mountain, “Because it’s there”.   There is no logic to Terrorisim.  There is no reasoning with Terrorists.  You can’t ask them “why” because while they think they have justifications, the reality is that they are just evil fucking bugs that need to be squashed as soon as you them.   I heart goes out to the people of Spain today.  We feel your pain over here in America, we really do.  The is why the War on Terror needs to be fought, and it needs to be the fought the right way.   Some might blame Bush for this… (don’t ask me how – they will find a way.  For crying out loud they blame Bush for people not getting jobs… as if it was his job to do so… like he is fucking Kelly Services or some thing)  But I blame someone else for this… Oh yes I do.  I blame KERRY.  You see, John Kerry and his ilk voted to hamstring the CIA and voted against anything that made our intelligence community worth while.  He cast his vote to forbid any intel that could come from inside sources.  His vote meant that the CIA can only get information from good upstanding fellows who are honest and trustworthy and not “seedy” or anything.  So I guess the CIA’s new standard operating procedures of asking all the Mormon Missionaries “What’s Up?” just isn’t quite panning out as we would like.   (That was no joke either, the CIA and NSA do a lot of recruiting from Provo, Utah thanks to all the Missionaries there... where “Seedy” means “they serve coffee”)  Thanks to Kerry’s vote, the Intelligence community has been firing on only 3 cylinders… no inside information, no network of informants, no “dirt” that could have been used to prevent this, to have found Saddam’s WMD’s, to have pin pointed Saddam’s location for that first strike, to have found Osama, to have prevented September 11^th, 2001’s tragic day.   Hell, with better intelligence at the ground level, the CIA could even have prevented the attack on the USS Cole.   Thanks a lot, Kerry… fuckface… and now you want to be the Commander and Chief?  You who stood on the Senate Floor and insult the President of the United States, and call him a liar and a crook… calling all the Republicans liars and crooks too?    I don’t think so Mr. Kerry.  If anything else, Kerry’s only possible contribution to America would be that he would make even Jimmy Carter look good in contrast.  John Fucking Kerry… Spain wants to shake your hand.

And this asshat is at the moment projected to win.  Shit. Here is what Bush needs to do.  Win back his core constituency by coming out strong in favor of the Second Amendment. He has steadily been losing ground lately... he needs to get real popular real fast... and he can do it by being CONSERVATIVE.  Mr President, you are not going to win any votes by being Moderate, no matter how Left you lean.  BE CONSERVATIVE and solidify your base! 

Early Morning:  Looks like we will be able to expect more emails from Nigeria requesting help.  Fox News just reported a huge fire.  Undoubtedly this fire has burned out all the Businessmen and Diplomats and Mid Level Royalty persons who will of course need a little help from a few select US Investors.

Watching the news I came to the conclusion that this is going to be a long nasty political year.  I tried to look objectively for any reason to vote FOR Kerry.  I know a lot of people out there will vote AGAINST Bush… and that’s fine… but FOR Kerry?  The man changes his mind on every issue more often than his wife changes shoes.  As an individual, he is disgusting.  A silver-spoon asshole who has never wanted for anything, never worked a day in his life, and has no idea what it is like to be “an average American citizen” yet he wants to suddenly take up the most important position in the world?  He can’t eat a sand… a Cheese Steak… he can’t flip a pancake… he can’t ride a motorcycle further than 10 feet or faster than a slow walk speed… I don’t even think the man as broken a sweat before or since Vietnam.  I find Kerry to be completely repulsive.  Come on, At least Edwards was for real… Kerry is as fake as a Million Dollar Bill, and even a WAL-MART employee can see through that.   I ask just one thing of the Liberals out there, and the Democrats… Please – Vote for Nader or for some other 3^rd party if you have to – just don’t vote for Kerry.  He has nothing to offer.  Nothing.  His campaign button should just say “Hey, I’m not Bush” because that is the extent of his message.   

Between you Readers and me – I think Bush is doing a great job.  I’m not happy at all with what he has done with Immigration, Prescription Drugs, or his stand on Gun Control… but everything else he is pretty solid on and that’s a pretty good track record.

Email:  “Ogre - I took the libertarian test and got a '92'!  Ouch!  I don't consider myself a libertarian, just someone who believes the representative republic and constitution that were formulated to create our original form of gov. would work fine if given the chance.  I guess people say that about communism too...but not me.  Communists give high powered rifles purpose!   Anyway, I did answer yes to a few questions that were a little over the top, as an indication of my belief that thinking outside the box is the only alternative that will lead to improvement in government. The reason for this is the unregenerate condition modern institutions.  When one stops to think about modern national government in light of the vision and framework provided by the founders of this country, it appears that we have already destroyed the best and magnified the worst, only no one seems to know this or, if they do, they don't seem to care, for the most part.  Just shrug and swallow....  I would participate willingly in alternative systems that were not simply regurgitations of failed systems (such as socialism and communism) with new names.  We can do better - the question is, will we?  An intelligent anarchist (oxymoron?) viewpoint may have some value in the future, as all things government continue to spiral out of control.  – Tim”

I’m down for Anarchy if that’s the way things are going to roll.  I’m set.  But looking at the big picture, I don’t think it’s the best thing for the entire country, you know?  One thing is for sure – if we have Anarchy – I’ll be driving a nicer rig and moving my family into a nicer house by the end of the day, that’s for damn sure.  Still disappointed that the Y2K Bug didn’t pan out like I wanted it to… I had the spiked football pads ready and everything.  Damn it.

Gun of the Day:  The H&R Handi-Rifle.  Simple break open single shot rifle that can be had for under 200 dollars at any gunshow, in just about any caliber you could want… It’s often overlooked or scoffed at until you shoot one and realize that it’s pretty damn good for the pittance they ask for it.  It might not have any cow bell, but it can do man’s work.  Simple and very rugged, built on a shotgun action.  They are generally very accurate.  It’s a good rifle to get to practice your marksmanship with.  With only one shot on tap, you are going to take the time to make it count.  Once you “Get Good” with one of these, then you can invest in a higher level weapon and actually be able to use it properly.  Good rifle for training, or for a little extra challenge, or for just a cheap rifle in a caliber you are investigating.   There are a lot of good military surplus rifles out there, but they are not found in .223, or .243, or .270, or .30-30, or, .30-06, or .45-70… what have you.   You can put a good scope on these babies for an inexpensive sharpshooter’s rifle and they will do well as such.  Every American needs a rifle… if you don’t have a rifle, at least get one of these.  They are also sold as the New England Arms “NEF Handi-rifle” and to me they are identical… if there is any real difference other than the name tag, I can’t tell.  I don’t care.  Just ask yourself this… Do you have a rifle?

Mar 10th, Wednesday, 2004:  Early Morning:  This is perhaps the most horrible photo in the world.  “After anthropologist Susan McKinley came back home from an expedition in South America, she noticed a very strange rash on her left breast. Nobody knew what it was and she quickly dismissed it believing that the sores would leave in time. Upon her return she decided to see a doctor after she started developing intense pains. The doctor, not knowing the exact severity of the case, gave her antibiotics and special creams. As time elapsed the pain did not subside and her left breast became more inflamed and started to bleed. She decided to bandage her sores however as Susan's pain grew more intense she decided to seek help from a more certified doctor. Dr. Lynch could not diagnose the infection and told Susan to seek the aid of one of his colleagues who specialized in dermatology whom was sadly on vacation. She waited for two weeks and finally was able to reach the dermatologist. Sadly, a life changing event was about to unfold during her appointment.”  Don’t click this link if you are squeamish.   

Email response to the quote about Libertarians being Anarchists:  “Horse manure.  I'm sure some (small "L") libertarians slide into anarchism, but they are the minority.  Besides, "libertarian" isn't catchy, its kitschy.  Leftists, Marxists, & anti-American scum appropriated the perfectly serviceable "liberal" and perverted it into what we think of liberals today.  The founding fathers were the world's foremost proponents of true liberalism.  I generally prefer the term "classical liberal."  I scored 82 on the "LPT."  Frankly, some of the questions did lead me to think the author is a wee bit more anarchist than libertarian.  My libertarianism is generally in accord with the principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.  When folks start talking about abolishing the Post Office & privatizing the sidewalks, they lose me.  Ditto for those libertarians who speak about disengaging from the world and abolishing the Defense Department.  I expect my government to comb the world in order to identify, locate, and expend munitions on any crapweasel with the intention of depriving me of my life, liberty, or property.  I won't be voting (big "L") Libertarian for president this go 'round. None of the likely Libertarian candidates are in favor of vigorously prosecuting the War on Terrorism.  I believe that the number one issue this election cycle is taking it to the Islamofascists... HARD.  Anyway, I'm an American before I'm a libertarian. – Jason”  Email of the day.  Thanks for standing up for your beliefs with reason and a good argument, Jason.  I appreciate that.  Email of the day.

Yes, I know the icky picture I linked to is fake.  It's on Snopes and says its fake.  Thank you Captain Obvious.  Thank heavens it is!

Email from Horde Member: “Good evening Sir:  Just got home from college - another month and another class down. Sitting here unwinding with a beverage and perusing the MO site. It is a very thorough site, and at times like this I appreciate taking my time and going through it. I came across your holster links and thought I would throw another one out to you. I ordered a concealed carry rig for my .45 Kimber from Bob Mernickle  and it should be here in a week or two. They are custom made so six weeks is not out of the ordinary, and the prices are fair and reasonable (at least in my opinion). Of course, it's not quite as cheap as the one my brother-in-law made for my .45 revolver, but what the hell? I really like they way they look and the custom tooling is a nice touch. I'll let you know more about it when it arrives. By the way, I shot a 32 on the Lib quiz. Take care, Steve”  Thanks for the heads up, Steve.

Gun of the Day:  The Detonics Combat Master.   I’ve talked about this gun before.  Detonics is an interesting little page in the book of firearms history.  They were the first guys to produce a seriously chopped down 1911 .45 automatic, and they did it well.  They also made a cartridge called the .451 Detonics which was like the .45 Super that is more common today.  Detonics unfortunately folded and closed shop because they were ahead of their time.  Thanks to the AWB and Crime Bill little but potent pocket rockets have become very popular and now more than ever before, small concealable .45’s are all the rage.  For good reason too… they make for EXCELLENT concealed carry handguns.   The reason this is the gun of the day is that I have just informed The Bride that I had I have entered into an agreement to purchase one, an early blued example.  This agreement was made a few days ago, but I didn’t know how to tell her… and it kinda just slipped out.  Oops.  Luckily, she didn’t kill me.  She did try to call it my birthday present, but I’m not sure if she can do that… since it’s not for a few weeks yet and I am getting this for myself.  Might as well be though as she is not grooving on the idea of the Dell Axim X3i that I’ve been jonesing for.   Anyways.  I’m stoked for this little Detonics.  As soon as that Tax Return gets here – I’m sending the payment that very moment.   Oh – more good news.  It was reported at the SHOT show that Detonics is going to reopen and start making more of these sweet sweet little Gems.   Matt, if you still have that Stainless Detonics… email me.  The link above is to Bigger Hammer’s site with lots of good information and pictures.  In a nutshell, if you come across one, snag it.  They are awesome.  Can’t wait to get this one.

Mar 9th, Tuesday, 2004: 1600hrs: The Libertarian Purity Test.  Take this test to see how much of a Libertarian lean you have.  My score was “33”.  I like a strong military and strong economy relative to other nations.  I like safety regulations for industry.  I like roadways to be paved.  I don’t think “ALL” road work and public lands should be privatized.  I don’t think adults should be allowed to take any drugs they want… PLEASE!  Far too many jackasses can’t even handle BEER let alone something more intoxicating.  Libertarianism works just fine when you are out in the county… but in the City?  No way.  Privatized Police?  Are you kidding?  Fine for your gated communities… but geeze… are you guys kidding me?   No – let me clarify this – I’ve done that before.  I worked as one.  I don’t think this is the way to go about it.  Not by a long shot.  Out of all the officers I worked with, only 1 other person was actually qualified in my opinion.  Privatize it?  That has got to be the most retarded Libertarian idea when you think about it on the inside inner working level.    Unless you like the idea of Renta Cops driving Ford Focus “Police Cars” and aiming Hi Point pistols at the villains (Anyone not dressed like them) while wearing home made body armor if any and running with the most minimal standards and training for the minimum pay to get people to take the jobs.  No freaking way.   Anyways… I am not totally against Libertarians.  They have a lot of good points that I support.  For that reason I am thinking about voting for Richard Mack for the office of Governor of Utah.  You remember him?  Sheriff Richard Mack?  His book is the price for the Photoshop contest.  However I am torn.  I also like Fred Lanpropolis (however you spell his last name) for Governor for certain reasons. 

Overheard:  “True Libertarians are nothing more than anarchists with a catchy name, much like the Socialists masquerading as Democrats.”

Email from Horde Commander:  “I was reading MO and the feelings you get when you hold some guns.  That is very interesting.  I think you can discern a spiritual "karma" if you wish, to inanimate objects.  Especially those that deal with life and death.  My dad as you know had a double barreled shotgun.  It belonged to his dad, so it was very old.  The barrels were so thin from use, it would have been suicide to shoot it.  Those guns gave my dad food to eat at times, but it also gave him safety.  In his day, the economy was in the dumps, and some poor souls who were out of work and hungry and desperate, would often come by.  Some were kind, and wanted to work for what they might eat.  Others just wanted to take.  The gun came in handy at those times.  Prettyboy Floyd was shot and killed not far from where they lived, and was brought to town, on the bed of a pickup.  My mom and day were in town that day, and saw him.  Life is full of violence, and a gun is a natural source of protection, it always has been.  Those who say they would rather take their chances, are.  Me, I would prefer to have a choice.  My choice, not someone else’s, who is holding the gun at me.  You have a natural affinity for guns, because they are a part of life, and you have the intelligence to recognize it. – Tracy”  Thanks for the email Tracy.    If anyone asks why you have a gun  -  the answer is “For the same reason the Police have theirs”.

Another Pro Gun Blog from Utah.  Wasted Electrons.   He just got himself a new CETME rifle.  Good choice.   I’m wondering what other Utah Blogs are out there. 

Email from new and fired-up reader:  “Mad Ogre you are my fucking hero! I have attached a submission for your Photoshop contest. Yea I go to UC Berkeley… home of the hippies.  Man I hate hippies. All they do is bitch and whine and smoke some grass and bitch again.  "Oh Bush is going to war just for OIL!" "Oh we're there just to kill innocent children!" "Oh Bush is just mad because his dad couldn't get Saddam!"  Ohhh shut the FUCK UP already. What I hate most about liberals is their UNJUSTIFIED ASSUMPTIONS. Always making up stupid shit. Or they just hear some random shit on the streets and believe it. UNEDUCATED FUCKS. And when they do present a valid argument, it's always biased and full of flaws.  Example: "Children starve to death in American every day! Over (x number) of children die each day!"  No shit; most of those deaths are natural or from disease. Notice how they don't say HOW the children die in the second sentence. They simply put starvation and children dying in the same paragraph, even though the statistics are TOTALLY UNRELATED. It's always skewed statements like this that piss me off.  Example: "Oh violence in America! We must stop selling guns! There are over (x number) of guns in the streets! (x number) of children die everyday!"  No shit; most of those guns are legally registered or in the hands of law enforcement. Who are you trying to fool with that fake ass high number? And yes children do die everyday...from disease or natural causes. Those are some nice statistics you got there. Unfortunately none of them are relevant to your initial argument. Who are you trying to sway with your misleading and biased facts? And why you always got to play the "children dying" card? Why you always trying to make this emotional and shit? Perhaps if I was a weak-minded uneducated fuck, you would convince me.  I swear Ogre, I deal with this shit here on the streets in Berkeley everyday. Always protesting with these fucked up arguments. And when I slam them down, they just changed the subject of accuse me of being a "cold hearted bastard republican". Just hearing this shit pisses me off. Oh by the way... I'm a Chinese kid, I drive a fixed up Prelude, I go to UC Berkeley, and I'm a Republican. How's that for contradicting stereotypes? It's all good though, because I have seen the political light. Conservative is the way to go. I would be honored if you posted this on your websight. Tell those liberal bastards what this Chinese kid from UCB thinks! GOP!!  -Lee” 
Speechless.  Now that’s what’s called “Piss and Vinegar”.  And that Photoshop smokes.  Caught the attitude brilliantly.

Email about 14 year old voters:  “Dear Ogre, the 14 year old voting age idea is not quite new. It has been a liberal notion for some time, in British Columbia Canada at least. The NDP (leftist party) that was in power a few years ago wanted to lower the voting age to 14. I guess they realize that 14 year olds lack wisdom and are in the clutches of the public school system, so are likely to vote to the left.  Unlike California though, BC managed to embarrass the hell out of their crappy leftist government in the last election, leaving them with only 2 seats in the legislature, hah!   It seems like liberal bunk makes its way from Europe to Canada and then it starts migrating down here through California, New York and Massachusetts. For instance, the gay marriage thing. Whatever you believe about that subject... the Massachusetts court citing Canadian law on the subject... what the hell was that?  -Ben”

Citing Canadian Law?  And that is supposed to have any validity here in the USA?  What dumbasses. 

Follow up from Ben: “I had that headache for 10 years when I used to live in Canada. I moved back to the good ol' USA last year and promptly armed myself with a Beretta 96. I feel much better now. A 1911 will be joining the family as soon as possible. –Ben”  Beretta?  Good man.  You get a Field Promotion to Horde Lieutenant, effective as soon as you get that 1911.  All Horde Officers must have a .45 of one sort or another.  This is an inspection item.     

Email from Captain Gordie about emailing your politicos:  “Last week, in response to the ASB votes, I sent messages to both of “my” Senators about what I thought of there representation that day. I sent the message through the Gun Owners of America link on your site.

This morning, I get the following Message in response [emphasis added]:

Thank you for your recent message.  Senator Bayh appreciates your willingness to share your views with him. However, our system has detected that your e-mail has originated outside of our webform and will, therefore, not reach its intended recipient.

In order to better serve our Indiana constituents and to protect the integrity of Senator Bayh's email system, we have designed a series of forms located at http://bayh.senate.gov/WebMail1.htm that you can use to contact our office. Mass communications not originating from our webform cannot be accepted at this time.

The concerns of all Americans are important to Senator Bayh.  However, due to limited staff resources, responses will be sent only to Indiana residents.  For additional information on Senator Bayh's work representing Indiana, please visit Senator Bayh's website at http://bayh.senate.gov or sign up for Senator Bayh's monthly newsletter at http://bayh.senate.gov/signup.htm.

Thank you again for sharing your concerns. [If it is not getting to the “intended recipient”, what good are my concerns?

IMPORTANT: Please do not reply to this email.  It is an automated service and you will get no response.

This is important for a number of reasons.

1)      I am here to tell you they are grooming Evan Bayh for a White House Run. He is Indiana’s version of Bill Clinton, great smile, great hair…… But let me tell you Evan Bayh is not a Hoosier. He is another Beltway baby. He was raised in Washington where his father was a Senator. HE come back to Indiana and rode his fathers rep into office. After his political run is over, he will bail out of Indiana like the Clintons in Arkansas. This guy is making decisions based on what will win him points when he runs for President, not his constituents in Indiana. If he thought it would further his White House run he would sell Indiana down the river in half a heart beat.

2)      This guy doesn’t want to hear from the people unless it is on his terms. How many others of our glorious political leaders have blocks on their e-mail if it comes from political action groups like the GOA link which supports a contrary point of view? I am betting that the link to the good Senator’s e-mail from the NRA is also blocked. This is important to all the hoard to keep in mind IF they want their voice to be heard.

I thought that you might want to let the rest of the hoard know to keep an eye out for this type of activity on the part of their concerned representatives. Here is what I have done, I now have links to ALL my reps web-pages and “approved” addresses. No longer am I going to set back. These guys are going to know where I stand on the issues. If they do good. I will send a thank you. If they poke the intern …err… I mean the pony, they are going to hear it.

PS.. I will apologize for the Luger vote on that. Don’t know where that come from. The Good Senator lost a lot of support over that one. We need to watch how he votes on the Alzheimer’s Research. Could explain a lot. Got to do PT. CPT Gordie”

Good to hear from you Captain – Most of your politicos have personal websites with a web form that they like to get the emails through.  The GOA button on my right hand column has links to almost all of them.  Search out your Rep’s information and give him a huge piece of your mind – or a thank you as the case may be.  

Early Morning:  You gotta be kidding me.  This is the most asinine political ploy I’ve ever heard of since the 3/5^ths rule.  California wants the voting age to be 14?   Anything for the Liberals to get those few extra votes eh?  Not enough numbers in the cemetery?  Asshats.

I heard President Bush land a good hit right in Kerry’s chops yesterday.  “My opponent has some strong opinions… they just don’t last very long.”  I was laughing so hard I got the hiccups.  That was a good hit, Mr. President.  Keep them coming.  Kerry’s reaction?  A joke that fell flat.  “I’m not running for the most powerful position in the world… I’m not running for the Secretary of State in Florida”.  Oh, very astute Mr. Kerry… Referencing the 2000 Election to tap into that old anger… Yeah… way to go… Face it, jackhole, you guys kept counting and recounting and every time Bush won, hands down.  There was no question about what was going on… it was as plain as day.  The State of Florida just stopped you guys from making complete asses out of your self.  Christopher Warren would go on TV and just creep everyone out, Gore was looking like an idiot, and in the mean time there were people handling and mishandling the ballets thus increasing the errors of the counts… Florida saved the Democrats from an even deeper loss of face.  Continuing to bitch about it makes you look like an even bigger fool than you are.  I can’t believe that simple hatred for Bush has put such an incompetent man in the race for the White House.  Out of Nine candidates… with cats like Lieberman who actually have their own moral backbone… you Donks pick Kerry.  If I was a Democrat – I’d be tearing my coat and pouring ash on my head.   Hell, even Al Sharpton would have been a better choice, you morons!  For the love of pete – Just vote Nader.  Seriously.  Nader… Go for Nader.  Why?  Because at least he doesn’t go back and forth like a damn tennis ball on every issue.

A 100 Year War with who?  Oh man, this made me laugh more than Bush busting on Kerry.  That’s rich.  Look, Saddam had battalions of tanks, jet fighters, all kinds of artillery and shit… we kicked his ass on 100 hours.  Venezuella?  Hell, we’d go, kick your ass, and be back in time for Nachos and to relive the moment on the evening news.  100 Year War?  Idiots.

The Subaru is running again.  I got it running Saturday and it’s been doing just fine ever since.  It sat most of the winter on a dead battery and I thought the battery was toasted because of it, but it’s doing just fine.  I might replace the battery just for preventive medicine… but it’s doing just fine.  Fires up at the first touch of the starter button, no problem.  I think it just got so cold the engine just said “Fuck’et” and refused to fire.  Either that or the fuel line was frozen somehow.  Whatever… it’s running great right now.  I’m still looking to get that truck…  but at least I have some wheels.  Added bonus – has a full tank of gas.  Yeehaw.  I’m thinking about hitting the Wasatch Front on Friday.  Not sure if I want to risk driving the Sube out there though – it’s a long drive and the CV joints(?) are needing to be replaced.  I think it’s the CV joints… I’m hearing clicking in my front end as I roll and turn.  The truck, while older, is in much better shape mechanically.

Email about NASA:  “Thoughts about NASA:  People get emotional about the statement "one small step for man... one giant leap for mankind"  Ok... so it is the pinnacle moment of a great engineering effort and took a lot huevos to pull off.  But what does that phrase mean exactly?  Nothing....  Armstrong had to say something and he couldn't say,  "Ha Ha Russians we beat you".  He also couldn't say, "Proof positive, the moon isn't made of cheese" or "America, we've just reached the crowning moment of an effort that's brought you Tang and freeze dried astronaut ice cream".  We forget that the moon shot was a race and about national pride.  We knew the moon was a rock and we went to the rock and brought rocks back.  I agree that much of what NASA does today also wouldn't pass the cost benefit anaysis test. – Irvinesteve” 

I just read a news report from FARK.com that the English think Aliens killed the Beagle Probe.  Dumbasses.  It was Bigfoot.

Gun of the Day:  The Bushmaster M-17 Bullpup.  This is a curious rifle that Bushmaster used to make.  Lots of questions have been rolling around and I still get some from time to time.  This is the best write up of the M-17 that I have ever read.   R.I.P. Mark

Mar 8th, Monday, 2004:  1830hrs:  Been playing with hyperlinking within MadOgre.com’s pages. “Bookmarks” as they are called so people can link to specific places within the News Page because evidently you can’t just say the date and time it was updated because other Blogger’s readers are too fucking stupid to get that.  Whatever.  I’ll start bookmarking when I feel like it.

Noon:  PHOTOSHOP CONTEST:  I have 2 Images to use as “blank slates” for photoshop artists to alter.  Give these (Image 1, Image 2) images the Mad Ogre treatment, or come up with your own, or a banner.  The submissions will be posted and the winner will receive a copy of “From My Cold Dead Fingers” by Sheriff Richard Mack.

My response to Finland was brief and only focused on one aspect of the gun ownership universe… self defense from tyranny.  There are many more reasons why I own guns.  To be perfectly honest, one of the reasons why I own guns is that they are simply beautiful.  Some guns are better described as art done in metal and wood than just calling it a “firearm”.   Speaking of Metal and Wood, let me point you to the words of Dennis Batemen.   Also, just take a look around the whole “politics” section of MadOgre.com…  especially the image there.  That’s what happens when only the Authorities have the weapons.  Those people there… they didn’t fight.  They gave up, trusting to faith and to the mercy of the government.  Look where that got them.   Oops, I’m onto the Defense from Tyranny thing again.   Have you ever held a Colt Peacemaker from the 1880’s?  I held one once.  The price of it was over 20 Grand.  It felt like I was holding a holy relic of some sort… the history that this old gun radiated was tangible and electric.   Few things hold history and ghosts from the past as a firearm.  I can’t articulate why… But they do.  The CZ-52 that I owned… Mrs. Ogre hated to touch it.  It radiated something to her that she didn’t like.  As much as I liked the CZ-52 – There was something about that one that I didn’t quite like either… I traded it for a sack full of Beretta magazines and considered it to be a good trade.  It’s almost as if a firearm has a soul that if you listen carefully to… you can almost hear it.  You can certainly feel it.  There are other things that have the same vibe… Ever run your fingertips over the fender of a Chevy Bel Air from 1957?  Or a classic Mustang?  There is an energy there… one I can’t describe.  Few things really… few things can transcend history like a gun.  As a history buff, maybe I appreciate this aspect more than other gun owners… or those that consider a rifle just a means of harvesting a deer.

Speaking of History… Here is a bit from Tasos.  “Greetings from Athens Ogre, Allow me to say my dear fellow, that the more I communicate with you, the less I find the title Ogre to be appropriate. You sound all sort of ways different from barbaric. Let it be though, if that pleases you.  I see that you are familiar with our history of old. I suggest you read the "Gates of Fire" by Mr. Pressfield. It is one of the most vivid and enjoyable depictions of the classical Greek era. Although fictional, it contains a high degree of accuracy and makes easy to understand the culture that created free (not to mention strongheaded) men, willing to sacrifice their being for law and country.  You know, what most people do not realize is that the men who fought in Thermopylae and Marathon were not soldiers by profession. They were citizens, sworn to arms that paid the ultimate price in order to protect their Homeland ΤΟΥΣ ΝΑΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΟΥΣ ΤΑΦΟΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΟΓΟΝΩΝ - THE TEMPLES AND THE GRAVES OF THEIR FATHERS, in other words the core of their existence as a nation.  You know Ogre, the funny thing about the 300 warriors of Leonidas is that we the Greeks, kind of look down on the Spartans. Magnificent as it was what they did, the true heroes in that story were 700 men from Thespia, who to this present day remain unnoticed by the rest of the world.  You see Leonidas and his 300 men were bound by oath never to give up their weapons. Surrendering in the face of an enemy meant a death more gruesome than the Persian spear. Their names would be deleted from the records of their City and their families would turn their backs on them for failing their country. If those men over dared to show their face in LAKONIA (the motherland of the Spartans) they would be executed.  The Thespians on the other hand, were allies to the Spartans, had no law that kept them from retreating, and were ordered by the General in Command of the Greek armies to retreat. They alone decided to stand their ground in order to honor their alliance with the Spartans and to have the "privilege" of defending the retreat of their fellow Greeks (how weird this sounds today). - Tasos”

Excellent bit of history, Tasos.  I had forgotten about men from Thespia.  Thank you.  I read Gates of Fire many years ago… I have also just realized that I no longer even have a copy of the book.   Amazon.com will resolve this issue for me shortly. 

1100hrs:  Remember when I talked about how I think Corporations should show some responsibility to employees?  Here is a good example of why I feel this way.  Give me a hard core Libertarian take that justifies this bullshit. 

Clear rule 1 & 2 violation, yet Darwin remains disappointed.  Better luck next time, eh?

Email from Finland:  “Hi and greetings from Finland.  I'm not sure if I actually accomplish anything by writing, opinions are much like assholes since everybody's got one. However you invite people sharing opinions differing from your own so here I go...  First of all I'm a gun owner myself. I do not believe that total banning of firearms would reduce crime since gun crime is committed with illegal weapons. Cosmetic legislation, such as the assault gun ban in US makes us no safer. Does absence of grenade launcher make a rifle any less deadlier? I don't think so. How about bayonet mount? For all my research, I have yet to find a criminal case where a person was bayoneted to death.  In my home country however, gun ownership is not a guaranteed right, nor do I believe it should be. There are a lot of guns here; actually we have more registered firearms per capita than US. Mostly they are for hunting, competition shooting or like mine, for reservists to keep up on their weapon skills. Still you need a sound reason to acquire a gun and be a citizen in good standing to own one.   Are fit to own a firearm? Not everybody is and somebody has to make that decision; it would be great if we could rely on individuals to make the right choose. In reality the society we live in must have their say since it affects them as much as us. Sometimes those around us might say: “Sorry, we do not trust you with a firearm.”   So what constitutes a society? In democracy, it’s the people or their elected representatives who must set guidelines for this, much as for everything else. We must remember the difference in scales; Finland has about the same amount of population than New York, maybe guns should be a state instead of federal issue? Not that I have any solutions.  In the end guns are poor guarantee of liberty and life. When Gestapo comes, it will take you with or without your guns. “From my cold dead fingers” is probably an acceptable proposal for them. Organization and training work better, guns can be acquired.  Which brings me to the conclusion of my modest rant.  – JH” 

Thanks for the email.   Because you probably already know what I am going to say… I decided to get the opinions of some others.  Read the responses here, and check back frequently… because you are going to get a lot.  The real reason I decided to put this to the THR forum is that some of your opinion, JH, is just too choice… I have to share this one.  Some of your points are huge trigger statements for us.  With great respect, sir, you are a touch misguided about your own human right of self preservation.   “Molon Labe”, my dear Sir, isn’t an idle threat or a snappy phrase… it is a promise.  Should a platoon of Gestapo storm troopers come for me – they might get me.  But I am going to take a lot of them down with me.  If everyone was willing to actually put up a fight, and fight like tigers… the Gestapo would run out of men before they cleared one block.  Look at the Gestapo’s record for taking over the Jewish districts in German cities… look at the record for the same people trying to take over Stalingrad.   Put up a fight!

Email from one of the Horde Officers:  “You are right about NASA and space exploration.   In a free market people invest in and do things that have a chance of turning a profit at some point.  I know some private agencies work with NASA launching satellites doing experiments, creating new compounds, manufacturing processes etc.. BUT in reality it is corporate welfare. Space experiments are funded by taxes and decided upon by politicians, bureaucrats and  corrupt fat cat contractors. Those shows on the science channel showing hubble pics and space probes are neat but  are they really worth billions of our tax dollars? Hell no. All they show is CGI crap anyway. Ok,  now we know Mars is the Grand Canyon mixed with Death Valley with some Oklahoma red dirt thrown in. Big friggin deal 30% of the shit we launch blows up, craps out or just plain gets abducted by alien repo men. Oh well It isn't their money ayway. They can just collect more taxes from us and try again.  Give the money back to us and let private firms decide what kind of crap they want to launch into outer space. – JRS” 

You know… I downloaded a few of the pictures from Hubble.  They are truly amazing.  Space can be a stunning place.  I downloaded these for free by the way.  I am wondering where that 10 to 1 return went.   Oh, my wallpaper right now is “The Sombrero Galaxy – M104”.   Very cool… this image isn’t as colorful as the others, but for some reason I like it.

Gun of the Day:  The humble MAKAROV.  Most dedicated shooters tend to overlook this little surplus import.  This is a mistake.  It’s cheap and kind of ugly, has poor sights, and the trigger is nothing to write home about… the ammunition is weaker than a 9MM… So what is impressive about this little Russian pistol?  This is one of those cases where the gun is greater than the sum of it’s parts.  You can buy a new “Mak” , as they are affectionately called by owners, and a ton of ammo for 200 bucks and still have change left over for targets, ear plugs, cleaning supplies, and a pizza for after your done shooting it.  The design uses a fixed barrel that can lend to astonishing accuracy once you get used to the sights and trigger.  The surplus ammunition falls between .380 and 9MM, but some companies make some nice stout loads for it with JHP slugs that work very well in the self defense role.  Ballistic wise, they are entering into the 9MM spectrum.  This pistol is a good recommendation to anyone who is strapped for cash and in need of a handgun for self defense.  It is cheap, designed for fighting, compact for CCW work, potent, accurate, and reliable.  If you are just an avid shooter and are collecting interesting guns – you should put a Mak on your list. These little surplus guns have a home-grown cottage industry to support them… and a growing following.  Get one while they are still available, because these pistols are likely to be targeted in the future and banned from further importation.   If you are not into handguns – that’s fine.  But everyone needs a handgun for personal protection… so if you don’t want to spend 600 on a SIG, then at least spend a hundred and thirty on a Mak so you have something.

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