June  21st to 30th.

June 30th - Sunday.  My Dad is getting into the internet big time now.  He is researching of all things, Abandoned Airfields.  Not really something that you would think "Hey, I want to look up abandoned airfields!"  Oh well.  He has his reasons and I'm not sure I want to know what they are.

Looking at the guns used in the 3-Gun match yesterday, I am thinking that I want to get a VEPR K for my own rifle.  This AR I am using is actually a borrowed rifle.  After the last rifle stage of the Match, it's going back to the original owner.  This still leaves me needing a rifle of that type.  Bang for Buck - It's going to VEPR K.  Maybe I might go with an AR-18 If I can find one.

Last night (actually just a minute ago because it's now about 1:30 AM) I finished up a 4 hour ritual.  Post shooting gun cleaning.  Normally, it doesn't take me anywhere near this long to clean my guns.  However, this time I was doing while watching Enter The Dragon and First Strike.  Enter the Dragon - Classic flick.  Simply classic.  Detail cleaning an AR is no simple or quick task.  It takes a lot of work to do it right.  However, now that it's done, I have to admit - I still hate the AR.  Sure it's a nice target rifle as it proved it's self today.  I thought of Correia and his FAL.  About how long did it take him to clean it?  Probably about 3 minutes.  Max.  After doing the AR, and my CZ-97 (Damn, I love that gun!), I broke out the Benelli Nova and stripped it down completely.  For a second I thought I got too far.  When tiny little springs shoot out - you may have gone way too far.  I found the escaped spring and decided not to get carried away.  Every part got a good cleaning.  Some parts even got some polishing in places.  Every friction point got that and a coating of Action Lube Plus.  Got the shotgun back together and I'm amazed.  This Nova has got to be one of the smoothest shotguns now that I have ever handled.  Certainly it is THE smoothest shotgun that I have ever owned.    It was an easy take down, and reassemble.  Straightforward design.  Accept for the trigger group.  Not sure what is going on with that bit, but certainly it could have been done a little bit more simple and robust.  Those little parts in there looked awfully delicate.  Oh well.  It works just fine.

I put some of that Action Lube Plus on the trigger mechanism of my old Remington 514.  Wow.  Or, as NEO would say, "Whoa!"  I am loving this stuff.  It's fantastic.  It's a little messy as it comes in a tub and needs a q-tip or a paintbrush to apply it.  I wish it came is a squeeze tube with a needle nose.  That would be perfect.  But a paint brush works just fine too.  This stuff beats the hell out of Tetra.  Beats the hell out of it.   You gotta try it.

June 29th - Saturday. Any doubts I may have had regarding the move to the CZ-97 have been dispelled. Today was the local 3-Gun match and I couldn’t be happier with it’s performance.  The 97 is a seriously accurate gun.  I may have been a touch slower, but it doesn’t matter if you not dropping shots. 

The 3-Gun match was a blast and I think the lessons learned there will go a long way.  I’m pleased with my shooting today with the shotgun and with the handgun… but it’s the rifle that caused me some degree of problem.  And I can’t blame the rifle for it… I think it’s my glasses.  I will have to get a new prescription for them and I may go back to my old frames with the big ass owl lenses.  They may not look cool, but I’ll be able to hit a lot better when trying to sight the rifle.

Wait a second here.   Let me make some clarification on the rifle stages… The issues I had were with a strange parallax effect I was having on the short range rifle stages.  Believe it or not, when the ranges stretched out there, the problems went bye bye and I was making killer fast hits.  I can only figure that the difference was with the way the gun was held and the check weld and the way my eye was looking through the glasses.  For the longer range shots I was tucking in harder and I was holding a bit differently.

The AR ran great.  No issues.  No jams.  One fellow’s AR cost him the stage, but luck was with me and mine kept running.  I shall treat it to a good oil bath tonight. 

The Nova was beautiful.  Fast shots, accurate shots.  Couldn’t want more from it.  It’s a keeper.  One cat even used it on one stage when his Remington started to act up on him.  Even with slugs, the Nova spit them out right where I wanted it to go.  Big holes.  Really big freaking holes.  12 gauge slug is more than a fight stopper.  I don’t care what anyone says about them… a 12 gauge slug is authoritative and if the shooter is skilled… fast.  No problem with speed and accuracy either.  Especially not with a Nova Special Purpose.

This match was a hell of a lot of fun.  I enjoyed it.  But regardless of how much fun it is – when it is so freaking hot and dry and windy and your parched and (did I mention hot and sweaty?) being on your feet all day… It can get tiresome.  When we wrapped it up and finished – I was so done.  All I wanted was an Ice Cold Beer.  However, since I don’t drink anymore… I expressed my desire to another fellow that was hot and thirsty too.  He too no longer drank adult beverages.  He did however have the most excellent substitute.  Apple Juice.  Cold Apple Juice delivers chilling refreshment to your body like nothing else.  His advice was followed and the result was exquisite and blissful refreshment.  My parched mouth and throat were rejuvenated and invigorated.  Maybe I should have paid for the bottle first.  I grabbed another couple bottles and hit the register with 2 + an empty.    Apple Juice… It’s Fantastic.

Email from an Ogrehead:  "Hi Ogre.  I share your misgivings about the gas tube system of the AR-15 rifle weapon, as well as the .223 ammo. However, for police or civilian use in urban/suburban areas, I think the rifle is acceptable, as it can be maintained regularly in such an environment. Extended field use is where it encounters problems.  The rifle just plain feels right in my hands. I'm familiar with it, it puts the holes where I want them, and mine has never malfunctioned on me. I know its limitations, as well. Its non-existent recoil means even my dad can shoot it, and he's the proverbial pencil necked geek. Now I wouldn't take it bear hunting, but with 75 grain hollow points, it should be sufficiently lethal to anything on two legs.   Steve"  Thanks for the email Steve.  Today's run with my AR was great and I really can't complain at all about it.  However I'm still not tickled with the caliber.  Firing a heavier bullet is an improvement, but it's not the ideal answer.  It's still a .22 caliber hole that will restrict blood flow out.  There was a guy with my group today named Matt.  He was shooting an AK.  His reloads were a tad slower, but we was good with his gun and made nice accurate shots.  His overall score was just fine.  In fact, he was schooling some of us AR shooters.  I admit for an urban rifle, the AR is just fine.  However, I really wish that it was chambered for .300 Whisper.  Same qualities, just makes a bigger hole.  If Bushmaster sold an upper in .300 Whisper and you could buy those rounds readily at all the shops you can get .223 at - THEN it would be something worth while.  The gas system remains an issue.  One I wont let go of or forgive the AR for.  But, for an Urban Rifle - It's just fine.  Not idea.  Nothing is Ideal.  Okay, there is a gun that is - but I hesitate to mention it.  Scratch that.  I wont.  You figure it out. 

Another Email: "Finally got around to checking out your website from TFL.  Love it.  All this time, from reading your posts, I thought you were an old fart. ;-)  Jesse"  I get that a lot.

I wrote up the start of a review for a product that is new to me.  I don't know how long it's been available, but I just learned of it recently.  Stuff is great.  It's called Action Lube Plus.

Yes, was talking about an AK.  If you didn't get that, you have not been reading Mad Ogre long enough.  Go back to the archives and start studying.  Favorite AK variant is the VEPR K.  However that is only because they are easily obtained.  What I would REALLY LOVE -talking massive joygasims if I got one, is a VEPR K with Galil sights.  I love the Galil, but damn, they are spendy!

June 28th - Friday.  Went looking for a holster for the CZ-97.  Found one. There are only a couple companies that actually make a CZ-97 specific holster.  Don't expect to pay less than 100 for one.  So I took my 97 and went hunting.  I found 3 that work.  The Bianchi Model 19 for the SW99 works.  Old World Leather # 23053 fits PERFECTLY. And then Safariland's Custom Fit rig.  Which is the one I got... it was a couple bones more, but is a FAST rig for both the draw and the reholstering.  Conceals well and feels good. It's also adjustable for tension which is important.

Now I know why Soccer is popular.  I found it on Fark.  That explains everything.

Richmond Virginia - AREA MAN SWALLOWS PRIDE: Established critic of Gene Stoner's AR action, Shin-Tao purchased a Bushmaster this week, a popular AR-15 clone. Sources say Shin-Tao purchased the rifle with little fanfare or celebration, contrasting with his behavior during other firearms purchases.
Long a supporter of the Ruger Mini-14, it was a shock to those who know him when he suddenly sold the Mini and it's accessories. Many of his friends attempted to purchase his stocks of .223 ammunition, but Shin-Tao would not sell. When he was spotted weeks later with AR-15 magazines, many grew concerned, but no one imagined there would be such a dramatic reversal.
When questioned about this Clintonian flip-flop, Shin-Tao had this to say in his defense:
"Look. This doesn't mean I like the AR. But I was tired of playing the Mini's magazine game. Will this mag work? What kind of mag is that? Why won't this mag seat properly? So I sold it. As much as I dislike the direct gas system of the AR, I really like it's ergonomics and magazine well. If the butt-faces at Ruger would've put out factory 10-rounders, I might have held onto the Mini, but even then, I don't know. Magazine changers with a '16 or AR are simply faster for me."
Shin-Tao plans on test-firing the new carbine this weekend.

I'm happy with my CZ-97b.  It's a great gun.  But I'm not exactly thrilled with CZ-USA.  I have been literally trying all week to order a part.  An optional full length steel guide rod from them.  This was on the advice of the head gunsmith from CZ-USA.  Every damn time I call, he is out.  Call tomorrow.  I'm sorry, he isn't in today.  WHAT THE FUCK PEOPLE!  I've got nothing against the Gunsmith.  If he is out - he is out.  The man can have some time off.  That's fine.  But for the whole (F-BOMB) company to be unable to take a damn order from a customer and ship out a smegging guide rod is asinine.  CZ-USA has only this single point dependence for customer order?  Asinine.  I'm pissed off.  I've sent emails, and I've called every (F-BOMB) day this week trying to get this (F-BOMB) part.  One man.  You need to talk to Mike.  Mike isn't in.  Call back.  Call back Monday.  ASSHOLES!  No, I don't need to call back... You need to get off your ass, walk back to the parts bins, grab the full length guide rod, look at the labels, and wrap it up and mail it to me.  That is what YOU need to (F-BOMB) do!  If you don't know which one - send me one of each and I will figure it out, OKAY?  Then you can have HIM call ME back and have him apologize for why he didn't train any other cheesedick on how to find shit around his office when he is out.  That is not a way to run a freaking business!!#@^$%!#^$%!!!!!

Lot's going on today so things might be brief if I don't get everything done fast.  Couple things caught my eye this morning.  1st up is an interesting bit of news coming from the far east.  Suzuki is getting into bed with Daewoo. We all know Suzuki is GM's little honey already... Geo Metro and Trackers that are now Chevy Metros and Trackers... Yeah, those are rebadged Suzukis.   Daewoo is an interesting company.  They make some vehicles and they make some guns.  The vehicles are light duty little economy units but they do have decent tract record... Not like a Honda, but otherwise average.  The guns however are freaking great.  They pioneered a new type of trigger mechanism for pistols that other companies have emulated.  The built a rifle that is still awesome today.  The problem is that these things cars and guns have all but been abandoned.  Daewoo pulled out of the US market for some reason.  This left all these products orphaned. Now, here is where Suzuki comes in.  Suzuki is pitching in some bucks to Daewoo along with GM to create a management structure for Daewoo to manage them.  Cars built by Daewoo are going to be sold around the world as Suzukis and GM units (probably Chevy looking for a new minicar of some sort).   This is also a move for GM to sink more anchors into the Asian auto industry.  It already owns 1/2 of Isuzu and almost a quarter hunk of Subaru.  Does this have any significance here?  Not really.  Like I said, I just thought it was interesting.

Second thing this morning... Yesterday I got in a new gun care product from a fellow that wanted my take on it.  Already I am more than impressed with it.  This is something that is performing as advertised so far.  This is pretty damn good too, because it was making some pretty bold claims.  The stuff is from Brownells, and it's called Action Lube Plus. It's like a gunsmith doing an action and trigger job on your gun.  At least that was my initial impression.  Works much better than Tetra Gun Grease that I have been using.  Hell, if I had this stuff when I still had my 1911 - I wouldn't have got rid of it!  Okay, maybe - maybe not.  But this AP+ is some pretty good stuff.  Tomorrow I'll be doing a lot of shooting, so we shall see how it really works then.  Full review of it is in the works.  Initial impressions are just that... And don't mean very much.  The truth comes out with some mileage.

Oh wait... some good news here.  "Politically Incorrect" just got cancelled.  Sweet.  That show was BS from the start.  As left as you can get.  The only episodes of that show that was even remotely interesting was when they had the Motor City Madman on.  They should have made him the host. 

Email from Ogrehead: "George Ogre guy..  I have an off site (as yet) consideration that I have not seen really dealt with... I have a very strong 'hunch' or feeling that some but not all of the massive fires popping up may have been set by pro terrorist types, and though gov seem to have blahblah explanations as to fire source and causes, I have feeling that some of that is 'damage control' or 'propaganda denial' ... Do you have any thought/insight on this, and if it is comes to pass that there is terror involvement, I fear this country will quickly come to a race based expulsion and harassment.. which may be the only way to stem the destruction.. think about it, all the destruction with little or no money to fund the attack , little chance of being caught"    We know 1 of the fires was started by a person. A forest service worker. If a terrorist wanted to drain infrastructure resources, and move infrastructure assets, then a fire such as these would be the way to go... however this year, such actions are not needed.   It's been drier and drier each year. These fires really can start themselves. Lightning as started most of them already. Utah hasn't had a big one as of yet... but we will on the 4th. Just watch. All these dumbasses will be going out of the city to drink beer and light off fireworks despite the fact they have been asked/told/ordered/commanded not to. They will go out there, and the whole friggin state of Utah will ignite. I drove out and looked at Deer Creek Reservoir the other day... a reservoir that feeds 5 cities here... I've NEVER seen it so low. Never. Utah will be looking like a chunk of old beef jerky by the end of summer even if it doesn't get burnt up here in July. Again, lightening causes most of these things and we've been lucky to not have those kinda storms here lately. You can see them build up, but then they blow off to the east before they get really wound up. Hence Colorado has more than it's share of wildfires right now. That's okay, Utah has more than it's share of dumbasses, so we will catch up quickly.

I got several emails regarding Mormonism.  Don't look to me as a shining example of what a Mormon is.  I drink caffeine (Softdrinks not coffee) and I watch rated R films and I will drop an F-Bomb here and there.  Hey, I'm getting better about that... fewer and fewer if you notice.  Most people who have bumped into Mormons have only positive comments.  Mormon characters are always the reluctant good guys in Tom Clancy's books.  If you've read his works, Mormonism comes up a few times.  Tom Clancy isn't Mormon, but respects us... and that's cool.  I've sat down and talked with Clancy before.  Smart guy.  Total Geek.  Harold Coyle is much better.  Anyways... I appreciate all the comments positive and neutral.  Thank you all.  As to Negative comments - You think I've never heard that bullshit before?  You think that your brilliant insight into something you have no clue about is original?  Your funny.  An idiot, but a funny idiot.

June 27th Thursday.  Just got back from the Nauvoo Temple dedication.  Wonderful service.  Learned a lot of history.  This is a cool event in not just Mormon History, but in American History as well.  For those that don't know or realize, Mad Ogre is Mormon to the core.  I may be called sometimes a "Jack Mormon" but I'm still a Mormon.  I don't drink, don't smoke, and I do pay tithing. (Ahem, at least while I'm bringing in income)  I may have some issues with a ward or people or some of the Mormons On Sunday Only type people... but regardless... My faith is rock solid.  I believe in God.  I believe in Jesus.  I'm born again.  I believe Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God.  If you don't believe like I do - fine.  I've no problem with that.  Have faith as you will.  But don't bash my church.  Not to my face... This Wookie has been know to pull peoples arms off for that.  I've actually broken noses for such things.  I'll do whatever it takes to protect my church.  I wouldn't go "Palestinian" or anything... but I will protect my church and it's people.  Even If I don't personally like them. 

"Hey Ogre, I just saw Minority Report and have a couple questions for you. 1. What is that gun Tom Snooze is using and what can you tell me about it?  Second, I know you like Star Wars and LOTR, what is your take on Philip K Dick? - Eric" Thanks for the email Eric, those are some good questions... I'll answer those.  1. The gun is a Beretta 9000S.  Its a cool little auto and would be great for CCW had not Beretta made it such a fat little bitch.  It's chunky to say the least, but at least it's curvy.  Voluptuous is a good word for it. 2.  Philip K Dick was a pretty good Sci-Fi writer, but not the best.  Jules Vern  was the best because he was a true Futurist.  His ideas have come to past and he was writing back in the Victorian era.  Space Ships, Submarines, Time Machines... all that good stuff.  Jules is the Sci-Fi Mac Daddy like Tolkien is to Fantasy.  It's HIS genre and we just read it.

Looks like I called Applied Digital Solution right on the nose.  Today it closed + 50%.  If I had ANY spare funds, I'd roll it ALL in to that stock.  All of it.  But you know, this was expected.  Mad Ogre throws out a stock tip and all the sudden there is a run.  People buying it up left and right... I should have kept my mouth shut and picked up all I could... and then threw the info out there... Let the run take it's course and just kick back and count my cool millions.  It's reported to me that the stocks are recovering pretty well.  That's good news.  Maybe these companies will be thinking about doing some hiring. 

Yesterday afternoon I went over to a buddy's place.  He was just ravaged by the stock market.  Lost 3 grand yesterday.  Ouch.  Give him credit for keeping his spirits up.  He'll have to put off buying that M-21 rifle for awhile, but he will get it eventually.  Reason I went over was that we were going to go do some shooting.  Another of his friends show up, cat named Jackson.  Cool guy.  Family has a ranch.  So that's where we head.  We get there and the place is MY DREAM HOME.  Large timber framed home, large deck, and plenty of property that allows you to shoot off the deck.  Never mind the 2 horses, Mule, 6 cows... Never mind the large pond fed by a natural spring that is FULL of trout...  The house it's self was my dream home and everything else was icing on that cake.  Envy.  Nice ranch.  Time to shoot.  We break out the guns and set up.  There is this guy that is mowing the lawn of the house.   Mexican man, no habla English.  I noticed as we were shooting he was very interested.  As the story goes and luck would have it, the man ends up shooting with us.  He is good.  He is very good.  As the story goes and luck would have it, it turns out that this cat is former Mexico Army and was actually a Presidential Bodyguard.   Wow.  Equivalent  of US SECRET SERVICE over here mowing lawns.  Humble, honest, just wants to make a living in the US with some dignity.  Got to give him credit for that.  US Secret Service guys don't even mow their own yards.   Guy was great.  Hope to meet him again.  I'll take him shooting anytime.  Good man.  A humbled man.  Lesson for me there.  Seriously.  I've been too proud... I could use some more humility.  Everyone can.  I have no doubts as to this cat being in the US and not on the paper.  Know what?  I don't care.  I'm fine with guys like this.  He can come over, bring his family, no problem with it.  MOST of the people crossing the boarder are like this.  Good, honest people, good work ethic, high moral and family values.  If you have a problem with that, then your the one with the problem.

After the shooting we did some reloading.  I've got to get me a progressive press like that.  Very cool.  Didn't take too long to crank out 250 rounds (was it 250?  I forget).  The money saved is will worth it.

I love the line from the movie "IN THE LINE OF FIRE" with Clint Eastwood... He is getting it on with this US Secret Service chick, and they are dropping equipment onto the floor... piles of it.  cuff, batons, holsters and guns, radios, everything... the climb into bed and are all over each other and all the sudden the phone rings.  They are called to duty.  Clint says "Man, I gotta put all that stuff back on!"  That was great.   

Watched the movie Blackhawk Down again.  Great film making.  Great film.  Great story.  An all together too true of a story.  I know three of the Rangers that were there in Mog, on that mission.  Makes watching the movie HARD.  I have to fight back the tears.  I was going to clean my guns while watching.  I did my pistol.  But I couldn't touch the AR-15.  I'll have to clean it today.  After I forget about that movie for awhile.  Hard movie for me to watch.  I can't even talk about it anymore.

Mrs. Ogre was called in to substitute teach the summer school today.  I'm here at home with my two youngest.  My 1 year old is singing some song.  Daddy gave him some cake for breakfast.  He is most pleased with this... "Dad is great, gives us chocolate cake..."  Yeah, I think that is what he is singing.   My Gav is still sleeping in.  When he is sleeping and looking like a little angel, he doesn't look like he is going to be the death of me.  Since that day he went missing - I have not slept well at all.  Nightmares.  There has been a number of children being abducted here in Utah.  Far too man.  Even 1 is too many.  This Elizabeth Smart case... you just know she is dead.  She was probably dead before the parents knew she was gone.  I just hope they find her soon.  Give the family some closure.  This drawn out "MISSING" case is agonizing.  Horrible.  I can feel their pain... I felt it myself for 15 minutes.  I almost lost it.  *Almost*.  Anyone does that to one of my kids... Nothing will stop me from killing the people that did it.  Nothing.  Justice?  Father's Justice from my own hands - in this kinda case - that is the only kind of justice.  Mercy?  God can give him that... I'd just kill the fucker.  I'm a little worked up.  Here I am, another morning.  Dark rings under the eyes from too little sleep.   Gotta shake off those daemons.

Speaking of daemons... We hear yesterday from our friend Matt.  (Who is not a daemon, but his email is about the works of two Daemons, judges on the Supreme Court) He sends me an email with a hyperlink... and the word "FUCKERS".  One click of the link and I said the same thing.  It was ruled that the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because it has the word GOD in it.  These Politically Correct Assholes are ruining this country.  Yes, they are.  If they can rule that, which will have effect on our printed money, swearing on the bible in court, oaths and pledges... they wont stop there.  Why?  Because look at the very first document of our Government.  The Declaration of Independence.  "ALL MEN CREATED EQUAL"... Created.  Created means by the hand of God.  Like it or not, the United States was built by men who had a faith in God.  Mainly Christian faith... but a faith in God from all sides.  These PC Nazi jerks need to just deal with it.  If the US is a "MELTING POT" and we have to deal with those that believe in other things... Fine.  BUT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH CHRISTIANS TOO.  Stuff that in your crack pipe and smoke it, you PC Nazi jackholes.  Fuckers, indeed.  I'm more than a little upset about that ruling.  I'm not the only one.  From the article: "White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "The president's reaction was that this ruling is ridiculous."  "The Supreme Court itself begins each of its sessions with the phrase 'God save the United States and this honorable court,'" Fleischer said. "The Declaration of Independence refers to God or to the creator four different times. Congress begins each session of the Congress each day with a prayer, and of course our currency says, 'In God We Trust.' The view of the White House is that this was a wrong decision and the Department Justice is now evaluating how to seek redress."  The ruling was also attacked on Capitol Hill, with Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., calling it "just nuts."  After the ruling, House members gathered on the front steps of the Capitol to recite the pledge en masse — the same place they defiantly sang "God Bless America" the night of the Sept. 11 attacks. And senators, who were debating a defense bill, angrily stopped to unanimously pass a resolution denouncing the decision."   Come on... If Tom Daschle even calls the ruling nuts, you know it was a bad call.  Tom D being right about something?  Damn.  Daschle in agreement with President Bush.  You don't see that everyday.   People, this is why we must be very careful on every level and with every vote as to who we elect to any seat in any office.  I know we don't elect Judges... be we do elect those that appoint the judges.  The fact that 2 cockroaches slipped past isn't surprising.  That they could have this much effect, is.  If I was in California (THANK HEAVENS I AM NOT) I would be calling for these two judges to be removed from the bench.   

June 26th - Wednesday.  Stopped by a place called "Mega-Bytes Cafe" today.  A "Cyber-Cafe" as they were called years ago... a place to get some eats and drinks and some web time.  The place was pretty cool.  I liked it.  Soft drink, 44 ounces well under a buck and 3 bucks for the internet time on some spiffy PC's with T-1 access.  Not bad.  I had a wrap sandwich and it was actually very good.  I don't even like wraps, but I could go for another.  The people there were cool, very friendly with great customer service.  If your going through Orem, it's on State Street on the corner of 800 South.  Couple pool tables too.  Not a bad place to grab a bite and bytes.  

My stock tip from last night has gathered some question... "Who is it?"  I left out the name for a reason.  I don't want people emailing nasty-grams should the stock fall further or the company fold all together.  Sure it's a possibility.  But what if it succeeds?  If the company does... It's stock could easily get up into the 40s.  Not bad for a .38 cent a share investment price.  Hell, here it is.  The company is "Applied Digital Solutions" and the chip is called the VeriChip. It's a chip containing medical information that is implanted under the skin.  It was released in December 2001 and since then the company has come under fire from civil liberty groups.  People, this chip is the mark of the beast.  I don't like it.  But if it really is... and you believe Revelations... then you know that this chip will be everywhere.  If not this chip - then the technology that this company has.  Either way - this company will be BIG.  Just because you invest - doesn't mean your working with the beast.  Your just capitalizing on it. 

The stock market looks even more grim now then it did right after September 11th.  Worldcom letting go of 17,000 employees.  Stocks have been rocked globally by this.  This isn't good.  I guess my application to Worldcom will go unanswered.  {sarcasm} 

June 25th - Tuesday.  Just heard some troubling news.  WORLDCOM is in some serious trouble.  Biggest fraud case in history.  Over 3.8 Billion dollars worth defrauded.  This is going to be grim.  Hang on to your hats people, the stock market is crashing tomorrow.  CFO was fired.  Nice.  What they should have done was arrest him.  If I was that cat, I'd be taking the redeye flight to Afghanistan right now.  Evidently that is the only place where we can't find anyone.  That dude is going to be committing suicide any moment now.

Speaking of stocks... the company that is making those chips that you can inject into people... stock is down to .38 cents a share.  If I had any money... I'd invest it into that.  Seriously.  The company has some issues right now, but if they overcome - and I think they will because they are mainly legal - then they will be running in open waters.  Stocks would be solid... and if you had picked them up at .38 cents... damn. 

THE TWO TOWERS.  Teaser Trailer.  Here it is.  Your Welcome.

Today was the day when the Police Officer came to inspect the Samurai.  He thought it was very cool and we talked for some time about it and related scramblers.  The cop was suitably impressed.  I think Spectre will be too.  If I can get the title in on time.  Hopefully.  This was an important step in that direction.  DMV just has to get the title out to me.

This is great... This cat in San Francisco calls the cops on a guy that is robbing him.  Cops say they are too busy.  Guy called the cops 4 times.  They could never spare the manpower.  So the cat takes matters into his own hands.  Guy uses a net, a stun gun, and pepper spray to take the guy down.  This guy is a hero.

That reminds me of this:   A man is awakened by his wife who says she hears something. He gets up and looks around and sure enough sees thugs carrying stuff out of the shed behind his house and putting it in a vehicle. He dials 9-1-1. He is told that no sheriff's deputies are available at the moment - that it will be about 30 minutes before they can get to him. He hangs up, counts to 30 and dials 9-1-1 again. He says, "There's no hurry, I've shot them." Within three minutes he has three patrol cars in his yard. The sheriff says, "I thought you said you shot them." The man looks at the sheriff and says, "I thought you said it would be 30 minutes."  

BTW, I got the above from Jeff Cooper's Commentaries, put this on the list of things to read each month. The man is a legend.  Former Marine Colonel.  A hero. 

Two arabs board a flight in New York.  One seats by the window, the other in the middle seat.  An American guy takes the aisle seat. After take off, the American takes off his shoes and gets comfortable in his seat when the arab by the window says, "I think I'm going to get me a beer". The American says --"Don't bother, I'll get it for you", he gets up and goes to get the beer.”  While he is absent, one of the arabs takes one of the American shoes and spits inside. When the guy comes back with the beer, the other arab says "This is nice, I think I would like a beer, also".  Again, the American gets up and goes to get the beer while the other arab takes his other shoe and also spits inside.  The American comes back, the arabs drink their beers and everybody enjoys the flight.  When they are about to land, the American puts his shoes on and immediately realizes what has happened and says "Why do this things have to happen? How long is this going to last? This futile battle between nations?  This hate!, This animosity!  This spitting into the other guy's shoes and pissing into the other guy's beers!".

You have got to love this.  You've hear of PriceWaterhouse, a consulting firm that recently changed it's name to "Monday", right?  Well, evidently they didn't register the domain they had in the UK.  As luck would have it, a fellow in the UK did it for them.  This is the result.  BTW, the two fingers over there is the same as the middle finger here.  Here is the story behind it.  That's funny. 

June 24th - Monday.  Dodge Stratus V-6.  Not a bad car.  I was driving around in one today, took it for a trip up to SLC and a couple errands.  I don't know about the 4 cylinder version, but the 6 is quite nice.  Plenty of juice for a commuter vehicle.  But not quite enough to actually be "Fun".  It cruises well on the freeway but you can FEEL the restriction in the air intake.  Pretty boring if you as me.  Isolation from the road, too much sound insulation, and the automatic... Blah.  If your looking for a freeway cruiser, it's got all the goods.  But I damn near fell asleep at the wheel.  Too comfy and too quite... AC worked all together too well.  Had to turn it down... my nipples were standing up.  Stereo was not the greatest, but factor in the quiet ride, it was plenty good enough.  One cool feature... The auto-stick option.  Allows you to manually shift without a clutch.  Porsche started that kinda tranny with it's "Tipptronic" transmission.  I liked it... Very cool.  Allows for quicker runs up to freeway speed.  I could never have one... Front wheel drive, transverse engine, automatic... *Yawn*  No thanks.  Not for me.  Maybe for the wife.  Oh, wait... she said "No"... She'll keep the 401 V-8 powered Wagoneer.  He he he... my wife is cool. 

Arrived in the mail, 3 Witness .45 magazines.  If you order a CZ-97 mag from CZ, you'll drop some cash equal to the price of 3 "Witness" .45 mags.  I just did a side by side comparo... I can't tell them apart.  Other than some of the wear marks on the originals, no difference.  None.  Not out side.  Not inside.  No difference.  That's pretty cool.  I understand you can use Witness parts in the CZ as well.  That's a bonus.  Ambi safety becomes a possibility.  The CZ 97 is somewhat more spendy than a Witness .45, but the base design is the same.  On the outside, the 97 as a full length dustcover which other than adding some extra weight, is just for looks.   If you want one of these guns but can't afford it, you can find Witness .45s out there for 300 or less.  It's not as good as the CZ, but it pretty much feels the same.  Get it to hold you over until you can get the 97.  Then you will appreciate the refinements of the CZ. 

No Whistle-Blower protection in Homeland Security.  I beg your pardon?  Whistle-Blower protection came out to protect those that cry foul in a company or agency.  The famous "Phoenix Memo" was able to come out because of it.  Evidently if things are screwy in the office of homeland security, people who try to blow the whistle can actually be prosecuted.  Let's see... an agency that can go above and beyond other agencies when it comes to abuse of power... and people can't rat on them.  That is scary.  That freaks me out.  I don't like that at all... not one damn bit.    Already you can be tracked and monitored and pretty much everything in your life (including what you thought were confidential medical records) is public record.  Everything is "open book".  Excuse me here for just a second, but I don't like that.  I like privacy.  I like the fact that some things in my life - belong to me.  Not the public.  I'm not a criminal, nor do I have anything to hide... but that doesn't mean I want to give up my privacy.  That doesn't mean I want to have people that I don't know scrutinize my entire life... My financial transaction, my medical history, my travels.  Privacy should remain a priority with this new Homeland Security bullshit.  Without privacy, there is no freedom or liberty.

You gotta love this... in a court room, judge orders "Your not allowed to reference the Constitution".  Evidently, Denver, while being a city within the United States, doesn't have to obey follow the Constitution.  Where is my duct tape... I have to wrap my skull to keep it from exploding.  Hold on a sec... a couple more wraps... there.  Okay.  "The Constitution has no force or effect in Denver, because this is a home rule city."  Didn't  a group of people try that in Montana?  What happened to them?  Oh yeah... the Feds climbed up their asses.  Now a whole damned city is doing it.  US President Mad Ogre to Denver... Okay, no problem.  No federal money for ANYTHING.  All federal programs for Denver and the people of Denver - all cut off.  Your too good for the Constitution.  Fine.   No problem.  All the money your not getting... It's going to Salt Lake so they can develop more Ski slopes and build a real belt route around the area.    No, sorry... You decided your "Home Ruled".  Fine.  Look, I'm all for States Rights, but this?  Fuck you.

June 23rd - Sunday.  Let me tell you about my new friend Tom.  Tom is just like me... Survivor of more than his share of fights.  Has scars that show that he has been there and done that.  Tom is a kick back that can just hang out and relax on the porch and listen to the wind.  Tom has had some damage to his throat so he doesn't say much but he listens well.  Especially if you give him something to drink when he comes around.  Oh, this cat, really is a cat.  A tom cat that has adopted us as a place fitting his presence.  For a cat, he is pretty cool and for all his battle scars, I can relate.   He was in a bad fight the other night... I saved his life... So today he came and hung out with me... sitting on my lap while I was on couch.  I think there is a mutual respect there.  For a cat, he is old... 10 years.  So he is just looking for a place to relax.  He'll go chase tail when he's in the mood, but other than that he just wants to chill.  What guy doesn't?

I threw the 14th to the 20th into the Archives. While I'm editing again... Was watching the Discovery channel here.  Show about Jesse James and his West Coast Choppers shop.  Dude as the baddest bikes on the planet.  If I had a spare 75 grand to throw around... Sure.  I'd buy a West Coast Choppers bike.  Hell yeah.  My kids don't need anything, my wife has her 200 pairs of shoes, everything is cool... sure.. I'll give Jesse a all. 

This is too funny.  Bride and Bridesmaids take off running for some escaping balloons that are filled with cash.  After finally getting the balloons back, "I'm taking the balloons on my honeymoon with me," she said. "They're never going to leave my side."  Now who thinks this chick is blonde?  Maybe it never occurred to her to just pop that damn things and keep the cash?  Her newly anchored husband is now going to get to share the joy of being stuck with her walking around with a bunch of balloons reminding him that he could have just picked up that brunette instead.  Okay, maybe that story wasn't that funny... forgive me.  I have a migraine going on.  That and I just HAD to use that picture.  Rat Race... one of the funniest movies to come out in a long time.  I want to watch it again.

Now, if your in the Middle East and your firing up into the air during some celebration... don't fire a mortar.  Now, if you do fire a mortar... please, be careful and load the mortar the right way.  Dropping the shell down the tube nose first is a very bad thing.  All I can say, is that this was a tragic accident and it is really too bad.  Too bad those guys were not Arafat's men.  I bet Arafat's crew play Soccer.

We are having the most quite and peaceful Sabbath day ever.  Maybe that is because everyone is being nice and quite because I've got a migraine headache.  I'm enjoying the peace, but could do without the skull rending pain.  It's a trade off. 

June 22nd - Saturday.  It has been reported to me that since my review of the CZ-97B, 3 fellows have since picked them up.  That's one a day.  Evidently my opinion has some currency.  Then again, the CZ is a fantastic handgun.  Three already.  One from a cat that was looking to buy his first autopistol.  Your first auto a CZ.  Not a bad choice. My first centerfire auto was a CZ clone, a TZ-75.  Great pistol, wish I still had it.  It was pretty good quality, but not as good as a CZ-75.  I should be getting commission checks.

BEST ONLINE-STORE EVER.  Enough said. 

PT145.com now has a discussion forum.  That's pretty cool.  Now owners of Taurus Millennium series owners has a place to vent about issues.  Steve has done a great job on the site's redesign.  Check it out.

Here is a little Windows XP Tip for you guys that have a hard time reading some WebPages:  Go to your display properties by right clicking on the desktop.  Then select Properties.  In the Appearance tab click the button that says “Effects”.  Click in the check box that says “Use the following method…” and then select “Clear Type”.  This makes all text displayed easier to read.  Try it out and see how you like it.  I do.  Makes reading everything much easier.  Text is more clear and stands out better.  Reading bullshit from liberal reporters is still hard to tolerate.

Email from reader: “Hello, Just read your piece on what the military needs in a service rifle. I think we have a weapon made here in the US that fits the bill: the Armalite AR-10 series. You can get them in .308 or, if .308 is a little too much, you can get them in .243.  The .243 cartridge is popular with hunters and, I think, fills the gap between the .223 and .308 nicely. What do you think? – Steve”  Thanks for the email Steve.  The .308 shouldn’t be a problem for any trooper that can pass the Army (or any service) PT Test.  Especially if it is fired out of a full blown battle rifle. The AR-10 is a decent target rifle and would probably make a fine replacement for the M-21 system.  Understand, I am a little biased against the AR-10 because it’s patterned after the AR.  But I am sure it’s fine.  The .243 is something I thought about before, but if your going to pack a .308 cartridge, why is it better to neck it down to fire a smaller bullet?  No advantage.  Nothing worth changing anything for.  Going back to the book Blackhawk Down (You have to READ the book – don’t just watch the movie) it was said of the fellow packing the old rifle in .308 that he was probably the smartest guy in the unit.  Nice.  Too bad others didn’t have the same option to take a different weapon.  An Infantry grunt is first and foremost a Rifleman.  Nothing can replace that well aimed shot.  Being able to spray out a high volume of fire is impressive, but what is the use if all those shots miss?  “Suppression of the enemy allowing your Maneuver Element to move”  Yeah, I know… Nice… but I’m talking about Man on Man.  If you can get your shot to hit, you might win.  If that shot is farther away, more powerful and able to punch through barriers and body armor… you have an advantage.  This advantage is there in every environment from jungle brush to those long range across the desert shots.  It’s a no brainer.    The .308 is just fine for this.  But here the question is about the AR-10.  Is it good enough?  Probably.  But there are options out there already that are battle proven.  We know they are proven in war.  The FAL. The L1A1. The G3.  I would probably have to rejoin the Army and get back into the Infantry if they adopted the G3A4K.  It’s Ogre’s opinion that the G3A4K is the consummate infantry rifle for multi-tasking mission profiles.  A do anything platform that can jump with the paras, clear buildings in urban areas, and still have a nice long range punch.

June 21st - Friday.  Quigley said about handguns "I said I have no use for them... I never said I didn't know how to use them."  Okay, really that has nothing to do with what I'm talking about... but I really don't eat candy bars.  But I never said I didn't like them.  I am fond for the Snickers Crunch bar.  That's a pretty good one.  Has everything that I like in a candy bar.  But it isn't my favorite.  I think for my bang for the candy buck it has to be the Baby Ruth.  That one is my favorite.  It's got the goods.  Has the crunchy nuts and chewy center and the chocolate on the outside... yeah... that's the ticket.  I only bring this up because this is an odd week.  Odd because this week I have actually eaten 2 candy bars.  Earlier this week I had one of my beloved Baby Ruths.  Ah... so good.  That was Tuesday.  For some reason today I decided that I wanted to indulge in another one.  Baby Ruth or Snickers Crunch were not available.  So out of the pathetic selection I chose a MARS bar.  Classic example of a candy bar.  Not bad.  But it couldn't touch the Baby.  The Babe is the king.  Just a thought for the evening.  Oh, and while I am spilling some opinion about unimportant stuff... I must report a growing fondness for Vanilla Coke.  It has a creamy quality that normal Coke doesn't have.  That and a 20 ouch bottle is only 50 cents.  I hope that pricing stays all summer. 

Now, back to business.  Many have reported a great fondness for Tetra Gun Grease.  I've applied this to a freshly wiped down CZ-97 and cycled the action a few times.  Is it any slicker or smoother?  Not really.  However it isn't "bleeding" like oil does.  I guess that is an advantage.  We shall see how it does tomorrow.  The Tetra grease is quite popular and those that use it swear by it.  I'm really not the type to be a bandwagon passenger.  If it doesn't lube better than Breakfree CLP why would you use it?  Unlike CLP, this grease doesn't offer the same level of protection and it doesn't clean.  So unless it really performs... CLP remains the choice.  One product - three jobs.  Hard to beat.

Oh Man, how can I have not already dropped my take on the World Cup.  Germany finally kicked the US team out of the running.  About time.  However, it came way too late.  We shouldn't have won any games.  The fact that we came so far is troubling.  The fact that Soccer is rising in popularity is just unacceptable.  Next thing you know - some American jackholes will be lighting themselves on fire, and shooting spouses that change the channel off a soccer game.  Umbro shorts will become the hot summer fashion.   Kids will be out there getting broken legs more and more because of soccer.  Do you know how many kids get busted legs from soccer?  More than the other sports combined.  Not cool.  And now, my own Sons are wanting to play soccer.  Don't get me started.  Still, there is another sport even worse than soccer that I dislike.  Rock Climbing.  But that is another rant for another time... but the reasons are obvious.  Here are some of them... 3 brothers taking a 2,000 foot plunge.  A helicopter and it's crew lost... Why? because some guy thinks he is going to go out and have "fun".  I think putting yourself at risk, and then putting others at risk so you can have some "fun" is asinine.  Don't tell me that I don't understand the sport.  I've done it.  I know what it is about.  I know the feeling that you can get when you reach the top... I understand that.  But I also understand that there are other and better ways of getting your rocks off than doing that.  If you want to do a risky Extreme Sport - do something else.  Mountain Biking - Street luge - I don't care.  Those other sports, if you make an error, your not having to have other people risk they're lives to get your sorry ass off the damn mountain.  I've got a brother in law, who I love, who is an expert climber.  He loves doing it.  He teaches the sport at Outward Bound.  He's acclaimed.  He knows what he is doing.  But he is also married.  Is that "Fun" worth the risk of leaving behind a wife?  I know everything is risk.  Driving in traffic is a risk.  Everything is risky.  But rock climbing is an unnecessary one.  Not only that, but the risk to others... not cool.  Search and Rescue Teams are not your personal Pit Crews.  If you want to toss away your life, join the French Foreign Legion.  Do something else for your fun.  Hell, go play soccer. 

Calls are coming in for more interviews now... more than ever.  Got another call for an interview Monday.  This is great.  The interview this morning went well and the one on Monday is a job I am easily qualified for.  Something will pan out soon enough. Good.  I'm optimistic.  Been praying more lately and strengthening my faith.  Prayers are being heard.  He heard my earnest prayers last Saturday, so I know the Lord is there. He listens.  He will help me get the right job... Where I need to be.  The interview this morning was strange... it went well, very well, and the people were surprised at level of technical knowledge about an industry that I've never been in before.  "But I stayed in a Holiday Inn last night!"  The cats admitted that I could pick everything up really fast and take it and run with it within a matter of weeks.  The strange thing about it, was that the first thing the dude said was that they had already made a job offer to another bloke, but wanted to meet with me.  If this other fellow turns down the job, then I got it.  Sweet.  Will have a new technology to learn... But that is just cool.  Would love to.  Blue jeans job.  Would love it.  Anyways... the right job is out there on the horizon.  It will come.

Some more thoughts about the shooting we did last night. Correia, Yorec, Stratfordholdings, Pvt Pyle and I were hanging out last night after busting some 12 gauge caps to the beeps of a timer.  One cat there was an Officer from Oregon and he and Yorec had just come from a nice long training session at the farm.  Correia asked Jim (the officer from Oregon) about the guns being used out at the farm and what guns were showing the most malfunctions.  The answer was interesting.  "The 1911 guys."  He then went on to say that most all of the failures were do to the Operator and not the gun. Pretty much it's because the guys out there are running the guns too dry. He related about one cat that was having major jammages and one guy took the gun and dunked it into a bucket of oil. Ran just fine after that. "Sloshy" with it throwing back the juice... but it was running. No failures after that.  It's often said that 1911 like a lot of oil. It's also said that 1911s are like Hot-Rods. It's also funny that a lot of 1911 guys, myself included, expects these hotrods to run like little Hondas and be miserly on the gas, or oil in this case. It's a hotrod... it's thirsty. Filler up.  For CCW that can be troublesome. The gun will "bleed" on you and on your clothes. Seepage or weeping or what ever you want to call it... your loosing the oil you need to keep the gun going.  Is grease the answer? That is a debate.

I've got an interview this morning... pretty good prospect.  I was out shooting with some TFL members and a couple cops Thursday night.  On cop from Oregon and one from Wyoming.  Anyways it's like 7:30pm and we are out blasting away with some shotguns and I'm scoring a pretty good 2.5 second runs and Steve's cell phone rings.  It's Mrs. Ogre and she says this cat is wanting to get a hold of me for a job.  Leaves his pager number.  Page is sent and he calls back.  I'm talking to the guy while Officer Badass is just pounding on the targets with an Italian automatic 12 gauge... Guy still offers me an interview for the next morning.  If he is cool with wanting to interview a guy right off the firing range, then there is a good enough reason to get up early for the interview! 

I've got so much stuff here that I got to get started on Friday, Thursday night. Let's roll  out with a couple emails  I got a bunch but two here are worth posting:  “Hey Ogre, got some news on the CZ-97, as I've been contemplating one myself. I'm left handed, though.  But that's no longer a problem.  A guy over a CZ Forum talked to Mike, the head gunsmith of CZ-USA, and he says that he can install an ambi safety.  All you need to do is send with the gun an ambidextrous safety for the EAA Witness pistol.  Best to call or email CZ-USA for more detailed info, though. My dealer quoted me a $545 price for the CZ-97.  For a gun the quality of a $1200 Kimber Custom, that's hard to beat! - Michael”  It is... go for it.  I was just out shooting mine and tagging empty shotgun shells with it without much effort. SWEET gun.  I did start having some issues, but it was isolated to one magazine.  Since Witness .45 mags are the same thing, and you can get them good and plenty – get a bunch.  The magazine is really, next to the firing pin, the most important part of the gun and most gun issues are really magazine issues.  Get a bunch of mags, and once you find the mags are good consistently – you will have a perfectly fine autopistol regardless of the make and model.  Now with the CZ, I have noticed that it might have more of a fondness to grease instead of oil.  Last night I shot it with grease, and tonight I shot it with oil and while it felt good at first, it quickly started to feel “dry” if you know what I mean.  Every gun is different… different personalities.  I’m still getting to know this one, but I think we will be able to get along just fine.  I'll have to give it some grease and see how she goes.

The other interesting email from an Ogrehead: “Hey man, I’m a regular ogre reader, and I’ve noticed you've had no commentary on the Toby Keith/ Peter Jennings.  What is your take on that?  The whole situation of Peter Jennings canceling Toby Keith’s contract for the ABC 4th of July show because he was going to sing "Angry American" just wondering because you usually have something to say about the liberal bastards of the world. thanks for your time- Jake”  Thanks for the email Jake – You know, I’m really not that big on Country Music.  Then again, I have lived for some time out in Vernal Utah and I do own a cowboy hat (black) so I do know a little something about Country.  I got four words for you, “Shania Faith Twain Hill”.  Now, Toby Keith is an alright singer and a pretty good guy.  Type of guy you could hang out with, have some BBQ and go shooting with.  Peter Jennings on the other hand, is an asshole.  I wouldn’t hang out with him unless I was paid to.  And it would have to be a pretty damn good salary.  Now, I even pulled bodyguard detail for the late Princess Diana’s dresses… and I thought that was pretty grim.  I’d do that full time before I’d take getting stuck in any proximity to Peter Jennings.  On top of being an asshole, he is also a Canadian.  This makes him even more vile.  Normally Canadians are just fine – just think of them as being from Idaho – same thing.  Accept Jennings has this whole “I’m better than you and I’m better than all you Americans” thing going on.  As if that isn’t bad enough, Jennings gets even worse.  He’s liberal too.  Holy crap.  So what we have here is a Liberal Canadian Asshole… The only way that he could get any more slap-worthy would be for him to be French.  And a Soccer Fan.  You know what?  I bet Jennings is a Soccer Fan.  You can tell.  He’s an asshole.  So back to the Keith-Jennings thing… I thing Toby is better off.  Seriously.  I know he is missing out on some serious bank, but check this out.  He doesn’t have to get near Jennings.  That has currency all on it’s own.  That and everyone now wants to hear this Angry American song.  Which means he is going to be selling a lot more CD’s.  He is going to be getting some more slots on the talk shows and getting more publicity… more CD’s and his next concert tour is going to be jammed.  In the long run – Keith will easily come out on top.  Jennings will just look even more like as asshole, with his smug “I’ve got a butt-plug up my ass and I’m here making more money than your damn city” look on his face.  I hate Peter Jennings.  He is a poor reporter, poor interviewer, on top of being biased, and blatantly so far left he is a freaking socialist.  Until that is that you ask him to pay out – then he is as Republican as they come.  Because he is, a freaking hypocrite.  That makes him beyond disgusting… that is even beyond French.  Hell – he might as well be Palestinian!  Damn, I’m going to go out and by a freaking Toby Keith CD now.  Ogre OUT!