Tag: You’re Doing it Right

I Think We Out Number Them Slightly

Wow I have to admit I never expected to see such a skewed ratio in my life. Robb Allen points out the fact that the Colorado Sheriff, who I wish was my Sheriff, that refused to enforce Colorado State University’s new campus carry ban has received a good amount of support.

Apparently Sheriff Jim Alderden has received 170 e-mails in support of his position and one against his position. 170 to one, man that certainly makes my day.

Make Politics Better, Reintroduce Dueling

Here is an interesting article I found on Dvorak Uncensored. The article starts out by letting us know that Kentucky politicians still need to swear they never participated in a duel before taking office. From there the article asks the following question:

What if we re-introduced dueling to Washington?

My answer. It would certainly expedite the political process. Further only politicians who really stood behind their position would be willing to continue standing behind their position. This could be the greatest idea of this century.

It would certainly help CSPAN’s ratings.

More On Gunnies and Gamers

Caleb over at Gun Nuts Media has a good post about gunnies and gamers. His conclusion is pretty much the same as mine. Gunnies shouldn’t shun gamers:

But here’s the thing – yeah, those kids can be annoying at times. But instead of shunning them or casting them aside, I truly believe that we need to embrace the video game generation and their love of firearms.

I can’t agree more. And of course my invitation will always remain open to take any person with an interest in guns out to the range, including gamers.

Best Meme Ever

There is a new gun blogger meme started by none other than Uncle:

The commercial should have ended with a guy in a big ass Ford Earthfuckertm that gets 5 miles per gallon with seats made from baby seals blowing past the roadblock billowing smoke. And, for effect, the driver flips them off. I’d buy that car. Not this little compliant pansy car. You appeal to Americans in an ad by showing rebellion and general orneriness. Not passiveness, compliance, or sheepishness.

Sadly I drive a Ford Ranger which hardly comes close to being an Earthfucker but I plan on moving up some day. It appears as though Random Nuclear Strikes has found somebody who does own an Earthfucker though.

A Novel Idea

I found a rather novel idea today. A person by the name of Darrel Ince is requesting scientists to release the source code for applications used in their research. It’s mostly directed at the Al Gore’s Apocalypse group of “scientists” but is a good idea in general. From the article:

Computer code is also at the heart of a scientific issue. One of the key features of science is deniability: if you erect a theory and someone produces evidence that it is wrong, then it falls. This is how science works: by openness, by publishing minute details of an experiment, some mathematical equations or a simulation; by doing this you embrace deniability. This does not seem to have happened in climate research. Many researchers have refused to release their computer programs — even though they are still in existence and not subject to commercial agreements. An example is Professor Mann’s initial refusal to give up the code that was used to construct the 1999 “hockey stick” model that demonstrated that human-made global warming is a unique artefact of the last few decades. (He did finally release it in 2005.)

A software application is, in essence, little more than a series of mathematical algorithms. No scientist will be taken seriously if they come to a conclusion but refuse to publish the math. Seriously try to get a scientific paper published without including the algorithms you used to come to your conclusion. You’re research paper will hit the shredder faster than the speed of light (Which will require some research into how that happened).

But somehow when the math is done on a computer nobody thinks it needs to be published. Software is never perfect. Computers aren’t good at doing most tasks outside of basic arithmetic. Doing floating point math on a computer without writing a library specifically aimed at the task is an estimation at best. At least if the code is published other people can see the logic being performed and find any bugs that could lead to an improper result. The scientific process need to remain an open debate otherwise it’s no longer science.

I would also go so far as to publish the exact specifications of the computer the software was run on. There have been quite a few problems found in processors that lead to incorrect answers under specific conditions.

Are IDPA and IPSC Good Practice

Caleb over at Gun Nuts Media has a great post dealing with the old argument that IDPA and/or IPSC will get you killed. I agree with his post entirely. His post states that no IDPA and IPSC are not going to teach you tactical skills, they are going to give you practice at handling a firearm under stress. I think that kind of skill is far more important for your average armed citizen than learning how to enter a house while coordination with fellow team mates. I may have to defend myself some day but chances are I’m never joining the SWAT team.

I think it was Massad Ayoob that said IDPA isn’t good training, it’s good practice.

Good on You Starbucks

Previously I mentioned the Brady Bunch were trying to cost Starbucks money by shoving a petition under their nose to ban open carry in their establishments. I’ve since learned from Alphecca that Starbucks has further shown the Brady Bunch’s irrelevance by telling them to sodomize themselves with retractable batons (I may be paraphrasing slightly here):

“Starbucks does not have a corporate policy regarding customers and weapons; we defer to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding this issue,” Starbucks’ customer relations department said in response to the Brady Campaign’s request.

You know I’m actually starting to like Starbucks. Good on you guys.

Utah Passes Firearms Freedom Act

Well it appears as though Utah has passed their own Firearms Freedom Act in a vote of 19 to 10. That’s good news to hear.

I know a lot of people believe these laws are only symbolic and can not actually be enforced but I think it’s also an act of defiance against the federal government. Regardless of the enforceability of these acts they do serve as a big middle finger from the states that enact them to the federal government. I think more of this style of defiance is needed honestly, the states really need to take back their rights. I’m hoping Minnesota passes this act when it comes up for vote as well.