Away Team DELTA

I just installed Dragon naturally speaking software on my computer. That is the software that will let you speak into a microphone, and it will print out on the screen what you say in text. This could be a dynamite way to update blogs and respond to e-mail. If this works out as well as I think it will. Then I will need to figure out exactly what I want to do with this blog rather than the hodgepodge it has been up until now. So far, the software has not messed up my words too badly. The ones it has messed up were a function of my pronunciation rather than the software. The fact that it smells most of the words correctly alone is worth the price of admission!

In as much as I am an aspiring writer and closet novelist. I see other possibilities with the software as well. Which is why I am so eager to test it out. You do need to make sure that the door is closed to your office, unless you want all of your coworkers to know exactly what e-mail you are replying to or what topic you are posting on your blog. Most ends my test posed using voice commands. Away team Delta out!

Go watch it!

My fiance had the place she was renting sold out from under her, so I had to spend the weekend helping her move. I really, really HATE moving.

I had lunch Friday with my fiance, and dragged her into the Apple store in Tyson's Corner to see if they had any of the new ipod shuffles. I looked around the store, and didn't see any. Plenty of ipod mini's, and regular ipod's, even U2's limited edition ipod; but no shuffles. I was about to leave the store when I saw a lady at the counter actually buying one! Turns out they had just got them in and they were behind the counter and going like hot cakes; so naturally I jumped in line and bought a 512mb model! (It was payday, after all.) I have been exptremely pleased with it. I belong to audible.com, and listen to a lot of audio books and this baby is just the ticket! I can fit three un-abridged audio books on it with a little room to spare. Since it's so small I can plug the ear buds in and drop it down the front of my shirt using the lanyard and only the earphones stick out a bit! I haven't used it in the gym yet but I expect it (and I) will get a workout tonight!

Turns out I have two of the three brake lights on my car out. Couldn't do anything about it Sunday nite, so Monday after work (in a snowstorm!) I hit the auto parts store and buy the needed bulbs. Now the fun begins! Naturally they are almost impossible to get to within the tail-light fixture. After much grumbling I get them replaced and move on to the "spoiler" light. You need a screwdriver at some crazy angle to get to the screws, but eventually I get them off. Slip out the fixture, unscrew the bulb-holder and it won't come out because the bulb is somehow too big for the hole! I had to actually break the bulb into pieces to get it out, then I had the wrong bulb to replace it. (I checked the book when I purchased the bulbs to make sure I had the right ones for my make, model and year.) Fortuantely a friend of mine runs the gas station around the corner and he had a couple of bulbs on hand. So three bucks later and at least a half hour of screwing around with the fixture to get it back in and I now have brake lights! [This is the point where I rant about those idiot designers who thought up the configuration for the fixtures that are so difficult to get to for something as trivial as changing a bulb.]

I keep my finger on the pulse of what is happening with the gun industry; that includes new guns, new laws and the polotics of the 2nd amendment. I see a trend happening and decided to write up this post to lay out my thoughts. I think we are about to let the term "Armor Piercing" be hijacked by the left the same way "Assault Rifle" was. There are several bills going through state legislatures intending to limit the sale and transfer of .50 rifles to citizens.; presumably because these rifles can be used by "terrorists" to do all kinds of nasty things.

Additionallly, the Senator from New Jersey has introduced a bill that would make it illegal for anyone, except a police officer or military official, to purchase or use an "assault pistol" that fires bullets capable of penetrating a bulletproof vest. And that is the real issue, my friends. By using the most powerfull commercially avaliable rifles and creating a class of "assault pistol" to deamonize as only usable by cop-killers and terrorists we are seeing the newest wave of attacks on firearms ownership in the US.

For those of you that don't know it, let me educate you on what a real armor piercing round is. Armor piercing, or AP for short, rounds are made to penetrate armor. (Duh!) They are made from harder materials such as teflon, brass or other dense metals or composites. (You need something larger than a pistol or rifle before depleated uranium rounds enter the picture!) AP rounds are restricted; you can't just go to the local gun show and buy them; it has been that way for many years.

But here is the real issue here; normal bullets can and will penetrate armor! There is the shocking truth! Bullets are small pieces of metal that are going really, really fast when they hit someone or something. If what they hit isn't strong enough to withstand the force of the speeding bullet, the the round will force its way through whatever it hits expending its kinetic energy to do so. That is the distinction the Left is unwilling to acknowlege; they want to steal the term "armor piercing" and make it apply to any bullet with enough power to defeat a police-man's vest. But when we look at how easy it is to do that, then just about all of the bullets on the market are now armor piercing!



Above are most of the commonly used pistol caliber rounds from the .22 up through the .44 and .50. The larger of these rounds has enough power to punch through some vests. But when we look at the collection of rifle caliber rounds below, note that all of these will punch trough a vest with no touble.



Are you starting to see what the real issue is here? The rifle bullets all have more powder behind the bullet so that the bullet goes faster and farther than with a smaller pistol round. It is the power of the charge behind the bullet, and not the bullet itself that makes these rounds capable of penetrating a typical armored vest. It is precisely because of the pistol rounds weaker power that armor piercing rounds were designed for them in the first place. Here is a better comparison of the difference:



Now to clarify I am generally taking about the type of vest worn by most law enforcement officers under their uniforms such as the one pictured below:



Many vests have better armor and even ceramic or steel "trauma plates" that are intended to stop larger, rifle caliber rounds. These plates will stop many larger rounds, but they only cover very vital parts of the chest, not the entire vest-area. And even it the vest does stop a round, the wearer is still going to be in a world of hurt! In fact, if a bullet hits the plate with enough force, the impact trauma can bruise the heart and kill the wearer without the bullet penetrating the plate!



So what we really have here is the Left's understanding that gun control for the most part isn't getting them any traction. So now they are "picking on the fringes" rather than the core of gun ownership. Not many people can afford a .50 rifle, let alone the ammo to shoot it on a regular basis. So by targeting a specific, small segment of the "gun culture" they want to introduce the idea that somehow the right to bear arms only means certain ones, and if you don't need it to hunt ducks then you are somehow out of the mainstream. Or worse, you are a prespective domestic terrorist!

I know some of you are already saving your pennies so you can buy a new .50 before a ban is placed on them, thus "grandfathering" in your ownership. While not a bad idea, it is the WRONG idea. We have momentum on our side; so playing defencively and allowing these bans to pass un-challenged while you "get yours" just isn't going to cut it.

Time for another go at putting a stop to "Economic Gun control" by forcing dealers and manufacturer's out of business through lawsuits. I predict a bitter but ultimately useless volley of rhetoric from the Left, followed by passage of the bill. Remember folks, this bill goes beyond protecting the firearms industry (which it does and is VERY important to prevent the "end run" around the constitution and the legislative process) since it would set a VERY dangerous precident for other industries. If this law isn't passed it will only be a matter of time before other industries are targeted. These industries will have deep pockets (Auto, fast food, Porn etc.) and will be attacked not by bottom-feeding lawyers but local, city and state governments in a thinly veiled 'extortion" attempt to increase tax revenu to help the poor/children/minorities/other easily defined and exploited sub-group designed to elicit sympathy.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- The office of Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, issued the following press release:
Sens. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) joined 26 of their colleagues today in introducing legislation to prohibit certain lawsuits against firearm manufacturers and dealers.

The legislation is nearly identical to S. 1805 from the last Congress. After five days of floor debate at the end of February and the first part of March, 2004, the legislation was amended with a number of unrelated gun control measures. Consequently, just eight senators voted for the amended bill, despite the fact the original bill had 54 cosponsors, including both the majority and minority leaders.

The bill prohibits lawsuits against firearm manufacturers, dealers, and their trade associations (which does not include the National Rifle Association) when they have acted lawfully but a third-party uses their legal product to inflict harm. It does not apply when a dealer, manufacturer, or trade association breaks the law.

The bill is being introduced because of the large number of lawsuits that have been filed. For up-to-date status of the lawsuits, please visit the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

"I am proud to sponsor legislation that will put an end to the politically-motivated lawsuits against the firearms industry," said Craig. "These outrageous lawsuits attempting to hold a law-abiding industry responsible for the acts of criminals are a threat to jobs and the economy, jeopardize the exercise of constitutionally-protected freedoms, undermine national security, and circumvent Congress and state legislatures. They must be stopped."

Baucus said, "Both Senator Craig and I are long-time supporters of the second amendment. It's been a pleasure to work together with Senator Craig on a common-sense bill that will help protect Idaho's and Montana's gun owners and manufacturers. It's important that we protect our law-abiding citizens and not allow frivolous lawsuits to take place. I look forward to continue working with Senator Craig to move this legislation through Senate and to the President's desk."

Craig's colleague from Idaho, Senator Mike Crapo, is an original cosponsor. "Gun manufacturers, owners, and traders face an increasing number of lawsuits filed with the intention of driving the firearms industry out of business by attempting to hold manufacturers and dealers liable for the criminal acts of third parties. These lawsuits could restrict interstate commerce in firearms and ammunition," Crapo said. "Fortunately, many of these cases have been dismissed and presiding judges are recognizing these attempts to use the court to bring about restrictions in the lawful commerce of firearms. This legislation will backstop what those judges already recognize and save the time and money that is currently wasted when these `junk' lawsuits are brought to court in the first place."

For more information, please read Senator Craig's floor statement introducing the bill on February 16, 2005 at http://craig.senate.gov/releases/pr021605a.htm .

HTS nmsb 050217-71217 SBAROOAH
Mike Tracy, 208/342-7985; Dan Whiting, 202/224-807.
Copyright 2005. Hindustan Times. All rights reserved.
Document INDFED0020050217e12g001e4

I have a good friend who works at a well-known firearms lobbying group with three initials. Often his co-workers will pass along emails for guns they have for sale; he sent one to me last week and the first gun on the list was a Kel-tec P11 9mm. I had been looking for a go0d "always with you" gun to go with my CCW permit (afer all, the first Law of gunfighting is thus: Have a Gun! otherwise you are not a participant in said gunfight, just a victum.) and had looked at the P3-AT but didn't really like the under-powered .380. Great little gun, and I still plan to get one for certain occassions when a larger gun isn't practicle. But the P11 was "under my radar"; I hadn't really noticed it until I saw the email.



The price was right. A hundred bucks or so under retail for a used one. Liked the 9mm, small size. Called him and was the first responder so he agreed to sell it to me. Now I had one small problem; I didn't have the agreed-upon $210.00 bucks! Placed a quick call to my father and explained I needed to borrow some money. he naturally asked "What for?" so I told him about this great deal I had on the P11 and just like that he said "Sure, no problem!" and transfered the money into my credit union account. (Aren't Dad's great?!)

I agreed to meet the seller at his place of employment on Friday about lunch-time, dropped by the credit union to get the $ and drove out to see him. I called on my cell phone to let him know I was on the way and he threw me a curve-ball. He said since he worked as a membership coordinator for said firearms lobbying firm he looked me up and saw *GASP* that my membership had lapsed! Needless to say I was somewhat chagrined and embarassed so he made the renewal pitch and I agreed to renew as a part of my purchase. I am going for a two year renewal now but seriously looking at the lifetime membership so as not to be put in such a delicate position again!

We met in the lobby of his building, he came down with the pistle in hand (well, in a case actually) and we stepped into a side room to take care of business. he opened the factory case and let me remove the weapon. Remembering my good mannors and common safety procedures I ejected the magazine and racked the slide back (all while not pointing the gun at him) to ensure it wasn't loaded; which it wasn't. I had, apparently, passed his impromtu test of good gun handling skillz so we completed our business and talked "shop" for a few minuites before it was time to head home. (Taking a half-day of work on a beautigul friday afternoon and bringing a new gun home to boot makes for a good weekend!)

The following weekend there was a HUGE gunshow at the Expo Center in Chantilly, VA where I found a finger extension for the ten round mag, a fifteen round S&W mag to go with it, a grip extension for it as well as a belt clip and some hollowpoints. Now all I need is a trigger shoe and a to perform a little tuning and I will be all set! (Thanks to the Kel Tec Owners Group)



Here is an illistration of the P11 with a 15 round S&W mag with grip extension.

Played Halo via XBox live with a group of friends last week..five hooked up to a LAN at the house, one online in Canada. Headsets are a MUST. It was like having my buddy from Canada in the next room! We formed a group after some normal games against each other and decided to play team games. We got Spanked Royally! I heard what sounded like eight year old kids work us over, some guys speaking French worked us also..it was Baad; but in a fun way.

We are all very good at killing and shooting, but with the team games they are "Capture the Flag" or "Plant the Bomb" type games and we simply didn't know the map or the rules. So after these fun yet embarrasing games we formed a private game and instead of shooting each other we explored the maps and found where the weapons are kept etc.

It was really cool to see some of the other teams work so well together; one team had it totally dialed in; three guys assualt our flag. Two shooters and a swordsman. Another guy grabs the flag and jumps on a waiting Warthog (Puma?), driven to safety by the fifth man. Sixth man on sniper duty to pick off pursuers. Great teamwork on their part.

So now its on to some Team Slayer; until we learn the rules a bit better for the other games.

Entry 1:
"Maybe you should go prone Wasluski, your shot went high
again."

Entry 2:
"No, twenty bucks for all five of us. Sucky, sucky."

Entry 3:
"Hey kid get outta here, soul brother too beaucoup!"

Entry 4:
"Sgt. Wasluski suddenly realized that America is indeed running out of brown people to kill."

Entry 5:
"Hey kid! All your base are belong to us!"

Entry 1:
"Away Team Delta, ATTACK!"

"Dude, its the bandanna, totally balances it."

"Fahid?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Entry 2:
"And up next we have Abdullah and Fahad, sporting the latest in urban agression-wear. Matching ski masks complement a flattering all-black emsemble. With an eye on utilty as well as fashion, these two are ready to step out, whether it be attending an insurgent rally in Mosul, or coordinating a rocket attack in Gaza."

Entry 3:
"Fahid?"

"What?!"

"Have you ever noticed how blue the sky is? It really is pretty."

Entry 4:
"Seriously, I practiced this on the xbox last night.
On three."

Gonna give this blogging thing a try. Stay tuned for more updates.