Friday, June 16, 2006

The Ant and the Grasshopper

Claire Wolfe has a new and improved version of the old tale of the Ant and the Grasshopper. I've been thinking along these lines for some time now, and what she's saying makes more than a little sense to me. Life's too short, and it gets shorter every day. Enjoy it while you can.

Or as someone put it to me, "I've never seen a Brinks truck following a hearse."

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

You mean our government would lie to us?

The Sentencing Project (yeah, I know, it's a somewhat suspect source) is reporting that

Methamphetamine use is rare in most of the United States, not the raging epidemic described by politicians and the news media...

I'm stunned, stunned I tell you, to hear that our government and our beloved legacy media would exaggerate and lie in order to get us to give up our freedoms, pay higher taxes and subscribe to newspapers, magazines and cable TV.

Stunned. I mean that. :-)

One for the pantry

I found this product mentioned on Timebomb 2000:

The FIFO Systems Food Storage Rack

During the discussion of this product, several folks noted that it isn't very space efficient--you can stack more cans in the same space. As someone who used to stock shelves, I can tell you they're right--sort of.

Per the product specs, it can store 54 10.75 ounce cans in a space 12" x 16" x 16". In that space, it gives you the benefit of being able to top load the rack and pull from the bottom. It's a true First In, First Out (FIFO) storage system for cans.

Now you can stack more (not many more, but more) cans in that space. However, if you're trying to properly rotate you stock, using the oldest first, every time you restock you will have to pull it all off the shelf, put the new stuff in back, and then restack the shelf.

It's a pain, and it takes a lot of time. My time is valuable to me, and when I can buy some of it back for a fairly inexpensive price, I'll do it. It also makes keeping a pantry easier, and when you can make it easier, a family who might not be as motivated as they should be on this subject are more likely to keep one. That's a Good Thing.

As The Freehold moves into the new digs, I'm going to be reorganizing our preparations for bad times. I'll most likely be purchasing a few of these racks, and if I do, you'll get a first-hand report.

The best justice position and influence can buy

Writing on the subject of justice in the United States, McElroy pulls together two seemingly unlikely incidents--Rep. Cynthia McKinney's alleged assault on a police officer and Duke student Reade Seligmann's arrest for allegedly raping a dancer at a party.

I too have been an interested observer of the McKinney incident, as it supports a position I've long taken--who you are and who you know are far more important than any other factors in your life. If I had slugged a cop in public, I would have been, as McElroy notes, "slammed against the floor as officers descended en masse to make a felony arrest." On conviction, I would be serving a long sentence in the loving care of the nearest prison.

The investigation of McKinney has dragged on for months, amid rumors of a deal that will allow her to escape the consequences for her actions. In my not-so-humble opinion, the powers that be are simply waiting for us to forget about this so they can put the plan into effect.

On the other hand, we have a young man, apparently of good family, a student at a prestigious school, who has virtually been convicted of the crimes of rape and assault before he was ever arrested, let alone had his day in court.

The difference?

Just as McKinney may be legally immune because of who she is [a black Congresswoman--TF], I believe Seligmann is being persecuted for what he is. From the beginning, the Duke 'rape' case has been portrayed as a racial issue; white boys raped a black woman. Stories lingered on the wealth of Seligmann's family thus casting the case as one of elitism; the rich can violate the law without consequence.

Feminist editorials declared that women do not lie about rape, thus convicting him in advance and despite evidence.

In short, I believe Seligmann is being prosecuted because he is a rich white male.

Ya think?

These two legal farces simply reinforce my personal conclusions that our "criminal" justice system in this country is the best that position, power, influence and to a lesser extent, money, can buy.

Justice is absolutely dependent on a single idea--that everyone, regardless of position, wealth, skin color or preference in toilet paper, is equal before the law. But today, in America, we have more than these two cases worth of evidence that this is not the case. Our justice system has been compromised, and is in dire danger of losing the confidence of the public--if it hasn't lost it already.

Monday, June 12, 2006

San Francisco gets handed their...

Whatever. The Second Amendment Foundation reports that a California Superior Court has tossed out the SF handgun ban. Expected, but welcome news nonetheless.

How many times do they have to lose to get the message?

You can only tweak the ATF just so far

And it looks like Jews For the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO) has pushed over that line. A number of individuals and companies who have been affiliated with them have suddenly started running into...difficulties...with this arm of the Federal government.

Free Market News reports that KT Ordinance, well-known manufacturer of 80% complete firearms receivers and kits, has been the target of a BATF raid. Details are sparse. KT's website is offline in order to protect both KT and potential purchasers.

More as it develops.