Have a fine Sunday my friends.
Six
Chartres Windows
1925
Colour fulfils where Music has no power:
By each man's light the unjudging glass betrays
All men's surrender, each man's holiest hour
And all the lit confusion of our days-
Purfled with iron, traced in dusk and fire,
Challenging ordered Time who, at the last,
Shall bring it, grozed and leaded and wedged fast,
To the cold stone that curbs or crowns desire.
Yet on the pavement that all feet have trod-
Even as the Spirit, in her deeps and heights,
Turns only, and that voiceless, to her God-
There falls no tincture from those anguished lights.
And Heaven's one light, behind them, striking through
Blazons what each man dreamed no other knew.
The Single Greatest Invention In The History Of Mankind
It could be electricity. Ask most engineers and science fiction writers and they'll tell you that with electricity you have civilization, without it you don't.
The internal combustion engine? Allowed people to travel further faster and in greater numbers than anything before. We were expanding but slowly even with the advent of trains. Individual motor vehicles very much changed our society and greatly added to personal freedom.
The computer? We still haven't seen the end of the technological wizardry that is modern computing and I doubt very much we ever will. Absent the heat death of the earth. It has enabled everything from efficient mass production to cell phones to rail guns and everything in between. We owe much of our current civilization to the computer (social media sites notwithstanding) including the advent of the citizen journalist. Where would we be without the information available at the touch of a button?
You could make the case for so many others; penicillin, the airplane, Nerf. I'm going to try and make a case for another invention. Something different. Something responsible for both death untold and lives saved in scores of millions.
The greatest invention in the history of mankind is the Gun.
Yes, yes, wail and gash your liberal teeth. Decry me as a neanderthal and vicious sociopath. Call me paranoid delusional with a persecution complex. Tell me I'm a myrmidon (an epithet I'll proudly accept btw). But there has been no other invention that has taken the idea of individual freedom and made it a realty than the Gun.
Back in the day of Oog and Moog life was exactly as long as muscle and intelligence could extend it. When it came to interpersonal relations if Oog was bigger or smarter than Moog then Oog made the rules and if Moog didn't like it he could leave, piss off or die. Don't want to bear Oog's children? Too bad. You get absolutely no say in the matter. Give it up or he'll take it.
During the ages when we started making tools from stone, bronze and iron it was much the same. Muscle powered weapons required either the pure strength to wield it or the intelligence (or cunning) to get others to do so on your behalf.
Then the Chinese invented gunpowder. It was almost certainly the Han ancestor to the redneck who told his buddy, Changbubba, "Hey y'all, watch this." The beginnings of true personal defense and the freedom it engenders were born.
Enter the gun inventors and makers of which the finest was undoubtedly either Samuel Colt or John Browning. Not that I'm biased. They invented or perfected personal weapons with the lethality and repeatability necessary for them to be carried and used effectively by anyone. Not to mention methods of manufacture that put them within the reach of even the poorest.
This suddenly put everyone more or less on even footing. Bigger, stronger and smarter could no longer be relied upon to carry the day. Now skill and experience entered the equation not to mention banding together in tribal and community groups for increased safety. Interpersonal relations improved to the point that even Oog had to measure his words to Moog carefully lest Moog let his displeasure be known at the point of a Peacemaker. Same with Moog's wife and daughters. If you want a reliable source of child bearing women you best civilize up and put a ring on the gal's finger and treat her with at least a modicum of respect. A club to the noggin was no longer considered acceptable foreplay.
The Gun was the single device that allowed a person, anyone of either gender and almost any age past toddler, to protect their lives, their chastity and what they had built and earned for themselves and their greater community. The strongest could no longer rule with impunity. They had to constantly be aware of that equalizer in the hands of those they purported to govern. Yes, dictators and tyrants have been many and murderous but never, never, without disarming the general populace or not allowing that arming in the first place.
The Gun could kill the armored knight on horseback, the despot in the palace and the robber in the night. It allowed a pioneer woman to defend herself and her children against marauding gangs when her husband was away trying to scratch out a living from the dirt and wilderness hours or even days away from the homestead. It allowed the forces of freedom to wrest victory away from the forces of evil and enforce peace and democracy where such had never existed before in the history of mankind. It allows law abiding and peaceful people to walk the streets at night and sleep well in their homes, secure in the knowledge that they have at their disposal a powerful weapon against the violent and rapacious.
There is nothing ever invented by man that has leveled the playing field between the strong and the weak, the peaceful and the violent, the virtuous and the rapist, the tyrant and the libertarian better than the Gun. Take away the electricity, the cars, the computers, everything else and we're still not back to the days of Oog and Moog. The reason is the gun. As long as they exist civilization and freedom are possible wherever like minded people of strong character and good will band together. If Guns ever disappear no other thing will stand between life and death except the whims of the strong, the violent and the barbaric.
Yes, Guns kill and in the hands of those of psychopathic intent they are an instrument of evil. But it isn't the Gun that is inherently bad, it's the character and intent of the wielder. If everyone is armed then everyone has an equal say and an equal chance to survive. If no one is armed then those built for and disposed toward violence will run roughshod over all in their path. Yes, guns have killed millions but, with a few notable exceptions, those they have killed in truly job lots were the disarmed and in most of those cases it wasn't the gun that did the actual killing. It was simply the instrument that enforced the will of the murderous. An armed people are a free people. It's a generality I know but that doesn't make it untrue. An armed society really is a polite society.
It boggles my mind that so simple a concept is beyond the understanding of those who would disarm us. Do they not know that in the event we are ever completely without Guns their fate is as sealed as ours? Do they really wish to place their lives and that of their children in the paws of the thuggish? I can only answer; It seems so.
So there is my argument for the Gun as the single greatest invention in the history of mankind. Sadly, I am not a scholar nor the brightest of the bright but I have put forth my logic as well as I am able. Many could say more undoubtedly but this is my answer, the best I can make. Happily it seems we are winning the argument, at least here in America. My hope is that everyone else on the planet will wake up to the realization that the only thing keeping them unarmed is ultimately themselves and the political choices they make.
Don't be a victim.
Six
The internal combustion engine? Allowed people to travel further faster and in greater numbers than anything before. We were expanding but slowly even with the advent of trains. Individual motor vehicles very much changed our society and greatly added to personal freedom.
The computer? We still haven't seen the end of the technological wizardry that is modern computing and I doubt very much we ever will. Absent the heat death of the earth. It has enabled everything from efficient mass production to cell phones to rail guns and everything in between. We owe much of our current civilization to the computer (social media sites notwithstanding) including the advent of the citizen journalist. Where would we be without the information available at the touch of a button?
You could make the case for so many others; penicillin, the airplane, Nerf. I'm going to try and make a case for another invention. Something different. Something responsible for both death untold and lives saved in scores of millions.
The greatest invention in the history of mankind is the Gun.
Yes, yes, wail and gash your liberal teeth. Decry me as a neanderthal and vicious sociopath. Call me paranoid delusional with a persecution complex. Tell me I'm a myrmidon (an epithet I'll proudly accept btw). But there has been no other invention that has taken the idea of individual freedom and made it a realty than the Gun.
Back in the day of Oog and Moog life was exactly as long as muscle and intelligence could extend it. When it came to interpersonal relations if Oog was bigger or smarter than Moog then Oog made the rules and if Moog didn't like it he could leave, piss off or die. Don't want to bear Oog's children? Too bad. You get absolutely no say in the matter. Give it up or he'll take it.
During the ages when we started making tools from stone, bronze and iron it was much the same. Muscle powered weapons required either the pure strength to wield it or the intelligence (or cunning) to get others to do so on your behalf.
Then the Chinese invented gunpowder. It was almost certainly the Han ancestor to the redneck who told his buddy, Changbubba, "Hey y'all, watch this." The beginnings of true personal defense and the freedom it engenders were born.
Enter the gun inventors and makers of which the finest was undoubtedly either Samuel Colt or John Browning. Not that I'm biased. They invented or perfected personal weapons with the lethality and repeatability necessary for them to be carried and used effectively by anyone. Not to mention methods of manufacture that put them within the reach of even the poorest.
This suddenly put everyone more or less on even footing. Bigger, stronger and smarter could no longer be relied upon to carry the day. Now skill and experience entered the equation not to mention banding together in tribal and community groups for increased safety. Interpersonal relations improved to the point that even Oog had to measure his words to Moog carefully lest Moog let his displeasure be known at the point of a Peacemaker. Same with Moog's wife and daughters. If you want a reliable source of child bearing women you best civilize up and put a ring on the gal's finger and treat her with at least a modicum of respect. A club to the noggin was no longer considered acceptable foreplay.
The Gun was the single device that allowed a person, anyone of either gender and almost any age past toddler, to protect their lives, their chastity and what they had built and earned for themselves and their greater community. The strongest could no longer rule with impunity. They had to constantly be aware of that equalizer in the hands of those they purported to govern. Yes, dictators and tyrants have been many and murderous but never, never, without disarming the general populace or not allowing that arming in the first place.
The Gun could kill the armored knight on horseback, the despot in the palace and the robber in the night. It allowed a pioneer woman to defend herself and her children against marauding gangs when her husband was away trying to scratch out a living from the dirt and wilderness hours or even days away from the homestead. It allowed the forces of freedom to wrest victory away from the forces of evil and enforce peace and democracy where such had never existed before in the history of mankind. It allows law abiding and peaceful people to walk the streets at night and sleep well in their homes, secure in the knowledge that they have at their disposal a powerful weapon against the violent and rapacious.
There is nothing ever invented by man that has leveled the playing field between the strong and the weak, the peaceful and the violent, the virtuous and the rapist, the tyrant and the libertarian better than the Gun. Take away the electricity, the cars, the computers, everything else and we're still not back to the days of Oog and Moog. The reason is the gun. As long as they exist civilization and freedom are possible wherever like minded people of strong character and good will band together. If Guns ever disappear no other thing will stand between life and death except the whims of the strong, the violent and the barbaric.
Yes, Guns kill and in the hands of those of psychopathic intent they are an instrument of evil. But it isn't the Gun that is inherently bad, it's the character and intent of the wielder. If everyone is armed then everyone has an equal say and an equal chance to survive. If no one is armed then those built for and disposed toward violence will run roughshod over all in their path. Yes, guns have killed millions but, with a few notable exceptions, those they have killed in truly job lots were the disarmed and in most of those cases it wasn't the gun that did the actual killing. It was simply the instrument that enforced the will of the murderous. An armed people are a free people. It's a generality I know but that doesn't make it untrue. An armed society really is a polite society.
It boggles my mind that so simple a concept is beyond the understanding of those who would disarm us. Do they not know that in the event we are ever completely without Guns their fate is as sealed as ours? Do they really wish to place their lives and that of their children in the paws of the thuggish? I can only answer; It seems so.
So there is my argument for the Gun as the single greatest invention in the history of mankind. Sadly, I am not a scholar nor the brightest of the bright but I have put forth my logic as well as I am able. Many could say more undoubtedly but this is my answer, the best I can make. Happily it seems we are winning the argument, at least here in America. My hope is that everyone else on the planet will wake up to the realization that the only thing keeping them unarmed is ultimately themselves and the political choices they make.
Don't be a victim.
Six
Man Cave Update
With everything that has been going on, not to mention my innate tendency toward procrastination, the Man Cave has been neglected. It became kind of a dumping ground for all my stuff. You know, an "I'll sort this out later" kinda thing. Well at long last I've finally managed to wade through 30 years of collected crap and the detritus of a life spent in a uniform and I've got it pretty well in hand. Just some minor clean up to do and I'll sort that out later. Wait, where have I heard that before? No matter. On with the pics because I know you're just dying to see it!
The Cave is in our smallish basement. I love it because it stays nice and cool in summer though it does get a bit chilly come winter time. To enter you go down these stairs. I decided to set the tone early and put up some posters on the walls and ceiling going down. Hey Dirtcrashr, those look familiar?
Wait, is that the lovely Lu I spot? It is! Accompanied and guarded by the ever present Young Black Dog. Chewing on something. Again. I do not want to know.
At the bottom of the stairs are some patches, a copper poster and a map of the Monterey Bay. I used to collect patches but turned most of them over to Sarge because he has a much larger and nicer collection.
The back wall. If you look over to the right you'll see part of the wooden shelves that used to go all across the wall. I took most of it out to fit my safes in and added those steel shelves. They're from Costco and at 60 bucks for a 4x6 shelf they're a steal. I love them and use 'em everywhere. There's about 10,000 rounds of ammo just on that one shelf and room for a lot more. Sometime in the not too distant future I'll tear out the wooden shelf remnant and add in a final steel one. Some time.
On the far wall is a poster of the old Ft. Ord reservation along with another poster and the Corkboard Of Honor. There's something special going up there later.Just to the left is an old, green wooden Army file cabinet I rescued from the trash heap when Ft. Ord was mothballed and trashed and some range bags I'm going to review.
A close up of the Corkboard Of Honor. That print is from Kratmann and Ringo's book Yellow Eyes. The original cover art work was atrocious so a bunch of us got together and paid the artist to come up with this. As a reward we got signed prints limited to those of us who contributed.
I decided against an I Love Me wall, there's just too much for that (he said in completely false modesty) so I put the major stuff up on a shelf. See, it even says ILOVEME right there. Aren't I clever? Don't you just want to punch me right in the snotlocker for being such a douche?
The main area. That table was also rescued from the Ft. Ord trash pile. It used to be on the left, facing 90 degrees from where it is now. This ended up working better and allowed me to put in another shelf on the right. The press is bolted in place and all the makings are on still another set of shelves above the work station. Now I just need to sit down and do some, you know, actual work. Brigid, I took your advice and moved the brass cleaner out. It's in my shop at the moment but I'm building a small covered table outside to run it in. I have enough mental issues from being old, I don't need to add lead poisoning to the mix.
The Army flag hanging in a place of prominence. Too bad It's hung facing the wrong way. Sigh. I just noticed that. Add it to the list.
Hats, we got 'em! If you spend a career in uniform you'll wear a lot of hats. Here are a few of mine. That helmet was the one I was wearing when I totaled a brand new PD BMW and very nearly ended my career just a bit prematurely and messily.The back side of it is cracked and ground down where I hit the pavement and went sliding at 50 mph plus. I keep it to remind me that life is fleeting and it can end suddenly and unexpectedly at any time.
This is what bitchin' Motor Boots look like. After I blew out my Achilles (are we sensing a theme here?) I couldn't put them on any more so I had to have the local boot repair shop install those zippers. Worked pretty well.
I've been on a simplification mission lately. I started after I realized that I could no longer close and lock either of my gun safes. They were filled with guns I really no longer shot and some I absolutely hated. Which ones? Ok, don't yell at me but I sold an AK, an SMLE and a Jungle Carbine (with 1600 rounds of ammo), an 870 of which I have two and really didn't need three, a Romanian bolt .22 I still don't know why I bought, a Glock 26, a Glock 19 and a Sig P230. There's few more to go yet (including at least one AR, one Remington 700 and a Savage 12FV) but at least I can now close my safes. The DO will be taking her Mini 30, Model 66 and 870 when she makes her final trek to her new home in Florida in May.
Of course that will actually leave me with some room and some expendable cash from those sales. I wonder what to do? Well Lu is even now in talks with Michael at Michael's Custom Holsters for a rig for her Airweight. There's definitely an Airweight in my immediate future. Instinct and I have been discussing and planning some grips for my Redhawk. I want to add a lathe and mill to my shop. The house needs a roof reconstruction, wiring, plumbing and an additional bathroom.
Man, I need to get to work!
Six
The Cave is in our smallish basement. I love it because it stays nice and cool in summer though it does get a bit chilly come winter time. To enter you go down these stairs. I decided to set the tone early and put up some posters on the walls and ceiling going down. Hey Dirtcrashr, those look familiar?
Wait, is that the lovely Lu I spot? It is! Accompanied and guarded by the ever present Young Black Dog. Chewing on something. Again. I do not want to know.
At the bottom of the stairs are some patches, a copper poster and a map of the Monterey Bay. I used to collect patches but turned most of them over to Sarge because he has a much larger and nicer collection.
The back wall. If you look over to the right you'll see part of the wooden shelves that used to go all across the wall. I took most of it out to fit my safes in and added those steel shelves. They're from Costco and at 60 bucks for a 4x6 shelf they're a steal. I love them and use 'em everywhere. There's about 10,000 rounds of ammo just on that one shelf and room for a lot more. Sometime in the not too distant future I'll tear out the wooden shelf remnant and add in a final steel one. Some time.
On the far wall is a poster of the old Ft. Ord reservation along with another poster and the Corkboard Of Honor. There's something special going up there later.Just to the left is an old, green wooden Army file cabinet I rescued from the trash heap when Ft. Ord was mothballed and trashed and some range bags I'm going to review.
A close up of the Corkboard Of Honor. That print is from Kratmann and Ringo's book Yellow Eyes. The original cover art work was atrocious so a bunch of us got together and paid the artist to come up with this. As a reward we got signed prints limited to those of us who contributed.
I decided against an I Love Me wall, there's just too much for that (he said in completely false modesty) so I put the major stuff up on a shelf. See, it even says ILOVEME right there. Aren't I clever? Don't you just want to punch me right in the snotlocker for being such a douche?
The main area. That table was also rescued from the Ft. Ord trash pile. It used to be on the left, facing 90 degrees from where it is now. This ended up working better and allowed me to put in another shelf on the right. The press is bolted in place and all the makings are on still another set of shelves above the work station. Now I just need to sit down and do some, you know, actual work. Brigid, I took your advice and moved the brass cleaner out. It's in my shop at the moment but I'm building a small covered table outside to run it in. I have enough mental issues from being old, I don't need to add lead poisoning to the mix.
The Army flag hanging in a place of prominence. Too bad It's hung facing the wrong way. Sigh. I just noticed that. Add it to the list.
Hats, we got 'em! If you spend a career in uniform you'll wear a lot of hats. Here are a few of mine. That helmet was the one I was wearing when I totaled a brand new PD BMW and very nearly ended my career just a bit prematurely and messily.The back side of it is cracked and ground down where I hit the pavement and went sliding at 50 mph plus. I keep it to remind me that life is fleeting and it can end suddenly and unexpectedly at any time.
This is what bitchin' Motor Boots look like. After I blew out my Achilles (are we sensing a theme here?) I couldn't put them on any more so I had to have the local boot repair shop install those zippers. Worked pretty well.
I've been on a simplification mission lately. I started after I realized that I could no longer close and lock either of my gun safes. They were filled with guns I really no longer shot and some I absolutely hated. Which ones? Ok, don't yell at me but I sold an AK, an SMLE and a Jungle Carbine (with 1600 rounds of ammo), an 870 of which I have two and really didn't need three, a Romanian bolt .22 I still don't know why I bought, a Glock 26, a Glock 19 and a Sig P230. There's few more to go yet (including at least one AR, one Remington 700 and a Savage 12FV) but at least I can now close my safes. The DO will be taking her Mini 30, Model 66 and 870 when she makes her final trek to her new home in Florida in May.
Of course that will actually leave me with some room and some expendable cash from those sales. I wonder what to do? Well Lu is even now in talks with Michael at Michael's Custom Holsters for a rig for her Airweight. There's definitely an Airweight in my immediate future. Instinct and I have been discussing and planning some grips for my Redhawk. I want to add a lathe and mill to my shop. The house needs a roof reconstruction, wiring, plumbing and an additional bathroom.
Man, I need to get to work!
Six
Apparently Capital One Thinks An Image Of A Gun Is Socially Unacceptable Or Discriminatory
I was visiting with my buddy Bruce today, talking guns and prices. Bruce is the owner of OFS Tactical and he's been helping me out by selling a few of my no longer needed/wanted firearms. As we were discussing the latest batch I left him he dropped this nice little hoplophobic number on me.
He is in the process of obtaining a company credit card from Capital One. He sent in his information and the image he wanted displayed. It's his company logo. It's an M4 in black silhouette with his company name, OFS Tactical below. They sent this in response.
Please note the reasons given for denial. Bruce sent this right back. (Note: As most of you know I am a Luddite so I'm re-typing this from the PDF Bruce sent to me instead of copying and pasting. I'm not leaving anything out except for some images and not adding anything in.)
This card image I selected is my logo for my company and been since April of 2009. I am a federally licensed dealer of firearms and sell to the UNITED STATES MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT and 28 agencies of the Government.
My company advocates for the freedom of the Second Amendment and SAFE USE AND HANDLING of firearms. We are a family of veterans who have fought and died for your individual rights and FREEDOMS, please don't take ours away. The simple image of a firearm in no way, shape or form infringes on "Socially unacceptable or discriminatory behavior, signs or statements
(e.g. gangs, hatred, drugs/alcohol abuse, tobacco, graffiti, or illegal firearms
use) and if you feel so inclined to make that argument I would like you to explain Vikings running through a village, pillaging and wielding battle axes and swords. What's in your wallet?
(Here Bruce included two captured images from the Capital One ads showing the rampaging Vikings)
I like Capital One but the political correctness must stop and I implore you to reconsider your initial judgement. I am prepared to take this argument as far as needs be; NRA, FOX News, Blogs, Second Amendment rights activists, YouTube, etc. And I have a pretty good my military and law enforcement buddies nation wide will support me by boycotting your fine establishment.
Now Bruce and OFS Tactical are a classic small business, really it's just him, trying to make his mark and maybe enough money to pay the bills. But the size of the dog is irrelevant. What Capital One is in essence saying is that the very image of a gun (and thereby all guns themselves) is so offensive that they refuse to allow a company logo credit card to show one. The language they used left me indignant to the point of anger and perhaps the use of some bad language. Socially unacceptable behavior, signs or statements. Wow. Just Wow.
So here's my response to Capital One, which I will be sending after I've finished this post along with a link for their perusal. Please feel free to let them know how you feel in comments.
Dear Capital One:
I was recently made aware of your rejection of the image of a legal firearm on an Image Card credit card for OFS Tactical. Your stated reason was the following;
Socially unacceptable or discriminatory behavior, signs or statements (e.g. gangs, hatred, drugs/alcohol abuse, tobacco, graffiti, or illegal firearms use)
What I find offensive and discriminatory is your rejection of the image for no more reason than that you don't like it. The simple image of a legal firearm is no more socially unacceptable that a sword or a battle ax which I believe you are more than happy to show in your commercials. Even when in the hands of a child. A weapon is a weapon and is no more dangerous than the hand that wields it. If a company or individual are law abiding and the image is not one of violence and mayhem (that's a subtle hint right there. Did you get it?) then a shadow image of the weapon that has secured freedom for more people than any other in mankind's history is not unacceptable or discriminatory except in the close minded. I am not a Capital One customer at this time nor will I ever be if this is your stance. I am also a veteran and a retired police officer who runs a modest little blog and who is going to shout to the internet and anyone who will listen as to your actions. I urge you to reconsider and work with the owner of OFS tactical to resolve this issue. I have written about this incident. I am including a link to that post. We firearm owners are neither stupid nor non-discretionary. We have funds to spend and credit cards to use and we are very aware of who is actively opposing the lawful exercise of our rights and who is not. It's your company and you can certainly run it any way you see fit but it's our money and we can handle it the same way. And, somehow, I doubt very much that this is the first time such has occurred.
What's in your wallet indeed.
Sincerely
Six
He is in the process of obtaining a company credit card from Capital One. He sent in his information and the image he wanted displayed. It's his company logo. It's an M4 in black silhouette with his company name, OFS Tactical below. They sent this in response.
|  | ||||||||
This card image I selected is my logo for my company and been since April of 2009. I am a federally licensed dealer of firearms and sell to the UNITED STATES MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT and 28 agencies of the Government.
My company advocates for the freedom of the Second Amendment and SAFE USE AND HANDLING of firearms. We are a family of veterans who have fought and died for your individual rights and FREEDOMS, please don't take ours away. The simple image of a firearm in no way, shape or form infringes on "Socially unacceptable or discriminatory behavior, signs or statements
(e.g. gangs, hatred, drugs/alcohol abuse, tobacco, graffiti, or illegal firearms
use) and if you feel so inclined to make that argument I would like you to explain Vikings running through a village, pillaging and wielding battle axes and swords. What's in your wallet?(Here Bruce included two captured images from the Capital One ads showing the rampaging Vikings)
I like Capital One but the political correctness must stop and I implore you to reconsider your initial judgement. I am prepared to take this argument as far as needs be; NRA, FOX News, Blogs, Second Amendment rights activists, YouTube, etc. And I have a pretty good my military and law enforcement buddies nation wide will support me by boycotting your fine establishment.
Now Bruce and OFS Tactical are a classic small business, really it's just him, trying to make his mark and maybe enough money to pay the bills. But the size of the dog is irrelevant. What Capital One is in essence saying is that the very image of a gun (and thereby all guns themselves) is so offensive that they refuse to allow a company logo credit card to show one. The language they used left me indignant to the point of anger and perhaps the use of some bad language. Socially unacceptable behavior, signs or statements. Wow. Just Wow.
So here's my response to Capital One, which I will be sending after I've finished this post along with a link for their perusal. Please feel free to let them know how you feel in comments.
Dear Capital One:
I was recently made aware of your rejection of the image of a legal firearm on an Image Card credit card for OFS Tactical. Your stated reason was the following;
Socially unacceptable or discriminatory behavior, signs or statements (e.g. gangs, hatred, drugs/alcohol abuse, tobacco, graffiti, or illegal firearms use)
What I find offensive and discriminatory is your rejection of the image for no more reason than that you don't like it. The simple image of a legal firearm is no more socially unacceptable that a sword or a battle ax which I believe you are more than happy to show in your commercials. Even when in the hands of a child. A weapon is a weapon and is no more dangerous than the hand that wields it. If a company or individual are law abiding and the image is not one of violence and mayhem (that's a subtle hint right there. Did you get it?) then a shadow image of the weapon that has secured freedom for more people than any other in mankind's history is not unacceptable or discriminatory except in the close minded. I am not a Capital One customer at this time nor will I ever be if this is your stance. I am also a veteran and a retired police officer who runs a modest little blog and who is going to shout to the internet and anyone who will listen as to your actions. I urge you to reconsider and work with the owner of OFS tactical to resolve this issue. I have written about this incident. I am including a link to that post. We firearm owners are neither stupid nor non-discretionary. We have funds to spend and credit cards to use and we are very aware of who is actively opposing the lawful exercise of our rights and who is not. It's your company and you can certainly run it any way you see fit but it's our money and we can handle it the same way. And, somehow, I doubt very much that this is the first time such has occurred.
What's in your wallet indeed.
Sincerely
Six
Angus Is Clearly Suffering From Stress
I mean, the boy just can't seem to relax.
It's terribly how badly we treat him. Quick, someone call the ASPCA!
Six
Six
Sunday Kipling
It's a warm and sunny day here at Casa Six. Grandpa cooked eggs with bacon and toast with a nice tall glass of frosty cold milk. The kids are outside playing in the Pirate Ship and enjoying Spring. Angus is following along hoping for a game of tug-o-war. I hope this day finds you all warm and content. Kiss your loved ones and have a great day.
I thought this particular poem was apropos in this election cycle. Some things never change it seems.
Six
Pagett, M.P.
The toad beneath the harrow knows Exactly where eath tooth-point goes. The butterfly upon the road Preaches contentment to that toad. Pagett, M.P., was a liar, and a fluent liar therewith -- He spoke of the heat of India as the "Asian Solar Myth"; Came on a four months' visit, to "study the East," in November, And I got him to sign an agreement vowing to stay till September. March came in with the koil. Pagett was cool and gay, Called me a "bloated Brahmin," talked of my "princely pay." March went out with the roses. "Where is your heat?" said he. "Coming," said I to Pagett, "Skittles!" said Pagett, M.P. April began with the punkah, coolies, and prickly-heat, -- Pagett was dear to mosquitoes, sandflies found him a treat. He grew speckled and mumpy-hammered, I grieve to say, Aryan brothers who fanned him, in an illiberal way. May set in with a dust-storm, -- Pagett went down with the sun. All the delights of the season tickled him one by one. Imprimis -- ten day's "liver" -- due to his drinking beer; Later, a dose of fever --slight, but he called it severe. Dysent'ry touched him in June, after the Chota Bursat -- Lowered his portly person -- made him yearn to depart. He didn't call me a "Brahmin," or "bloated," or "overpaid," But seemed to think it a wonder that any one stayed. July was a trifle unhealthy, -- Pagett was ill with fear. 'Called it the "Cholera Morbus," hinted that life was dear. He babbled of "Eastern Exile," and mentioned his home with tears; But I haven't seen my children for close upon seven years. We reached a hundred and twenty once in the Court at noon, (I've mentioned Pagett was portly) Pagett, went off in a swoon. That was an end to the business; Pagett, the perjured, fled With a practical, working knowledge of "Solar Myths" in his head. And I laughed as I drove from the station, but the mirth died out on my lips As I thought of the fools like Pagett who write of their "Eastern trips," And the sneers of the traveled idiots who duly misgovern the land, And I prayed to the Lord to deliver another one into my hand.
Please Carry
The anti 2A folks must be proud of themselves today after watching this video. I mean it's much better that she didn't have the means to defend herself against a violent thug rather than being safe. Better to let him have what he wants rather than shoot and possibly kill him. Right? Except that what he wanted was her and she's now missing after being beaten and thrown into his car.
If you're a member of the disarmament crowd this is indeed your fault. Yours. Step up and take credit.
From the story;
In this surveillance video, the man police are seeking is seen knocking down a woman who had just exited a LIRR train. The two then exchanged words inside a shop before he forced her to leave the store. Once outside, he again knocked her down and dragged her off camera. According to witnesses, after the video ends, the man placed the victim over his shoulder and threw her in the back seat of a nearby car against her will. The suspect then drove away in the direction of the Long Island Expressway.
Please carry. If all you have is a .22 then that's all you have but please carry it and use it if you must. That woman's life is important as is yours and all the panty wadding and hand wringing by those who wish to control all aspects of our lives and put us in the hands of the violent and deranged is just a cover for an ongoing war on freedom. Don't fall for it. The casual person on the street cannot be counted on to preserve your life in a crisis. It does happen but all too often they'll pass by without a thought to intervene. You are the final arbiter of your fate and don't ever forget it.
A prayer goes out to that woman. May she be found alive and may her attacker pay the penalty. Preferably terminally.
Six
If you're a member of the disarmament crowd this is indeed your fault. Yours. Step up and take credit.
From the story;
In this surveillance video, the man police are seeking is seen knocking down a woman who had just exited a LIRR train. The two then exchanged words inside a shop before he forced her to leave the store. Once outside, he again knocked her down and dragged her off camera. According to witnesses, after the video ends, the man placed the victim over his shoulder and threw her in the back seat of a nearby car against her will. The suspect then drove away in the direction of the Long Island Expressway.
Please carry. If all you have is a .22 then that's all you have but please carry it and use it if you must. That woman's life is important as is yours and all the panty wadding and hand wringing by those who wish to control all aspects of our lives and put us in the hands of the violent and deranged is just a cover for an ongoing war on freedom. Don't fall for it. The casual person on the street cannot be counted on to preserve your life in a crisis. It does happen but all too often they'll pass by without a thought to intervene. You are the final arbiter of your fate and don't ever forget it.
A prayer goes out to that woman. May she be found alive and may her attacker pay the penalty. Preferably terminally.
Six
A New Home For The Artwork
First, thank you all for chiming in. I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas. We're going to incorporate most of them in the decision on what happens to it.
In reading your responses it became clear to me that destroying it was a non starter and flat out wrong. Preserving it and either going ahead and displaying it or finding it a new home was the popular advice and seems like a good idea. I still cannot bring myself to display it here so we needed a new home. Enter The Sarge.
Sarge is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and past president of the local chapter. He called the treasurer and they agreed that it's something they'd love to have, either to auction it off to raise funds to help veterans or to display in their own building. You guys are right, it's too good a piece to simply destroy and Rietsch and Carl too honorable men and warriors to discard. I thought that turning the piece over to Vietnam Veterans was right and proper. Ed is absolutely correct, "Not all aces were heroic and not all heroes were aces. But history doesn't distinguish morality of the players." I'm happy to turn Cunningham's judgement over to the men and women he served with, however distantly.
So I turned the piece over to Sarge who will present it to the VVA with my thanks and no strings attached. They may judge the value of it as they deem fit and do with it as seems proper to them. I am both relieved and happy to have found honorable and fitting caretakers for what is an awesome work of art.
Thank you all again for weighing in on this. I know that it seems to be a minor thing but matters of honor and integrity are important and need to be given the weight they deserve. Thanks for getting my head straight on this.
Six
In reading your responses it became clear to me that destroying it was a non starter and flat out wrong. Preserving it and either going ahead and displaying it or finding it a new home was the popular advice and seems like a good idea. I still cannot bring myself to display it here so we needed a new home. Enter The Sarge.
Sarge is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) and past president of the local chapter. He called the treasurer and they agreed that it's something they'd love to have, either to auction it off to raise funds to help veterans or to display in their own building. You guys are right, it's too good a piece to simply destroy and Rietsch and Carl too honorable men and warriors to discard. I thought that turning the piece over to Vietnam Veterans was right and proper. Ed is absolutely correct, "Not all aces were heroic and not all heroes were aces. But history doesn't distinguish morality of the players." I'm happy to turn Cunningham's judgement over to the men and women he served with, however distantly.
So I turned the piece over to Sarge who will present it to the VVA with my thanks and no strings attached. They may judge the value of it as they deem fit and do with it as seems proper to them. I am both relieved and happy to have found honorable and fitting caretakers for what is an awesome work of art.
Thank you all again for weighing in on this. I know that it seems to be a minor thing but matters of honor and integrity are important and need to be given the weight they deserve. Thanks for getting my head straight on this.
Six
Need Some Advice
I've made no secret that I admire combat fighter pilots and am in awe of their skills and bravery. A few years ago, at the Salinas, California Air how I bought this picture. It's called "Flying The Jolly Roger" and it's by Robert Watts.
This is part of the artist's description;
A pair of navy F-4 Phantoms of VF84 prepare to recover aboard the carrier U.S.S. Independence....Seen against a beautiful Yankee Station sundown, an element of F-4s decelerate in preparation for deck landing following a combat mission in 1965.
The print, #508/1000 is signed by three aces; Commander Randall 'Duke' Cunningham, MG Marion Carl and Colonel Manfred Rietsch. And therein lies the problem.MG Carl and Colonel Rietsch shouldn't have to endure being associated with Cunningham in any way, shape or form.
Cunningham is scum of the first order. I included a link to a Wikipedia page on him and while they're not exactly the finest purveyors of the truth I think they got this one pretty close. I followed the story when it was ongoing and took down this picture from my den wall and put it in a closet where it has remained. There is absolutely no way I'm going to display something signed by him. I briefly considered burning it and sending him a photo to his prison cell but decided to wait. After his sentencing in 2006 I looked at the picture again and knew for certain that I'd never again display it. I toyed with selling it but never got any further than that.
It is an absolutely beautiful work and the artist is talented. He's hardly to blame for what Cunningham did. Yet my quandary remains. What to do with it? I am not keeping it, that is settled, so I'm turning to you and asking for input. What would you do with it? I want everyone's thoughts but I'm especially interested in veterans who would care to chime in. Have a favorite military or veteran charity who would take it, perhaps to auction it off and use the proceeds to do some good for our vets and current service? Should I use it as a manifestation of my disgust with corruption and burn it publicly? Anyone just want the damn thing?
Maybe I'm overreacting? I don't think so but I'm willing to take all opinions to heart. I love the work, I really do but it has to go. I can't abide the thought of having anything that man even touched in my house any longer. If I don't figure something out I'm just going to take it out to the secret test range and see how many rounds of 12 gauge it takes to obliterate it.
What do you think?
Six
This is part of the artist's description;
A pair of navy F-4 Phantoms of VF84 prepare to recover aboard the carrier U.S.S. Independence....Seen against a beautiful Yankee Station sundown, an element of F-4s decelerate in preparation for deck landing following a combat mission in 1965.
The print, #508/1000 is signed by three aces; Commander Randall 'Duke' Cunningham, MG Marion Carl and Colonel Manfred Rietsch. And therein lies the problem.MG Carl and Colonel Rietsch shouldn't have to endure being associated with Cunningham in any way, shape or form.
Cunningham is scum of the first order. I included a link to a Wikipedia page on him and while they're not exactly the finest purveyors of the truth I think they got this one pretty close. I followed the story when it was ongoing and took down this picture from my den wall and put it in a closet where it has remained. There is absolutely no way I'm going to display something signed by him. I briefly considered burning it and sending him a photo to his prison cell but decided to wait. After his sentencing in 2006 I looked at the picture again and knew for certain that I'd never again display it. I toyed with selling it but never got any further than that.
It is an absolutely beautiful work and the artist is talented. He's hardly to blame for what Cunningham did. Yet my quandary remains. What to do with it? I am not keeping it, that is settled, so I'm turning to you and asking for input. What would you do with it? I want everyone's thoughts but I'm especially interested in veterans who would care to chime in. Have a favorite military or veteran charity who would take it, perhaps to auction it off and use the proceeds to do some good for our vets and current service? Should I use it as a manifestation of my disgust with corruption and burn it publicly? Anyone just want the damn thing?
Maybe I'm overreacting? I don't think so but I'm willing to take all opinions to heart. I love the work, I really do but it has to go. I can't abide the thought of having anything that man even touched in my house any longer. If I don't figure something out I'm just going to take it out to the secret test range and see how many rounds of 12 gauge it takes to obliterate it.
What do you think?
Six
Traditions And Messages
There is so much of her grandmother in Baby Girl. Among them they are both traditionalists. Things are supposed to be a certain way, always and forever. Heck, the DO is cut from the exact same cloth for that matter. There is a strong pioneer streak, handed down from mother to daughter for generations, that runs through Lu's family. They had a large part in settling this part of Southern Utah more than a century ago. But what messages do our traditions send to our beloved children?
Is it one of alcohol and abuse and contempt for law and society and our neighbors? Because those are indeed things that are handed down, subtly or not so much, to our progeny. Attitudes as poisonous as a rattlesnake.
Is it one of family and the shared happiness and sorrow that comes with being together, tight in our bonds of love?
In our everyday interactions with each other and our children what are we telling them?
I like to think that Lu and I are the keepers of the family lore. The guardians of family traditions. It's our job to pass along that knowledge the kids need to understand their place in, not only our family but the greater American family.
It's an awesome responsibility, knowing that you have such an ability to guide and teach and influence.Much of their future is in our hands. What messages do we send?
Is it simply a Christmas stocking for the newest member of the family or is there a greater message? Something beyond the excitement of creating and the learning of a new skill?
Perhaps she is learning that two sets of hands makes a task go quicker and easier. That a shared joy is increased beyond measure. That patience and listening will be rewarded. That giving is more satisfying than receiving. That works of the heart carry a greater value than a store bought trinket.
Is it one of alcohol and abuse and contempt for law and society and our neighbors? Because those are indeed things that are handed down, subtly or not so much, to our progeny. Attitudes as poisonous as a rattlesnake.
Is it one of family and the shared happiness and sorrow that comes with being together, tight in our bonds of love?
In our everyday interactions with each other and our children what are we telling them?
I like to think that Lu and I are the keepers of the family lore. The guardians of family traditions. It's our job to pass along that knowledge the kids need to understand their place in, not only our family but the greater American family.
It's an awesome responsibility, knowing that you have such an ability to guide and teach and influence.Much of their future is in our hands. What messages do we send?
Is it simply a Christmas stocking for the newest member of the family or is there a greater message? Something beyond the excitement of creating and the learning of a new skill?
Perhaps she is learning that two sets of hands makes a task go quicker and easier. That a shared joy is increased beyond measure. That patience and listening will be rewarded. That giving is more satisfying than receiving. That works of the heart carry a greater value than a store bought trinket.
Perhaps all we ever truly pass along is love. The joys of just being together as family. That sometimes a warm lap and a shared smile are enough.
In the end all we ever really have is each other. Spend your time together well and remember the messages we truly send for it is that which will stay with our children the longest and shape their futures more certainly than any outside force.
May God grant me the strength and wisdom to be the messenger I need to be.
Six
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