Author: Derek

NRA Shenanigans

May 1, 2019 / / 0 Comments

It’s been a helluva week for the National Rifle Association. First, the lawsuit against Ack-Mac, then the letter published by Wayne alleging that Ollie North tried to blackmail Wayne into stepping down, North’s resignation, and then the secret Executive meetings where Wayne and Co were kept in place. Lots of recriminations and members are understandably frustrated. On top of all this, the New York AG is determined to use all means at her disposal to revoke the NRA’s non-profit status.

My few thoughts:

  1. I was listening to the Polite Society podcast, and Jeff Knox stated that LaPierre released a similar letter in 1996 when he was challenged previously. This throws some doubt on the authenticity of the blackmail attempt.
  2. Even if the blackmail wasn’t genuine, Ack-Mac needs to go. It’s been sucking up millions of dollars for not a whole lot of return.
  3. LaPierre needs to go. He’s long passed his usefulness, and I’m sure that his machinations behind the scenes have placed the organization into a position where the New York AG could wreak havoc on the NRA.
  4. We need to save the NRA, even if that means temporarily keeping some people I’d like to see depart. The anti-gun groups smell blood in the water and are chomping to take advantage wherever they can. The NRA is currently our best lobbying force at the federal level.

NRA Troubles

April 24, 2019 / / 0 Comments

If you haven’t heard, the NRA sued it’s PR firm – which is most likely part of an internal struggle between factions. Taking advantage of the situation, Everytown sent a notice to the IRS to look into the NRA’s non-profit status.

John Richardson has been doing yeoman’s work reporting on what’s been happening. You should be reading him daily anyways.

For what it’s worth, I think the Ack-Mack deal has been poisonous to the NRA for at least the last fifteen years or so. Under its influence, the NRA has gone hard to the right in non-RKBA issues in order to satisfy what Ack-Mack considered the “core constituency.”

Yeah, that’s a great plan. Except for the small fact that it alienated large swaths of new gun owners and potential new gun voters. The ones who aren’t Republicans or conservative. People who would work for gun rights, but don’t want to support an organization that turns around and advocates against other positions that they hold dear.

The kinds of people that could help make the Second Amendment dangerous for either party to play with.

I would hate to see the NRA go down in flames. I hope responsible adults among the Board of Directors are able to save the organization. I also hope this episode forces the NRA to get back to focusing on its core mission with a big-tent perspective.

Every Day Carry 2019 Post

April 22, 2019 / / 3 Comments

Last year list

Another in my series of seeing how things change year over year. I’ve started having two sets of EDC – one for when I’m going to the day job and one for when I’m just going out in public. Some items are the same between the sets, but others are switched out.

Wallet

I use a Saddleback Large Leather wallet.. I keep one of those credit card multi-tools inside it. This is the same between both EDC sets.

Keys

I have a key ring that uses little caribiners to attach keys or other items. In addition to my keys, I have a Kingston 32GB Flash Drive, Gerber Artifact, and [Surefire Sidekick](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MT328TK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_I3DTCbVRRK8H0). These go with me in either EDC sets.

“Urban Kit”

This is one of a [Maxpedition pocket pouch](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CSYVSW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_H5DTCb7Y9M53Z) that I stash useful stuff. It goes with me in either EDC sets. I keep the following:
– [First aid kit]( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BIRMTY4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Q-DTCbKDBWDTE)- This handles handles minor emergencies
– [Scissors and tweezers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CEK3A74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_faETCb79JKV2D) – Because sometimes a knife isn’t the tool for every situation
– Bic disposal lighter – Must Have Fire
– Lightning to 3.5 mm adapter – in case I need to use wired headphones
– Anker lipstick battery
– Short lightning cable for phone – Three foot or less, just long enough to use the lipstick batteries
– 2 Spare CR123 batteries – Mainly for my flashlights
– Reusable twist ties
– Lightning to micro USB adapter – mostly so I can recharge my lipstick battery
– 32GB flash drive
– Emergency cash – No, I’m not going to say how much

Pocketknife

For my day job EDC, I’m carrying a Leatherman Skeletool. It’s a bit “friendlier” when dealing with coworkers. For my going out EDC, I carry a Kershaw-Emerson CQC-10 along with a Gerber Dime multi-tool.

Flashlight

For the day job, I have carry older Streamlight ProTac. The rest of the time, I use the bigger [750 lumen version](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007RB82CS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6j6TCb8Z1S47M).

Pepper Spray

I carry a small Sabre Pepper Spray for both sets.

Earbuds

Currently, I’m using a pair of Apple AirPods. Expensive, but worth the cost IMHO. Of course, I needed to replace my old set (because I thought I lost them – I didn’t and now The Wife has her own set) right before Apple released the new version.

Phone

I’m using an iPhone 8. I have the 256 GB model because I cram it with audiobooks. Lots of audiobooks.

Watch

I’m using a Series 3 Apple Watch.

Pen

For the day job, I carry a pair of Smith and Wesson M&P tactical pens. For my other kit, I carry a CRKT tactical pen.

Sidearm

Unless I’m going to someplace I’m not legally allowed to carry, I generally have my Smith and Wesson M&P9 (First Gen) equipped with a Streamlight TLR-1 and Trijicon night sights. I keep it and the spare magazine loaded with 124-grain Speer Gold Dots (since that’s what the local cops use).

Army’s Looking For New Helicopters

April 18, 2019 / / 0 Comments

The Army’s looking for a new helo to replace the venerable Blackhawk.

Bell Helicopter is submitting its V-280 Valor tilt-rotor.

Sikorsky And Boeing have their SB-1 Defiant.

https://youtu.be/N–dMwrRhog

Personally, I think the Defiant would fill the Blackhawk role better because of its smaller rotor-print. I can see a Defiant getting into the places troops need helos. I could see a tilt-rotor taking the heavy-lift role, such as the Chinook and the Sea Stallion.

The Army is also looking for a new scout bird. War Is Boring has a look at one of the proposals. The pick kind of looks like a Russian take on the old RAH-66 Commanchero prototype.