The Stories and Novels By Derek Ward
I’ve missed two elections in the twenty-five years since I achieved my majority. Both were primaries where I had one or two races on the ballot. This will be the third I’m missing.
Why? Because I’ve just moved from Hillsborough County to Manatee. I know close to nothing about the local politics, and I refuse to be a low-information voter.
Now, the November elections? I’ll be ready for them.
Why can’t civilized people like ourselves simply rely on the police? Well, look around you: Do you see a cop? Unless you happen to be a police officer yourself, or are married to one, you are very unlikely to be attacked in the presence of law enforcement. The role of the police is to respond in the aftermath of a crime and, with a little luck, to catch the person who committed it. If you are ever targeted by a violent predator, whether you and your family are injured or killed will depend on what you do in the first moments of the encounter. When it comes to survival, therefore, you are on your own. Once you escape and are in a safe place, by all means call the police. But dialing 911 when an intruder has broken into your home is not a reliable strategy for self-defense.
Excerpt from this 2011 article. I would recommend that you RTWT.
I’m moving my big gun safe down to my new place today. Which means unloading everything. Where the hell did I get some of this stuff?
I am highly amused by these videos.
A strong ballad from a strong power metal band.
If I’m going to debate someone, one of the first questions that need to be addressed is this:
Do you believe, or are you willing to concede that I believe, that I want you to have the best life you can according to your needs, wants, and desires?
If the answer is “yes,” then we can have a civilized conversation about the best means of bringing this about. If the answer is “no,” there is real doubt we can even have a conversation. Because there are very few people that I want them to have less than the best life possible. Those generally fall into those who willfully and maliciously harm others.
Journalism is about covering important stories. With a pillow, until they stop moving.
David Burge
Shopify suddenly decided it doesn’t like gun sales anymore and stopping all sales through their platform. Which has left a bunch of gun manufacturers and retailers up a creek. Including some big names like Spikes and Franklin Armory. These companies invested tens of thousands of dollars with Shopify. Now those dollars and all of their work have been flushed down the toilet.
I’m wondering if the biggest threats to our gun culture is coming from the private sector instead of the government. Deplatforming from social media and strangling the business by restricting access to banking services and internet sales. I would not be surprised if the gun industry was having to act like the legal marijuana shops are today with heavy cash transactions. Or the gun companies decide to form their own financial institutions to handle those kinds of transactions.
State Attorney filed charges of manslaughter.
I’m sure the firestorm created by the chattering classes and professional victims were a large part of the decision. I’m sure the news will continue their long record of “accurate” reporting on self-defense laws. I’m sure the politicians will yammer about how this proves all of the stereotypes of gun owners, and particularly concealed carriers.
Should this case been brought forward? I’ve heard good arguments for both, particularly around the issue of whether the victim was continuing or stopping the assault once the gun came out. Unfortunately, those arguments aren’t what’s going to be in the media.
You’d think a band made up of former Sabaton members would be in my top ten. Although the lyrics are generally good, I’m not fond of the singer. Still, this is a decent song.