Author: Derek

Contradictory Thoughts on Current Wars

March 14, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is going to be a bit ranty as I’m trying to work out conflicting thoughts in my head as to how to approach the wars currently between Russia and Ukraine as well as Israel and Hamas. My initial instinct is to support the aggrieved party. Who suffered the injury that instigated the war? Yet, as with anything involving humans, it’s never that simple.

Russia/Ukraine: The genesis of this post was a comment made by Andrew Heaton on the most recent “We’re Not Wrong” podcast. I think he was referring to someone else’s comment, but it was essentially do we view this war as a version of WWI or WWII? Is this a horrific border dispute between two nations or is it a defense against a rapacious nation that will not stop? My normal senses tend me to believe the latter. What bothers me is some of the arguments of some who support continued aid to Ukraine. Particular when they tell me this is a cheap way to degrade Russia. Bitch, you’re talking about using Ukranian lives as fucking pawns in some global triangulation against Russia? That is some ruthless realpolitik bullshit there. It’s easy to see why the populists are decrying those arguments.

Israel/Hamas: Hamas’s attack was a terror attack It was not aimed at military or government targets. They went after civilians. Of course I would expect Israel to respond. I’m appalled at how quickly so many people went to supporting Hamas. I could understand sympathizing with Gazan civilians who are now in a warzone, but Hamas? Seriously? Yet, here’s what bothers me about the Israel supporters. They keep repeating this line – “The greatest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.” Is it true? Probably, but there’s something insincere about conflating 6 million deaths with less than 2,000. After years of dealing with politicos, activists, and zealots who lie and twist the truth, I’m bothered when people I want to support do the same. It makes me wonder why they need to do so.

Monday Links

March 11, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Reason links first:

Reason’s coverage of the Supreme Court dismissing Colorado removing Trump from the Republican Primary. It would have helped the case if Colorado had something like a conviction or an impeachment to hang their hat on. It would also help if we hadn’t enshrined private corporation – which is what the Republican and Democrat parties are – elections as part of our political process.

Argentina’s radical president has shuttered the state media outlet for being a propaganda outlet.

New York is sending in the National Guard to patrol NYC subways. I have a real problem with bringing in soldiers to perform a police function outside of martial law or a natural disaster.

Alabama passes legislation to protect IVF after their Supreme Court ruling. You know, if Congress would follow this example, we would have a better functioning federal system. But, why would Congress do their job when they can foist their responsibilities on the executive and judicial branches and prance around like peacocks.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is now requiring climate disclosures. This is an agency that needs to be reigned in. I think a lot of the SEC’s bullshit has been flying under the radar due to the FTC’s louder bullshit.

Georgia gave luxury car maker Rivian a bunch of incentives to build a factory – which the company now has put pause on. Cue shocked Pikachu face.

Now for some Ground News aggregations:

Heather Guitirrez Reed, the armorer on the movie “Rust”, guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Administration is going after credit card late fees. Funny. When Biden was the senator from Deleware, he wasn’t this vociferous about “junk fees”. Again, if this is important, why is it coming from the executive instead of Congress? Lastly, cue unexpected consequences in three, two, one…

The national debt is rising at an increasing rate. Rising interest rates aren’t helping, but again, a dysfunctional Congress is not helping.

Washington State Court dismisses challenge to state law allowing suits against gun makers. Lawfare and PLCAA invocation incoming.

Now on to other news stories:

Heroes who tackled gunman at Chiefs Superbowl rally are honored. Gentlemen, you have my utmost respect for your courage.

Five SAS troops are under arrest for murder in the shooting of suspected suicide bomber. On the face, this sounds very bullshit. The prosecutor better have some strong facts on their side.

New Jersey AG is invoking the state’s microstamping law after saying the tech was viable. Sure, let’s do something completely worthless to make gun owners’ lives more difficult. Must be a day ending in “Y”.

S&W released the newest version of their budget AR. Why am I putting this in? Because when I bought my first AR, it was the S&W M&P-15 Sport budget rifle. It was a great starter rifle, and I don’t expect this new one to be any less of a good deal. Plus, I love how the arms industry has advanced that a budget AR is now what an intermediate one was when I bought mine.

In sad news, Warner Brothers is shuttering Rooster Teeth. Hell, quotes from “Red vs Blue” still crop up in my everyday banter. And I’ve restarted watching “RWBY” when The Wife and I go to the gym. I really hope someone picks up the IP and continues the good work.

Walking Away Is Always an Option

March 7, 2024 / / 0 Comments

This is an old story that recently came across my transom. I’m not big into horror movies, so I was unaware of the movie “Smile” or its guerilla marketing campaign.

In preparation of Smile’s release, Paramount hired “smilers” to show up at random public places, like the Today Show and a Yankees v. Red Sox game, and deliver their most haunting smirk.

The creepy marketing stint quickly reached virality on the internet as clueless onlookers captured and posted the startling promo happening before their eyes.

I thought this was an interesting situation because if I came across one of these situations, I would just see someone acting creepy for no good reason. As a person who routinely carries a gun, it behooves me to accurately assess a “creepy” situation.

If someone is acting creepy, it’s probably better to leave if possible. If the creepy continues to engage? Well, then, it’s best to have a variety of physical and mental tools at hand.

But walking away is always a good option.

Monday Links

March 4, 2024 / / 0 Comments

Let’s start out with Reason links.

The Supreme Court listened to arguments about the ATF suddenly deciding that bump stock were bad. It’s been a long standing issue with the ATF that not only do they get to decide that things they said were okay previously are now felonies.

Apple shuttering its car project. It figured out that its rivals were eating its lunch in regards to AI.

To no one’s surprise, California is playing silly buggers with people’s Second Amendment rights based on nullified convictions.

Now on to other tech stories.

Elon sues OpenAI.

Microsoft is putting Copilot into Excel and Outlook. I’ve been using Copilot for a few things here lately. This could be interesting.

The New Yorker has a look at what could happen if there was a major solar storm.

Here’s a story on the increasing number of gun owners among the queer community. I’m including this because Erin Pallette of Operation Blazing Sword is quoted. And it’s good to remember that new gun owners do not look like you expect. Please be welcoming.

Now on to the local front.

First, New College in Sarasota has been sanctioned by a professors group. The New College situation has been an exercise in becoming what you hate. Both the illeberalism going against the left instead of the right. Plus throw in what looked like some good old fashioned corruption, and it’s “a pox on both your houses” kind of thing.

Speaking of the Florida university system, University of Florida is getting rid of its DEI Office.

One of Tampa’s most famous eateries, Alessi’s, is moving to a new location.

For our final item, one of the life-size Gundam exhibits is shutting down. The Wife and I keep hoping to get to Japan at some point, and seeing one of those big Gundams is high on my list.

EDC Post for 2024

March 1, 2024 / / 1 Comment

Another in my series of seeing how things change year over year. I tend to carry a lot of stuff. Here are my previous posts:

2018 post.

2019 post.

2020 post.

2021 post.

2022 post

2023 post.

I had to do some revamping of my carry stuff since last year.

Just Around The House

This is the EDC I will carry most days that I don’t go outside the house.

Phone

I’m using an iPhone 12. I have the 128 GB model. I used to need to have all teh space, but since I work from home, I can manage more under Wi-Fi and need less space. My case is one of those that allow me to use MagSafe chagers and has a small wallet that attaches to the back of the phone.

Earbuds

I’ve switched back to my Apple AirPods Pro. I particularly like Apple’s “transparent” mode which allows more of the outside sound through. I’ve experimented with a few other earbuds, but I keep coming back to my Airpods.

Pocketknife

I carry a Leatherman Skeletool for just around the house. Much to The Wife’s chagrin, I’ve found I need a knife or one of the myriad of little tools far too often.

Flashlight

For walking around the house, I upgraded my Streamlight ProTac. It’s good for quickly looking in shadowed and/or darkened areas. Like under the bed. It’s also surprisingly good at finding where one of the cat’s decided to mark its territory.

Pepper Spray

I’ve started carrying some POM pepper spray around the house on a retractable lanyard. I can’t carry around the house, and this is good for when I have to step out of the house to walk to the mailbox.

Watch

I’m using a 44mm Series 5 Apple Watch. I like the always on feature.

Going to the Gym

In addition to my normal walking around the house gear, I wear a 5.11 LV6 Waist Bag. Due to it’s teal color, it is referred to as the “Richards Simmons bag”. Inside I carry my first gen S&W M&P9c loaded with Speer Gold Dots.

The “gym bag” is a Maxpedition Versipak with a first aid kit and a canister of cleaning wipes. There’s also usually a bottle of water and a small towel for The Wife to use during our workout sessions.

Going Out Of The House – On Person

Additional stuff when I’m going out.

Wallet

I use a <a href=“http://www.saddlebackleather.com/large-leather-bifold-wallet”>Saddleback Large Leather wallet.</a>. I keep a Tool Logic Credit Card inside it. It’s not that I use it that much. Mostly, it’s because I’ve had the damn thing for probably twenty-five years, and my wallet feels empty without it.

Keys

My brother picked me up a Lifelong Ring 300 key ring system. I mainly use the main big ring and have all of my keys on the wire key rings. In addition to my keys, I have:

  • Kingston 32GB Flash Drive – Because you never know when someone has a file they want to give you

  • Gerber Artifact – I’m not sure if Gerber is still selling these, but their Shard would be a good substitute

  • Surefire Sidekick – Of course, I have to have another flashlight. It doesn’t get used as much as it did when I was commuting in the dark early morning, but it’s still come in handy a couple of times.

Pocketknife

If I’m out of the house, the Leatherman gets switched out for a Kershaw-Emerson CQC-10.

Flashlight

For going out of the house, I carry a Streamlight ProTac 750 lumen flashlight. It’s too big to really be a pocket flashlight, so I carry it in one of my IWB spare magazine holders.

Pepper Spray

I carry a small POM pepper spray for when I need something between strong words and deadly force.

Pen

I carry around 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 M2.0 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). These days, I’m using my Raven Concealment OWB holster and a Blade-Tech OWB dual mag holder.

Going Out – The Bag

I carry a 5.11 LV10 Sling Pack for all the other essential bits and bobs I want available.

Electronics Support

  • Spare cables – usually a USB-C to lightning, a USB-C to USB-C, and USB-A to Mini-USB, and USB-A to AppleWatch charger. I may have a couple of others

  • A spare pair of Apple EarPods – In case my Airpods are not available.

  • Anker MagCharger Battery – I like this because I can charge my phone just by slapping this on the back. Or I can run a cable if I need to give someone else’s phone a boost.

  • Anker’s slim USB-C wall-plug – This will recharge my phone or battery pretty fast. Plus, it’s slim and tiny.

  • Anker four-port plug – For when I need to do multiple devices. Plus it’s a backup for my slim plug.

First Aid Stuff

Tools

  • Bic disposal lighter – Must Have Fire

  • Leatherman Skeletool – This is not the one I carry around the house. This is another that I happened to have. It lives in my bag since this one came with all the little bits Leathermen made to fit into the modular screwdriver.

  • Mini Tape Measure – I think mine is actually from Tractor Supply, but running around with The Wife necessitates having a tape measure when she finds stuff for the house.

  • Reusable twist ties

  • Smith and Wesson M&P tactical pen – Because writing. And tactical. And there may be more than one.

  • Streamlight Polytac X Flashlight – Yes, I have another flashlight. Don’t judge. I like this one because it has a rechargeable battery, but will also run on a couple of CR123’s.

Odds and Ends

  • Amazon Microfiber Cloth – These are really handy for cleaning my eyeglasses and my electronics’ screens.

  • Hand Sanitizer – I prefer the small little bottles from Bath and Bodyworks.

  • Post-It Notes – Because you never know when you’ll need to write something down or leave a note for someone. I like the vibrant colors in case I need my note to draw attention.

  • Travel Pack Tissues – Because allergies. And occasional cleaning.

  • Emergency cash – No, I’m not going to say how much

Owning In The Digital World

February 29, 2024 / / 0 Comments

For those of you not in the anime world, there’s been a brouhaha over the merger between Funimation and Crunchyroll. Both are owned by Sony, and it was decided that only the Crunchyroll service would continue. So all most go into Crunchyroll. Except, Crunchyroll is a streaming service only, while Funimation allowed for digital libraries purchased by users. And those will vanish in April. To its credit, Crunchyroll is working to compensate the customers losing their libraries.

This is another reminder that if the only copy you have is digital stored on a computer you don’t own, it’s not really yours. You have a long-term rental.

I went mostly digital with my books, movies, and music with the move in with The Wife and later the move to Ward Manor. I accept that for stuff I watch/listen on streaming services are not always going to be available. There are some things I have digital copies that are maintained on a local system. Those are mine and can’t be taken away.

I am seriously considering getting back into physical media for somethings. Mainly for certain items that are hard to find on streaming and I always want available. Or for when streaming is not available, such as the semi-regular internet outages.

At least Blu-Rays are relatively cheaper than when I first had them.