Category: Guns

Monday Links – Writing Related and New Stuff

January 9, 2023 / Derek / 0 Comments

This week is a little light on news items, but I did find some stuff to share.

First, let’s do a couple of writing related articles.

From Medium, I have an article on how Toastmasters helps improve your writing. I have found that Toastmasters has helped me with my writing – and my writing has helped me craft better speeches.

From The Guardian, there’s an article on how Apple is looking to use AI to narrate audiobooks. There’s the normal sturm-and-drang about this disrupting the livelihoods of the current beneficiaries. However, considering the push for authors to read their own material, I can see how this technology would be beneficial. Further, it’s going to be interesting to see how AI deals with the fantasy and sci-fi worlds – and their unique vocabulary. I sometimes play with the read-aloud feature on Word – and the results are somewhat mixed.

Now on to new stuff!

I have a few items from The Verge about CES announcements.

First, Kensignton unveiled a couple of new trackballs. They look like nice mid-priced entries aiming to take on Logitech’s dominance. I love my Logitech’s MX Ergos, but I have trouble recommending them since they’re close to $100. These, might work better.

Second, a pair of articles about some new stuff from Ecoflow. They announced a few new tools to make living off-grid easier. The Wife is interested in the portable AC. The item that caught my interest was the new home battery backup systems. These have me re-evaluating my plans for power outages.

Finally, there was much discussion among the gun feeds about Patriot Ordinance’s new lever action PCC. I’m linking to the TFB article. I have many of the same opinions as the gun commentators. Neat idea and I’m glad you brought it to market. But $2K? And with a proprietary mag?

Monday Links

January 2, 2023 / Derek / 0 Comments

This one is going to be a bit all over the place.

First, let’s do some fun gun stuff with a couple of articles from The Firearms Blog.

Mossberg is putting out a version of their new 940 Tactical with a red dot installed. I have a serious case of the wants for this. My gun fund is currently in “save up cash” mode with an aim to replace my current Mossberg 590. This is looking like a contender.

And someone put out a bullpup revolver. I find this interesting from a technological aspect, kind of like the Bond Bullpup. It’s also something I wouldn’t buy unless I had significant money to throw away on an experiment. After I got a Bond Bullpup.

Now for some not-so-fun gun stuff.

Local Fox affiliate article on a woman facing murder charges after tracking down the two lowlifes who carjacked her and gunned them down. This is one of those cases where you sympathize with the carjacking victim – and the vengeance part of your brain wants to cheer that two violent criminals aren’t going to trouble anyone else. Unfortunately, there are reasons why self-defense laws require an immediate threat. Those of us who choose to carry a gun need to know the laws. I’m hoping the local DA cuts this woman a good deal.

Let’s do some business news.

From another Fox affiliate comes an article about a highly automated McDonalds where customers have almost no interaction with the employees. Per the article: Social media response indicated people did not universally agree whether this was a positive or negative change: Some people celebrated the innovation as a move towards faster and more accurate orders, but others took a more cynical position and predicted that it would lead to a loss of “millions of jobs.” Having spent six years as a night manager for the local Mickey D’s franchise, I would have loved a store where my interaction with customers was nil, and I had less employees to worry about. As to the loss of millions of jobs? From all the help wanted signs and increases in pay to attract said help, it doesn’t look like people want those jobs. You know who won’t be losing their jobs? The high performers.

From Bloomberg comes an article on the IRS delaying its rule for reporting on transactions of more than $600. E-commerce sites and payment apps (like ApplePay and Venmo) are pushing back on the new reporting requirements.

Let’s end with a couple of entertainment items.

First, from IGN is an article that people can sue movie studios for deceptive trailers. Particularly if the trailer boasts scenes that don’t make the final cut. The ruling – however – does not mean that people can sue for bad movies. Much to Hollywood’s relief, I’m sure.

Finally, an article from Bleeding Cool that James Gunn’s DCEU will take inspiration from the DC Animated Universe. I’ve adored the animated universe, and this is very heartening.

Monday Links

December 19, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

Hang on, I’ve got a lot this week.

First, from The Reload comes an article that the CDC removed information about defensive gun uses at the behest of gun control advocates. Um, yeah. This is the kind of stuff that undermines an agency’s credibility. And you wonder why no one trusts it on COVID stuff anymore.

An article from the Volokh Conspiracy describes how recent court rulings should make it hard to ban AR-15’s and other EBRs. The book sounds interesting, and I’ll have to add it on to my reading list. Maybe if it comes out on Audible…

This article from The Hill describes the administration handing over $36 billion to the Teamsters to save their pension fund from benefit cuts. I’m kinda surprised at how this seems to be flying below the radar on my normal feeds. Particularly considering how many pension funds are looking at billions – if not trillions – in unfunded liabilities.

From Reuters comes an article about the House passing a bill to allow for Puerto Rican independence. My personal opinion is that Puerto Rico either needs to become a state or it needs to be independent. We’re not doing anything great for its folks with the current regime.

Perhaps one of the big stories was the announcement that researchers managed to get more energy out of a fusion reaction that was put in. This was a critical hurdle to overcome. I’m still not sure I’ll see mass use of fusion power in my lifetime, but I’m more optimistic to that my nieces and nephews will see it in theirs.

Via Freethink, Pandora has stated that it will begin using only lab-grown diamonds for its jewelry. I understand why they want to do that because the diamond industry is rife with abuse, but the economist in me is worried about the lowest rung on that ladder. What happens to the miners when their jobs go away? It’s not like Africa is known for handling instability well.

From War Is Boring, the Navy announced it’s naming one of its new America-class baby carriers the USS Fallujah. The name will honor both the First and Second Battles of Fallujah. Which when you consider that by the time the ship launches, those battles will be twenty years old…

Finally, from StudioJake Media comes his listicle on his top 10 favorite mecha in Robotech. It’s not how I expected him to list his mecha – less by type and more the individual mecha – but it’s not bad. And while I like the VF-1 series – and I admit it’s icon status to the franchise – I’m still much more on the Shadow Alpha side.

Monday Links

December 12, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

This is more clearing out some old tabs…

First, a Reason article on how the current labor market is broken. Which follows my earlier blog post on the Great Realignment of labor.

Next, an article from Tablet that was making the rounds on my feeds a couple weeks ago about the next civil war. I kinda disagree with the feds sending in troops to red states. I think it’ll be much more like the violent dissolution of Yugoslavia.

An article from The Firearms Blog on “Annoying Little Truths About Gun Ownership.” I would also add – expect to have a drawer and/or tub of discarded holsters.

From Paratus, a 2017 article on debunking the myth of ballistic fingerprinting. Another in a long series of showing that all those forensic techniques are not as scientific as they are purported.

Now, the light items…

“All of Tampa Visits Tampa!” More to the point, all 100 residents of Tampa, Kansas came to Tampa, Florida.

What happens when you drop a 500 meter asteroid on New York? Play this little game and find out. H/t The Brother

Monday Links

December 5, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

First some gun stuff…

First, from Fox News is an article about the doubling of people routinely carrying between 2015 and 2019. I can’t imagine that has slowed at all since 2019. Particularly with more states not requiring permits to carry.

Next, from the Volokh Conspiracy, comes the ruling that the SAF can challenge California on the state’s attempt to make people pay attorneys fees for challenging anti-gun laws. Not surprising it comes from Judge Benitez – who has been trying to tear down every crackpot gun law that comes across his transom.

From SAF’s own GunMag, a bunch of state AG’s want shipping companies to explain their new gun tracking policies.

Kind of gun stuff, but more civil liberty stuff…

Reason has an article that Mesa Arizona is paying the family of Daniel Shaver $8 million for shooting him. Unarmed. And crawling on his hands and knees while police were shouting contradictory orders. And the cop who shot Shaver was under qualified immunity.

I came across this article from The Civil Rights Lawyer blog. New source for me, but it says that the big hotels are getting into the tactical team game so it can do weapons searches on customer rooms. Oh that’s going to go so well. Better read the terms and conditions when checking in – particularly with large hotels in big cities.

Two more Reason articles for fun…

Elon’s rolling back Twitter’s rules on COVID misinformation. I’d be more sympathetic to the pearl clutchers if so many of the things they screeched were misinformation hadn’t turned out to be true.

Surprising no one who actually lives in Florida, the state is quietly making a deal with Disney to undo the legislation that revoked their special zone.

The light item…

Headstamp Publishing is funding a book called Clockwork Basilisk. About early revolvers. Early flintlock revolvers. Nifty stuff.

Monday Links – All Light Items

November 28, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

I’m not really in the mood to go into the news today. So, just some lighter items I’ve found in the last week or so.

First, we have an article on the seventh anniversary of the grandma who accidentally invited a boy – now man – to Thanksgiving dinner. And he kept coming every year. It’s one of those heartwarming stories that I’m glad to see continue. It hits a lot of the more optimistic themes, such as altruism, chosen family, and putting aside differences to make human connections.

Next is an article on a new cat café coming to Tampa. It’s going to be relatively close to where my mom lives. Which bodes for interesting options when The Wife and I visit. Particularly since it’s no longer necessary to trek all the way up there to get my 5.11 fix.

From FEE, we have a listicle on “Six Books That Will Rewire Your Brain.” I’ve read most of them, but even those should probably go back into the “to-read” stack.

TFB has a review of the B&T TP9. This is one of those guns I want if I get “stupid amount of money.” Of course, like the author, if I actually could get one, I’d pay the tax stamp, SBR the thing, and turn it into a semi-auto clone of their MP9. Maybe pair it with my L9A1 if I did some kind of competition.

As for something else that I kind of want comes a company offering bullet shaped dice. Including revolver cylinder tray. I’d be more tempted, but my fun money is currently going to upgrading my Civ game for the iPad.

Monday Links

November 21, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

One of the big stories from last week was NASA launching their big new rocket for a trip around the moon. I, unfortunately, did not see it launch, but Rocket Engineer Brother and his family were kind enough to send over a video.

Heading over from space to the tech sector, the apparent Ponzi scheme that was FTX came crashing down. This is an item in the crypto arena that bears watching, because it may be the catalyst that drives regulation of the crypto arena that will kill its promise. One bit of advice for those of you who have any crypto currency? Don’t leave it on an exchange. Put it in a cold storage wallet.

Amazon has joined the ranks of massive layoffs in the tech sector – particularly in the Alexa and Luna teams. This is of some concern because Ward Manor’s smart systems are in the Alexa ecosystem. And with the Matter standard not quite ready for prime-time means interoperability with another digital assistant will be tricky.

Oregon’s recently passed anti-RKBA Measure 114 is facing heavy attacks on its many issues. Ammoland reports that many sheriffs are refusing to enforce the magazine limit. Other sources are reporting that many small departments are refusing to even handle the new purchase permit due to cost and the fact that the state doesn’t even have the permits available – even though they’re supposed to go into effect next month. Let the shitshow commence!

It was a couple-three weeks ago I shared an article about a 3D printed home in Tallahassee. Now, we have an article about a company doing it in Tampa. Since it’s running about $600K for the list price, I’m not as hopeful on the cost savings. Particularly since a townhome in the same area is going for $400K.

Now on to light items:

War Is Boring has an article on how warfare is responsible for the necktie.

The Wife and I have tickets to the Quintessential Quintuplets Movie coming out next month. I really enjoyed the series, and I’m hoping The Wife enjoys the movie.

Monday Links

November 14, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

Last week, we heard what sounded like a crash in the early morning hours. Couldn’t find any damage. Turns out, it was a sonic boom from the X-37B returning to the Cape after 908 days in orbit. That brings back memories of the windows shaking every time the shuttle landed.

Speaking of the shuttle, there’s a report that some divers looking for WWII wreckage ended up finding a part of the Challenger.

Those of you who listen to the Assorted Calibers Podcast have heard that Erin Pallette of Blazing Sword and the Pink Pistols was discussing her recent email exchange with a high school student on gun control. Erin helpfully put up the exchange on her blog. This would be a good primer for some of the folks who are curious about why we keep and bear arms.

Continuing with the gun theme, we have a Reason article about a judge dismissing a challenge to the law forbidding medical marijuana users from owning or carrying guns. I dislike marijuana. Don’t like the smell and don’t like the traditional pot culture. However, I do not think it should be treated any different from alcohol. Including how we treat the users.

From Skeptical Inquirer comes an article asking if sports is a breeding ground for pseudoscience. Well, yeah.

Finally, we have an article talking about some leaked info about a new DLC for Civ 6. Including bringing back some favored leaders. I will admit to looking forward to this. I have really enjoyed the last couple rounds of DLC.

Monday Links

November 7, 2022 / Derek / 0 Comments

First, from the Volokh Conspiracy (yes, it’s hosted on Reason), is an article on how zoning is hurting the housing market for the “missing middle”. This is an area of concern for me because I see what’s happening in my part of Florida. We have subsidized housing for the poor, and the upper middle to upper classes can afford the current prices. What we need is workforce housing – affordable housing for those who are making around the median incomes. I worry that if we don’t find market-based solutions for this issue, then the collectivists will dominate the debate.

Speaking of market-based solutions, Lyft – with support from United Way, Goodwill, and Indeed – is providing free rides for people going to interviews. They will also provide additional free rides if the person gets the position for a few weeks to cover training and getting that first paycheck.

Another Reason article, this one slamming the ATF for losing thousands of gun parts to thieves. I’m less open to completely dismantling the ATF, mostly because then those duties would just go to FBI or Secret Service or some other .gov agency. It – like many federal police agencies – need some serious overhauling and reform.

Here’s an older article from NPR on the Cherokee Nation pushing to have a delegate in Congress. According to the article, there’s a provision in one of the treaties for the Cherokee to send someone to Congress. I do not know enough about the Native American issue to give a full opinion. I know the way the American government has handled the reservations are atrocious. There’s part of me that would like to abolish the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and treat each of the reservations as “states” with their own Senate and House delegates, but I’m not sure if that would alleviate the issues.

From War Is Boring comes an article about the Haitian Police using some new armored vehicles and tactical training to retake the nation’s main oil port from gangs. I didn’t even know that this was an issue that small nation was facing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t surprise me. I feel for the people of Haiti, but I just don’t know what could be done that would make things better for both the short-term and the long-term.

Finally, an article from The National Interest on some alt history ways where Germany might have won World War I. In my amateur historian view, if Germany had won WWI, there would not have been a WWII – at least as it unfolded. However, I think we would have had a Pacific War. And if Germany imposed war reparations on the Allies as they did, I wouldn’t have been surprised if the history books would talk about a new Franco-Prussian War. The what-ifs are intellectually interesting.