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Modern Voting

December 4, 2019 / / 0 Comments

I was listening to an interview with Stacy Abrams, and it’s interesting to hear the voter issues that progressive side are concerned about. Moreover, the ones the same issues that I agree with.

First and foremost are the voter roll purges. I’m still of the opinion that the only three reasons a person should come off of the voter rolls once they’ve registered is:

  1. The person is deceased.
  2. The person no longer resides in the state.
  3. The person is currently incarcerated.

That’s it. That’s the only reasons a registered voter should be removed.

I’ve also started thinking about what can alleviate the issues that both sides see to combat voter fraud and voter suppression. Part of that is looking at changing how we vote. First, I’m leaning to scrapping voting on a single day to voting for a week. I’m also partial to not being locked in to a specific precinct. However, for these to work, we also need strong voter ID laws. If you want to vote, you need an accepted ID. We have the databases that once the ID is scanned, the proper voter form is produced, and that ID is locked for the election cycle. For absentee, I’m thinking a pre-approval process for a secure website vote.

I know that there has been criticism on the other side for stationing police at voting sites. Honestly, unless we’re going to put citizens militias to guard the precincts, I don’t know how to make sure that voting laws are enforced, particularly those around voter intimidation and voter fraud. Perhaps the rule should be outside police forces are used. For example, Hillsborough County deputies monitor Pinellas county precincts.

Get Off My Side – New York Boogaloo Edition

December 2, 2019 / / 0 Comments

So, we had an incident where an unstable man got on Instagram claiming the “redcoats are coming for me!”

Yeah, he was a drunk fuck-up with a domestic violence past. He’d not the one I’m bitching about.

It was the legion of keyboard commandos of the Threeper brigades screaming about the “Boogaloo kicking off!” Too many of whom acted as if it were almost desirable to kit up and have a shoot out with the local constabulary.

What the fuck is wrong with you people?

Exactly what are you hoping to achieve? Did you even fucking think about if this was the fucking hill to die on?

And where was all of this rhetoric and sudden need to participate during the legislative sessions? Or to sign the petitions to reform the NRA?

The best things I’ve heard in regards to this incident are 1) it’s probably not a good idea to trust a drunk person on Instagram, and 2) if you’re really worried about an abuse of power, then grab your camera and be a good witness.

Black Man With A Gun Retiring

November 25, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Kenn Blanchard, long time 2A activist, is hanging up his spurs after almost three decades of fighting the good fight. I wish him well in whatever he pursues next.

Kenn was one of the first podcasts I listened to. Not one of the first gun podcasts, one of the first podcasts period. His was also the first where I wrote the host. Then came him talking about zombies invading his Labor Day barbecue. That began the ball rolling to Zombie Strike and almost a decade of collaboration. First zombies, and then werewolves.

Kenn was the first time I got to meet one of the podcasters. He met me for cigars and talking more than once, and those are some good memories.

We’ve drifted in the last few years. My fault – as my life has taken some dramatic turns.

Thank you Kenn. For all of your hard work. For encouraging a geek in Tampa to write for you. For being my friend.

Happy trails.

Derek’s Mildly Useful Movie Reviews – Midway

November 11, 2019 / / 0 Comments

The Wife and I went to see the new Midway flick over the weekend. I heard critics complaining about the first part of the movie that quickly goes through some of the major actions of the Pacific War up to the actual battle. Was it all just so that the director had a chance to show off nifty digital effects? I’m sure that had something to do with it, but based on The Wife’s reaction, I think it was a good introduction to the Pacific War. Especially for those who have a passing familiarity with the material.

Overall, the effects were great. The acting was believable. I enjoyed the heck out of myself. I have some quibbles, but since they involve spoilers, I will discuss those in the comments.

Plus, I get to post my favorite trailer for the film.

Are you really surprised?

Friday Quote – Colion Noir

November 8, 2019 / / 0 Comments

If you don’t feel the need to carry a gun because you believe the government will keep you safe, why do you care if I or anyone else decides to carry a gun? If anyone tries to harm you, the government will stop it right? Where is your faith in government?

Williamsburg Trip

November 6, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Last week The Wife and I went up to Williamsburg. She had a work thing, so we did a quick combined vacation thing. It helped her cousin lives up there, so we had a place to crash.

  1. I did the musket event. It was the first time I’ve done black powder. I enjoyed the hell out of firing a Brown Bess and a colonial fowling piece. And yes, now I have a hankering for a black powder rifle. I will say, the only down side was my beard smelled like burnt powder for the rest of the day. If you are willing to spend the hundred bucks, I would recommend it.
  2. On Sunday, while The Wife was at an all-day work thing, her cousin and I went down to Norfolk. He’s a retired chief, so we went on base and went down to sight see at the ships tied up. It’s always neat to see those huge machines. From there, he took me downtown so we could go to the USS Wisconsin. This is an Iowa-class battle wagon turned into a museum ship. Another high recommendation.
  3. I’ve been listening to Max Hastings’ book on Vietnam. It doesn’t pull punches on any side. It’s a great companion piece with Ken Burns’ recent Vietnam documentary series. It’s been really good for someone like me who is trying to understand that conflict, since I didn’t live through those times. It’s scary how much the reasons the US failed to get out of Vietnam mirror why we haven’t left Afghanistan. Both the publicly stated reasons, and the true reasons of those in power.