Author: hsoi

A good day, a good night

/ hsoi / 3 Comments

Spent the day at the in-laws. Annual Christmas gathering. Good people. Good food. Good time.

Took Sasha up with us. That was… mixed. New place, new people, new dogs… she was very stressed and defensive at first. She mellowed out some as the day went on, but overall she didn’t do as well as I hoped (but kinda what I expected *sigh*). She needs this, and I think with more exposure to the people, the place, the dogs, she’ll get better; she’s better today than she was 2 months ago. But still, in this regard it was a stressful day for us and everyone. *sigh*   Wife found a Kuvasz-specific trainer somewhere in the area (to our luck). I don’t think we’ll go back to Triple Crown, not anything against them, just I think if this lady can truly give deeper insight into this breed, that may help.

Found out my brother-in-law is home. He’s a Commander in the US Navy, this last tour had him as the Air Boss on the USS Peleliu. They just docked today in San Diego. Joyous because he’s home safe. Joyous because he gets to spend Christmas with his family. Joyous because he’s soon to retire… and then we can go hunting together!

Got myself a bio. Gosh… it makes me look official and qualified. 😉

Got me a good Wife. I spent the drive home just rambling on to her about what was on my mind, be it the tedium of my plans for reloading .308 Winchester… or my continued indecision about my martial arts direction… or just that we need to go out on more dates. YES WIFE! I KNOW YOU READ THIS! I CAN’T WAIT FOR OUR NEXT DATE!! 🙂

Truly, life is good. It’s not perfect, but it’s good.

Good night.

Things that make you go YES!!!

/ hsoi

11-year-old girl fends off 3 armed home invaders… with her pink .22 rifle. 🙂  (h/t to Chimera)

But but but… you say that children aren’t supposed to have access to guns. Well, you draw your own conclusions about what could have happened to this responsible and brave little girl if she didn’t have her rifle.

Drought + wind = high fire conditions

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

Most people associate “drought” with “summer”. They think because it’s cold out right now, we don’t have “drought conditions.”

But folks, drought means lack of water. We haven’t had any good rains in Central Texas in some time… we haven’t even had a poor rain. Just no rain.

I watch Sasha run around in the back yard… kicking up dust. If she tries to dig a hole, she’s rifling through loose dust. There’s no moisture.

Couple this extreme dryness with all the high gusty winds we’ve been having? That’s a recipe for fire danger.

I’m saying this because I know people love their fireworks. As we approach Christmas and New Year’s, I know people are going to want to shoot off fireworks.

All I’m asking is for people to think — just a little bit — about coupling fireworks, wind, and extreme dry conditions. Don’t think it can’t happen to you. “Oh, I’m safe” and maybe you are, but shit happens. If you’ve never seen how fast a fire can spread, you’ll just have to trust me that you won’t be able to keep it under control. I don’t want to put a damper on people’s fun, but an out of control fire, someone’s house burning down, getting charged for a crime due to the use of illegal fireworks and things burning… well, that’s going to be a lot less fun, isn’t it?

Be safe.

Kinda creepy… Big Brother in Austin

/ hsoi

One of the local Austin news stations posted 2 stories on the same day that when taken together, it’s a wonderful “Big Brother” “all in the name of public safety” moment.

Downtown safety cameras could keep an eye over Austin.

More than a dozen public safety cameras are likely headed for Downtown Austin.

[…]

“We’re trying to protect assets,” Downtown Austin Alliance spokesperson Bill Brice said. “East Sixth Street in particular is an area in which visitors, conventioneers, locals and a lot of special events draw thousands to tens of thousands of people every weekend of the year. We know that it’s important to protect those assets and make sure that, that particular district remains safe for everyone who enjoys it.”

But the gem is from APD Top Cop, Art Acevedo:

“The bottom line is everybody knows that when you’re walking down a public street, there’s absolutely no expectation of privacy. There’s no expectation of privacy from the people around you. There’s no expectation of privacy from the government and that is something that people know, they’ve known for many years,” he said.

This is true. But officer, I hope you also realize this means that the citizenry is open and free to film the actions of you and your officers. Just remember that, Mr. Gander.

I do think his last statement is a little chilling… that there’s no expectation of privacy from the government.

Now couple that with the second news story about area law enforcement coming together to share intelligence information:

The Austin Regional Intelligence Center is open for business.Ten area law enforcement agencies will now share information through a centralized “fusion center.”

[…]

By sharing information with other area law enforcement agencies, Police Chief Art Acevedo said, they’ll be able to recognize trends and identify suspects more efficiently.

Fair enough. But of course, people fear breach of privacy rights.

Acevedo said they’ll work to ensure constitutional rights are protected.”Our challenge, and the challenge to all the members working in this center, is to make sure we police with respect to privacy rights,” Acevedo said.

But Chief, I thought we shouldn’t have any expectation of privacy from the government?

Julie Golob goes hunting

/ hsoi

This is a cool video showing Julie Golob‘s 2010 hunting season highlights

Two things stood out to me.

First, even for one of the best shooters in the world, she knew her limits and didn’t take a shot in the heavy wind. Actually, that she knows her limits is what helps make her one of the best shooters in the world.

Second, ah… those Barnes TTSX bullets, and in .308 Winchester. Is there anything that combination can’t do? 🙂

Texas DPS urges holiday travelers to avoid Mexico

/ hsoi / 11 Comments

This just came over the wire from the Texas Department of Public Safety:

Dec. 16, 2010

DPS urges holiday travelers to avoid Mexico

The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging Texans to avoid traveling to Mexico during the holidays.

“Mexican drug cartel-related violence continues in the northern Mexican border cities, and other locations such as Monterrey and Acapulco.  Drug-related or other criminal activity has been documented in popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Mazatlan. The safety and security of holiday travelers cannot be guaranteed if they venture into Mexico,” said DPS Director Steven C. McCraw.

The rising tide of violence in Mexico is well-documented from a variety of sources. Kidnappings, violence between cartels and battles between cartels and law enforcement authorities have escalated in recent years.

The U.S. State Department website lists travel information related to violence in Mexico. Among the items noted on the website:

  • Kidnapping, including the kidnapping of non-Mexicans, continues at alarming rates.
  • Criminal assaults have occurred on highways throughout Mexico; travelers should exercise caution at all times; avoid traveling at night.
  • Rape and sexual assault continue to be serious problems in Cancun and other resort areas.
  • Mexican authorities have failed to prosecute numerous crimes committed against U. S. citizens, including murders and kidnappings.

“We recognize people safely travel and vacation in Mexico on a daily basis, but the increase in violence is also a reality,” said McCraw. “There are no guarantees that drug-related violence will spare innocent bystanders and that criminals will refrain from attacking tourists.”

Travelers should always check the U.S. State Department website for the most up-to-date information related to security issues in Mexico. (See http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html or http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_MexicoSecurityUpdate.html.)

### (PIO 2010-129)

Read that last quote: “There are no guarantees that drug-related violence with spare innocent bystanders”.

This is all drug-related.

My prior posting was made and queued last night, before I saw this DPS warning. But the point remains. You want all this pain, fear, and suffering to end? The drug war needs to end.

Their mutual benefit leads to our greater social pains

/ hsoi / 3 Comments

Mary Mitchell writes that we should throw in the towel on the unwinnable war on drugs.

Why?

Because neither party directly involved in the drug war wants is to end. They both benefit, so why should they want it to end?

This is the kind of tragedy that makes James Gierach’s blood boil. For decades, Gierach has been on a crusade to end the nation’s failed drug war.

“Nearly any crisis you can name in America is made worse by the war on drugs: gangs, drugs, prison, AIDS, guns, crime, taxes and deficits,” Gierach argues.

“The reason that this drug war has lasted for 40 years is because both the good guys and the bad guys are in favor of it,” he said.

“The bad guys are in favor of prohibition because the only place you can get it is from them. And the good guys are protecting the growing prisons and subcontractors.

“You have to hire more judges, prosecutors, more probation officers, more parole officers, more drug counselors, and more drug testing labs,” Gierach continued, ticking off a long list of industries that benefit from the criminalization of drugs.

“So what we end up with are the good guys riding the drug war gravy train same as the bad guys,” he said.

James Gierach is a lawyer and board member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP).

He’s right. Look at the vast majority of problems in the Americas: North, Central, or South. Many of them can be directly traced back to drug prohibition. All this US-Mexico border violence? It’s all drugs. Do you think the violence would be as it is if drugs were legalized and sold like Pepsi? or even regulated/restricted sales like alcohol or tobacco?

I grant, drug use can destroy lives. But just about anything in this world can destroy lives. Sex can destroy marriages and destroy lives… should we make it illegal? should it be banned? Instead, when it comes to matters of gambling, alcohol, sex, etc. we treat these like health matters. Why don’t we focus more on drug use as a health matter?  Instead of pouring billions of dollars into 40 years of ineffective prohibition, what if that money was spent on health matters be it education, treatment, or taking care of other societal health issues like hunger? Why is the focus on making it a criminal matter? Stop making it a criminal matter and much of the crime and pain goes away. Could it create an increase in the health matter? It could, but then at least we could be straight about it, confront it, and work with it in the light. Instead, because it’s a criminal matter many people remain in the darkness and never get the treatment they need because they too afraid of criminal repercussions. Where is the humanity and compassion in that?

I don’t deny that drugs can destroy lives, but the “War On Drugs” is contributing far more destruction, waste, pain, suffering, and death. We need to stop the blind belief that this “war” is accomplishing something, that to call for a stop to failed policy is somehow showing you’re weak or in favor of everyone running around high 24/7. If we really want the social state to improve, ending the failed drug war is a good place to start. But it’s going to take YOU to be willing to stand up and say it.

Random duck thoughts… because it doesn’t make sense.

/ hsoi / 2 Comments

After taking Sasha for a walk, I pull out the garden hose to clean off the front step and flower bed. All the duck poop….

And I start to think….

Austin likes being a “weird” city. Why aren’t they allowing us to be weird? Why can’t I keep a weird pet like a duck?

Austin is all about “going green” and being natural. All this duck poop makes for fantastic fertilizer… my flower bed is quite happy. But if FWS CFR 21.54 is allowed to stand, no such benefit. Wouldn’t the city want to encourage this?

They’re doing this round-up intentionally during the week, during the day. They specifically scheduled it so it wouldn’t happen during the school Winter break because they did not want children to see it. Why not? If this is such a good thing to do, let the kids see it. Have the guts to stand up and explain it to a 6-year-old with tears in her eyes. I mean, I do understand the legit need for this, but if it’s such a legitimate need, why not explain it to the children? Why not allow them to understand? My children got to see the last round-up, and I certainly have explained it to them. They understand, and I think they’re better off in general for knowing. What are you afraid of?

Maybe that just means your chosen technique is a poor one. You know, egg collection has the same effect but is far less traumatizing to the ducks and to the children. Heck, I betcha the kids would love to get in there and help out. Use it as a teaching moment, to help them understand the greater impacts. Don’t just choose a poor violent method and play dumb when the children ask where all the ducks went.

What’s going to happen to the rounded-up ducks? Destruction most likely. But gosh… duck meat may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but with the homeless and hungry in this city, I betcha they’d be happy for a warm meal. Or if you don’t want to go that route, I’m sure there are lots of yuppies in this town that would pay through the nose for fresh duck meat for their dogs. The “prescription” pet foods tend to be made of duck or venison or rabbit and cost a small fortune for a 1 lbs. bag.  But of course, massive regulation prevents using some natural, available, and abundant resources to feed the hungry… or make a profit.

I wouldn’t have such a problem with all of this if it made sense. If there was valid research, sound logic. But on all levels, from the HOA to the city to the Feds… there’s so much here that just makes no damn sense.

It’s good to be skeptical

/ hsoi / 1 Comment

John Stossel makes a good point. When it comes to all sorts of bogus claims, we’re happy to be skeptical. Ghosts, palm reading, buy this product and it will cure what ails you… snake oil salesmen have been around for ages.

Yet, we still want to believe.

It’s the same with politics. We want to have “hope”, we want to believe in “change”… and I’m not just talking Obama here, because “hope and change” and “getting better” is what the politicians always promise. They always promise big, but they never deliver on those things we want, and generally when they do deliver it’s the exact opposite.

They promise fiscal responsibility. Then they spend like drunken sailors.

They promise to cure poverty. Then their programs make it worse.

They promise to create jobs. But then they make life so complex and unpredictable that entrepreneurs are afraid to create jobs.

Almost none of their promises come true. But few people approach government with the skepticism it deserves.

Whether you believe in God — or psychics, or global warming — that’s your business. I may think you’re stupid, but if you waste your money on, say, a “strength” bracelet, you only harm yourself.

But being gullible about government hurts everyone. Government is force. When it sells us bunk, we have to pay even if we don’t believe in or want it. If we don’t pay up, men with guns will make sure we do.

It’s good to be skeptical. It’s really good to be skeptical about government.

 

RCBS X-Sizer die

/ hsoi / 5 Comments

Most of my reloading efforts have been with pistol cartridges. My one set of .223 Rem trials just was not successful, but I’m going to try rifle again.

The one thing I don’t like about doing rifle is all the case prep work. There’s a lot of it, and it doesn’t really lend well to progressive presses. But I found something that, at least from doing Internet research, looks like it’s going to have a lot of potential: the RCBS X-die (RCBS refers to it as the “X die” and the “X-Sizer die”).  From their manual:

 

ABOUT THE X DIE

The X-Sizer die is a uniquely designed full length resizing die for bottleneck rifle cases. This die not only full length resizes the case, it also limits the growth of the case. This eliminates the need for repeated trimming after an initial trim is done to standardize the case. This die is not intended to shorten the length of the case, rather, as the case grows, the mandrel will reduce the normal rate of growth. This is the result of the case mouth coming in contact with the mandrel stop during resizing. Cases repeatedly sized in the X-Sizer die will grow a few thousandths of an inch initially, and will then stabilize below the maximum case length. Using the X-Sizer die eliminates the need to trim after each shot. X-Sizer dies can be used for full-length resizing with or without the X feature. Partial neck sizing can be done but only without the X feature.

 

 

Pretty neat. Google searching turns up good results, with people using it in progressive presses, getting longer case life, and still getting accurate results (perhaps not 100% as accurate as the most finicky of benchrest competition shooters would want, but far better than most of us will ever notice). Of course, there’s a lot of time-savings in subsequent reloads using then X-die, which is where the win is.

So I reckon once I start rifle reloading, I’ll just start with a lot of brass prep, doing initial casework on as many cases as I feel like dealing with on the old single-stage RCBS press (regular full-length resize, clean the primer pockets, debur the flash hole, trim the length according to the X-die instructions, and then mark these cases with a Sharpie so I know “this is a case prepped for the X-die”). It won’t be until the second go-round with these cases that I’ll actually try the X-die, so who knows how long it may be until that happens and then I see how results go. But, I picked up 2 X-Sizer dies, one small base .223 Rem and one small base .308 Win (I’d have gotten a 6.8 SPC if they had a die in that size). I’m curious to see how this will go.