A Keyboard and a .45

Quick Question

2010-03-25T18:40:00.002-05:00

Do you think our grand children will hate us for allowing the .gov to acquire so much power over our every day lives and destroy the American Dream, or, will they even know what they have lost due to our inaction?

Who'd a thunk it?

2010-03-25T18:03:00.004-05:00

In an extremely short period of time the .gov has gained control of a majority of the home mortgages in the United States, a large chunk of the financial and insurance industry, two major automobile manufacturers and now our health care industry. Private health insurance will most likely be a thing of the past within 3 to 5 years and the .gov is hiring thousands of "agents" for the IRS to ensure that you participate in the .gov health care plan. Some ex ACORN activist with a gun will be charged with keeping you in line. Gives you the warm fuzzies doesn't it?

So now the .gov owns your mortgage, builds your cars, controls your finances and is in charge of your health. Honestly now, how long do you think it will be before the .gov decides it has the power and authority to tell you where to live, who to work for and how many kids to have. The .gov already controls our schools, at what point will they decide to tell our 5th grader that he has to attend the Government Motors Middle School and become a part of the UAW fast track to assembly line worker at the local plant?

The .gov has decided that you have to pay for health insurance, what else will you have to pay for? If the .gov is in charge of your health, might as well require you to pay for a gym membership so you stay healthy eh? If the .gov is going to take away your choice in health service providers they can take away your choice in lifestyle.

Damn it. The American Dream has suffered another major hit this week. On top of overreaching it's bounds, the .gov has decided to add additional taxes to investment income. Americans do not save enough as it is, to penalize those of us who do look to the future is just one more attempt to make us dependent upon the benevolence of our rulers.

Who would have thunk America would ever have "rulers"?

It has been a good while..

2010-03-19T17:21:00.002-05:00

...since I have posted anything here, but I thought you might want to read this:

To all modern Sons of Liberty: THIS is your time...

I guess it beats Tar and Feathers, well..

Buffalo Bore and the .380 Auto

2009-10-06T08:56:00.002-05:00

It seems to me that folks who own a .380 caliber pistol do so for pretty much one reason, concealed carry for self defense.

I mean seriously. The little .380's aren't the most fun to shoot out at the range and are not going to impress anyone with their 25 yard accuracy. The only thing they are good for is that last ditch, up close and personal, effort to defend yourself and your family. Some would argue that they are only marginally effective at that even.

With this in mind, it is nice to see an ammunition manufacturer directly address this issue right from the get-g0.

The folks over at Buffalo Bore are never ones to mince words:

The 380 auto inhabits a valuable and useful place in our society, mostly because of the easily concealable, tiny pistols chambered for it. HOWEVER, because of the very limited size of the cartridge, it is plagued with limited power and therefore most of the existing ammo in 380 auto suffers from not being reliable as a man-stopper. We've studied and played with nearly all of the existing available 380 ammo and find it wanting as a reliable means of self defense, especially against a large, insane, drugged up/pain free, determined attacker.

Here's the problem. The current 380 auto frangible ammo delivers a large amount of surface trauma, but lacks serious penetration. For example, if you shot me or another sane man in the face with modern frangible 380 ammo, it would blow off a big portion of my cheek and send a few teeth down my throat, I would undoubtedly fall to the ground in shock and pain, but I would be very much alive and functional if I could get past the shock and pain as that frangible bullet would have stopped some where inside my face, never making it to my brain. However, if you shot a drugged up maniac in the face with that same frangible 380 ammo and blew half his cheek off, he would keep right on coming because he is insane and is not thinking like you or I. Plus, he is likely pain free and fear free and wont know that half his cheek is missing and if he did know, he would not care. So whatever 380 ammo you shoot him in the face with, had better go through his face and blow his brain stem out the back of his head, because only a CNS (central nervous system) hit with a 380 is going to stop him. Likewise, a torso hit to the sternum needs to penetrate deep enough to blow all the way through his spine in order to shut him down spontaneously. If you fail to shut him down instantly, you and your loved ones are going to have to find a way to survive while you wait for him to bleed out and pass out. The best chance of survival for you and your family is to shut down the attacker instantly. So, we've designed a few 380 auto +P loads to keep you and your loved ones alive under the worst of scenarios...

I like the Buffalo Bore .45-70 cartridges and carry the Low Recoil, Low Flash .357 Magnum ammunition in my SP-101. So who knows, if I were to pick up a new Micro Desert Eagle this week, it might be worth my while to grab a few boxes of the Buffalo Bore .380 Auto +P ammunition to shake it out with.

Taking Shape for Life - Goals Met

2009-10-03T21:27:00.003-05:00

Wednesday Morning, September 30th, I reached my weight loss goal!

I weighed 190.5 on Monday morning so I weighed myself again on Wednesday and found that I weight 189 pounds. I started the day after Memorial Day and lost a total of 84 pounds in 120 days! I am ecstatic.

I am also 100 pounds lighter than I was when the image in the header with Todd Jarrett was taken.

As a reminder, here is what I looked like on May 26th of this year:

Here is what I look like now:

I am trying to find the words to describe how happy I am to have gotten rid of that fat suit, they just have not come to me yet. I bought size 32/32 pants today. It has literally been decades since I have been able to wear size 32 pants.

From being labled severly obese to having a healthy Body Mass Index in 120 Days. How cool is that? If you want information on how I lost this weight, just head over here.

A New Gun Show This Weekend

2009-09-24T18:21:00.003-05:00

Well, new to me anyway.

This Sunday I will be working a table at the Texas Gun and Guitar Show in Hillsboro. From all accounts, this is a pretty nice show. Heck, they even put on a Saturday Night Party and Jam

I will be there on Sunday helping to increase the membership of the Texas State Rifle Association and the NRA. I think I'll bring along the Gun Blog .45 and maybe my AR (A Mixmaster Dissipator) to attract folks to the table and get them interested in joining.

Click here for directions. Hope to see you there.

Taking Shape for Life - an Update

2009-09-23T17:56:00.002-05:00

It has been three weeks since I last updated you on my weigh loss progress. At that time I weighed 204.5 pounds. I now weigh 193! An 11 pound loss over three weeks this far into a weight loss program is just plain awesome. That is pretty much the only way I can describe it.

I have lost 80 pounds since Memorial Day, that is Memorial Day of this year. I am very happy with my progress and excited about this weight loss. V's kinda excited about the new me also.

I am just 3 pounds shy of my goal weight of 190 lbs. At my goal weight I will have a healthy Body Mass Index for the first time since my time in the Navy. I will no longer be counted amongst the obese or overweight of America.

If you are interested in losing weight, in achieving the same success as I have achieved, shoot me an email (address is in the profile) or head on over here.

Yes, this is for real. And yes, you can do this.

It Has Been A While...

2009-09-13T18:17:00.003-05:00

...since I was over at the Blackhawk! web site. Since I've lost all this weight, I have a few things that I need to replace. One is a duty belt that can now go around me and one of my grand kids. My Instructors Gun Belt is also too large as are my old 5.11 pants, shorts and various concealment shirts. It is time to start on my new wardrobe.

Blackhawk! is doing something super cool now that will save me some big money as I replace my now too small other brand pants. They have a Trade Up Program where you can trade in your non-Blackhawk! pants for a 50% credit on a new pair of Blackhawk! pants and shorts. I may have seen this promotion before, but now it hits home. I can save some money (this makes V extra happy)!

Another cool thing I found on the Blackhawk! site is the Serpa Quick Disconnect System. This video with Chuck Buis demonstrates the system:

I still think Chuck has the best possible name for someone in this industry. Oh by the way, Hey Chuck! If you end up reading this, V wants to know when you guys are going to make a Serpa for her Hi Power?

Blackhawk! has a lot of cool stuff, more than ever. If you haven't been to the web site in a bit, now is as good a time as any to head on over.

Take Shape for LIfe - Week 14

2009-09-04T21:38:00.002-05:00

This past Monday marked my 14th week on my weight loss program. During this 14th week I lost another 4 pounds for a total of 68 1/2 pounds. I am getting just a little bit closer to a healthy BMI every day.

At the gun show last weekend a close friend of mine who I had not seen in a while walked past me. It hadn't registered it was me he was walking past until I lightly punched him in the shoulder. I just look that much different without my fat suit on.

I am nearing the end of the weight loss phase of this journey, and I am ready to move on. I am losing the weight much faster than I had anticipated and I am getting more and more excited about my next step in becoming healthy and fit. 14 1/2 more pounds to go (as of last Monday). Of course, these are going to be the most tenacious pounds to get rid of, they aren't going to be leaving easily, but leave they will.

The Texas State Rifle Association Has...

2009-09-04T20:41:00.002-05:00

...a new Executive Director.

Texas State Rifle Association Names new Executive Director

AUSTIN - The Texas State Rifle Association has officially relocated from Addison to Austin. As the state affiliate of the NRA celebrates its 90th anniversary, forty thousand registered members from across the state have two major developments to follow. Not only has our headquarters traveled south on I-35 from the metroplex to the Capital of Texas, but a new Executive Director has also been named to take the association forward.

So who is this new Executive Director of the Texas State Rifle Association? Mr. Charles Cotton. Charles is a civil trial attorney who has been working with the TSRA on legislative matters since 1985. He is the Vice Chair of the TSRA Legislative Committee, proprietor of a very active Texas CHL related gun board, and NRA Board Member. I am acquainted with Charles having met him at Friends of NRA and TSRA Foundation banquets, legislative committee meetings in Austin, and over drinks with James Dark at the NRA Annual Meetings in Louisville.

Charles is a very strong supporter of our Rights to Keep and Bear Arms. His knowledge of the legislative process here in Texas and the relationships he has developed with gun owners and legislators alike will make for a strong foundation supporting him through his tenure as Executive Director. The TSRA made an excellent choice for this leadership position.

Right now the Texas State Rifle Association is 40,000 members strong. It should be triple that by the next legislative session. If you are a Texas Gun Owner, you really should be a member of the Texas State Rifle Association.

Republicans in the 12th Congressional District...

2009-08-30T19:06:00.002-05:00

...of Texas have a chance to make a change during this next primary season. Representative Kay Granger has some competition this go around, and her competition looks promising. Sam Finley is throwing his hat into the ring and seems to be working hard to get the 12th district Republican vote.

If you have been disappointed in some of Kay Granger's recent votes, and would like to see a different Republican representing your district, it is worth your while to give Same Finley a good hard look.

Sam will be formally announcing his candidacy during a town hall style meeting tomorrow evening (Sept. 2) at the "Ol" South Pancake House on University Ave in Fort Worth. The meeting starts at 6:30PM. Sam will also be speaking at the 912 Project Common Sense March and Rally in Fort Worth on Saturday, September 12.

Day at the Gun Show

2009-08-30T16:20:00.002-05:00

It is a beautiful, cool, North Texas late Summer day. I had to make a decision this morning, do yard work or head out to the Original Fort Worth Gun Show. Heading out to the gun show won.

It seems that the attendance surge brought on my the Obama election and the Eric Holder confirmation has settled down a bit. I arrived a little after 10:00 and there was not much in the way of a line to get in. I was at the show for over three hours and the crowd did build up, but not near the mass of people who were at the shows earlier in the year.

It looked like business was brisk, lots of firearms being sold at the larger dealer tables and the gun safe vendors appeared to be keeping pretty busy.

I had the opportunity to meet up with the NRA-ILA Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) for Texas Congressional District 12 (Kay Granger's district) and spent a good while talking guns and politics with him. If you are in District 12, and you want to help elect pro 2A candidates, let me know and I will get you his contact information.

Speaking of Kay Granger, it seems she may have a bit of a fight ahead of her during the next primary season. Sam Finley is throwing his hat in the race as a Republican Candidate for the 12th Congressional District. I spent some time talking with the folks at his table at the show and with his campaign manager. I had to leave before Sam got there, but there is another opportunity to meet him that I will talk about in another post.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Steve Moses of the Bluff Dale Firearms Academy had set up a table at the show. V and I trained with Steve a couple years ago with another couple and I have to say that Steve did an outstanding job of working with us. It is good to see them getting some exposure.

I did pick up a couple of items from the show, and AR-15 parts kit (can never have too many spare parts) and a D-Fender Extractor Enhancer for an AR-15. I have had a couple extraction issues of late and if this fixes them, it is well worth the price. I've been wanting a Center of Mass Car Safe for a good while now, and there was a vendor at the show who had them at what looked like a good price, so I brought one of those home with me also. Something I did not buy was ammo. Some of these folks are still way to proud of their ammo. I saw 100 round Winchester White Box marked at $60.00, other tables had it as low as $45.00 and everywhere in between. There is ammo in stock, but the prices on pistol ammo is still ridiculous. Rifle ammo was a bit better, but still inflated.

I went to the show looking for a Magnum Research Micro Desert Eagle. I need something that I can slip into a pair of gym shorts and just wanted to check out the Magnum Research entry in the .380 market. No luck this time. There was a Sig P232 that felt pretty good in the hand for such a small firearm.

All in all a good day at the gun show. Tim and Michelle have done a great job of building this gun show into an even well worth attending. One of the better shows in North Texas. Seeing as how we have a gun show near every weekend, that is saying a lot.

Taking Shape for Life - Week 13

2009-08-26T18:09:00.002-05:00

Let me start out this update by first saying "Thank You" to all the folks who have been encouraging me and leaving such supportive comments in my weight loss update posts. I do appreciate your kindness and support.

A few of you have commented that you are using some of the same principles that I am to lose weight, just doing it without the convenience of prepackaged grab and go meals. Once out of the weight loss phase of my program, I will also be making each of my smaller meals for the day. A book that I have found to be very helpful is Dr. A's Habits of Health (The Path to Permanent Weight Control and Optimal Health). Doctor Anderson is the co-founder of Take Shape for Life, and his book can also be found on the Take Shape for Life website. Dr. Anderson's book supports both the 5 & 1 Plan that I am using for my weight loss program, and a do-it-yourself plan for weight loss. This book goes much further than that even, this book gives you to tools to achieve a long lifetime of ultimate health. Check it out.

Now for the results of Monday's weigh in.....

On Monday morning I weighed 208.5 pounds, made it to under 210 in 13 weeks. I have lost 64 1/2 pounds in 13 weeks, very near a 5 pound/week average. I know I am starting to sound like a bloody late night infomercial, but this program really works. My success is not some isolated incident. I mentioned previously that I am so impressed with my success that I have decided to join with the company to help others have the same success as I have. I am now coaching a small group of folks who want to lose weight and get healthy. One couple that I am helping has already lost 35 pounds between them in the first two weeks. That is way cool, and yeah, that gets me pumped up. I really enjoy helping people.

I am getting near my goal of 190 pounds. When I started 13 weeks ago, I was not so sure that I would be able to do this. A healthy weight seemed out of reach. Now I am almost there. It is getting close to time for me to order my new Milt Sparks belt, I have been wanting one of these for a very long time.

Taking Shape for Life - Week 12

2009-08-21T11:21:00.003-05:00

V and I made it back from our California vacation all in one piece. We had an excellent time visiting with family and friends, walking the beaches, and enjoying the art festivals. If you live in So. California and enjoy art, you really do need to head over to Laguna Beach for the arts festivals and galleries. You are missing out if you don't.

For those of you who are wondering, I did stay On Plan during this vacation. I did not have access to a scale for my Monday morning weigh in, but I did weigh myself the day before I left and again this morning. Even with eating out pretty much every day while in California, I still lost 2.5 pounds while I was there. What can I say? This plan works and it is so simple that even I can keep at it while traveling.

V took a picture of me at Oceanside Harbor that illustrates my success so far.

This is me on Day 1 of my weight loss plan:

And this is me day before yesterday:

Same shirt, different me. A bit of a change eh?

I have lost 62 pounds in just over 12 weeks, and I feel great. Not once did I get winded or run out of energy during this vacation. What is super cool is the fact that I can sit in an airplane seat and not touch the arm rests on either side! This trip was filled with confirmation after confirmation that I made the right choice and that getting rid of my fat suit is one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

Want to read more success stories and learn a bit about the plan? Head on over here.

Ready to get started? Or just want to dig in to the nuts and bolts of the plan a bit before making a decision? Then here is where you want to go.

Vacation in California

2009-08-16T13:47:00.002-05:00

Vicki and I are visiting my parents in Southern California. The weather this weekend is outstanding! It was 66°F this morning when we had our first cup of coffee on the back patio.

My folks live in Oceanside and we will be spending most of our time in Laguna Beach. Yesterday we attended the Members Appreciation Day at the Festival of the Arts. Today we will be going to the Sawdust Festival and the Art a Fair. Tomorrow will be spent revisiting some of our favorite artist's at these shows and in the art galleries of Laguna Beach. Tomorrow night we will be at the Pageant of the Masters. Wednesday we may charter a half day fishing trip off the coast, fun fun.

I enjoy this yearly visit with my parents, the art, the beach cities, and the great food (no worries, all the food is and will be on plan). I don't enjoy the fact that goblins have more rights than free citizens in the Peoples Republic. I guess that is what "Civil Disobedience" was invented for.

Taking Shape for Life - Week 11

2009-08-12T11:33:00.002-05:00

Last Monday completed another week of my program to develop a fit, lean and healthy body. I lost another 5 1/2 pounds last week. To me, that is pretty amazing. Over the course of 11 weeks I have lost a total of 57 1/2 pounds.

I started blogging about my journey as a means to hold myself accountable. I figured that if I started slacking, you all would keep me in line and motivated. Now I blog about it because I am so excited about how well I am doing, and because it has not taken a whole heck of a lot of effort to get here. What is really cool is the fact that my success is not atypical, people everywhere are enjoying the same success that I am.

Eleven weeks ago I couldn't walk up a long flight of stairs without panting for breath by the time I got to the top. Last Monday I ran up those same stairs, twice, just for the heck of it.

This attempted take over of our health care system by the .gov highlights one very important issue. We need to become responsible for our own long term health. I am going to do everything within my power to stay as far away from a .gov run health care system as possible. Building a healthier, leaner body will go a long way towards achieving that goal.

The program is a simple one, not always easy, but simple. Pretty much has to be for me to be successful on it. As I have mentioned before, I am so impressed with my success, and with this program, that I decided that I wanted to help others see the same results that I am. If you are at all interested in losing weight and gaining a healthier body, head on over here to see if this program might be the right one for you too.

Need More Proof...

2009-08-07T18:59:00.002-05:00

...that gun free zones just don't work?

Try this on for size.

Obese Inmate Hides Gun from Texas Officers

A nearly 600-pound man was able to hide a weapon for more than a day while he was in custody, police told KPRC Local 2 Wednesday.

"Obviously the system broke down," former Harris County Detention Major Mark Kellar said. "The procedures didn't work as they were designed to work."

Houston police said George Vera, 25, was arrested Aug. 2 and taken to the city jail. He spent a day there before being transferred to the Harris County Jail. After being there for 14 hours, going through intake procedures, he was taken to the showers, the final step before going to his cell. There, Vera told police he had a 9mm handgun on him, along with 2 clips.

So this inmate had a pistol, and two magazines inside a jail cell. He then carried them on prisoner transport between jails, and was only found out because he "...told police" he had them?

To my way of thinking, the inside of a jail cell is pretty much the most secure "gun free zone" there is, yet still the goblins get guns into those zones.

This is not an isolated incident. Inmates With Guns and Inmate Found With Gun are earlier posts of incidents where goblins had guns in lockup, once in a maximum security unit of the Mississippi State Penitentiary.

Those who restrict our rights by creating so called "gun free zones" know these facts and understand that some silly sign will not provide any measure of safety to the good folks who are unfortunate enough to be caught in one of these zones when a goblin goes on a rampage.

So if our safety is not their goal, what is?

Taking Shape for Life - Week 10

2009-08-04T17:34:00.004-05:00

Yes I changed the title of this weekly post a bit. Calling this program a diet is a bit of a misnomer. I am taking charge of my body, and my health. I am getting fit.

For those of you who have been following along, I have just completed the tenth week of my plan to take back my body. Ten weeks ago I weighed 273 pounds, was wearing tight XXL shirts, and size 44 jeans. Ten short weeks ago I could not climb up the flight and a half of stairs to get on any of the roofs of the buildings I am responsible for at work without getting a little winded. Ten weeks ago I was severely obese.

Last week I lost another 3 pounds for a total of 52 pounds in 10 weeks. Yeah, I'm kinda proud of that achievement.

For all you folks like me who enjoy charts, here is a quick chart of my weight loss journey so far.

A nice steady downward trend. I'll tell you what... V is very happy with my somewhat leaner, stronger and more energetic body. My doctors are also very happy with my success so far. Resting heart rate, cholesterol and blood pressure are all well within healthy norms and I am feeling great.

This site has a couple of good videos that explain the program in some detail, and more great testimonials. This site has even more information.

If you have any questions about my progress so far, how I am accomplishing it, or even my future goals, go ahead and send me an email. The address is in my profile.

Quote of the Day

2009-08-02T07:38:00.001-05:00

From my friend Fits:

Ya see, its like this: Obama took 6 months to decide on what dog to get the kids, okay...

And wants Congress to pass universal healthcare in 6 weeks.

Why do I get the feeling that somethings wrong with this picture...

Need Some Phone Help

2009-08-01T16:37:00.002-05:00

I know squat about the new smart phones. I know the IPhone has some cool aps that I would use (shot timer, ballistics to name a couple), but I don't know if these type of aps can be run on other phones.

It is well past time I upgraded my cell phone. I need easy email access and an easy to use keyboard. I need a phone that is, you know, a quality phone. Imaging and MP3 capabilities are nice options that I would use, but are not my primary focus.

Under my plan, I can upgrade to one of these phones without breaking the bank.

An iPhone 3G - 16GB Refurb)

A Samsung Impression (Refurb)

A Nokia Surge

A Motorola Karma QA1

And a BlackBerry Pearl 8110

The internal memory and the screen size of the iPhone are large pluses. The Surge has a very nice display and the BlackBerry is a BlackBerry.

Any of you have a good recommendation for me on this one? Right now I am leaning towards the iPhone, but I have not made up my mind yet.

This Sunday I...

2009-07-31T21:14:00.002-05:00

...will be manning a table at the Texas Scooter Times Summer Swap Meet in Dallas. My friend Phil and I will be looking to sign up new members for the Texas State Rifle Association.

This looks to be a real good time.

If you happen to end up there, look me up.

An Important Message for Texas Voters

2009-07-30T17:26:00.002-05:00

From my friend Ken. Ken is one of the organizers for the Dallas Tea Party Group and the Director of the North Texas Gun Owners.

From Ken:

I'm going to ask you, right now, to mark the date MARCH 2, 2010 on your calendar. If you don't recognize the date, don't sweat it. Unfortunately, March 2, 2010 will come and go without much notice from the substantial majority of Texans.

It won't, however, go unnoticed owing to a lack of importance. QUITE THE CONTRARY. March 2, 2010 is an election day, when the outcome of most of our federal and state races will be determined.

Now, you may be forgiven for thinking, as most do, that most outcomes are decided in NOVEMBER, but you would be wrong. In MOST races, the voting taking place in November is merely a FORMAL RATIFICATION of the results of the primary election in March.

In other words, MOST races are essentially decided once the primary election is finished. This is particularly true in legislative races, which involve districts SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to ensure that one party or the other will ALWAYS win a particular district. The substantial majority of races are not competitive in the November election, because they are not INTENDED to be. It's called "gerrymandering", and it's designed into our political system at every level. As politicians will tell you, "it's not a bug--it's a feature!"

In MOST races, the ONLY realistic way to affect the outcome of the GENERAL election in NOVEMBER is to affect the outcome of the PRIMARY election in MARCH. In most cases, by the time you get to November, THE GAME IS ALREADY UP.

The CRITICAL point is this: whatever change you may hope to get done in the next election cycle, you must go from March 2, 2010 and work backwards to TODAY. Yes, there will still be PLENTY of work to do after March 2, but the number of possible outcomes will be substantially diminished at that point. In each race in which the citizens fail to get a GOOD candidate on the ballot, they will be faced, ONCE AGAIN, with a choice between CRUMMY and AWFUL.

Let's not let that happen.

Let's go get 'em.

- K

We have some very critical primary elections coming up this go around. From high profile races like the Texas Governor race and the battle for Kay Bailey Hutchison's Senate seat to quite a few Texas House and Senate seats. This is our opportunity to let those who obstructed the passage of the Parking Lots and Campus Carry Bills know just exactly how we feel about their poor judgement.

Medifast Diet - Week 9

2009-07-28T17:34:00.002-05:00

Well I did it, this week I passed the first real milestone on my weight loss journey. I am no longer officially "Obese". I am now just an Overweight American. And you know what? For the moment that feels pretty darn good.

In my ninth week I lost 4.5 pounds. My total weight loss over the past 9 weeks is 49 pounds! I have grand children that weigh less than that.

I mentioned earlier about some issues that I had concealing a 1911 as I was losing weight, the shirts just seemed to cling to the grip of my Kimber. I pretty much resolved that issue this weekend. I purchased some clothes that actually fit and moved the carry position of my pistol back along the belt a bit and all is good once again.

It is probably time I traded off some of my gear that no longer fits. I'll have to take some pictures so if you are interested you can see what I have to trade.

If you are at all interested in learning more about what I am doing to lose this weight, head on over here. There are two videos there that will be worth your time to watch.

I've lost near 50 pounds in 9 weeks. How cool is that?

Medifast Diet - Week 8

2009-07-20T21:01:00.002-05:00

You know, I really should stop calling it a diet and start calling it what it really is, a life changing program.

I have just finished my eighth week on the Medifast Program and I am already half way to my goal. I lost four more pounds this past week, that makes 43.5 pounds in eight short weeks and I feel great! Early on in the program some of my friends expressed concern that I was committing to a portion controlled 900 calorie a day diet, but look at the results. I am losing the weight, I have more energy now than I have had in years, I am gaining muscle and stamina via my exercise routines and I am getting quicker every day. One thing I have discovered is that thinner fingers do make for a better grip, my Kimber feels even better in my hands now.

I am so impressed with this program that I have decided to join forces with the folks at Take Shape for Life and help promote this plan to others who need to lose the weight. The plan is a simple one, not always easy, but simple. If you are interested in learning more, head on over here and check it out.

Eight weeks ago I was Severely Obese, by the end of this next week I should no longer even be classified as "obese". If you have ever had a doctor tell you that you are obese, you know how cool it is to be able to get your BMI back into the "Overweight" category. What is even better is the fact that it won't be long before I am back to being in the "Normal Weight" category. I can't wait.

Eight weeks on this plan and 43.5 pounds are gone, can't beat that with a stick.

I Knew That...

2009-07-19T10:04:00.002-05:00

...the propane tank exchanges that are popping up at gas stations, grocery stores and just about everywhere else were more expensive than getting a tank filled by a propane supplier, but I didn't realise just how much more expensive.

We started exchanging tanks for the convenience. Turning in a tank or two while at the hardware or grocery store just meant one less trip to the propane fill station. It was not long before I noticed that our 20 lb. tanks were being labeled as 17.5 lb. tanks. A bit irritating but the price of fuel was going up and this kept the exchange price the same (basically $20 to $22 depending on where you went). Last month V exchanged a couple of tanks and came home with 15 lb tanks. I was pissed. I went back to Lowe's to find that they were only filling tanks to 15 pounds now.

That was it for me. No more tank exchanges, no matter the convenience.

Yesterday I went to Godfrey Propane to fill a 20 lb tank and my backup 13 lb tank. Guess what, they filled the 20 lb tank to 20 pounds for $15.00. That is 5 more pounds of gas for $5.00 less than at Lowe's. Lowe's propane = $1.33/pound. Godfrey's Propane = $.75/pound, and you will get a full tank at Godfrey's.

Exchanging propane tanks = one bad idea for you, one great idea for the folks who came up with the idea.

Medifast Diet - Week 7 (two days late)

2009-07-15T17:24:00.005-05:00

V called me at work Monday afternoon saying that one of our toilets was "leaking from the tank", so on the way home I picked up new tank and wax seals. I get home to find that the tank is cracked top to bottom and end up having to replace the toilet. Yippie!

But hey, at least it was a good week on Medifast. During Week 7 I lost another 4.5 pounds for a total of 39.5 pounds lost. I'm near half way to my goal. The program is very simple, has to be for me to work it. Do X plus Y and stay away from Z and you will succeed.

Here is an image of me taken at Blackwater last year (I think by Joe Huffman)

And here is one taken by V last Sunday:

One thing that I have noticed about losing weight is the fact that it is harder to conceal a 1911 type pistol. I never gave a second thought to throwing on a pair of shorts and a Tee shirt and heading out to the store or wherever. Now some of the same Tee shirts that did such a good job before are really showing the outline of my gun. Purchasing smaller shirts will most likely fix that problem, but it caught me by surprise.

Another thing I have learned so far on this weight loss journey is that a shooting mat makes one heck of a good exercise mat. 'nuff said.

Last week V and I drove down South near Houston to pick up the Step Son and move him in with us. On the way down, on Highway 45, we stopped at Buc-ee's for coffee and a quick break. I have to tell you that place has the best public restrooms I have ever been in. I have been in most of these United States and various countries throughout the world, and when I say the best, I mean it. V and I were both very impressed.

On the way back we stopped at Chili's in Corsicana for a late lunch (I had my Medifast meal before stopping so had tea at Chili's). Behind the Chili's was a Gander Mountain so we decided to take a quick peek to see how they were set on ammo.

It was like ammo heaven. Isle upon isle of ammunition, the pistol ammo behind the counter. They had .45ACP, they had 9mm, heck they even had .380. Needless to say V and I purchased some ammo.

All in all a good week. I continued to lose weight and we found a store with ammo on the shelves. The fact that V and I are no longer empty nesters is.... well it just is. It's just one of those things you have to deal with.

Medifast Diet - Week 6

2009-07-06T17:40:00.002-05:00

Week 6 is in the books, and it was the my second best week for weight loss. How good was it? I lost 7 pounds this week. I am very pleased with that success, and with my overall weight loss of 35 pounds in 6 weeks.

This past week plus a bit was the start of my exercise regimen. As I mentioned last week, I was exercising to the DVD, Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred. After that workout I would go for a walk to cool off. I did this routine for eight days straight and took a break on Saturday. The Fourth of July was a busy day for V and I, and doing these exercises just did not make the itinerary. There was a very noticeable improvement by the eight day, my endurance has measurably improved and I have made measurable progress.

On Sunday I worked out to the Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones DVD. This is a 40 minute circuit training workout that will kick your rear. Jillian Michaels is a daemon after all. Half way through the program my mind was telling me that I had done enough, that I could work my way up to the full 40 minutes a day at a time. Three quarters of the way through the routine I had decided that Jillian truly was a daemon and was cursing her under my breath. When Jillian announced that we were through, I was surprised it was over. I have recruited my shooting mat for duty as an exercise mat. It is a good thing those things are water proof because it was soaked.

I don't much like exercising, but I really do like the results. V is also liking the thinner me.

Another who is liking the results of the weight loss is my Pulmonologist. At last weeks appointment, not only was my weight down, but so was my resting heart rate and blood pressure.

I do apologize for the major reduction in blogging of late, but it is important that I focus on getting fit and trim. I will try to make the posts that I do publish worth your while and it really won't be long before I am back at it full time.

Governor Perry, Senator Hutchison, and EBR's

2009-07-03T11:06:00.003-05:00

The 2010 Governor's race here in Texas is already heating up. Our Senior Senator, Kay Bailey Hutchison, has decided to challenge Governor Rick Perry in the Republican Primaries next year.

This is exciting. Two very popular politicians running for the same position should make for some good politics.

Reader Jay from Houston sent a link to an AR15.com thread with images of Governor Perry at LaRue Tactical. Like Mark LaRue says, "Bet our Texas Governor can out shoot y'all's Governor".

Here is Governor Perry being spotted by Todd Hodnett as he shoots 1/2 MOA groups.

Here is a close up of Governor Perry's form on the bench.

Seems our Governor likes to shoot EBR's. The fact that he can shoot sub MOA groups shows that his range time includes more than just photo ops.

What does Kay Bailey think about EBR's and EBR owners?

The following video was clipped from a presentation at the Heritage Foundation concerning an individual right to keep and bear arms. Even though Senator Hutchison joined with fifty-four other senators, 250 representatives, and Vice President Cheney to submit an amicus brief in favor of Heller in the SCOTUS DC v Heller case, she still supports an Assault Weapons Ban.

This one statement shows just how far off the mark she is with her definition of an individuals right to keep and bear arms. I have comments on this issue previously, and have contacted her office concerning these remarks. I know for a fact that at least one member of her staff is reading this blog and knows of our concerns over this issue. The Senator's response so far has been less than adequate.

There will be more to come comparing and contrasting the records of both these politicians concerning our right to keep and bear arms.

Sorry about the quality of the video. I somehow got the sound track a couple seconds off track from the image. I'll continue to tinker with it and see if I can get it right.

Girls and Guns, The Playmate Edition

2009-07-01T17:32:00.006-05:00

Playboy Cyber Girl of the Year, Sharae Spears, hits the gun range with the head of Playboy security.

I had been called a straight shooter before, but until this year it had a different meaning. In March I shot a gun for the first time, and it has since become one of my favorite hobbies...

It looks like they did a good job with her on the safety fundamentals. There was one brief finger on the trigger issue early on, but all in all she was very safe.

I would have thought that the head of security for an organization as large and diverse as Playboy would be a much better shot. I guess that is why management manages and the boots on the ground take care of taking care of business.

For more on this shoot, and Sharae Spears, head on over here (first link is safe for work, after that you are on your own).

Medifast Diet - Week 5

2009-06-29T17:26:00.003-05:00

I have now officially been on this diet for over a month, five weeks of sticking strictly to the plan. I have to tell you that I am very glad that I made this decision. I lost another 4 pounds this last week for a total of 28 pounds lost. Medifast really does work.

I received the exercise DVD's in the mail last week and got to work on Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred. You know, when I was in the Navy we would watch exercise videos quite often. Not for the exercise, but for the eye candy. Watching beautiful women jump around in leotards was great entertainment during breakfast a couple hundred feet below the waves. Things are quite different when you are actually following along in your living room.

The "30 Day Shred" routine is a 20 minute daily workout. Only 20 minutes? Heck, I can do anything for 20 minutes. I'm a big guy, I can pick up heavy things and move them "over there". This should be a piece of cake.

It probably would be a piece of cake, if, Jillian Michaels were not the devil. This woman packs more into a 20 minute workout than an hour or so of working out in a gym. The first day she finished with me I was jello, my legs just did not want to hold my body up any longer. I went for a quick 10 minute walk after the work out just to get a full 30 minutes of exercise in, and for the first 50 or 60 yards or so it was an effort to keep my feet going in a straight line. She is one tough cookie.

Each day the routine gets easier, my recovery time gets shorter, and my after workout walk gets longer.

It is time to get, Jillian is waiting to get started with our next 20 minute session.

Our Weekend Project

2009-06-28T10:30:00.002-05:00

Last weekend I found this garden bench at an estate sale for $8.00.

A couple cans of spray paint, new wood and stain turned it into a nice addition to our back yard furniture.

Cindy and the Breast Cancer 3-Day

2009-06-23T17:40:00.003-05:00

Hopefully a few of you have noticed the "Support Cindy" banner on the sidebar. You may have asked yourself "Who is this Cindy person?" and "What the heck is a Breast Cancer 3-Day?".

Cindy is a daughter through our extended family. She is fighting a very hard battle against Cancer, and with the Lord's help she is persevering. There is something about Cindy that makes her truly special, she just glows with an energy that is hard to describe. If you want to learn more about Cindy and her fight with Cancer, you can visit her website here.

Today Cindy sent out an email asking for help with the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk:

Please join me as a I walk to put an end to Breast Cancer
As most of you know, in January of this year I learned my cancer had spread/metastasized from my breast to my liver. The doctors were not at all very optimistic about a cure. Well, during my many stays in the hospital and my time at home being sick during January, February, and March, I kept seeing the TV commercial for the Komen 3 Day Walk that is going to take place in Dallas November 6-8, 2009. After seeing the commercial several times, I decided that was going to be my goal to get through all of this treatment torture. I was and am still bound and determined to make it to November to walk 60 miles in 3 days to help find a cure to this awful disease of cancer. So, I took the plunge and made the commitment and I am now an official registered walker…YEA!!!

I will be walking with a team called the Texas Longlegs, along with thousands of other women, and men too. I have several friends on other walking teams as well and we are all in this together…to make a difference. As part of my commitment as a walker, I agreed to raise $2,300 in donations. However, since I have the greatest friends and the best supporters who have been through this breast cancer journey with me, I decided to set my goal at $5,000 in donations. I have no doubt in my mind that God is going to provide, even in this troubled economy, and together we will reach this goal. So, please consider making a donation of any amount…even $10. If I get 50 people to give $10, that’s $500, and THAT will make a difference somewhere. As you consider the amount you would like to donate, please keep in mind how far I will be walking…60 MILES in 3 days (YIKES!)…and how hard I'll have to train to finish all those 60 MILES. I started training back in April and will continue to train through the hot months, even while I continue my chemo treatments too.

The easiest way you can give is online. Just follow this link to visit my personal fundraising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 1-800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone. All donations will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund.

According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. I REFUSE to be one of those 40,000. That's why I'm walking so far…to do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

From the depths of my heart, THANK YOU soooooooooooooo much in advance for your generosity and donation! It means a LOT to me…more than words can ever express!!

God Bless!

Cindy

Cindy Semple

P.S. Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program!

Click here to visit my personal page.

I would very much appreciate it if you would help Cindy reach her goal of raising $5000 to support this outstanding cause.

If you can not help out now, the banner will be on the side bar through the walk so you can give at any time.

Medifast Diet - Week 4

2009-06-22T18:08:00.003-05:00

Another week down and another week closer to a thinner and healthier JR.

Last week I mentioned that I was going to "...to start working exercise back into my weekly routine". Well I did get a start on that goal.

A year or so ago I purchased Semper Fit: The Marine Corps Workout at an Army/Navy type surplus store. Last week I finally took the wrapper off the DVD and got ready to work out.

Ummm... guess what? My old fat body just ain't quite ready for the Marine Corps Boot Camp Workout. I can do the stretching exercises, and the calisthenics will be doable with a little work. Trying to keep up with the circuit course is a killer.

So for now I will be going with something a little more my speed. The Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred, the Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones, and a "boot camp" workout a bit more fitting for where I am at right now - The Biggest Loser: The Workout - Boot Camp.

Week four was another successful weight loss week. I lost another 4 1/2 pounds for a total of 24 pounds in four weeks.

What is even cooler is that I can once again wear my wedding ring. It has been quite awhile since my ring fit my ring finger. When we went out, I would wear it on my pinkie finger. I am really kind of pumped that I can wear my wedding ring on the correct finger again.

From the TSRA

2009-06-22T17:41:00.002-05:00

The "War on Gunz in Mexico" is starting to hit home.

From the TSRA:

June 22, 2009 - FFLs and purchasers of "certain types" of firearms in Texas are being scrutinized by BATF due to the gun smuggling into Mexico.

Dear John,

In Border States, BATFE Asks: "May We See Your Guns?"

Friday, June 19, 2009

NRA-ILA has recently received several calls from NRA members in border states who have been visited or called by agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. In some cases, agents have asked to enter these people's homes, and requested serial numbers of all firearms the members possess.

In each case, the agents were making inquiries based on the number of firearms these NRA members had recently bought, and in some cases the agents said they were asking because the members had bought types of guns that are frequently recovered in Mexico.

This kind of questioning may or may not be part of a legitimate criminal investigation. For example, when BATFE traces a gun seized after use in a crime, manufacturers' and dealers' records will normally lead to the first retail buyer of that gun, and investigators will have to interview the buyer to find out how the gun ended up in criminal hands. But in other cases, the questioning may simply be based on information in dealers' records, with agents trying to "profile" potentially suspicious purchases.

On the other hand, some of the agents have used heavy-handed tactics. One reportedly demanded that a gun owner return home early from a business trip, while another threatened to "report" an NRA member as "refusing to cooperate." That kind of behavior is outrageous and unprofessional.

Whether agents act appropriately or not, concerned gun owners should remember that all constitutional protections apply. Answering questions in this type of investigation is generally an individual choice. Most importantly, there are only a few relatively rare exceptions to the general Fourth Amendment requirement that law enforcement officials need a warrant to enter a home without the residents' consent. There is nothing wrong with politely, but firmly, asserting your rights.

If BATFE contacts you and you have any question about how to respond, you may want to consult a local attorney. NRA members may also call NRA-ILA's Office of Legislative Counsel at (703) 267-1161 for further information. Whether contacting a local attorney or NRA, be sure to provide as many details as possible, including the date, time, and location, agent's name, and specific questions asked.

Copyright 2009, National Rifle Association of America, Institute for Legislative Action.

Sincerely,

Alice Tripp
Texas State Rifle Association
Legislative Director

Just remember - No warrant, no entrance.

Now that the meme that Americans are responsible for the Drug Gang Violence in Mexico has been such a successful propaganda tool, no matter what the evidence proves, the Antis are now starting to blame us for the violence in Jamaica.

David Codrea reports that U.S. guns blamed for Jamaican crime. At least they are not blaming Texas this time.

How long until the BATF comes knocking on your door, asking to see all the firearms you have legally purchased via an FFL?

Medifast Diet - Week 3

2009-06-15T18:03:00.004-05:00

Here it is the end of my third week on the Medifast Diet Plan, and people are starting to notice my weight loss. It is kinda cool to have folks who don't know that I am on the Plan notice that I am losing weight.

How much this week? Another 4.5 lbs. That makes 19.5 pounds in 20 days, near a pound a day. I am pretty pumped.

I got to thinking earlier today and I can remember the very first time that I was getting heavy, it was while I was shopping for "designer" jeans to wear out to meet womenz. I was a youngin, 20 or so and in the Navy on a Submarine. The jeans I found that fit were a size 32 / 32. I made the comment to my friend that I was turning into a bowling ball. Here it is a quarter century later and I've added more than a foot of material to the jeans that will button around my waist these days. I think I'll be making it back into a pair of 32/32 jeans sooner than later.

Here are some of the graphs that help someone on the plan keep track of their progress.

Click on the image for a larger version

The data entry is very easy and only takes a few moments a day.

If you can't tell, I am very happy with my decision to go on the Medifast Plan. I do miss a glass of wine or a good beer in the evenings, but those will return as I transition back to regular food.

Week 4 coming up, the plan is to start working exercise back into my weekly routine.

Lack of Posting

2009-06-15T17:42:00.002-05:00

I must apologize for my recent lack of posting. Work has been a pretty significant drain on me lately and the news headlines make it seem like the Administration is Hell bent for leather to destroy the free market and make every American dependant upon the .gov for their daily needs.

I just needed a little downtime to recharge, and I am just about there.

Over the Past 24 Hours...

2009-06-11T17:43:00.003-05:00

...we have received a boatload of rain. One storm would roll through dumping buckets of water on us and then a few hours later here comes another, with just as much rain. At 0330 it was raining as hard as I have ever seen it, pretty much a solid wall of water.

Of course with all this rain came strong winds, hail, and even a small twister or two.

All is well at Casa JR. One of the neighbors trees dropped a branch on the back fence, but there was not much damage at all. I'll just have some cleaning up to do when everything dries out.

Our oldest daughter lives in Little Elm, and she was not so fortunate.

It's interesting how the fence was taken down and the trampoline moved, but the unsecured ladder for the trampoline wasn't moved a bit.

The damage continued down the block.

Those fence posts are relatively new 4X4's snapped off right at the ground. It was quite the little Straight Line Wind Downburst to create such linear damage. There is also some roof damage to the houses along the path of the downburst, but nothing major. Our daughter and the grand kids were not home at the time, but this wind gave the neighbors a pretty good scare.

I just noticed that you can see where the trampoline sat next to the ladder. The trampoline was staked, the ladder was not.

Medifast Diet - Week 2

2009-06-08T20:10:00.002-05:00

Week 2 of a 900 calorie per day diet is easier than I would have imagined. I'm not starving, as a matter of fact I rarely even feel very hungry. So far so good.

One of the tools that Medifast provides is the website MyMedifast. MyMedifast is chock full of online tools to help folks on the program succeed and reach their goals. Along with the tools there are forums that provide pretty much any kind of support an individual may need.

This week I lost another 6.5 lbs. That makes 15 pounds lost in 13 days.

I am now on the last hole on my size 44 El Paso Saddlery belt and will have to punch a couple new ones. Visible results are way cool.

Rochelle High School...

2009-06-07T13:03:00.002-05:00

...takes the Texas Track and Field Team State Title. Congratulations to this high school from a small Texas town (population 600) who really took it to the larger schools for the second year in a row.

How many athletes are on the Rochelle High School Track and Field Team?

One

That's right, a Track and Field team of 1 won the State Title.

From Y News by Stuart Kantor:

Teen wins team state title by herself - again

Bonnie Richardson, from tiny Rochelle, Texas (population 600), has accomplished what no other Texas high school track and field athlete has ever achieved: back-to-back team state championships – by herself.

Richardson captured first in the long jump (17-04.50), second in the discus (126-09) and first in the high jump (5-8) on Friday for a total of 28 points. Returning to Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas on Saturday, Richardson placed third in the 200 (25.78) and fourth in the 100 (12.51) for a two-day total of 38 points – two points better than second-place Cayuga in Class A...

You are going to have to head on over and read this entire article for yourself.

Image by Harry Cabluck / AP

Now that is quite the accomplishment. This well rounded young woman will most likely be able to succeed at pretty much anything she puts her mind to.

New From Oleg

2009-06-05T13:33:00.001-05:00

The Long Awaited...

2009-06-05T09:44:00.002-05:00

...final update on the status of firearm related legislation in the 2009 Texas Legislative Session.

I will start with the bills I was actively supporting:

HB267 / SB1188: An act relating to the interstate purchase of certain firearms.

The BATFE had been denying long gun purchases to some Texans who were trying to purchase firearms from states that were not "contiguous" to the state of Texas. This legislation changed the working in Section 46.07 of the Texas Penal Code to resolve that issue.

SB 1188 was signed into law by Governor Perry on May 30th and was effective immediately upon his signature.

HB1020: An act relating to the use, exhibition, or possession of a firearm by public school students participating in certain school-sponsored programs and activities sponsored or supported by the Parks and Wildlife Department.

HB 1020 opens the door to public school sponsored, off campus, shooting sports.

HB 1020 passed the Senate and the House. It was sent to Governor Perry on May 26th and is awaiting his signature.

HB1301 / SB730: An act relating to an employee ’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee ’s employer.

In other words, the Employer Parking Lot bills.

Let's start with the House version of the bill, HB 1301. HB 1301 was referred to the Public Safety Committee on February 26th. Nearly a month later, March 23rd, HB 1301 received a public hearing. Following the hearing, the bill was left "pending in committee".

The Senate version of this bill did much better. SB 730 was referred to the Criminal Justice Committee on February 25th. SB 730 received two public hearings in committee, was amended and was placed on the Senate Intent Calender on March 24th. On March 25th, SB 730 passed the Texas Senate with a unanimous vote of 31-0. SB 730, which received the full support of the Senate, was sent to the House on March 26th. Five days later, March 31st, SB 730 was read for the first time in the House and referred to Public Safety Committee. This bill, which had the unanimous support of the Senate, sat in the Public Safety Committee for near another month before receiving a public hearing on April 27th. SB 730 was voted on in committee on April 27th, the results: Ayes=5 Nays=0 Present Not Voting=1 Absent=3.

SB 730 was voted out of committee on April 27th. The bill was not sent to Calendars until May 6th, a full 10 days later. SB 730 sat in Calendars for two weeks before being considered on May 21st. The Calendar Committee placed SB 730 on the General State Calendar on May 23rd, too late for it to get considered on the House floor. Being placed on the General Calendar this late in the session pretty much ensured that SB 730 would not reach the House floor, even without the chubbing that was going on to prevent a vote on the Voter ID bill.

SB 730 was sent to the House by a unanimous vote of the Senate. The House version of this bill, HB 1301, had the bi-partisan support of 48 Members who signed on as either authors or coauthors of this legislation. This bill had the full support of the Governor and was legislation supported by the Texas Republican Party Platform.

Even after SB 730 was amended to exempt the petrochemical industry and schools, it was killed by two Republican led committees.

HB1644 / SB1236: An act relating to admonishments given to a person charged with a misdemeanor.

This bill requires a defendant be notified of the effect of a guilty plea or conviction for family violence on their right to possess firearms and ammo.

SB 1236 passed the Senate and the House. It was sent to Governor Perry on May 22nd and is awaiting his signature.

HB1893 / SB 1236: An Act relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education.

These are the the campus-carry bills

As you know, these bills are dead. I have a future post, The Life and Death of a Texas Campus Carry Bill", bubbling around in my head so I will save any commentary until then.

HB3684: An act relating to the carrying of a handgun by a disabled person.

I did not talk enough about this legislation that would have allowed a disabled CHL holder to open-carry if the person’s disability “prevents the person from effectively concealing the handgun.”

HB 3684 died in the House Public Safety Committee without even receiving a public hearing. I guess "Public Safety" does not extend to those with disabilities.

HCR76: A resolution memorializing Congress in defense of the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, affirming the right of states to nullify acts of Congress, executive orders, and judicial orders, and calling for the creation of a joint committee to communicate with other states about the limits of federal power.

HCR 76, my favorite bill of the session, died in the State Affairs Committee without receiving a public hearing.

Now for firearm related bills that I was actively opposing this legislative session:

HB760 / SB2345, HB736, HB1119, HB1507 and SB1893 are all noise regulation related bills that had the potential to significantly curtail firearms use in unincorporated areas of the state. All these bills failed.
HB1164 / SB651: An act relating to restrictions on the use of a stun gun; providing certain criminal penalties and defenses to prosecution. These bills would require an individual to obtain a license similar to a CHL in order to carry or use a stun gun. SB94 is a similar bill that would criminalize having a stun gun in your own home with out a license. These bills also failed.

There were several pieces of CHL and Firearm related legislation that made it through the legislature that I was neutral on but are very important. I will cover this legislation in it's own post soon.

Oh, one last thing. Hunters will be happy to know that PETA sponsored bill HB 1395 also died in committee.

That is it in a nut shell. Some minor victories and a couple pretty significant defeats. We did move ahead during this session and suffered no setbacks. The fact that we did not move as far ahead as we had hoped is disappointing, but not totally unexpected.

We lost ground in the last election cycle. Losing elections has consequences

Honeyville Food Products...

2009-06-05T08:26:00.002-05:00

...is a favored supplier for the Casa JR "rainy day" preparation effort. When I have mentioned Honeyville in the past, I stated that:

Honeyville is a great resource for folks who like to put a little something away for a rainy day. Their food storage products include a wide variety of foods that would fit very well in any food storage program. The powdered eggs and instant milk substitute are definitely worth a look. They also have high quality freeze dried fruits and vegetables to add a bit of flavor (and nutrition) to your menu if you have to dig into your food stores for any reason.

Honeyville's main focus has been grains and flour for the baking industry, so of course their selection of these items is going to be top notch.

In their recent sales flier, Honeyville announced a new product:

Greetings from all of us here at Honeyville Farms! It's time to stock up and prepare for the unexpected. We're releasing new products, from food staples to treats that will keep your family healthy and happy and give you the peace of mind you need in any economic climate. For a limited time we're offering 10% off of your ENTIRE ORDER. From Thursday, June 4th, 2009 thru Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 we're offering 10% off of everything in your cart (except for our already low flat-rate shipping cost of $4.49). Just order as usual and enter the coupon code PREPARE09 during checkout. The coupon code field is on the second page of the checkout process. Enter the PREPARE09 code, click the APPLY button to the right and the savings will automatically be calculated for you. This is a great time to stock up and save on our most popular staples like Powdered Eggs, Milk Substitute, and the all new Hard White Wheat in the #10 cans.

Visit us at http://store.honeyvillegrain.com. ACT NOW as this discount will end promptly on Tuesday June 9, 2009 at 6:00PM PST. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to place an order over the phone call us, toll-free, at (888) 810-3212. We're happy to help.

Also new this summer are canned Black Beans, Freeze Dried Blackberries, Hard Red Wheat in a #10 can, and much more.

The #10 cans of wheat is an expensive, but convenient way to store whole wheat. The #10 cans contain 5 lbs of whole wheat and, by the pound, are twice as expensive as purchasing the bulk 50# bags from Honeyville. However, the cans are packed with an oxygen absorber and have a reported shelf life of 10 to 15 years. I believe this shelf life can be easily doubled to 30+ years if stored properly. From the Provident Living website:

Longer-Term Storage—30 Years or More

Properly packaged, low-moisture foods stored at room temperature or cooler (75°F/24°C or lower) remain nutritious and edible much longer than previously thought according to findings of recent scientific studies. Estimated shelf life for many products has increased to 30 years or more (see chart for new estimates of shelf life). Previous estimates of longevity were based on "best-if-used-by" recommendations and experience. Though not studied, sugar, salt, baking soda (essential for soaking beans), and vitamin C in tablet form also store well long-term. Some basic foods do need more frequent rotation, such as vegetable oil every 1 to 2 years.

While there is a decline in nutritional quality and taste over time, depending on the original quality of food and how it was processed, packaged, and stored, the studies show that even after being stored long-term, the food will help sustain life in an emergency.

For tips on how to best preserve longer-term food storage products, see Longer-Term Supply.

Many of the canned freeze dried and low moisture products from Honeyville, if properly stored, will last decades and can basically be considered a one time purchase.

How much food should you store? This Food Storage Calculator can help with that answer.

Purchasing grains and legumes in bulk and packaging them yourself (.pdf) is a much more cost effective way to set up long term food stores, but these #10 cans of beans and wheat from Honeyville are a convenient way to get started or add something different to your current stores inventory.

For me, the freeze dried fruits and vegetables offered by Honeyville are a worthwhile addition to any long term food storage program.

If you decide to purchase anything from Honeyville, remember to enter the code "PREPARE09" at checkout to receive 10% off your entire purchase.

One last thing. I am not affiliated with Honeyville Food Products in any way. I just like their products and their flat rate $4.49 shipping fee.

What the Heck...

2009-06-04T20:41:00.003-05:00

...is going on with the Detroit Red Wings tonight? It only took six minutes to turn a 2-1 lead into a 4-2 deficit.

They need to get out of the second period, quick.

Update: Final score 4-2 Pittsburgh.

For those of you who are not following the Stanley Cup Final, the series is tied 2/2. Next game is in Detroit, the day after tomorrow. Saturday night's game will be the fifth in eight nights.

Hockey players are tough.

The Texas Legislative Session...

2009-06-02T17:42:00.002-05:00

...ended yesterday. The good news is that it will be near a couple of years before we have to get busy contacting our Texas Legislators on specific firearms related bills. The bad news is that both Campus Carry and Employer Parking Lot legislation did not get passed this session.

Some time in the next few days I will compile a quick review of how all the firearms related legislation that I either supported or opposed did this session. We did make progress and suffered no setbacks. Some laws relating to Concealed Handgun Licenses have been changed so there is important information to be posted.

I just want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row before posting.

Another Nail

2009-06-02T13:55:00.000-05:00

The Bastards!

Quote of the Day

2009-06-01T18:10:00.002-05:00

From The American Thinker

The federal government and their junior partners, the United Auto Workers, will be like the two dogs that chased the garbage truck every day. One day the truck stopped and the dogs caught it. Now what do they do?

Taken from an interesting article on "Chrysler, GM, and the Law of Unintended Consequences" by Lee Cary

Medifast Diet - Week 1

2009-06-01T11:10:00.000-05:00

Yes I know a full week has not passed yet, but 6 days is close enough for this first progress report. Besides, I want Monday to be my "official" weigh in day each week.

So how did it go?

It went well. Yes there were times when I was hungry, but no serious cravings and nothing that could not be dealt with fairly easily. The Medifast Meals are not great, but I am not on the program for the good food. I'm here to lose weight. Besides, the one portion controlled meal each day is normal food and can be made a high quality meal.

A quick recap of the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan:

On the plan you eat 6 times a day, once every 2 to 3 hours. Five of the meals are Medifast Meals, and one is a "Lean and Green" meal that consists of 5 - 7 oz of lean meat plus 3 salad and/or vegetable servings. You can use up to three different condiment portions when preparing this meal so it can be quite tasty. Basically it is just smaller portions of dinners that I already cooked without the bread and wine.

Oh, and the meal plan is between 800 and 1000 calories per day, averaging right at 900.

Other than a bit of hunger, side effects have been minimal. Saturday while playing with the grand kids in a friend's pool, I had a couple of leg cramps and yesterday I got light headed for awhile while playing with my granddaughter.

During this first six days on the plan, I have lost 8.5 pounds and 1.5 inches off of my belt line.

An encouraging start.

If you are interested in keeping track of my weight loss, I have placed one of those cutesie weight loos tickers at the bottom of the page.

A Couple Finance Related Links...

2009-05-31T08:48:00.002-05:00

...that I think are worth your while.

The first is from The Whited Sepulchre, a North Texas Libertarian who really does have his head on straight. His post?

2 charts, 300 Million Chumps, No Change, and a Challenge

Next, from 2A Musing, we have some Friday financial fun. If you are a casual stock trader, this is an important read.

If you have any money in the markets, or any interest in the future of our economy, give them both a read.

On an unrelated topic. If you are one of the folks who read "A Keyboard and a .45", and have the forethought to put away a thing or two for "Justin", you may just find 10 Things I Wish I Had Known About Food Storage 10 Years Ago interesting.

H/T to Total Survivalist Libertarian Rantfest for that last link.

Pharmacist Who Shot Man Robbing Store Charged With Murder

2009-05-28T17:49:00.005-05:00

That is not a headline you expect to see coming from an incident where a goblin meets his just deserts in Oklahoma. Unlike states along the coastline, Oklahoma has it together when it comes to folks defending themselves. There must be more to the story:

From Fox News:

Pharmacist Who Shot Man Robbing Store Charged With Murder

OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma City pharmacist who shot and killed a 16-year-old would-be robber was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder.

Jerome Ersland, 57, was being held without bail in the Oklahoma County Jail.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said in an afternoon news conference that Ersland was justified in shooting Antwun Parker once in the head on May 19. But Prater said Ersland went too far when he shot Parker five more times in the abdomen while Parker lay unconscious on the floor.

That does sound like a bit much, but First Degree Murder? There has to be more.

At an afternoon news conference, Prater showed a security video in which two men burst into the pharmacy and one is shot.

Ersland is seen chasing the second man outside before returning, walking past Parker to get a second gun then going back to Parker and opening fire...

...Jacobson said the suspect who ran away from the pharmacy was armed, but no gun was found near Parker.

"Ersland shows no concern for his safety as he walks by Parker, and turns his back to Parker as he walks behind the pharmacy counter," Jacobson said. "Ersland is then seen to put the pistol he is carrying on the counter, and retrieve a second pistol from a drawer."

Ersland used this pistol to shoot Parker on the ground, the detective said.

This is how self defense turns into first degree murder. If this account is accurate, and it should be seeing as how they have it on video, then the pharmacist did step way over the line and the charges are warranted.

Update: Motor-T, in the comments, provided the link to the video.

Update #2: Guess I should read my blog list more often. Firehand commented on this yesterday with Unless the prosecutor has some evidence to prove the pharmacist lying,

Latest update: Xavier has more with Robbery Victim Charged with Murder

Medifast Diet - Day 1

2009-05-26T20:24:00.005-05:00

The first day of my Medifast Diet is rapidly coming to a close.

The diet started with a 0630 weigh in at work. I was not quite as heavy as I thought. I was thinking I was 280, and the scale showed me at 273 pounds. That's good news, 7 pounds less that I have to lose.

The basic description of the Medifast Plan from the website:

How Medifast works

Medifast Meals are individually portioned, calorie- and carbohydrate-controlled, and low-fat. Every Meal provides adequate protein, and is fortified with vitamins and minerals. The Medifast Program was developed by doctors and is clinically proven to be safe and effective for weight loss. The Medifast 5 & 1 Plan creates a fat-burning state in your body while keeping you feeling full, so you can lose weight quickly while preserving muscle tissue.

You eat (drink) a total of six meals a day, five Medifast meals and one regular meal. The six meals a day helps to keep down the hunger associated with being on a sub 1000 calorie per day diet.

Here is my Day 1 Meal Plan: (click for larger version that you can actually read)

So what do I think so far? The first day on Medifast is easier than the first day of quitting smoking cold turkey. The Medifast meals taste a bit better than expected and the variety in the Men's 4 week meal plan should keep things from getting boring. The networking and support site (My Medifast) has great tools to help you succeed. The daily meal planner in the image above is from the support site.

So, Day 1 is done. My goal weight is 83 lbs away, this program is going to help me meet that goal.

Texas Campus Carry and Parking Lot Bills Update

2009-05-26T17:29:00.002-05:00

The deadline for getting a bill to the Texas House floor is midnight tonight. SB 730, a bill "Relating to an employee's transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee's employer" (AKA the Employer Parking Lots Bill) is on page 34 of the 38 page Supplemental House Calendar scheduled for today. Seeing as how on routine legislative days, the House can get through 3 or 4 pages of the Calendar in a day, we can pretty much consider SB 730 to be dead in the water. This bill is going to be left pending on the Calendar, just as last sessions Parking Lot Bill was.

If you are looking for SB1164, a "Bill relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education", it is not there. SB1164 never even made it to a calendar.

The Democrats have done a fine job of putting a strangle hold on House business in an attempt to keep SB362, a bill "Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification" off the house floor. This bit of political chicanery has hammered the final nail into the coffin built for our gun bills, but the coffin itself was built around these bills by a couple high ranking Republicans.

If these bills had not been held up in committee, they could have been a done deal weeks ago.

I think it would be a great move if Governor Perry called back to back Special Legislative Sessions for each and every bill left on any House Calendar. There are major bills from both sides of the isle that will not make it to the House floor by midnight tonight. Making sure that all bills left on the Calendar are allowed their time for debate would not be seen as a partisan maneuver, but as a life lesson for our legislators. Maybe a lesson that will keep tactics like this from happening in future legislative sessions.

"On Eternal Patrol"

2009-05-25T08:53:00.002-05:00

Submariners Prayer

Lord God, our power evermore,
Whose arms doth reach the ocean floor,

Dive with our men beneath the sea;
Traverse the depths protectively.

O' hear us when we pray, and keep
Them safe from peril in the deep.

There are no roses on a Sailor's grave,
No lilies on an ocean wave.

The only tribute are the seagulls' sweeps,
And the teardrops that a sweetheart weeps.

My service in the Navy was on, in, and around Submarines. So forgive me if I take a moment this Memorial day to honor my Submariner Brothers who sacrificed their lives in Submarine Warfare.

"We, who survived World War II and are privileged to rejoin our loved ones at home, salute those gallant officers and men of our submarines who lost their lives in that long struggle. We shall never forget that it was our submarines that held the line against the enemy while our fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds.

Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN

Thank you to all of you who serve or have served in all branches of our military. Your sacrifice, and the sacrifice of those who have gone before, has secured our liberty and V and I thank you for all you have done.

Slowly Goes the House

2009-05-23T13:38:00.004-05:00

The Texas House is slowly, very slowly, taking care of business. Texas Democrats are using every means possible to prevent the Voter ID bill from reaching the House floor. Each and every order of business in the House is being dragged out as long as possible. This delay tactic using the rules to eat up time is called "chubbing".

The bill the Democrats are working against is SB362, a bill "Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification." To me, requiring a picture identification to vote is a no brainer. I guess the Dems disagree.

This move places our gun bills in further jeopardy of not making it to the House Floor. SB1164 made it out of the Public Safety Committee last night and is now in Calendars. SB730 was the first item on the general calendar for today, but left over business from yesterday has placed it on Page 23 of 27 pages of bills to be considered in the House. Not looking good for the home team.

SB 1164 does still have a chance if we can get it placed on the Major Calendar for Tuesday. Midnight Tuesday is the deadline for House consideration of Senate bills.

A Song to..

2009-05-22T21:20:00.000-05:00

...open this Memorial Day Weekend.

Sometime in between the barbecues, the events, and the get togethers with family and friends, take a few moments to remember those who gave their all so that we could enjoy the blessings of being Americans.

While you are at it, thank a Veteran. Thank the men and women who did serve, who put their lives on the line, and who are still with us today to stand in for those who are not.

Growing up

2009-05-22T17:57:00.002-05:00

Exodus over at 2A Musing has some thoughts on the concept.

Growing up

A short, worthwhile read.

SB 730, The Employer Parking Lot Bill...

2009-05-22T08:49:00.003-05:00

...has been placed on the House General Calendar for consideration tomorrow.

Having a bill placed on the General Calendar this late in the session is pretty much a death blow to that bill. SB 730 is right there next to SB 204, a bill "Relating to a prohibition of foods containing trans fat."

This is potentially the same fate that awaits SB 1164 (Campus Carry) when it gets to Calendars. I will let you know when it is time to put pressure on the Calendars Committee concerning SB 1164.

For now, here is this morning's fax to Rep. Brian McCall:

J R
xxxx Xxxxxxx
Arlington, TX xxxxx
May 22, 2009

Representative Brian McCall
Chair, House Committee on Calendars

I am writing today concerning SB 730, a bill relating to an employee's transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee's employer. This bill is commonly referred to as the "Employer Parking Lot Bill". This morning SB 730 has been placed on the House General Calendar after being stalled in Calendars for over two weeks. This is unacceptable, especially for a bill that passed the Texas Senate with a unanimous vote.

SB 730 should have been placed on the House Major Calendar where it would have had a chance for open debate and a vote on the House floor.

Placing SB 730 on the General Calendar is a procedural trick designed to kill this important bill, again, a bill that passed the Texas Senate with a unanimous vote.

It is a shame that a bill with so much bi-partisan support in the Texas Legislature can be killed by one small committee. It is a larger shame that a Republican Chair of a House Committee would go to such lengths to suppress legislation that is specifically supported in the Texas Republican Party Platform.

During this last election cycle I was a Volunteer Voter Registrar, a Senate District 10 Delegate and an Alternate Delegate to the Republican State Convention. I worked with the Texas Victory PAC and was a campaign volunteer who spent a few weekends walking North Texas neighborhoods, knocking on doors to get out the Republican vote.

To say that I am disappointed with the way SB 730 has been handled by the House Republican leadership would be an understatement.

Let us hope that SB 1164, when it reaches Calendars, receives the attention that it deserves and is fast tracked to a debate on the House floor.

Sincerely,

J R

xxx.xxx.xxxx

Now to send something to the Texas Speaker of the House.

The Texas Legislative Session is...

2009-05-21T18:39:00.002-05:00

...almost over. The good news is that you will only be called upon to make a few more phone calls and send out just a couple more faxes to the Texas Legislature then we will be done for a couple years. The bad news is that there is not much time to get our bills voted on in the Texas House.

Right now we need to work on getting SB730 (the parking lots bill) out of the Calendars Committee and placed on the House Major Calendar. It is too late in the session for a bill placed on the House General Calendar to reach the floor for debate, so it is very important that SB730 be placed on the House Major Calendar.

SB730 has been in the Calendar Committee for over two weeks. This is unacceptable. Other bills are passing through the committee in 2 to 3 days, and this bill which passed the Texas Senate with a unanimous vote is being held up.

SB730, a bill "Relating to an employee's transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee's employer", passed the Senate with a vote of 31-0. The entire Texas Senate voted in favor of this bill, and it sits in a house committee.

Representative Brian McCall is the Republican Chair of the Calendars Committee. Rep. McCall, and all the other members of the committee, need to hear from us right away. Tonight send them faxes and emails, tomorrow give them a call.

Representative Brian McCall - Chair

(512) 463-0594
(512) 463-5896 Fax

Representative Eddie Lucio III - Vice Chair

512) 463-0606
(512) 463-0660 Fax

Representative Norma Chavez

(512) 463-0622
(512) 478-6755 (Fax)

Representative Garnet Coleman

(512) 463-0524
(512) 463-1260 Fax

Representative Byron Cook

(512) 463-0730
(512) 463-2506 Fax

Representative Brandon Creighton

(512) 463-0726
(512) 463-8428 Fax

Representative Charlie Geren

(512) 463-0610
(512) 463-8310 Fax

Representative Jim Keffer

(512) 463-0656
(512) 478-8805 Fax

Representative Lois W. Kolkhorst

(512) 463-0600
(512) 463-5240 Fax

Representative Edmund Kuempel

(512) 463-0602
(512) 480-0391 Fax

Representative Jim McReynolds

(512) 463-0490
(512) 463-9059 Fax
(877) 796-0581

Representative Allan Ritter

(512) 463-0706
(512) 463-1861 Fax

Representative Burt Solomons

(512) 463-0478
(512) 463-2089 Fax

If you have any energy left, please contact the Speaker of the House, Rep. Joe Straus. His contact information: (512) 463-0686 or (512) 463-1000 if the first number rolls over into voice mail, and (512) 463-0675 Fax. We need to let the Republican leadership know that we expect Republican led committees to support legislation that is in accordance with the Texas Republican Party Platform.

If you do not have access to a fax service, email me and I may be able to help.

Diet Update

2009-05-21T18:19:00.003-05:00

The package from Medifast finally arrived, it was waiting at the front door when I got home this afternoon. Who'd a thunk 5 weeks worth of food could fit in a 17.5 x 9 x 16" box?

Since it is late in the week, and it is Memorial Day weekend coming up, I have decided to start the diet on Tuesday. V and I will be going to an FC Dallas soccer game, a barbecue, and a couple other events over the weekend. Probably best to get through all that temptation before getting started.

Breaking News!

2009-05-20T12:10:00.002-05:00

SB1164, a bill relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education, has passed the Texas Senate. The final vote was 19-12 for this bill.

This bill is off to the House. As mentioned previously, this bill's first stop will be in the Public Safety Committee. We should be able to move through this committee quickly and without further amendments.

Once through the Public Safety Committee, the bill goes to Calendars. The Chair of the Calendars Committee, Representative Brian McCall, pretty much killed the House version of this bill and is working to kill the Employer Parking Lot bill, another bill that has passed the Senate.

If this bill is to see debate on the House floor, we will need to focus our efforts on contacting the members of the Calendars Committee and the House leadership to let them know that we want to see this bill on the Calendar early enough that will receive a fair debate and a vote by the full House.

There was some more good news from the Texas Senate this morning. HB1020, a bill "relating to the use, exhibition, or possession of a firearm by public school students participating in certain school-sponsored programs and activities sponsored or supported by the Parks and Wildlife Department", passed the Senate and is on it's way to the Governor's desk to be signed into law.

I commented on HB1020 in a recent Texas Legislation Update. This bill opens the door to allow school sponsored shooting sports in our public schools. Both the author of this bill in the house, and the sponsor in the Senate, are Democrats. I would like to thank Texas State Representative Joe Deshotel for authoring this bill, and State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa for sponsoring this bill in the Senate.

One final note on HB1020. This House Bill passed without a companion Senate Bill being introduced. Just a little tidbit that I found interesting.

Yesterday's Texas Senate Vote on Campus Carry

2009-05-20T09:00:00.003-05:00

The Journal for yesterday's Texas Senate has been published, and you can read the proceedings that led up to SB1164 being passed to engrossment. Five amendments that would have gutted this bill were defeated, and one amendment that basically acknowledges current Texas law was adopted.

The votes for and against final engrossment were as follows:

CSSB 1164 as amended was passed to engrossment by the following vote: Yeas 20, Nays 10.

Yeas: Carona, Deuell, Eltife, Estes, Fraser, Harris, Hegar, Hinojosa, Huffman, Jackson, Lucio, Nelson, Nichols, Patrick, Seliger, Shapiro, Uresti, Wentworth, Whitmire, Williams.

Nays: Averitt, Davis, Duncan, Ellis, Gallegos, Shapleigh, Van de Putte, Watson,
West, Zaffirini.

Absent-excused: Ogden.

If your Senator is in the "Yeas" column, give them a call and thank them for their continued support of SB1164.

You may note that some TSRA A-rated Senators voted against SB1164. These Senators have major universities in their districts (Averitt - Baylor, Duncan - Texas Tech, Ogden - A&M, Watson - UT).

To achieve their "A" rating, I have to assume that they indicated that they would support Campus Carry Legislation when filling out the TSRA candidate survey during this last off session. I do not know this for a fact, but I do believe that support for this legislation was necessary to receive the "A" rating.

If you live, work, or go to school in one of the Senate Districts represented by the "Nay" voting Senators, please give them a call and let them know that you are one of their constituents, that you support SB1164, and that you expect them to do the same.

One last note. Senator Gallegos helped bring this bill to the Senate floor. His was one of the votes necessary to get SB1164 to the Senate floor for debate. He is against the bill and voted against it's final passage, but he did understand the importance of allowing an open debate and vote on campus carry by the Texas Senate. If you call Senator Gallegos, please be sure to thank him for helping get the bill to the floor.

The third reading and final vote should happen today (if all goes well). The session starts at 11:00. After being at work for a couple of hours, I decided that I needed to take the rest of the day off to watch the proceedings and see how they go.

A Look Back at Blackwater Chow Hall Music

2009-05-19T18:36:00.004-05:00

I've been posting a lot of Texas legislative information of late, so for a quick break here is a video highlighting the music played at the Chow Hall at Blackwater USA. I know I've posted it before, but what the heck. Enjoy

Every meal, breakfast lunch and dinner, this song was playing. I'm sure if they served mid-rats, you could get your Slip Knot on then also.

To Paraphrase Mark Twain -

2009-05-19T18:02:00.002-05:00

Rumors of the Texas Campus Carry Legislation's demise have been greatly exaggerated.

Today the Senate surprised me by by taking SB1164 through it's second reading. Even better yet is that our Senators defeated several amendments to the bill that would have pretty much defeated it's purpose. The final vote at the end of the second reading was 20-10 for.

As the vote was 20-10, this bill should very well pass on the third reading and be sent on to the House. Hopefully the third reading and final vote will take place tomorrow.

Once SB1164 is passed by the Senate, we still have a very long row to hoe to get campus carry passed into law during this legislative session.

When SB1164 reaches the house, it's first stop will be in the Public Safety Committee. We should be able to move through this committee quickly and without further amendments.

Once through the Public Safety Committee, the bill goes to Calendars. The Chair of the Calendars Committee, Representative Brian McCall, pretty much killed the House version of this bill and is working to kill the Employer Parking Lot bill that has also passed the Senate.

If you are up for a couple of phone calls in the morning, please call Senator Uresti and Senator Lucio. Thank them for their support of SB1164 and encourage them to suspend the rules to allow the third reading of SB1164 tomorrow and also to vote for this bill (SB1164).

Senator Uresti 512.463.0119.

Senator Lucio 512.463.0127.

Once this bill makes it out of the House Public Safety Committee, it will be time to flood the entire Calendars Committee with emails, calls and faxes. We do have some good people on that committee, we need to make enough noise that their voices have a bit more strength than they do now.

Employer Parking Lot Bill Update

2009-05-19T12:15:00.004-05:00

It appears that Representative Brian McCall, Chairman of the House Calendars Committee, has tagged SB730 and will either not let it out of Calendars Committee, or set it so late on the calendar that it will not make it to the floor in time for debate and a vote.

Brian McCall is a Collin County Republican who needs to hear from us.

SB 730 passed the Senate with a unanimous vote of 31-0. The Texas Senate sent this bill to the House expecting it to be passed in short order, and this one individual is holding it up.

Please take a moment to contact the office of Brian McCall and firmly, and politely, let him know that we expect SB730 to make it to the House floor in time for a vote. It is to late for emails. Phone calls and faxes are the order of business unless email is your only avenue of communication.

(512) 463-0594

(512) 463-5896 Fax

After calling Rep. McCall's office, call the Calendars Committee at (512) 463-0758 with the same message.

Next on the list would be Speaker of the House Joe Straus. He is the ranking Republican and it should be in his interest to see to it that legislation that is in agreement with the Texas Republican Party Platform, and has the support of a majority of the House, make it to the House floor.

His contact information: (512) 463-0686 or (512) 463-1000 if the first number rolls over into voice mail, and (512) 463-0675 Fax

If you are a Texan gun owner, you need to step up and make these calls.

Thanks.

Gun rights bills fade in Legislature

2009-05-18T18:40:00.002-05:00

I do believe that Campus Carry legislation, for this Texas legislative session, is dead. There was an attempt to attach an amendment to a different piece of legislation that would have decriminalized the carrying of a concealed handgun by a CHL on the campus of public or private college or university. That attempt also failed on a "point of order".

This from Lubbock Online:

By Enrique Rangel

Gun rights bills fade in Legislature

AUSTIN - Texans with concealed-weapon licenses will have to wait at least two more years before they can carry their firearms on college campuses.

The same goes for people expecting a sales tax holiday for the purchase of guns, shotguns, rifles and ammunition the last weekend of August. And workers who were hoping they could take their firearms to work as long as they left them inside their car or truck can forget it.

Texas may be one of the Second Amendment-friendliest states in the Union, but in this session the Legislature has pretty much decided that even in the Lone Star State gun rights have limits.

That's because, barring an 11th-hour surprise, in the last two weeks left of the current session, for all practical purposes a series of bills that drew all kinds of attention, not to mention strong opposition, are dead.

"My bills are toast. They are dead," said Rep. Joe Driver, R-Garland, whose most controversial bill was the one that would have allowed Texans with concealed-weapon licenses to carry their firearms on college campuses. Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, filed an identical bill in the upper chamber but it has not gone to the Senate floor for a vote.

Driver, like Rep. David Swinford, R-Dumas, and other lawmakers who support gun rights, said such bills are dead because they never got out of committee or only passed in one chamber.

Had those bills gone to the House floor for a vote they would have passed, or at least the one that would have allowed people to carry firearms on college campuses, Driver said.

"I had 76 votes," which is the minimum needed to pass a bill, said Driver, who in 2007 was the House sponsor of the "castle doctrine" bill that passed overwhelmingly in both chambers and Gov. Rick Perry signed into law. The law, which does not mention firearms, allows Texans to use deadly force against would-be attackers whether at home, office or car...

The Employer Parking Lot Bill is not quite dead, yet. SB 730 has passed the Senate and still has time for a House vote.

Campus Carry on the other hand, is dead. Part of what we had going against us was the public perception of campus carry. Here is one of the comments to the Lubbock Online article:

I am a member of the NRA and own several firearms. I wholeheartedly support laws that allow for concealed carry and home defense. However, I do have a serious concern about firearms on college campuses. Many students tend to abuse alcohol and get seriously inebriated. Alcohol tends to cloud one's inhibitions and common sense. Such students with guns in their rooms could be a very dangerous thing. I am glad this bill stalled.

If this individual really holds the beliefs stated, then this individual is really misinformed. A Texas CHL can only be had by an adult, 21 years of age or older. How many adults who are responsible enough to obtain a CHL live in a dorm? How many adults responsible enough to obtain a CHL spend their time abusing alcohol and becoming seriously inebriated? We have two years to change this public perception, because as was pointed out in the article:

...What's more, even if the bills are not revived in the last two weeks of the session, these issues will be back in the 2011 session, Burnam predicted.

Driver agreed, saying he will introduce the same bills again.

There is an election between now and the next legislative session, pro-rights candidates need our support in both the primaries and the general election.

Gunz in Mexico

2009-05-15T16:05:00.002-05:00

David shows what regular readers should already know, U.S. 'gun control' not the answer to Mexican crime.

Head on over and give this Gun Rights Examiner column a read.

My Shoot House Video

2009-05-15T14:40:00.007-05:00

This video is of my shoot house run at Blackwater during the Gun Blogger Weekend with Todd Jarrett last summer. I didn't do to bad. I neutralized all the targets and did not put any holes in the no-shoots. I blew my magazine changes. I had enough magazines on hand that I could have changed mags on the move between rooms but still shot my pistol dry every time. This weekend was one of the highlights of my year, and I have you folks who voted for me to thank for the opportunity.

So why haven't I posted this video earlier? Basically because I am a bit embarrassed by my weight. I have put on 90 pounds or so over the last 8 years, most of it since I stopped smoking.

How did I gain so much weight? Silly question. I ate to much and exercised to little. My main problem is my affinity for fast food during lunch and a good beer or two after work.

It is time for that all to change, I need to lose the weight.

This morning I joined the Medifast VIP Program and ordered my first month of Medifast meals. When the package arrives, I will get with the program and lose this weight. I've got 90 pounds to lose and I will be succeed.

Beer, especially the beer I like, is very detrimental to success in this program. So this is going to be a hedonistic foodie and beer weekend before I start on the program. I have a six pack of Oaked Arrogant Bastard, a bottle of the regular Arrogant Bastard Ale (which I am enjoying right now), and a bottle of Mephistopheles' Stout for the weekend. I most likely won't get through the six pack (so DW should come on over and have a beer sometime this weekend), but these are my favorites that are available locally so what the heck.

I do have a question for you guys. When I get started on the program, are you interested in keeping up with my progress? I don't want to turn this into a fat guys weight loss blog, but if you are interested, I can post a bi-weekly progress report or something along those lines.

Oh, hope you enjoyed the video. Todd Jarrett is a blast to hang out with. When I reach my goal weight I will talk with TJ over at Tiger Valley and see if I can get some video running through his shoot house to compare before and afters.

It is a Sad State...

2009-05-14T13:31:00.002-05:00

...of affairs when legislation is required to get certain cities to enforce United States immigration laws. One such piece of legislation that would attempt to do away with the "Sanctuary City" for illegal immigrants concept here in Texas has made it through committee and, as I understand it, is one vote short of reaching the Senate floor.

SB 358, a bill relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities, passed the Senate Transportation & Homeland Security committee with a vote of 5 to 4.

Enforcing our immigration laws, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants, does reduce violent and other crime. Illegal immigration is a major problem and doing away with "Sanctuary Cities" will go a long way towards removing the welcome mat for illegal immigrants.

Call your state Senator today and ask that they help get SB 358 to the Senate floor.

Two Sentence Beer Review - Lobotomy Bock

2009-05-13T20:16:00.004-05:00

I was excited to find the 10.5% ABV Doppelbock at a good price, but Lobotomy Bock was quite the disappointment. No head, no body, no character - micro brew fail.

Campus Carry Update

2009-05-12T18:29:00.002-05:00

The Texas House just called a dinner recess until 7:15. HB 1893, the House version of the bill, is on the Calendar to be heard by the House. The only problem is that the Calendars Committee placed it so far down the calendar that it is likely time will run out before the bill is addressed.

The Senate version of the bill, SB 1164, has passed the State Affairs Committee with a vote of 6 to 3. SB 1164 now needs the votes of 21 Senators to make it to the Senate floor. With the likelihood of HB 1893 being left on the calendar, the Senate Bill is our best chance to get this legislation passed. First, we need the 21 votes to get it to the floor, then we need a simple majority to get it passed the Senate.

So please contact your Senator and let them know that SB 1164 deserves a vote on the Senate floor and that you would appreciate their support for this important bill.

Urgent!

2009-05-12T15:20:00.002-05:00

The Senate version of the Texas Campus-Carry bill (SB1164) was voted favorably from the Senate State Affairs Committee. We now need 21 Senators to vote to get this bill to the Senate floor for debate and an up-or-down vote.

It is vitally important that you call your Senator and ask that they support SB 1164. Now that this bill has made it through committee, Senators who had backed us are turning against us. It appears that some politicians backed this bill when they thought it did not have a snowballs chance in Hades of getting to the floor. Now that we are being successful, they are turning against us.

I'm still at work so this is all I have time to post right now

Body Armor Poll

2009-05-11T18:30:00.002-05:00

Parade Magazine has posted a poll on body armor. The question is "Should sales of body armor be regulated?" The short article that accompanies the poll is titled "Why Criminals Are Buying Body Armor" and has a quote from one of our favorite anti's:

"There are no background checks, no federal regulations unless you are a violent offender—and even then you can buy them at gun shows or online," says Daniel Vice, senior attorney at the Brady Center To Prevent Gun Violence.

It seems the antis are anti... well... pretty much anything to do with self defense.

The current poll results indicate that 81% of Parade Magazine readers are for regulating sales of body armor.

If you find these results as silly as I do, head on over and hit that poll.

H/T to SailorCurt

DoubleTapper on Obama's Plan Concerning Israel

2009-05-11T17:53:00.003-05:00

What with the Obama Administration (OA) taking over automobile manufacturers, nationalizing much of our monetary system and merrily leading us down the Primrose Path towards Socialism, it has been easy to lose focus on how the OA has been treating our friends and allies.

Even before the election we understood that Barack Obama would not be much of a friend to Israel. DoubleTapper points out that the OA's stance towards Israel may go far beyond just giving them a cold shoulder in Obama's Plan to Destroy Israel.

Give it a read.

Update: While reading through my blog list I found that Rustmeister posted a complementary column that fits in quite well here - More Anti-Israel Shenanigans.

Fear Factor: White House Edition

2009-05-10T17:56:00.002-05:00

From The Foundry:

Fear Factor: White House Edition

“…I am indeed fearful writing this. It’s really a bad idea to speak out. Angering the President is a mistake…” What country would you expect to hear a citizen make this statement? Venezuela? Cuba? Russia? Nope, those are the words of prominent hedge fund manager Clifford Asness, who wrote a now-famous and widely circulated open letter this week describing the intimidation techniques used by President Obama and his administration.

Why did the President have to resort to such enhanced techniques of intimidation? Mainly because he was asking financial lenders to engage in the same unscrupulous acts his administration has been engaging in since January...

Head on over and read the whole thing. I wonder how long it will be before Hedge Fund Managers join us on the Obama Terrorist Watch List?

H/T to Kiana Kwon

What's a Blogger to do...

2009-05-10T15:02:00.003-05:00

...for his Mom on Mother's Day?

Why give her a free blog ad of course.

Visit my Mom and Dad for all of your Southern California real estate needs. They are true professionals who know the market and will do you good.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Peter Notes That...

2009-05-10T08:24:00.000-05:00

...The lunatics have taken over the asylum - again!

The Fifty Caliber Institute...

2009-05-09T17:37:00.003-05:00

...has announced the rifle up for grabs in their latest drawing.

The winner of this drawing will receive an EDM Arms Model 96 Bolt Action .50 caliber rifle along with a hard case to carry it in.

Click for a full size image

This rifle would be a nice addition to any collection, and the proceeds go to a great cause in supporting our right to keep and bear arms. While on the FCI site, go ahead and sign up for their email alerts. These alerts are few and far between, they do not abuse your email address.

Texas Campus Carry is Moving Forward

2009-05-09T13:50:00.002-05:00

HB 1893, our Texas Campus Carry bill, has been set on the General Calendar. This means that the House will have an open debate and a vote on HB 1893 next week. Texas Legislature Online indicates that this could happen as early as Monday.

Now is the time for you to contact your Rep (again) and ask them to support HB 1893 and oppose any amendments not considered favorable by the bill's author Rep. Driver.

In an email from Tara Reilly (our NRA lobbyist for Texas):

Dear Campus Carry Supporter:

On Friday, the House Calendars Committee took an important step and set HB 1893, landmark pro-Second Amendment legislation, for a vote next week by the full House.

House Bill 1893 by State Representative Joe Driver (R-Garland) would allow Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves on the campuses of public colleges and universities. Campus settings are not "crime-free" zones. Adult students, faculty, staff and visitors who are 21 or older, who pass an extensive state and federal criminal records check, and who complete a rigorous handgun training course, should not be denied their right to self-defense simply because they study, live, work on or visit a college or university campus. CHLs have been lawfully carrying handguns for protection virtually everywhere in Texas for more than a dozen years, and there is no statistical data or evidence that they would suddenly transform into irresponsible criminals if legally allowed to enter a college or university setting.

This important self-defense reform needs to pass this year, before the anti-gun extremists in Washington gain momentum that filters down to the state level. Please call and email your State Representatives and urge them to SUPPORT HB 1893 on the House floor and to OPPOSE any amendments not supported by the bill sponsor.

It is important to take a moment or two and check here to see if your rep is a sponsor/author of this bill. If they are, please be sure to thank them for their support in your communications. I think it is also important to add a fax to your communication efforts. Faxes and emails over the weekend, followed up with calls on Monday morning will be the most effective way of expressing your support for this bill.

On the Senate side of things, SB 1164 is still pending in the State Affairs Committee. A quick note to these committee members would also be helpful to getting this important legislation passed and signed in to law.

The Latest Evil Black Accessory for Your...

2009-05-09T13:12:00.004-05:00

...Evil Black Rifle.

A crossbow that mounts on your AR-15 lower.

From the Precision Shooting Equipment website:

Precision-built performance, ground breaking engineering, and a revolutionary concept... Introducing the new TAC 15™ Crossbow by PSE. Forget everything you thought you knew about crossbows, the TAC 15™ sets new standards for accuracy, performance and shootability.

A marvel of innovation and engineering, only PSE could bring you the new TAC 15™. Designed to fit on any AR-15 lower receiver, the TAC 15™ is packed with innovative features that will have to be experienced to be believed. It all starts by incorporating the incredibly strong X Tech™ limbs into an extremely compact platform. The ultra-high performance twin-cam design shoots an amazing 412 fps and is capable of unprecedented accuracy. Plus, the TAC 15™ converts any AR-15 quickly and easily from a gun to a crossbow!

It's awful pricey, but way tacti-cool. Check out the video here.

H/T to Tactical-Life.com

An Informal...

2009-05-08T17:41:00.000-05:00

...music poll here.

A Couple Saterdays ago was...

2009-05-08T17:28:00.001-05:00

...V's birthday and we went out to dinner at a restaurant in Victory Park. Victory Park is the development that has been built up in the area leading up to the American Airlines Center. Initially the developers attempted to make this an extremely upscale neighborhood. That concept failed and now there are new developers looking for tenants that are upscale, but not ridiculously so.

The restaurant we had dinner at was the Medina Oven and Bar. If you are at all interested in Moroccan Cuisine, or just a nice place to try something different, Medina would be a great choice for you. The atmosphere is comfortable and friendly. Sam, the co-owner and manager, greets all the guests and insures that your meal is exceptional. All of the food was cooked to perfection and the Za’atar Grilled Lamb Chops were excellent.

Celebrating V's birthday with family is reason enough to make the evening memorable, but on this night we saw something that you don't see every day, something quite different.

Following dinner we decided to walk around and see the night sights of Victory Park. Outside of the main entrance of the "W" was parked one of these:

Seeing a Bentley in Dallas is not usually reason to comment, but this Continental Flying Spur was just sitting there with it's engine running and the driver's door open. The closest people to the car, other than us, were two police officers standing about 15 yards from the vehicle, but I could have grabbed that car if I were so inclined. Who leaves a car that is worth twice the value of my house unattended and idling on the sidewalk?

4H Shooters in the News

2009-05-07T18:19:00.002-05:00

The 4H shooting sports program is a great vehicle for introducing kids to firearm safety and the shooting sports. Daughter #3 was involved with the 4H and competed with everything from air rifles to .50 caliber black powder rifles. In pistol classes she shot .22's and Bullseye with a Kimber Match Grade .45.

It always pleases me to see the 4H shooting sports in the news.

From the San Saba News & Star:

By Sara Hedley

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza

And now, the results you all have been waiting for! Drum roll, please.

San Saba County 4-H Shooting Sports Team’s scores in the Texas 4-H Extravaganza! The biggest annual Texas 4-H Shooting Sports competitions are held every year at the 4-H center in Texas. Teams from every county in the state visit for a weekend to participate in this extraordinary event. This year’s event was held Saturday, April 18th. Entering from our county was the Shooting Sports team’s finest: Wyatt Deans, Seth Bishop, Caelob Hardman, Ron Gerhart, Sara Hedley, Melanie Hedley, Brendon McDuffee, and Anthony Montalbo...

Good job guys, hope you make it to the State Games this Summer.

Need Ideas...

2009-05-05T20:20:00.002-05:00

...for your fax to the House Committee on Calendars?

Here is what I have sent the Republicans on the committee. The Dems got a slight modification.

Representative Brian McCall
Chair, House Committee on Calendars

Dear Representative McCall:

I am writing you today concerning two bills that are in the House Committee on Calendars. HB 1893, a bill relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education, and SB 730, a bill relating to an employee’s transportation and storage of certain firearms or ammunition while on certain property owned or controlled by the employee’s employer.

Both of these bills deserve an open debate and an up or down vote on the House Floor. They are very important pieces of legislation that should not be left to languish in Calendars.

As you know, SB 730 has already passed the Texas Senate. As the Senate has debated on, and voted for SB 730, the House should have that opportunity.

HB 1893 is authored and coauthored by 76 members of the Texas House. 76 of our representatives want to see this bill debated on the house floor. Calendars should not prevent this public debate followed by an up or down vote by the full House.
Your Republican constituents (along with many Democrats) want you to see these bills debated in the House. Campus Carry and Employer Parking Lot bills are so important that mention of these issues is made in the Texas Republican Party Platform:

“...We believe the Legislature should enact legislation: allowing: Concealed Handgun License holders to carry concealed weapons on publicly owned institutions of learning; and, preventing employers from prohibiting Concealed Handgun License holders from storing their concealed handgun in their vehicle while on a company parking area, and removing civil liability from property owners who do not prevent Concealed Handgun License holders from carrying on their premises."

Please send HB 1893 and SB 730 to the House.

Sincerely,

JR

As you can see, I'm not the best of letter writers. It is not the eloquence that matters, it is the letter.

Campus Carry Video

2009-05-05T18:16:00.002-05:00

PSA in Support of Campus Protection Act (Texas).

H/T to Say Uncle

Say Uncle also has College students and guns, head on over and give it a read.

A Great Cover

2009-05-04T20:45:00.004-05:00

I really liked this song when the Clash did it. The Nouvelle Vague version is several magnitudes of greatness better.

H/T To Which I Replied

Update: America's Last Stand called my preference for the Nouvelle Vague cover "Blasphemy".

I don't think so. Here is the Clash version:

So I'll leave it to you, my loyal readers. Which version do you like best?

It is Rapidly Approaching Crunch Time...

2009-05-04T18:49:00.002-05:00

...in the Texas Legislature.

May 11th is the drop dead date for legislation left in committee. If legislation does not make it on the schedule for debate on the Texas House or Senate floor by then, it is dead.

Two important firearm related bills are still in committee, Campus Carry by CHL's and the Employer Parking Lot Bill.

The bills relating to Campus Carry are hung up in committee. On the House side, HB 1893 is in Calendars. On the Senate side, SB 1164 is stuck in the State Affairs Committee. It is a shame that the State of Texas makes a student or a parent who has jumped through all the hoops to obtain a CHL decide between being a law abiding citizen or being a criminal for having the most efficient tool available on hand to defend themselves and those around them.

If you feel that passing a Campus Carry bill is important, contact the members of the Calendars Committee for HB 1893 and the members of the State Affairs Committee for SP 1164, and ask them to send these bills to the full House or Senate for an open debate and a vote.

If you only have time to contact two people, then contact the Chairs of these committees.

The Employer Parking Lot Bill has passed a Senate vote and is now sitting in the House Calendars Committee. This bill will pass and become law if it makes it to the House floor. Please contact the members of the Calendars Committee and ask them to send SB 730 to the floor for open debate and a vote of the full House.

Time is running out. It is time to act. If you want to see individual liberty acknowledged in Texas, make the calls and send the faxes. These issues can be resolved by a groundswell of activity by the citizens of Texas.

Go ahead, give them a call.

We Received...

2009-05-04T17:29:00.002-05:00

...our "2009 Property Value Notice" from the Tarrant County Appraisal District over the weekend. When I saw that letter in the mail, I was all set to get "irked" over Tarrant County increasing the value of the property so they can get more taxes out of us at the end of the year.

As it turns out, the county did the right thing and reduced our appraised value. As a matter of fact, the appraised value went down 3.9%. That is 3.9% less I have to pay for property taxes next year (time for the happy dance). Seeing as how our property taxes all add up to 2.55% of the appraised value of the house, that is a nice reduction.

On a side note, the appraised value is still more than what I paid for the house. Have I mentioned that I got a good deal on this house?

An Interesting Commentary...

2009-05-02T17:33:00.002-05:00

...on our public education system.

Dumbing Down

An important read.

H/T to To which I replied...

This Evening V...

2009-05-01T16:43:00.002-05:00

... and I are volunteering to help with the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event here in Arlington. Maybe a more accurate statement would be that V is volunteering, and I am going to hang out with my Sweetie.

What is Relay For Life?

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people to:

Celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer. The strength of survivors inspires others to continue to fight.

Remember loved ones lost to the disease. At Relay, people who have walked alongside people battling cancer can grieve and find healing.

Fight Back. We Relay because we have been touched by cancer and desperately want to put an end to the disease

Our time slot for helping out is the ever popular 10:00PM to 6:00AM shift.

For Those who are Interested,

2009-05-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

...my thoughts on the Swine Flu Fear Pandemic.

Tarrant County has taken a very proactive stand against the Swine Flu breakout, some would say too proactive seeing as how there are only 5 confirmed cases and 21 probable cases of the Swine Flu in the county.

Right now all Fort Worth and Cleburne ISD schools are closed for at least a week. One of the larger charity fund raising events of the year has been canceled, and more closures and cancellations are being announced with every news break.

This reaction to the Swine Flu is interesting. From all accounts, the Swine Flu has the same symptoms and treatments as our routine Asian Flu that sweeps through the nation a time or two each year. This "routine" flu outbreak infects anywhere from 5 to 20% of the population and is responsible for an average of 36,000 deaths in America each year.

So we have a flu that acts and reacts pretty much the same as our normal flu outbreaks, and this flu has infected a very small number of people (a whopping 141 confirmed cases in the entire country as of this morning). Why all the hysteria?

Leaving politics and the media's penchant for "creating" crisis aside, I see two reasons for our local reaction to this flu outbreak.

First is the fact that there is no vaccine for this variant of the Swine Flu. A lack of a vaccine means that there are less barriers to the spread of the flu and that there is the possibility that more people will catch it. I could not find any hard facts about just how many adults get flu shots, but it appears that somewhere around a third of us are vaccinated each year. If the vaccine is targeted correctly, that is a significant barrier to the spread of the flu. It is quite possible that without a vaccinated population, this flu could spread and infect many more people than a 'normal' flu outbreak. Since this flu acts and reacts similar to the 'normal' flu outbreaks, more infections should result in more deaths. Slowing down the spread of the flu could save lives.

The second reason for our local reaction to this flu outbreak might well be an exercise to determine just how effective our preparations for an Avian Flu outbreak have been. The "Bird Flu" is still out there, and it is a very real potential viral disaster. Treating the Swine Flu as a serious threat and implementing the programs that have been put in place to combat the Avian Flu will highlight any deficiencies in those programs.

Yes, I think our local officials are over reacting to the Swine Flu. I also believe that this over reaction might be justified and will help the local .govs to better prepare for a more serious outbreak.

The Governor of Montana Affirms States Rights

2009-05-01T11:15:00.002-05:00

Armed and Safe is Giving credit where it's due: Montana's Governor Schweitzer does the right thing.

A similar bill, HB 1863, has been introduced here in Texas. HB 1863, a bill Relating to exempting the intrastate manufacture of a firearm, a firearm accessory, or ammunition from federal regulation was considered in a public hearing on the 27th and was left in committee. If you would like to see this bill advanced, you need to contact the members of the Public Safety Committee and ask them to release this bill to Calendars.

It will be very interesting to see how the Feds react to Montana's new law.

A Rebuttal to the Bob Ray Sanders Column

2009-04-29T17:32:00.002-05:00

In comments to my "We are Scaring the Columnist'" post, a reader mentioned that:

One of my co-workers sent a reply letter to the Startelegram. They posted most of it online. They deleted the 1st two paragraphs. The substance still remains though.

The Star Telegram published this letter under:

LETTERS: Reactions to Bob Ray Sanders' gun column

It is an excellent letter, and a good example for how to respond to anti gun editorials in the local paper. As the Star Telegram had shortened the letter for space, I offered to post the whole thing here.

The original letter:

I really don’t want to start a reply with something like “Bob Ray Sanders is the reason I don’t subscribe to the Star Telegram.” However, I can’t help myself. Nevertheless, occasionally someone will say “Did you read what BRS wrote in the FWST?” and I will go online and read it. So I did Sunday and I wanted to present another side to your editorial issue; not as a raving right-wing nut job (which unbeknownst to me, my son has become as a member of the US Army serving in Iraq), but as one who enjoys guns (but not an NRA member), is concerned about self-defense, a rational conservative, a Texan and one of “those people” who is a gun-totin’ advocate. However, I am rarely armed in public and can not imagine ever actually being forced to fire a gun in self-defense. I would respectfully submit, based on my informal surveys among friends and others, that I represent more than 80% of “those people” you reference in your editorial.

Mr. Sanders, you submit that the one thing working for the gun manufacturers is fear and that fright is paying off big-time for gun manufacturers in America. Thus, my initial angst in reading your article is that I think I agree with you as to the “fear” aspect, scary thought, but I think that word is toxic to the discussion and full of emotion. Frankly, it is inaccurate. Thus, I am left with a question to pose to you and a pretty fundamental, though respectful, disagreement.

The question is who, if anyone, is creating that “fear?” If, in fact, that is what is motivating these gun and ammo sales. You don’t really delve into that, or at least give the other side’s point, so I thought I would give it a shot. Further, is that “fear” being created, artificially as you may be inclined to think, by the gun manufacturers, by the NRA, Republicans, by the “right wing,” whoever that might be? If it is, then I will be the first to say that they should stop. “Fear-mongering,” no matter who is behind it, is wrong. Conversely, is this “fear” created by the Obama administration itself? You cite several reasons why this could be true and then go on to question the rationality of that fear. Will get there in a minute.

The fundamental disagreement I have is whether or not you give “these people” or “some folks” the right to apply for concealed gun permits, buy more ammo or even be fearful at all. The problem I have at the end of the day with your article is whether or not you intend to label as “crazy” or “nut jobs” or whatever those who sincerely and honestly feel warranted in getting a handgun or stocking up on ammo. I do appreciate the fact you don’t use those labels in your piece (other than the innocuous “Second Amendment gun-totin’ advocates”); in fact, you seldom do use labels. Kudos for that. However, I don’t think it is “fear” as we have come to use that word in a post-9/11 world and, thus, I don’t think “these people” are crazy, nut jobs or gun-totin’ hillbillies.

Let me address my question first. I guess I am a gun-totin’ advocate. I have a concealed carry permit, but rarely carry a gun on my person; mostly it is kept in a car or perhaps my wife’s purse (she is also licensed) if she is going to the mall at night alone. However, I am a staunch advocate of individual liberties, which I assume you are, including those found in the First and Second Amendments.

Yes, I am concerned that Obama will live up to his campaign promises of renewing the ban on assault-style weapons, or he may limit the ability to purchase handguns, or impose taxes on ammo, or “fingerprint” ammo with id numbers, etc. I have absolutely no doubt that his future judicial appointments will be unfavorably disposed to gun owners and that disturbs me because those justices historically are also not favorably disposed on other issues which I am concerned about, i.e., right to life, religious freedoms, etc. Remember, it was Obama, not me, not the NRA or other right-wingers that said people in Pennsylvania were “bitter” and retreated to their Bibles and their guns. Those were his words.

However, and here is my biggest problem of all - you suggest that my concerns rise to the level of “fear.” It not that I fear what Obama may do, I don’t trust him, I don’t agree with him, I don’t believe he shares my values. But I would strongly argue that it is not fear that is then the result of the foregoing opinions I have formed about him. It always seems that if there is a disagreement by the “left” with the “right,” that somehow the “right” is either afraid or creating fear. Al Gore’s famous tantrum, which was scary, contained the screech that “George Bush preyed on our fears!” Well, George Bush was acting out of concern for our country, whether you agreed with his methods or not, and I did not agree with all of them. However, our country was afraid as a consequence of 9/11, Afghanistan, Iraq, bombings in London and Spain. But that is not the “fear” to which the gun-totin’ advocates are responding in buying guns and ammo.

Quite simply, I have bought a couple of handguns in the last year and as much ammo as I can, not because I am afraid of Obama, but (a) both of the foregoing items are going to be in shorter and shorter supply (thanks to market forces and Obama) and (b) because of a rather widely held belief that socially and culturally we are headed for a collapse. Now that sounds like a “nut job” but let me explain. And I don’t lay the collapse at Obama’s feet, though I think he is more ambivalent towards the risk than say a John McCain, George Bush or other conservative leaders would be. But, given the increasing lean of our country towards a “nanny-state,” a mushrooming government, total failure in border control, the dramatic reduction in the stability and numbers of supportive, nurturing families, then there is a plausible reason to have concerns that the unthinkable could happen. Does that sound like “fear” to you? It doesn’t to me. Fear is an irrational response to threats created by factors beyond your control. Thus, I think many are responding in a rational fashion, i.e., be prepared, be cautious, be diligent and be smart. Are these “threats” that are beyond our control? Yes and no. I can “control” (don’t tell my kids or wife) my family, i.e., create barriers to harm, instill values, prepare them spiritually. Thus, I don’t fear the threats on my family. Their future and safety ultimately are in God’s hands. I can’t control what goes on across the street, across town, or across the country. But I don’t fear those things because I will do the best I can here, where I stand, and trust other forces and factors to deal with those things (and I will gladly pay taxes for those forces and factors). I will speak up and/or contribute, however, when necessary so that those people on those front lines will have the capacity to deal with those issues in those areas.

Now, assuming that for the sake of discussion we can use the words “concern” or “fear” or “anxiety” as the emotion sparking the sales in guns and ammo and the issuance of permits, who is creating that? Well, in reality the NRA and other gun advocate groups have for years sounded warnings about infringements on the Second Amendment rights of Americans. I don’t agree with all of their policies and “warnings,” but they are not saying anything different today than they have since Jimmy Carter. Thus, it seems there must be a new factor at play in this debate. It must be the “Obama” factor, that is, the creation of a “nanny-state” (pardon my label), his promised restriction of gun rights (to most campaign audiences, but not some ironically), his promise to further open our borders and/or liberalize immigration opportunities, the further stratification or classification of society through flawed tax policy and entitlements, and the mushrooming federal deficit. Not all his fault, admittedly, but it is his watch.

Thus, while I remain at odds with you over whether all of this gun activity is a result of “fear,” even assuming some kind of reactionary motivation for this phenomenon, it is your guy in the White House who has set this in motion, not the “advocates” or “them people.”

As to my fundamental disagreement – it concerns your take on this country’s “obsession” with guns or “this craziness” and the fact that, in your words, you “simply don’t get it.” My first response is that likewise, I simply don’t get hip-hop music. I’ve tried, often. But I don’t get it. But I don’t feel fear from those who are obsessed with it nor do I view them as crazy. It’s a taste matter. (Interestingly, studies have shown far more violence arises out of the mere culture of hip-hop and rap than out of the culture of gun-ownership, hunting, target shooting, etc.).

Similarly, I also don’t get your obsession with the First Amendment right of a free press. I value it, I intellectually know it has had an incredible impact on our country, positive and negative. But I don’t get it at the gut level, that raw emotional level, that you do and for obvious reasons. My First Amendment rights as to the press have never been threatened, or if they had, I didn’t know it. Some one else was dealing with this threat. I just don’t have my antenna up for freedom of the press issues. But I respect and even appreciate the fact that you are passionate about a free press. While I disagree with almost every editorial you right, I am glad not only that you have the right to write them, but that you will fight and perhaps die for the right to exercise them. I don’t get it, but I’m glad that you do. Likewise, I would respectfully suggest that while you don’t get the obsession many have with their Second Amendment rights, I would hope that you would be at least get the fact and appreciate it that someone does get it and is passionate. Otherwise, if the Second Amendment goes (or any other fundamental right), then they are all at risk.

As to your being scared because you hear of people arming for war against their own government. Come on, that’s crazy. The rhetoric from the Black Panthers, Louis Farrakhan, the Weathermen, the Klan, etc. is far more vitriolic and threatening than 99.9% of what you hear out of the gun-owners, even the NRA. We can be fearful of the foregoing list because they have all acted out on their threats. To lump all gun owners then together as potential anarchists or secessionists is not really logical.

You also state that “this has long been a country with too many guns.” Respectfully, on what do you base that statement? Because too many people run up their credit cards buying guns and ammo (i.e., like alcohol or lottery tickets)? Because too many people miss church because they are out shooting? Or is it because you connect gun ownership to the crime rate, because you, inaccurately I might add, suggest that because people are killed by guns that there are simply too many guns. Too many people die in car accidents, but no one suggests we should have fewer cars. Too many people die from airplane travel, cigarettes, skydiving, skiing, etc., but no one has ever suggested doing away with any of the foregoing. We can clearly agree that there are too many illegal gun sales, too many guns in the hands of irresponsible people, too many guns trading in the underground or whatever, but none of those reasons have to do with the ownership, manufacture or sheer number of guns themselves. It has to do with poor enforcement of existing laws and a cultural drift towards violence and crime.

Finally, you say you are afraid of “them.” “Them” evidently being those people who are afraid of the president, a change in gun laws or a government that is becoming more “socialist.” Well “them” is me. While I am not afraid of the president, I do see that restricting gun laws and a more socialist government is not good for our society. Just like you, I have not bought and would not buy a gun solely out of my response to those concerns. You say “buying a gun wouldn’t do anything to ease my fears” and I completely agree. Why? For two reasons: one, I don’t have “fear” as you use the word and second, it is not the gun ownership that eases the fears, its knowing that our rights, whether found in the First, Second or any other amendment are not be infringed upon. Now that is something we can be fearful of.

Now, if you want the Star Telegram to publish more pro-gun editorials similar to this one, head on over and offer up a comment supporting the author of this one.

TSRA Legislative Alert

2009-04-28T17:38:00.002-05:00

The most recent TSRA Legislative Alert is worth posting as written:

TSRA Members, Friends and Family

This session of the Texas Legislature is a critical one for gun owners and sportsmen! TSRA is working hard to pass landmark legislation protecting our right to self-defense.

Senate Bill 730 by State Senator Glenn Hegar & State Representative Stephen Frost would allow employees to transport and store lawfully-owned firearms secured in their locked, private motor vehicles while parked at work. Many employer policies - often handed down from headquarters located outside of Texas - prohibit the possession of firearms in employees' cars and trucks on company-owned parking areas. These bills would permit Concealed Handgun Licensees (CHLs) to protect themselves during their commutes and would enable sportsmen and competitive shooters to go straight to their hunting leases or shooting ranges from work.

House Bill 1893 by State Representative Joe Driver would allow Concealed Handgun Licensees to protect themselves on the campuses of public colleges and universities. Private postsecondary schools would have to affirmatively "opt-out" of the law, as private businesses are permitted to do.

These bills are under attack by powerful business interests and the anti-gun elite of higher education. They embrace corporate policies that render hard-working Texans defenseless on their drives to and from work. Or they theorize that law-abiding CHLs would suddenly transform into irresponsible criminals if legally allowed to enter a college or university setting. These measures need to pass this year, before the anti-gun extremists in Washington gain momentum that filters down to the state level.

Here's what YOU can do to help pass these important bills this session:

● Contact the members of the House Calendars Committee listed on the attached page and urge them to work to set SB 730 & HB 1893 for a vote by the full House of Representatives. This committee decides if and when the bills get to the House floor for consideration.

● Call and email your State Representative and urge him or her to SUPPORT SB 730 & HB 1893 on the House floor and to OPPOSE any amendments not supported by the sponsors of the bills.

Click to see list that will tell you whether your House member has signed on as a joint- or co-author. Be sure to thank them if they have and urge them to stay the course and pass this landmark pro-self defense legislation.

037
058

Texas House Calendars Committee Members
Texas State Senators
Texas State Representatives

Sincerely,

Alice Tripp
Texas State Rifle Association
Legislative Director

Quite a few bills died in Calendars during the last legislative session. These bills have to make it through Calendars in order to get an open debate on the House Floor.

Oh, and for those of you who have never met her, Alice Tripp is a Texas Treasure who is on the front lines defending our right to keep and bear arms every single day. We are blessed to have her dedication working for us.

Arlen Specter Changes Parties and...

2009-04-28T17:29:00.002-05:00

...the only measurable effect on the nation is the decrease in the use of the term "RINO".

We are Scaring the Columnist'

2009-04-27T17:30:00.002-05:00

A Star Telegram Columnist, Bob Ray Sandars, used his weekend column to talk about the increased sales in firearms and ammunition.

The title pretty much lets you know what direction he is headed with this column:

SANDERS: Why are Texans so afraid?

So who is it that is really afraid? Firearm owning Texans, or Bob Ray Sanders? After commenting on the increased sales, and spitting out a couple derogatory comments about gun owners in general, Bob Ray states:

...This news is disturbing to me, for I’ve never understood this country’s obsession with guns long after we supposedly conquered the great frontier.

This craziness to own not one gun but many, to have an arsenal instead of a single squirrel- or deer-hunting rifle, to store up years’ worth of ammunition, I simply don’t get.

I must admit this scares me, especially when I hear that some of these people are preparing for war against their own government just in case it gets out of control and someone even thinks about trying to take their guns.

The real scary part came when I checked with the Texas DPS and found there has been a huge spike in applications for licenses to carry a concealed handgun. This news is doubly upsetting when you think that there is a movement in the state to allow concealed weapons on college campuses.

I guess I could have titled this post "Fear and Loathing in Fort Worth Texas".

In trying to make his point, and get one more dig in at gun owners, Bob Ray posts some very encouraging statistics:

In 2008, a total of 104,938 applications were submitted for original and renewed licenses to carry concealed handguns, with the major spike coming after the November election. This year, just through March 13, there have been 31,741 requests for permits to carry, DPS records show.

More than 13,200 applications were received in January, compared with 7,720 in January 2008. And in the first 13 days of March, there were 5,923 requests for licenses.

Almost doubling the number of CHL applications year over year, that is great news.

After that one bright note, he is back to the fear and loathing talk. Maybe not fear, just loathing.

This has long been a country with too many guns, and this latest trend in sales and licenses to carry is disturbing indeed.

It is hard for me to believe that people are that afraid of this president, a possible change in gun laws or a government they argue is becoming more "socialist."

I’m certainly more afraid — of them.

I am fairly certain that Bob Ray does not fear CHL holders in any physical sense. He knows about the federal, state and local background checks all CHL holders have to pass prior to being issued a license. He is also aware of the lack of crime being perpetrated by CHL holders, as he would be the first to comment on it where it to be happening.

I think what Bob Ray might be afraid of is the fact that CHL holders make one heck of a voting block, and we are not going to be voting for the leftist candidates and programs that he supports.

As for the real reasons why more and more folks are getting CHL's and learning how to protect themselves, maybe Bob Ray should read the paper that he writes for. Our justice system is releasing just as many violent goblins as it incarcerates. Violent criminals are walking our streets. A free man or woman does what they can to protect themselves and those they love from violence. A firearm just happens to be the most efficient tool for that particular job.

Symbols

2009-04-25T16:26:00.001-05:00

Sebastian has...

2009-04-25T15:10:00.001-05:00

...a few thoughts on Lautenberg’s Gun Show Language that are worth your time.

Throwing Ink Against a Brick Wall (or not)

2009-04-24T17:58:00.003-05:00

I often ask those of you who read this blog to contact your representatives and ask them to support or oppose important legislation that has been introduced at either the state or federal level. Please rest assured that I am not asking you to do anything that I am not already doing myself. I have an online fax account (MyFax) that makes faxing personalized letters to my representatives relatively easy. On important issues, my rep's get an email, a phone call and a fax. On issues that are not as important to me, I just go with the email.

I mention all this just to let you know that I do understand that there are times when you feel like you are just throwing ink against a brick wall.

When I contacted Representative Diane Patrick concerning the Employer Parking Lot bill, this was her written response:

Dear Mr. JR:

As your state representative, I appreciate your taking the time to contact my office and voice your concern and support regarding HB 1301 related to an employee's transportation and storage of firearms while on property controlled by an employer.

I appreciate your input and the information you provided on this subject. I will continue to monitor this issue as session progresses. Please feel free to contact me or my office with additional questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Diane Patrick, Ph.D.
Arlington, Pantego, Dalworthington Gardens

Talking with her staffers on the phone was not much better. Don't get me wrong, she has a good team and they are pleasant to talk with, but if she is not going to get into details of how she is leaning on a bill, neither are they.

Here is her response to my communications on the Campus Carry Bill:

Dear Mr. JR,

As your state representative, I appreciate your taking the time to contact my office voicing your support for House Bill 1893, relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education. Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention, and I will continue to monitor this issue as session progresses. Please contact our office again in the future if we can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Diane Patrick

As you can see, same letter with the same lack of commitment.

These canned responses are no reason to get discouraged. I know for a fact that Dr. Patrick did change her mind on an important piece of legislation during the last session, and that it was our persistence that helped her to do so. So I am going to keep at it, as are quite a few folks from UTA, the TSRA and others who support these bills.

Not all representatives are as reticent to show their support or opposition to a bill.

In the post "Concealed Carry on College Campus - Texas House Bill Update", I mentioned that Representative Fred Brown from Bryan and College Station (District 14) and Representative Ismael 'Kino' Flores the Mission, Hidalgo and Pharr area (District 36) are no longer supporting campus carry. I asked anyone that were in their districts to contact them and urge them to support campus carry.

At least one of you did, with great results.

TXGunGeek contacted Representative Brown and after receiving a "canned" response, persisted until he had the opportunity to speak with Rep. Brown. You are going to have to go read "Texas Campus Carry Part DUEX" for the "rest of the story".

The Lautenberg Anti Gun Show Bill Text...

2009-04-24T13:06:00.003-05:00

...has finally been published.

Head on over and read S 843 for yourself. It is not a very large bill (yet), and reading it will only take a moment or two.

After reading it, ask yourself this: Just how many gun show promoters will be willing to jump through those hoops to put on a gun show? How many folks will be willing to stand in those lines to attend a gun show?

Legislation such as this has nothing to do with closing any mythical "Gun Show Loophole", and everything to do with closing gun shows, period.

Public Hearing on Licensed Concealed Carry on Texas College Campuses

2009-04-23T18:01:00.002-05:00

The Senate State Affairs Committee will be holding a public hearing on SB 1164, a bill relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education, this coming Monday (April 27).

SB 1164 is the Senate companion to House Bill 1893. If you have been following the campus carry legislation here in Texas, you know that HB 1893 has made it through the Public Safety Committee with a couple of modifications to the "as introduced" bill. HB 1893 is now in the Calendars Committee.

Back to the Senate Bill. It is important that we contact the Senators on the State Affairs Committee and ask them to support SB 1164. The anti's are working hard to defeat these bills, we have to work harder to see them through.

Committee Members are:

Senator Robert Duncan (Chair)

Senator Bob Deuell (Vice Chair)

Senator John Carona

Senator Rodney Ellis

Senator Troy Fraser

Senator Chris Harris

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr

Senator Leticia Van de Putte

Take a few moments, write up a basic fax supporting campus carry, and send it off to these Senators.

Here is the rough draft of what I am sending the Republican members of the committee:

Dear Senator Duncan:

I am writing you today to ask for your support of SB 1164, a bill “Relating to the carrying of concealed handguns on the campuses of institutions of higher education”.

The concept of “Gun Free School Zones” is a failure. It is time we put this experiment in futility aside and allowed the responsible adults who have obtained a Texas Concealed Handgun License the opportunity to efficiently and effectively defend themselves, even on college campuses. The invisible line that prohibits the responsible CHL holder from carrying a firearm on campus does nothing to deter those with an evil intent from doing so.

Your Republican constituents (along with many Democrats) want you to support this legislation. Passing a campus carry bill is so important that mention of it is made in the Texas Republican Party Platform:

“We believe the Legislature should enact legislation: allowing: Concealed Handgun License holders to carry concealed weapons on publicly owned institutions of learning…”

Please support SB 1164

Sincerely,

JR

Quick, simple and to the point.

Update on the Lautenberg Anti Gun Show Bill

2009-04-22T18:44:00.002-05:00

The text of the bill is not yet posted, but we do have a bill number to identify it. S. 843 is "A bill to establish background check procedures for gun shows."

S. 843 was introduced with 11 Cosponsors:

Sen Cardin, Benjamin L.

Sen Durbin, Richard

Sen Feinstein, Dianne

Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. (isn't this the same Kirsten Gillibrand everyone was sending money to because she was such a pro-gun Democrat?)

Sen Kennedy, Edward M.

Sen Kerry, John F.

Sen Levin, Carl

Sen Menendez, Robert

Sen Reed, Jack

Sen Schumer, Charles E.

Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon

This is going to be tough. For the past year or so the media has been spewing forth the lie that American Gun Shows are helping arm Mexican Drug Gangs. The Republican candidate for president in the last election won the Republican Primaries as an unrepentant supporter of legislation such as this. Well, not just a supporter, but an advocate who had introduced a similar bill not that very long ago.

More as I get it.