Junk Mail Solutions.

We all complain about the economy but what do we do to help it out?  I like to solve problems so here is one of my solutions. 
  I get lots of junk mail (like a lot of you I am sure) and I have read many ways stop it or slow it down but this is what's partially wrong with our economy, I mean business has it's hands full fighting all the regulations and taxes that 0bama lumps on them and so to drum up business they send out junk mail to advertise their products and services and what do we do?.....we throw it away, no wonder they are having such a hard time. 
Here is my solution, I take all my junk mail for the week and open it on the kitchen table and put it in little piles, they all have those postage paid return envelopes which is perfect. I survey all the different products I see before me and think...........
 I decide that AARP might like to have information on new window blinds for their office so I put all that information in their little 'postage paid' envelope. Maybe the AARP information I will forward to Progressive Insurance, I mean everyone likes to see what the competition is doing. I might send information on swimming pool products to Disney Vacations, they must have tons of pools so just think of the boom in business the pool company might get. I send the Disney Vacation information to the phone company (they need a break) and I send Burger King coupons to any elected officials (we need to save tax money somehow) anyway you see how it works, I then put all those postage paid envelopes back in my mail box the next day, stuffed with lots of good information for people who might need it. now here is the beautiful part, just look at all the ways you are helping the economy and environment.
1. Keep funding for the postal service, you see all those postage paid envelopes are money makers for the postal service. If they are thrown away the post office gets no money from them so by using them you help the post office stay solvent.
2. Help keep postal employees employed, this helps keep people working and off food stamps and welfare, how cool is that?
3, Help tree farmers sell more trees for paper, This is a huge boom for the tree farmers. They need to sell their products and it keeps loggers, truckers, fuel company's, tractor dealers, repair people, fertilizer manufacturing, pulp wood mills and a host of other business solvent and hiring people which also keeps them off food stamps as well.
4, Share info with those who need it and keep those business fluid by helping them make sales, If you cant use a service don't waste the information just forward it to someone who might need it, give a struggling company a boost.
5, Save landfill space, This one is for my 'green' friends. Just think of all the landfill space that will be saved by not throwing all the junk mail away.
6, Save money on trash bags, By doing this over the course of a year you save a lot of money on trash bags which is money in your pocket.
  I am sure there are other benefits I have not thought of  but you clearly see the good it can do, sure it is a little time consuming but what is wrong with us if we can't spare a little time to help our fellow citizens so do it for our country, do it for the children.
 Don't be a slacker, be a problem solver and do your part to help our economy. I promise you will sleep good at night knowing you have done so.

782 Gear

Gear can be arranged to suit you, or removed if needed.

A lot has been said about bug-out gear and different types of equipment, there is tons of new and expensive equipment to be had but in my opinion you don't have to spend a fortune to have the best.
Those of us who have served in the military and had combat training are familiar with 782  gear it is also called Deuce gear, Web gear and Battle rattle.
To the left you see the basic setup which includes web belt, canteens, suspenders, ammo pouches, first aid kit etc. It's design makes it easy to attach extra gear and the suspenders distribute the weight to your shoulders so the belt can be worn loose, it is easy to take on and off even if you stop for a little rest in the field. Standard military pistol holsters are designed to be attached to it along with a host of other gear designed for the US military from WWII till today which means M1 carbine ammo pouches are made to attach along with M16 ammo pouches or 45 or 9MM etc.

M9 holster with 1911 pistol

 The M12 holster designed for the standard issue Beretta works for other pistols as well.
To the right is the M12 holster I use to carry my 1911, of course the US Army made 45 ACP ammo pouches designed for the web belt. The M12 holsters can be found cheaper than the old issue leather 45 holsters but they can be used also.

M9 holster with Browning Hi Power

This holster also holds the Browning H- Power very well.

I wont go into the whole break down of the 782 gear and all it's functions but wanted to point out it is a viable option for bug out gear, in fact the US military has used this basic setup for over 70 years and it is still being used. There are many aftermarket pouches and such designed to attach easily to the web gear.




Interesting note, the Navy SEAL's have a budget which enables them to have the latest and best gear available but notice this SEAL pictured left with standard issue 782 gear and ALICE pack.
The All-purpose Load Individual Carry Equipment (ALICE) pack is another valuable piece of equipment. It has many compartments which are easily accessible while on the move and even has a large water proof compartment for stuff which needs to remain dry.
It makes no difference if it is OD green, woodland camouflage or the new digital pattern gear it is all interchangeable.
You can personalize it to carry as much or as little as you need depending on the situation, the K-bar knife is a worthy addition as well.
It may not be the most high tech but it is extremely rugged, can be bought new and used through Army Navy stores and on line and flea markets. It is made in the USA and it works very well.

Welcome

I would like to welcome Robert as a new follower. he has a blog,  Roberts gun shop
  be sure to stop by and check out his blog.
Have a good Sunday, If you can't stay safe at least have fun.
Duke.

Just Wondering.............

I love spell check. It makes even the worst of us look better.
A few weeks ago I started spelling 0bama with a "0" (numeral zero) instead of an "O"
Interesting however I notice now it is not flagged as being misspelled. (not kidding, try it)
I choose to think that maybe because he is such a big looser his name is supposed to be spelled with a Zero.
 I just love how even modern technology gets it right.



Special Welcome
 I like to recognize new followers so
  welcome to Mr "C" 
   Glad to have you on board.

A Little Help.... Please

Last week I did an Independence Day post and listed some ways I like to make government less controlling, then last night I turned on the TV and there was an ad saying Mitt Romney has accounts in the Cayman Islands and Swiss bank accounts in order to shelter his money from the IRS and government theft. I was so excited, I clenched my fist and said "YES" Could it really be true, at last we have a politician who understands the greatness of America lies not in the government but in the power of the people to control their own money and spend it as they see fit ?
  If I had any doubts who to vote for in November that did it for me, give me a candidate who is not afraid to stand up and say "I won't give the government all my money, I will use it like I want to"
   I started to have dreams of how I could follow his example and save even more of my money from the crooked politicians and their giveaway programs. I was so proud, here was a true American, born in this country who understands more about how the economy operates than any community organizer ever will.
  I sat back in my chair and smiled to myself......the ad was finishing, then a voice in the ad said "I'm Barack 0bama and I approve this message" ..........What the #&@!  ?????.....I almost spat out a mouth full of ice tea. I was stunned, why would the Democrat Party be running a positive ad for Romney ? I know many Democrats are boycotting their convention but are they also running ads to sabotage the big Zero???

 This is where I need help......I don't pretend to be the brightest person but I am confused, does 0bama really think this is a negative ad to help him ? does he not understand basic American culture ? I mean we buy programs and hire professionals to teach us how to save money on taxes, for crying out loud even the IRS publishes tax saving tips and info on tax write-offs. I am at a loss........help me please.

 I don't know, maybe 0bama really is clueless.

Can You Handle The Truth ?

A lot has been said about the DHS labeling many of us as domestic terrorists but I got to thinking, what are they really afraid of ? While I won't dive into the sewer and pretend to understand what goes through their little shriveled up gray matter I have some ideas which may shed some light on it.
It is kind of odd that the extreme left claims to be big on the 1st amendment but only for themselves. They have no tolerance for conflicting view points. They proudly proclaim their right to free speech but want to stifle your right. I think the reason for this is really simple, you see I can listen to arguments and form an opinion based on fact and common sense. I am not afraid of learning the truth.
Example: In the Travon Martin case, I think from what I have heard Travon was wrong and got shot and killed for acting like a thug but if it comes out that Zimmerman was at fault then I can accept that and move on. The left on the other hand will not be that understanding if Zimmerman is not guilty. They will rant and rave about how Travon was a victim of his skin color and we are all at fault in America. This is just typical of the left's reasoning, they have a set ideal in their head and don't want to be confused by the facts, this I think is one reason they are afraid of us, they are afraid we will convince others of the truth. If you stick a knife in a pig he will squeal, and the truth hurts, just think about that the next time you see some activist protesting and ranting on TV.
Another reason they are afraid of us is we have more guns and are better shots (OK funny answer, but let's explore that) We were given the right to keep and bear arms to protect our other rights.......from government.     When the 2nd amendment was written we had come out of a war against Britain, (which BTW was our country at that time) and we needed force to fend off government tyranny and the founding fathers knew that the right to keep and bear arms was key. It was not because George Washington liked to hunt or because Benjamin Franklin's wife was assaulted in the buggy parking lot at the Piggly Wiggly. 
I think for the same reason the left wants to stifle our free speech so the truth does not come out they want to control our guns so they will have no opposition to their plan to mold this country in their own little twisted idea of utopia. This is why they tell us we don't need a AR-15 to hunt deer, or a 50 BMG to defend our home and we get suckered into the argument. 
OK I am going to make some of you uncomfortable, The second amendment was given primarily to protect ourselves from government.  The ability to hunt and protect ourselves from common thugs (as opposed to elected thugs) is just an added bonus.We don't need 'A well regulated militia' to protect ourselves in our home, if we did I would move to a better neighborhood. 
I am afraid we are at the last major cross road in this country, will we become a foot note in history or will we preserve our freedom ?
There are many writings from our founding fathers concerning out right to keep and bear arms but I leave you with a few to ponder. 

"I hope, therefore, a bill of rights will be formed to guard the people against the Federal government as they are already guarded against their State governments, in most instances."
Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1788

"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.  The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government."
Thomas Jefferson (attributed without source)

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.... And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.... The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.  It is its natural manure."

Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Stephens Smith, November 13, 1787; “The Works of Thomas Jefferson,” Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5) Vol. 5

 

"A people armed and free forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition and is a bulwark for
the nation against foreign invasion and domestic oppression."
James Madison  (1751-1836), Father of the Constitution for the USA, 4th US President

"Arms in the hands of the citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defense of the country, the overthrow of tyranny or private self-defense." 
John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President  A Defense of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America, 1788

 

Just Saying........

Coming soon, who will you vote for ?

Picture of the Week

Welcome

I would like to issue a special welcome to three new followers. First is Pete, I don't think he has a blog but if he does someone let me know and I will put up a link to it.
Also welcome to Goslow he has a new blog Surviving a way of life please stop by and say hi. Lastly welcome to Woodsterman he has a few links so check them out.
I always try and answer any comments or questions so feel free to chime in any time.

Please Just Once !

Why is it the Federal Government tramples on states rights and gets away with it. Sure the governors and states attorneys my complain but just once I wish they would stand up for themselves.
The recent situation in Arizona is a good example. Arizona wants to arrest illegals and deport them. and the federal government has said no you can't enforce the law it is a violation of their rights......excuse me was I sleeping in class that day ? maybe I'm not the brightest bulb but don't you have to be a citizen to have constitutional rights ?
Anyway, just once I want a governor to stand up and defy the federal government. I want the governor of Arizona to stand up and say to Eric Holder, we don't care what you say and you can't and wont stop us from enforcing our laws. I would then round up all the illegals I could and shove them back across the Mexican border. if the Feds tried to block that I would load them on a tour bus and drive them to Washington DC and unload them at the capitol building and let them deal with them. If the government sent in federal agents I would escort them to the state line by force if necessary. I would put the feds on notice if you try and stop us we will use national guard troops to protect our state.
Actually this would be a good time for any state to take a stand for their rights like this. I would like to see 0bama defend his position in an election year. I would like to see national guard and federal troops square off at the state line, I would like to see Texas side with Arizona and not allow the feds in their state either. I am afraid if we don't have states which aren't afraid to defy the federal government then the feds will continue to shove their garbage down our throats. I think the federal government would be the ones to back down.
It is way past time to make a stand against federal government abuse, the states are the perfect place for that to start. While they are at it let the state of Arizona say they are allowing prayer back in schools, and that they won't enforce federal gun laws and any other unconstitutional law the federal government is shoving down their throat. While we are at it, let Florida continue purge voter rolls and dare Eric Holder to stop them. If the feds try to cut off government funding then the state stops funneling funds to the federal government. Whats the worst that can happen? all the liberals move to California or Washington DC ?
 Wait a minute that might work. 

I Hope They Are Terrified.

Apparently a study used by Homeland Security says those who are preppers, survivalists, lovers of individual freedom,  bitter clingers and anyone who distrusts government are classified as EXTREME terrorists.
I'm thinking..........if this means the government is extremely terrified  maybe that's a good thing.  
 It's about time.

Independence Day, Taking Back Freedom.

Yesterday I bemoaned the fact we have lost sight of being independent. I am not against certain rules to make society pleasant for us provided they are on a local level. I believe the Federal government should be the weakest when it comes to telling us what to do. Next should be the state and then the local government being the most powerful. This ensures the most accountability and if I don't like the rules I can live in the next town or the next state or work to change the rules. We have it all backwards, the federal government violates our constitutional rights every day, for example, we are supposed to have 'freedom of religion' but they have twisted it to be 'freedom from religion' The government tells churches they can't oppose the government publicly without fear of loosing their tax exempt status (unless of course you have Jessie Jackson speaking) but fact is churches should be free to rant all they want about government injustices.
I strive to exercise my freedom in every way I can. I don't rely on government to provide for me. I take responsibility for my actions and accept the cost. I refuse to abide by stupid regulations which violate my constitutional rights. I treat others like I expect to be treated.
 It is impossible to avoid all government control but here are some ways I exercise freedom, I won't even give a disclaimer by saying 'don't try this at home' you live your own life.
My basic philosophy is as long as it doesn't hurt others then what the government doesn't know doesn't hurt them.
I am a rebel and freedom lover to the core, this is one reason I like my motorcycles. In Florida motorcycles don't have to have insurance and if I don't want to ride with a helmet then I don't, if I do want to use a helmet I do. When I rebuilt my old Harley I refused to include turn signals, I have open pipes with no muffler, why? because I wanted it that way, I had no thought to what the DMV said was legal, it doesn't bother me, I ride by cops all the time and they don't seem to want to be bothered either. Same goes for seat belts in my car or truck, if I want to use them I do, if I don't I don't.
Our state does not require guns to be registered (and if they did I hope they hold their breath waiting for me to) nevertheless I prefer to buy my firearms privately with no paperwork or forms to fill out. It is 100% unconstitutional for the government  decide if I can buy a gun. If a person commits a crime and they pay their debt to society then they should be free to buy a gun, if they murder or rape execute them. I promise they will never do it again and I can assure you crime would be way down.

I carry a gun because it is my right. I have only called the police once. Over 20 years ago someone broke into my neighbors home while they were away, instead of wasting time I grabbed 2 guns and headed out the door and got in my truck. My intent was to block their car and catch them but they sped away before I could maneuver into position. I pursued them around back streets at high speed till I had them cornered in a church parking lot only then did I call out for a neighbor to call the police (before cell phones) so they could be arrested. The car they were driving turned out to be stolen and I felt good knowing I had help retrieve it and put the criminals behind bars (incidentally one of the two thieves committed suicide a month later) anyway the point being I did not say "not my job man" I acted as a free man and did what I wish someone would do for me if my home was broken into and BTW the police officers thanked me. 
We are taxed on top of taxes for this reason I buy as much as possible on line (out of state) or privately through garage sales, flea markets, Craigslist etc to avoid sales tax, it is one small thing I can do to cut the governments funding. Bartering is another excellent way to do this. If you buy a vehicle from a private party the state charges you sales tax on the purchase when you record the title, in our state you can write "trade" (most states would be the same I guess) as the price and there is no tax. It is no business of the state what you traded and they have never asked me.
Bottom line is when I want to do something the last concern is if  the government approves. My first thought is will this harm someone else, will it hurt my neighbor, my family or friends. Next I decide if it is worth the effort and cost. For example, if I want to put new windows in my house I decide it will not hurt anyone in fact it will help keep my family safer and the cost will be offset by the savings in heating and cooling cost's. I do not care if the government wants me to get a permit and inspect the workmanship so I don't involve them. If they want to pay for the windows then they can inspect them. In fact I can post 'no trespassing' signs on the property and they can't legally enter the property without permission they can only inspect what they see from the street. Side note: The reason the local government wants you to get a permit has nothing to do with your safety or well being it is strictly to monitor upgrades to your property in order to raise your taxes, If they worried about your well being they would inspect your car after it was repaired but they can't make money off that.
When someone broke into my neighbors home I did not think "is it legal to chase and catch thieves with a gun" I acted to protect my neighbor like I thought was the neighborly thing to do. If I get in my car and don't feel like wearing a seat belt I don't but if I am on the highway and want to I do. The governments wishes are no concern of mine, I have never had a ticket for it but if I did that would be my cost for my decision as a free man.
It gets me when someone says "you know that is not legal" or "you should get a permit to do that" I look at them with a blank stare as if to say "excuse me, you obviously mistake me for someone who gives a rats rear end"   
Let me let you in on something, there is nobody in the government who goes about their daily work thinking about what you would like so I refuse to give any time or thought to what they would like.

This is not just a catchy slogan, it is the truth.

I won't totally incriminate myself but I choose to "Live Free Or Die" I am not a rampant law breaker, I respect proper laws but government has no more power over me than I allow. You have heard 'all is fair in love and war', well make no mistake we are in a war....a big war for the survival of our freedoms. I choose to live as free as possible. Government is a power hungry machine with little regard for the constitution or your freedoms. If you doubt me see what the SCOTUS did last week.

You Think You're Independent ?

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and we will celebrate our independence from Britain. I dare say most people have no clue what it means especially those educated by the government school system in the last 20 years or so. If you don't think that is true explain to me why else a teenager thinks their freedom means they are provided with a cell phone, a car, insurance, food, shelter (even after they graduate school) without them having to work at all to contribute.
 We are living with more taxes and regulation than the British ever had on us. Most people think freedom means over 200 channels on TV and deciding between McDonald's and Burger King or deciding to go to the beach or the mountains.
Most people want to be free to choose their lifestyle and use the government to force others to comply for example, I live in a nice home so if the neighbor trashes his yard or house I want the local government to step in and force him to clean it up. Or I drive a nice car so I make the government pass a law that everyone needs insurance to protect me or the insurance company's pay off politicians to pass the law to make them rich, and don't fool yourself insurance company's are the richest, they have the biggest buildings on the skyline.

Tomorrow you will get up and drink your coffee the FDA had to approve and maybe put milk in it the USDA had to approve the you decide to go to the beach, you get in your car the government had to inspect and approve. You won't be able to drive it till you have a government drivers license and you will have to have government mandated insurance and you will buy gasoline which the government taxes highly.  If you don't drive the way big brother thinks you should you will get a fine (or even if they don't like the way you park) when you do get to the beach you can't even put on sunscreen that is not government approved. Some 18 year old lifeguard will be telling you when you get in and out of the water, your dog will have to be on a leash, there will be signs telling you how to behave but you will be celebrating freedom......give me a break. you can't even strip naked and dance around a fire in the middle of your 40 acres till you pay the government rent in the form of property taxes.
I dare you to find one activity, food, outing, product etc that you enjoy that the government didn't have to approve, inspect, condone or certify at some point, I'll save you the trouble their ain't none. 


Maybe tomorrow I will tell you how I like to celebrate freedom.

I Wonder ?

I am not a big fan of lawyers. I know they have their place for things like property dealings, legal agreements, wills, family issues etc but those who make a living by bringing frivolous lawsuits are a blight on our country. I despise them with a passion, they cost all of us thousands of dollars in increased prices of goods, car insurance costs, health insurance premiums,  doctor fees and the list goes on. These leaches have almost no redeeming qualities. Even the people who have legitimate cases for a lawsuit  are screwed over by these sharks because they many times will settle out of court and take their percentage of the claim then move on to the next case because they can make more money from a high volume of cases rather than spending weeks and months on a legitimate case.

 I have more use for my garbage man than I will ever have for most lawyers. If people really understood the impact these ambulance chasers had on us and how much it costs us each year for their thug dealings they would be more hated than Osama Bin Laden. There is a local attorney who advertises on TV here and I have seen him walking on downtown streets and he is constantly looking over his shoulder, he cowers his head like a dog protecting a bone, I wonder how he enjoys his ill gotten gains. 
 I think this country needs major tort reform but lawyers control the legal system as well as the government and for this reason it seems the vast majority of lawyers who make a living from lawsuits are big supporters of liberal politicians who fight to squash tort reform. 
This got me to thinking the other day when the SCOTUS upheld the 0bama health care tax (yes 0bama is spelled with a zero) I wonder if these lowlife lawyers realize what the government has done to them.
One thing the government hates is someone stealing the money they have taken from us, for this reason the federal government insulates themselves from lawsuits at all costs. I was thinking if and when the entire health care system, doctors, hospitals, health insurance etc is a government program I am quite sure there will be protection from lawsuits against the government healthcare system. Kind of funny in a way seeing as health care, doctor and hospital lawsuits are a major chunk of frivolous lawsuits.
Maybe some of those lawyers can get a more productive job like picking up my garbage.

Cat and Dolphins

Cute Video. A friend sent me this link and I thought it was worth sharing. Cat and Dolphins