Revelations

Even though I was expecting some critical comments to my input on NFOA, I was bit surprised by some of the impressions I created in some readers. I think everyone who has commented so far has, at least, welcomed my input and participation even if they didn't agree with my perspective. The most surprising thing was that some felt I was being, shall we say uppity, in my comments regarding poor spelling, grammar, or use of logic in others' writings. I certainly didn't intend any personal attacks, or even that people in general are less important or deserving of expressing their opinions simply because they weren't Enlish or logic majors. My point was simply that in order to most effectively further their cause (in this case, securing our second amendment rights), good grammar and logic would be of value. For anyone who was offended by my comments in this regard, I offer my apology (more than Obama has done for his perceived verbal slap in the face to the police in Cambridge).

I also admitted that, as hard as I try, I too have an occasional typo, misspelling, improper grammar, or misuse of a word. I hope that helps to clear up any misconceptions I may have created. I do realize that I am a bit egotistical, competitive, often obsessed with perfection (both in my own efforts and those of others), and a little stubborn. There are probably lots of other adjectives for my personal traits that are less than flattering. I often consider myself a moderate extremist with an obsessive compulsive (and yes addictive) personality. Some of those terms may not seem to go together, so let me explain.

I usually find myself, after a great deal of thought and self-examination, taking a path that is somewhat middle-of-the-road, in terms of political or ethical issues. Though I can understand the perspectives of those on the extremes, I don't often find that I agree totally with either of them. (Therefore the moderate label.) On the other hand, in my personal life, I find myself going to extremes quite often. I don't eat breakfast or lunch because once I start eating, it seems I never want to stop until I'm stuffed. I can go all day, or even longer without food and not give it a second thought, but once the food hits the palate, I'm not stopping until I'm really full or I get too tired to keep my jaws moving. That's just one example. When I start a job, I don't like to stop until it is completed. If I can't afford to buy every conceivable thing I might need in pursuit of a new interest (hobby) I'll often decide not to do it at all. And the list goes on. I'll go over my efforts at writing, edit them, read them again, do some more editing, delete half of it and start over, and continue this process until I'm absolutely certain that I've made my point as well as I can and that there are no mistakes in it. (Unfortuneatly, it often doesn't work.) That's the curse of being a perfectionist: you're never happy with anything you've done, and if you know you can't do it well enough to meet your own standards, you often just don't do it. I like to think I have a great deal of will power. I did stop smoking "cold turkey" some 30 years ago having smoked for nearly 15 years and going through two and a half packs a day toward the end of that time. Still, there are a number of things I would really like to stop, but I can't seem to work up the conviction to do it. I drink several beers a day, and I can't settle for the cheap stuff, I have the have the micro-brews that cost usually well over a dollar a bottle. I absolutely hate the idea of spending so much money on beer (which only makes me want to take a nap and adds to my difficulties in keeping my weight in check). Still, I love the taste, and it has become a habit that I'm sure won't go away unless I can find something with which to replace it. I'm not sure if I'm addicted or just excessive-compulsive about it. I've tried just having one or two a day, but it seldom works. I usually end up having four (or more). I can, and have, quit drinking beer all together for as much as two or three weeks at a time, several times, so I know I can do it. I guess I have to have something as my "crutch" or my "indulgence" and I haven't found anything better (or cheaper, or with fewer calories) yet. And, I've begun to recognize other obsessive-compulsive behaviors that continue even though there is no real benefit or logic to them (simple little things, like the way I floss my teeth, or weighing myself every morning without fail).

Yes, I've got some weirdness just like everybody else. My point in bringing all this up is to let people know that I'm aware of my imperfections, and that I don't consider myself "better" than others. I know we each have our own abilities and limitations and philosophies and codes of conduct. Most of us believe, or would like to, that our own concept of how the world should be is the right one. We act according to our beliefs. But, even though we may believe our way is the right way, a truly intelligent person realizes that everyone (even those who are "different" from them) has just as much right to their belief. This is probably the cause of most of the conflict in the world: human nature forces us to act on our own beliefs regardless of what others may think.

Survived the Onslaught

Well, the initial blast of criticism may be over now. No one got too antagonistic over my letter to the NFOA membership, though several were dismayed that I would encourage anyone to even consider compromising when it comes to gun control legislation. I totally understand their belief in uninfringed second amendment rights. I just don't think it's realistic to think we will ever be free to possess and carry any kind of gun, anywhere, any time, and in any manner we wish. If I were to bet on that versus our guns being totally taken away from us, I'd reluctantly put my money on the latter (though I wouldn't give mine up without a hell of a fight ... a legal battle probably, but it would depend on the situation). I put much more stock in reacquiring our rights a little bit at a time (as we have been doing for a while now), proving as we go that gun rights for law abiding citizens will not result in more crime or accidental shootings, and hopefully that there will be a negative correlation to both.

I don't know if I'll keep up with regular posting here, or on the NFOA site, once I go back to work. I would probably be more inclined to keep up with the Chief's Corner with whatever time I have to spend. Then again, I don't know what's going to happen when (if) I get back to work. I sure couldn't do my entire job without considerable help the way things are with my wrist right now.

It's a bit warm today compared to what it has been lately. I don't know if I'll get out with any of the dogs tonight, or not. Usually, it's them I'm worried about when it's hot, but I don't necessarily feel like sweating my butt off tonight either. You can see in this photo that they have all followed me downstairs where it's cooler, something they don't commonly do.

And that's the way it is (in honor of Walter)

I posted an open letter to NFOA members on their forum pages today. I'd be surprised if I don't get a few critical remarks to it, but I felt strongly about the subject and basically thought it was my duty to mention it to what was basically my target audience, gun owners. The idea would apply to anyone who desires to express an opinion, especially on a controversial subject. In this, case, people with a goal to enhance and protect our second amendment rights.

For years, I've followed pretty much any story, article, blog, or forum I happened across that had to do with firearms, the second amendment, concealed carry, gun control, etc. I've written my own letters to the editor, guest columns, comments to on line articles, and posts to various forums, not to mention this and a couple of other blogs. Though I can't say I've never quoted an overused cliche or used a somewhat profane or vulgar euphemism, I generally try to rely on a more traditional debate style of writing. To me logic, comparisons, analogies, hypotheticals, common sense, and an occasional appeal to emotion do far more to win people to one's point of view than name calling, taunting, ridicule, and taking an extreme position simply to antagonize the other side.

I'm often embarrassed by the comments I see from other pro-gunners trying to impress upon the world how absolutely right they are in their position. Sure, I feel a lot of the same emotions. I get a charge out of using phrases with the words "... cold, dead, finger..." or "... only outlaws will have guns" or "an armed society..." blah, blah, blah. I often wonder where the anti-gunners came up with some of the seemingly stupid ideas they have, or how they can possibly believe some of their proposed gun-control could ever accomplish what they hope it will. And, some of the comments from the anti-gun crowd are probably just as embarrassing for their side. They have their own misguided soles who like nothing better than to irritate the "gun nuts" with their own name calling and gibberish. It's probably a good thing I'm reading their comments rather than debating face to face, given that I'd probably be armed and would have a much more difficult time controlling my temper in the heat of the moment than when I have time to sit and reflect on what's really happening.

But, I digress. The point is that when pro-gunners (or anyone) can't write a complete, grammatically correct sentence that expresses a logical, pragmatic idea, they are not likely to convince anyone that they know what they're talking about or that they have a valid perspective on an issue. It's one thing to talk macho and joke around with your buddies and peers who you know feel the same as you do. It's quite another to expect people on the other side of an issue to take you seriously when you can't spell simple words, write a complete sentence, or come up with a logical explanation of your point.

I've already repeated a lot of the things I say in the letter, but if you still want to read it, just click here: http://www.nebraskafirepower.com/forum/index.php?topic=1003.msg6883#new

It will be interesting to see what kind of comments I get on it.

Something to Do

This NFOA thing is just what I needed to keep my mind occupied while I (hopefully) recuperate from my wrist surgery. Being off work was very nice for the first couple of weeks. Since then, it is a struggle to find something to do (something I can do) to pass the time. I have lots of projects I'd like to work on, but I find I either simply can't do it, or the pain is more than I want to bear.

I haven't found too many "gun nuts"on the site that simply have a macho "I-can-kill-you-if-I-want-t0" attitude. Actually, I've only come across one person who seems a bit too angry for someone who carries a gun. I won't mention any names, especially since it is only my impression taken from what I read of his comments. Maybe the guy just likes to talk tough because he thinks he'll make more friends that way on a "macho" site like NFOA. (I know there are women members too. Don't get your panties in a bind!)

I took the dogs out to Branched Oak today for a swim. Unfortunately, there were some other people there who had a couple of dogs running loose, too. That isn't necessarily bad, but I felt guilty bringing mine down to the base of the damn when I saw them quickly put their dogs on a rope to keep them away from us. So, I didn't stay too long. I figured they came there for the same reason I did, and they were there first, so I shouldn't make them feel pressured to keep their dogs tethered. (I'm not even sure if that is required or not, but obviously they only did it to avoid any unpleasant conflicts between their dogs and mine.)

The dogs had fun for a little while, but I didn't get much excercise. I had planned to walk along the beach and the damn for a while. I guess I'll end up walking them around the neighborhood again tonight (not nearly as pleasant as walking the beach).

It seems I have a few people who have come to check out my blog since I started commenting on the Chief's corner and NFOA. I feel obligated now to post a little more often, even though I don't know if they'll ever be back. I did come across an interesting blog similar to mine (in content if not frequency of posting) by checking out the profiles of some of the other NFOA members. If you're reading this and thinking it is interesting, check out this one: http://joemerchant24.blogspot.com/

TESTING 1,2,3

I'm posting this photo of my dogs as a test to see if I can also use it to paste into a forum on the NFOA web site.

NFOA

The cast is off, but sometimes I wish it were back on again. They told me it would be sore and painful (isn't that the same thing?) for up to a year after the surgery. They also said I'd lose some flexibility and strength in my grip. Can you spell u-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-t-e-m-e-n-t? I have almost no flexibility yet, and I can't hold on to much more than a beer bottle (thank God for that).

Fortunately, shooting is a little easier, though nowhere near what I could do before the surgery. The pain is not constant; it only hurts when I need to do something with both hands, and at other odd and infrequent times. I'll give it a few more months, but I'm doubting it will get much better strength, flexibility, or grip-wise. Hopefully the pain will go away altogether.

I joined the NFOA (Nebraska Firearms Owners Association) after coming across their website while trying to find some info on the proposal for a castle law in Nebraska submitted by Senator Christensen. I don't know how much good the organization does, or how active it is, but any voice in opposition to ridiculous anti-gun laws is better than none. Well, I take that back. I've heard some pro-gun ranters who embarrassed the Hell out of me and did nothing more than to make the anti-gunners even more sure that gun owners are a bunch of crazy fools.

I read some posts by a few of their members, and they seem to be firmly pro-gun without the extremist, name-calling, taunting often heard from the (truly nuts) gun nuts. I'll stick with them for a while at least and perhaps even contribute to their cause if it seems they are taking any action that might really bring change (like a castle law that makes sense).