Me and Dennis Leary

I guess, if the shoe fits, I've got to wear it. Then again, if doing what I do makes me an a**hole, then I'm proud to be one, just like Dennis is. The NFOA members didn't heed the warning from their so-called webmaster and continued their personal attacks on me so I posted my last comment last night and bid them adeu. Then, the webmaster emailed me to let me know I was banned from their forum (sort of like firing someone after they quit). He actually came here to my blog and copied one of the responses to a comment that he claimed was a personal attack on all NFOA members. Of course, he didn't bother to post the body of my blog for that day, which would have explained, and perhaps mitigated the comment, for those who only saw what he copied and pasted on their forum.

Someone else there accused me of not posting his comments to my blog in order to make me out a hypocrite (I guess) for expecting to be allowed to post dissenting opinions on their forum, and not allowing them on mine. However, he must not have known how to make a comment here and done something wrong, as I (the moderator) never was notified of a pending comment.

I suppose some of them have read my blog here and taken offense at some of the things I said, even though I never named any names when I characterized some in the association as people who might put gun owners and 2A supporters in a bad light to the public in general. I guess if the shoe fits, they must wear it, too.

I would welcome debate on most any issue. Many of them claimed to enjoy a good debate, too. However, rather than bring up counter points and arguments of their own, many of them resort to ridicule and harassment. If any of them want to come here and make a civil comment that is aimed at supporting a contrary opinion rather than simply bashing those they don't agree with, I'd be happy to post them.

There are a number of NFOA members who are willing to debate the issues, and know how to do it properly. I don't mean to characterize the entire organization poorly. As with many types of public forums, those who speak the loudest and most often are usually at the extremes, or those who want change rather than the status quo. Therefore, they don't truly represent the whole very well. My apologies to any NFOA members who have not displayed the rude behaviors and intollerance I have ascribed to some in the group.

I see someone voted on my poll for the no restrictions option; most likely one of the NFOA members since Trevor is about the only other person reading this stuff. Not that I could say what his vote might be, but he would probably also make a comment supporting his stand. I must admit that I voted a second time, just to see if the "poll gadget" I added would allow it. Apparently, it does not allow multiple votes from the same computer, but probably has no way of knowing if the same person votes from different computers (which I did). So the results are skewed, but I'm thinking it's not going to mean much anyway with only two voters so far.

I'd really like to have the ability to conduct some polls where the results had real meaning. There are often questions that come up where I suspect how most people feel, but it is only my suspicion (which could be entirely wrong). I would really like to know how people feel about many issues, and there aren't always scientifically designed polls out on the subjects that concern me. I think I could write the proper questions so as not to bias the poll, but I need a way to get a truly random, or otherwise appropriate sample to survey.

The Roller Coaster

Things haven't gone so well recently in my relationship with the NFOA. Having met and shaken hands with some members at Cabela's last week, I thought our minor disagreements on the forum were history, and we could move on with promoting our 2A cause. That was apparently not the case. It seems certain individuals are just looking for something in my comments they can criticize. One post had to do with a newer member having gotten a CHP and wondering what type of gun would make for a good carry weapon. Numerous members posted information and pics of their favorite guns. One of the first ones pictured was a 1911-style 45 semi-auto that was nearly identical in size and shape to my Kimber. In fact, most all full size 1911s are nearly identical; certainly not different enough one could tell the differences through clothing. A number of others also posted pics or described 1911s as a good gun to carry. However, when I posted a pic of my Kimber, an immediate response was that it was far too big and bulky with sharp edges and a huge front sight that would make it a poor choice for concealed carry.

Another topic was quotes to live by. A number of people posted their favorite quotes from noted historic figures like Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Samuel Adams, Kennedy, Einstein, and others. It was like reading a history book, and somewhat boring. For a little humor, I posted "If it feels good, do it" - Unknown Author. The next comment criticized the quote and related it to doing heroin or something, and that was followed by another who agreed he hated the quote. When I responded that I was just trying to lighten the mood, I got "blah, blah, blah" from the next commenter.

There are many more examples, but the point is I was getting tired of being targeted and having negative comments directed at me personally. I had not, to that point criticized any individual in the group, and stuck to debating issues. I made my feelings clear and am now waiting to see how the group reacts. I'd like to think there were enough rational members who would support my right to disagree with other members and put a stop to the personal attacks by anyone. However, I am prepared to separate myself from the association if that fails to happen. I have already taken the link to their web site off my blog, as I cannont in good faith recommend anyone join the group given the current situation. We'll see how it all pans out soon, I'm sure.

On another front, I'm still waiting for some information and materials from the NRA regarding the EVC position I accepted. I am now listed as the EVC on the NRA-ILA web site, and I've even gotten one email from someone hoping to get some interest by the NRA in local gun issues here in Lincoln and Nebraska. This endeavor may turn out to be a bust, too, if my NRA contact doesn't follow through like I would have hoped. I'm not going to continue in this capacity very long if I have no support from those I am trying to help.

The good news is I'm off from work until the day after Labor Day! I'm seriously thinking about doing some camping. I'm just not sure where a good place for primitive camping with three dogs would be. I want access to the water (might do some fishing) so the dogs can swim and practice retrieving, but I also would like some trees for shade and some nice paths to hike. Some hilly country would be nice, and some small game like rabbits and squirrels would make it ideal. Anyone have an idea?

GOING POLITICAL

The Saltdogs are four games up on second place St. Paul in the northern division of the American Association, and I'm going to tonight's game where they could make it a five game lead by beating them again like they did last night. Go dogs! I hope they can hold on and get into the playoffs this year so I get to see some more games.

I'm beginning to get ready for the upcoming hunting season. Today, I went to Cabela's open house at the La Vista store. Man, was it crowded. I met four NFOA members who were manning a table there to try and get more people to join our ranks. The four I met were probably the four most vocal in their criticism of my comments, but they were all friendly, even after they found out who I was! :) Looked like they had maybe a hundred or so signed up already before noon. With a day and a half to go, they could add several hundred to the group.

Soon, I'll be starting a new endeavor that should keep me pretty busy. I hope not too busy, though. I've taken on the position of Election Volunteer Coordinator for the NRA in the first congressional district of Nebraska. I'm not too sure what all I'll be doing, and I think it is somewhat up to me how I go about the job and how involved I want to get. It may turn out to be little or nothing. Apparently, the EVC positions for all three districts in Nebraska have been vacant for some time. Someone did recently take on the post in the third district, and I have been in contact with him to get some info about it. He couldn't tell me much, as he hadn't really gotten started yet either, but he was cooperative and looks forward to working with me. We hope to find someone to fill the second district spot, too, in order to be as effective as possible in getting gun-friendly candidates elected over the entire state. I'm assuming we will also be promoting gun-friendly legislation, too. I'm hoping we can help get a Castle Law going here next year.


Well, I need to wrap this up. Just got news from the doctor that my mother-in-law had some bad readings on the heart monitor she was wearing the last few days and needs to go in for some tests. I need to go get her dog, Lulu, and bring her here, as Marge may have to stay in the hospital tonight. :(

17HMR x 2

I bought a Savage .17 HMR about a month ago. From the git go, I wasn't too thrilled about the fit of the magazine into the gun. It seemed loose, yet it didn't slide in or out very well, and it didn't "snap" into place like I thought it should. Most of the time, I had to put upward pressure on the bottom of the magazine while I shoved the bolt forward in order for the first round to chamber correctly. After that, the others seemed okay, at first. I fired about 50 rounds through it (ten mags full) while getting the scope adjusted (first at 25 yds, then at 50).

I decided if I was going to keep it, I would want a couple more mags anyway, and I thought maybe the magazine was the problem rather than the rifle, so I ordered a couple more. They came a while back, and I went out to try again. Same problem, same fit, with all three mags. The problem seemed to get worse the more I shot and loaded it. Eventually, I couldn't even get a round to load without forcing the bolt forward with undue pressure. Then, the spent round wouldn't eject, and I had to pick it out with a screw driver.

I decided I was going to return the gun to Scheel's, but I didn't know what they would say about it or be willing to do for me. I wasn't sure how long I'd had the gun or what their policy was on returns. I didn't have the paperwork with me or the box or lock or other stuff, but I didn't want to drive all the way home to get it not knowing if they'd take it back anyway. So, I decided to just stop on the way home and explain the problem and see what they would say.

They were happy to exchange my gun for a brand new one, no questions asked, no receipt, packaging or anything. I brought the new gun home, cleaned it, and took it out this morning. First thing I did was to simply insert and empty mag to see how it felt. I seemed better, but still not what I would have liked. However, it seemed the same problem was returning as each round seemed harder to chamber and each clip seemed harder to insert fully. I finally managed to get a magazine in that seemed to "fit" and all the rounds chambered and fired and ejected as they should have. After that, everything seemed to work as I would have expected it to in the first place. I still don't know for sure what the problem was, but hopefully it has passed and won't return.

In the mean time, I got it sighted in and it did quite well. At 50 yds I could put five rounds into a less than one inch group. At 25 yds, about a 5/8" group. It remains to be seen how it will perform next time I go out to the range.

Blog Blues

I went to see "Julie and Julia" last night with my wife. I know, it's a chick flick, but I hoped there would be a clip of Dan Akroyd doing his Julia Child skit from SNL. I wasn't disappointed; they ran almost the whole thing. Meryl did a great job as Julia. In case you don't know about it, the Julie character started a blog about cooking her way through Julia Child's cookbook. Julie wanted to be a writer, and she loved good food, so the combination was ideal. I was jealous when she started getting comments from readers to her blog (the thing I imagine all bloggers hope for). I haven't had many here, and the few I have had came to read this out of curiosity about me after reading my comments on other blogs (at least, I assume so).

My point is, don't be afraid to comment when you read a blog or go on a forum. Comments are exactly what the bloggers and commenters want to see. Good or bad, they live for comments.

I think my own blogging is partly a way to get things straight in my own mind. I feel a certain way about something, so I write about it. In the process, I sometimes discover the reason why I feel the way I do. Or, I realize that I have mixed feelings on an issue. Or, that I don't really know how I feel. Comments can help by getting others' perspectives.

I don't follow any blogs regularly outside of the Chief's Corner, but I have stumbled across some (perhaps the same way my commenters stumbled upon mine) that were really interesting or really funny. Most of them blog every day, something I could do, and probably would do, if I thought anyone was reading it. In the absence of readers, I need an issue, something that is bothering me, to give me an incentive to write. Actually, the incentive today was that the NFOA forum site is down for some reason, and I have developed a need to write somewhere.

Maybe I should try to be more funny. I think I could write a funny blog. At least it would be funny to me. Sometimes I get to laughing so hard at my own funny thoughts, I can hardly make my fingers work on the keyboard.

This hasn't been one of my best efforts. I better stop.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho

It's off to work, I go. Yesterday, the doctor cleared me to return to work with no restrictions. That's easy for him to say. He doesn't have the pain, stiffness, and swelling that keeps me from making a fist or even reaching into my jeans pocket. But, as bored as I've been the last couple of weeks, I'm ready to give it a go. Trouble is, from what I've heard, there is very little work to be done out at the plant right now. I talked to my lead man out there yesterday, though, and he said they'd find something for me to do. It's going to be hard getting up at five a.m. again when I've gotten so used to climbing out of bed at eight.

I suppose I won't be posting on the Chief's Corner or the NFOA forum nearly so much now. That will probably make a lot of people happy. I'm not terribly well liked by some of the most vocal NFOA members. While they don't take kindly to some of my comments and often accuse me of siding with the anti-gun crowd, I realize they are on the tail end of the bell curve and probably aren't representitive of the majority of the group. I hope that's the case, anyway. I have to keep reminding myself that on any kind of issue, it is usually those on the two extremes who are the most active and vocal. Given that this is a gun-owners group, it makes sense that everyone in it supports the second amendment. So, it follows that the most vocal in the group would be those who oppose any and all restrictions or infringements on it. I hope, the majority of them, while still supporting 2A, are sensible enough to realize we are going to have to accept some limitations.

Most of those who claim "no compromise" as their motto are hypocritical about it anyway. They still cow down to the authorities and purchase their permits and licenses and register their guns and try to follow the current laws so they don't lose their guns or have to pay fines or go to jail. If they were true to their word, and believed 100% in their inalienable right to bear arms, they would ignore any infringements on their rights and literally stick to their guns (subsequently having their cold, dead fingers pried from their triggers).

In the future, I won't bother responding to the criticisms and accusations of those (hopefully) few individuals who hold their heads high while falsely claiming their superiority over the sheep.