Let's have some fun and apply the restrictive logic being proposed for the 2nd Amendment to the other amendments in the Bill of Rights and see how warm and fuzzy it feels...
1st Inning.
First Amendment...
To prevent enraging someone of a different religion to the point they want to commit physical harm to someone in response, you will only be able to gather to worship your religion in groups more than two persons 7 times annually. To prevent enraging someone that disagrees with your point of view to the point they want to commit physical harm to someone in response, you (to include all media outlets--online, tv, print) will only be able to exercise your freedom of speech 7 times annually (example--you can only post to Facebook 7 times a year, a tv network can only run a news program 7 times a year, and a news outlet can only print/post online 7 times a year). To prevent enraging someone that disagrees with your peaceful protest to the point they want to commit physical harm to someone in response, you will only be allowed to peaceably assemble 7 times in your lifetime. In addition, you will only be allowed to petition the Government for a redress of grievances 7 times in your lifetime, doing so in additional petitions could make the Government look bad and cause someone to not trust the Government and therefore want to cause physical harm to the Government or its employees.
2nd Inning.
Third Amendment...
To ensure compliance of restrictions on the Bill of Rights, for a period of 7 months annually, you will be required to quarter soldiers (foreign or domestic) during both peace and war times. This will include providing them their own room and furniture, as well as, 3 meals a day. These Government soldiers will use their time stationed in your home to monitor your activities to ensure compliance with all other Bill of Rights restrictions.
3rd Inning.
Fourth Amendment...
To ensure all people are compliant with restrictions on the Bill of Rights, the Government will be allowed to search and seize, if necessary, any and all persons, houses, papers, and effects 7 times annually during the 5 month period that soldiers are not quartered in homes. Warrants shall be issued without probable cause for the first 7 instances they are needed against each individual of the nation.
4th Inning.
Fifth Amendment...
To prevent people from continuing to commit crimes or the possibility of committing a future crime: Every person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, without a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury in the first 7 instances this is required; Every person shall be subject to double jeopardy for the first 7 instances they are charged with the same offense; Every person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be witness against their self in the first 7 instances; Every person shall be deprived of due process of law for the first 7 instances of being charged with a crime; Private property will be taken from individuals for public use without just compensation in the first 7 instances this is required by the Government.
5th Inning.
Sixth Amendment...
To prevent someone from rigging the criminal justice system in their favor when charged with a crime and act as a deterrent towards future crimes by removing them from society for undisclosed amounts of time and to prevent media sources from swaying any decisions, a person shall not enjoy the right to speedy and public trial for the first 7 instances they find them self accused of a crime.
6th Inning.
Seventh Amendment...
To prevent someone from being acquitted that was guilty and to prevent the media from swaying any potential jurors for the defense, the right to trial by a jury shall only occur AFTER 7 instances where a person is involved in a civil case.
7th Inning.
Eighth Amendment...
To ensure that people who commit crimes towards others are kept off the streets, excessive bail will be required, as well as, excessive fines imposed, and cruel and unusual punishments inflicted for the first 7 instances a person finds them self in the custody of the Government.
8th Inning.
Ninth Amendment...
To prevent enraging someone who does not agree with you, about various rights that are not listed in the previous amendments, from committing acts of violence the following rights are now banned: the right to abortion, right to euthanasia, right to gay marriage, right to privacy, right to equal employment opportunity, right to workplace safety, and right to unionize.
9th Inning.
Tenth Amendment...
To prevent States from passing laws and/or amendments that allow their citizens rights that someone else does not believe they should have and could therefore enrage someone to the point of committing acts of violence, the States will not be allowed to legislate on any matters pertaining to the previous amendments and all laws and/or amendments already in existence and are pertaining to the previous amendments are now null and void.
Extra Inning.
10th Inning.
It's still Spring Training....Hey, Dayton, get Kenny Powers on the phone! He'll be better than Hoch!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Venti Vanilla Latte, please!
1st Inning.
Gun Show...
This past weekend I had a table at the KC Gun & Knife Show at the KCI Expo Center. This is the third month in a row that I have had a table at that venue. I was assisted by my Uncle Randy and my buddy, Rob. We had rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, ammo, magazines, reloading supplies, and knives. A little bit for everyone all on one table (Rob politely mentioned that maybe I should get an extra table next time and so I probably will). The folks that go to gun shows are from every walk of life, every race, and age group. There are vendor tables for firearms, ammunition, military surplus, knives, Scentsy, jerky, turkey calls, reloading supplies, t-shirts, and jewelry. I really enjoy talking to veterans that stop by and reminisce about a certain firearm they used during their military service. Pure historical education. Occasionally you will have someone walk by with a firearm for sale that is a collector's item and getting to hold one as they give you the history is really neat (this weekend we had a fella walk by with a Springfield Trapdoor Carbine from the 1800s). As for firearms sales this weekend, I sold more to women than to men. On Saturday I sold a Ruger LCR with Lasermax Laser to a grandma and learned how to do a firearms transfer to a Kansas dealer (a BIG thank you to She's A Pistol for being at the show and letting all the Missouri dealers know they were there to assist with Kansas transfers). On Sunday, I sold a Rossi Circuit Judge Tactical to a young lady my age who had a vast knowledge of firearms, trigger pull weights, and ammo ballistics that impressed both myself and my uncle; then towards the end of the day another lady around my age bought a Walther P22 Tactical to use for plinking since she enjoys going to the shooting range. Overall the weekend was a success as I walked away with money in my pocket. With all the negative news about firearms in the mainstream media, if you are curious about what kind of people buy/sell firearms I would encourage you at attend a local gun show (cost to get in is usually around $10) and see for yourself...these are my kind of people.
2nd Inning.
Politics...I lean toward the Libertarian point of view. If I had been around during the founding of our nation I probably would have leaned towards the Jefferson camp. It's funny, but if you think hard about many of the policies/reasons you tend to vote Democratic or Republican it is most likely due to wanting the government to stay out of your life as much as possible. Republicans, well the Libertarian Republicans, want a small-central government which would therefore be too small to regulate/oversee every aspect of your life from birth to death. Democrats, the true Liberals by definition, especially don't want the government involved in their lives as that would be the antithesis of being liberated. I would encourage you to check out the Libertarian Party's website and take the political party quiz to find out where you are in the political spectrum.
This ole...hunting camp. When I moved back to the Kansas City area in March 2004, I soon found myself looking for a place to go deer hunting. I spent the next few years going down to my in-laws in Arkansas and paying for the Non-Resident tag to hunt or hunting down in/around Hume, Missouri with my uncle and cousin. Well, after realizing that paying the out-of-state fee was really getting ridiculous and when the opportunity to hunt down by Hume evaporated I went looking for land to lease for hunting. In the summer of 2007 I finally found a 100 acre parcel of land north and just outside Weston, Missouri. The land is all wooded and full of hills and valleys (reminds me of north Arkansas). There is a creepy children's cemetery on the land from the mid to late 1800s. The owner advised me to leave the cemetery alone and that some of the people in Weston had trespassed and stolen headstones to sell in their antique stores (yeah, I don't need that kind of bad juju on me).
We average around 5 hunters each year and take part in Spring Turkey season (and morel mushroom hunting) then in the fall we kick start the outdoor festivities with Archery season (I've not participated in that as of yet due to not having a bow but I bought one last year and will be ready come September!) then Fall Turkey, Fall Deer-Firearms, Deer-Antlerless, and finally Deer-Alternative Methods. While we hunt on the land we will camp out and during the Fall Deer-Firearms season we will stay up there for almost 2 weeks straight. In 2007, we purchased from Cabela's the Alaknak II 12x12 outfitter tent with a small wood burning stove. The following year we purchased the Alaknak vestibule to add more covered room to store gear from the elements. When walking around the 'Bargain Cave' in Cabela's in 2011 we found a 12x20 Alaknak tent and with such a great price we snatched it up. We now use both tents with the smaller one utilized as our cook tent. In addition, we built a barrel stove to use in the larger tent and it works extremely well. Most evenings at camp will find us sitting around the campfire drinking a few Coor's Lights, debating the merit of certain firearms, getting a history lesson, listening to some Johnny Horton, and discussing our favorite John Wayne movie.
4th Inning.
Music...I grew up listening to--Golden Oldies of the '50s & '60s!
I remember listening to my mom's old 45 records as a young child that introduced me to variety of musical acts from that era. Then while working for my parents in their restaurant back in the late '80s/early '90s I was forced to listen to Oldies 95 every time I worked with a short-order cook that controlled the radio. Those musical influences have led to an appreciation for some great music. Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, The Animals, The Tokens, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, Dion and The Belmonts, The Beach Boys, Ben E. King, Del Shannon, Bill Haley and the Comets, Bobby Darin, Booker T. & The MGs, Buddy Knox, The Capris, The Champs, The Coasters, Curtis Lee, The Diamonds, The Drifters, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, The Five Satins, Frank Lymon, Freddy Cannon, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Gene Chandler, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jim Croce, The Kingsmen, Lovin' Spoonful, The Mamas & The Papas, Manfred Mann, Maurice Williams, The Monkees, The Monotones, The Penguins, Percy Sledge, The Platters, Randy & The Rainbows, Ray Charles, The Righteous Brothers, Ritchie Valens, Roy Orbison, Sam Cooke, Sam the Sham & The Pharohs, Santo & Johnny, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Troggs to name a few (all musicians found on my MP3 player). I always feel a connection with that era. My first car was a 1967 Ford Mustang...I love 'Happy Days'...my childhood nickname, Beaver, is from a tv character from that era, and I love that music! I was hoping to catch 'The Million Dollar Quartet' show when it came to town and 'The Jersey Boys' but no such luck this time. But hey, who wouldn't want to be a greaser and wear that T-Birds jacket??? If you ever get a chance check out the movie 'The Hollywood Knights'. Great music and great humor!
5th Inning.
Firearms Corner...Smith & Wesson Model 3. I was watching an episode of Midway USA's Gun Stories the other day and the featured gun was the Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver. This revolver was revolutionary with its top-break design during the birth of the metallic cartridge. The firearm was popular among many outlaws (including Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and John Wesley Hardin), lawmen (including Virgil Earp and Pat Garrett), entertainers (Annie Oakley), and even a president (Theodore Roosevelt). Due to Smith & Wesson not being interested in redesigning the firearm to take the .45 Colt cartridge (used by the Colt Single Action Army revolver) the Federal government decided to go with Colt to supply the U.S. Army. But waiting in the wings were the Russians who liked the revolver and placed huge orders for it (which also trickled out its use to European countries). You can purchase originals that may cost you a small fortune but you can also purchase reproductions by Uberti, Heritage Firearms, and Smith & Wesson.
6th Inning.
American History lesson...Presidents' Day. Per The History Channel--"Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the Federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present." It is tricky but the proper spelling of the holiday is 'Presidents' Day' NOT 'President's Day'. My nerd moment for the day. Oh, and here in Missouri, Harry S. Truman's birthday is celebrated on or around May 8th by the State government and its employees who get the day off. Fact--George Washington would be 281; Abraham Lincoln would be 204; and Harry Truman would be 129 this year.
7th Inning.
Random facts about me...I sleep on the left side of the bed if you are standing at the end of it holding a knife...I have strategically placed ball caps around the house in case of emergency...I mow the front yard before the backyard...My traditional breakfast during the fall and winter is instant oatmeal but during spring and summer it is cereal...I believe in Bigfoot...I had TWO posters of Alyssa Milano on my bedroom wall when I was in high school...Gina takes out extra life insurance on me during hunting season...I prefer my tea sweet...I have slept a 100 feet from a tiger.
8th Inning.
FFL Factoid...What are 'Firearms' under the National Firearms Act (NFA)? Not a complete list but here are a few:
9th Inning.
Spring Training is here...Throw it at the mascot!
Gun Show...
This past weekend I had a table at the KC Gun & Knife Show at the KCI Expo Center. This is the third month in a row that I have had a table at that venue. I was assisted by my Uncle Randy and my buddy, Rob. We had rifles, shotguns, pistols, revolvers, ammo, magazines, reloading supplies, and knives. A little bit for everyone all on one table (Rob politely mentioned that maybe I should get an extra table next time and so I probably will). The folks that go to gun shows are from every walk of life, every race, and age group. There are vendor tables for firearms, ammunition, military surplus, knives, Scentsy, jerky, turkey calls, reloading supplies, t-shirts, and jewelry. I really enjoy talking to veterans that stop by and reminisce about a certain firearm they used during their military service. Pure historical education. Occasionally you will have someone walk by with a firearm for sale that is a collector's item and getting to hold one as they give you the history is really neat (this weekend we had a fella walk by with a Springfield Trapdoor Carbine from the 1800s). As for firearms sales this weekend, I sold more to women than to men. On Saturday I sold a Ruger LCR with Lasermax Laser to a grandma and learned how to do a firearms transfer to a Kansas dealer (a BIG thank you to She's A Pistol for being at the show and letting all the Missouri dealers know they were there to assist with Kansas transfers). On Sunday, I sold a Rossi Circuit Judge Tactical to a young lady my age who had a vast knowledge of firearms, trigger pull weights, and ammo ballistics that impressed both myself and my uncle; then towards the end of the day another lady around my age bought a Walther P22 Tactical to use for plinking since she enjoys going to the shooting range. Overall the weekend was a success as I walked away with money in my pocket. With all the negative news about firearms in the mainstream media, if you are curious about what kind of people buy/sell firearms I would encourage you at attend a local gun show (cost to get in is usually around $10) and see for yourself...these are my kind of people. 2nd Inning.
Politics...I lean toward the Libertarian point of view. If I had been around during the founding of our nation I probably would have leaned towards the Jefferson camp. It's funny, but if you think hard about many of the policies/reasons you tend to vote Democratic or Republican it is most likely due to wanting the government to stay out of your life as much as possible. Republicans, well the Libertarian Republicans, want a small-central government which would therefore be too small to regulate/oversee every aspect of your life from birth to death. Democrats, the true Liberals by definition, especially don't want the government involved in their lives as that would be the antithesis of being liberated. I would encourage you to check out the Libertarian Party's website and take the political party quiz to find out where you are in the political spectrum.
This ole...hunting camp. When I moved back to the Kansas City area in March 2004, I soon found myself looking for a place to go deer hunting. I spent the next few years going down to my in-laws in Arkansas and paying for the Non-Resident tag to hunt or hunting down in/around Hume, Missouri with my uncle and cousin. Well, after realizing that paying the out-of-state fee was really getting ridiculous and when the opportunity to hunt down by Hume evaporated I went looking for land to lease for hunting. In the summer of 2007 I finally found a 100 acre parcel of land north and just outside Weston, Missouri. The land is all wooded and full of hills and valleys (reminds me of north Arkansas). There is a creepy children's cemetery on the land from the mid to late 1800s. The owner advised me to leave the cemetery alone and that some of the people in Weston had trespassed and stolen headstones to sell in their antique stores (yeah, I don't need that kind of bad juju on me). 
We average around 5 hunters each year and take part in Spring Turkey season (and morel mushroom hunting) then in the fall we kick start the outdoor festivities with Archery season (I've not participated in that as of yet due to not having a bow but I bought one last year and will be ready come September!) then Fall Turkey, Fall Deer-Firearms, Deer-Antlerless, and finally Deer-Alternative Methods. While we hunt on the land we will camp out and during the Fall Deer-Firearms season we will stay up there for almost 2 weeks straight. In 2007, we purchased from Cabela's the Alaknak II 12x12 outfitter tent with a small wood burning stove. The following year we purchased the Alaknak vestibule to add more covered room to store gear from the elements. When walking around the 'Bargain Cave' in Cabela's in 2011 we found a 12x20 Alaknak tent and with such a great price we snatched it up. We now use both tents with the smaller one utilized as our cook tent. In addition, we built a barrel stove to use in the larger tent and it works extremely well. Most evenings at camp will find us sitting around the campfire drinking a few Coor's Lights, debating the merit of certain firearms, getting a history lesson, listening to some Johnny Horton, and discussing our favorite John Wayne movie. 
4th Inning.
Music...I grew up listening to--Golden Oldies of the '50s & '60s!
I remember listening to my mom's old 45 records as a young child that introduced me to variety of musical acts from that era. Then while working for my parents in their restaurant back in the late '80s/early '90s I was forced to listen to Oldies 95 every time I worked with a short-order cook that controlled the radio. Those musical influences have led to an appreciation for some great music. Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Chuck Berry, The Animals, The Tokens, Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons, Dion and The Belmonts, The Beach Boys, Ben E. King, Del Shannon, Bill Haley and the Comets, Bobby Darin, Booker T. & The MGs, Buddy Knox, The Capris, The Champs, The Coasters, Curtis Lee, The Diamonds, The Drifters, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Fats Domino, The Five Satins, Frank Lymon, Freddy Cannon, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Gene Chandler, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jim Croce, The Kingsmen, Lovin' Spoonful, The Mamas & The Papas, Manfred Mann, Maurice Williams, The Monkees, The Monotones, The Penguins, Percy Sledge, The Platters, Randy & The Rainbows, Ray Charles, The Righteous Brothers, Ritchie Valens, Roy Orbison, Sam Cooke, Sam the Sham & The Pharohs, Santo & Johnny, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Troggs to name a few (all musicians found on my MP3 player). I always feel a connection with that era. My first car was a 1967 Ford Mustang...I love 'Happy Days'...my childhood nickname, Beaver, is from a tv character from that era, and I love that music! I was hoping to catch 'The Million Dollar Quartet' show when it came to town and 'The Jersey Boys' but no such luck this time. But hey, who wouldn't want to be a greaser and wear that T-Birds jacket??? If you ever get a chance check out the movie 'The Hollywood Knights'. Great music and great humor!
5th Inning.
Firearms Corner...Smith & Wesson Model 3. I was watching an episode of Midway USA's Gun Stories the other day and the featured gun was the Smith & Wesson Model 3 revolver. This revolver was revolutionary with its top-break design during the birth of the metallic cartridge. The firearm was popular among many outlaws (including Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and John Wesley Hardin), lawmen (including Virgil Earp and Pat Garrett), entertainers (Annie Oakley), and even a president (Theodore Roosevelt). Due to Smith & Wesson not being interested in redesigning the firearm to take the .45 Colt cartridge (used by the Colt Single Action Army revolver) the Federal government decided to go with Colt to supply the U.S. Army. But waiting in the wings were the Russians who liked the revolver and placed huge orders for it (which also trickled out its use to European countries). You can purchase originals that may cost you a small fortune but you can also purchase reproductions by Uberti, Heritage Firearms, and Smith & Wesson.
6th Inning.
American History lesson...Presidents' Day. Per The History Channel--"Presidents’ Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, it is still officially called “Washington’s Birthday” by the Federal government. Traditionally celebrated on February 22—Washington’s actual day of birth—the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents past and present." It is tricky but the proper spelling of the holiday is 'Presidents' Day' NOT 'President's Day'. My nerd moment for the day. Oh, and here in Missouri, Harry S. Truman's birthday is celebrated on or around May 8th by the State government and its employees who get the day off. Fact--George Washington would be 281; Abraham Lincoln would be 204; and Harry Truman would be 129 this year.
7th Inning.
Random facts about me...I sleep on the left side of the bed if you are standing at the end of it holding a knife...I have strategically placed ball caps around the house in case of emergency...I mow the front yard before the backyard...My traditional breakfast during the fall and winter is instant oatmeal but during spring and summer it is cereal...I believe in Bigfoot...I had TWO posters of Alyssa Milano on my bedroom wall when I was in high school...Gina takes out extra life insurance on me during hunting season...I prefer my tea sweet...I have slept a 100 feet from a tiger.
8th Inning.
FFL Factoid...What are 'Firearms' under the National Firearms Act (NFA)? Not a complete list but here are a few:
- A shotgun that has a barrel (or barrels) length of less than 18 inches
- A weapon made from a shotgun that has an overall length of less than 26 inches
- A rifle that has a barrel length of less than 16 inches
- A weapon made from a rifle that has an overall length of less than 26 inches
9th Inning.
Spring Training is here...Throw it at the mascot!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Top of the mornin' to ya!
1st inning.
Daddy/Daughter dance...
After a 3 hour birthday party for Dixie and her friends on Saturday afternoon, Kylie, Dixie, and myself got dressed for the Daddy/Daughter dance at the Belton High School. The dance was from 6pm-8pm and we arrived right at 6 only to find the line to get a formal picture by Pearce Photographics wrapping around the cafeteria with around 100 people in the line. We made our way to the end and waited in line for an hour till it was our turn then swiftly made our way to the snack line for some punch and cookies. With the girls' sugar fix satisfied we headed into the gym to partake in the musical festivities. Now let me say this...while waiting in line we could hear the music and missed out on YMCA and Thriller (bummer!) but we still made it in time to work our groove to some 'Ice, Ice Baby', 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun', and to something called 'The Cupid Shuffle'. Throughout the remainder of the evening we were able to work a nice 3-way dance while having a bunch of fun. We look forward to next year and the girls were looking forward to the day Lucy could accompany us as a Kindergartner but I had to inform them that they would be too old by that time...sad faces all around. Side note--this was not the first occasion I had two pretty dates for a formal event...
2nd inning.
There was a great story that came out of the Super Bowl that involved the Baltimore Raven player, Michael Oher. If you have not seen 'The Blind Side' then I would suggest buying it and although Oher may not agree with how he was portrayed in the movie it still has a wonderful message. Gina and I have always had a desire to adopt or to be foster parents. When we lived in Memphis (which just happened to be during the years portrayed in the movie) Gina worked at a non-profit, Youth Villages , which assisted children coming from troubled homes and were most likely victims of some form of abuse or neglect. It was an eye opener to the thousands of children that really and truly needed a 'family'. In my short 38 years on this planet I have met people that were adopted and those that adopted children. Through those connections I came to understand the perils of adopting children in the United States. The wise Thomas Sowell highlights just one troubled segment of adopting children in our nation. I see people adopting children from overseas and continue to see children here in the greatest country in the world advertised in the paper as the 'Child of the Week- Looking for a Home'. I don't care how manly you are it has to break your heart in some way.
"There are wonderful kids all over this country and this world that want a forever family and we believe that there are no unwanted kids they're just unfound families."--Leigh Ann Touhy
3rd inning.
American History lesson this week. Defense of Fort McHenry, Maryland. As I watched the video of Dr. Benjamin Carson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyyHegP255g --the 24:30 mark) at the National Prayer Breakfast on February 7th, he described the events during the War of 1812 that transpired at the Fort McHenry. It was truly a remarkable event. For our armed forces to defend the Fort and not let the Flag fall was a symbol that was documented and transformed into a national...anthem. I had the chance to see the Fort on work trip back in 2010. As we floated by on a boat trip of the bay, I felt a chill as I thought about the 25 hours of bombardment the Fort took from the British armada and after all was said and done...Old Glory was still flying.
4th inning.
Movie I want to see this year... 'Man of Steel' (The background music in the new trailer is very powerful, in my opinion). There will never be another Christopher Reeve but I think this latest version has a chance. I believe we can all forget Superman 3 & 4 and Superman Returns, but I watched Smallville and would have been satisfied with Tom Welling assuming the role. So, with this new version we are treated to another origin story and a new Superman 'super-suit'. This is suppose to be the movie to jump start the chance at a group movie a few years from now that will be the forming of the 'Justice League'. I think this one is a winner.
 |
| I had my own Superman action figure doll when I was a kid after the original movie came out. Wish I still had him... |
5th inning.
This ole...bobblehead. Satchel Paige. One of the greatest pitchers to ever take the mound and one of the greatest baseball entertainers to ever put on a uniform. Anyone that has visited our home has most likely noticed my bobblehead collection of Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Monarchs, Kansas City Chiefs, and other baseball/football players. There is one that stands out to me as my most coveted. How did I get it? Well, when we lived in Cordova, Tennessee (an eastern suburb of Memphis) we would always go to this little outlet mall and within it was a memorabilia store. They sold Hollywood memorabilia along with sports memorabilia. I really liked to go in there as he had some very old stuff (almost like a museum) and usually found Memphis Chicks stuff that had images of many of the Royals that came up through there in the Minor leagues when Memphis was a farm club. The owner had once lived in Kansas City so he and I would occasionally talk about KC and the many sports figures that had come through and the great BBQ compared to the local Mid-South flavor. Anyhow, one day I'm in there and looking through his display counter and notice the Satchel Paige bobblehead. Now, prior to living in Memphis I had heard the name, Satchel Paige, but until the summer of 2003 I had no knowledge of how great a baseball player he really was during his career. It was during that summer that I bought the Royals tv package through our cable company and was introduced to Buck O'Neill and through him I was educated on Leroy Robert Paige. So, there I am looking at the bobblehead and decide to ask how much he costs and the owner ho-hums and says, "How about $40?" to which I said, "Sold!". He goes to the back to get the box and when he comes out he tells me that the box shows the real price was for $80 but he would still honor the $40. Scouring the interweb he seems to have retained his value and then some but I wasn't looking to get rich, just to have neat piece of history. By the way, if you are ever in Kansas City, please take the time to go visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (www.nlbm.com). 6th inning.
Firearms corner...Ruger 10/22. I was watching an episode of 'Midway USA's Gun Stories' awhile back and the gun profiled was the Ruger 10/22 (A history of the rifle can be found here). Watching that show educated me on how popular that rifle has become over the years since it's introduction in 1964. I purchased mine back in 2006, I believe, from the Bass Pro shop in Olathe, Kansas. It is a great introductory rifle for a child as the .22 Long Rifle (rimfire cartridge) round has no kick and since it comes with a 10-round rotary magazine you can plink away for awhile before needing to reload. The 10/22 now comes in a variety of formats that include a Sporter model, Compact, Carbine, Mannlicher, and a new Takedown (which has been as elusive as the Sasquatch since it was introduced last year). Another great feature about the 10/22 is that it can be customized through various stocks and barrels. You can modify it to look like an AR-15 or M1 Carbine then turnaround and swap out the stock and/or barrel to make it a target match version to shoot in rimfire competitions. So, if you are looking for a first rifle for your child then I would definitely recommend the Ruger 10/22 which is usually selling around the $200 mark or if you would like a good plinker that you can also take small game hunting then you have found your gun! Squirrels beware! 7th inning.
FFL factoid...Contiguous State Long-Gun Purchase Restrictions:
- Residents of California may NOT purchase long-guns (rifles or shotguns) in other states and Non-Residents may NOT purchase long-guns in California.
- Residents of Colorado may purchase long-guns only in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in Colorado only if they are a resident of Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Residents of Delaware may purchase long-guns only Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania as long as the transaction is permitted in that state and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in Maryland.
- Residents of Illinois who possess a Firearm Owners Identification card under Illinois law may purchase long-guns only in Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Kentucky and Non-Residents who are residents of Iowa, Missouri, Indiana, Wisconsin, or Kentucky may purchase long-guns in Illinois. Non-residents of any other states who possess a valid non-resident hunting license may purchase long-guns in Illinois. Non-residents of any other state who are competing in a sanctioned shooting event may purchase a shotgun at the place of the event for the purpose of participating in that event.
- Residents of Maryland may purchase long-guns only in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia. If the firearm is a 'regulated firearm' under Maryland law, the out of state FFL(Federal Firearms Licensed dealer) must ship the firearm to a Maryland FFL and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in Maryland only if they are a resident of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia.
- Residents of Massachusetts may purchase long-guns in other states and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in Massachusetts only if they first obtain a Massachusetts non-resident license to carry.
- Residents of New York may purchase long-guns only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Vermont and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in New York.
- Residents of Ohio may purchase long-guns only in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in Ohio only if they are a resident of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
- Residents of Oregon may purchase long-guns only in California, Idaho, Nevada, or Washington as long as the transaction is permitted in that state and Non-Residents may purchase long-guns in this state.
Random thoughts...The history of many gun control laws in the United States have had racist implications but don't try to explain that to 'Crazy' Danny Glover (I thought Martin Riggs was the crazy one not Roger Murtaugh)....It upsets me that the President made time to comment on Whitney Houston's death but has yet to pay any respects to Chris Kyle....If my Kanasas City Royals can not win with this revamped pitching staff it is over for Dayton Moore...To all the husbands out there, if you don't want to perform a task/chore your wife gives you just screw it up real bad the first time then she won't ask you to do it again...I hope Yoda gets his own movie now that Disney owns the Star Wars franchise...Tate Stevens' debut single sounds like a hit...Sign up for your elected representatives electronic newsletters, it keeps you informed on what they are doing on your behalf...
9th inning.
Pitchers and Catchers reported yesterday. Bring on Spring Training!
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
3..2..1..Blast off!
So, here we go with my inaugural weekly blog post...
1st inning.
Super Bowl Sunday...I wish the Chiefs were playing. That's a wish I've had for too many years. I love watching highlights from the '60s and the Chiefs' Superbowl squads of that era but damn, we have had some good teams in Kansas City over the past 20 years that coulda, shoulda, woulda been great to see in the big game. It was nice to see former Chief, Curley Culp, selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but in my opinion another former Chief deserves it more...#89 Otis Taylor. Taylor was the mold from which all modern receivers were cut. Check out this video put together by Red Tribe Cinema.
One of the greatest moments in Chiefs history, outside of the Super Bowls, is the display of friendship and teammates by Otis when he takes down Ben Davidson of the Raiders after Davidson speared Lenny 'The Cool' Dawson. Awesome moment!
2nd inning.
So, Gina and I made our first trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City this past weekend. Dixie had already been with a friend so she acted as our unofficial tour guide. We had our girls plus two(Kylie and Dixie both brought a friend). The room had 3 beds with one in a loft. We arrived on a Friday night after 5pm and the kids were buzzing and bouncing off the walls to get down to the water park that closed at 9pm. After a quick Pizza Hut dinner we were off! There seemed to be plenty for the kids to do and they spent the night going down the water slides while Gina and I kept Lucy busy in the baby pool. The next morning the water park opened at 9am and we were down there shortly thereafter and spent several hours there before packing it up and heading home. Overall it was an okay time. The room was designed good but for the price we paid I expected to not find a poor wallpaper patch job with additional torn patches along with a clearly broken dresser drawer in the loft area. The carpet in the hallways throughout the lodge were starting to bunch up in places and indicated a poor carpet laying job. Other than those rather minor cosmetic issues it seemed to be well worth the money....but, (yes there is a but), if you plan on only staying one night, book Saturday night. You can partake in the water park activities prior to checking in to your room so you could show up at 9am Saturday when the water park opens and play all day until your 3pm check-in then grab your bags from your car and enter your room for a quick rest before heading back to close out the water park.
3rd inning.
American History lesson this week: http://www.dickmorris.com/andrew-jackson-creates-a-democracy-dick-morris-tv-history-video/ . I am an American history buff. We have so much to learn and avoid going forward by just looking at our past. When Gina and I got married we spent our honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. On our way back home to Jonesboro, Arkansas we stopped in Nashville and toured The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home). We made a challenge to ourselves over that trip to try and visit all the President's home/libraries. So far we have made it to Jackson, Truman, Kennedy, and Polk. Hopefully we will make it out to Abilene, Kansas for Eisenhower and Little Rock for Clinton this year.
4th inning.
One of the movies I'm looking forward to seeing this year is 'The Lone Ranger'. http://www.joblo.com/video/player.php?video=the-lone-ranger-trailer2 . I grew up watching the old black and white re-runs of 'The Lone Ranger' with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels. Hell, I had the Lone Ranger and Tonto action figure dolls with horses at one point in my youth...and looking at what they go for now on Ebay I wish I still had them. That opening theme music always got me excited as a kid. I had my own mask, toy cowboy hat, and six shooter. Imagine that, kids playing with toy guns.
From the looks of the trailer, Johnny Depp should make the new version an entertaining flick.
5th inning.
This ole hat. April 6th, 2002. Gina and I were up from Arkansas visiting my family here in Belton and I decided to take her to a Royals game. Her first game. On that day I bought this hat. It is old, faded, broke down(adjustment strap is broke so I used blue duct tape to keep it together), and sometime smells funny. The Royals may have lost 14-0 that day but I still have this hat and Gina now understands my passion for the Royals and baseball.
6th inning.
Firearms corner. I am by no means a gun expert. I was not raised in a house with firearms but I was occasionally exposed to them when I travelled down to Arkansas to visit my dad's family. With that said, since getting married, I have taken up hunting and a general interest for all things firearms related. I even went out and created a business and obtained a Federal Firearms License as a dealer. I am and will always be eager to learn more about the industry, history, and anything in general about the subject. I cherish the moments I get to have with my Uncle Randy around the campfire at deer camp while he educates us on the history of the M1 Garand or the Winchester Model 94. So, I'll start off by discussing my most prized gun. It is a Winchester Model 67 single-shot in .22long rifle/.22short. It originally belonged to my Great-Grandfather, Oscar Brewer, who would have purchased it around the mid-1930s. It was passed down to my Grandfather, Udis 'Papa' Brewer, and upon his death I took possession of it. It was the very first rifle I ever shot. My Papa Brewer took me out squirrel hunting on the mountain behind their old farmhouse when I shot it. When I took possession of it the stock was very worn and chewed up (from what I could gather he would set it in his squirrel dog's pen to let them become familiar with it and not be afraid of it which lead to them chewing on it). Thankfully my brother-in-law, Stephen, being the woodworking guru that he is took it and refinished the stock and added a new butt stock. Now it looks great again and over the past few years as my girls have come of age it just happened to be the first firearm they have shot (not Lucy yet, of course).
7th inning.
What I'm reading...1776 by David McCullough, Founding Father:Rediscovering George Washington by Richard Brookhiser, and The New Founders by Michael Duncan and Joseph Connor.
1776--I'm up through the Seige of Boston and Henry Knox just showed up with artillery taken from Fort Ticonderoga. If you don't know anything about Knox's feat to bring back those cannons then check it out. The British are wearing down in Boston and the Continental Army is getting restless.
Founding Father--This book divides up his life into Career, Character, and Founding Father. I'm in the Career section which is divided between his time in the War, during the creation of the Constitution, and his Presidency. This man knew how important his presence was to so many events but did not let it go to his head. He very easily could have become King George the 1st (and some wanted that) yet he knew how important it was to set the standard of what we were becoming: the grand experiment in self-governance.
The New Founders--This is a fictional book that finds the spirit of 5 of our founders(Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Adamns, and Hamilton) living in modern men that are drawn to Philadelphia over a July 4th weekend in which they encounter George Washington, living and breathing. They start to examine how our nation has veered off course from it's founding principles. I'm at the part where they have met Washington and are starting to get him up to speed on the history of the nation since his death. They are getting ready to drive him to Washington, D.C. to show him around. Good stuff!
8th inning.
FFL factoid...a Federal Firearms Dealer must keep all form 4473s where a transfer was completed for 20 years.
9th inning.
Six days till Pitchers and Catchers report. The 2013 Royal's slogan--"Come to Play!".
1st inning.
Super Bowl Sunday...I wish the Chiefs were playing. That's a wish I've had for too many years. I love watching highlights from the '60s and the Chiefs' Superbowl squads of that era but damn, we have had some good teams in Kansas City over the past 20 years that coulda, shoulda, woulda been great to see in the big game. It was nice to see former Chief, Curley Culp, selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but in my opinion another former Chief deserves it more...#89 Otis Taylor. Taylor was the mold from which all modern receivers were cut. Check out this video put together by Red Tribe Cinema.
One of the greatest moments in Chiefs history, outside of the Super Bowls, is the display of friendship and teammates by Otis when he takes down Ben Davidson of the Raiders after Davidson speared Lenny 'The Cool' Dawson. Awesome moment!
2nd inning.
So, Gina and I made our first trip to the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City this past weekend. Dixie had already been with a friend so she acted as our unofficial tour guide. We had our girls plus two(Kylie and Dixie both brought a friend). The room had 3 beds with one in a loft. We arrived on a Friday night after 5pm and the kids were buzzing and bouncing off the walls to get down to the water park that closed at 9pm. After a quick Pizza Hut dinner we were off! There seemed to be plenty for the kids to do and they spent the night going down the water slides while Gina and I kept Lucy busy in the baby pool. The next morning the water park opened at 9am and we were down there shortly thereafter and spent several hours there before packing it up and heading home. Overall it was an okay time. The room was designed good but for the price we paid I expected to not find a poor wallpaper patch job with additional torn patches along with a clearly broken dresser drawer in the loft area. The carpet in the hallways throughout the lodge were starting to bunch up in places and indicated a poor carpet laying job. Other than those rather minor cosmetic issues it seemed to be well worth the money....but, (yes there is a but), if you plan on only staying one night, book Saturday night. You can partake in the water park activities prior to checking in to your room so you could show up at 9am Saturday when the water park opens and play all day until your 3pm check-in then grab your bags from your car and enter your room for a quick rest before heading back to close out the water park.
3rd inning.
American History lesson this week: http://www.dickmorris.com/andrew-jackson-creates-a-democracy-dick-morris-tv-history-video/ . I am an American history buff. We have so much to learn and avoid going forward by just looking at our past. When Gina and I got married we spent our honeymoon in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. On our way back home to Jonesboro, Arkansas we stopped in Nashville and toured The Hermitage (Andrew Jackson's home). We made a challenge to ourselves over that trip to try and visit all the President's home/libraries. So far we have made it to Jackson, Truman, Kennedy, and Polk. Hopefully we will make it out to Abilene, Kansas for Eisenhower and Little Rock for Clinton this year.
4th inning.
One of the movies I'm looking forward to seeing this year is 'The Lone Ranger'. http://www.joblo.com/video/player.php?video=the-lone-ranger-trailer2 . I grew up watching the old black and white re-runs of 'The Lone Ranger' with Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels. Hell, I had the Lone Ranger and Tonto action figure dolls with horses at one point in my youth...and looking at what they go for now on Ebay I wish I still had them. That opening theme music always got me excited as a kid. I had my own mask, toy cowboy hat, and six shooter. Imagine that, kids playing with toy guns.
From the looks of the trailer, Johnny Depp should make the new version an entertaining flick.
5th inning.
6th inning.
Firearms corner. I am by no means a gun expert. I was not raised in a house with firearms but I was occasionally exposed to them when I travelled down to Arkansas to visit my dad's family. With that said, since getting married, I have taken up hunting and a general interest for all things firearms related. I even went out and created a business and obtained a Federal Firearms License as a dealer. I am and will always be eager to learn more about the industry, history, and anything in general about the subject. I cherish the moments I get to have with my Uncle Randy around the campfire at deer camp while he educates us on the history of the M1 Garand or the Winchester Model 94. So, I'll start off by discussing my most prized gun. It is a Winchester Model 67 single-shot in .22long rifle/.22short. It originally belonged to my Great-Grandfather, Oscar Brewer, who would have purchased it around the mid-1930s. It was passed down to my Grandfather, Udis 'Papa' Brewer, and upon his death I took possession of it. It was the very first rifle I ever shot. My Papa Brewer took me out squirrel hunting on the mountain behind their old farmhouse when I shot it. When I took possession of it the stock was very worn and chewed up (from what I could gather he would set it in his squirrel dog's pen to let them become familiar with it and not be afraid of it which lead to them chewing on it). Thankfully my brother-in-law, Stephen, being the woodworking guru that he is took it and refinished the stock and added a new butt stock. Now it looks great again and over the past few years as my girls have come of age it just happened to be the first firearm they have shot (not Lucy yet, of course).
7th inning.
What I'm reading...1776 by David McCullough, Founding Father:Rediscovering George Washington by Richard Brookhiser, and The New Founders by Michael Duncan and Joseph Connor.
1776--I'm up through the Seige of Boston and Henry Knox just showed up with artillery taken from Fort Ticonderoga. If you don't know anything about Knox's feat to bring back those cannons then check it out. The British are wearing down in Boston and the Continental Army is getting restless.
Founding Father--This book divides up his life into Career, Character, and Founding Father. I'm in the Career section which is divided between his time in the War, during the creation of the Constitution, and his Presidency. This man knew how important his presence was to so many events but did not let it go to his head. He very easily could have become King George the 1st (and some wanted that) yet he knew how important it was to set the standard of what we were becoming: the grand experiment in self-governance.
The New Founders--This is a fictional book that finds the spirit of 5 of our founders(Franklin, Jefferson, Madison, Adamns, and Hamilton) living in modern men that are drawn to Philadelphia over a July 4th weekend in which they encounter George Washington, living and breathing. They start to examine how our nation has veered off course from it's founding principles. I'm at the part where they have met Washington and are starting to get him up to speed on the history of the nation since his death. They are getting ready to drive him to Washington, D.C. to show him around. Good stuff!
8th inning.
FFL factoid...a Federal Firearms Dealer must keep all form 4473s where a transfer was completed for 20 years.
9th inning.
Six days till Pitchers and Catchers report. The 2013 Royal's slogan--"Come to Play!".
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