When you wish upon a star.....

1st Inning.

Vacation destination...Star Wars Land.  This past week I came across an article that literally floored me with its possibility.  With Disney purchasing the Star Wars franchise and everything that goes with it, they are apparently gauging interest in a Star Wars themed resort as part of the Disneyland Resort.  If that doesn't get the young jedi within you excited I don't know what will.  Please, Disney, make this happen!  The Brew Crew will load up in the Family Truckster and drive west for this!

2nd Inning.

Movie I want to see....again.  My Top 10 Teen Comedy Movies of the '80s Countdown..Part 2. Zapped!  This is probably one you have never heard of but thanks to cable tv and a childhood of spending too much time in front of the television set I found it during late-night weekend hours.  It stars Scott Baio(during his 'Happy Days' period) and Willie Aames (in between 'Eight is Enough' and 'Charles in Charge' with Baio).  The movie is a typical teen raunchy comedy with a plot around Baio's nerdy character getting telekinetic powers through a lab experiment gone wrong (pure comic book material).  Then enter his best friend portrayed by Aames who sees many benefits with his friend's new found abilities.  You then get treated to the stereotypical nerdy brunette girl love interest who finally gets picked over the blonde bombshell (see 'Teen Wolf', 'Better Off Dead', etc for similar formulas).  Altogether a funny flick and a must-own DVD which I need to finally track down for my collection.  The trailer is below. Enjoy!

3rd Inning.

Firearms Corner...Turkey Shotguns.  With the Missouri Spring Turkey season right around the corner I wanted to profile some of the best shotguns to use for turkey hunting.  I have only been turkey hunting since about 2007 and I have used a few different shotguns during that period ranging from Winchester to Remington to Mossberg but the guys in our camp shoot either Winchester or Mossberg.  American Rifleman and Outdoor Life have compiled a couple of 'Top Turkey Gun' lists here and here.  So, next time you are walking through the woods looking for a gobbler I would recommend the following:  Winchester Super X Pump Turkey Hunter, Mossberg 500 Turkey, or Remington 870 Express.

4th Inning.

American History Lesson...On March 24th 1765 - The Quartering Act was passed by the British requiring colonists to house British troops. Quartering of troops angered colonists so much that when they finally gained independence, they included an amendment in the Bill of Rights that would not allow troops to be quartered in private homes during peacetime. 

5th Inning.

Random Facts about me...I can't stand folks that use incorrect state abbreviations (Arkansas is AR not AK!)...I think Rodney Dangerfield was the best comedian ever...I love the Red Wolf mascot but I will always be an Arkansas State Indian...I have made the mistake of letting Gina pluck one of my eyebrows then gone to bed without the other one plucked...I grew up on Duck Road in Grandview, Missouri...My favorite vacations as a kid were going to my grandparents in Arkansas...I threw up on the Spiderman 3-D ride at Universal Orlando (rather I threw up while quickly exiting the ride)...Gina and I had an American themed guest bedroom while living in Faculty housing at ASU and in both of our apartments in Memphis...I took my wife to see Titanic on our first date and she wore a blue sweater and we went to Perkins afterwards and had chicken tenders while she told me a story about egging some girl's car...

6th Inning.
Articles of the week.

• Chuck Norris..."Washington's good friend Henry Lee probably summarized his life, leadership and legacy best in the eulogy for the father of the United States: 'First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen.'"
• Wasteful spending...Senator Tom Coburn (OK) puts together a rather interesting read on our Federal Government's wasteful spending. Did you know food stamps were used to purchase beer, diapers, condoms, Starbucks drinks, KFC, Taco Bell, and alcohol?  
• Gun Grabbers..."If Barack Obama, Diane Feinstein, Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden and the rest of the Democrat gun grabbers in Congress could get away with it, they would ban and confiscate every gun in America tomorrow -- and people know it."
• Minimum Wage..."Are people responsive to changes in price? For example, if the price of cars rose by 25 percent, would people purchase as many cars? Supposing housing prices rose by 25 percent, what would happen to sales?"
• Thomas Sowell..."Virtually everything was against young Ben Carson, except for his mother's attitudes and values. But, armed with her outlook, he was able to fight his way through many battles, including battles to control his own temper, as well as external obstacles."
• Gun innovation...For all you Preppers, here is an invention to help you survive when specific ammo calibers are scarce and others are plentiful. 
• Star Trek...A sign of the apocalypse? A sign that our Federal Government really has no clue how to handle our tax $$$ responsibly? Both.
• Retirement...I recall a case study I read in grad school in one of my Public Administration classes that examined a married couple and the amount of their Federal pensions.  The man was retired military(1st pension) who then went to work for the Feds and retired (2nd pension) then went on to run for a House of Representatives seat in Congress and retired (3rd pension) PLUS the wife retired from a Federal civilian job.  Let's just say they won't be hurting for retirement funds.  If we are going to provide luxury pensions at the Federal level let there only be ones for our military and military alone. 
• Boomtown...The problem in our country isn't Republican vs Democrat. It's political cronyism that has created a new autocratic society in/around Washington, D.C.. This is where the base of all political parties should be focusing the spotlight.

7th Inning.

What I'm reading...So, I finally finished the book "Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington".  An excellent source for insight into the man we have proclaimed the Founding Father.  As I mentioned in an earlier post this book divides up his life into Career, Character, and Founding Father.    

As the book details his Career from his time in War to his time in taking part in shaping the Constitution to his time as President you understand how he knew what others thought of him (holding him in such high regard) and how his actions would be perceived and used by future generations as precedents. 

The section on his Character details how the man was shaped through nature, morals, and ideas.  This section discusses how nature was the ground floor of his character consisting of things "given to him by nature and cultivated by conditions of his life: his physicality and temperament."  Morals were the second floor and "were the way he governed himself" through morality, right and wrong, manners, customs, and mores along with the influence of Romans(see 'The Rules of Civility an Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation" by GW).  Lastly, this section discusses the third story of his character, Ideas, and how it was in the "name of right ideas about politics and government that he commanded his countrymen, and the process of studying them, and sharpening his understanding of them, that went on all his adult life."

The final section discusses his role as the Founding Father.  He was never a biological father to anyone but he regarded the people of this nation and there descendants as his children and grandchildren and understood the experiment of self-governance would be a sort of gift to them.  But he understood that as a father you have to let go of your children, and in this case his political children, and in doing so he foresaw that we would be on our own with all the uncertainty that entails.  Washington knew this and he addressed it in his Farewell Address, Circular to the States in June 1783 as is recorded in his 3rd paragraph. 

 

"The Citizens of America, placed in the most enviable condition, as the sole Lords and Proprietors of a vast Tract of Continent, comprehending all the various soils and climates of the World, and abounding with all the necessaries and conveniencies of life, are now by the late satisfactory pacification, acknowledged to be possessed of absolute freedom and Independency; They are, from this period, to be considered as the Actors on a most conspicuous Theatre, which seems to be peculiarly designated by Providence for the display of human greatness and felicity; Here, they are not only surrounded with every thing which can contribute to the completion of private and domestic enjoyment, but Heaven was crowned all its other blessings, by giving a fairer opportunity for political happiness, than any other Nation has ever been favored with. Nothing can illustrate these observations more forcibly, than a recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and circumstances, under which our Republic assumed its rank among the Nations; The foundation of our empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epocha when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period; the researches of the human mind, after social happiness, have been carried to a great extent; the Treasures of knowledge, acquired through a long succession of years, by the labors of Philosophers, Sages and Legislatures, are laid open for our use, and their collected wisdom may be happily applied in the Establishment of our forms of Government; the free cultivation of Letters, the unbounded extension of Commerce, the progressive refinement of Manners, the growing liberality of sentiment, and above all, the pure and benign light of Revelation, have had a meliorating influence on mankind and increased the blessings of Society. At this auspicious period, the United States came into existence as a Nation, and if their Citizens should not be completely free and happy, the fault will be intirely their own." 

That last sentence is a constant reminder and warning to us, the citizens of this great nation.  As the author describes it, "With so many blessings, how could we (the citizens of this nation) fail? Easily enough, he (Washington) tells us; see that you don't."

8th Inning.
FFL Factoid...Dealer types.

• 01-Dealer in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices (includes Gunsmiths)--[This is mine].
• 02-Pawnbroker in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
• 03-Collector of Curios and Relics
• 06-Manufacturer of Ammunition for Firearms
• 07-Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
• 08-Importer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
• 09-Dealer in Destructive Devices
• 10-Manufacturer of Destructive Devices
• 11-Importer of Destructive Devices

9th Inning.
Spring Training...This scene is the one that gets me all choked up. I never had a catch with my dad and probably never will but I do cherish the catches with my girls.

March Madness begins....

1st Inning.

Sports...I recently watched the ESPN Films special '30 for 30' on Bo Jackson via the Internet (you can watch it here).  It took me back to my youth watching his Royals highlights.  I was a junior high kid when he joined the Royals and I was a Tecmo Bowl player when he joined the Raiders.  His tenure with the Royals was brief due to the hip injury in football but he did have some great moments while donning the powder blue uniform.  It sort of reminds me of Roy Hobbs in the movie 'The Natural'.  A brief glimpse of what could have been that it almost seems like it never happened and is just a fictional story told about legends and fairy tales.  The ESPN special shows him in a very positive spotlight but in all honesty there is nothing negative about this man that I could find.  The show ends with a glimpse into who Bo is now.  Living in a humble but nice house and spending time in his basement 'man-cave' making arrows (he's a big bow hunter). 

At the All-Star game festivities last summer here in Kansas City during the Celebrity Softball game (where he was the coach of one team) you could feel the love this city has for him.  He was a hero that was taken from us too soon.  Throughout the game the crowd let everyone know on/off the field that they wanted to see Bo take one at-bat.  One at-bat to crush the ball farther than any player ever has since he launched the farthest home-run in the regular season during the 1986 season (475-foot shot & first career home run; only other farther hit home run in Kauffman Stadium is Johnny Bench's 1973 All-Star game shot of 480-feet). So, finally the final at-bat of the game comes and the crowd is chanting his name and after repeatedly turning down the chance he picks up a bat and approaches the plate.  Although it was only a pop-up to the outfield and was caught, the fans showed him some love that we, Kansas City fans, show our sports heroes. 

 **Bo is up for election to the Royals Hall of Fame. Please go here to vote for him.

2nd Inning.

Firearms Corner...I've come across several lists highlighting the top conceal-carry guns.  I obtained my CCW(Conceal Carry Weapon) permit several years ago and I am always paying attention to what is the best firearm for this purpose.  You can find a couple of 'Top 10' CCW lists here and here and here.  My top 5 (as decided by what I have carried or would like to have to carry) are as follows:

• Springfield Armory XDm full size in 40 S&W.  It's a full size which limits when you can wear it (fall/winter with sweatshirts and coats and long pants) but you get 16+1 in rounds carried.
• Glock 27 subcompact in 40 S&W.  It's small and easily concealable and can be carried year round with long pants or shorts and either with a IWB(Inside the Waistband) holster or pocket holster with 9+1 rounds carried.
• Springfield Armory EMP in 40 S&W.  It's a mini-1911 style pistol which would be a good all-year carry gun with 8 rounds carried in the magazine.
• Ruger LCR in .357/.38spl.  It's very concealable and can be carried year round.  Only drawback is the 5-shot capacity.
• Kimber Ultra-Carry II in .45 ACP.  It's also a small version of the 1911 and fires the same cartridge as a traditional 1911.  It can be carried year-round and holds 7 in the magazine.

3rd Inning.

This ole...Fraternity.  To say I enjoyed high school or say that my teen years were the best would be telling a lie.  The day I set foot on the campus of Arkansas State University(ASU) was the first day of my favorite years of schooling.  Yes, I was a fraternity guy and for all the bad rap that stereotype is given don't knock it till you tried it.  After getting my dorm room set up my roommate comes in and says this fella, Clark Atkins, has invited us to a party that night.  Clark picked us up in his car and away we went.  It was a great party and I knew from that point on where I was going to pledge.  Now understand, I goofed off for a couple of years here in Kansas City at the University of Missouri-Kansas City before dropping out then deciding to go back to college a year or so later.  So, when I arrived at ASU I was 21 years old (sort of between the traditional student age and non-traditional student age) but that didn't matter to these guys.  The fraternity I joined is Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE), Beta Psi Chapter. I was initiated in the fall of 1996.  The TKE Chapeter at ASU has a storied past but when I joined it was living through some of it's worst years but that didn't matter to me...I saw potential.  Through tireless efforts to re-brand the chapter we were able to return to some campus glory through intramurals, student government, interfraternity council, along with many other campus activities which lead to chapter awards from the national fraternity and university. 

 

Due to the small chapter size when I joined, I was thrust into a leadership role almost immediately and that carried over to Chapter President and eventually Chapter Advisor once I graduated and was in graduate school.  The bonds I made with the young/old men of the chapter and alumni ranks are life-long friendships that I cherish.  Almost all the men in my wedding were fraternity brothers.  The fun we had and memories we made are something that I long to relive (much to my wife's dismay).  This was not your average cookie-cutter fraternity where we all were clones wearing navy sport coats and khaki slacks.  We came from all walks of life and age groups.  We had farm boys, city boys, just graduated, and just out of the military.  We had foreign guys from the Middle East (and from a couple of generations earlier a Jew and a Muslim that actually got along!), we had guys that were of a different sexual orientation, we had  guys that were athletes, we had guys that were nerds, and we had Brotherhood!

One of my favorite moments in the fraternity was the day we had our 'Keg Roll' (we have an empty keg with a handle-bar attach so it will roll) to Memphis to St.Jude Children's Research Hospital.  After touring the hospital to see the work they do for those kids we had a photo-op with one of those big checks we were presenting to them as part of our philanthropic fund-raising.  We took the picture with a parent and some of the children and afterwards the mother came up to some of us with a tear in her eye and told us how grateful she was because through the money we raised we were able to pay for medicine for one of the children.  I went to ASU a lost man but found the family I was searching for but didn't know it. They took me in and provided love, charity, and esteem. They provided me the opportunity to lead and I did. But most of all, and unlike high school, I was able to be me for the first time.   

4th Inning.

Over for dinner...I had this thought cross my mind recently after visiting a friend's house for a wine-sampling...if you could have a dinner party and invite 10 people (living or dead or fictional) who would it be?  I would send out invites to 1)Jesus, 2)Buck O'Neil, 3)George Washington 4)Yoda, 5)Elvis Presley, 6)Si Robertson, 7)Ron Burgundy, 8)Marilyn Monroe, 9)Wonder Woman, 10)My Papa Brewer.  Leave your invites in the comments section!

5th Inning.

Movie I want to see...again...My Top 10 Teen Comedy Movies of the '80s Countdown..Part 1...So, I was looking through my DVD collection the other day and seeing some of the titles I have and don't have I thought I would put together a "Jeremy's Top 10 List of '80s Teen Comedy Movies".  First on the list, and in no particular order, is 'Better Off Dead'.  If there was one actor that you could point to as the representative of '80s Teen Comedy Movies it would be John Cusack as he was in many of them and almost in many more.  My favorite, though, is 'Better Off Dead'. I recall seeing it for the first time with my old buddy, David Peterman, at the old Bannister Mall theater (actually I think we went to see it a couple of times there).  The movie has many memorable scenes from his comedic attempts to commit suicide--to his mother's interesting cooking--to his racing adventures against a couple of Asian students--to his attempts on the ski slope to win back his girlfriend.  This is a movie that will not disappoint in the laughter department.  I own this one on DVD and you should too!  

6th Inning.

American History Citizen Lesson...After the winter storms passed I was able to get my 'Old Glory' back out on my front porch and came across a little hand-out on the meaning of folding the flag:

Symbols for the Folds of the Flag

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are in the uppermost, reminding us of our nation's motto, "In God We Trust."

7th Inning.
FFL Factoid...For any of you that want to understand the background check process the folks over at the FBI NICS branch put together a video to explain it.


8th Inning.

Random Thoughts...Wanna see a man cry, let him pull a nose hair...In one bracket I'm picking Louisville and Florida in another...Gil Grissom needs to return to CSI before that show goes off the air...Shamrock shakes should be offered year-round...I really hope Dr. Ben Carson decides to run for President...Seriously, if the NCAA can have a tournament for basketball why not for football?...It's never good to be the parent that has to take the child to get shots...I believe Zac Brown and Willie Robertson are long-lost twins...The female human species can be just as smelly as the male species...Wedding dresses would make great snow camo for a hunter.

9th Inning.
Spring Training...Baseball can be very inspiring at times.

It's spelled J-E-R-E-M-Y not G-E-R-M-Y!

1st Inning.

Highlights of the Brew Crew...Last week we had Kylie's 5th Grade orientation at the 5th/6th grade school here in town.  We almost forgot to go until I saw a Facebook post from a member of our 'softball' family. So after a whirlwind of last minute arrangements for the other girls(siblings were not allowed), we made it just as it was starting.  Kylie was nervous and seems to have a little anxiety about it but I kept building up her confidence and reassuring her things were going to be alright.  I explained to her that she would finally be going to school with other girls she has come to know over the past few years from softball and volleyball. But I still want to be there for her holding her hand like I wanted to on her first day of Kindergarten....on Saturday, I had a day with friends.  I started the day heading to a local gun show with my step-dad, Pat, and milling about with fellow 2Aers.  (Always good to chat with others that have similar interests and learn something while you are at it!)  Then Pat and I headed back home and stopped by my grandparents house where a baby-shower for my cousin, Michelle, was being held.  There I got to visit with my Uncle Daryl who has stage 4 cancer along with visiting with some of my cousins and their friends/spouses that I enjoy being around.  (Family can be a great resource for happiness at times.)  Later in the evening the Queen and I went to the 'Catalina Wine Mixer' that was being held at the home of my friend, William.  It was a nice way to unwind after a long day and hang out with old friends while sampling wines...This week I had to finally breakdown and register as a Girl Scout.  I know, you are thinking 'WTH?'.  Let me explain--Dixie has a Girl Scout trip to the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City in May and they are taking the Amtrak there and back.  Dixie gets a little anxious so I volunteered to go with her which lead to Kylie going as well.  I volunteered at first not knowing anything about having to register as a Girl Scout but after Dixie's excitement at me going I was not about to spoil the trip for my girl.  Stay tuned for future pics of me with my sash and my new badge...All in all a good week!


2nd Inning.

Movie I want to see...G.I.Joe:Retaliation...Finally after months of delays for what some have reported as 3D upgrades for the film the second installment of the live-action G.I.Joe movie franchise will arrive at theaters on March 29th.  This is another movie related to toys and comic books I had as a kid and although the first movie was a bit of a let down the latest shot looks to be a bit bigger & better.  How can you go wrong with Bruce Willis, the Rock, and ninjas?!?!?  The premise is the COBRA terrorist group has taken over the United States government through the mercenary, Zartan (remember that ole Aussie shapeshifter?), pretending to be the President.  The G.I.Joes are gunned down early and declared criminals with the movie showcasing their fight back against COBRA in an effort to clear their name and reclaim the nation.  Looks to be an early hit for the year's blockbuster franchises. 

Yes, I collected comic books and collected the toys as a child.  I even had a 'Snake-Eyes' birthday cake which was designed from the comic book cover on the left.  Lots of fun playing with those toys as a child and my old friend, Willie Ruble.  The woods around our apartment complex created perfect terrain for a battle or rescue mission.  The comics were an extension of story lines from the afternoon cartoons that most boys my age would rush home to watch.  Wish I still had both (Ebay King!).  Man, Snake-Eyes was a bad-ass! 

3rd Inning.
American History Lesson...James K. Polk, 11th U.S. President.  Dick Morris has it correct with the statement that Polk is one of the most underrated Presidents.  One of Andrew Jackson's proteges and nicknamed, Lil Hickory, along with also being a Tennessean like Jackson.  He can be credited for creating a true continental nation.  During his presidency, he negotiated (while taking us to the brink of war with the United Kingdom) a deal that gave us the Northwest part of the current United States.  He wanted to claim all of the Pacific coastline leading up to the 54th Parallel (imagine what the nation would look like with all that coastline territory almost all the way to Alaska) but backed down due to needing to attend to matters down in the southwest.  Another territory matter that required his attention lead to the Mexican-American War.  Notable names in that war were future President Zachary Taylor, future President Ulysses S. Grant, Ambrose Burnside, Stonewall Jackson, James Longstreet, Robert E. Lee, and Confederate President Jefferson Davis.  This was essentially our nation's first war fought on foreign soil and we marched all the way to Mexico City and captured pretty much all land that is present-day Mexico (imagine how the nation would look and the effect on our immigration policies had we kept the territory).  In the end we kept Texas (that had recently been annexed by the U.S.) and received pretty much all of our current southwest territory and California.  Under his leadership we literally became a nation 'from sea to shining sea'. 


4th Inning.
Articles of the week...

• NLBM...A good little piece on the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.  If you ever find yourself in KC make some time to go there and learn the history of the men who played in those leagues.
• Justice League Dark...So, DC Comics and Warner Brothers are attempting to put together a 'Justice League' movie finally in response to Marvel Comics' 'The Avengers'.  Only thing is the 'Justice League' movie is all in disarray as they try to get a story and actors.  Sooooo, on the flipside of the Justice League universe and the DC/Warner efforts to get a movie into theaters they have looked to Guillermo Del Toro to pen the story for a 'Justice League Dark' movie.  This would be a collection of DC Comics magic-based heroes.  Magic+Angels+Demons+Ghosts+Monsters=FUN! 
• Death in the Family part 2...Comic book news--Batman suffers through another loss of Robin as the Boy Wonder is killed off.  The first time they tried this was back in the late 1980s when they killed off Robin during the 'Death in the Family'  4-part storyline.  The kicker was at the end of the 3rd part. In the back of that issue was a toll-free hot line to call in to determine if he would live or die.  Apparently Robin made some enemies...
• Mars Newlyweds...We really need to re-ignite that inspiration that our nation once had when it came to the space program.  Having a married couple blast off for Mars for 1.4 years sounds like a great idea for the Queen and I.  Put a camera in that spaceship and watch us go crazy together!
• Chuck Norris...No man is perfect, and that included George Washington. He himself confessed: "We must take human nature as we find it. Perfection falls not to the share of mortals."
• Big Bang...The fact that Earth is being buzzed by asteroids that we are only noticing days before they arrive should alarm you because it alarms me.  Time to get that damn bunker built and call Harry Stamper!
• Food Stamps...An excellent article that highlights the issue with the Federal Government's Food Stamp program.  Coming from a fella that works for a Federal Contractor that has a contract with the USDA to investigate fraud for the SNAP program I would say yeah there may be a problem.  My fear is that the truly needy are being overlooked by both private charities and government programs as more and more people that could survive without the aid are lining up and depleting charities' resources and draining more tax dollars from the government.  Hey, if I can get free food then that means more money for cellphones, tvs, Playstations, cars, smokes, alcohol, etc. You get my point.
• Waco...Not to play up any paranoia but let us remember that there are many examples of the Federal government acting beyond the powers granted to it in the Constitution which almost always leads to a horrible end as is reflected in the Waco tragedy.  The current atmosphere of doomsday preppers, doomsday bunkers and 2nd Amendment supporters could very easily lead to another Waco and unfortunately the current administration lacks the integrity to ever hold itself responsible when things go wrong.
• Stossel...Rise Libertarians!  Rise!!!!

5th Inning.
Music...80s Hair Metal...As a child growing up in the late '70s and '80s I was exposed to several genres of music but the one that hit me and stuck was the Hair Metal bands of that era(which is odd because I remember seeing KISS on tv before I was five years old and was terrified of them in their makeup).  I remember that my first cassette tape I owned was the Twisted Sister's Stay Hungry album which I got from my mom's Columbia House Tape Club.  Remember those?  So, after Twisted Sister there was Ratt, Quiet Riot, and Stryper before I started catching on to the bigger mainstream groups like Motely Crue, Cinderella, Bon Jovi, Winger, Guns-n-Roses, Alice Cooper, Warrant, Scorpions, Whitesnake, Jackyl, Great White, White Lion, Faster Pussycat, Damn Yankees, Extreme, L.A.Guns, Bullet Boys, Poison, Skid Row, and Tesla (any of  these groups sound familiar?).  At that age the mixed tape was an essential and having a dual-cassette recorder so you could copy all the hit songs from these groups was a must and you always had to have it handy.  As time went on and I started getting older I recall getting a Bon Jovi 'Bad Medicine' t-shirt, a Whitesnake t-shirt, a Gun-n-Roses t-shirt, and of course a Def Leppard t-shirt...all for Christmas one year.  You have to remember that this was the age of MTV (back when they played music videos) and their Top 20 Countdown.  There were some great videos back then and I have one below that kind of started it all with me.

 

 

6th Inning.

What I'm watching...The Bible on The History Channel...So I'm captivated by this new mini-series on the History Channel.  It has action and drama and mystery.  Huh? Who knew the Bible could be explained this well in this format.  I remember some of the stories from Sunday School as a kid but I am learning new stories through viewing the show.  One theme I have quickly picked up on is that women and kings are not to be trusted as they almost always lead to the downfall of men or kingdoms.  See Abraham's first wife Sarah; Delilah and Samson; Lot and his wife, King Saul; Eve; King David, etc.  If you have several hours to spare and want to get caught up check it out on The History Channel on-demand or catch new episodes on Sunday at 7pm(Central). 

7th Inning.
Firearms corner...As many of you may or may not know, the country is experiencing an ammo shortage.  While you read reports of the Federal Government purchasing billions of rounds for various Federal agencies, your local gun shop and even big-box retailer have empty shelves.  Through my personal experience as an FFL dealer I can tell you that the wholesalers are bone-dry except for various big-game rifle calibers.  To understand the situation much better Nick Leghorn over at The Truth About Guns.com lays it out clearly in a lesson of supply and demand.

8th Inning.
FFL Factoid...If you want a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer to sell a gun for you through consignment they are required to log it into their 'Acquisition & Disposition' log book. If the gun does not sell and you wish to have it back you will need to complete a Form 4473 for a background check.

9th Inning.
Spring training is half over!
 

Walkers everywhere!!!

Zombies/Doomsday edition...

1st Inning.
What I'm watching...

The Walking Dead.  If you are not watching 'The Walking Dead' on the AMC channel you are missing out on the best television show currently being broadcast on network or cable tv.  This show takes place in Georgia as lawman, Rick Grimes, awakes from a coma only to find his world has drastically changed around him.  The world is filled with Zombies or as they are called on the show--Walkers.  The show is in its 3rd season and follows Rick and his 'family' as they try to survive in this post-apocalyptic world.  It is not so much a zombie show as the walkers are only the backdrop but it is more of a look at how we humans react when everything falls down around us, especially in the 21st century.  The choices one makes in this environment are almost always life or death decisions and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat rooting for Rick and the gang to survive no matter what.   

2nd Inning.

Firearms corner...In a zombie apocalypse or any doomsday scenario you need tools...tools to survive because it's going to be nasty outside and I don't mean the weather.  Sitting around the campfire at deer camp we had a discussion on best firearms to have with you when the 'End of Days' is upon us.  My list is simple and it includes a semi-auto pistol(hi-capacity), a revolver, a shotgun, and a rifle. Yeah, I kept it standard to the currently firearm types.  Guns and Ammo magazine posted their pick of 8 must-have guns for the doomsday-prepper here.     

• For my pistol I would go with a Springfield XDm in .40S&W which gives you 16+1 magazine capacity which ain't too shabby.  The gun is durable (yeah, I know the Glock and Smith & Wesson M/P lines are durable too) and the ammo is an not an odd caliber so it should be easy to find.
• For my revolver I would go with a Ruger Single-Ten in .22LR.  The .22LR round is everywhere and let's be honest you just need to shoot the zombie in the head not blow it off its shoulders. 
• For my shotgun I would go with a Mossberg Model 500 in 12gauge.  No matter if your doomsday bunker starts to get overrun by zombies or scavengers or a rival prepper gang, a good shotgun to dispatch the would-be brain-eaters or I-Want-Your-Stuff'ers should work just fine.
• For my rifle I would go with DPMS AR-15.  The 5.56/.223 cartridge is another popular round and there should be plenty of them around.  With a 30-round magazine you will be ready to protect those important to you and the stuff you are hoarding to survive.      

In the event you run out of bullets and didn't find reloading equipment it would be time to pull out the cutlery.  Gerber has a great Apocalypse Kit here.  But I think I will be sticking to a gunstock war club and be ready to go all Father Mohican on someone to stay alive.

3rd Inning.

This ole...Zombie proof vehicle....There are many vehicles that come to mind to have at your disposal when doomsday occurs such as...but I would prefer the EM-50 Urban Assault Vehicle!  If you find yourself in a zombie-infested/doomsday world, your method of transportation has to get you from point A to point B.  Roads will be clogged with abandoned cars, herds of zombies, or roaming gangs looking to kill and and steal your possessions.  Also, you might need to sleep/reside in your vehicle for periods of time because the outdoors will not be safe.  

 

This where the EM-50 comes in.  If you ever saw the movie 'Stripes' you know what this sucker can do (if you have not seen 'Stripes' please slap yourself then run to your local Target or Wal-Mart and buy it and watch it). The EM-50 has the firepower to clear the roadway of debris or roaming gangs of zombies/scavengers plus it's an RV so you can live in it until you get to your destination. Just make sure you keep a map of military bases so you can re-stock your ammunition. So, unless you get your hands on KITT think about a modified RV with advanced weaponry. For other choices of the best vehicles to survive an apocalypse check here.

4th Inning.

Article of the week...here. Daryl Dixon.  Glory to the Redneck!  Daryl is a character on 'The Walking Dead'.  He is the hero to many that watch the show (especially my wife).  Daryl is the guy you can rely on in a post-apocalypse world.  When there isn't someone to call to fix something in the new doomsday world, you will rely on the redneck.  Here is a list of redneck inventions that could come in handy once the zombies attack.  With all shows, characters/actors leave, but if the writers ever get the notion to kill off Daryl you can be guaranteed the fanbase will erupt in a riot worse than the Occupy Wall Street crowd.

5th Inning.

Movie I want to see...again...'Return of the Living Dead'.  I first viewed this film as a young teenager on HBO or Cinemax and it was my introduction to zombie movies.  It is a quasi-sequel to 'Night of the Living Dead'.  Yes, it is a campy movie that finds a group of teenagers being attacked by zombies wanting to eat their brains.  I would consider it more of a horror-comedy with a pretty good soundtrack.  It really emphasizes the 'brain-eating' zombies and that is a fun part of the movie.  So, if you are able to find it on Netflix or somehow come across it on cable tv check it out and have a good laugh fright.  Trailer is below.

6th Inning.

American History Government lesson...The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website dedicated to Zombie Preparedness.  To quote the site,"Wonder why Zombies, Zombie Apocalypse, and Zombie Preparedness continue to live or walk dead on a CDC web site? As it turns out what first began as a tongue in cheek campaign to engage new audiences with preparedness messages has proven to be a very effective platform. We continue to reach and engage a wide variety of audiences on all hazards preparedness via Zombie Preparedness; and as our own director, Dr. Ali Khan, notes, 'If you are generally well equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you will be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack.'   So please log on, get a kit, make a plan, and be prepared!"

7th Inning.
Random facts about me in a doomsday scenario...Make sure I have my own toilet paper...Dryer lint makes a great fire starter if needed which is why I collect it in a jar in the laundry room...I'm headed south to Arkansas...I will finally get Gina to eat fried squirrel...I can wear camo all day/every day...I will not be stopping for hitchhikers...To stay married I need to get a crossbow...I'm hitting the public storage places for supplies...If Gina slows me down, she gets left behind!


8th Inning.
FFL Factoid...Ammunition.  You do not need a Federal Firearms license to sell ammunition but one is required if you are a manufacturer or importer of ammunition.  Speaking of ammo, in the event you are surrounded by zombies, make sure you stocked up on Hornady's Z-Max line of ammunition.

9th Inning.

Doomsday Bunkers!  Looking for a bunker?

Well, if the apocalypse rolls around and you find yourself sitting in your home with visible windows and weak doors and see the mob of scavengers coming for your house with torches and doorbusters or a mob of zombies that heard you outside then you are going to wish you had a bunker.  Bunkers come in all shapes and sizes from manufactured bunkers from steel containers to recycled missile silos.  The tv show 'Doomsday Bunkers' has a great website showcasing what they can build for you which looks very nice.  For those of you looking for some good ole former U.S. government property to live out the end days in then check out 20th Century Castles.  I found them after watching a HGTV show on underground homes a couple of years ago where they featured a recycled missile silo home outside Topeka, Kansas.  Another fella was featured on the show 'Doomsday Preppers' and  local Kansas City news channel 41 featured him in a story--Kansas missile silo renovated to doomsday bunkers.

Gooooood Morning, Kansas City!

1st Inning.
Articles of the week...

• Remember...we the people are the boss in this country:  Kurt Schlichter--"Americans were born a rebellious, nearly ungovernable bunch of independent individuals, and we need to reclaim that honorable heritage. We have to decide once and for all whether we are going to remain free citizens who answer to no one but God, or become a sad selection of submissive serfs living out our collective political daddy issues."
• We need more politicians that are statesmen like ole George: Chuck Norris--"With Feb. 18's being Presidents Day and Feb. 22's being the actual day George Washington was born, I thought there would no better time to honor the man I consider to be one of the greatest leaders ever born."
• As a father of three daughters I know if I was faced with the choice of whistle or gun to give them for protection it would not be a whistle: Michelle Malkin--"If radical gun-grabbers have their way, your daughters, mothers and grandmothers will have nothing but whistles, pens and bodily fluids to defend themselves against violent attackers and sexual predators."
• To right this ship called the United States, we must understand how the economy works and that government intervention is more likely to slow down than speed up recovery:  John Stossel--"The Federal Reserve says that U.S. manufacturing output is up from 2000, and up almost 50 percent from 1990. Yes, manufacturing employment is down because automation and government's labor rules led companies to automate and produce more with fewer employees, but that's OK."
• Time to wake up and understand that forces are at work to disarm our society by any means necessary:  Bob Barr--"The chips are down, and the opponents of the Second Amendment are going all in."
• A topic that is rarely addressed by leaders on the Left but is obviously a core root to the problem of violence in our inner cities:  Larry Elder--"Most gun murders in America are committed by people of color, with the victims almost always people of color. Whites have the same access to firearms, listen to the same "urban" music and play the same violent video games. Why, then, do the murders disproportionally involve racial minorities, principally blacks and Hispanics, usually young men in urban settings, many with gang ties?"
• I'm all for immigration, legal immigration that is...the comedian Ron White has a pretty good idea on how to fix our border issue but less politically correct:  Michael Reagan--"Mexico has become one of the most dangerous places in the world. Deadly criminal cartels effectively control the U.S.-Mexican border, trafficking in drugs and humans."
• It has been said by many in the firearms industry that President Obama is the best gun salesman ever and the fact that in the last 4 years one of the only industries to not see a downturn is the firearms industry and now his administration is attacking it:  Michelle Malkin part 2--"But while he pays lip service to supporting businesses that build their products on American soil, Obama and his left-wing operatives are hell-bent on driving a key sector of the U.S. manufacturing industry six feet under: the American firearms and ammunition industry."

2nd Inning.

American History lesson this week...Iran Hostage Crisis.  The date was November 4th, 1979.  On that day Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took more than 50 Americans hostage.  They would be held hostage for 444 days and finally released on January 20th, 1981, the day President Carter's term ended.  This incident is, of course, a black eye on our nation.  Our dealings, both governmental and private sector, with the Iranian government during the 20th century are a perfect display of the warning President George Washington gave in his farewell address in response to permanent foreign alliances.  In this example our support of the Shah lead to the turmoil that erupted in the embassy takeover and the United States forever being called the 'Great Satan' by too many in the Middle East.  The hostages, or 'guests' as they were called by Iranian propaganda, were originally held in buildings at the embassy but after the failed rescue mission by U.S. military (Operation Eagle Claw), they were scattered around Iran to hinder any further rescue attempts.  Their captors treated them to beatings, theft, fear of bodily harm, being bound for extended amounts of time, and solitary confinement.  Upon their release and after they were out of Iranian airspace the freed hostages were described as going wild with happiness and erupting into shouts of cheer along with crying, clapping, and embracing each other.  The 1970s was a horrible decade for the U.S. State Department that not only included the Iran-Hostage Crisis, but it also was an era of ambassadors being murdered in/around the Middle East.  Adolph Dubs, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, was killed in Kabul in 1979; Francis E. Meloy, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, was killed in Lebanon in 1976; Rodger P. Davies, U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus, was killed in Cyprus in 1974;  Cleo A. Noel, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Sudan, was killed in Sudan in 1973.

3rd Inning.

Movie I want to see......A couple of weeks ago I learned that my wife had never seen a Die Hard movie.Ever.  It was later discovered that she had seen Die Hard 4: Live Free or Die Hard but didn't realize it was a Die Hard movie or part of a movie franchise or that Bruce Willis was in it.  Well, I searched frantically that night on our cable provider's pay-per-view and found the original and we watched it.  I found myself quoting the movie throughout the night as we watched(much to the annoyance of my beautiful bride).  If you are one of the few people that have not seen any Die Hard movies check your local listings, run to Wal-Mart/Target, or call Netflix and watch them, you will not be disappointed with John McClane kicking some butt and killing bad guys.  He is the everyman hero.  With that said, there is another Die Hard movie currently in theaters that I want to go see..A Good Day to Die Hard.  This one picks up with John travelling to Russia and getting into another mess with terrorists but this time along with his son, Jack.  Yippee-Ki-Yay, Motherf#$%&*! 

4th Inning.
This ole...Ford Mustang.  1967 Ford Mustang to be exact. My first car was a 1967 Mustang.  

This is not my Mustang but one that is very similar.

Here I was cleaning one day and came across a photo album and flipping through it I found some pictures of my first car.  I first spotted the one I would eventually purchase sitting in a car lot off the outer road along 71 Highway in Grandview, Missouri.  I was 15 at the time but I had been working in my parent's restaurant in Grandview as a dishwasher for a few years and saving money.  I washed sooooooo many dishes to earn enough money to buy it.  I remember being in California at the time on a vacation with a friend visiting his dad and getting the call that my parents had withdrawn the money from my account and went and bought the vehicle for me (they did not front the money--this car was purchased with MY money).  If you can imagine the excitement in a 15 year old boy knowing he owns a car then, well, you know I was EXCITED!   After returning home to Grandview we stored it in the garage of my step-dad's brother (I grew up in an apartment complex).  It sat there until I turned 16 and received my driver's license (I took my driver's test in my parent's El Ranchero).  Once I got behind the wheel of that car, which had a 351 Windsor motor, I felt like one BMF.  I instantly became the official chauffeur for my friends.  I know that many fellow students back in high school thought I was conceited and I may have come across as such but when you go to school with kids that have their parents buy them their car which just adds to their snootiness and I bought my car with my hard-earned money, well the pride in my accomplishment just shined through--tough noogies. 

This is my Mustang the day after the wreck.

I owned the car until July 1992.  On the  night of the 17th I drove out to Olathe, Kansas with my cousin and a couple of his friends to cruise a strip.  We got into a heated exchange with some young adults in another car and they began threatening us with knives and throwing beer bottles at my car.  With my cousin behind the wheel (it was his birthday and he wanted to drive) we tried to get back to Missouri without any trouble.  But in our attempt we ran a red light and hit a car coming from our right.  Both vehicles were totalled while the young adults that were the aggressors in the situation drove off never to be seen again.  I was sitting in the passenger seat when we collided with the other car (one really weird note-the young lady we collided with shared the exact same birthday as me).  We were very lucky no one died.  The intersection is at Santa Fe and Murlen.  I still get chills even to this day when I drive through that intersection. 

I can honestly admit on that night when the tow truck driver dropped me off at home, I went to bed and cried.  One of the things that bothers me to this day is that I didn't take any pictures of it prior to the wreck.  In today's society where everyone is taking pictures of everything that would be unheard of but it was the early 1990s and teenagers with cellphone cameras were nowhere to be found.  Now my wife has heard this story numerous times and knows how I want another 1967 Mustang and she has promised me that I can purchase another one someday.  Hopefully if I wash enough dishes here at home I can earn the necessary Gina points to buy one!    

5th Inning.

Firearms corner...Winchester Model 94.  This iconic lever-action rifle is one that is very recognizable.  You have seen this American Classic in any number of Western movies/tv shows through the years.  It is one of the most popular rifles (if not THE most popular) to have ever been sold.  It is typically found chambered in .30-30 but can also be found in other calibers, to included handgun calibers.  At a couple of gun shows last year I encountered a fella selling a Bicentennial version made in 1976 at a very good price and I ran across a John Wayne commemorative edition also at a good price and didn't 'pull the trigger' on either one (even though the wife would've killed me when I get home but the secret is to just put it in the safe before she finds out and pretend you have always had it).  Anyhow, I do not own one but I plan to in the near future and I hope it is a Pre-'64 model.  Post 1963, Winchester re-evaluated the cost of production of the Model 94 and found cheaper ways to make the rifle which lead to an outcry from Winchester traditionalists.  You can find a brief history & explanation of the specific changes of the rifle here.  Now, when perusing the tables at a show or at the local Cabela's I always check to see (and they are usually marked) if it is a Pre-'64.  Winchester ceased production of the rifle in 2006 then reintroduced it in 2010 with limited edition models but they are now in regular production, although they are pricey (even at dealer cost).     

Although I don't own one, my uncle that hunts in our deer camp has been trying to get a tradition started where one day of camp is designated 'lever-action' day.  He has brought all of his Model 94s(and a Marlin) for us to use and it has been a fun experience.  If you are looking for a compact hunting rifle with a popular cartridge with a tolerable recoil then you have found your gun.  For those preparing for the Zombie-Apocalypse, this is recommended due to the ready availability of the .30-30 round and hey, who wouldn't want to Cowboy-Up and take out some walkers!

6th Inning.

FFL Factoid...Buying/Selling out of state at a gun show...As a Missouri dealer I'm required to only sell firearms at the address on my Federal Firearms License.  The exception to that rule is a gun show.  I am allowed to rent a table and sell firearms at a gun show within the state (Missouri) where I hold a license.  All rules apply the same no matter which location.  Since I live close to the Missouri/Kansas border I could rent a table at a Kansas gun show and take orders if someone wished to purchase from me but I could not transfer the firearm directly to them (I would need to wait until the show is over and meet with the FFL in Kansas they are using for the transfer and hand over the firearm).  Upon transferring the firearm to a Kansas dealer the customer would then complete the Form 4473 background paperwork before taking possession of the gun.  The typical transfer fee is around $15. 

7th Inning.

Random thoughts...We really need two new U.S. Constitution amendments--one for Congressional term limits and one for a Balanced Budget...Why is Shatto Root Beer milk so damn tasty?!?!?...There is a point at which you decide this was a bad idea as you fly down the hill at Mach 3 on a sled made of cheap plastic...It was 7 years ago this week that the Baseball HOF committed a heinous act and omitted John Jordan 'Buck' O'Neil from the ballot of new inductees...When your wife starts wearing your socks it's time to buy her some new ones...There is no cheaping out on toilet paper, EVER...I am thankful for snow days because I get to wear my 2000gram Thinsulate hunting boots...Whatever happened to the girl from Small Wonder?...Will the Royals ever cut Luke Hochevar?...

8th Inning.

What I'm watching...Over the weekend the wife and I watched the movie ARGO about the true story of 6 U.S. embassy employees that were rescued from Iran by CIA Operative,Tony Mendez.  I had originally learned about this story several years ago when I had ordered Mendez's book, 'The Master of Disguise', from The History Book Club.  I highly recommend his book as he is a very remarkable man with an interesting story about how he came to work for the CIA and his 'adventures' in the clandestine service of our nation. 

On to the movie...watching the movie and knowing how it ends might make you approach it with a bored mentality but don't fall into that trap.  This movie is fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat.  The violence of the Iran Revolutionaries is always at the doorstep and the threat of being publicly executed is around every corner.  There is some humor in the movie and that lies with the outrageous Hollywood (in his book Tony tells the story of his history with Hollywood and their CIA connection prior to and after the Iran rescue) scheme devised by Tony as the cover to get the diplomats out of Iran.  If you are looking for a great movie to watch as well as learn some history then watch ARGO.  If you want to read an intriguing book on the CIA and one of its operatives then read 'The Master of Disguise'.  Either way you will not be disappointed.  

9th Inning.
Baseball is back...Who remembers the Baseball Bunch?


10th Inning. Extra Inning.

There are moments you can't explain that find you performing an action or doing something you would not otherwise.  Moments that just appear out of nowhere like a voice in your head giving you instructions.  This may sound weird but this week I had the urge to go online and search Facebook for an old teacher of mine from elementary school.  Her name was Mrs. Walton, Mrs. Charlene Walton to be exact.  She was my 3rd grade teacher at Conn-West Elementary in Grandview, Missouri.  Mrs. Walton was my all-time favorite teacher.  I wish there would have been more Mrs. Waltons as I moved through junior high and high school and I wish that my daughters have a Mrs. Walton as they go through school.  She was always pushing me to be my best and gave me some freedom to do that but was quick to keep me in line if I stepped outside her boundaries.  I remember playing 'Around the World' with flash cards in her class and never being beaten and I remember laughing and cutting up with my friend, David Peterman, one day and both of us being held out of recess to reflect on our behavior during class.  It may seem odd to search for old teachers but I can proudly say that I am Facebook friends with two of my graduate school professors, Dr. Charles Hartwig and Dr. Cathy Reese, that had a very positive impact on me when I was ready to quit and leave the program at Arkansas State University.  With Mrs. Walton it was a desire to show her that I turned out pretty good and to introduce her to my family, but most of all it was to just tell her 'thank you' for being a great teacher.  Well, I didn't find Mrs. Walton on Facebook so I did a Google search for 'Charlene Walton Kansas City' and there at the top of the search results I found her.  Charlene (Belser) Walton passed away two years ago on February 21 in Arizona and was laid to rest in Kansas City, Missouri on February 26th.  Rest in Peace, Mrs. Walton...and thank you for being a great teacher.