We regret to note the passing of our oldest cat, Feathers. Renal failure, over the last few months. Only last week was it visible in her behavior. We euthanized her before any indications of pain or suffering.
20080518
Recluse RIP
We regret to note the passing of our oldest cat, Feathers. Renal failure, over the last few months. Only last week was it visible in her behavior. We euthanized her before any indications of pain or suffering.
What we've done with the stimulus rebate, part one
Since Uncle Sugar has borrowed money for all of us bitter God-fearing masses to piss away:
6.5mm Grendel, Wolf Gold, 123gr soft points, 20 rds per carton, 25 cartons. Exactly fifty cents per round delivered. This is about all the money that will go for anything manufactured outside the US.
IJ will be getting some help, as well as some legal funds for folks trying to get or stay out of jail because of ATF abuses.
6.5mm Grendel, Wolf Gold, 123gr soft points, 20 rds per carton, 25 cartons. Exactly fifty cents per round delivered. This is about all the money that will go for anything manufactured outside the US.
IJ will be getting some help, as well as some legal funds for folks trying to get or stay out of jail because of ATF abuses.
20080501
If a red giant bursts in gamma rays, and there's no sentient life to observe it, is it a Great Filter event?
Instapundit points to an article whose author hopes, almost wishes, that there's no intelligent life elsewhere in the universe. If there were, it would somehow mean to him that a cataclysmic event, of sufficient scale to eradicate humanity, hasn't happened yet, which for him is a cause for concern.
I apologize for failing to follow the logic. It seems that a man holding the directorship of something called the Future of Humanity Institute should be more optimistic about humanity and its future, but this fellow is a downer:
It isn't a Great Filter, it's thousands of calamities, randomly scattered across space and time, and we haven't been whacked by one yet but we still can be. Only microseconds ago in geologic time have we become aware of the potential for these calamities. It will take real geologic time for us to move a significant number of ourselves sufficiently far away to be spared the greatest of these calamities.
It may be that there are hundreds or even thousands of other spacefaring civilizations out there, dead before they got out of reach of the nearest GRB. For each of them, there are millions of other extinct civilizations buried under kilometers of ice, then ground to silt when the glaciers retreated, through a hundred cycles of glaciation and thaw.
I'd be surprised to find there are more than 3 interstellar races anywhere in the Universe at any one time, but then I haven't done the math.
Arguing that we're doomed for, or safely past, some single inevitable culminating point in the development of sentience is itself a form of observation selection effect.
I apologize for failing to follow the logic. It seems that a man holding the directorship of something called the Future of Humanity Institute should be more optimistic about humanity and its future, but this fellow is a downer:
For example, it might be that any sufficiently advanced civilization discovers some technology--perhaps some very powerful weapons technology--that causes its extinction.The Universe abounds with so-called Great Filter events that have utterly nothing to do with the inevitable self-destruction of sentience, fashionable though that assertion may be. Gamma-ray bursting stars, asteroid impacts, ice ages for crissakes, any of which would roll back the calendar on our species if not obliterate it outright.
It isn't a Great Filter, it's thousands of calamities, randomly scattered across space and time, and we haven't been whacked by one yet but we still can be. Only microseconds ago in geologic time have we become aware of the potential for these calamities. It will take real geologic time for us to move a significant number of ourselves sufficiently far away to be spared the greatest of these calamities.
It may be that there are hundreds or even thousands of other spacefaring civilizations out there, dead before they got out of reach of the nearest GRB. For each of them, there are millions of other extinct civilizations buried under kilometers of ice, then ground to silt when the glaciers retreated, through a hundred cycles of glaciation and thaw.
I'd be surprised to find there are more than 3 interstellar races anywhere in the Universe at any one time, but then I haven't done the math.
Arguing that we're doomed for, or safely past, some single inevitable culminating point in the development of sentience is itself a form of observation selection effect.
20080424
drycleaning gets the smoke smell off the blazer
There's this:
Though he and I use "activist" somewhat differently.
" . . . the whole game is idiotic. Parties are supposed to pick their own nominees, and the idea ought to be for the guys on the inside who know what they're doing to come up with whoever they think has the best chance of winning the general election . . . "Is this so far from what I wrote here?
Though he and I use "activist" somewhat differently.
20080421
I'd vote for a black man
it just has to be a black man who identifies himself by his belief in the content of one's character, rather than an accident of birth. Say, Ward Connerly, or Thomas Sowell. Shelby Steele.
Ironic that the charge of bigotry so easily erupts from the mouth of people who cherish the diversity of appearance but insist upon uniformity in, even blind obedience to, dogma.
Ironic that the charge of bigotry so easily erupts from the mouth of people who cherish the diversity of appearance but insist upon uniformity in, even blind obedience to, dogma.
20080413
kick the FMG-9 up a notch
All the hullaballoo over a folding machine pistol in 9mm, we just don't get it. 9mm seems to be the caliber of choice for weird guns you can't find a mission for.
Now if MagPul chose to crank these out with a 7.62x25mm chambering and 8 inches of barrel, I'll dutifully lust for one.
Now if MagPul chose to crank these out with a 7.62x25mm chambering and 8 inches of barrel, I'll dutifully lust for one.
20080412
Getting warm but not quite there
"We are very proud of our heritage, we are proud of who we are. We are not frustrated. We are not bitter. We turn to our faith because we believe, and we hunt and fish because it is part of our culture and we enjoy it."
We own all of the terrible implements of the Soldier that we can lay our hands on, because our Republic's founders had to. They did so because their erstwhile legitimate government had taken such arms up against them.
If that makes me a rube, a hayshaker, a gaptoothed hillbilly in some circles, so be it.
We own all of the terrible implements of the Soldier that we can lay our hands on, because our Republic's founders had to. They did so because their erstwhile legitimate government had taken such arms up against them.
If that makes me a rube, a hayshaker, a gaptoothed hillbilly in some circles, so be it.
it gets better
Lunch was possible at Stubb's on my final day in Austin, thanks to broad frigging daylight. It was good but still not as good as Ironworks.
The courtesy driver at my hotel agrees.
After dark, a burger at Hut's.
The courtesy driver at my hotel agrees.
After dark, a burger at Hut's.
20080410
Austin can stay weird just fine on its own
At Brother Scott's suggestion, I tried Stubb's. Rather, tried to try it.
Couldn't get in because Sister Inoxidable was with me (a charming photo of her on the right, "From My Cold Dead Fingers"), and Stubb's doors were plastered with the big red "51%." Too bad their website, extensive and informative as it is, doesn't mention that, or we wouldn't have walked the whole way to 8th from this shabby little hotel on the river.
So we ambled back, eyeing all the front doors to every joint from there back to Cesar Chavez, until I gave the hell up and went once more to Ironworks.
Couldn't get in because Sister Inoxidable was with me (a charming photo of her on the right, "From My Cold Dead Fingers"), and Stubb's doors were plastered with the big red "51%." Too bad their website, extensive and informative as it is, doesn't mention that, or we wouldn't have walked the whole way to 8th from this shabby little hotel on the river.
So we ambled back, eyeing all the front doors to every joint from there back to Cesar Chavez, until I gave the hell up and went once more to Ironworks.
20080409
Keep Austin weird
here for bidness this week. Ironworks Barbecue two or three times already.
On the minus side, while I'm on foot in Waterfront/Warehouse/Convention Center area, I'm being hit up for "something to eat."
Once, in fact, by a fellow with a sandwich in his hand. "Can you help a guy find something to eat?"
"You've got something to eat. Right there in your hand."
He stopped for a moment as I walked past him, then called out, "'preciate it."
On the minus side, while I'm on foot in Waterfront/Warehouse/Convention Center area, I'm being hit up for "something to eat."
Once, in fact, by a fellow with a sandwich in his hand. "Can you help a guy find something to eat?"
"You've got something to eat. Right there in your hand."
He stopped for a moment as I walked past him, then called out, "'preciate it."
20080319
neener neener neener
Six years ago, my blood showed triglycerides over 200. My weight was in the low 180s. I was counseled to give up the red meat and cheese. I did not. Only a daily fibrate brought the trigs below 200.
Yesterday I mentioned in passing to my team's PA that I am following an Atkins program. He responded harshly and insisted on a fast and labwork. It seems that he has seen some people who either stay in induction far too long, or who yo-yo in and out of induction, rather than following the program and finding a maintainable carb level.
After 8 weeks of Atkins, the trigs are below 45, so low that LDLs cannot be reliably measured. Weight went from 185 to 165. No adverse numbers of liver function. Urine pH of 6.0, trace proteins, no ketones.
My PA took a look at the numbers and flipped me the bird.
Yesterday I mentioned in passing to my team's PA that I am following an Atkins program. He responded harshly and insisted on a fast and labwork. It seems that he has seen some people who either stay in induction far too long, or who yo-yo in and out of induction, rather than following the program and finding a maintainable carb level.
After 8 weeks of Atkins, the trigs are below 45, so low that LDLs cannot be reliably measured. Weight went from 185 to 165. No adverse numbers of liver function. Urine pH of 6.0, trace proteins, no ketones.
My PA took a look at the numbers and flipped me the bird.
All you really need to hear about DC v Heller in a nutshell
The word "hunting" made only four appearances.
20080317
blasting bleg
What is the maximum .308" bullet weight one could safely handload for a plain-jane M1 Garand?
For elk, if you have to know. And yes, the McCann gas system modification is an option.
For elk, if you have to know. And yes, the McCann gas system modification is an option.
The most chilling thing I've read all week
And it's only Monday:
If this dynamic takes the same form as that found in the Middle East---a disproportionate number of young single men frustrated by the prospect of always being single and frustrated, in this world at least---China will be only too happy to export that unrest rather than deal with it domestically; in fact the unrest will export itself. We have enough of that 8@7sh17 already in the Arabic 72-virgins flavor.
Ordinarily, I'd take reassurance from Thomas P M Barnett about the relative threat posed by China compared to other US national security threats. The generational aspect shown here, though, makes me reconsider.
Assuming the gender gap is real ... , China is facing a sizable and growing population of young men who have no prospect of marrying and settling down, a situation conducive to crime and political unrest—which, as far as the Chinese government is concerned, are one and the same. In August China Daily quoted Chinese officials and academics who blamed “an increasing crime rate, growing demand for pornography, and illegal [forced] marriage” on the disproportionate number of young, single men."Thank Deng Xiaoping for Little Girls," Reason, December 07.
If this dynamic takes the same form as that found in the Middle East---a disproportionate number of young single men frustrated by the prospect of always being single and frustrated, in this world at least---China will be only too happy to export that unrest rather than deal with it domestically; in fact the unrest will export itself. We have enough of that 8@7sh17 already in the Arabic 72-virgins flavor.
Ordinarily, I'd take reassurance from Thomas P M Barnett about the relative threat posed by China compared to other US national security threats. The generational aspect shown here, though, makes me reconsider.
20080313
"Blessed are the cheesemakers?" "Well, my dear, that can be taken to mean any makers of dairy products"
A post at Volokh Conspiracy seeks to employ evolutionary psychology to explain the infidelity of New York's disgraced resigning Governor. Wayyyy too much work.
20080217
Lithuanian 7.62x51mm Ammunition: Range and Bench Test
Hey, folks, it's The Cabinet Man. After a long hiatus, I'm back again, stealing space on Fuze's blog for my own purposes.
Today I want to post about some Lithuanian 7.62x51mm ammo I recently purchased from Ammoman. There didn't seem to be a lot of info on the 'net about this stuff so I figger'ed I'd Give Something Back.
Let's get started.
The ammo arrived in a nicely-constructed, well-marked 60 lb wooden case:
Inside the case are five 200-round battlepacks. The plastic material appears to be very strong, much like the South African battlepacks. Unlike the So-African battlepack, though, it lacks a "pull tab" to aid in opening the package. Each battlepack contains ten 20-round boxes:
The ammo is very clean: brass cases with copper FMJ bullets. Neither the bullets nor the cases attract a magnet:
In homage to Carteach0, let's de-construct this ammo; I sacrificed 5 rounds to this test. [sniff...] The powder is "semi-fine spherical" (with grains of varying sizes) reminiscent of H335 but with slightly larger grains:
The charges measured as follows:
| Cartridge | Charge (grains) |
|---|---|
| #1 | 44.9 |
| #2 | 44.9 |
| #3 | 44.8 |
| #4 | 44.8 |
| #5 | 44.9 |
That's pretty consistent charging!!
The bullets are FMJ with exposed lead on the bases:
There is a black, tar-like sealant on the bullets that's not visible until the bullets are pulled. When I dumped the powder onto the scale, a few grains adhered to the sealant that still remained within the case.
The bullets measured as follows:
| Bullet | Weight (grains) | Length | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 146.9 | 1.10" | .3080" |
| #2 | 147.0 | 1.11" | .3080" |
| #3 | 146.9 | 1.10" | .3075" |
| #4 | 146.9 | 1.10" | .3080" |
| #5 | 146.9 | 1.11" | .3080" |
The cases are boxer primed and, thus, reloadable. There is thin primer sealant. I'm not 100% sure if the primers are crimped or not.
The cases measured as follows:
| Case | Weight (grains) | Length | Neck Diameter | Base Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | 184.7 | 2.00" | .3120" | .4700" |
| #2 | 184.0 | 2.00" | .3125" | .4695" |
| #3 | 184.4 | 2.00" | .3115" | .4700" |
| #4 | 184.6 | 2.00" | .3115" | .4700" |
| #5 | 184.1 | 2.00" | .3115" | .4695" |
Well, that's all fine-and-dandy but how did it shoot??
OK, here's the backgrounder:
Rifle: DS Arms STG-58A FAL, 21" barrel
Scope: IOR M2 w/ Dragunov reticle
Range: 100 yards from a bench, 10 rounds
As a comparison, I also shot some other ammo at the same time: Australian mil-surp, Black Hills Match (168-grn HPBT), and South African mil-surp. All the conditions were the same and the firing was done in a circular fashion: 5 rounds of Lithuanian, 5 So-African, 5 Aussie, 5 BHM, then back around again. Here are the other groups.
Aussie (my long-time, personal favorite!!):
Black Hills Match:
South African:
For some reason, the BH Match only groups really well in my bolt guns. None of my MBRs seem to appreciate it. Needless to say, I don't feed them the prime rib!! And I've never really had good results in any of my rifles with my one batch of So-African and I'm somewhat glad I didn't stock up on it.
One of the web-sites I frequently lurk upon had a question about the weight of the Lithuanian brass and how it compares to other mil-surp brass. So I fished a couple of spent Aussie and So-African cases from the recycle bucket and here's what I found:
South African (marked B81):
| Case | Weight (grains) |
|---|---|
| #1 | 181.3 |
| #2 | 181.2 |
| #3 | 182.4 |
Aussie (marked AFF '89', or '68' -- I can't tell which...):
| Case | Weight (grains) |
|---|---|
| #1 | 183.4 |
| #2 | 183.4 |
| #3 | 181.7 |
Now mind you, these are fired cases and the Lithuanian cases I weighed are unfired. In all honesty, I'm not sure what difference it would make but it might make some.
Well, that's enough for now. I'm tired of typing and fighting with Blogger's table formatting. I hope this helps anyone who's trying to make up their mind about Lithuanian 7.62x51mm ammo. Good luck!!
TCM
20080206
"But I thought it was Federal law"
I had business in a local grocer's today, and there at the entrance was a gentleman offering either the Denver Post or the Rocky. I took the moment to say that I will never buy either newspaper, because their parent organization, the Denver News Agency, refuses classified ads to sell firearms among private parties.
He said that DNA did so only to obey Federal law.
Hmph. I took the time to explain to him that there is no such Federal law. Depending on the State, private citizens can sell directly to one another, and that certainly was the case in Colorado at the time I left it for blessed Wyoming. Federal law does not prohibit advertisement of privately owned firearms for sale.
Some of the answers he was offering sounded like he was deliberately uninformed, or deliberately uninforming. He was, however, aware the DNA accepted no private classified ads for guns.
Either way, it was proved to me again that a lie can march around the world before the truth can pull on its boots. Especially if it is the lie's march is abetted by an ordinary Joe selling newspapers.
He said that DNA did so only to obey Federal law.
Hmph. I took the time to explain to him that there is no such Federal law. Depending on the State, private citizens can sell directly to one another, and that certainly was the case in Colorado at the time I left it for blessed Wyoming. Federal law does not prohibit advertisement of privately owned firearms for sale.
Some of the answers he was offering sounded like he was deliberately uninformed, or deliberately uninforming. He was, however, aware the DNA accepted no private classified ads for guns.
Either way, it was proved to me again that a lie can march around the world before the truth can pull on its boots. Especially if it is the lie's march is abetted by an ordinary Joe selling newspapers.
20080121
Agreeing Israeli-style
A sighting in the wild of an expression that I use fairly often:
" . . . that essential, Israeli trait: the ability to argue with ANYBODY, including one’s doctor, even if the doctor is a neurosurgeon who might be called upon later to do very delicate surgery on one’s face."ChicagoBoyz.
20080114
This is my keyboard. There are many others like it but this one is mine.
Staff meeting on Monday: we're sending too many emails to all of the Soldiers, instead of distributing some kinds of information down through the chain of command. OKfine. We'll start sending some information directly to section leads and platoon sergeants, and counting on them to get it downward to the Soldiers, and to funnel their questions back up through those same middlemanagers.
Wednesday: one of our Soldiers is home from the hospital, doing fine, won't be on duty again for rest of week. First Sergeant grabs me, tells me to send an email to all the troops to let them know.
"Top, we were briefed to start using the chain to distribute more kinds of information."
"Just send an email."
"Top, this is getting out of hand. Do you have a typing profile?"
"OK, we'll involve the chain of command. The Commander told me to tell you to send an email to all our Soldiers, telling them that Munoz is out of the hospital."
"You mean the same Commander who has a Blackberry on his hip? That commander, who can send email while he's on the shitter?"
"Get out of my office and send the email."
Friday: "You forgot to say he'll be back on duty next week."
"Correct, Top, but I did say he was off duty for the rest of this week."
Wednesday: one of our Soldiers is home from the hospital, doing fine, won't be on duty again for rest of week. First Sergeant grabs me, tells me to send an email to all the troops to let them know.
"Top, we were briefed to start using the chain to distribute more kinds of information."
"Just send an email."
"Top, this is getting out of hand. Do you have a typing profile?"
"OK, we'll involve the chain of command. The Commander told me to tell you to send an email to all our Soldiers, telling them that Munoz is out of the hospital."
"You mean the same Commander who has a Blackberry on his hip? That commander, who can send email while he's on the shitter?"
"Get out of my office and send the email."
Friday: "You forgot to say he'll be back on duty next week."
"Correct, Top, but I did say he was off duty for the rest of this week."
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