March 25th, Thursday, 2004:  1430hrs:  DETONICS!  The Combat Master has arrived here on my birthday, and it is better than expectation.  This thing is a gem.  I am going to have to go shoot it.  First thing first of course was a break down and thorough cleaning and inspection.  This is an old and well used .45, so it’s a bit rough in some places.  Not a problem.  Previous owners have loved it and pampered it… and I will do the same.  This time I decided to use the Militec-1 grease.  I’ve not used it yet in a pistol, but I’ve had good results with it in shotguns.  (Steve, Militec-1 is what I used in your Beretta 12 Gauge and I it worked beautifully) The interesting thing about this one is the differences between this early example and the refinements of the later MK-VI Combat Master.  The defiantly made some improvements along the way.  Namely in the captive recoil spring component, and in the graceful swoop they put on the later examples.  This gun’s trigger is not the greatest… it has some problems but it’s not bad… I can get used to it.  This gun should do soldier service just fine.  I’m a very happy Ogre today.   Photos to come after I get some batteries for the digicam and do some shooting with it.

Interesting email:  “Dear Ogre,  My name is ***********. I am an independent producer, researching a show for MTV's documentary series True Life about young gun owners. In the segment we are hoping to demonstrate the great diversity of gun owners throughout the country and the issues that have lead them to choose owning a firearm today. We are looking for young (18-25) hunters, women who can articulate the belief that owning a firearm is an issue of personal safety as well as personal liberty, and maybe someone who is looking to buy a gun for the first time.  In the course of my research I found the Geeks with Guns site and I would be very interested in posting some questions on your board. I wanted to touch base with you first.  I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks,******”   Interesting, very interesting.    I of course referred this fellow to Wil, the Head Geek In Charge of GWG, and I invited him to check out THR… so he will have plenty of good information sources and everything.  We wish him the best of luck.

1030hrs:  Last night my wife and I watched what has got to be the most entertaining movie since “Bandits”.  Secondhand Lions.  I was laughing through damn near most of it.   Those two old guys are my HEROES!    I never liked fishing – but I just might take up an interest in it now.  If any of my readers have not seen this movie yet, it is a MUST SEE.  

Day by Day just hammered Kerry.  Awesome! 

Japan has built a Battle Mech.  Currently unarmed and used for rescue work.  ER PPCs still in the works.

Commander Kupari has a take:  “So lemme get this straight.  Had John Kerry gotten his way with defense spending:

-The 50s vintage M60 Patton would still be our main battle tank; -The long obsolete (though still in service) M113 would still be our main APC; -We'd still be relying on the F-4E Phantom II as a strike fighter; -The Navy and Marines would still need F-4Js, A-4s, and A-7s, because there'd be no F/A-18; -The B-52 would be the only heavy bomber in our inventory, where most of the aircraft are in excess of 30 years old;

Yeah, Senator, that's some real support for the troops you've got there....”

Bush is concerned about the rising gas prices.   Last year when I was racing out to Virginia there were a couple places where the gas was 2.50 a gallon.  It quickly went back down, but now here it is the same time a year later and we are back up to that point and even higher.  I just topped off my Bronco for 2 bucks a gallon. (so I could hit the odometer reset and track the milage… looking at just refueling every 200 miles I guess) You want to talk about concerned?  I’m freaking concerned!  Here is my guess… the fuel prices are going to get insane, and then Bush is going to come in and stomp the prices back to below 2 where they used to be and look like a hero.   Bush – Don’t Wait!  Do it now! 

Here is an alert from the Department of the Obvious. 

Mar 24th, Wednesday: 2004:  1820hrs:  14 years old, wearing an 18 pound explosive vest.  And some would see this as a legitimate expression of resistance.  He is 14 with the intelligence of a 12 year old.  That’s the new weapon of the Palestinians… to try to find kids stupid enough to try to do it.   That’s just great.  They paid him less than 23 bucks to do it.  That’s less than the cost of the explosives.  If you don’t believe in your gut that this is completely evil… you need to get your head checked. 

Geeks With Guns totally nails it.  I knew Kerry looked familiar.  The resemblance is uncanny.

YEAH!  Got my Bronco out of the shop and it’s driving sweet… registered and ready to roll… So I took it out and had some fun with it.

Looking for Haitians. 

1000hrs: I am so sick and tired of the Liberals getting passes by the Media for all sorts of bullshit.  For example, Ex-President Carter’s spew against Bush for this handling of the War on Terror.   Hold the damn bus right there.  Carter?  Excuse me, but Carter doesn’t have the privilege of criticizing Bush about Terrorists.  How convenient that the Media just totally forgets that the US’s involvement in the war on Terrorism is directly a result of Carter’s lack of any leadership whatsoever to resist Terrorism.  It seems that the US has totally forgotten the hostages in Iran.  These Liberals do NOT get a pass on anything from The Horde.  Now, to be completely honest, Reagan dropped the ball as well, with no response to the Marines lost when terrorists blew up the building the Marines bunked in, in Beirut…  that just made the situation so much worse… I’m giving Ronny a pass on that either, but history shows he more than made up for it with everything else he accomplished.  But it all started with Carter.  That was the first time Terrorism struck Americans and Carter’s lack of reaction and leadership set the rhythm that continued through the Clinton administration.  Before the Donks take Bush to task, they need to take a good hard look at Carter, and Clinton.  Fucking Clinton had Bin Laden GIFT WRAPED but he refused.  The situation that America is in is clearly the result of Democrats being completely fucking useless on National Defense and Terrorism.   They only thing the Democrats have battled against… the US Military.      And now we have Carter acting like a sniveling Wormtongue and John Kerry trying to come across as “Strong on Defense” as if he would be a good Commander and Chief?  WTF?  

I just noticed something… John Kerry’s military votes:

He voted to kill the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.
He voted to kill the M-1 Abrams Tank.
He voted to kill every Aircraft carrier laid down from 1988.
He voted to kill the Ages anti aircraft system.
He voted to kill the F-15 Strike Eagle.
He voted to kill the Block 60 F-16.
He voted to kill the P-3 Orion upgrade.
He voted to kill the B-1.
He voted to kill the B-2.
He voted to kill the Patriot anti Missile system.
He voted to kill the FA-18.
He voted to kill the F117.

Kerry also voted to kill all anti-terrorism activities of every agency of the U.S. Government, and to cut the funding of the FBI by 60%, to cut the funding for the CIA by 80%, and cut the funding for the NSA by 80%.

So, what did he vote for?  What are two military items that are not on the list?  The V-22 Osprey and the LHX Comanche helicopter… Both pieces of total shit that don’t work and are decades past due and billions over budget.  How come he didn’t vote against those?  We finally killed the Comanche, but the V-22 is still rolling forward even with the Marines saying “We Don’t Want It”.  Kerry’s votes would have destroyed the American Military… the entire Defense of the Nation would be in shambles… and this asshole wants to be the Commander and Chief?   This would be like putting Robert Downey Jr in charge of Drug Enforcement. 

I just checked myself at The Truth Laid Bear and according to their rating system… I am a Slithering Reptile.   I don’t know… is that good or bad?  Hey little Bear… I’m not a slithering reptile… okay, I’m a fucking Ogre, a’right?  An Ogre, end of story. (In my best cussing Shrek voice)  This rating system is not so much based on how good your blog is, but how many other blogs link to it.   Has nothing to do with the depth or importance or the quality… its just like counting the number of autographs you got in your high school year book.  Note to bloggers out there who take this shit seriously – don’t pay attention to it.  It’s interesting on some level, but it means nothing.  You keep blogging genuine, and for yourself… and that’s really all it’s about.  Just imagine if you got hit by a Palestinian truck tomorrow, what would people have to remember you by?  Make your own mark on the world. 

Horde Commander Kupari wrote a very compelling endorsement of a bit of software called “Call of Duty”.  Here is what he wrote:  “If you're interested in buying a top-notch First Person Shooter, pick up Call of Duty.  It's on the Quake III engine, so it doesn't require a $5000 system to run.  Ogre, it's one of the very best shooters I've ever played.  The single player campaign is short, but you'll want to play it over and over again.  You take on three roles: An American Paratrooper, a British Commando, and a Soviet Army Sniper.  You do a night drop over Normany, land in a Glider to capture a Bridge, and cross the Volga on a boat for the battle of Stalingrad.  The game is very cinematic, but it lacks the most annoying features of Medal of Honor.  What annoying features, you ask?  In Call of Duty, you can go prone.  You can carry two long arms and one handgun; unrealistic, but not terribly so.  Much better than MoH, where you could carry fifteen weapons at once.  The game does NOT suffer from "weak weapon syndrome"; the Garand, Mauser, Enfield, and Nagant put 'em down with one good hit, usually.  Subguns and pistols usually two or three, unless you drill 'em in the head.  The game has such a feel to it, that you can really let yourself get into it.  The first time I played the "Red Square" mission, where your comrades are getting mowed down all around you...wow, was all I could say. Oh, and you can actually use the iron sights.  You have to, actually, if you want to hit anything at anything further than point blank.  Of course, the game had me wishing for more missions and more weapons.  The M1917 and 1919 machine guns, the M1917 revolver, the M1897 shotgun, the G-43, the PPS-43 and DP Russian machine guns, the Nagant revolver and tokarev pistol… But oh well.  All in all, one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.”  This endorsement was enough to force me against my will to hit Ebay, where I found a copy for 20 bucks delivered… and I pulled the trigger on it, using the remainder of my funds in my paypal account.   If this game sucks, Kupari will be instantly demoted to the rank of “Horde Biatch”.  I hope it is good… for his sake.  I loved MOH… so if this is better than that, I have to see it.  Realistic?  I gotta check it out.  Now this might surprise the new readers here to MadOgre.com who have yet to discover all the other shit I have here besides the “Blog” part of MadOgre.com…  Yes, I like PC games.   I don’t apologize for it.  A game can provide just as much or more entertainment than a movie or your average pulp fiction book.  If you don’t like games, fine… but I do.  In moderation and only once in awhile… but I like them.  If you don’t like that – then you can exit via the “HOME” button on your browser and run away home because the mean Ogre told you to get bent.

Special thanks:  to the Horde Member for the certain electrons he sent for my electron collection... I'd better stop and rebuild all my ruins now.

Mar 23rd, Tuesday, 2004: 1700hrs: I find it amusing that so many people are afraid that in killing this HAMAS asshole, that Israel is now in trouble for “letting the genie out of the bottle”.  Oh, like maybe now the Palestinians will want to kill all the jews even more?  People – HAMAS as already sworn to kill them all anyways… Taking out this evil-spiritual leader changes nothing in those regards.  What, like they are now going to want to kill all the jews twice?

Wal-Mart now sells 88 Cent downloads.  I had a short list of songs I wanted to download… and amazingly each one was not available… Such as Led Zeppelin’s Misty Mountain Hop and the Immigrant song.   Damn it.  I heard it a couple days ago when I watched “School of Rock” and it sounded great.  Especially since no kittens were involved.    Other than these songs… I didn’t know really what I wanted to listen to that wasn’t already in my playlists.  Oh well.

The Immigrant Song:

Ah, ah, 

We come from the land of the ice and snow, 

From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. 

The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands, 

To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming! 

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore. 

Ah, ah, 

We come from the land of the ice and snow, 

From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow. 

How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore, 

Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords. 

On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore. 

So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins, 

For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.

That’s fucking poetry, man.  Awesome.  I need this on CD for the Bronco.  Cars should have a Start Up sound file… this would be mine.  Put in the key, it plays this. 

Do the Dimwits even realize what they are doing?  By having President Bush testify that he didn’t have any prior knowledge of 9-11-01 that they are not only making themselves look like gigantic assholes, but they are polarizing opposition against them!  They don’t see it that way… they think that they really are the main stream… they think they have the moral high ground because of the halo of Political Correctness, and that they are no a mission from their Gods against the evil Conservative Conspiracy.  These Liberals are absolutely delusional about this.  There is a pattern here… paranoia, delusion, feelings of grandeur… the medical term for this condition is “Schizophrenia”.   This proves what I have long ago suspected… that Liberals are fucking nuts on a clinical level.

1000hrs:  What does Howard Dean have against Rugged Individuals?  If you have not heard his remark, he said that Rugged Individuals were fine 100 years ago.  Evidently now he wants all the guys to stop being so rugged and to be Metrosexuals like him.  This might be fine if you live on one of the coasts in a big city… but here I live… in these fly over states as those guys like to call the red states on the 2000 election results map… you have to be rugged.  It’s required.  If you are the type of guy that has never popped the hood on your car and you don’t even know what your engine looks like – don’t come out here.  Now you don’t have to be a Marlboro Man, but you do need some degree of self reliance. 

This reminds me of a car I saw yesterday.  The LL BEAN Edition of the Subaru Outback.  LL Bean… Nice.  A sissyboy wannabe metrosexual SUV for nancyboy wannbe city living outdoorsman… perfect.  The LL Bean edition.  My hell.  Oh, I’m not knocking LL Bean… they make fine sweaters… but when it comes to an SUV with a serious outdoorsman sponsor, I want a TED NUGENT Edition fucking Humvee okay?  An LL Bean Subaru.  This must be the work of Howard Dean.  Like those pussies need AWD to hit the local Starbucks. 

I’m working on the Mad Ogre Edition of the Ford Bronco… still have not scored that perfect truck gun yet.  Still working on it.   So many good suggestions have come in that is has me doubting what I was wanting, but I just send on the payment for a Marlin 336CS.     

Email from Reader: “Speaking of truck guns.... I think your initial take of a lever action is good sense.  In my case, I am a revolver guy and the idea of a rifle that shoots the same ammo as the pistol simply makes good sense.  Speaking for the .357, and I suppose the 9mm and .40 are about the same, the .357 in a pistol and the .357 in a rifle are like two different cartridges.  A bullet that will leave the pistol at about 1300 fps will leave the rifle at about 1800 fps.  So, in my case, I have a pistol and rifle that will digest the same fodder.  With a good stout bullet, I am ready for everything from arms length to a little over 100 yards.  All out of the same box of ammo.  Of course, if you are a semi-auto guy, a light carbine in the pistol caliber makes sense if it will also take the same magazines.  Love the blog. Dennis”  Thanks for the email, Dennis.  I was looking at the Marlin 1894 .357 and that was a super slick little carbine.  Amazing how light and handy it felt.  Very tempting.  If I ever get a Beretta Stampede in .357, that Marlin would be next on the list.

Scariest Email ever:  “I think that you are right about Kerry's qualifications for president, however, I don't think that he will make it to the convention in one piece.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the Clintons are holding the information card that will ruin him before the convention.  Then the dimocrats will HAVE to draft Hillary to save the party.  How's this for a scary thought.  Hillary drafted for president and she chooses Bill as vice president?  Can legally happen. That ought to let you rest peacefully shouldn't it? - Andy”   Stephen King couldn’t write anything that scary.

Another email… this one is spam that made it past my filters: “Fuel Costs are reaching all time highs.  OPEC is planning further cuts in production.  We have the answer.  Fuel-Saver-Pro.”  If you have not read my take about the Fuel Saver Pro – you need to find it and read it.  Here… I’ll put a link to it.  Such utter bullshit.  Only a John Kerry Supporter would buy one of these.  The images I linked to have disappeared.  But that the think looks like is a little plastic box that clips over your fuel line.  That’s it.  It’s a magnet that you put over your fuel line it’s made by Harry Potter.  You think this works?  If you do, then check this out… I can lift myself up off the floor by pulling up on my chair.

Mar 22nd, Monday, 2004:  1800hrs:  So Israel nailed the “Spiritual” Leader of Hamas.  You know, I think that is complete and utter bullshit.  He might have been the Leader of Hamas, or the Founder of Hamas or Hamas’ Daddy… but he was not “Spiritual”.  He was an evil son of a bitch and reaped his reward.  Evidently there was nothing left of him but his head.  Fitting as that is usually all that is left of those that follow his guidance into wearing C-4 Vests and blowing themselves up near busses full of school kids.  It is reported that the missile struck this asshat square in the gut.  Good shooting!  Someone buy that gunship crew a round of drinks.    Press play on your MP3 player:  Queen’s Another one bites the dust.

Kim Du Toit posted a link to a site that has lots of nice images of the peaceful war protesters in San Francisco.  Some of these pictures are just repugnant.  The I love New York protestor and the Support Resistance in Iraq protestor… These assholes are celebrating that Americans have died!  I am so glad I don’t live near that city.  If I saw this NY protester with that sign here… I’d probably fly off the handle and beat the living shit out of this fucknozzle.  I don’t think I would be able to rein in the surge of anger… I still can’t unclench my teeth after seeing this.  

Email from Reader:  “Ogre,  Been checking out the blog on your thoughts on a truck gun.  There would certainly be no reason NOT to go with something like a Marlin lever-action ("always wanted one" sounds like a good excuse to me ;-).  However, "form", "fit", and "fuction" are three separate categories, and if you're looking towards a defensive weapon, it might not be something from the "classics"...    Just thought I'd throw this out there.  Through some influence from my LEO buddies, I picked up a Kel-Tec Sub2000 carbine in Glock 9mm configuration for my "vehicular carry".  At first I shied away from these "cheap plastic weapons", but then I remembered that I passed on a Glock 17 for a Beretta 92FS back in 1992 because of the same mentality ("Glock"?  Who the hell is that?  What do you mean it's plastic?).  Now, I can't say enough about my Glocks.  Love 'em.    Kel-Tec Sub200; From the unfolding from a 16" length to the slapping of the bolt (reminds me of the MP-5), it's just plain simple in configuration and action.  My only complaint about it is the long trigger pull, but that's not necessarily a bad thing with a defensive weapon.  I put the picatinny rail option (from Kel-Tec) on it, and mounted my ITI M3 light for night "blinding".  I've shot 2" groups standing at 50 yds, and plan on taking it out to the 200yd range next month to see what it can do.  The 9mm is pushing .357 velocity due to barrel length.  You can carry it folded with a loaded mag and bolt locked back, and with some practice, go from damn near CC to locked and loaded in a matter of seconds.  It's also a blast to shoot.  I picked it up at the last gun show for $279.  Not a bank-breaker by any means.  Slap a pre-ban G17 mag with a Taylor +5 extension, and you've got 20+ rounds on your side...  Just something to consider as a "tactical folder" weapon, and maybe even decent enough to ride around in the Ogre's new truck.  – Brad”

Brad, thanks for the email and for this suggestion.  It’s solid indeed.  SWAT Magazine did a great review of the Sub2000 and it was very positive.  The author of the review is one of the most respected Firearms Trainers in the USA.  This was also the same cat who ripped the hell out of a certain shotgun that everyone else was going Ga-Ga over.   This gun would be a good option for anyone looking for a 9MM carbine.   And yes, it would even be worthy of riding in Ogre’s “Monster”.

Email from another Reader:  “How can people support this idiot?  He votes for base closures, and then, when it would help his cause, he fights to keep the bases open?  I thought he wanted the UN to govern and protect us all anyway.  Why do we need bases then?  If nothing else, the way he flip-flops on every issue should prove he's making his decisions too rashly.  Obviously he's not giving enough time or thought to the positions he takes, or he wouldn't have to spend so much time backtracking.  If he thinks he was wrong voting to close bases, he ought to repay the taxpayers for the time he wasted lobbying to close them.  Do we want someone making rash, uninformed decisions in the White House, especially when he's roved time and time again that he's going to reverse course whenever it suits him? – Dave” 

Kerry is on the same level as a 14 year old girl with 2 different boyfriends.  You are right… he makes snap judgements, based on his personal opinion and then changes them according to who ever he is talking to.  They are trying to call this “Nuance” but I’m not having any of it… Wrapping Kerry’s flip-flopping into some French phrase is not going to win any points from Me or The Mighty Ogre Horde.  We can smell that nuance from over here… and French name or not… it smells like bullshit.  BTW, any votes for Kerry are grounds for instant expulsion from The Horde, and ridicule for the rest of your life.

I find it especially interesting that Kerry, the man who would be President, was under FBI surveillance for so long, and in such depth.   The closer we get to the election, the more about Kerry we are really going to get to know.  I suspect that we are going to find a man that is not only not suitable for the President’s position, but also not suitable for the position of President at even a Taco Bell franchise.  

Email from the Horde’s resident Viking, Stig:  “Sometimes you rant about USA versus Europe. Well here is my take on the differences between us. so when you are dissing us Europeans, I have a look at the picture im sending you and smile!”

Ouch… You might have a point there, Stig.  There might be some differences is weight... but we still kick ass all over the globe.  Now, when I bash Europeans, I do not bash all of them… I’m pretty specific on those nations I bash… Typically France… because they piss me off sometimes.  The other day it was Spain.  No, I have nothing against Europe at all… even as a whole.  I hope to visit Europe as soon as possible.  Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, Ireland and Scotland… Norway even… but France, Germany, and Spain are just NOT on the list anymore. 

Anyone want to submit links to images of distinctly hot American women? We can show Stig (who is about to set out on a long lonely expedition to count polar bear fleas - Dude has some major cajones to go hang with these bears, but he is armed well with a .44 Magnum and a nice .308 rifle.  It should at least discourage those bears) that American women are incredibly hot.  Come on guys... Let's give Stig something to keep him warm up there!  (NO PORN LINKS!)

Special Thanks for the 2 tech manuals for the Bronco from Horde Captain Chase!  When he read that the new Ogre Wagon was a Bronco, he dug these books off and sent them out.   That was just AWESOME.  These books contain the very information I was trying to look up just this morning.  Everyone raise a glass to Chase!

Sorry for the late update today… I had an exam that required attention.  

Mar 21st, Sunday:  2004:  Noonish:   My post about a truck gun has gathered a lot of responses.  The suggestions are all solid ones… for other lever actions in pistol calibers or in .45-70… SKS rifles… M1 Carbines… All good options.  The only suggestion that I didn’t like was for the Browning BLR.  Browning has what is considered by a few, one of the smoothest lever action rifles around.  I was unfamiliar with them, so I went to the gun shop to check one out.  The caliber was .30-06… not a flat nosed caliber, so this was a bit none traditional right of the bad.  It looked fine, but nothing special.  It didn’t “Feel” like a lever action as the gun was heavier and just didn’t balance like a Marlin or Winchester.  I shouldered it and it fit more like a bolt gun… While aiming at an elk head on the wall, I jacked the lever and out sprang this giant fluted dildo that came back almost into my eye.   Holy crap… that BLR has the biggest freaking bolt I’ve seen on anything short of a .50MBG.    No thank you.  I like a lot of Browning arms… but the BLR isn’t one of them.  It feels all wrong… looks all wrong… no thank you.  One of the most enjoyable things about shopping for “the right gun” is the shopping and the considerations… I can almost understand the shoe thing in women.  This truck gun topic is discussed here on THR.  I've wanted a Marlin lever action forever... why I've never actually purchased one is beyond me. 

Email from reader:  “Ogre,  I was reading your politics section about Government only owning guns.  I'm not sure if you really believe that will happen someday or not.  I hope you don't really believe that.  (I am not the most politically up-to-date person in the world, and I am probably pretty close to the "Sheople" that you hate so much.)  But, for the most part, I agree with everything you have said about the government.  It has gone into a downward spiral. – MikeS”  Will happen?  That has happened… Many times.  You sound intelligent enough to be educated.  That photo I posted is of course from Nazi controlled Germany.  But such things have happened in Russia, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Africa (Just pick an African state) Chile, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Argentina, Equador… and yes – Even here in the United States but not in such an organized manner as that… but US Soldiers slaughtered many Native Americans.  Can it happen again?  Look at all the mass graves in Iraq… it just did.  What will stop it from happening tomorrow?

Email from our Horde Member in Norway:  “Hi Mad ogre!  Been a while since i wrote too you last. April the first im going north too polar bear country! Looking forward too it, im gonna spend a forthnight out there in the ice helping a friend with collecting samples for his Ph.d. I got a .44 and a 308, and a fair bit of knowledge of polarbear behaviour, so i am not worried about meeting a bear at all. Not very long ago,  a man in russia got killed by a brown bear, similar accident too the US filmaker who got mauled, this one also didnt reckon he needed a firearm, oh well he is dead now. Yesterday, I went to a range, about 100 k away from where i live. The nice thing about that range is that we can shoot up too 1000 meters there! The longest range i have been shooting before i went there is 425m, and that too only recently. Interesting things happens to bullets as they fly! I got nice groups at 500, 600 and the first time we tried at 700m, but then the wind started acting funny, and i am not (yet) good at judging windage. But the experience of seeing bulletholes, made by me at 700 meters was realy great!  Im using standard NATO 7.62 NM60, 9,45 grams/147grain bullets. Next time i`m gonna try 800 meters as well, which i see as the limit for the 7.62NATO, but real experienced shooters may get hits further out. The plan is too compete at this event this summer!  There the targets can be set as far out as  1000 meters. I wish I could afford a TRG 42 338LM. STIG”    One thing about competition, regardless of winning or loosing, it makes a better shooter out of you.  Good luck!  Say, isn’t that a new scope on your rifle?  What did you select?

SIG SAUER has a new handgun out… I don’t know if it’s going to be coming to America or not.  It’s called the SIG P250 and will be available in multiple calibers from 9MM to .45ACP.  It’s butt-ugly, railed, compactish size, double action only, and very un-SIG-like.  I don’t like it.   

Gun Of The Day:  This is a unique one... Just saw it, but it struck me upside the head.  I had thought that the COSTUME DESIGNER for Romeo & Juliet ruined the Berettas they used for that movie… but at least she didn’t do this to them.    Be careful… these images may be shocking.  Small children may have to leave the room.   This is truly disgusting.  Even paintball markers are not that revolting.  At least we know what Vanilla Ice’s gun looks like.  This gun is WRONG on so many levels.  This is just… sad.  If this gun was GIVEN to me, I think I would send it back to Beretta for a complete refinishing, and see if they can restore some dignity to it.

Mar 19th, Friday, 2004: 1300hrs:  I’ve been thinking about a rifle… no… not an autoshucker.   Something potent, light and fast.  I will admit it, when it comes to a bolt action long brown gun – unless it’s in a heavy caliber, I have little interest it.  I’m thinking about a levergun. 

Specifically I am thinking about the Marlin 336Y.  The Y means “Youth” but there is nothing kiddie about a 16.5 inch barreled .30-30.  However it does have a short 12.5 inch stock, and that’s just too short for me to tuck into.  What would be ideal, would be for Marlin to take the 336CC, and throw on the 16.5 inch barrel.  Unfortunately Marlin just doesn’t do things like that.  Damn it.  I’d rather buy that than to buy the 336Y and then buy the CC furniture.  The Y is a full ½ pound lighter than the CC… but I am sure using the longer stock will add maybe 8 ounces to that… big deal.  A “Butt Cuff” would also go on, giving me just a little bit longer pull and some recoil padding… Not that .30-30 is a heavy recoiling caliber, but that my shoulder is pretty much just completely fucked up like my left knee and right ankle.  Let’s put it this way… if something is coming after me I would be better off stopping it in its tracks before it gets on me rather than try to run away from it.  I didn’t used to be this way… It wasn’t too long ago that I was in a mile long foot chase wearing all my patrol gear and ran down a 19 year old crack pusher who was wearing Addidas and basketball shorts.  You bet I got him!   I did the 2 mile run in 10 minutes 30 seconds too… but those says are LONG GONE.   And when I mean long, I mean you couldn’t hit it with a Tomahawk, long gone.

Where the hell was I?  Oh… the rifle… yes… It’s the overall length that is the desired outcome here… the barrel on the Y is 4 inches shorter than on the CC.  This would make breaking it out of the Bronco much easier.   I’m thinking of racking it either along the roof over the top of side window – or police style horizontally.  The vogue around here is to mount it actually in the window… because well… that’s the easiest place to put it.  But I don’t exactly want to advertise that “Hey, there is a rifle in here!”  I’ve seen two smash and grabs in Virginia and I don’t want that to happen to my gun or truck… and this rifle would be riding most of the time.  Well, I do live out in the fricken boonies so why not?  We got freaking puma, wolves, coyotes and black bears up in this biatch because the Uintah Mountains are my back yard.  I had ELK in my backyard and last week not too far away was a damn MOOSE.  Because of that I was thinking about the 336 in .35 Remington… but that kinda ammo is just impossible to find out here and two .30-30 hits would do just fine.  The 336Y gives you 5 shots, and that’s is ample.  There are several ammo makers that make some very effective loads for .30-30… so I’m confident.  No problem.  This is the gun I should have had a long time ago.  

I was initially thinking about just going with the regular 336 Walnut… but the colors in the CC version’s stock really go with the Bronco.  This is about the extent of my fashion sense… call this Ogre Eye For the Queer Guy.  Matching your Gun to your Truck.  Let’s see if the cable channels picks this up for the next season… I’m open to offers.  Have your producers talk to my people.

Optics?  If I do put any optics on it, it would be something small like an Optima maybe.  Nothing fancy… Small, light and compact in keeping with the theme.  Something that would allow me to grab a fast sight picture in the dark.    Anyways… that’s the rifle I’m thinking about.

I just noted that Spoons has put up a link to me… I’m in the “This Week” list of links.  Don’t know what all that means, but it’s cool.  Thanks Spoons.  I’m guessing that this is a temporary link.  I just wish I knew why I got that tip of the hat… there is no reference to it… Was it “Hey this guy has something interesting to say.” Or was it, “This guy is a Tard”?  Oh well.

Found on Spoons site… a famous movie in 30 seconds… with bunnies…  I’m glad it was only 30 seconds, and I’m glad it was with bunnies… because that movie still gives me the heebie-jeebies.

I must not fear.  Fear is the mind-killer.  Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration.  I will face me fear.  I will permit it to pass over me and through me.  And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.  Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.  Only I will remain.  I will face my fear. 

Today I faced my fear.  The only thing that really scares me personally… is heights.  This is strange you see, because I can fly ultra-lights, autogyros… rappel from a helicopter… no problem.   What I have a real problem with though is climbing ladders.  I can’t do it with out wanting to puke.  Well, this morning I had to go help my father in law who is does construction.  He is building a house all by himself and today was the day to put up the roof thingamajigs… “Joists” or something like that… the big fucking wooden triangles that he was paying some cats with a crane 150 bucks an hour to lift up while we positioned them.  As much as I tried to avoid it… I ended up walking on top of the walls over the WORST spot in the house… over the biggest possible drop.  So there I am… on top of a 2X4 over a huge fucking drop… trying to catch and hold these bigass wooden structures that were swaying in the wind.   Frank Herbert’s “Litany Against Fear” seemed to work for me… I got the job done with no drama or trauma.     This was pretty good considering.  I’m not scared of anything else… Scorpions, snakes, blood, mice, badguys, vampires or werewolves… just heights.  Only heights.  It’s weird, I know… but it just is.

Email from new reader:  “I just ran across this page and I assume someone else has pointed out that the Bank of America job was done before the movie was released.  I really think I can remember talking about this at the time. - August”    

Huh?  I'm guessing you are talking about "HEAT".   A few days before the BOA job, in Richmond VA there was a HUGE robbery of a Nations Bank.  Automatic rifle fire and everything... just no helicopter footage.  Running gun battle and everything.  I know this because I was the director of security for the main Nations Bank building in downtown Richmond and I had to go examine the crime scene and the video tape of the robbery.  It was pretty bad.  Heat was out before either of these jobs were pulled... because investigations show that the criminals were fixated on the movie and tried to pull it off like the movie.  For both Nations and BOA…   Interesting thing about the Nations Bank hit – the security guard that was on duty there… was caught flat footed, but managed to empty his .38 Special revolver but to know effect.  The criminals used AR-15 rifles… full length barrels and everything.  The guard (While I know his name, visited him in the hospital actually, I will not post it for his privacy sake and for his family) was shot in the head.  The bullet hit him in the side of the head, and went straight through and out the other side – just behind his eyes.  The bullet severed his optic nerves, so while he survived with little other damage physically, he was blinded for the rest of his life.

Funny how so many people talk about the AR-15 as the ultimate weapon for US Forces – please.  Yes, this guard was lucky, but come on – any other caliber higher would have snuffed him.  Even .30-30 from a 16 and a half inch barrel or .308 from a 14 inch… doesn’t matter.  Either would have done much more damage and I would have made my visit to the mortuary rather than to the hospital.   Glad he wasn’t killed, because he was a good man… a grandfather and a faithful Christian with a sense of humor and just a sweet disposition.  At least he was still able to tell stories to his grandkids and listen to their stories.    5.56MM just does not have enough power to be an effective weapon on the battlefield.  This new 6.8MM is a start in the right direction, but I’d much rather we just went straight back to the .308.

This is all the time I have right now, guys.  I have exams to prep for and to take… so it’s back to the books for me – big time!.

The Gun of the Day:   Is the Gun that I mentioned above that I want, but doesn’t exist. 

Mar 18th, Thursday, 2004:  1515hrs: You want to know how to freak out your spouse?  Show her the layout for the magazine article you wrote that has her picture in it.   She’s cool with it, but was taken by surprise.  I rarely see her actually speechless… but this caused a dropped jaw silence.  Then she freaked out pretty good for a minute before she calmed down to simmer… the only thing that bothered her was that she didn’t like the picture. “I look snooty!” she said.  Well, Berettas are!  Try calling Beretta Customer Service some time.  Judas Priest, you would think they were French or something!

Why I hate Liberals:   To say “I hate Liberals” is a bit inaccurate.  I don’t hate the person… the more accurate expression would be “I hate the Liberal Mind”.  This is very different from a Liberal Idea, belief or even a Liberal Person… A Liberal Mind is one that is actually very “un-liberal” in the classic sense of the word.   We call Liberals liberal, but truthfully they stopped being liberal a long time ago and I can’t really put my finger on when that happened.

Typical Liberal Mind type persons have a pattern of response to anything accusatory… and that is to deny deny deny until they get put into a corner and then they change the tune to my favorite argument in the whole world: “Well, what about…?”   This argument blames the accuser for not busting anyone else, or everyone else for anything else… as if it was your fault for not busting the rest of the world before you have the right to bust them.  As soon as this argument fails – because regardless of what the rest of the population does, it never changes the fact that this Liberal Mind still did something all on their own… The next argument is to try to blame someone else as if there was a conspiracy to get them in trouble.  Whatever they do, they will not own up to their own actions.  I’ve said it before, but it’s all about Personal Responsibility, and in the case of the Liberal Mind, the lack of it.  To the Liberal Mind, Personal Responsibility is an alien concept.

A new term as sprung up recently, “Classic Liberal”.  Classic Liberals are the forward thinkers that are open to change and progress and acceptance… Such as Teddy Roosevelt who was open to the change and progress of the American West and accepting of all those from other countries – and open to assimilate them into the American Culture.  George Washington and Ben Franklin were also Liberals… they wanted to change the whole course of the nation by progressing from mere colonies into independent states.  So in the classic sense – being liberal is quite admirable.  All this is lost to today’s Neo Liberals that try to keep living in the 1960’s with 1960’s politics and social issues.  The last thing they want is any actual progression… So while we have had it, they refuse to recognize it.  You want to talk about Civil Rights?  Come on now, look at the Black individuals we have in the Administration… Powel and Rice.   Yes - *SHOCK* - they are Black!  But according to the Liberal Minded NAACP, you would think they are picking cotton or they are really just “white people” or Uncle Toms or something.  Gimmie a break – Rice – excuse me – If she ran for President would have my vote in a heart beat.  Color or Race means squat to me… but then again, I don’t have a Liberal Mind.  

The Modern Liberal is an interesting creature… a person who is unabashedly ignorant in most areas of study, but especially in the areas of History, Economy, and Science… even in environmental sciences, where you would think they would at least try to make a strong point.  Looking at the L.M. if can find no strong point other than some very misdirected passions for ideology based upon false information or blatant untruths.  

In essence a Liberal Mind is a wasted mind.  A mind that is swayed by emotion and popular opinion… they will take to an idea because it sounds good regardless of the truth.

Rocks and Water… The Liberal Mind can be as dense as a rock, while they follow the easiest path of least resistance in any intellectual exercise.  

It would be so easy to just give in and become a Liberal… all you have to do is to just give up any effort in anything and stop thinking for yourself.   Just leave the TV set to NBC or CBS and zone out… become as Pink Floyd says “Comfortably Numb”.

What ever you do, Liberals, do not think for yourself, examine the issues on any big picture scale, or for the love of Kerry – open a history book!

Seems Coalition forces are in a major gun battle in Afghanistan.  Resistance is fierce and it is believed that they are defended one of the top people in Al-Qaeda.  Wouldn’t it be nice if they had Bin Laden?  Seriously, that would make my day.  Oh, looks like it may be the #2 guy.     

Gun of the Day:  STAR FIRESTAR.  The Firestar has 3 flavors to it, 9MM, .40, and .45ACP.   Spain had two gunmakers that were really good and very underrated… Star and Astra.  Star produced the Firestar as a subcompact single action automatic before such things became the vogue.   The Firestar was comfortable to shoot thanks to a good layout and well designed controls.  But it did have some drawbacks.  Like the trigger guard – which are absolutely tiny.  Spanish people must have some pathetically small fingers.  Matches their dicks, I would guess.  The insides show some tool marks and are a little rough.  The outsides show that the finish is thin… again… I would guess that his matches the Spanish people’s thin skin.   The Firestars start out good, but it’s almost as if the makers got to the point where they just gave up and left the job undone… This seems like the Spanish way of doing things.  The only thing the Spanish have really done well was to wipe out the Aztecs, but then again most of that killing was done my the Spaniard’s cooties rather than the Spaniard’s weapons.   For some reason I think the Spaniards would be more interested in fighting if the Terrorists gave up, offered gold, and all wanted to become baptized.   Fuck the Firestar, fuck Star, and fuck Spain… A bunch of fucking cowards that only acted tough but turned and ran like a big fucking sissy when it got it’s nose bloodied.  If that’s the way the Spanish people are – then we don’t need them.   Look at Italy.  The took a shot to the nose – did they run away?  Hell No!  They just dug in their heels and put their fists up – Bring it on!  So there you go – there is the real gun of the day – Beretta again, but this time it’s the .45 caliber Beretta – the COUGAR.  Fucking Spain…

Mar 17th, Wednesday: 2004: St Patrick's Day!  1630HRS: What is the deal with the Para Ordinance LDA?  I just do not get this pistol.  Other than the technicality of the double action - all you have to do to fire it is to thumb off the safety, pull the trigger. Is there really any difference between such a light trigger pull and a regular single action pull?   I see no point in the LDA system other than to make the less trained feel a little more safe because they see the hammer down. I got news for you guys that think that - the LDA's trigger is just as light as your average 1911 out of the box trigger. You are no safer.  You want safe?  Then just put the gun on "Safe" and keep your freaking twitching finger off the danged trigger! THAT is how you put the 1911 on SAFE!  The 1911 doesn’t need any gimmicky fucking tricks or new trigger systems to be safe.  I swear, Para made that trigger as joke or something. I see absolutely no point in it...   If you like it - Fine. Whatever floats your boat. Be happy with your LDA. I just don't get it.   I can just imagine a bunch of Canadians up there at Para HQ snickering behind their hands.

"The more gizmos and gadgets it's got, the more Murphy it gets." – 1911Tuner, TheHighRoad.org

It’s really simple… if you want a double action .45, then get a double action .45.  There are plenty out there.  If you want and like the LDA, then that’s fine… but it’s not a real double action.  It’s a fucked up single action in my opinion.  Double actions would let you cock and drop the hammer a second time.  This is not possible with the LDA as the gun gets cocked by the cycling of the slide and not by the action of the trigger.   Calling this system a “Double Action” to skirt police department police is intellectually disingenuous.  Thinking that the LDA is more “safe” than a standard 1911 pattern gun is not true.  In fact, I think it is even LESS safe because of this trick system that would have some believe it’s more safe than GI and the operator is less cautious.  You see, a GI operator is well aware of how little trigger pull effort is required.  They are more aware of where the muzzle is point and where the trigger finger is.  They are more careful by nature.  Look at the accidental-negligent discharges fired by police… Funny how most of these guns are Double Action or Double Action Only.  They think they are still safe with the finger on the trigger.  They think they don’t require so much training.  It’s these false feelings of safety that cause such accidents.  With a 1911, the operator thinks just a bit more about what the fuck he is doing.  This makes a world of difference.    You can’t skirt training or awareness with a gadget.  I’m of the opinion that if a Police Officer is not competent enough to handle a GI 1911, then he or she is no more competent to handle any other pistol unless it’s loaded with water… and of course if he or she is that fucked up – they should not be Police Officers in any department armed with any weapon.  I am sure they would make good dispatchers, or meter maids or process servers or what have you... but they should not be on a patrol with a gun on their hip.

I’ve put the Bronco in the shop this morning.  Some work needed to be done that I just do not want to do… such as break down the steering column to replace the turn signal switch and the break booster thingamajig and other little details.  After that’s done, then it’s ready for registration and insurance.  The fuel gauge issue is the sending unit that is inside the tank.  150 to 200 bucks just for the unit depending on other details just for the part, not including the labor.  I’m holding off on that.  It’s not an inspection or drivability item… it’s just an annoying detail item.   It’s going to be a long week till I get it back!  I’ve fallen for this big beast… the thing is awesome.

Email from Horde Lt Glock19: “Hello Dr. Ogre.  Yes, I'm going to keep the Glock after all.  If nothing else it has the most durable finish, so it's the gun I carry. Besides, it's UGLY, but functional.  I did sell my Marlin Camp 9 carbine for the princely sum of $400. -- therefore justifying a new gun purchase.  I looked at the RAMI, in .40 of course --I have to admit I didn't like the feel. I loved the feel of the CZ PO-1, only a few ounces heavier, but the light rail feature left me cold. Let me say it was light, well balanced, and fit my hand better than any gun I have. (including my hi powers).  I ordered the CZ 75 D PCR compact, which is basically the same gun as the PO-1, without the rail, and with low-profile sights.  If you have a chance, check out the PO-1 or the 75D PCR. (Not the 75 compact -it is a different gun). I'm sure you'll love them. - Lt. Glock19”  Preaching to the choir… I’m a huge CZ fan.  The PCR is pretty much the same thing as the P-01, but without the rail.  Eric of HBE leatherworks packs a PCR as his carry rig.  Excellent choice.  Get with him about a good holster for it and you are SET. 

Email from GunsOfNevada with a damn good suggestion:  “Got the perfect idea of what to do with the Cherokee!  Why don’t you sell it off and buy something *better* than the deeds for the lock box in The Monster? Something compact and in .45 would be nice...Maybe a Monster Green anodized Colt Commander?  Wouldn’t it be the shit (Excuse the language) at the range, with a pistol whose finish matched this fucking awesome SUV?”  

I’ve already priced out a green finished fitted Caspian Commander slide on an Officers frame.  It’s just getting this such thing approved by She Who Must Be Obeyed, or pass it flying under her New Gun Radar.  I swear, I start just THINKING about a new gun and she starts pinging.   Let’s see… There are the Green XDs, and 1911’s by Springfield… that would be faster than going by the Caspian route.  Hmmm.   Okay, first things first – Who wants the Jeep?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller? 

Speaking of Ferris Bueller, for some weird reason I looked that movie up… turns out there is a website – no I wont link it – to a bunch of nutjobs that want a sequel.  Thanks to “Mr Rooney” and his comment about “15 years from now…”  Well, in a couple years it will be 15 years and they want to see where Ferris is “now”.  How lame.  Please, Hollywood… come up with a better idea.  You know that chick in the flick that all the guys fell in love with?  “Sloan”?  Damn if she didn’t grow up nice.   Women really do get better with age…  This is why I can tell my wife that she looks more beautiful than ever, every day.  Because it’s true.   Don’t know where this little side trip came from… 

Ford Bronco again.  It’s not in my driveway and I find this disturbing.  I want my Bronco back!  I’ve become accustomed to driving it… I like the power (obviously) and I like the size.  I like everything about it.  It’s just so “Me” that getting back into that damned little Cherokee felt awkward as hell.  It all the sudden felt extremely weak and puny and tiny… I hated it.  And this Cherokee has a V-6 out of a Chevy S-10 in it… pretty good power to weight ratio aside, it just didn’t feel right.  This Bronco is bigger than the old Wagoneer… much bigger.  But it drives better, stops better, accelerates better and even smells better than the wag.  While we miss the Wag, we are well pleased with the Bronco.  I’m looking forward to getting it back even better than before and working on it some more.  I’ve got a new carpet kit lined up for it, new wheels, a new steering wheel, and I’m thinking of doing the roof liner and sides in leather.  When it’s done, it will be ferocious and brutal… just what I was looking for.  Now I just have this long wait to get it back... damn it!   

Early Morning: Thanks to Horde Officer Chase for the Bronco service manuals he just sent me.  I appreciate it.   I was in the Bronco today cleaning it out…  This unit has some work that needs doing... it will be my working project vehicle for some time.  I'm tickled in that this was to be the 1978 401 Wagoneer that was to be the working project vehicle.   The Wag didn't work out, but it looks like this Bronco will work out extremely well.  The interior lining had been ripped out, along with all the interior trim pieces.  This means I am going to be redesigning the thing from the inside out.  The seats are great, and that’s about it.  No, I’m not going to Rhino Line the inside.    Utah gets really hot and really cold… I think I’m going to insulate the Monster so it’s more comfy to ride in and to quite some of the rattles it has when you drive over bumps.  Added bonus is a small Sentry fireproof lock box that came with the rig.  This means I now have a safe and secure fire proof box for the titles to the growing fleet of vehicles in my back yard.  The question remains about what to do with the Cherokee.  It needs a new engine and a new power steering box and new front in stabilizers and a new transfer case.  Other than that, it’s fine.  Oh, and it needs a new AC condenser and a new window switch for the passenger front door… so other than THAT… it’s a fine Jeep.   Any takers?  I’m asking only 500 bucks for it.  Comes with almost new tires and 4 inch lift kit… 500 cash, and it can be yours… you have to come get it.  I've been a little rough on her.  (insert evil laughter here)  The Sube is a keeper.  The engine is strong and has another 150 thousand miles left in it.  We will drive it until the wheels fall off.  And they might fall off soon if we don’t get the CV joints replaced.  I've been looking at the other Bronco's around here and on the Net.. I have a good idea in what I am wanting to do with it... 4 inch lift, bigger tires of course... maybe so Rhino Lining around the wheel wells...  Who knows.

Email from our Horde Member in New York that I thought you guys would find interesting… Obviously Hillary Clinton doesn’t know about this place… “Finally went to Westside Rifle & Pistol Range (20 West 20th Street, between 5th/6th Avenues) -- in Manhattan, of all places! Reportedly the last gun range in the city, it's underground but professional, as were the staff, and they're apparently FFL -- as indicated by the Mossberg under the glass counter.   What I liked was the variety of services and selection -- they rent out sidearms (Glocks, Kahrs, Berettas, Kimbers) for those with pistol permits or LEOs (badge & ID required), a .22 rifle of unknown make, and a Ruger carbine in 9mm, along with hearing protectors for all shooters. Also, they've got a separate area for firearms cleaning, offer ultrasonic cleaning, and even self-serve coffee for $0.50/cup.  Unfortunately, the bad side is the pricing -- it costs $50 just to learn how to use the .22 rifle and be provided with 50 rounds of ammo, the rifle and the target for your first day; the price drops to $25 if you return within three months. Becoming a range member at the Executive Rifle level allows you free .22 rentals and unlimited range time -- but costs $275 the first year, $250 every year after that, and sidearms aren't available at this level of membership.  Also, it's quite a walk from the nearest train station (18th Street).  In short: An acceptable/good range for beginners (the .22 rifle course) or handgunners -- or at least those with the money to shell out, anyway. - Lu” 

The official invitation to come shooting in Utah has been extended.   Evidently shooting in NYC is like eating caviar or something.  Is Manhattan a part of NYC?  I don’t know… I’m not into the Big Apple scene… I can’t afford it.     The most amazing thing is that there is a range in Ne… in Manhattan.

Email from Horde Commander Mike:  “A buddy of mine made a documentary about the explosion of the Howard Dean campaign.  An interesting tidbit was the comment of one of the student activists endorsing Mr. Dean.  She stated that we basically need to return to the United Nations, on our hands and knees, groveling for mercy or some such.  These sentiments seem to be echoed by many on the left.  The Iraq War was wrong, many say, because we didn't have full UN or NATO support.  Therefore, since only a few governments decided to go for it, instead of a few MORE, it was wrong.  Had more governments agreed to it, then it would've been "right".  I don't understand this concept of right and wrong, Ogre.  Because the UN decides something doesn't make it just.  It doesn't make it right, and it doesn't make it wise.  And vice-versa for the US government.  Foreign policy isn't about right and wrong, bluntly.  The United States doesn't have the resources to go around expelling every tin-pot dictator in the world, however just such an action may be, and in any case we'd draw even more venom from our neighbors if we did so.  US Foreign Policy is about protecting the US from threats.  Apparently, the Bush administration saw Iraq as a direct threat to the US, so we acted.  Wars have been fought over less meaningful ideas.  If the administration was wrong, and Iraq really wasn't a threat, then that needs to be explained thoroughly.  However, to say that the US policy is bad simply because it's rumpled the opinions of European leaders is ridiculous.  "The whole world is against us", the left says.  I haven't heard China or Japan complaining, or Thailand, or India, or South Africa, or Brazil.  By "the whole world", they seem to basically mean Western Europe, who frankly aren't such a big whoop anymore in any case.  You think some farmer in Brazil gives a shit one way or another about Iraq?  Exactly.  Europeans in these little socialist paradises are the only ones that seem to really bitch about this, Ogre.  Them and Canadians.   I think John Kerry wants to turn the US into a big Canada.  Canada is fine, if you're a Canadian.  But the US shouldn't try to be Canada. - Mike”   

Beg the UN… upon reading that one statement alone I had to wrap my skull in duct-tape to prevent it from exploding.   First off, the US doesn’t need to beg anyone for anything.  Second off, the UN is complete and utter JOKE.  It is a council of criminals and thugs… the Thieves Guild incarnate.  The UN has proven it’s self to be both incompetent and irrelevant time and time again.  They have refused to look into Haiti because it’s too messy and had admitted that they couldn’t do anything to help them anyways.  This isn’t surprising at all.  The ugly reality about the UN is that most of the Members absolutely hate the US and held fucking Champaign parties to celebrate September 11^th… most of the countries now representing the UN are the very countries that the UN was formed to keep an eye on.  They have a blatant Anti-American Agenda and hate everything about the very country that the representatives enjoy the freedoms of… Come to think of it, they are not that much different from the average Liberal or Network Media outlet.  But come on… to just give these guys even a shred respect is too much courtesy.  These are the very guys that raided and looted their own cafeteria… stealing all the food and even the flatware just because the staff left the doors unlocked!  No wonder they don’t want to raise a finger to help Haiti, because they themselves are acting like the damn Haitians!    You and I both know that President Bush’s bold move in kicking Saddam’s ass has saved many more lives than those we have lost in Iraq.  Let’s look at the bigger picture here.  Bush kicks Saddam’s ass and then looks around the room and says “Who Wants Some?!”  Libya drops his towel and walks out… Libya being the #1 Tango Farm in the 80’s.  They don’t want any.  And now, Mr Rattle-Saber himself drops his towel too… Kim Jong Il of North Korea has recently announced that he doesn’t want any either – because he knows that if they don’t fold, Bush really will come and kick his fragrant midget ass because Bush has nothing to lose in doing it, and everything to gain.  You want to talk about keeping the peace for America?  Right there – those two countries alone represented Global Threats #1 & #2 on the “To Do List”.  Does anyone with more than a spoon full of brain cells think that the UN could have done that?  The UN would have done nothing. 

Let’s look at UN’s history of successes that were not involving the USA doing 95% of the work and paying 95% of the bill:

Uh… sorry… no list there. 
The UN is nothing but a bunch of fucking babies crying a lot and sucking on the USA’s tits… and I for one am sick of it.   Of course the UN doesn’t support the USA’s kicking Saddam’s ass… Most of the UN countries were busy breaking their own UN Sanctions with commerce with Iraq!  The bigger the objections pretty much coincide with the bigger offenders!   

No wonder that France is for Kerry… not only does he look French, but he stinks just as bad… not that Kerry doesn’t like bathing or deodorant or anything – but Kerry’s stench comes from the bullshit that he spews every time he opens his mouth.   I keep waiting for the real Kerry to please stand up… but John F Kerry can’t… because his wife Teressa’s hand is up his giant French Muppet ass.  Don’t believe me?  If you look when John speaks, the Ketchup Queen’s lips are moving.    Of course John named her as the Foreign Leader – because she was born out of country and speaks 5 languages.  Yes, that not only makes her Foreign, but a Leader as well.  Hey Teressa, they are holding your seat for you at the UN.   Fuck the UN.  They are flat out UNIMPORTANT… but they do have some value… they are interesting and fun to watch – but then again, so are “Sea Monkeys”.

Email from the Horde’s official Gungy Guide: “I read your "Guns of Ronin" once before and then read it again after watching the film again on DVD. It was a whole lot clearer but there were two things that you said that I want to talk about. When they set up the first ambush and after Sam smokes the first car with the shoulder-launched grenade, he gets back in the car and picks up the rifle and starts "cranking off rounds down range" (you're right, he also shuts his eyes.) You said that you didn't know where the rifle came from, but when he pulled back the blanket and uncovered the grenade launcher, I could see the rifle in the blanket with the grenade launcher. The second thing is the anti-tank rocket that he uses to take out one of the chase cars. I always thought it was a LAW, but after looking at it again, it's either a Soviet knock-off of a LAW, the RPG-18 or, more plausible, something fake that somebody cooked up to look like a LAW. The reason that I think it's a fake is that normally when you want to use a LAW, you expand it which is a move that shows that you really mean business. If you notice, it's kind of long for an expanded LAW and he opens it up inside the car, which would have caused him all kinds of problems getting up thru the sun-roof. So they don't show him struggling to get up thru the sun-rrof since like an idiot, he opened it up inside the car (think of someone inflating the life vest inside the airplane). When he shoots it, they camera only shows flames coming out to the front of the LAW (it looked fake) and not the back blast. A better shot would have been from behind to show the back blast and then the little rocket flying towards the target.   All in all, I liked the movie and for me, it was like being back in my old stomping ground. I worked for about a year and a half over by Marseille and I used to go to Arles all the time. Oh, that reminds me, when he's in the Arena at Arles (they still hold bullfights there) and gets shot, I was wondering about what they said. It looked like he was hit with a ricochet so I thought that it hit him between the plates on his vest. Later when they took it out, they said that the bullet was Teflon-coated and it when thru his vest. I don't think that a ricochet that was Teflon-coated would go thru a vest. Am I right? Another bit of trivia for you. After he gets shot and they are driving thru the "mountains" to get to the farm house, they show a medieval city on a bluff. The city name is called Les Baux de Provence. There is a castle on top that you can visit and inside they have actual full-scale working models of a ballista and a trebuchet. In case you don't know, a ballista is just a giant crosssbow looking thing and a trebuchet is a siege engine that you will see every once in a while on TV. Some farmer will build once and use it to throw toilet seats and pianos.  El-ahrairah AKA The Gungy Guide”   

I’ve not been able to as of yet verify the RPG-18 thing… but I think you are correct about the SIG 551 being under the blanket.  I’ll have to watch the DVD again when I get the time.  As far as the Teflon thing… Teflon coated bullet’s are not armor piercing because of the Teflon.  You can’t just spray it with Teflon and that makes them magical AP rounds.  It doesn’t work like that, and that’s the biggest gaff in the whole film.  Teflon coating the bullet can help the bullet in two ways – 1. it means you don’t need a copper jacketing over the lead so the bullets are cheaper and still wont foul the gun.  2.  Reduces friction in the barrel giving you a couple feet per second speed advantage and reduces the wear on the barrel.  You could buy these all the time from Federal, they are called “Nyclad” and were absolutely excellent rounds for .38 and 9MM.  To this day they remain my favorite loads for both calibers… because at standard pressure loadings the slugs have great expansion that to the lead being able to f