This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened. — President John F. Kennedy, June 11, 1963
Quote of the Day
Posted by daddybear71 on November 22, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/22/quote-of-the-day-130/
Book Review – Gunny’s Rules
The same nice lady who sent me a copy of Emily Miller’s book also sent along a copy of R. Lee Ermey’s new book, “Gunny’s Rules — How To Get Squared Away Like A Marine“. Basically, it’s a cross between a memoir and a self-help motivational book, and it was a very enjoyable read.
The Gunny, as Ermey is affectionately called by his fans, writes about how his experiences, both during and after his service in the Marine Corps, have shaped his life, and draws lessons that others can apply to their lives. Chapters take on subjects such as setting goals, being prepared for life, physical fitness, and leadership. After discussing his views and experiences that relate to each subject, the author relates “Gunny’s Rules”,some musings that reinforce the lesson. Here are some of my favorites:
- A job as a short-order cook is a hell of a lot better than sitting on your dead ass watching television all day.
- If you’re not confident you’ll succeed, you never will.
- …no matter how short our mission is, we should always carry with us the essentials for staying alive.
- If you’re still smoking, you’ve lost your freaking mind!
- I have not always achieved my mission, but when I have come up short, it isn’t because I do not go the extra mile, do not carry my load.
- I don’t recall anyone ever telling me life was going to be easy.
Each chapter finishes with several motivational quotations that also fit with its theme. I had already heard most of them, but there were a lot that were new to me, and they all made me think.
There were only one quibble I had with the book, and it was minor. In the “Major Malfunctions” chapter, Ermey discusses the decision by Army leadership to change uniform headgear to beret. Ermey discusses how the Green Berets were forced to share their distinctive headgear. Only problem is that it was the Rangers that had to give up their black berets so everyone else could wear them, and that Rangers and Airborne units had been wearing berets for decades. Like I said, it’s a minor discrepancy, and it doesn’t distract from the rest of the book at all.
While there is some salty language in the book, “Gunny’s Rules” is going on the list for Girlie Bear and Little Bear to read. While it made their 42-year-old father nod, it contains a lot of advice that I wish I had heard when I was 17, and maybe it’ll do them some good.
The book is well laid out, very well thought out, and an enjoyable read. It’s also a quick read, but it’s the kind of book that you will go back and re-read, either whole or in chunks, when you need motivation or ideas for your life. It’s definitely worth your time to give this one a shot.
Standard Disclaimer – The publisher of the book provided me with a copy for reading and review. I am offering to return it now that I am done with it, and I received nothing else for this review.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 21, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/21/book-review-gunnys-rules/
Musings
- Boo watched a Charlie Brown cartoon on TV tonight, and thought that the character of Lucy was the best.
- Not sure what this means about my future daughter-in-law, but I’ll enjoy watching the situation unfold.
- Irish Woman woke up in Denver this morning, and there was about half a foot of snow on the ground, with more promised.
- It was almost 5 degrees Fahrenheit out.
- She was thrilled, as you can expect. My darling Kentucky sweetheart isn’t exactly a fan of cold weather.
- She asked for an emergency resupply of snow boots, buffalo coats, and bourbon.
- My cousin in North Dakota reported that it was -6 degrees Fahrenheit, with a wind chill of -23. The memories that brought back were wonderful.
- If there is a scientist out there who wants a human specimen for testing suspended animation techniques, I’m game.
- I’ll be available from November 29 until December 26.
- I’ll fatten myself up nicely on Thanksgiving, then sleep through Christmas. It’s a flawless plan!
- I put a new lightbulb in Irish Woman’s sunlight lamp today.
- My goal for this winter is to not have that “fight or flight” feeling when I realize Irish Woman is ‘feeling a little down’.
- I’m also buying Vitamin D by the truckload, and will be lacing her food with it.
- You know, it’s strange how long it takes for my insurance company to get a check to me when they are so quick and prompt to take my premiums out of my checking account.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 21, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/21/musings-20/
Book Review – Emily Gets Her Gun, But Obama Wants to Take Yours
I was recently given a copy of “Emily Gets Her Gun, But Obama Wants To Take Yours“, by Emily Miller. This book deals with the issues surrounding legal gun ownership in Washington D.C., as well as gun control issues around the nation. It is a good reference for the well-informed, an excellent primer for those who know a little, but want to know more, and possibly a great resource to give to someone who is curious about the state of gun rights in the country.
Miss Miller is a journalist who lives in Washington, D.C., who decided that she needed a gun for self-defense after a home invasion. About half of her book details the legal hoops she had to go through in order to legally purchase and own a firearm. Just that part alone made my head spin and my blood boil. The months of effort and hundreds of dollars it cost her to get legal authorization to own a pistol, much less carry it outside her home for self-defense, bordered on the ridiculous.
To contrast her ordeal with my first purchase of a firearm, my experience included a 2 hour conversation with Irish Woman, an hour looking at guns in a store, then 15 minutes to fill out a 4473 and give the nice man behind the counter my debit card. Heck, the process to get a concealed carry license in Kentucky wasn’t half of what she had to go through to just purchase a handgun.
Interposed with chapters about her ordeal are chapters that deal with the statistics, politics, and outrages of guns and gun control. This is the first book I’ve read that deals with the 2013 gun control push, both at the federal and state levels. Miss Miller does an excellent job showing that the federal push was mostly theater, and that the real fight has been at the state level. This leavening of her own narrative with facts and figures rounds out the book and makes it an excellent resource for those who are interested in gun rights.
Her recounting of the stories of several people who have been swept up in D.C.’s gun dragnets gives us cautionary tales of what to expect if gun control laws are expanded nationwide. In one instance, a citizen is arrested for having illegal guns because he made the mistake of making an illegal U-turn after he got lost driving through Washington, all while legally transporting his guns through the District. In another instance, a man was thrown into jail for the absurd crime of having a few loose cartridges in his backpack. These and other stories remind us of why we cannot afford to give up any ground.
The overall tone of the book is forthright and straight forward, but at times Miss Miller’s politics skew the writing somewhat. Yes, the liberal and Democrat parts of our political process tend to lean toward gun control, but there are anti-gun Republicans as well as pro-gun Democrats. I would have liked to have heard more about both of these types of politicians.
If you’re heavily involved in gun rights, this is a good resource for pulling together a lot of statistics. For those who are just getting started and want to know more and learn just how bad it can be for gun owners, it will be an excellent source of information.
Standard Disclaimer – The publisher of the book provided me with a copy for reading and review. I am offering to return it now that I am done with it, and I received nothing else for this review.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 20, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/20/book-review-emily-gets-her-gun-but-obama-wants-to-take-yours/
Today’s Earworm
I was reading a short story by Marko Kloos today. It was set in his “Terms of Enlistment” universe, where the poor of America are herded into poverty districts which hold millions. It’s a pretty bleak view of the future, and I had this song running through my head as his description of the tenements took shape in my mind.
Language warning on this one.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 20, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/20/todays-earworm-441/
Thoughts on the Day
- I believe I’m going to have to be careful with Boo when it comes to automobiles.
- When a Shelby Mustang pulled away from us at a light, he insisted that I “go fast” and “catch that guy”.
- It broke his little heart when I explained that a Ford Fusion, even if I were to floor it, would not be able to keep up with a Mustang.
- It is never a good thing to hear the tinkle of running water under a sink that you are trying to unclog with a plunger.
- If Crash the Combat Kitten tries to escape out the back door one more time tonight, I am going to close the door and let him spend a night outside.
- A similar outcome will occur the next time he gets himself trapped in the kitchen garbage can.
- Apparently I’m a big meanie because I shut off the television this afternoon, handed my son a box with about $50 worth of Lego’s and told him to entertain himself.
- I know, I know, I’m horrible.
- The next dog that chases Koshka across my lap with her claws extended is going to spend a night in the box.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 19, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/19/thoughts-on-the-day-189/
Dinner Tonight
Ingredients
4 to 6 chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 large white onion, peeled and coarse chopped
2 large stocks of celery, chopped
2 quarts homemade chicken or turkey broth, or four cans of store-bought chicken broth
1 pint white mushrooms, thoroughly washed and coarsely chopped
2 minced garlic cloves
Preferred spices (salt, pepper, whatever)
4 cups frozen mixed vegetables
4 to 6 cups uncooked egg noodles or frozen dumplings. If you’re feeling luxurious and decadent, use cheese-filled tortellini or ravioli.
Combine chicken, onion, broth, mushrooms, and garlic in crock pot. Add spices to taste. Set on low heat in crock pot and allow to cook for 8 to 10 hours while you’re at work.
Put vegetables into a pot of cold water and heat until they are thawed. Drain thoroughly and put into crock pot. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for one hour.
Prepare pasta in a pot of boiling water until they are just short of al dente. They should still be quite chewy and not ready for consumption yet. Drain thoroughly and add to crock pot. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for half an hour.
Season soup to taste. Serve with fresh bread or biscuits. Makes enough for several meals, and freezes well.
Variant – Substitute one quart of tomatoes and peppers (either homemade or Rotel) for one quart of broth, substitute 2 cups of cooked rice for the pasta, and garnish with corn tortilla chips and avocado.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 19, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/19/dinner-tonight-20/
Quote of the Day
The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. — Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 19, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/19/quote-of-the-day-129/
News Roundup
- From the “Emperor’s New Clothes” Department – The insurance commissioner for the District of Columbia was fired recently after committing the cardinal sin of disagreeing with President Obama’s constitutionally ambiguous moves when it comes to the Affordable Care Act. It would appear that the commissioner did not wait for authorization before going public with his opinions that the President not enforcing part of the law of the land would cause disruptions in the insurance industry. How horrible that someone supposedly in his camp would criticize Barack the First. To the stocks with the scoundrel! Where are my rotten cabbages?
- From the “There But For The Grace of God” Department – A man in Michigan recently purchased the house next door to his ex-wife, then erected a large statue of a human hand flipping the bird. Coincidentally, the statue lines up perfectly with her house. I’m not going to say that this is an adult way to deal with his relationship issues, but speaking as someone who’s been through a divorce, I applaud his creativity.
- From the “Bad Idea” Department – Google is requesting a patent on a neck tattoo that could be used to communicate with personal devices such as a cell phone, as well as being used as a lie detector. Which I would call neat, except that I look back at my career and consider how many types of SCSI, USB, Serial, and Parallel connections I’ve seen so far. It’s a heck of a lot of trouble to get a tattoo removed when technology moves on in a year or two.
- From the “Mass Hysteria” Department – Butterball, purveyors of all things that gobble, has advised the American consumer that the supply of fresh turkeys 16 pounds and over will be rather small this Thanksgiving. As we speak, grocery stores across the nation are being worked over like Berlin in 1945. Reports are coming in that soccer moms have formed highly motivated teams of turkey scroungers, and are pawing through meat sections looking for the rare unfrozen flightless waterfowl. The President is expected to speak to the nation on this crisis momentarily, and sources suggest that he will be announcing a new executive order that will mandate the release of emergency government stocks of fowl from helicopters in suburbs and inner cities across the nation. Stay tuned for live footage of these events.
Posted by daddybear71 on November 18, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/18/news-roundup-207/
Today’s Earworm
I dub this “Atomic Boogaloo”. It’s got a good beat and you can dance with it, and the light show is pretty neat. It’s not new, but it went plutonium back in the golden age of tritium!
Posted by daddybear71 on November 18, 2013
https://daddybearsden.com/2013/11/18/todays-earworm-439/
DaddyBear
DaddyBear’s Den 