Ramblings from Dixie

The Top-O-Matic T2 Tabletop Cigarette Injector: A Great Machine at an Exceptional Price

2012-01-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

Back in 2009, due to both the bleak economy and draconian excises, I started making my own cigarettes. Initially, I injected tubes with a Premier Supermatic Twin hand held injector with varying results that were at best less satisfactory than factory made cigarettes. It was not long before I found that a roller provided me better cigarettes and, with the exception of a brief and equally dismal affair with another hand held inector from Gambler, I continued to laboriously roll my own-- until last week.

Last week, I used a Top-O-Matic T2 tabletop injector for the first time. After previous experiences with hand held injectors, I was skeptical of all injectors, especially one with a $39.99 price tag, so I carefully scrutinized the T2. Constructed of chrome plated steel with a thick, skid proof rubber mat on the bottom, the T2 appears robust, feels substantial, and is ready for business, right out of the box.

The Top-O-Matic T2 comes with a one year limited warranty which is comforting but the fact that a parts list with current pricing is included in the package is down right impressive. Advertised as "the world's toughest cigarette machine," it is apparent that the T2 is intended to provide a lengthy tenure of service. While noteworthy in an age filled with disposable products that must be replaced time and again, it is also indicative that the producer of the T2, Republic Tobacco, L.P. understands that its market is comprised of value conscious consumers.

With an impressive appearance and convincing supporting literature, the Top-O-Matic T2 seemed up to the task of producing quality cigarettes just as soon as I placed it on the table. Following the simple instructions provided, I quickly stuffed a Ramback Prestige tube with Cherokee Turkish Bold tobacco and soon lit a cigarette that was hard to distinguish from store bought. Amazed that the machine did just as it was advertised, I eagerly injected a few more.

Over the next few days, the Top-O-Matic T2 performed quickly, smoothly, and flawlessly, injecting four hundred Ramback and Windsail tubes with a variety of Cherokee and Bull Durham tobacco blends. It did not jam nor tear the tubes, the cigarettes were filled from filter to tip, and the finished products looked as good as those that are commercially manufactured. Moreover, the cigarettes made with the T2 did not suffer extraordinary tobacco loss (as has been my experience with tubes stuffed with hand held injectors) when carried in a case.

In my experience, hand rolling filtered cigarettes with a roller is time consuming and stuffing tubes with a hand held injector is aggravating and not very rewarding. Injecting cigarette tubes with the Top-O-Matic T2 is far superior to either method when considering efficiency and consistency: the T2 is fast and the finished product is uniform. As to cost, at $39.99 the T2 can pay for itself after about thirteen cartons, if one sets aside the roller and switches from papers and filter tips to attractively priced tubes.

Although I wish that the Top-O-Matic T2 was not made in China, I can find nothing derogatory in its workmanship or performance and, after using it, I consider it to be an exceptional value. For those new to RYO/MYO (Roll Your Own/Make Your Own Cigarettes), not investing in a T2 is a measure of false economy if one wishes to efficiently make quality filtered cigarettes at home. The Top-O-Matic T2 is a great cigarette machine at an exceptional price that has earned my highest recommendation.

The Perfect Meatloaf Pan

2012-01-09T04:49:00.000-08:00

Last year, I saw the Perfect Meatloaf Pan advertised on television. It is a non-stick loaf pan with an elevated, aerated tray that facilitates even cooking, drains fat away from the meat, and allows the meatloaf to be easily lifted from the pan without falling apart. Being a fan of good meatloaf, I commented that the pan seemed like a good idea and indicated that I would like to have one. Apparently, Santa Clause heard my wish and I somehow managed to stay off of his "Bad List" because, on Christmas morning, instead of a lump of coal or a bag of switches, I was unwrapping a Perfect Meatloaf Pan.

I was really pleased to be the recipient of the pan but, having had more than one Christmas gift that just did not perform "as seen on TV", I was eager to try it for myself. So, just a few days following the Holiday festivities, with several pounds of ground beef burning a hole in the freezer, I whipped up a tried and true recipe and put the Perfect Meatloaf Pan to the test. An hour later, a perfect meatloaf was resting upon a serving tray. Attractive, moist, and delicious, the meatloaf was rapidly consumed without complaint and I was satisfied that the Perfect Meatloaf Pan had done just as it was advertised to do.

Of course, I was neither satisfied with just one test nor one meatloaf. Feeling a spirit of creativity, I next tried something that was a bit more complex: a venison meatloaf, topped with bacon, and glazed with apple jelly. I thought that the sticky topping might pose a challenge but once again, just an hour after putting it in the oven, I easily lifted an attractive meatloaf from the pan and placed it on a serving tray to rest. The conspicuous absence of leftovers attested that it was absolutely delicious too! I am quite happy with my Perfect Meatloaf Pan which performs just as claimed and exceeds expectations. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys good meatloaf.

Only Individual Sovereignty, Not Elections, Will Preserve Liberty

2011-12-31T12:41:00.000-08:00

The People of this country are no longer interested in liberty because freedom carries both uncertainty and responsibility. Permission to act by virtue of privileges granted via fees, licenses, permits, and decrees is not freedom at all; rather it is the reward of well behaved slaves. Safety, security, status (and the rights and benefits thereof), the perpetuation of Mother Earth, policing the world, and the offense of others (perceived or otherwise) are the primary concerns of the People and most could care a damn about the cost associated with achieving them. Whether stylized as conservatives or liberals, most want a safety net weaved with strands of regulations, special considerations, and intervention that invade the lives of others, unduly impose upon resources, and render that which is private public.

The two party system perpetuates this, ensuring the relative status quo, regardless of who is elected. While it periodically facilitates action reflective of contemporary passion, this is but a valve to release pressure that could otherwise destroy the boiler of a powerhouse established and controlled by elites who fuel it with the funds necessary to protect their interests. The prophetic statement of George Washington has long been realized: "However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

Succinctly, for those who believe in the Constitution and the individual liberty provided therein, elections now provide little beyond momentary gratification associated with a false sense of self determination. This is because those who are ultimately elevated to public office, regardless of their party, will first serve those to whom they are indebted and secondly themselves by imposing law in the name of safety and security to ultimately profit a few while further shackling a society sedated by hedonism and governed with fear of the inevitable. In the unlikely event that new legislators endeavor to shirk their debts and self-serving nature, myriad agencies and organizations, empowered to establish and enforce policies and regulations as if they were law, exist at all levels to ensure that the yoke of general welfare remains to confound the true state of freedom that comes from the natural rights provided by Almighty God.

During the latter quarter of the Eighteenth Century, a handful of radical colonials understood that the subversion of natural rights compromised life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Consequently, they successfully secured these rights by waging war against the greatest empire on the face of the earth and established a Republic that would perpetuate individual liberty, provided (to paraphrase Benjamin Franklin) that the People could keep it. This Republic, which was designed to protect natural rights from the caprice of both the government and popular opinion, via a Constitution and Bill of Rights, was instituted with the consent of the People with the understanding that sovereignty was vested in them, not representatives, offices, nor institutions.

When, as Washington predicted "---unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government..." only individual sovereignty, not elections, will preserve liberty. The American People, on their own recognizance, seized liberty for themselves by determining what taxes they would pay and what laws they would obey while discarding those which were repugnant to freedom. Liberty for the Colonies was not a concern for King George III and Parliament; liberty for Americans is not a concern for contemporary, self-serving, partisan politicians who spend many times what they can earn while campaigning for the offices that they hold. When the ballot offers no reflection of liberty and the principles of the Founding Fathers, the words of Thomas Jefferson ring clear: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

Christmas is a Mortally Wounded Victim of Twenty-first Century Secularism

2011-12-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks, I’ve worked a few hours here and there in a large shopping mall. With the Holiday fast approaching, I decided to hand out candy canes while wishing those who passed my kiosk a heartfelt “merry Christmas”. I began enthusiastically, gratified by the prospect of unifying simple marketing efforts with genuine Christmas cheer and I was rewarded by warm smiles, genuine expressions of thanks, and an occasional “merry Christmas” in return.

But, I was surprised by the number that refused my simple gesture of good will. I was greeted with a fair share of angry glares, sneers, and suspicious looks. Some simply averted their gaze to avoid me while others turned abruptly away, nearly walking into fellow shoppers as they fled. A few were even compelled to repudiate my festive little candy cane in most animated fashions, as though they had been offered hemlock or some other deadly poison.

Perhaps I should have expected this. Amidst the Twenty-first Century hustle and bustle of the Holiday, stressed, hurried, and agitated countenances abounded. Some rushed about, apparently with strict schedules to keep, while others were so distracted by important Bluetooth conversations and text messages that they were oblivious to their surroundings. At one point, an elderly gentleman took a spill and, while he was assisted by attentive security guards, few others took so much as a moment to acknowledge his distress.

Decorations, sales, seasonal merchandise, children visiting Santa, and Holiday music all indicate that Christmas is near but it does not seem particularly apparent by the attitude and demeanor of those flitting about this commercial environment. While the shopping reflects the Season, there seems to be little in the way of cheer and goodwill. Sadly, this is in the South, a region once known for its slower pace, Christian orientation, and earnest hospitality.

Perhaps Christmas is returning to its Pagan roots. There are plenty of festive trees and lights and the presence of Santa Clause underscores the gifts of the Season. But, in the shops and the stores, the strips and the malls, there is little to remind us of the birth of Christ, the gift of His salvation, and the love of God. As a matter of fact, the very word “Christmas”, originally “Crīstesmæsse” (“Christ’s Mass”) is now eschewed with preference to generic and non-committal terms such as “season’s greetings” and “happy holidays” which are more reflective of a joyous Winter Solstice than reverence for our Savior and His Good News.

When considering the bottom line, it is understandable that greedy merchants and faceless, profit driven corporations fear angering or alienating cultists, heretics, followers of false prophets, occultists, and the ungodly in general: doing so could result in lost revenue. Why lose a dollar to either piety or principle when you live in a society that is consumed by Mammon and the disposable trinkets and comforts that it brings? Of course, this is but a symptom of the hedonism and humanism pervading our contemporary, “anything goes”, inclusive culture that has lost the discernment, wisdom, and fortitude to recognize that right and wrong are absolutes established by God.

Right and wrong have become relative, defined by the capriciousness of a people convinced that morality originates in individual choice which is popularly legitimized and then enforced via the ordinances and institutions of man. Likewise, truth has become a mutable object of servitude, valued not by its merit but by virtue of its expedience. This is but a natural evolution of a multi-cultural society that, in upholding the validity of many religions and philosophies, will sooner or later establish its own Pantheon to reflect that which is most convenient and gratifying at the moment.

The Age of Christianity is fading and with it, the primacy of natural rights, and the significance of the Christmas holiday. Society at large can no longer accept that which is not created and administered by itself. Contemporarily, it seems best to lay up treasures upon earth in a warm and fuzzy, politically correct environment that embraces collectiveness and rejects that which, if not all inclusive, must necessarily be offensive. Thus, the Festival of the Winter Solstice will continue, as it has for centuries, sans references to Christ or any singular religion or system of values.

Christmas as a Christian tradition is a mortally wounded victim of Twenty-first Century secularism. It has become a generic, commercialized festival that produces profit and stress at the expense of compassion and joy. For many, the only religious association with Christmas is the legend of Santa Clause. Of course, they generally do not realize that this fable descends from the life and generosity of the historical Saint Nicholas, the Fourth Century Bishop of Myra. Perhaps the next generation of Christians will celebrate the birth of their savior underground, much as the faithful of the Second Century celebrated mass in tombs, out of the public eye.

The Needs of Society Produce Slavery

2011-12-14T20:12:00.000-08:00

Adolf Hitler is credited with saying: "Society's needs come before the individual's needs." Over the course of the Twentieth Century, the needs of our society insatiably increased well beyond those observed by Federal and state constitutions. To fulfill these needs, myriad agencies, leviathan bureaucracy, intrusive regulations, and wasteful entitlement programs have been introduced which have dramatically extended the power and authority of government at all levels while steadily diminishing the scope of individual liberty originally earned by the blood of revolutionary citizens.

In exchange for their liberty, citizens are now charged with succouring the leviathan state that has ensued. Income taxes, Social Security taxes, capital gains taxes, fuel taxes, death taxes, property taxes, school taxes, sales taxes, and excise taxes are but a smattering of the tribute now demanded by the publicans that serve it. This does not include taxes that are innocuously labeled fees that are collected for motor vehicle registrations, safety and emissions inspections, pistol permits, concealed handgun permits, building permits, hunting and fishing licenses, drivers licenses, privilege licenses, and so forth. Taxes and fees have become so numerous and pervasive, it is not likely for one to be able to recite all that are extant from memory.

When charged with succouring the state, citizens appear to serve the good of society but, with such responsibility coercively foist upon their backs; they enter a state of involuntary servitude. As such, the innocuous badge of "taxpayer" is synonymous with slave, serf, bondman, thrail, and so forth and overseers abound to ensure their compliance. In exchange for consideration of status, their employers keep (or “withhold”) the fruits of their labor, the merchants with whom they trade collect taxes, the bankers or money changers that provide them a sense of independence and ownership report their activities while providing access to their accounts, and the insurers with whom they are required to conduct business eagerly collect their fees while intruding upon privacy.

In other words, taxes and fees have made nearly every business and employer in the land a tax collector and by virtue thereof, defacto agencies of government. These agents pluck the fruits of citizens' labor while denying them so much as the opportunity to even touch what they have labored for. Moreover, for their own sustenance and profit, they willfully enforce governmental policies and regulations within their premises to ensure "Big Brother's" constant vigilance over the hoi polloi. Meanwhile, the "free" people, the citizens, simply accept their plight and, for the “good of society” pay and comply, as befits the indoctrination provided by mandated and supervised education.

“Society’s needs” are repugnant to liberty as is compliance with onerous taxes and regulations. Freedom originates individually, not collectively. One who has obligations upon his labor that are beyond his will and control is a slave and nothing more. To espouse the needs of society is to make pillage palatable while reducing the individual risks that may accompany the theft. Anything that comes by virtue of a tax, fee, or permit is a compromise to liberty that is absolutely intolerable and unacceptable for those who would maintain the pursuit of happiness postulated by Jefferson in 1776.

Why to Scrap Your Gold Jewelry Now

2011-11-29T05:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, gold closed at $1,709 per ounce after peaking at $1,722. With the current price of gold remaining near record level and still $349 above what it was a year ago, many are finding that it is an opportune time to scrap old gold. With the weakened U.S. dollar spurring investors to hedge in gold and pundits recommending its purchase, how could it be prudent to even consider scrapping your gold?

Much of the gold found in American households is in the form of jewelry that is simply not investment quality. This includes necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, charms, and settings for low quality and semi-precious stones that are valuable only by virtue of the amount of precious metal that they contain. Such jewelry lacks the prestigious manufacture, quality gemstones, provenance, and historical significance that provides the valuations for genuine fine jewelry, collectibles, and antiques.

Those who own jewelry that contains precious metals but lacks other distinctive qualities have typically purchased it from retail jewelers who acquire it at wholesale and mark it up as much as 200% to 400%. Such jewelry is not pure because gold within itself is soft and will not hold up to regular wear. The most popular alloy for jewelry, by virtue of both strength and cost, is 14 karat gold which is an alloy that is at best 58.5% pure (it is not unusual for 14k gold to actually test at 12k).

When gold prices were low and relatively stable, those who had acquired such jewelry were unlikely to be able to sell it at a rate that would allow them to recoup their initial investment. Now, with gold prices elevated, it is quite possible to sell 14k gold jewelry at a rate that once reflected that of pure gold. Thus, a prudent owner of gold jewelry can not only recoup the initial investment but profit from gold jewelry purchased at retail prices three to five years ago. This can provide a sensible conversion of resources that will facilitate better investments for the current economic climate.

The Elusive 70mm Cigarette Case

2011-11-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

Back in June, I lamented the lacking availability of new cigarette cases for my hand rolled, 70mm sticks and began using an Altoids tin ("Using an Altoids Tin as a Cigarettes Case"). This has been a successful undertaking as, after six months of heavy use, the tin has remained in tact. Of course, while quite serviceable, it is imperfect as, like most contemporary cigarette cases, there is plenty of empty space remaining after it is filled with 70mm smokes. As a matter of fact, its length surpasses that of standard king sized tubes (see the accompanying photograph at left).

Yesterday, while perusing a number of thrift and antique stores, I stumbled across a vintage cigarette case that provides a perfect fit for twenty-two 70mm cigarettes. The brass case, which has no manufacturer's mark, was made in England and it is in generally good shape with the exception that the original leather covering has been removed. Having priced vintage cigarette cases, I was somewhat apprehensive to inquire about the cost yet I was encouraged by its exterior condition. Needless to say, I was astounded to find that it was only $1.50 (one dollar and fifty cents)! It is certainly true that one man's junk is another man's treasure.

With a capacity of twenty-two cigarettes, this is a large cigarette case. However, it is very flat and it carries well in a hip or jacket pocket. I have used it all day today and I am quite satisfied with my bargain basement find which fulfills my quest for a true, 70mm cigarette case. Though it is vintage, its price renders it suitable for daily use while its condition ensures that such service will not harm any potential collector value.

Sheriff Hubert Peterkin, Jim Crow Sheriff of Hoke County, North Carolina

2011-11-23T17:04:00.000-08:00

Last week, I discovered that Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin (pictured at left in a photo from the Hoke County website)interferes with the legitimate Constitutional rights of citizens by limiting them to only two pistol permits per year ("Only Two Pistol Permits per Year are Allowed in Hoke County, North Carolina"). While I found that disconcerting, I was not prepared for the information that I received today. My application for two pistol permits cannot be processed because I have a pending court date for a non-moving traffic violation. Apparently, the Hoke County Sheriff's office, under the guidance of Hubert Peterkin, believes that a non-moving traffic violation is worthy of the same consideration as a felony, an assault, a concealed weapons violation, or a crime of domestic violence.

I was informed that my application will be processed in December, once my case is resolved. For me, this represents a petty inconvenience: it's not like I do not already own firearms. Of course, I worry for anyone who, being subject to real jeopardy, seeks a handgun only to have his or her safety wantonly compromised due to the combination of an outstanding traffic citation and a public official who has no regard for the rights and well being of the public he has been elected to serve. Plainly stated, Sheriff Peterkin is abusing his authority, abrogating Constitutional rights, and endangering the public. A parasite feeding upon Hoke County, he is an embarrassment to the freedom loving people of North Carolina.

Pistol permits and prohibitions against concealed weapons are left over legacies of the Jim Crow Era that are alive and well in North Carolina. Such legislation was designed to ensure that minorities and others deemed unacceptable by powerful elites were rendered defenseless while their rights (and sometimes their property) were taken under the color of law. How a Twenty-first Century sheriff such as Hubert Peterkin could still enforce Jim Crow laws is beyond me; perhaps he fears an uprising from the Native American population of Hoke County.

The people of North Carolina have long demonstrated an independent character, defiant to tyranny, as exemplified by the War of the Regulation (1860-1771) in which the people took up arms against the militia of Governor Tryon at the Battle of Alamance in 1771 and the State asserts that it is "first in freedom" by virtue of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, which was signed on May 20, 1775. The people of North Carolina should recall this heritage and their love of liberty and eject petty, Jim Crow tyrants like Sheriff Peterkin from office during the next general election. It is time to end tyrannical, police state practices in North Carolina.

The Remington Model 33 and Other Single Shot .22s

2011-11-19T02:49:00.000-08:00

The Remington Model 33 is a single shot, bolt action rifle chambered for the .22 Long Rifle Cartridge. It was introduced in 1932 and discontinued in 1935; according to Remington, approximately 263,550 were produced with serial numbers ranging from 00001 to 263,550. The specimen pictured, serial number 195,XXX belonged to my great grandfather who passed it along to my father who in turn passed it to me. Well worn from from countless thousands of rounds of ammunition and nearly eight decades of service, the old rifle still performs admirably, despite its dings, blemishes, and missing rear sight blade.

Such rifles, once popular due to their rugged simplicity, inherent safety, reasonable accuracy, and modest cost, have been first rifles for many youthful shooters and continue to serve as excellent training tools. Though unexciting in the age of Tactical .22s, single shots like the old Remington 33 eliminate distractions and provide a deliberate focus upon safety and marksmanship with each round that is chambered and fired. For seasoned shooters, they offer unparalleled reliability and flexibility: their simple actions incorporate few moving parts, rendering them unlikely to fail, and they reliability digest most non-magnum .22 rimfire ammunition from mild mannered CB Caps to hyper velocity Stingers. This reliability and flexibility can make them viable survival tools.

Bolt action, single shot .22s are currently available in adult and youth models from Savage Arms and Keystone Sporting Arms, LLC (manufacturers of the Crickett and Chipmunk Rifles) while Marlin offers a single shot youth version of the XT Series. Other single shot .22s that are available include Savage's reintroduction of the venerable Stevens Favorite, a falling block design, and the inexpensive break actions produced by H&R and Rossi in both adult and youth models. While all are good rifles, the Rossi Model S411225BS, a youth sized rifle that comes with matching .22 Long Rifle and .410 shotgun barrels represents exceptional value (retailing for around $150) and versatility.

Swiss Army Knives

2011-11-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

From childhood, I have been intrigued with multifunctional, Swiss Army style knives. The first one that I ever owned was a Japanese knockoff that was acquired at a flea market at about the time that I was a Cub Scout. While not of exceptional quality, it was functional and included a hobo tool that certainly boosted its "cool factor", even though I do not recall ever eating with it. Since then, I have tried to keep a knife of this style handy because its compact, no nonsense functionality makes it a dependable tool of preparedness that is used almost every day.

The original Swiss Army Knife, the Model 1890, was produced by Wester & Co. in Solingen, Germany. This knife, which was somewhat bulky, contained a blade, reamer, can opener, and a screwdriver. Towards the end of 1891, Karl Elsner began producing the Model 1890 knife and in 1896, he designed a new one, the “Schweizer Offiziers und Sportsmesser” (the Swiss Officers and Sports Knife) which had a new spring mechanism that facilitated the addition of a smaller blade and corkscrew. Elsner's company ultimately became Victorinox, which still produces the iconic Swiss Army Knife.

When I was in high school, I can recall arguing with a buddy as to which of us had a "real" Swiss Army Knife. I had a Victorinox and he had a Wenger and each of us vociferously contended that our respective knives were bona fide. As it turns out, we were both right. In 1893, Paul Boéchat & Cie, which was acquired by Theodore Wenger and renamed the Wenger Company, began selling a similar knife and in 1908, the government contract for Swiss Army Knives was split between the two companies.

Over the years, many companies have produced knives of the Swiss Army style and pattern which have ranged from poor to excellent in quality. The general purpose pocket knife that served the US military for generations, the MIL-K 818, is an example of an excellent Swiss Army style knife as are many vintage Boy Scout knives which are built along this pattern. My father's Boy Scout Knife, which was made by Kutmaster and is pictured above, beneath a Victorinox Super Tinker, shows the wear of approximately fifty years of regular, utilitarian service. Of course, only Swiss Army knives produced by Victorinox (The Master Craftsman and the Astronaut models) have the distinction of being officially issued by NASA and used in space.

A Swiss Army Knife or a quality imitation is imminently useful and it fills the niche between between a simple pocket knife and bulky multi-tool that requires a sheath. How many times have you wished that you had tweezers or a toothpick at hand? Have you become spoiled by the twist caps of domestic beers only to be defeated by the traditional cap of a quality micro brew or import? Have you ever needed to adjust the windage on your adjustable rear sight but had no small screw driver available? Have you ever broken a can opener in the midst of preparing dinner?

Such petty inconveniences are easily overcome with a Swiss Army Knife and while amusing, they provide a point of reflection upon the utility and flexibility that such a compact and easily carried tool can provide in an emergency or survival situation. Moreover, the more basic models are no more expensive than other quality pocket knives and are periodically offered at a bargain. The Victorinox Super Tinker, pictured above, was recently acquired from a Wal-Mart clearance rack for $17 which makes it a practical and cost effective addition to any preparedness inventory.

Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God!

2011-11-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

Uttered by Benjamin Franklin, proposed as the motto for the Great Seal of the United States, and used by Thomas Jefferson on his personal seal, "Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God" reflects the spirit of the American Revolution and the commitment to individual liberty that was shared by the Founding Fathers. However, this sentiment is most justly credited to Bishop John of Salisbury who stated in Policraticus in 1159 that "...it is just for public tyrants to be killed and the people to be liberated for obedience to God."

Bishop John's opus was a response to the attempts of Henry II to dominate the Church which ultimately led to the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. In Policraticus, Bishop John rejected tyranny, holding that it was high treason and a public crime which rendered tyrants public enemies. He further acknowledged that tyranny was not just a political venue because "...many private men are tyrants." Accordingly, he found that Christians were not always bound to authority and laws because "...God must be preferred before any man on earth."

The Twelfth Century wisdom of John of Salisbury was heeded by our revolutionary forefathers who secured our independence from Great Britain and it should not be lost by Twenty-first Century Americans. We live in an era in which we are no longer free and independent. Our pursuit of happiness is intruded upon and trampled daily by tyrannical politicians, bureaucrats, and private men who profess to know what is better for us than we know ourselves and force it upon us via laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, and mandates that are offensive to self determination and individual liberty.

We have become so accustomed to intrusions in all facets of our personal lives that we willfully accept conditional and regulated liberty, breaches of privacy, and the expectation that we sign away rights and release liabilities on a daily basis just to function within society, conduct business, and maintain employment. Such pervasive control over citizens is tantamount to slavery and contrary to the nature of liberty provided to us by both Almighty God and our Revolution. For freedom to truly exist, it must be constantly seized, fostered, and protected at all levels, public and private. For freedom loving Americans, "rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God." It is our daily duty that should be reflected in all aspects of our public and private lives from polling place, to workplace, to marketplace.

Only Two Pistol Permits per Year are Allowed in Hoke County, North Carolina

2011-11-14T15:19:00.000-08:00

I visited the Hoke County, North Carolina Sheriff's Department today to apply for pistol permits and the emerging police state was paraded before my very eyes. Nowhere does our Constitution or Bill of Rights specify that you must have permission from the Shire Reeve to exercise your Second Amendment rights and such innovation is offensive to liberty. However, we have become accustomed to such intrusion in our personal lives and we willingly submit to it.

Being a veteran of the pistol permit process in North Carolina but relatively new to Hoke County, I did not not at first see anything out of the ordinary with the typical bureaucratic process that was required. A copy of my identification was requested and I was presented with an application that asked some basic questions. When I asked how many permits I could request, I was told two, which is typical in other counties. That did not surprise me but what came next did: I was informed that I could only get two pistol permits per year. I completed the paperwork and asked how long it would take to get them and the nice lady who was assisting me said "a week or two; we'll call you." She then asked for my ten dollar fee up front and told me that it was non-refundable.

In other counties of the Old North State, there is no annual limitation on the number of pistol permits that are issued, they are provided within a specified time frame, and fees are requested upon receipt of the permit. Apparently, Sheriff Hubert Peterkin (pictured at left in a photograph from the Hoke County website) not only does not feel any sense of urgency when it comes to Constitutional rights, he wishes to micromanage the exercise thereof and profit from those whose rights are abrogated.

When law enforcement controls and manipulates the exercise of rights guaranteed by the Constitution, a police state emerges and all rights become uncertain. The pistol permit process should be dismantled in North Carolina if the State wishes to retain its "First in Freedom" status. Likewise, if the good people of Hoke County value liberty, they will divest themselves of Sheriff Hubert Peterkin in the next general election.

The Police State is Unrecognized Because it has Incrementally and Surreptitiously Developed

2011-11-05T10:14:00.000-07:00

Recently, I recounted my experiences with a traffic stop in Randleman, North Carolina ("We are at the Threshold of a Police State") and a visit to the Guilford County Courthouse in Greensboro, North Carolina ("When the Courthouse Becomes a Palace") and I found both to evince the emergence of a police state. Lest anyone think my remarks dramatically borne of anger or simplistic, anti-establishment sentiment, I feel compelled to expound my position. As one who believes in the liberty provided by our Founding Fathers, I feel that any governmental intrusion into the personal lives of citizens represents a tangible hazard to freedom and that the elevation of politicians and bureaucrats, via legislation and policy, establishes an untouchable aristocracy that turns citizenship into subjugation.

We live in an era when even our most advanced elders cannot remember a time without big government influencing and intruding upon the lives of citizens and we have continued to build upon decades of such interference because it is all that we know. Consequently, the citizens of the United States no longer have the independence and the character of those who launched the Revolution. Rather, they seek constant guidance and the perceived protection of tomes of legislation and regulation administered and enforced by an army of tax and fee collecting bureaucrats that are aloof from the masses.

These publicans, via policy and legislation, become elevated above citizens when they ensure a greater level of security for themselves than that which is enjoyed by the public at large. Thus, with status as a protected class, they hide behind metal detectors and bullet proof glass, under the protection of armed security or law enforcement officers, becoming untouchables who are free to tax, intimidate, and oppress with impunity while disregarding the fact that they are public servants, answerable to a sovereign people. Law enforcement is also an elevated, protected class that serves the caprice of publicans; as a matter of fact, the primary differences between the police and publicans is that they are mobile, even more intrusive, and wield weapons that are unavailable to many while enjoying the protection of body armor provided at public expense.

Of course, many citizens do not view their lords and masters or their armed representatives in this light. For one thing, a lifetime of control, intrusion, and interference in every aspect of human life has numbed their sense of liberty. As if governmental influence is not enough, every venue of human interaction from work, to commerce, to recreation is inundated by onerous policies and regulations. Thus, the people have become so accustomed to being controlled and directed, they are incapable of being responsible for themselves. This is realized by power brokers who convince them that their safety, security, health, and prosperity can only be provided and preserved if they cede just a bit more freedom to their benevolent overseers.

Being so accustomed to compromising liberty for security, the people have acquiesced and given up more and more self determination with each passing generation. Genuine liberty has now become a distant and fuzzy memory, redefined by Newspeak and eclipsed by status quo. Unable to fathom that liberty provided within parameters by virtue of permission is not freedom at all but rather the reward of well behaved slaves, the people have retreated to the comfortable certainty of their caves and eschewed truth and individual responsibility. Thus, under our very noses, a tyrannical police state has emerged, but it is largely unrecognized because it has incrementally and surreptitiously developed rather than suddenly appearing as a villainous, invading usurper.

When the Courthouse Becomes a Palace

2011-10-30T07:02:00.000-07:00

Earlier this month, I recounted my experiences with an officious police officer during a traffic stop in "We are at the Threshold of a Police State." Recently, I had to go to the Guilford County Courthouse in my hometown of Greensboro, North Carolina to simply get some information and I could not even enter the building without being confronted by the manifestation of a police state. When I approached the building in the latter portion of the afternoon, there was somewhat of a line at the metal detector and x-ray machine and the unarmed, contracted security officers who operated the equipment were curtly directing the citizens and enforcing policies while an armed, security supervisor employed by Guilford County idly oversaw the activity.

Before I left my vehicle, I had divested myself of my pocket knife, change, and any metallic implement that I thought could possibly be offensive and I expected to simply put my keys, billfold, and cigarettes in a basket to be scanned, walk through the metal detector, and expediently enter the facility as I had in the past.
Needless to say, I was somewhat alarmed to find that my reasonable preparations were insufficient and that I had to remove my jacket and my belt before I could walk through the metal detector. After I did so, I joined a group of fellow citizens who were likewise holding their breeches up, like a bunch of inmates in a jail, and redressing before they could tend to their business.

After I put myself back together, I visited an utterly filthy restroom and discovered that while Guilford County seems to have abundant resources for security, having a janitor on the payroll must be out of the question. I glanced at the "No Smoking" sign and laughed, trying to reconcile how smoking could be more of a public health hazard than the dirty towels which had overflown the wastebasket and were stewn all about, the copious amount of urine in the floor, and the feces that remained unflushed. I left the nasty restroom, completed my errand, and I began to reflect upon the distasteful half hour spent in this public building.

At face value, the Guilford County Courthouse, like all courthouses, is a facility in which many facets of public business are conducted. It is provided by tax dollars, just like the salaries of the public servants who are billeted there, and it existsts as a public resource. When citizens are delayed and demeaned by policies, procedures, and machinations that exist for the pleasure, convenience, and protection of politicians, publicans, and petty bureaucrats, the courthouse becomes a palace while civil servants and those who hold office are elevated to aristocratic proportions. Thus, that which exists for public convenience becomes an usurping lord and master over the people who are the rightful sovereigns of their states and the Federation which they established and this is the root of an authoritarian police state.

Cherokee Turkish Bold

2011-10-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

Back in May, I reviewed Cherkee Mellow Blend Pipe Tobacco in Cherokee Tobacco: An Exceptional Value and found it quite satisfactory. Recently, I tried Cherokee Turkish Bold and it struck me as perhaps the best value priced, pipe cut tobacco blend that I have used to make hand rolled cigarettes. This blend is not harsh, yet it is strong enough to suit American smokers. I found that its flavor resembles that of a Camel and it is a good smoke, with or without a filter plug. The folks in South Boston, Virginia seem to have knocked the ball out of the park with Cherokee Turkish Bold and I highly recommend it.

We are at the Threshold of a Police State

2011-10-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Randleman, North Carolina is a little Podunk Hollow located along US Hwy 220 Business between Asheboro and Level Cross. A couple of weeks ago, I had the misfortune of having a flat tire there and I fell under the scrutiny of one of their “finest”, a mean spirited young fellow of a rude and cowardly disposition who was not one to offer any assistance. Rather, he lurked and ran my tag as I slowly limped to a nearby service station and like a fat kid just appointed to the elementary school safety patrol, he swept upon me as I made arrangements to purchase a tire and officiously informed me of my infractions (a fictitious tag and a suspended operator’s license which resulted from previous tickets for an expired tag and inspection which I could not afford to pay). He gleefully seized my tag and my license while a fellow officer and a sergeant circled about as if John Dillinger had just been apprehended and then proceeded to delay me as long as possible to ensure that I posed no further threat to the public.

During my ordeal with this bastion of public safety, the staff at Randleman Service Station were truly first rate. They provided me with a used a tire at an exceptional price, mounted and balanced it right away, and then moved my van to a secure parking place, which prevented further, overzealous scrutiny. Appearing sympathetic to my plight, they even allowed me to keep it parked on their premises without charge for a couple of days until I could move it. While I was there, I also noticed that these fine people still keep an ashtray in there waiting area for customers who smoke. As a smoker, I laud any business that remains tobacco friendly in the oppressive times in which we live and I highly recommend the good service offered by Randleman Service Station to anyone who suffers car problems while passing through Randleman on US Hwy 220 Business.

As I awaited my ride, I reflected upon my situation. Of course I was at fault for breaking the law and I brought this situation upon myself. However, being an educated person, I am also aware of officer discretion. A police officer is not mandated to write every infraction and misdemeanor that he discovers but this one in particular seemed to be the type to delight in exercising his authority and kicking people who are down. This same personality type was exhibited by police officers in New Orleans who, at the behest of Mayor Nagin, went house to house seizing the guns of law abiding citizens in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Such personalities are not friends of the public because they act solely upon edict and decree without compassion for their fellow man and with no consideration of either the spirit or the righteousness of the law that they enforce. Much like guards at concentration camps, such personalities innocently state that they are “just doing their jobs” when in reality, they relish the abuse that they can deliver upon others from their sanctuaries of authority.

Tag and inspection laws facilitate abuse to those with limited means or those who have had disruptions in income and, in the worst economy since the Great Depression, there are many. Most would gladly drive new vehicles that would readily pass inspection if they could afford them. Likewise, many North Carolinians would gladly renew their tags in a timely fashion if they were not prevented from doing so because their cars will not pass the emissions inspection. But, those who cannot comply will continue to chance expired (or fictitious) tags and expired inspections in order to get to and from thankless jobs providing meager incomes until they encounter a bastion of public safety like the would be NAZI in Randleman who believes that citizens' money is better suited to fund the state rather than to provide crumbs of bread for their families. We are at the threshold of a bullying police state that, if unchecked, will soon lay claim, via policy, law, and regulation, to every cent that we are able to produce.

Adolf Hitler and President Obama are not Alike: Hitler was Proud of Germany!

2011-10-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

I was chatting with a good friend of mine from high school the other evening, Butch Reid. He is a delight to chat with due to his character and intellectual prowess and our conversations include varied and interesting topics from cars and guns to religion and history to politics and current events. As we talked, we discussed the analogy that recently brought Hank Williams, Jr. under fire because he likened a golf game between President Obama and John Boenhner to one with Adolf Hitler and Benjamin Netanyahu. Butch stated that he disagreed with the analogy because Adolf Hitler and President Obama were nothing alike.

At first, I rejected my friend’s remarks because, at face value, there are a couple of striking similarities between the two leaders. First, Adolf Hitler was enchanted with socialism just as is President Obama and both recognized that its ideological tenets could provide intrusion into the business affairs and personal lives of citizens under benign auspices that would simply increase the presence, power, and control of government at the expense of liberty. Secondly, Adolf Hitler made the Jews scapegoats for the ills of Germany and compromised their citizenship and ultimately their humanity. In much the same way, President Obama has made Israel a scapegoat for Palestinian unrest and compromised our ally by withdrawing traditional American support; classifying it as a promoter, producer, or protector of terrorists; and giving a nod of approval to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

However, as I listened and pondered Butch’s supporting evidence comparing and contrasting the two leaders, I concluded that my friend was indeed right while the esteemed Mr. Williams was in error. You see, Adolf Hitler was proud of Germany and he wanted to lead it from the national humiliation imposed by the Treaty of Versailles and the economic disaster of the Great Depression; he wanted a strong, successful, and unified Germany rather than a weak, divided, bankrupt nation that sublimated its sovereignty to international powers, organizations, and intrigues. Adolf Hitler sought to seize lands that were inhabited by Germanic peoples to further his vision for the nation that he loved; he did not allow all of the world access to his borders and the benefits provided to Germans via National Socialism. Adolf Hitler did not apologize for Germany and he did not bring shame upon events of the past that had united the Germanic people and led to the development of a great empire. Frankly, before foolishly engaging in world war, Adolf Hitler could have been described as a brilliant, charismatic leader with the foresight and political savvy to achieve his goals while President Obama simply appears to be a sophomoric ideologue, directed and controlled by the caprice of others, both domestically and internationally.

In recognizing that Adolf Hitler and President Obama are similar in that they are both anti-Semitic socialists, Hank Williams, Jr. is not off base. However, in examining the motivations and visions of the two leaders, the lowest common denominators reveal that they are polar opposites. Adolf Hitler wanted a proud and exceptional Germany that, having regained its former glory, could lead the world for one thousand years. In contrast, President Obama wants a weak, shamefaced, and unexceptional America that apologizes for its past, bows to petty potentates, prostrates itself for the world to feed upon, and ultimately takes its place amongst humdrum and has-been nations that are bereft of the wherewithal and the spirit that once made them great. For Adolf Hitler, the Fatherland would ultimately rule the world; for Barack Hussein Obama, America will ultimately be ruled by the Third World.

Straight Talk Nokia E71 Review

2011-09-20T14:53:00.000-07:00

Last month, after substantial research, which involved reading many positive reviews on the Internet, I ordered a reconditioned Nokia E71 from Straight Talk which is quite a value for $99 which includes a 4 GB mini SD card. The phone is unlocked, feature rich, rather simple to learn and use, and well constructed with a stainless steel case and a glass screen. It is thin, yet substantial and its size does not interfere with its primary function as a telephone (I despise trying to talk on miniature phones).

I am not a techie by any means and I tend to see a telephone as a tool rather than a toy, so there are a lot of features on the Nokia E71 that I am unlikely to use, such as the FM tuner (which could be handy in an emergency but it is inconvenient in that it requires a non-standard headset to operate), the barcode reader, and the screen side camera that permits video conferencing. On the other hand, the Internet is quite functional with the Opera browser, YouTube videos function well, and the ability to send and receive e-mail, view PDFs, and access certain MS Office files is critical for my purposes. There are many phones that provide this but they are typically well beyond the $100 price point.

Taking pictures, recording videos, and listening to music with a telephone are not great priorities for me but both provide some degree of convenience and entertainment. I view a camera on a telephone as an aid to communication and as a quick fix when a conventional camera is unavailable. The camera on the Nokia E71 has a flash and though it provides a decent photograph (the photo at the left, which was edited only for privacy, was taken with it), it is not a substitute for a conventional, digital camera if a high quality image is required (of course, I do not believe that any camera phone is a substitute for a good, digital camera). The music player is clear, simple to use, and the Ovi Suite PC interface permits the creation of playlists. I have transferred around fifty songs to my E71 and I could easily transfer one hundred more without compromising my available memory (the E71 is not an iPod and it does not claim to be).

Two features that I really like about the Nokia E71 are the keypad and Ovi Maps. I have tried QWERTY keypads on many phones that do not agree with my large (size 15 ring) fingers and I have found touch screens to be exceptionally frustrating. The keypad on the E71 is quite functional for me and I find that I can use it with few errors. Ovi Maps is a useful, free application that provides GPS enabled, voice guided navigation that is credible enough to allow you to forgo the expense of a stand alone unit which can easily exceed the cost of the telephone.

While I am quite satisfied with the Nokia E71, it is not perfect. The auto focus on the camera is not intuitive; it must be manually activated by pressing the T/2 key on the keypad before taking a photo. The E71 will not charge via a data cable which is sometimes inconvenient. Battery life, while quite good under most circumstances, can become somewhat short when using Ovi Maps with an active Internet connection so a car charger prudent. While Ovi Maps has become a favorite feature, the E71 (like stand alone GPS units) cannot always locate a GPS signal and relatively new roadways can confuse it. While updates to Ovi Maps are free, downloads are time consuming and require connection to an Internet enabled PC. The only application that I have found that allows the E71 to directly receive Ovi Maps updates is Map Loader Mobile which proved to be an ineffective waste of $1.99 and I have since deleted it.

Overall, the Nokia E71 is a good, business class telephone for adult users and it does far more than I really need a telephone to do. It is a GSM telephone which means that with Straight Talk, it operates on AT&T towers which provide 3.5G speeds. Straight Talk is a good value within itself, providing unlimited text, talk, and data for $45 per month; however, nothing is truly unlimited. Straight Talk's Terms of Service prohibit tethering so the service will not allow the E71 to replace mobile broadband service and although this is somewhat of a let down, it is by no means a deal breaker. I recommend both the Nokia E71 and Straight Talk for those like myself who are value conscious.

Single Action Revolvers: Practical Tools that Symbolize the Old West

2011-08-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

The handgun in America has been likened to the sword in Europe as a symbol of earlier and simpler times, marked by the individual courage, chivalry, and independent spirit of heroes and rogues alike and there is no better representation of this than the indelible association between the single action revolver and the American west. The mere presence of a Colt Single Action Army revolver, or one of the many copies or clones that have been directly influenced by it, brings to mind legends of the Wild West such as Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, Frank and Jesse James, and Billy the Kid: individuals who remain household names, having been immortalized first in Dime Novels and later in Western movies.

Of course, the Colt Single Action Army revolver was not universally carried in the American west and those who have been associated with it in literature and film actually carried other handguns. Wild Bill Hickock carried Colt Navy Models (.36 caliber percussion revolvers), Frank James preferred Remingtons, Jesse James was known to favor a Smith & Wesson No. 3, and Billy the Kid used a double action Colt Thunderer in .41 caliber. However, the Colt Single Action army was vastly popular, amongst civilians and the military alike and the resourceful Bat Masterson purchased many of them which were profitably sold as "Bat Masterson's gun" in the waning years of the Nineteenth Century.

Originally introduced in 1873, it served the U.S. Cavalry until 1892 and it entered the Twentieth Century with official credentials, having been reissued by the U.S. Army during the Philippine Insurrection due to the various failures of the .38 Colt cartridge against the Moros. Even during World War II, it was carried by the likes of general George S. Patton and General Jonathan "Skinny" Wainwright. During the 1950s, the popularity of the Western movies and television series ensured that the classic profile of the Single Action Army would remain synonymous with the American west and during the hiatus in production that occurred between 1940 and 1956, Sturm, Ruger and Company fueled the pent up public demand for single action revolvers by first producing the Single Six and then following with the Blackhawk, modern, nearly bullet proof renditions of the classic Colt utilizing strong investment castings and coil springs rather than the problematic flat springs.

Remaining in nearly constant use since 1873, the popular Single Action Army, which returned to production in 1957, is still produced in the Colt Custom Shop while revolvers which borrow from the design or are largely copies of one variation or another are prolific, produced, finished, or marketed by many companies including: Beretta, Cimarron, Taurus, and U.S. Firearms. The innovative Ruger Single Six, Blackhawk, and variations including the Super Blackhawk, Bisley, and Vaquero remain popular while the simple, sturdy design of the old peacemaker continues to provide the platform for "hand cannons" such as the impeccable Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull and incredibly powerful Linebaugh customs in mammoth chamberings such as .475 and .500 Linebaugh.

The rugged simplicity of the dependable Single Action Army design allowed it to hold on and remain viable as a defensive weapon, even as it was eclipsed by modern, double action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Legendary lawmen such as Frank Hamer and Tom Threepersons, as well as the enigmatic Pancho Villa, successfully relied upon their Single Action Army revolvers well into the age of the Colt 1911 semi-automatic and the Smith & Wesson Military & Police double action revolver. Even today, in capable hands, the Single Action Army and revolvers that reflect its legacy can provide adequate defense against dangerous predators, both two and four legged. Single action revolvers are more than archaic symbols of the past, they remain practical tools that can get the job done.

Powers Firearms

2011-08-22T16:13:00.000-07:00

Finding a good gun shop can be as difficult as finding a reasonably priced mechanic, a painless dentist, or a quality barber. While many abound, it is more easy to find one that will simply charge you as much as possible and then quickly send you on down the road rather than offering genuine service with the desire of establishing a lasting relationship. Powers Firearms fills a niche that has long been void in Greensboro, North Carolina by providing a friendly environment, an inventory that appeals to a wide variety of shooters, and a positive experience for the enthusiast and non-enthusiast alike.

Powers firearms is a Better Business Bureau accredited business that is owned by my good friend, Rick Powers. Not quite three years ago, he opened his doors with just a handful of guns and a few boxes of cartridges that were stretched thinly across his racks and display cases. Since then, the seeds that he planted as a labor of love have begun to blossom and his inventory and client base have steadily increased.

In a recent visit to Powers Firearms, I was able to peruse a selection of guns that would appeal to most customers. The inventory of long guns included military style rifles (ARs and AKs, 1903-A3 Springfields, and No. 1 Mk III Enfields); various bolt and lever action rifles from Savage, Remington, Marlin, and Henry; and shotguns from Merkel, Beretta, and Mossberg. Handguns included Glocks (Powers Firearms is a Glock distributor); an assortment of 1911s ranging from modestly priced models by Springfield Armory to prestigious Nighthawk Customs that are regarded as some of the finest crafted handguns in the industry; concealed carry favorites like the Ruger LCP and SIG P238; and a host of other pistols and revolvers.

If you like guns and you happen to be in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina (which is defined by the communities surrounding Greensboro, High Point, and Winston Salem), it is worthwhile to take a moment to stop and visit with Rick and his knowledgeable staff. The atmosphere is pleasant and you might just stumble across something that you cannot live without. Open daily, Monday through Saturday, Powers Firearms is located at 2304 Jane Street in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Sometimes, You Just have to Say "WTF?!"

2011-08-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

I am proud to be from the South and, to be honest, I can't think of a better place to live. However, like all people, Southrons have their ways that can leave you sometimes scratching your head. Consider the photograph at hand (I will not disclose the location of this residence with the exception of saying that it is in my home state of North Carolina). Though modest, this little home is tidy, well maintained, and demonstrative of pride in ownership.

I can't help but imagine that its owners are proud, yet humble with the genteel character that can only be provided by a Southern upbringing. But, sometimes, you just have to say "WTF?!" While that is certainly one fine roof, it well outclasses (and must have dramatically out cost) the structure that is beneath it. As a matter of fact, I suspicion that this roof could outlast several structures like the one it shelters. Of course, there is something to be said for doing things right the first time so that they don't have to be done again and this elaborate, hip roof crowning an old mobile home speaks volumes about this philosophy.

Gregarious Human Nature Influences Survival

2011-08-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

There have always been a few who could eschew society for the most part and live rather independently. Mountain men of the early Nineteenth century exemplified this and demonstrated rebellious, even antisocial facets of American independence by taking to the wilderness and living alone for months with little other than a few Spartan implements of civilization, courage and ingenuity, and occasional trade with natives and at Rendezvous. Their feats, often embellished in the telling, from John “Liver Eating” Johnson’s one man war against the Crow to Boone Helm’s cannibalistic escape from the Blackfoot became the fabric of awe inspiring and chilling legends. Individuals of this caliber come to mind when the subject of survival is considered but they are exceptional examples who, for periods of time, overcame the gregarious nature characteristic of human beings through the course of history.

Human beings are social animals who typically build communities and create innovative tools to overcome the harshness and uncertainty of daily survival and this is the foundation of civilization. Great civilizations are dynamic yet cyclical: rising, advancing, declining, and falling. Golden ages give way to dark ages and old civilizations give way to the new. This has marked the course of recorded human history: a chronicle filled with barbarism yielding enlightenment and giving way to barbarism again. Yet, despite the conquest, brigandry, superstition, persecution, and deprivation associated with dark ages, stability ultimately returns, bringing about yet another golden age. This is because the social aspects of human nature drive complex relationships, providing collective, multifarious responses to the desires for safety and security necessary for the surety of continued existence.

While civilizations crumble, the framework of society remains intact, providing necessities for survival until new civilizations are ultimately raised from the ashes of the old. Thus, while becoming an aloof mountain man might seem attractive in the face of calamity, most will find that an environment facilitating social interaction and the relationships that result will better suit their continued, sustained survival, even in the event of lengthy and far reaching crises. This is due in part because the luxuries and expedients of modern civilization have left many without the means or faculties for long-term survival in more primitive environments. The rugged and tenuous life of a mountain man was only attractive to a few over the course of the Nineteenth Century when daily survival often consisted of back breaking, subsistence farming with implements of low technology and this formerly civilized lifestyle is now beyond the immediate capability of most who have been raised in the modern era.

This is not to say that the skills necessary for such a strenuous lifestyle cannot be developed. They can be and many have successfully overcome contemporary dependency in order to achieve varying degrees of self sufficiency. However, the social aspects of human nature should not be discounted when preparations for surviving a crisis are made. Establishing a core group capable of providing key skills and resources during a crisis is reflective upon this and it is not unlike the social framework that exists within established communities that forgo complex and technologically dependent lifestyles due to religious considerations, as exemplified by the Amish, or the necessity caused by abject poverty, as still pervades areas of Appalachia.

Those who foresee the possibility of a long-term crisis may address it in many ways, from the collective purchase and provisioning of a retreat to relocation to a rural environment and the gradual adoption of a simpler, more self sufficient lifestyle. The establishment and maintenance of social relationships will enhance both quality of life and the likelihood of long term survival in a crisis, regardless of what plans are established. The benefits of relocating to smaller towns that are some distance from sprawling, urban centers should not be overlooked as a viable option for a pessimistic future. Such communities do not suffer the likelihood of severe disruptions and chaos that plague heavily populated cities during times of crisis (consider the LA Riots, Hurricane Katrina, recent rioting across England, etc.). Moreover, they already possess the natural social framework that has ensured the continued survival of the species throughout human history.

The Coming Solar Storm and Advice for Preparedness

2011-08-13T21:57:00.000-07:00

After Solar Minimum was reached on May 10, 2006, NASA issued a Solar Storm Warning with Solar Max anticipated between 2010 and 2012. At Solar Minimum, sunspot activity and solar flares are virtually non-existent while Solar Max represents the peak activity of a sunspot cycle. NASA predicts that the next Solar Max will be 30% to 50% greater than previous ones and doomsayers are forecasting events of cataclysmic proportions as a result. Is catastrophe likely and should substantial preparations already be underway?

It has been speculated that sunspot activity, or the lack thereof, influences the Earth's climate. The Maunder Minimum was a period of low sunspot activity that correlated with the "Little Ice Age" in Europe, which occurred between 1645 and 1715; periods of increased sunspot activity have correlated with severe weather patterns in the Northern Hemisphere; and sunspot activity provides a very modest effect upon the brightness of the sun. However, the relationship between sunspot activity and the Earth's climate remains unclear and heavily debated and any climatic effects related to sunspot activity are minor in comparison to the many other factors that influence the climate.

The geomagnetic storms produced by sunspot activity can affect telephone wires; create radio noise which interferes with radar, GPS, radio and cellular communications; and cause power surges that disrupt electrical service. On September 1, 1859, a super solar flare, observed by astronomer Richard Carrington, led to the disruption of worldwide telegraph communications on the following day. On August 4, 1972, a solar flare disrupted long distance telephone communications in Illinois. On March 13, 1989, 6,000,000 Canadians lost power when Hydro-Quebec's power grid was overcome by a geomagnetic storm. Yet, not all Solar Maxima are accompanied by significant disruptions. Although the Solar Max of 1958 was of historic proportions, it went largely unnoticed with the exception of the Northern Lights being observed in Mexico.

The eleven year sunspot cycle was discovered around two hundred years ago and since then, attempts to predict the intensity of Solar Maxima have been made. Likewise, they have historically failed. The current prediction relies upon a conveyor belt model similar to the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt that controls the weather on Earth. The sun's conveyor belt, which controls sunspot activity, cycles every thirty to fifty years and the speed in which it turns determines the intensity of the next Solar Max. According to NASA, the coming Solar Max "...could produce a burst of solar activity second only to the historic Solar Max of 1958." If this prediction proves correct, it will ground breaking.

As previously mentioned, the Solar Max of 1958 went largely unnoticed, despite its historical intensity. The solar flare of 1979 prompted AT&T to redesign its long distance power system. The Hydro-Quebec blackout of 1989 lasted for nine hours and led North American power companies to develop mitigation strategies which are implemented following space weather forecasts that provide warnings of geomagnetic storms. Furthermore, minor effects of sunspot activity upon the Earth's climate are debated and there is no evidence to suggest climatic influences of catastrophic proportions. Thus it would appear that the coming solar storm, if the conveyor belt model proves correct and its intensity has been accurately predicted in the first place, is not likely to cause calamity.

On the other hand, a solar storm producing a super solar flare could have more substantial impact upon modern age, technologically dependent societies than what has been previously experienced. In addition to intensifying the affects already anticipated from a geomagnetic storm, a super solar flare would likely disable satellites and related technology. However, super solar flares are largely regarded as infrequent events that occur every five hundred years or so. In the one hundred and sixty year record of geomagnetic storms , the one observed by Richard Carrington in 1859 is the largest to be recorded and the next largest was only about half of this proportion. The next Solar Max is expected to be less intense than that of 1958, which produced no super solar flare and the likelihood of such an event is improbable.

Furthermore, since a super solar flare has not occurred in a technologically dependent era, the ramifications of such an event are speculative at best. The super solar flare of 1858 did not result in a long term disruption of worldwide telegraph communications and, based upon the short-term, geographically specific disruptions in communications and electrical services brought about by geomagnetic storms during the Twentieth Century and the subsequent adoption of mitigation strategies, it is difficult to assume that a super solar flare would result in a total power grid meltdown and complete failure in land line communications. Though any failures brought about by a geomagnetic storm could prove disruptive, especially when combined with the failure of satellite based technologies, it is difficult to assume that even a super solar flare will result in cataclysm.

Some who prepare for the next Solar Max will do so based upon the prophecies of doomsayers who preach calamity. To survive such scenarios will require very extensive, long term preparations, contingencies for evacuating populated areas, and long-term self sufficiency. An instantaneous and sustained collapse of worldwide power grids, communications, and technology would propel the civilized world backwards to the Nineteenth century almost over night. Fuel pumps, water plants, sewage stations, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning, most forms of heat, and all of the other technological requirements of Twenty-first Century life would stop and chaos, hunger, and disease would rapidly spread through populated areas, making survival tenuous at best for those who prepared and especially bleak for those who did not.

However, current evidence and documented historical effects of geomagnetic storms do not support the extreme pessimism of doomsayers who are often motivated by profit. Reasonable preparations should be made for loss of power, communications, and technology but it seems most likely that such disruptions would be geographically based and rather short term, much like those encountered during severe weather or typical natural disasters and preparations for either should be sufficient for the next Solar Max, even in the event of a super solar flare (which would not reach killer proportions because the sun is a stable star unlike a decaying, red giant). The presence of a radio with a quality short wave receiver would be beneficial if a super solar flare were to wreak havoc upon satellite based technologies since it would ensure that non-satellite based news and other broadcasts could be received to determine the extent and duration of any disruptions.

An intense solar storm is on the horizon and geomagnetic storms have and will continue to disrupt technological life on this planet. However, the NASA prediction of the storm is not a portent of doom and it seems unlikely that the coming solar storm will bring about catastrophic events that will change the course of human history. Rather, it simply falls within the established cycle for sunspot activity. The next Solar Max could well prove to be largely unnoticeable like the one in 1959. Those who are convinced otherwise are free to prepare in the manner that they see fit and, while it is not unwise to over prepare for any possible emergency, reasonable and prudent preparations based upon known fact and conventional wisdom are most likely all that is necessary.

The Second Amendment is for the Defense of Liberty and the Overthrow of Tyranny

2011-08-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

Somehow or another, largely due to the deceitful and self-serving malintent of political machinations coupled with public ignorance, the American people have come to accept the regulation of firearms as a rightful venue of government. This has been exacerbated by Federal abuse of the Commerce Clause of the Constitution of the United States of America and the perpetuation of the erroneous concept that the Second Amendment is a collective right, reserved for the organized militia. As a result, it is largely assumed that the Second Amendment permits firearms to be privately held for hunting and other "sporting" purposes; however, these are mistaken notions. The primary intent of the Second Amendment is the defense of liberty and the overthrow of tyranny.

In 1787, just four years following the conclusion of the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to William S. Smith: "What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms." The following year (1788), John Adams wrote that "Arms in the hands of individual citizens may be used at individual discretion for the defence of the country, the over-throw of tyranny, or in private self-defense." (A DEFENSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONS OF GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, at 475) These remarks were made by Founders who were experienced in the defense of liberty and well acquainted with the objectives of the Revolution, after a successful victory had been achieved.

America was then a free but fledgling nation, birthed in the spirit of rebellion. The Founders understood the hazards that even limited government posed to the liberty that they had risked their lives and fortunes to attain and they sought to preserve this spirit by ensuring that the people retained not only the tools necessary to effectively address tyranny but the right to use them "...at individual discretion...." This affirms legal rights of the people that, though not codified, were accepted at face value as was common law.

The Constitution provided a stronger Federal government than that established under the Articles of Confederation which was still in effect in 1787. As the ratification of the Constitution was debated in Virginia on June 14, 1788 in the Virginia Convention on the Ratification of the Constitution, George Mason poignantly stated that "To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." This further affirmed the right of the people to possess arms in consideration of the hazards posed by government and the Constitution was ultimately rejected without specific assurances of liberty for the people and their States.

The Bill of Rights was provided to address these concerns. Tench Coxe, writing as "A Pennsylvanian" expounded upon the hazards of government necessitating the maintenance of private arms: "Whereas civil rulers, not having their duty to the people duly before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as military forces, which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms." ("Remarks On The First Part Of The Amendments To The Federal Constitution." The Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789, p.2 col.1) According to Coxe, the potential for tyranny provides the right to keep and bear arms, not hunting and sports.

Alexander Hamilton preferred strong central government and was accused of advocating monarchy. Though he was at the opposite end of the political spectrum from Thomas Jefferson, he likewise understood the danger that government posed to liberty. In Federalist, No. 29, he stated: "...but if circumstances should at any time oblige the government to form an army of any magnitude, that army can never be formidable to the liberties of the people, while there is a large body of citizens, little if at all inferior to them in discipline and use of arms, who stand ready to defend their rights...." Hamilton saw the people as a bulwark against tyranny, able to successfully challenge a standing army. For them to do so, not only was the right to keep and bear arms to be unfettered, the arms borne had to be at least equivalent to those of the military.

Hunting and other "sporting" purposes are practical and politically correct reasons to keep and bear arms that are even touted by pro-gun activists such as the National Rifle Association. However, they are secondary to the primary intent of the Founding Fathers who sought to ensure that the American People could forever defend liberty by overthrowing tyranny. The Second Amendment has nothing to with sports; rather, it is a fail safe against governmental excess that can be applied with individual discretion to preserve the principles of the American Revolution. To interpret it any other way and to abide by abridgements and abrogations is to support and advance tyranny and the destruction of liberty. In the eyes of the Founding Fathers, the Second Amendment ensured the defense of liberty and the overthrow of tyranny in perpetuity. Sic semper tyrannis!

Children and Guns

2011-08-10T06:22:00.000-07:00

Human beings develop at different rates, both physically and intellectually. Because of this, it is difficult to establish concrete ages for particular activities and this well encompasses shooting. I have encountered children less than eight years old who demonstrated remarkable maturity and cognizance while I have met those over forty who needed adult supervision based not on their intellect but their judgment, or lack thereof. I have successfully taught many children of varying age groups to shoot and I firmly believe that demonstrable judgment and responsibility are better indicators of readiness for instruction than age based upon calendar years.

Children should be introduced to firearms as early as possible but the level of introduction needs to be based upon cognitive ability. Guns should not be allowed to become an arcane enigma because they are secreted away and not discussed. When this occurs, the seeds of temptation are planted without the temper of tangible ramifications. In other words, children should be allowed to see, touch, and fire guns in a controlled environment that reinforces what they are: mechanical objects designed for specific purposes with the capability of doing irreversible harm or damage if they are misused or carelessly handled.

Within these parameters, firearms are no different than kitchen knives, lawnmowers, axes, weed eaters, and a host of other potentially hazardous implements found in average households. Said in another way, a child who can competently prepare food, mow a yard, or assist in gathering firewood is probably competent to handle a firearm. If, through misinformation or no information, firearms are foolishly elevated beyond their substance and purpose, they become Pandora's Boxes that must be opened. This is preventable via first hand knowledge and the realistic expectations that are gained from it.

The First Two Steps Necessary for Survival and Preparedness

2011-08-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Today, the markets are volatile and England is apparently burning to the ground, consumed in rioting. Recently, thousands took to the streets in Israel in protest of the high cost of living. Italy passed an austerity package to try to prop up its failing economy, Chinese inflation rose to 6.5% despite governmental intervention, and of course the credit rating of the United States has been down graded. This is but a smidgeon of world news that provides a generally bleak outlook that leads once again to thoughts about survival and preparedness.

Survival and preparedness are not new subjects in the United States. Many who weathered the deprivation of the Great Depression and the rationing of World War II retained a lifelong distrust of banks and a frugal lifestyle that conserved resources and eschewed waste. During the Cold War, a nuclear attack was enough of a possibility that private bomb shelters stocked with emergency supplies were not uncommon. During the 1970s, survivalists began stockpiling and preparing retreats in response to rioting and forecasts of economic collapse. Speculation of Y2K disasters led to flurries of preparedness which were perhaps underscored by the actual revelations of insecurity and vulnerability spurred by 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.

In the midst of the dismal news and pessimistic forecasts ushered by current events, those who have taken an active interest in survival and preparedness (and dedicated time and resources to developing extensive plans, skills, and caches of emergency supplies) probably feel rather secure. Others, who may have had less available resources to begin with but the awareness and initiative to try to do something may already be subsisting to some degree or another on provisions laid aside in the event of a crisis due to the bleak economy and rampant unemployment; in other words, they are essentially already in a survival mode. Some are just now seeing the importance of preparing to survive a long period of hard times, a severe emergency, or extended crisis and are wondering where to start and what to do.

There are many resources discussing survival and preparedness that are available in print and on the Internet and they come from various perspectives that range from getting through temporary disruptions of public services to dropping out of society (at least to a degree) and undertaking a self sufficient lifestyle. Survival and preparedness are not concrete terms as they vary in degree and interpretation. Thus, the first step necessary in survival and preparedness is the establishment of objectives that address the circumstances and events that are being prepared for, account for the likelihood of geographically specific occurrences, consider the duration that survival is possible, and provide contingencies that can improve the likelihood of survival.

The second step necessary to survival and preparedness is a critical, personal inventory that can be formed with the following questions: What are my daily requirements? What do I currently have on hand and how long will it last? What are my available resources and how can I extend them? What can I reasonably sacrifice? What are my skills? What is my level of commitment? What physical limitations must I consider? How much hardship can I endure? Am I capable of making difficult decisions that could tax my philosophical orientation?

These two steps are critical if any preparations are to be successful and they can positively or negatively influence the outcome of any survival plans, depending upon the consideration, or lack thereof, provided. By not having clear objectives and taking a shotgun approach, valuable resources can be wasted and survival can rest upon ineffective plans that render greater vulnerability than benefit. By not having a realistic understanding of the necessities and limitations imposed by the unique nature of each household and each individual (including oneself), the most extensive preparations and best laid survival plans can rapidly come undone.

Survival and preparedness are daunting and they require careful reflection and consideration under any circumstances. It is unfortunate that human nature is often reactive, leading to action only in the face of crisis. Many, spoiled by the prosperity of the Eighties and Nineties, have already suffered changes in lifestyles that lead to uncertainty and fear which stimulates concern regarding survival and preparedness. Those who are just beginning to prepare with limited resources and last week's groceries may be discouraged by the inability to purchase a secluded retreat, cache years worth of food, or simply take to the wilderness like Jeremiah Johnson but any well conceived preparations enhance survivability and provide a basis upon which to build.

Gold Vs. Food and Guns for Survival

2011-08-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

In light of tumultuous markets, many have invested in precious metals, particularly gold and silver, and those who bought when it was low can enjoy a substantial return based upon current rates. Today, gold closed at $1,710.20 per ounce and silver closed at $39.38 an ounce, apparently surging in response to the down graded credit rating of the United States. This is not surprising as gold and silver have historically retained their value during hard times.

Many, perhaps spurred by images of wheelbarrows laden with worthless currency in Weimar Germany, may be tempted to buy gold and silver and it may be a prudent investment for those who are more affluent than I am. However, at these rates, I will pass and I suggest that those of modest means do so as well. Frankly, for those who live on working class wages, there are just more practical things to purchase in this economy than precious metals.

Food is a must and it is always prudent to have enough non-perishables on hand to get you through a difficult spot. The extent of that difficult spot is open for debate but food stuffs are an age old commodity that have been bought, sold, and bartered in all economic climates throughout history. Gold and silver, while intrinsically valuable, do not digest very well and may not immediately convert to that which provides immediate sustenance.

A friend of mine recounted a tongue in cheek remark from a respected financial advisor that was sobering and I will paraphrase it: Gold will not do you any good in a worse case scenario because those who bought guns will ultimately have all of the gold and all of the food. While this reflects upon the base level of humanity that can be displayed during trying times, it also provides some practical insight as to that which is truly valuable when your life might be at stake: that which provides defense and that which provides sustenance.

Like food, weapons have also been bartered throughout history and their attractiveness for many is based upon the necessity of the moment. It is ironic how those who despise guns and would not consider owning or using them become grateful when one who is armed is available to intercede on their behalf when their physical safety is compromised. As Hurricane Katrina aptly demonstrated, such intercession does not always come in the face of an emergency.

Gold and silver might be financial hedges for the affluent but that which provides sustenance and defense are practical resources for trying times. Not only are they useful within themselves for day to day survival, a surplus of either provides the ability to barter for other goods and services. When the intrinsic value of precious metals is not available for immediate conversion in an emergency, they are nothing but superfluous baubles.

Surviving Economic Collapse: Ideas Regarding Food and Shelter

2011-08-08T08:27:00.000-07:00

Back in April, as governmental shutdown was looming, I wrote an article entitled "Who Will Bail Us Out?" and I noted that "With lost jobs, diminished incomes, decreased purchasing power, and rising prices (especially on food and fuel), many of America's middle class have slipped into the ranks of the working poor...." With financial crises reported around the globe, I grow less optimistic regarding any significant economic recovery in the near future and I cannot help but consider the possibilities of economic collapse and strategies for surviving it.

When cost of living increases and wages remain static (or are even reduced), there is less disposable income which affects quality of life, impeding necessary purchases, and curtailing the ability to prepare for a long term crisis. Hyper-inflation will exacerbate this and American households that already struggle from paycheck to paycheck could rapidly be thrust into the squalor of "Hoovervilles" reminiscent of the Great Depression in the event of economic collapse and the disruption of traditional safety nets provided by an already overloaded system. Sadly, their more affluent neighbors would often be unlikely to hold on for more than a couple of months longer.

As difficult as times already are for many families, now is a prudent time to prepare for a serious economic crisis if you have not already began doing so. In the event of such a crisis, necessities like food and shelter could be difficult to acquire and maintain. I have always believed in keeping plenty of food on hand and having a pantry well stocked with non-perishables. This practice, which I inherited from grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, has enabled me to easily withstand inconveniences like power outages and inclement weather; it has also allowed me to address unforeseen expenses by not having to make weekly visits to the grocery store. In order to better prepare in the face of uncertainty, I have steadily increased the amount of non-perishable food that I keep on hand and I have become quite mindful of sales, promotions, and coupons that extend my purchasing power. I have also simplified my lifestyle to better stretch my hard earned dollars.

Lately, I have focused upon purchasing non-perishables that are modestly priced, have a relatively long shelf life, and lack the bulk of canned goods. Such items include Ramen noodles, instant potatoes, powdered gravy mix, muffin mix (the type that only requires water and can also serve as pancake mix), powdered milk, rice, dried beans, oatmeal, grits, and boullion cubes. Perhaps not sufficient as an exclusive diet, such foods are filling and only require water to be prepared. They can be served by themselves, used in more complex recipes, and accompany meals to stretch the supply of other foods.

In the event no crisis should arise, these foods will be consumed in due time and do not represent a waste of resources. Since these non-perishables are more easily carried and stored in confined spaces than more bulky canned goods, options for mobility, whether by foot or vehicle can be retained. Mobility allows you to more easily quit an area that has become inhospitable and shelter is as much a requisite as is nutrition if this option is employed and compromise could be necessary. While I enjoy camping, taking to the woods and pitching a tent does not represent a suitable, long term scenario for survival for me. However, a tent will cover basic, short term needs for shelter and they are especially useful where low cost, primitive camping is permitted. I once knew a fellow who lived comfortably in a tent in a modest campground through a southern winter after being confronted with a sudden bout of domestic bliss.

In contrast to a tent, a motor home or a camper trailer can provide more comfortable and convenient mobile shelter over a longer period of time while offering amenities including air conditioning, provided that electricity is available. Last year, I bought a 1972 Pace Arrow motor home that is in remarkably good shape and I have been getting some work done to it in order to use it. Originally purchased with short and long term camping in mind, I have begun to regard it as a survival vehicle that could provide living quarters and access to a more attractive geographic area in the event of a disruptive crisis.

I do not view the Pace Arrow as a bug out vehicle to be used in the midst of chaos. It is just too big, slow, ungainly, and fuel hungry for such an adventure. However, I do see it is a strategic option since it will integrate into camping environments in which many already live full-time at low cost. This is part of my justification for increasing my supply of non-perishables that store well in confined spaces for significant periods. The motor home is not a panacea by any means but it is the ultimate in a portable shelter equipped with a fully stocked kitchen that could provide useful options if we are presented with a severe crisis.

None of us possess a crystal ball that reveals the future and some regard preparedness as the height of paranoia. Economic collapse has been forecast many times over and, as of yet, we have fortunately avoided it. Even if such a disaster is not forthcoming, contingencies for surviving situations filled with doom and gloom allow for smaller crises and inconveniences to be taken in stride. Your non-perishables and mobile shelter can be just as useful for a sudden fishing trip taken in response to an impromptu visit from the "in-laws" as it is in avoiding the ramifications of a full fledged emergency.

Why I Carry a Gun

2011-08-04T07:22:00.000-07:00

In 1983, I was working my first job as a grocery clerk in a locally owned chain of supermarkets. One night, I was called into work due to a shortage of help and I was eager to make some tips from bagging groceries and carrying them to customers' cars. For me, it was a normal evening at work, there was no sense that anything was amiss, and I was happily bagging groceries, cutting up with the front end staff, and flirting with the cashiers.

A few police officers entered the store, which was not unusual, since they often purchased food at our deli, which offered home style cooking that was pretty good. I bagged up an order for a lady, took it to her car, and had just finished unloading it when I heard two pops that sounded like M-60s being set off. I proceeded back towards the entrance of the store, looking around for whoever had set off the firecrackers.

Suddenly, a man burst out of the store with a small, semi-automatic pistol in his hand (it turned out to be an FIE Titan Tiger in .25 ACP). Time seemed to stop as I realized that I had nowhere to go and that there was nothing that I could do. As I stood there, the sound of heavier caliber gunfire erupted, the armed man attempted to run, lost his footing, and several police officers descended upon him.

The man screamed and fought but he was soon handcuffed with blood covering the ground where he fell. I do not know how long I watched, as time seemed distorted, but it could not have been more than seconds. I gained some composure, entered the store, and asked a friendly co-worker what had happened. He was ashen and never spoke; he just pointed his finger. I looked in the direction that he pointed and saw my manager, who had been a good friend to me, lying in a pool of blood, surrounded by those who were trying to assist him.

He was shot through the stomach and writhing in agony. The scene was surreal to me and I turned away, only to see an elderly man propped against an end cap display. He was holding his crossed arms with his hands, which were bloody. As it turned out, he was superficially wounded and I was later told that his injury came from bullet fragments that had ricocheted.

The perpetrator died the next morning, the manager suffered a disabling blood clot, the police were bashed by the media, and as far as I know, the elderly man came through just fine. No motive for the shooting was ever determined. Though this was more than a decade before concealed carry became legal in my state, I acquired a snub nosed revolver and began carrying a handgun, vowing to never again be caught unprepared in such a situation.

"Be Prepared": Survival and Preparedness is Part of Everyday Life

2011-08-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

I believe that events of the past decade, from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 to Hurricane Katrina to the uncertain times of the Great Recession have provided a heightened awareness of survival, preparedness, and self sufficiency for many Americans. Subjects such as seventy-two hour emergency kits, gardening, food storage, and wilderness retreats are widely discussed across the Web and firearms sales and ammunition have gone through the roof. Yet, while many now take into consideration the possibility of a disaster, a terrorist attack, or even economic collapse, they may fail to realize that survival and preparedness are integral parts of everyday life.

The Boy Scout motto is "be prepared" and when preparedness becomes a state of mind, we can more easily withstand the small and petty inconveniences, unexpected disruptions, and sudden emergencies that are likely to present themselves on a daily basis. Such preparedness prudently compliments the plans, preparations, and commitments that are made for surviving more serious and longer lasting disasters; for truth be told, survival is and always has been a daily part of human life that, as characterized by Thomas Hobbes, is "...solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."

In the photo above are items that I routinely carry on my person: a knife with a serrated edge, my father's old and well worn Boy Scout knife that was handed down to me, a compact flashlight, and a cigarette lighter. These basic tools provide multiple uses that, under certain circumstances, can prove invaluable. A good serrated edge can cut a seat belt in an emergency while a Boy Scout knife or Swiss Army knife provides a versatile blade, a can opener, a screw driver, a bottle opener, and an awl that can perform many piercing and prying functions without compromising the edge and point of the blade. A flashlight is always useful at night or in the sudden darkness brought about by a power outage, while a source of fire (which is a must for a smoker) is useful for securing a means of warmth and heated food should one become stranded under certain conditions.

Other items, which I typically keep in my vehicle, include a mylar "space" or emergency blanket which can be used to ensure warmth during a cold weather breakdown or provide assistance to a shock victim; a cheap safety vest which ensures visibility in low light and darkness if you stop to assist others or must walk to avoid being stranded, cyalume glow sticks which can prevent a disabled vehicle from being hit by traffic and provide additional sources of light in darkness. Though I am not a mechanic, I keep a basic tool set, a roll of electrical tape, and a roll of duct tape on hand which can facilitate simple repairs. I also keep a small entrenching tool handy as it has proven useful more than once in icy conditions. While such mundane items do not sound much like survival tools, they have a variety of uses in unforeseen situations and preventing something as simple as being stranded or hit by a car can be as important to survival as is being able to stand down an angry mob.

Sometimes, extenuating circumstances can enhance one's attractiveness for victimization while at other times, violence can occur randomly, with swiftness. Violent crime is a daily occurrence in our society, it knows no boundaries, and no environment provides a fail safe means to remain aloof from it. Those who carry concealed handguns have heightened their level of daily preparedness to ensure that they can respond to such sudden and often unforeseen threats. A firearm is part of my daily gear and I generally keep an extra box of cartridges in the vehicle, just in case. Whether necessary or not, peace of mind can ensure focus when one is presented with an emergency.

The ideas that I have mentioned are basic and they can certainly be improved upon, as determined by personal resources, individual skills, the geographic are in which one lives or travels, and so forth. However, the key is that for survival to be effective, preparedness should be a dynamic part of daily life, not an academic subject reserved for natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and economic collapse. The need for survival can just as easily confront you on a routine trip to the grocery store as it can in the aftermath of an earthquake. Those who make preparedness a state of mind will not only be able to more easily overcome the challenges and adversity that can suddenly invade the relaxed routine of civilized human life, but they will be many steps ahead of those who are more passively "prepared" for emergencies of greater proportions.

The Coin Test: A Simple Measure of Accuracy for Defensive Handguns

2011-08-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

Accuracy is a vague and ambiguous term that is often grounded in the perspective of the individual shooter. I have seen deer hunters enthusiastically satisfied with pie plate sized groups, varmint hunters aggravated by minute of angle, and handgun shooters captivated by "combat accuracy" which is probably most consistently defined as the ability to keep hits well within center mass while firing rapidly. For those who are not particularly good shots, "combat accuracy" may be considered the ability to simply hit a B-27 style silhouette at the average "combat range" of seven yards. Sometimes "combat accuracy" is used to extoll the virtues of defensive handguns that will not group into a paint can at twenty-five yards off of a bench rest.

I believe that accuracy is an important virtue that defines the worth of a firearm and the skill level of a shooter. Likewise, I believe that a deliberately placed shot is more valuable than speed in defensive situations. A combination of both is desirable but speed without accuracy has proven fatal for as long as handguns have been carried in pockets and holsters. Thus, I am unwilling to settle for sloppy and ill defined standards of accuracy when more is available in a reliable package. Thus, when I shoot most handguns from either a rested or prone position, I want groups that are under three inches at twenty-five yards and better if I can get them.

A simple measure of accuracy that I have adopted for most defensive handguns is what I refer to as a coin test. Offhand, at three yards, I expect to be able to consistently hit a dime sized target; at five yards, a nickle sized target; and at seven yards, a quarter sized target. I make an exception for ultra compact "mouse guns" with miniscule sights and a very short radius and use a playing card at seven yards as a benchmark (I guess this is my version of "combat accuracy"). Perhaps this standard originates from the influence of precision inherited from shooting Bullseye back in the Nineties but defensive handguns that will not meet this simple measure of accuracy do not suit me.

The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66

2011-07-31T13:01:00.000-07:00

Perhaps, back in the day, I simply read too many articles authored by Bill Jordan and now I'm somewhat of a throwback. I still regard the double action revolver as an effective defensive tool, I still believe that the .357 Magnum with a 125 grain jacketed hollow point bullet is an excellent defensive cartridge, and I still highly regard the Smith and Wesson Model 19 and its stainless steel brother, the Model 66.

The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66 provide a good balance between being light enough to carry comfortably while being heavy enough to remain controllable during rapid fire, even with 2.5" and 3" barrels. They are accurate and they are sufficiently rugged when .357 Magnum cartridges are occasionally fired but the majority of shooting is done with .38 Special cartridges. Sadly, these revolvers received undue criticism when they were pushed beyond their limitations with heavy diets of magnum loads that they were never intended to digest. The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66 have now been discontinued for several years

The Beretta 950 Minx and Jetfire

2011-07-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

The Beretta 950 is a blowback, single action pistol that was produced between 1952 and 2003. In .22 Short, it is known as the Minx and in .25 ACP it is known as the Jetfire. Originally produced without a mechanical safety, one was added to facilitate importation following the Gun Control Act of 1968 and models including the safety are known as the 950 BS. These little pistols are still widely available used at bargain prices and they are often carried for defense.

The Beretta Minx and Jetfire are of good quality, surprisingly accurate for their diminutive size, fun to shoot, and they are easy to carry in a trouser pocket or tucked over a sun visor. These qualities and the modest cost of .22 Short ammunition makes the Minx one of my favorite mouse guns. Over the years, I have often carried a Minx which not only accounted for itself during impromptu plinking sessions but proved useful for dispatching snakes and other vermin.

Although I am a fan of the Minx, it is less reliable than the Jetfire because of the rimfire ignition of the .22 Short cartridge. Rimfire cartridges are more prone to misfiring than are centerfire cartridges and this is fact, not theory. If you shoot enough rimfire ammunition, you will encounter misfires which may or may not ignite following a double strike. With most semi-automatic pistols, a simple jam clearing drill will remedy a misfire and keep the pistol in operation. This is not the case with the Minx or the Jetfire because their design does not include an extractor.

To clear a misfire from a Beretta 950, it is necessary to tip the barrel. Usually, a loaded cartridge will fall free of the chamber due to the weight of the bullet, but if it does not, it must be either plucked or poked out. Thereafter, a fresh cartridge can be loaded into the chamber or the action can be closed to allow the slide to be racked in order to chamber a fresh round from the magazine. This is a minor inconvenience on the range and even when shooting at a snake some distance away; however, in a defensive situation, this awkward clearing regimen can prove fatal.

The Beretta Jetfire is a better choice for defense than the Minx because misfires are less likely to occur with the centerfire .25 ACP cartridge. However, they are still a possibility and a stoppage caused by a misfire should be carefully reflected upon before either are employed for defense. Likewise, it should be noted that neither the .22 Short nor the .25 ACP offer much in the way of stopping power and any ballistic differences between the two cartridges are more academic than practical. In other words, both are weak cartridges, good shot placement is essential, and the significant possibility of either failing to stop an assailant should not be discounted.

Another point that should be considered before selecting either the Minx or the Jetfire as a defensive pistol is the single action design. Single actions must be cocked before the first round is fired. The design of the Beretta 950 did not originally include a safety; rather a half cock notch on the hammer was provided instead. The safety on the 950 BS is somewhat of an afterthought that I do not particularly trust and I find it small and awkward to use. Thus, for me, the Minx and Jetfire are not suitable for "cocked and locked" carry as is standard for single actions like the Colt 1911 A1 and Browning Hi-Power.

The Beretta 950 Minx and Jetfire are good quality pistols that are still available at bargain prices even though they have been out of production for nearly a decade. They are fun to shoot and the Minx makes a better shooter due to the affordability of .22 Short ammunition while the Jetfire is a better choice for defense due to the more reliable, centerfire ignition of the .25 ACP cartridge. Before selecting either for a defensive application, the limitations of both their designs and the cartridges for which they are chambered should be carefully considered.

The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader for Defense and Survival

2011-07-30T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Katrina provided a glaring example of the jeopardy that can become present when typical municipal services are disrupted by a natural disaster. A successful terrorist attack could cause a man-made disaster of greater proportions, resulting in even lengthier disruptions of services. Current economic turmoil and political tension present realistic concerns regarding civil unrest and images of the mayhem of the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 easily come to mind. In such situations, a reliable and effective firearm could be invaluable to the preservation of self and family. Those who have not included a firearm in their emergency or “survival” preparations due to tight, recessionary budgets should consider the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader.

Introduced in 1961, the Mossberg 500 has proven itself to be a reliable pump action shotgun that remains popular with hunters and law enforcement agencies alike. With the addition of a metal safety, metal trigger guard, and bayonet lug, the Mossberg 500 became the 590A1 which is used by the U.S Military. In its Special Purpose Persuader form, the Mossberg 500 provides a proven, no nonsense, defense ready 12 gauge platform with an 18 inch cylinder bore barrel, three inch chamber, five shot magazine (with 2 and ¾ inch shells), and a bead front sight that can occasionally be purchased new for under $300 and for substantially less when found used. This is quite a bargain, considering the well regarded effectiveness of the twelve gauge shotgun as a short range defensive weapon (about twenty-five yards with buckshot and about forty yards with rifled slugs shot with a bead sight).

While primarily configured for defense, (i.e. as a “riot gun”) the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader does have the flexibility to take a variety of game from squirrels to deer with proper ammunition within the modest effective ranges provided by its cylinder bore and bead sight. Some, who interpret survival as foraging for food and living off of the land, may criticize these limitations. However, for most, survival will mean either weathering the storm until services are restored or evacuating to a safer location, perhaps to the homes of friends or relatives, as quickly as possible. In either instance, taking game will be happenstance at best, dictated by opportunity, circumstance, and individual hunting skills (or lack thereof). Thus, while the option to collect game could be valuable, the primary purpose of a firearm that is incorporated into emergency preparations (especially if only one firearm is available) should be defense and the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader is well suited for this role.

Sometimes, the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader comes with a pistol grip that can be optionally installed in place of the butt in order to convert it to the more compact, Cruiser version. Some will be tempted by this because it looks “cool”, allows the shotgun to be stored in a tight space, and perhaps even carried in some duffel bags or backpacks. Unfortunately, this greatly compromises the effectiveness and utility of the shotgun by rendering it awkward and best suited for extremely close ranges. A better solution which provides a compact package without sacrificing serviceability is a folding or collapsible stock as manufactured by Knoxx SpecOps and ATI, respectively.

Shotguns are occasionally recommended for the unskilled and chosen for defensive applications with the erroneous belief that all that is necessary is to point one in the general direction of the target, pull the trigger, and the scattering shot will do the rest. Nothing could be further from the truth and it is quite possible to miss with a shotgun, even at very close range. Shotguns require the same commitment to safety and the acquisition and maintenance of fundamental marksmanship skills that are necessary for the effective use of any firearm. Additionally, if a pump action shotgun such as the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader is chosen for a defensive application, combat loading from a shell carrier is a skill that must be learned and practiced so that the shotgun can be kept in action in the event that the magazine runs dry.

The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader is a proven design that is reliable yet inexpensive enough to be acquired despite the constraints of a lean budget. It offers the flexibility necessary to provide for both opportune foraging and effective self defense in emergency situations, provided one develops the skills necessary to effectively use it. The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader should not be overlooked as a viable tool for self defense and survival, especially if one is limited to just a single firearm.

Double Barreled Shotguns for Defense

2011-07-28T07:10:00.000-07:00

Double barreled shotguns are not considered ideal defensive weapons amongst "experts" of all levels because of their limited fire power. The double barrel provides only two rounds of ammunition before reloading is necessary while pumps and semi-automatics generally have a capacity of six rounds (one in the chamber and five in an unplugged magazine). However, old yet serviceable double barreled shotguns are found in many homes, often having been handed down through the family, and their usefulness as a defensive tool should not be discounted.

Whether considered ideal for defense or not, any serviceable firearm at hand is better than being unarmed in the face of an emergency. In the case of double barreled shotguns, two rounds of buckshot will provide a very substantial response to an attack, provided they hit the target. One 2 and 3/4 inch round of 00 buckshot for a 12 gauge shotgun provides nine .33 caliber pellets and one 2 and 3/4 inch round of number 3 buckshot for a 20 gauge shotgun provides twenty .25 caliber pellets that are delivered all at once.

Double barreled shotguns provide five advantages that mitigate their perceived deficiencies: 1. They are very simple to operate which is an advantage to someone who is not a firearms enthusiast and regular shooter. 2. Effectively two guns in one, their robust actions are unlikely to suffer broken parts and, if they do, both barrels are not likely to fail. 3. Double barreled shotguns will never jam. 4. Short barreled coach guns with 20 inch barrels or less are handier in confined spaces than are pumps and semi-automatics because the length of their actions provide a shorter overall length. 5. Psychologically, the twin muzzles, which scream "shotgun", are quite intimidating, underscoring street knowledge of the devastating damage that a "gauge" can affect on flesh and blood. These advantages allow them to defend the homestead just as well now as they did one hundred years ago.

The NAA Mini Revolver: Unsuitable for Defense but Far from Useless!

2011-07-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

Long before concealed carry was a legal option in my state, I carried a North American Arms Mini Revolver in .22 Long Rifle caliber in my pants pocket. It collected a snake or two, provided a measure of comfort, and, being similar in size to a respectable folding knife, it did not "print" in most clothing. Although the NAA is a high quality, reliable revolver, the general consensus is that it is not suitable for defense and after much experience with one, I concur; however, unsuitable does not mean useless by any stretch of the imagination.

The NAA Mini Revolver, as pictured, is a five shot, single action revolver. Its solid frame, spur trigger, and bird's head grip harken to Nineteenth Century pocket revolvers, making it rather nostalgic. As a defensive weapon, it is superficially criticized for its small caliber and single action design; however, its greatest limitations are brought about by its chief advantage: its miniscule size. When held and fired traditionally in the strong hand, the tiny birds head grip and spur trigger cause the muzzle of the revolver to be substantially elevated (off of the cuff, around thirty degrees). Combined with the absence of a rear sight, this provides a tendency to shoot high, even at modest ranges. Since there is very little to hold onto, at 4.6 ounces, the muzzle rises sharply with each shot, creating substantial recovery time exacerbated by the fact that it must be manually cocked.

There is a technique to shooting these little revolvers that improves both accuracy and recovery time. Hold the revolver in the strong hand and let the trigger spur hang over the strong index finger. Them, assume a conventional, two handed stance and cock and fire it with the weak hand. By "shooting off of the top strap" (i.e. aligning the front sight with the imaginary center line of top strap and holding down so that the front sight appears split in half) useable defensive groups and fairly rapid fire can be attained. Although this technique works fine for the range, it is awkward to the point that I would not recommend it for defense.

The handling qualities of the NAA Mini Revolver make it unsuitable for defense before detriments such as small caliber, single action mechanism, and the fact that it cannot be reloaded without disassembly are considered. However, once again, unsuitable does not mean useless. Because of its especially small size, a NAA Mini Revolver can be carried unnoticed in almost any attire (including some swimming trunks if a pocket is available) and it can be easily secreted in unlikely places (e.g. small lunch boxes, document pockets of generously designed padfolios, clipboards with reasonable storage compartments, and over sun visors of vehicles, just to name a few). I have even heard of them being carried duct taped to various parts of the body and I have had mine go unnoticed or mistaken for a cigarette lighter or other novelty (by novices and trained professionals alike) when in plain sight.

Though its handling qualities make it awkward at best, its ultra concealability allows the NAA Mini Revolver to be carried unobtrusively where larger firearms might be detected, which makes it useful in liberty compromising environments that are hostile to firearms (no, it is not impervious to metal detectors, x-rays, and determined searches so do not try it). While no substitute for a more conventional defensive handgun, the NAA Mini Revolver will reliably provide five shots that should be sure at contact to arm's length distances when it is used as a "belly gun" whenever a larger firearm is unavailable (or imprudent to carry) and a knife may prove unwieldy. Thus, while regarded "unsuitable", the little NAA Mini Revolver is far from useless.

Survival: Don't Forget the Can Opener

2011-07-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

I am conscious of preparedness and I believe that it is prudent to have supplies on hand to withstand emergencies. "Survival" brings about images of everything from wilderness retreats to simple, FEMA recommended, seventy-two hour emergency kits that are designed to take the edge off until services are restored or help can arrive. Many focus upon key elements of survival and preparedness that may mirror personal interests, such as firearms, gardening, and ham radio. But regardless of the level of preparedness and the budget available, overlooking small details, such as a can opener, can cause inconveniences that can disrupt quality of life.

Can openers are rarely thought of as electric can openers occupy counter space in most modern kitchens and at least one mechanical or handheld one generally resides in a drawer. Most people take can openers for granted and put little thought in them as long as they fulfill their purpose, which is opening cans. Under normal conditions, a broken can opener is an inconvenience, easily remedied by visiting a discount store. But, in an emergency, a can opener is a lifeline if you are dependent upon commercially canned foods for a portion of your sustenance. In such an instance, a can opener has significant importance.

If the only can opener available is electric and power is not available, your ability to open canned food is compromised. This is likewise the case if your mechanical can opener breaks or is lost. Certainly, cans can be opened with a good knife blade but that is awkward, time consuming, and it ultimately compromises the edge and limits the effectiveness of a necessary tool (it is also likely that if you forgot a can opener, you forgot a sharpening stone or may not use one well; perhaps, you even forgot the knife).

Since several spare mechanical can openers can be easily acquired due to their low cost (the nearly bullet proof, military designed, P-38 can opener is typically sold for less than one dollar), this is an issue that can be easily rectified. It is worth noting that can openers found on genuine Swiss Army and Boy Scout knives, are especially rugged which can make one of these versatile implements an important part of your kit if for no other reason. It is also worth mentioning that if you are a product of contemporary society and do not know how to operate a mechanical can opener, take the initiative and learn by opening a few cans to increase your level of preparedness.

Do You Really Trust the Police More than You Do Yourself?

2011-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:00

In our current society, where government invades virtually every facet of human life, we are led to believe that those who represent governmental agencies are more competent, better trained, and even more valuable than ordinary citizens. Indeed, government agents are accompanied by their own protective legislation which makes assaulting them more of a crime than simply harming Mr. Everyman, John Q. Public. Perhaps this is a worthy consideration, for they protect and care for us while we are incapable of handling our our own affairs.

They are quick to remind us of this fact too, telling us to stand down for we lack special training and impeccable qualifications. They lay their lives on the line for us and it is not within our venue to face danger and be placed at risk. Often, we are discouraged from protecting ourselves by being reminded that a weapon is more likely to be turned against us rather than save us. For added effect, we are terrorized by the possibilities of criminal reprisal and civil litigation, should we not wait for the authorities to protect us and the blind lady of justice to serve us.

It is well that, in our modern society, the mean, cruel, nasty, and brutish aspects of human life can be addressed by professionals, leaving us to merrily play on the Internet, watch TV, and debauch as we see fit. Sadly though, our protectors are not always erstwhile. Sometimes, they are brutal, corrupt, and incompetent while at other times, they are simply victims of circumstance since they are not guided by crystal balls that predict future events. Thus, while we still have a few rights left, we can improve our chances by committing to protect ourselves.

Can the average citizen protect himself? He has been doing so since our nation was founded, long before telephones and radios could send legions of police to intercede on his behalf. But is he competent to do so? An average of 2.5 rounds is typically fired in a gunfight. The police typically miss their targets 85% of the time. In other words, back when the police carried six shot revolvers, they were likely to make a hit one in six times. Now that they carry high capacity semi-automatic pistols, they are still likely to make a hit one in six times.

That means that statistically, for every one shot that the police successfully hit a bad guy with, five rounds are going who knows where. With a revolver, they had to stop and reload before sending another five rounds wildly downrange. Now, thanks to technology, they can hit the bad guy twice and send thirteen rounds in every other conceivable direction without reloading. Do you really trust the police more than you do yourself?

Double Action Revolvers Still Provide Effective, Versatile Defense

2011-07-24T06:15:00.000-07:00

Thirty years ago, double action revolvers were highly favored for defense, being relied upon by law enforcement and civilians alike and they proliferated the market. Then came the age of the high capacity "Wonder Nine" and the trusty old revolver became a relic of the past, more suitable, in the eyes of many, for the novice rather than the skilled "operator". But double action revolvers have not faded away and they remain effective and versatile defensive weapons.

Those who criticize revolvers point to limited capacity, high bore axis (which renders greater perceived recoil than many semi-automatics), heavy double action triggers, bulky profiles, and slow reloading. They may also continue that extractor rods can loosen to bind actions, that revolvers shoot loose and get out of time, and that (at least in theory) the lock work of revolvers have more moving parts than semi-automatic pistols which makes them more likely to fail in adverse conditions.

While there is merit to these criticisms, semi-automatic pistols are not without issues. Double feeds and stove pipe jams (both of which are often caused by shooter error such as "limp wristing" and unseated magazines) can bind actions, a bad cartridge can momentarily stop a semi-automatic (which leads some to promote double strike capability), and damaged or lost magazines can compromise reliability and curtail function. Moreover, the service life of most handguns is finite which means that after so many rounds, they will require the attention of an armorer.

Proper care and maintenance, understanding the design and the limitations of your defensive handgun, and practice and more practice can eliminate the majority of criticisms that can can be directed towards both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, making them more academic than practical. On both sides on the aisle, some designs are more fragile than others. Many extoll the virtues of the Glock which has a well deserved reputation for reliability and durability, yet the Ruger GP 100 and the larger Redhawk offer similar qualities and may well represent the current pinnacle of evolution for double action revolvers.

What does the archaic, double action revolver really have to offer in the world of high capacity semi-automatics and rapid magazine changes? We could enter the land of the theoretical and say that as long as a handful of cartridges remain, the old revolver will keep shooting long after magazines have run dry. We can point to custom grips, such as those offered by Herrett's that make the revolver truly fit the hand of the shooter. We can indicate that revolvers are strong enough to handle the most powerful handgun cartridges in the world while semi-automatics are typically not and we can note that the fixed barrel renders accuracy that far exceeds the "combat accuracy" offered by many semi-autos.

But, the real virtue of the revolver is the combination of sufficient capacity (yet and still, an average of 2.5 rounds are fired in defensive situations), simplicity of operation (just open it, load it, close it, and pull the trigger), and substantial versatility. Since revolver cartridges headspace on the rims rather than the case mouths, overall cartridge length does not affect function as long as the cartridge fits in the chamber. Since revolvers do not have feed ramps, bullet profiles do not interfere with feeding. Since revolvers do not have slides that are dependent upon recoil springs, low chamber pressures does not cause revolvers to fail to cycle.

Thus, a revolver can be loaded up or down for specific applications without the necessity of changing barrels and/or recoil springs. This provides a field day for the hand loader (who is also gratified by not having to crawl around on the ground to recover his brass) but it is also useful for those who only use factory ammunition. For example, one who chooses the well proven .357 Magnum for defense can reliably shoot lower cost, milder mannered, .38 Special cartridges for practice by simply loading them in the chambers. Similarly, one who chooses a .44 Magnum for the field can use less powerful .44 Special cartridges which are more suited to defense against human attackers.

Of course, there are trade offs when you choose one handgun over another. For many years, six rounds of .357 Magnum ammunition in the cylinder and two loaded speed loaders (or a total of eighteen rounds) was considered adequate for most defensive applications requiring the use of a handgun. Although many now seem to feel unprepared without 45 rounds of .40 S&W at their disposal (which is five more rounds of ammunition than was held by an infantry cartridge box during the War Between the States) the double action revolver still provides capable, reliable defense with exceptional versatility that does not require purchasing and changing parts.

Purpose Driven Selection of Firearms

2011-07-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

Perhaps, in our consumer driven, technological society, we are compelled to “keep up with the Jones” by purchasing not only the best that is within our means but also that which appears to be better than what our friends and neighbors have. There are many excellent firearms available that capitalize upon this drive in the marketplace and they bring the latest technology, most popular enhancements, and latest trends to the table. Of course, they are also accompanied by the vehement debate of their proponents and detractors which sometimes leaves good, common sense drowning in a cacophony of debate, hypothesis, and criticism. While I am no enemy to technology and progress, I believe that when it comes to firearms, most shooters could make out just fine with that which has proven tried and true for the past century without compromising effectiveness or reliability.

For example, a bolt action rifle based upon the Mauser 98 action (such as the 1903 Springfield) in .30-06, a Browning Auto 5 semi-automatic shotgun in 12 gauge, a Colt 1911-A1 semi-automatic pistol in .45 ACP (or a Smith & Wesson Military and Police revolver in .38 Special), and a Marlin Model 1897 (now known as the Model 39A) lever action rifle in .22 Long Rifle will capably address almost every hunting, defensive, and informal recreational activity that could be encountered in North America, including survival. Add a Winchester Model 1894 lever action carbine in .30-30 Winchester to the list and you get a light, fast handling, two hundred yard woods rifle that could also serve in a defensive role.

The fact that these firearms, in some guise or another, are still produced today (with the exception of the Browning Auto 5) and the fact that their ammunition is almost universally available in the United States attests to their serviceability and the strength of their designs. The Ruger Model 77 is an excellent example of Mauser 98 lineage, the 1911 is now produced by a host of major manufacturers, the original S&W M&P is still available as the Model 10, and the Marlin 39A is regarded as the oldest long gun design that has enjoyed uninterrupted production. Sadly, the Auto 5, which remains widely popular, was discontinued due to its production costs and the Winchester Model 1894 is now only produced in expensive, high grade editions by Miroku of Japan. However, both are readily available used, they are still quite popular, and they are frequently encountered in the field.

Certainly, progress and technology have provided many effective firearms and cartridges besides those that have been mentioned above and for specific applications, they represent advances that provide tangible benefits that can lead to better performance within specific parameters. However, by establishing a baseline in consideration of a century's worth of proof, it is more easy to rationally evaluate not only how much technology is required, based upon individual goals and objectives, but what may be gained or sacrificed in the decision making process. In so doing, the selection of firearms becomes purpose driven rather than reactive.

Thoughts on Accuracy, Stopping Power, and "Marginal" Cartridges

2011-07-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

For years, debates regarding handgun stopping power have raged and many have their favorite cartridges that are hoped to be panacea for a deadly force encounter. My favorite is the .357 Magnum but that does not mean that I would feel under gunned with a .38 Special, 9mm Luger, or other cartridge that has been relegated by experts and gun shop commandos alike as "marginal". The fact is, nothing is one hundred percent. Sometimes, the best cartridges fail to stop and conversely, those that are looked down upon as inadequate or marginal sometimes do an admirable job.

I firmly believe that you should carry the most powerful handgun possible but I do not believe that accuracy and the ability to deliver rapid, well placed shots should be compromised for the sake of power. Shot placement is critical to stopping an assailant and neither misses nor peripheral hits with a handgun and cartridge combination that you do not shoot well will guarantee an end to an attack. Thus, a pistol chambered for the 9mm Luger cartridge that can be effectively used is far superior to a .40 S&W or.45 ACP that one does not shoot well.

Gun shops and periodicals are filled with advice and the misapplication of good advice can prove fatal for the stubborn and the ignorant. Back in the 1990s, I was conducting a concealed carry class and one participant, who was fairly well off, was determined to have the "best" defensive handgun and ammunition available, in accordance to the advice that he had received. Thus, he had acquired a beautiful, Colt Gold Cup and several boxes of then new, Remington Golden Saber ammunition which had been well reviewed.

Sadly, his Colt would not reliably feed the ammunition that he had chosen. When he was advised to change ammunition, he adamantly stated "this is the best ammunition available and it is what I want to carry." He was unable to explain how ammunition that rendered his pistol a single shot could be considered the "best" and he grudgingly bought ammunition that fed reliably. He then demonstrated that he was sensitive to recoil and that he was not a good shot. Although such deficiencies can be overcome, the fact of the matter was that the pistol and the cartridge for which it was chambered, contrary to reasonable advice, were unsuited to the level of skill and knowledge of the user which rendered them ineffective and far from "best" under the circumstances.

Firearms enthusiasts sometimes make the mistake of assuming that everyone who purchases a firearm will ultimately share their zeal for shooting and for knowledge. This is just not the case and many who carry firearms on a daily basis (even in professional capacities) never develop more than very basic skills and knowledge. For such shooters, control of the firearm (and simplicity of operation) will ensure greater success than optimum stopping power and "marginal" cartridges with low recoil such as the .38 Special and 9mm Luger may well prove more effective for them than more powerful cartridges that are more difficult to master.

Reflections Upon .22 Caliber Handguns

2011-07-08T06:56:00.000-07:00

I'm not much into hiking or backpacking per se but ever since I was a kid, I have enjoyed knocking about in the woods whenever the opportunity arose. Long ago, I found the companionship of a .22 to be convenient for dispatching snakes and other vermin and the source of many fun, impromptu plinking sessions. At first, my .22 of choice was limited to the only one available: an old Remington Model 33 single shot rifle that had been handed down from my great grandfather. A few years later, it was upgraded to a Ruger 10/22 and at the age of fifteen, I passed the point of no return, acquiring my first .22 handgun as a birthday present. Since then, I have tried to keep some type of a .22 pistol or revolver on hand and I have had the opportunity to own and shoot many good ones and a couple of bad ones.

My first handgun was a New Model Ruger Single Six, a convertible chambered in .22 Long Rifle with an extra cylinder for the substantially more powerful .22 Magnum cartridge. This single action revolver came from Montgomery Ward in May of 1982, just prior to my fifteenth birthday and being presented with that yellow and black box, emblazoned with the Sturm, Ruger logo, was one of the most exciting moments of my life. After getting it into my hands, I could barely wait to shoot it. At the time, I was a decent shot with a .22 rifle and I naturally assumed that I would shoot this new revolver equally well. Suffice it to say that, though I encountered a learning curve that was only cured by a lot of practice and a liberal supply of ammunition, I was thereafter hooked on handguns.

My next .22 caliber handgun came just a couple of years later, a beautiful Smith & Wesson Model 651 in .22 WMR that was also purchased from Montgomery Ward. This light and handy, double action kit gun, with a four inch barrel, was much less bulky than the six and one half inch Single Six and it could have promised great potential, had it not had an atrocious trigger and been prone to consistently misfire on one chamber. As a result, it spent much of its time just sitting pretty in its dark blue Smith and Wesson box and in time, I discovered a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22 Long Rifle to be a more reliable, compact companion for the woods. With it's three inch barrel, it also carried conveniently in my hip pocket.

One day, I entered a gun store and saw a used Beretta 70S in .22 Long Rifle. I picked it up, fell in love with it on the spot, and made arrangements to acquire it. A .22 Long Rifle built on a .380 ACP platform, it had a bulky thumb rest grip and an adjustable rear sight, which made it more importable in the eyes of the BATF. An attractive, exceedingly accurate, rather compact pistol, it replaced the Pathfinder, becoming my back pocket pistol for the woods. As a matter of fact, for awhile, it was the only .22 caliber handgun that I bothered to shoot and it flawlessly digested thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Back then, I was convinced that a revolver was more reliable than a semi-automatic pistol, so I decided to test the Beretta 70S to see just how long it would remain reliable without regular cleaning. .22 rimfire cartridges are notoriously nasty due to "dirty", heavily fouling powders and outside lubricated bullets so I felt that I would be getting jams after a few hundred rounds. Over a period of time, I shot the little Beretta, put it away, and shot it some more. The action began to feel gritty and the chamber got nasty, but it continued to function reliably. I grew weary of my test, losing count after 3,000 rounds. When the little pistol refused to fail, I gave it the good cleaning that it well deserved.

I started regularly shooting centerfire revolvers and I began reloading and casting my own bullets in order to feed them. For awhile, I felt that I had outgrown my .22s and some, including the wonderful little Beretta, were foolishly traded to acquire bigger and better things. One day, I came to the realization that I was spending more time pulling the handle of a Lyman turret press than I was pulling a trigger and I decided that a full sized .22 caliber revolver would not be bad to practice with. So, I bought a Smith & Wesson Model 18 with a four inch barrel, and a couple of speed loaders and began shooting drills with it.

The Model 18 was an excellent revolver that handled like its more powerful, K-Frame counterparts, such as the famous Combat Masterpiece, and provided the legendary accuracy of the Model 17. It perfectly fit my "Border Patrol" holster, the type popularized by Bill Jordan, and its speed loaders were right at home in the pouch that typically carried those for a .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Efficiently speed loading a .22 revolver can be quite a challenge due to the small chambers so the practice that the Model 18 provided proved to valuable on the combat course.

Shooting the Model 18 provided the realization that the .22 was more than just a plinker or a toy for the woods. With this in mind, I bought a Ruger Government Model Target and tried my hand at some Bullseye shooting. Bullseye requires much precision and rigid methodology and with the coaching of a distinguished, elderly gentleman who once competed at Camp Perry, my Ruger and I, with some high dollar Eley ammunition, were holding our own in an environment filled with High Standards and Smith & Wesson Model 41s. This experience refined my shooting but I ultimately found it tedious and boring so I took up shooting bowling pins with a Ruger GP-100 in .357 Magnum and once again put my .22s on the back burner.

Fortunes sometimes change and a once impressive gun collection had to be pared down and the reloading presses put into storage. Shooting became limited to occasional practice with centerfire defensive pistols. One day, I stumbled upon an Armscorp P-22, an Argentine copy of the Colt Woodsman, for $150. I looked it over and turned my nose up at it. A short time later, it went on sale for $125 and I thought "what the heck?" I bought it and some cheap ammo and I was pleasantly surprised. It jammed occasionally, probably due to the rather fragile magazines, but the accuracy was astounding for such a cheap pistol and I was once again shooting a .22 on a regular basis.

A friend of mine owns a large piece of land and after spending some time shooting on it, I wanted a compact .22 that I could drop in my pocket and carry conveniently when I went exploring. I came across some pistols that had been seized by a law enforcement agency and then sold to a gun store. The prices were quite attractive and I bought a Beretta 950 BS in .22 Short and a Beretta 21 A in .22 Long Rifle. The Beretta 950 BS delivered amazing accuracy from a pistol that could be eclipsed by a pack of cigarettes. In comparison, the larger Beretta 21A was more accurate but its chunky profile made it less appealing than its smaller cousin when it was slipped into a front pants pocket.

While I was satisfied with both Berettas, I stumbled upon a little money and, perhaps recalling the Charter Arms Pathfinder and the Beretta 70S, I became enamored with a Smith and Wesson Model 317. Selling the Beretta 21 A to help fund the transaction, I purchased one at an exorbitant retail price. Tucking away nicely in my hip pocket, I felt that its ultra light weight, adjustable sights, and J-Frame size would make it a perfect companion in the woods. Instead, its mediocre accuracy and tendency to misfire on two cylinders, with every ammunition that I tried, led me to regret selling the Beretta 21 A. So, I began regularly carrying the 950 BS on my excursions and the Smith & Wesson Model 317 quickly found a new home.

I have currently reached a point where I am without a .22 caliber handgun and I am shopping for another one. After being a pistol shooter for nearly thirty years, I have come to regard a quality .22 as a necessity and I will soon purchase another one. I have shot several Ruger 22/45s, which provide a lot of bang for the buck, and I have set my sights on one. However, if I stumble across a Beretta 70 S at a reasonable price, I will jump on it without thinking twice. Who knows, I might try something else altogether different and add to the list of .22 caliber handguns that I have found to be enjoyable over the years.

The Delightful Webley & Scott Ltd MK IV

2011-07-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

Originally designed as a more mild mannered replacement for the Webley Mark VI in .455 Eley for British military service, the Webley & Scott Ltd Mark IV, a double action revolver chambered for the .380/200 (.38 S&W) cartridge, became a substitute standard to the Enfield No. 2 Mark I during World War II. A top break design, its stirrup (which retains the backstrap) gives the Webley greater strength than other break top revolvers and its automatic extractor can allow it to be reloaded surprisingly fast by familiar hands. While speedloaders are not available for it, those designed for smaller framed six shot revolvers like the Colt Detective Special can be made to work acceptably and Bianchi Speed Strips perform well.

The relative lack of power provided by the .380/200 (.38 S&W) cartridge has long been criticized. Originally loaded for British service with a 200 gr. lead bullet at around 620 FPS, current .38 S&W cartridges are loaded with 146 gr. RNL bullets at around 680 fps. The actual effectiveness of this little cartridge falls somewhat between glowing reports of rather long tumbling bullets providing extraordinary results on one hand and bouncing off of German greatcoats on the other. While the modest ballistics of this cartridge can be improved with handloads, the .380/200 (.38 S&W) will never be a powerhouse and many consider it to be bare for defensive applications.

Yet, in its day, the .380/200 (.38 S&W) was a surprisingly popular police cartridge and pocket pistols in this caliber, made by everyone from Iver Johnson and Harrington & Richardson to Colt and Smith & Wesson were quite popular. Perhaps this is for two reasons: 1. Small and inexpensive break top revolvers in this caliber were once prolific and they were even available by mail order back in the era when the Constitution still guided the laws of the United States. 2. The .380/200 (.38 S&W) is pleasant to shoot and surprisingly accurate; target pistols were once made in this caliber and none other than Elmer Keith extolled its accuracy.

While many regard the revolvers such as the Webley & Scott Mark IV and cartridges such as the .380/200 (.38 S&W) as suitable memories of a bygone era, I find my old Webley to be an utter delight! Remington .38 S&W ammunition loaded with 146 gr. RNL bullets shoot precisely to point of aim and can be consistently stacked one atop the other, shot offhand at seven yards (I have witnesses that will attest to this). While many would put the archaic old Webley away, I have shot mine regularly over the years, I still carry it, and I remain confident in its simple design and stellar accuracy. Originally purchased for a mere $85 back in the 1990s, my old Webley & Scott Mark IV represents a small investment that keeps on giving.

The .22 for Survival

2011-07-05T07:20:00.000-07:00

Survival is a big word that has many connotations. Some view it as a short term proposition, requiring just a few days worth of provisions to weather the worst part of a disaster. Others view it as a long term ordeal, requiring extensive stockpiles and wilderness retreats to offset political chaos and economic collapse. Still others view it as a continuous, self sufficient lifestyle that allows them to simply drop out of society. All have differing views as to where firearms may fit into their plans. Some see no need for firearms at all while others build extensive arsenals to accommodate defense and foraging in a variety of circumstances.

Regardless of individual levels of preparedness, a rifle or handgun in .22 Long Rifle caliber can be quite useful, providing that one has or is willing to develop the skills to effectively use it. The .22 has long been a standard for small game, it easily dispatches vermin, and in a pinch, it can take medium, non-dangerous game and serve in a defensive capacity, provided it's potential for accuracy is fully utilized. Its mild report, which does not carry very far, is not disruptive in semi-rural environments and fifty to one hundred rounds of ammunition is easily carried in a pocket.

.22 rifles are light and handy, as are full sized .22 pistols and revolvers. A take down .22 such as the Browning 22 in Grade I can carry unobtrusively in a backpack as will the popular Ruger 10/22 with the addition of a folding stock. Although more difficult for many to master than a rifle, full sized .22 pistols and revolvers such as the Ruger 22/45, the Browning Buck Mark, and the Smith & Wesson 617 carry even more conveniently than rifles and are capable of exceptional accuracy in experienced hands. Five hundred rounds of .22 Long Rifle ammunition is quite inexpensive, will last a long time when prudently used, and takes up comparatively little space.

.22s of various designs, including combination guns offering a single shot .22 barrel over a single shot shotgun barrel, have long been considered viable additions to survival gear in aircraft because of their relatively light weight, comparatively compact size, and substantial utility. Likewise, .22 pistols and revolvers have long been popular trail guns for those who spend substantial time outdoors. These qualities make rifles or pistols chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge suitable for emergency kits for vehicles and campers where space may be limited.

A .22 rifle or pistol could stand alone in an emergency, being used for such purposes as foraging, defense, and signaling. However, its modest ballistics make it less than ideal for medium and larger game and personal protection against aggressive humans and animals. The .22 really shines when it is a secondary firearm used in conjunction with a more powerful weapon carried for specific purposes (e.g. a .22 rifle paired with a carefully chosen defensive handgun or a .22 pistol or revolver paired with a centerfire rifle or shotgun). In this instance, the .22 can greatly extend one's capacity for weathering the most adverse situations while providing the added bonus of serving as an extra weapon if the primary firearm becomes lost or damaged. For these reasons, the versatile .22 is a worthy addition to any survival kit.

Independence Day, 2011

2011-07-04T02:47:00.000-07:00

Today is Independence Day, July 4, 2011. I believe that our Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves. They created a confederacy of states that could defend itself; they did not create a leviathan national government to intrude into every aspect of our personal lives and tyrannize in the name of general welfare. But somehow, that is what we have wound up with. Patriots understand this and those who do not are enemies of liberty, plain and simple.

I have reached a point where I believe that our nation is crumbling away and my faith that the damage can be repaired at the ballot box has been shaken. We elect candidates who, for the most part, say one thing and do another, regardless of their party affiliation. What real progress have we seen since the last election? The national debt is still extraordinary, the economy remains in a shambles, we continue to intervene in the affairs of other countries without any perceivable benefit to the American people, and individual liberty is left forgotten on the back burner.

We are taxed and regulated to death. Our health and safety are now the venue of our employers and government at every level rather than private matters. Our economy mirrors global interests and not the well being of our country and its citizens. Exclusive rights are legislated for special interests while the natural rights preserved by the Constitution are impinged daily with impunity. Corporate and public welfare are now standard operating procedures of governance.

The advice of Tsun Tzu should well be heeded: we need to know our enemies, choose our battles wisely, and never engage in battles we cannot win. Simply put, all who would abrogate the Constitution as it was provided by the Founding Fathers should be viewed as public enemies. To bargain and compromise with them is to negotiate with criminals: that which is morally and ethically right will always be sullied by their filthy hands. While we cannot waste our resources in reactive disarray, we can adhere to our principles and resist any encroachment upon our liberty at every level, whether it be in the guise of policy, ordinance, regulation, or law.

On this Independence Day, it is time for prayerful reflection regarding the state of our nation. Those who love liberty are a minority but a diligent minority can be successful as demonstrated by our forefathers who threw off the yoke of British tyranny. Let us pledge to follow their lead and oppose tyranny at every level within our society. Let us recognize that tyranny is worthy of no cooperation and to entertain it is to accept slavery. Deo vindice.

The .22 for Defense

2011-07-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

In Defensive Firearms for Tight Budgets, I mentioned that handguns and rifles chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge were not ideal for defense but could be pressed into service in an emergency. Since the suitability of a .22 as a primary weapon for defense is hotly debated with strong opinions on both sides of the aisle, I wanted to address this subject more fully.

On one hand, the modest little .22 has killed its fair share of people and game over the years and it has been used successfully by assassins, poachers, and citizens of every station for purposes that far exceed its limitations. On the other hand, its rimfire primer is more subject to failure than centerfire primers and its humble ballistics cannot be depended upon to produce a one shot stop on either a human assailant or a large, aggressive animal. Yet, ever since Smith and Wesson introduced the Model 1 in 1857, small .22 caliber handguns have been rather popular, despite their limitations, for those desiring a light and unobtrusive repeating firearm for defense.

Many of these handguns have been (and still are) quite inexpensive in comparison to larger, more powerful firearms, which makes them easier to acquire and their modest recoil makes them rather easy to control. One of my favorites, the Beretta 950 BS, in .22 Short, is no longer in production but they are often found used for around $150. I have found them to be quite satisfactory for carrying in a trouser pocket. The accompanying photograph shows eight shots fired from a Beretta 950 BS at seven yards (twenty-one feet), offhand.

If a .22 Long Rifle (or the less powerful .22 Short) is used for defense, its limitations must be understood. While accuracy is important in any defensive situation, it is critical when relying upon small, relatively slow .22 caliber bullets. A single, well placed shot may not immediately stop a determined attacker and a round carelessly lobbed towards center mass will be even less likely to end a confrontation; thus, multiple well placed shots in rapid succession may be necessary. Personally, if possible, I would eschew center mass with a .22 and deliver my rounds to the assailant's face, particularly the area between the eyebrows and the cheeks. Penetration to the brain would be an added bonus but at the very least, a blinded attacker will be less effective in carrying out his assault.

While it is prudent to be able to quickly clear the action and chamber another round with any semi-automatic that is used for defensive purposes, it is especially critical with a .22 because rimfire primers are more prone to misfires than are centerfire primers. Some semi-automatic pistols in .22 caliber, like the Beretta 950 BS and the Beretta Bobcat do not have extractors. Though they are well made pistols and I am quite fond of both, a misfire with either at an inopportune time could prove fatal since clearing the action requires tipping the barrel to eject the bad cartridge before another cartridge can be chambered; this is a more time consuming process than simply racking the slide. Perhaps a double strike will detonate the offensive cartridge in such an instance but I have never trusted a cartridge after it has failed once.

Having a firearm readily available and being able to consistently hit the target with it are two absolute necessities if one intends to successfully use a gun for self defense. While .22s are not ideal defensive weapons, they are affordable, available in easily carried configurations, and their ammo is cheap enough to allow regular practice. By understanding their limitations and applying good marksmanship skills, the .22 rimfire can prove useful for defense. Though I have heard many state that they would not stake their life on a .22, I have seen many owners of $1,000 plus Government Models in .45 ACP demonstrate that they would be far better served by carrying a club for defense due to poor marksmanship skills, little commitment to practice, and sensitivity to recoil.

Premier Cigarette Tobacco

2011-07-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Premier Cigarette tobacco is made by Commonwealth Brands of Reidsville, North Carolina. Recently, I rolled and smoked a couple of bags of Bull Durham pipe tobacco (also produced by Commonwealth Brands) and I found it to be of better quality than many dual use smoking tobaccos that are currently available. In flavor, it was not unlike the USA Gold brand of cigarettes also produced by this company. It was also equally fast burning and I detected just a hint of harshness in the smoke. I was somewhat reticent to purchase Premier Cigarette Tobacco for fear that it was just a more expensive, finer cut version of Bull Durham.

I was quite surprised when I tried it! It is satisfying to those of us who prefer stronger tobaccos and it provides a refined flavor that is not harsh. Premier Cigarette Tobacco yields hand rolled smokes that will compete favorably against factory produced cigarettes (of which I have smoked a considerable number as I have been smoking for more than twenty-five years). As a matter of fact, I just rolled a stick with a Premier filter and a Top paper for a fellow smoker and he rated it better than the iconic national brand of cigarettes that he regularly purchases. Premier Cigarette Tobacco is worthy of its name.

Constant Preparedness: Lessons from Our Grandparents on Survival

2011-07-01T11:07:00.000-07:00

Perhaps fueled by the pessimism of uncertain times, many are focused upon preparedness and September 2011 is the eighth National Preparedness Month. FEMA provides reasonable advice about maintaining emergency kits with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, prescription medications, sanitary needs, a battery or crank powered radio, a flashlight and spare batteries, matches, and other items beneficial to survival. Such kits are prudent but they are geared towards weathering short-term disruptions of services until order is restored and, in worst case scenarios, aid is provided. Hopefully, this is all that will ever be necessary but if not, the wisdom of some of our grandparents can enable us to get by for longer than just a few days.

My grandparents lived through the lean times of the Great Depression and the rationing of World War II and I believe that their experiences led them to a state of constant preparedness. They always raised a garden and they gathered fruit from an ancient grapevine that grew in their back yard, blackberry thickets in nearby fields, and various fruit trees that grew on their property. They kept chickens which provided eggs and my grandfather and a friend would usually kill a hog in the fall. He was also an occasional hunter so deer, rabbits, and doves made it to the table with some frequency. They canned vegetables, put up preserves, and country hams seemed to always be hanging in their smokehouse.

They never waited until they ran out before purchasing necessities and they took advantage of sales. Their 1940s vintage freezer, which was kept on their back porch, was always full and commercially canned foodstuffs augmented what they had put up themselves. They also kept a plentiful supply of dry goods, toilet tissue, medicinal items, and other necessities on hand. Both were smokers and several cartons of cigarettes were usually in the house as well as tobacco for my grandfather's pipes. His three well used firearms (two shotguns and one rifle) were properly maintained and he kept a modest amount of ammunition for each. Kerosene lamps and candles were in their proper places, the oil drum for the oil circulators was kept full, and there was always wood ready for the fireplace, though it was seldom used. They also kept cash on hand because they did not particularly trust banks (as a matter of fact, my grandmother had horded silver ever since clad coins were introduced in 1965).

During the winter, my grandparents were subject to lose power when ice storms hit and there were times that it took a week or more for it to be restored. When ice was in the forecast, they drew water, filling the tub, the sinks, and large pots. They then made sure that the kerosene lamps and candles were handy and fires were laid in the fireplaces. When the power failed, they did not fret nor call for help. They simply waited out the storm, eating what was in the refrigerator first and then what was frozen, reserving the canned and dry goods that were not susceptible to spoilage. This they regarded as an inconvenience, not an emergency, as they had lived without electricity or running water in the past.

My grandparents' simple and somewhat frugal lifestyle led them to a state of constant preparedness, ensuring that basic necessities were always plentiful and that "emergencies" that now seem to require FEMA intervention could be taken with stride. They were not obsessed with survival, they simply lived in a manner that they had become accustomed to and, while they lacked a bomb shelter and a bunker, a load of buckshot was readily available for anyone who would disrupt the tranquility of their little place in the country. While FEMA provides good advice for preparedness to suit short-term survival, I believe that we should all take lessons from our grandparents who prepared and survived every day without even thinking about it.

Defensive Firearms for Tight Budgets

2011-06-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Opinions vary in regard to the types of defensive firearms that are ideal for worst case scenarios but contemporary semi-automatic pistols and rifles designed for military and law enforcement purposes (e.g. pistols such as the many derivatives of the the Colt 1911-A1 in .45 ACP and the Beretta Model 92-F in 9mm Luger and rifles such as the AR-10 in 7.62x51 NATO or the AR-15 in 5.56x45 NATO as now produced by many manufacturers) are frequently recommended. This is sensible since these firearms were designed to function under adverse conditions and offer reasonable accuracy and stopping power at combat ranges. Sadly, the most basic arsenal, consisting of a pistol and a rifle from this category, can easily exceed $1,500.

What should you do if you have a limited budget and cannot afford such princely sums? I have seen more than one gun shop commando sneer at a gun of lower cost before condescending to state "I would not stake my life on that." Certainly it is prudent to buy the best defensive weapons that you can afford as they are tools that you may literally stake your life upon. However, there is no guarantee that the bad guys will wait to act until after you have sacrificed, scrimped, and saved for months to acquire your optimum defensive firearm. Hence, a working gun in the hand is far more effective than one perched on a gun shop rack, safely protected by its high price tag. Here are a few options:

Pump Shotguns: Providing impressive short range defensive capabilities, 12 gauge pump shotguns such as the Mossberg Model 500 are inexpensive (often under $300 new and less than $200 used). Originally used by the U.S. military during World War I and still in service today, 12 gauge pump shotguns have long been successfully employed by law enforcement. For defense, buckshot is typically effective to twenty-five yards; rifled slugs, shot from a smoothbore barrel with a bead site, can be reliable to around forty yards with practice. It is untrue that shotguns can simply be pointed in the general direction of an assailant to be effective. As with any firearm, a shotgun requires familiarity and practice if it is to be expected to serve you well.

Semi-automatic .22 Rifles: Semi-automatic rifles in .22 Long Rifle caliber are light, handy, and can provide impressive firepower while their mild report and lack of perceptible recoil lead to exceptional accuracy. Yet, the .22 Long Rifle cartridge is not typically recommended for defense, even though it has killed many people over the years. Effectively, it is not very powerful and it can provide a lethal wound that does not generate an immediate stop. On the plus side, their mild manner makes them easily mastered, even by children, and ammunition is cheap, providing the means for regular practice. Many good semi-automatic rifles in .22 Long Rifle caliber are available, new and used, for under $200 and finding a good one for less than $100 is not unheard of. One of my favorites is the Ruger 10/22 which can be found new for under $240.

.22 Caliber Pistols and Revolvers: Semi-automatic pistols and revolvers in .22 Long Rifle caliber provide many of the advantages and disadvantages of the.22 rifle in a more compact package that can be more easily transported (carried) unobtrusively. For many years, I carried some sort of a .22 caliber handgun in my vehicle to take advantage of opportunities for impromptu plinking sessions and to dispatch vermin when the opportunity arose. Though it is far from being an ideal defensive weapon, it can be pressed into service in the event of an emergency. The excellent Ruger .22/45, which has a ten round magazine capacity, was recently on sale at a major sporting goods chain for $239.

Former Military and Police Weapons: Former military and police weapons are sometimes available at bargain basement prices. Chinese SKS rifles (a semi-automatic in 7.62x39 caliber), the excellent Makarov pistol, and its kinsmen, the CZ 82 and Radom P-64 (all in 9mm Makarov) can be found for less than $300. Tokarev TT-33s and CZ 52s (in 7.62x25) are also available in the same price range but the Mickey Mouse safety on imported Tokarevs (and the lack of a safety beyond half cock on unmodified ones) and the firing pin design of the CZ-52 do not make them suitable for all users. Another excellent pistol, sometimes seen in the $300 price range and occasionally for less, is the Argentine FM Hi-Power, a licensed copy of the Browning Hi-Power.

Lever action carbines in pistol calibers have become rather pricey, probably due in part to the popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting and many possessing Winchester Model 94s came to believe that they were instantaneous collector items after production was initially stopped in 2006 (it has resumed but currently produced Winchester 94s are expensive imports made by Miroku of Japan). However, the venerable (and better, in my opinion) Marlin 336 and its variants are plentiful. Some sell new for around $350 and used ones frequently sell for under $300 in .30-30 Winchester and .35 Remington. Offering the same level of power as the Russian 7.62x39 military cartridge made famous by the AK-47, Marlin's old lever action provides capable defense in a politically correct package that looks just like what it is: an old deer rifle.

While some of these suggestions will provide for more effective defense than others, all will serve the purpose at hand far better than a $1000 firearm that is not in your possession. Furthermore, neither is an imprudent waste of money as all serve a viable purpose even after more expensive, cutting edge firearms can be purchased. Shotguns, in addition to providing effective close range defense, are quite versatile for a variety of game. Rifles and handguns chambered for the .22 Long Rifle cartridge provide such economical utility and practice, they are common on farms across the country. The SKS has proven itself to be a viable, three hundred yard combat rifle in field conditions, the Makarov is a popular concealed carry pistol, the CZ 52 is a powerful pistol with a cult following, and the Hi-Power is one of the most prolific military pistols of the Twentieth Century. The old Marlin .30-30 is as popular now as it ever was and it remains a favorite, handy to carry, easy to use deer rifle where ranges rarely exceed two hundred yards.

1972 Pace Arrow Motor Home

2011-06-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

Late last year, I bought a twenty-four foot, 1972 Pace Arrow motor home from a friend of mine. I am still quite new to RV camping and as of yet, with the exception of spending one night in it, I have not yet used it. I hope that will soon change as I find it to be quite spacious and well laid out for my purposes. As a matter of fact, I am sure that I will enjoy spending a few days near the coast in it.

While it lacks some of the amenities of newer, more modern motor homes, it did not cost as much as a house. The only downside that I can see thus far is that it drives like an old bus or truck which provides additional challenges when one is not accustomed to driving a vehicle of this size. As a matter of fact, I have been informed that no mailbox was safe along the stretch of highway that I drove it down.

I will admit that the age of the vehicle concerns me since I in no way claim to be a mechanic and I will definitely purchase roadside assistance through Good Sam before I drive it too far. On the plus side, all of the appliances work just fine and I was rather surprised at how simple they are to operate. As I understand it, the Pace Arrow was an especially nice motor home in the era in which this one was built and from what little knowledge I have gained thus far, this seems to be a fair evaluation.

I have spent some time perusing various groups and publications related to RV camping so as to be better prepared for my first excursion to a campground, which I hope will occur in late summer or early fall, depending upon work and finances. I have been rather amazed as to the information available from those who seem content living full time in their RVs. After checking campground rates, I must say that this appears to be an attractive option in our current economic climate.

Bali Shag Classic European Blend

2011-06-27T18:41:00.000-07:00

Bali Shag Classic European Blend cigarette tobacco is marketed by Commonwealth Brands of Reidsville, North Carolina. It is locally available for $24.95 in a 5.29 ounce tin that includes 200 70mm cigarette papers. According to the packaging, it is made in Belgium for sale in the United States.

Upon opening the sealed container, I found fresh, quality shag, free of "bird's eyes" that, after rolling coarser pipe tobacco, is a delight to roll. Sadly, this is where the delight ended. Very mild, it is not very satisfying if one is accustomed to stronger American blends. For me, Bali Shag Classic European Blend cigarette tobacco is best rolled to a wide gauge and smoked without a filter.

Cheap Chinese Knives

2011-06-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

I always carry a knife and I feel naked without one as it is a tool that is frequently used. There was a time when I was quite discriminating and I would not have purchased a cheap knife but over the years, I have lost and broken many good quality knives. Last year, as a lark, I bought a little Chinese switchblade that I have kept on the table as an amusement which admirably serves as a letter opener. Here and there, I have picked up a few more of these little no name knives because they are cheap (often under $5.00) collectibles.

Cheap knives are just that. They tend to be soft and they do not maintain an edge very well but they are useful for tasks that you would not typically assign to an expensive knife. Hence, they are also more prone to abuse which can limit their life expectancy. On the other hand, should they break, get lost, or simply need to be thrown away, they can be discarded without regret and they are easily replaced.

The knife in the photograph was purchased yesterday at a flea market for $8.50. Out of the box, it was dull but a few minutes with a sharpening steel brought the atrocious edge to a useable level. It is not a switchblade but it opens quickly and easily with one hand; the liner lock is positive. Like many knives produced these days, it has a clip on the back that allows it to be conveniently carried in a pocket. While not a replacement for a good knife, it fills a niche that makes it well worth its modest price.

Gun Shop Cracker Barrel Crowd

2011-06-20T03:46:00.000-07:00

I grew up shooting and while I enjoy most firearms, I shoot handguns more than anything else. Over the years, I have shot Bullseye matches, bowling pin matches, and a number of combat courses. While I would never hold myself out to be an expert, I consider myself competent and, should it fall within my area of knowledge, I do not mind providing advice or assistance to others. I have met many like minded people at gun shops, gun shows, firing ranges, and firearms related events and I have found that there are many genuinely good and generous people in the shooting community.

Sadly, there are also quite a few jerks who routinely inhabit these locations. Bad enough within themselves, they often congregate, becoming a cracker barrel crowd of condescending, armchair experts whose know it all approach aggravates knowledgeable people and alienates those with limited experience. Even worse, the proprietors and staff of some gun shops have attitudes that propagate this cracker barrel crowd which ultimately becomes their own personal cheering section, encouraging arrogantly rude service, poor advice, and an inhospitable environment that poorly reflects upon everyone who engages in shooting sports.

I encountered one of these shops this past weekend in southeastern North Carolina. Upon entering the store, the cracker barrel chatter was reduced to low grumbles while the man behind the counter greeted me with a frown without bothering to speak. I quickly glanced down to ensure that I had not forgotten my pants but all was in order: my slacks, casual shoes, belt, and golf shirt were present and accounted for. I then glanced over the inventory, noticing the really high prices, and I was gratified that my presence seemed to inconvenience some of the cracker barrel crowd who felt obligated to move out of the way.

After perusing for about five minutes, still being frowned at but not yet having been spoken to, I decided to engage the friendly man behind the counter and asked "Is there a range in the area?" "It's private," he replied. He offered no further details and I felt that it was fair for me to assume that his shop was private too, so I walked out. Upon leaving, I did verify that the sign on the door said "open" and that there was nothing to indicate that it was a member's only establishment.

Needless to say, I will never do business with this particular shop (I don't know the name of it as it simply had a sign above the door that said "guns"). Of course, the prices alone would determine this even if the stellar customer service had not been an issue. Had I not stumbled upon similar shops in the past, I might have been more put out than I was and were I unfamiliar with shooting, I might conclude that this unfriendly attitude is representative of the shooting sports in general. Fortunately, this is not the case and shops and shooters like this are in the minority.

Never, Ever Do Business with Merchant's Tire and Auto

2011-06-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

Today, I had a minor issue with my vehicle and I was having trouble getting a bolt broken loose because of a combination of its location (under the vehicle) and the poor selection of tools readily available. There were several shops nearby and since the vehicle was drivable, I sought assistance.

The first place I went to was Merchant's Tire and Auto. As I approached the entrance, I noticed five or six open bays and one bay with a car inside. A grossly obese man who seemed to be in charge greeted me as I entered and I briefly explained my problem and asked how much it would cost if they put my vehicle on a rack and broke the offensive bolt loose.

With the satisfied expression of a toad who had just gobbled up a fly, he replied "$18.50." I nodded my head, thinking I was being ripped off, but wishing to put the little problem behind me and continue with my day, I felt it was worthwhile. Before I could speak, the corpulent putz entered into a diatribe about how busy Saturdays are, that he couldn't put me before the other customers who were waiting in the lounge, and that it would take at least four hours to get to me.

I looked at the empty lounge, the empty bays, and the smirking, bloated countenance before me. Sinful thoughts nearly overwhelmed me for a moment, but I maintained my composure. I smiled and thanked Mr. Lardbottom for his trouble and left. As I exited, I made three notes to myself: 1. Laws against battery are specifically designed to protect people like this; 2. Put a breaker bar in the vehicle; 3. Never, ever do business with Merchant's Tire and Auto under any circumstances and share this experience with as many as possible.

Using an Altoids Tin as a Cigarettes Case

2011-06-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

I have yet to find a perfect cigarette case for my 70mm hand rolled smokes. When I first started rolling my own, I used discarded flip top boxes that had previously held commercially produced cigarettes. This works but the boxes tend to deteriorate and need to be replaced. The next solution was a plastic, flip top box, holding eighteen cigarettes. Modestly priced, the plastic box is durable and weather resistant yet it is bulky and, being sized for longer cigarettes, it provides wasted space.

While there are many slim and compact cigarette cases on the market that tastefully provide the elegance of a bygone era, I have been reluctant to purchase one because of size and capacity. Most contemporary cigarette cases are designed to hold king size, filtered cigarettes (many of these also accommodate 100s and 120s) and this provides substantial wasted space for 70mm sticks. While some of these cases hold a full pack of twenty cigarettes, most hold fewer and the most compact cases hold ten or less.

Searching the Internet for a new 70mm cigarette case that would hold at least a full pack of cigarettes (I am reticent to purchase an antique one for daily use), I stumbled across a bulletin board post that suggested using an Altoids tin as a cigarette case. I pondered over it and the put the idea on the back burner until I recently, emptied a tin of Altoids. Recalling the suggestion, I decided to give it a try.

The photo above shows the chunky plastic flip top box next to an empty Altoids tin. Both are filled to capacity with 70mm cigarettes and both suffer from wasted space. Both are approximately the same height and width, yet the Altoids tin is approximately 1/4" thinner (I eyeballed this and did not use a ruler for a precise measurement). Despite the difference in thickness, the Altoids tin holds more cigarettes than the plastic flip top box: twenty-one instead of eighteen.

While not elegant like the cigarette cases of yesteryear, the Altoids tin does provides five benefits. First, it is incognito; unless it is opened, no one would suspect that it was filled with cigarettes. This may prove beneficial in the NAZIesque anti-tobacco climate of today. Second, the thinner profile makes it more pleasant to carry in a pocket than the plastic flip top box. Third, the extra space is somewhat useful as it can hold small items (a pair of earplugs is pictured) without interfering with getting to the cigarettes. Of course, the most substantial benefit is cost. The Altoids tin is free and readily available.

Pipe Cut Versus Shag

2011-06-05T05:53:00.000-07:00

I started rolling my own cigarettes nearly two years ago as a measure of economy in response to the draconian excise taxes on cigarettes. Since these taxes also apply to cigarette tobacco, much of my experience has been with pipe cut, dual use tobacco that is substantially less expensive than the finer cut shag that has typically been reserved for cigarettes. While pipe cut tobacco can provide a satisfying, less expensive smoke, its rolling and burning properties are different and less convenient than shag. (In the accompanying photo, Drum Halfzware Shag is on the left an Bull Durham Pipe Tobacco is on the right.)

Most pipe cut tobacco is of a ribbon cut that resembles shag but it is thicker. As a result, it can cause a greater bind to the roller if too much tobacco is put on the "apron" or "blanket" than will shag. Without some care, this can slow the rolling process, lead to a broken roller, or bind and clog injectors for those who prefer stuffing cigarette tubes to rolling their own.

The cut of pipe tobacco and the level of moisture that it retains also makes it more likely than shag to burn out while it is being smoked. It also produces a coarser ash that is likely to fall from the cigarette at inopportune times. Air drying the tobacco before rolling it can reduce and sometimes eliminate the burn out but the only solution to the coarse ash is caution.

While the rolling and burning qualities of dual use pipe tobacco are less convenient than shag, they can be minimized with due diligence and neither within themselves should cause the substantial bargain provided by dual use pipe to be discounted. In my area, a 1.41 ounce pouch of Drum (one of my favorite shags) is $5.99 (it is $8.99 at Wal-Mart) while a .65 ounce pouch of Top or Bugler is $2.99. In contrast, a 3 ounce bag of Bull Durham pipe cut tobacco is $3.99.

Cherokee Tobacco: An Exceptional Value

2011-05-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

Lately, I have been rolling cigarettes with Cherokee Mellow Blend Premium Pipe Tobacco produced by the Cherokee Tobacco Company of South Boston, Va. With Top 70mm papers, I find this makes a quite satisfactory non-filtered cigarette of exceptional value. Locally, this tobacco is available for $15.99 per pound and Top cigarette papers are currently $1.29 per one hundred. As a rule of thumb, six ounces of tobacco produces around two hundred cigarettes which is the equivalent of a carton. Thus, a carton of non-filtered cigarettes rolled with Cherokee tobacco costs $8.57. If filtered cigarettes are desired, top cigarette plugs are available locally for $1.29 per one hundred and this would increase the cost per carton to $11.15. The Cherokee Tobacco Company has a website (http://www.cherokeetobacco.com) but it is apparently under construction following an officious and unreasonable attack levied by the FDA: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/ucm237506.htm.

Don't Overfill The Roller!

2011-05-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Last year, having carelessly broken a Top cigarette roller, I wrote about keeping a spare one in reserve. It has taken eleven months to do so, but I have managed to break yet another one and, once again it was my fault and not that of the machine. Cigarette rollers are not fragile but they can only handle a certain amount of pressure before they fail. In this instance, failure was the result of hasty and sloppy rolling. Succinctly, I overfilled the apron with tobacco and, rather than taking the time to clear it, I forced the roller closed and inadvertently broke it. While the Top roller is only $2.99 locally, it was an expense that I could have avoided with a bit more care and patience. If you roll your own cigarettes for economy, a broken roller is a foolish expenditure when it can be avoided with good technique.

Cigarette Rollers: Keep a Backup Handy

2010-06-25T07:13:00.000-07:00

I cannot roll very good cigarettes by hand. My finished products tend to be loose and sloppy and I find the process to be aggravating. As a result, I rely heavily upon a cigarette roller (also called a cigarette machine).

Many rollers incorporate an acrylic frame, two rollers, and a synthetic fabric. Modest in price, selling for two to three dollars each, they are available in 70mm, 78mm, and 100mm sizes. I use a 70mm roller most often as I have found that Top and Bugler 70mm papers to offer the best bargain.

My first roller (pictured), which I still use, is a Top 70mm that has held up quite well. I next bought two Zig Zag rollers: a 70mm and a 78mm. It did not take long for the fabric to separated on both of the Zig Zag machines, rendering them useless.

Realizing that the rollers might be a bit fragile, I bought a second Top Roller as a backup. I recently broke the second Top roller by putting too much pressure on it. As a result, one of the pegs securing the roller to the frame sheared off. This was the fault of the user and not the machine.

I just replaced the broken machine with another Top roller. I have learned that, whether due to user error or product deficiency, having a backup roller is imperative if your hand rolling skills are not up to par.

Bali Shag

2010-05-14T02:55:00.000-07:00

Bali Shag Halfzware is distributed in the United States by Commonwealth Brands which is now owned by the Imperial Tobacco Group, PLC. Imperial was founded in 1901, to frustrate the attempts of James Buchanan Duke and the American Tobacco Company to aggressively acquire British tobacco companies. Ironically, Commonwealth, which produces cigarettes such as USA Gold and Sonoma, now uses the former manufacturing facilities of the American Tobacco Company in Reidsville, North Carolina.

Bali Shag is marketed as "the best handrolling tobacco you can get." I bought a 1.31 oz. pouch for $6.99; the same price as Drum Halfzware in my area. Moist, very fine cut, and free of "birds eyes", it is a delight to roll. Rich and complex, I find it less bold than Drum and very palatable without a filter. I have heard that cigarettes rolled with Bali Shag are the best in the world. While I'm not going to commit to such a lofty evaluation, I will say that this is very good cigarette tobacco.

Making Noodle S**t

2010-04-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

Back when I was in college, poverty was an adventurous social exercise that was a by-product of educational investment that was sure to provide long-term security and prosperity. At least that seemed to be the underlying message that comforted those of us who were not products of wealthy families. Of course, in our desire to be cultured, we did attain and enjoy some of the finer things, despite lacking amenities: fine wine was elegantly served in a coffee mug, caviar was delicately spread on a cheap saltine, pickled herring was plucked from the jar, and Stolichnaya was shot from the bottle.

Sometimes, our experiments in culture would leave little money for other necessities like beer, cigarettes, and food. Naturally, of these three essentials, food was often the lowest priority and Ramen noodles became a culinary delight. One night, a chic I was dating turned ordinary Ramen noodles into a delicacy with a recipe that included bona fide meat. I liked it! When I asked her what it was called, she hemmed and hawed, explained that it was her creation, and it was as of yet unnamed. We put our high dollar, liberal arts educations together and we gave the dish a lofty name: Noodle S**t.

Noodle S**t was flexible, forgiving, and easy to prepare. It was also cheap, filling, and tasty. Receptive to creativity, it became a regular menu item that continued to evolve. I had not thought about this dish in years, but as our economy steadily declines in Weimar Republic proportions, saving money and stretching dollars have become paramount to daily survival and Noodle S**t has been boldly reintroduced to my kitchen.

How to Make Basic Noodle S**t for Four:

Brown at least one half pound of ground beef in a skillet (ground turkey can also be used). If your meat is greasy, drain until two or three tablespoons of grease remain and add 1 cup of water. If your meat is lean, add a bouillon cube to the water or substitute beef or chicken broth. Add one can of cream of mushroom (my preference), cream of celery (also good), or other cream based soup of choice and 1 cup of milk (an additional cup of water may be substituted if milk is unavailable). Add seasoning packets from three packages of Ramen noodles (any style of noodles is fine but I prefer the beef and oriental flavors), garlic and onion powder, and other spices as may be preferred (I like oregano and Worcestershire sauce) to taste. Stir and bring mixture of meat, water or broth, soup, and milk to a boil. Add the three packets of Ramen noodles from which the seasoning packets were extracted, reduce heat, cover the pan, and simmer until thick. Remember to stir so it doesn't stick, especially if using an old discount store pan! When your Noodle S**t has thickened and the noodles are tender, it is ready to serve. A small can of sour cream can be added before serving if you prefer richer and creamier Noodle S**T. Plain yogurt, ranch dressing, or bleu cheese dressing can be substituted for sour cream, depending upon your taste.

Criss Cross Mint Blend

2010-03-16T06:50:00.000-07:00

Criss Cross pipe tobacco, produced by SX Brands (www.sxbrands.com) offers an exceptional value ($16.99 per pound locally) while providing a good smoke for those who roll their own (RYO) cigarettes. I have smoked the Smooth and Original blends and found them satisfactory but I have been reticent to try the Mint since the shop I patronize only stocks the sixteen ounce bag (for some reason, six ounce bags of Smooth and Original are routinely in stock but never the six ounce bag of Mint).

I finally bit the bullet and bought the sixteen ounce bag of Mint, rationalizing that if it were too disagreeable to me, I could always give it to a friend who regularly smokes menthol cigarettes. Well, my buddy lost out as I find this tobacco to be particularly good. The menthol is apparent but not over powering as is the case with other menthol tobaccos and many ready made menthol cigarettes. For those who like a perceptible flavor of menthol that is not too strong, this is a good choice.

Drum Halfzware Shag

2010-02-10T14:58:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite roll your own cigarettes consists of Drum Halfzware Shag, Zig-Zag No. 225 78mm papers, and a Top filter plug. Originally produced and distributed by the Dutch Douwe Egberts Royal Tobacco Factory-Coffee Roasters-Tea Traders, Plc., Drum is currently produced by Imperial Tobacco in Britain and by Republic Tobacco in the United States. Halfzware is a Dutch style mixture of fire cured, flue cured, and/or oriental tobaccos with a fairly significant nicotine content. I find it smooth with a robust flavor not duplicated by ready-made cigarettes.

Kentucky Select Tobacco

2010-02-07T04:08:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks, I've been rolling cigarettes from Kentucky Select Green Cigarette Tobacco (a menthol tobacco) and Kentucky Select Pipe Tobacco. Kentucky Select is made by U.S Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers, Inc. which is owned by the U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, Inc., a cooperative of tobacco farmers from Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida that was founded in 1946.

U.S Flue-Cured Tobacco Growers, Inc. produces 1839 Cigarettes (the winner of the 2008 Golden Leaf Award for Most Promising Product Introduction) and loose, roll your own (RYO) tobaccos in the 1839 and Kentucky Select product families. 1839 cigarette tubes are also available for make your own (MYO) applications (RYO refers to rolling cigarettes either by hand or with a roller while MYO refers to "stuffing" ready made, typically filtered, cigarette tubes with an injector).

Upon first examining the Kentucky Select Green and Pipe tobaccos, I noticed that each bag was labeled to proclaim: "You get more flavor, more tobacco taste, more quality, and much more for your money." With the cigarette tobacco priced at $15.99 (despite the draconian excises) and the pipe tobacco priced at $6.99 for six ounce bags, I was eager to try both products to see if they fulfilled this promise.

After rolling and smoking several packs of each, I noticed that neither tobacco had an over abundance of stems as I have discovered with other lower cost products. The Pipe Tobacco makes a smooth, mild cigarette that is almost too mild for my taste. The Green Cigarette Tobacco is satisfying but I find the menthol taste quite substantial; I would probably enjoy it more if I regularly smoked menthol cigarettes. Overall, I believe that Kentucky Select delivers upon the promise on the label and I find it to be a very good value.

Zig-Zag Menthol Cigarette Tobacco

2010-01-12T07:28:00.000-08:00

Menthol cigarettes have been around since the mid 1920s: Spud, the first menthol cigarette brand, was patented in 1925 and production began in 1926. The still popular Kool followed in 1933. The 1950s saw the introduction of the very successful Salem (in 1956) and Newport (in 1957) brands. I periodically enjoy menthol cigarettes and, in the past, I have smoked Salem and Kool when I had an urge for menthol.

Since I do not smoke menthols on a daily basis, I have not tried that many mentholated rolling tobaccos, and until recently, the ones that I had tried did not suit my taste. The other day, still searching for a tobacco to cure the occasional menthol bug, I decided to try a pouch of Zig-Zag menthol tobacco. I rolled some cigarettes with Top filter plugs, Zig-Zag No. 225 papers, and a Zig-Zag 78mm roller and was quite satisfied with the results. To me, with the flavor somewhat reminiscent of a Salem but better, I think I've ended my search for a good, home rolled, menthol cigarette.

Rolling a Cigarette with a Top 70mm Roller

2010-01-03T08:32:00.001-08:00

Rolling a cigarette with the Top 70mm Roller is simple and relatively fast. First, you need to gather your materials. In this instance, a Top 70mm roller, a Top filter plug, Bugler Original Turkish and Blended Cigarette Tobacco, and a Bugler cigarette paper is used.

Place the roller on a flat surface, open it, insert the filter plug, and then evenly distribute the tobacco (if a filter is not desired, simply distribute the tobacco evenly).

Once the tobacco is distributed, close the roller, and roll the rollers towards you. This will clear excess tobacco from the roller before you insert the cigarette paper.

Insert the paper with the glue up and facing you, roll the rollers toward you, and allow the paper to feed. Next, moisten the glue (I usually lick it), and finish rolling the paper through the roller.

Open the roller, remove your finished cigarette, and enjoy your smoke.

Choose a place to smoke that allows you to avoid molestation by flaming liberal health Nazis and other Communist types that would have you unable to enjoy your tobacco anywhere, including the comfort of your own home!

NC Smoking Ban (Public Health Vs. Liberty)

2010-01-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

On January 2, 2010, new anti-smoking legislation, prohibiting smoking in most restaurants and bars, became effective in North Carolina. While I'm sure the rabid anti-smokers are happily masturbating to images of Bev Perdue while chanting "thank you for smoke free air," I respect the State's concerns about public health: a debilitating illness or death curtails our ability to pay taxes. Even worse, it may actually cause us to use our overpriced health insurance which would be frowned upon by the insurance lobby that helps feed the parasites we call legislators.

Perhaps I should be thankful for a government that cares for its citizens from the cradle to the grave. By giving up foolish concepts like private property, individual liberty, and personal responsibility, the Government can successfully shield us from every harmful ingestible, every potential hazard, and all offensive and unfair policies. Then we will all live forever in an egalitarian utopia with nothing left to kill us, offend us, or even treat us badly!

Considering how omniscient and omnipotent that the State really is, I can see why there is no reason to have God in public life. Why do you need God when government can provide an eternity of health, safety, and joy? Scripture teaches that we all have to die as a result of the fall of man: a silly concept when the State promises that death and suffering can be legislated away. I'm humbled to realize that all this time, the atheistic Communist and Fascist regimes of the Twentieth Century had it right all along.

Perhaps as a good proletariat, I should just do as I am told and be content with a productive and servile utopia that precludes the need for thought, prayer, or responsibility. Perhaps as an angry smoker, I should seek to put those that supported this egregious legislation into their own secluded glass bubbles where they can live happily and healthily on liquid diets and smoke free air without exposure to other health risks such as sunlight, fluorinated water, charcoal, cholesterol, sexually transmitted diseases, swine flu and so on and so forth, ad nauseam!

Sadly, the issue at hand is neither smoking nor public health. The issue is intrusive government that has overstepped its legal and moral boundaries for decades. Our general assemblies and even the Congress are nothing but barrels of rot that are manifestations of the proverbial bad apple. Regardless of party, our politicians whore themselves out for votes, sponsoring and passing volumes of legislation that provides little other than demonstrating effort at fulfilling empty promises while eroding the Constitution and compromising liberty-- the very principle this nation was founded upon.

The reality of this new law is the demonstration in which public health can be used as an excuse to control behavior and activity at all levels with utter and total disregard to individual rights. What will come next for the safety of the public? This year, it is still acceptable to consume alcohol in public, even though second hand drinking causes DWI related fatalities and injuries. What about next year? Will your car become a hazard to public health? What about your firearms? When our Komissars seek to actively rid us of everything conceivably harmful to public health what are you willing to give up?

It is time for North Carolinians and all Americans who love liberty to act, for if we are to keep our liberty, we must protect it, preserve it, and defend it. We can start by emptying the barrels of rotten apples that are the general assemblies of our States and the Congress of the United States of America. We need to purge ourselves of the bad fruit as the barrels no longer contain the rot. It is time to be shed of self serving, career politicians that will sacrifice liberty and the Constitution for the sake of a vote, contribution, earmark, or other pork. The people of North Carolina and this nation represent the ultimate sovereignty as we are governed via our consent.

As to the silly smoking ban, I intend to avoid conducting business with establishments that honor this law. It is incumbent upon business owners to provide for the enforcement of this law and if a proprietor is so timid as to not to protect his rights, then I see no need in providing a reward via my purchase. Likewise, the meals and alcoholic beverages not purchased in establishments honoring this law ensure that sales tax revenue is not being generated for further misuse; why should we pay the salaries of those who would deceptively use public health to deprive us of liberty at every level?

Cigarette Papers

2010-01-02T06:17:00.000-08:00

Durham Genuine Smoking Tobacco (more commonly called Bull Durham due to the distinctive label depicting a bull that was trademarked in 1866) became the first nationally recognized tobacco brand. As cigarettes gained popularity, a small package of papers was included and by the latter 19th Century, at $.05 a bag, Bull Durham was marketed as the "Cheapest Luxury in the World." Obviously, this was in an era that predated Socialists and Communists permeating our State and National governments, taxing, spending, and regulating with a fury to destroy individual liberty and prosperity.

In light of our dying economy and unreasonable taxation, rolling your own cigarettes is as viable in the 21st Century as it was in the 19th Century and, like the quintessential Bull Durham, most cigarette tobaccos still come with a convenient package of papers. Of course, with rampant inflation and excessive taxes, a pouch of cigarette tobacco now costs about 72 times that of the "Cheapest Luxury in the World)of the 19th Century. In order to avoid such expenditure, pipe tobaccos (some of which are well suited for rolling in a cigarette) can be purchased for substantially less due to the lower excise. Unfortunately, since these tobaccos are for smoking in a pipe, a convenient package of cigarette papers is not included.

There are many brands of cigarette or "rolling" papers on the market and they are typically available in 70 mm, 78 mm, and 100 mm varieties, as are comparable rollers. Since cost effectiveness is my chief reason for rolling my own, I find many of the popular papers (including my favorite, the Zig-Zag No. 225) cost prohibitive, being locally priced in the $1.99 to $2.59 range for a package containing 24 to 32 leaves. I have found that the best bang for the buck are Top and Bugler papers. I like Top papers but they are more expensive than Bugler: $1.29 for 100 vs. $1.09 for 115; additionally, the Top packaging can lead to damaged papers. Both Top and Bugler are 70 mm papers which I do not find to be a substantial compromise, as is illustrated in the photo above which contains a hand rolled, filtered cigarette beside a factory produced filter king for comparison.

New Pipe Tobaccos Suitable for Cigarettes

2009-12-31T03:21:00.000-08:00

During 2009, due to the influence of the draconian excise on tobacco, a number of new pipe tobaccos were introduced. While cut a little coarser than typical cigarette tobaccos, they are eminently suitable for rolling your own as they incorporate tobacco types and blends that are traditionally popular for cigarettes (e.g. Turkish, Virginia, and Burley). Some are available in flavors such as full flavor or regular, mild or mellow, and mint. Most importantly, they are attractively priced (around $7 for six ounces and $17 per pound).

Of these new pipe tobaccos, I have smoked 4 Aces Mellow (made by Republic Tobacco, the maker of Top), Criss Cross Smooth (made by SX Brands), and Southern Steel Maximum (made by SX Brands) to date. Of the three, I like Criss Cross Smooth best as a daily smoke although each provides a perfectly acceptable cigarette (the ultimate test of any tobacco is individual taste and preference). As an aside, as a Southerner who is unashamed of my heritage, I have to praise SX Brands (http://sxbrands.com/) for their bold packaging of Southern Steel.

Rolling Your Own with Grocery Store Tobaccos

2009-12-30T00:45:00.000-08:00

Since I have been rolling my own, I have tried several tobaccos in my search for a satisfying, yet cost effective cigarette. Online reviews of various tobaccos have been beneficial to me and I have found the RYO Revolution Forum (http://forum.ryorevolution.com)to be an excellent resource for information about various tobaccos and other make your own (MYO) and roll your own (RYO) topics. Unfortunately, the tobaccos that get the best reviews are not always available locally and a visit to one's favorite tobacconist is not always convenient. So, sometimes it is good to give consideration to what is available at the local grocery store in order to partake without shelling out nearly $40 for a carton of premium, additive laden cigarettes.

Top and Bugler cigarette tobaccos, in both pouch and tin, are commonly stocked in my area. Both make a good cigarette but I like Bugler the best. Bugler is a Turkish and domestic tobacco blend that has been around since 1932. I understand that Bugler is popular in American prisons though I do not know this from experience. I find the taste similar to a Camel and, with a filter, I find it to be as satisfying as any factory produced cigarette that I have smoked. A six ounce tin costs around $27, it comes with 230 papers, and produces about that many cigarettes. Two hundred Top filters, incidentally, can be purchased for around $2.

"Drug store" pipe tobaccos that are frequently seen include: Prince Albert, Carter Hall, and Sir Walter Raleigh. These tobaccos were once labeled "smoking tobacco" and were intended for dual use, in pipes or cigarettes. Each of the three make a mild, cool smoking, non filtered cigarette. Pipe tobacco is typically moist and these tobaccos are better air dried before being rolled into cigarettes, especially if a filter is desired as the combination of moist tobacco and a filter make for a hard draw.

Of the three, Prince Albert is my favorite. I understand why it has been popular enough to survive since 1907 when it is good in a pipe and still makes a decent, albeit mild, cigarette. I find Carter Hall to offer properties similar to Prince Albert, in both a pipe and cigarette. Introduced in 1884 by the J.G. Flynt company and later acquired by Brown & Williamson, Sir Walter Raleigh is mild in a pipe. In a cigarette, it produces a faint, cigar like aroma and slight aftertaste that I do not care for. It makes a tolerable cigarette but is probably best in a pipe.

Top and Bugler provide good quality cigarettes that are not quite as expensive as premium, factory made cigarettes. However, the drug store pipe tobaccos that were labeled as smoking tobacco for cigarettes and pipes in a bygone era, provide the most bang for the buck at the local grocery store since 14 oz. tins of Prince Albert and Sir Walter Raleigh cost around $23 in my area (I have seen Prince Albert for as low as $19.99 and, though I have not seen tins of Carter Hall in stock, I've bought pouches for $2.99).

Rolling Your Own in the Twenty-first Century

2009-12-29T05:25:00.000-08:00

I woke up early yesterday morning and rolled a pack of cigarettes with Bugler tobacco and papers and Top filter plugs. "Why are you rolling your own cigarettes in the 21st Century?" you may ask. Well, that's a good question, considering how long pre-rolled cigarettes have been available in the United States.

Hand rolled cigarettes were produced and sold by individual Chinese vendors in New York City in the 1850s and, by the end of the War Between the States, a cottage industry of small tobacco shops was producing eighteen to twenty million hand rolled cigarettes annually. By 1881, Duke of Durham cigarettes were being produced by the W. Duke Sons and Company and by 1885, James B. Duke had negotiated a license to use the revolutionary machine invented by James Albert Bonsack which could produce two hundred cigarettes an hour.

Late in the Nineteenth and early in the Twentieth Centuries, some of the commercial brands that are still in production today began to appear. Pall Mall was introduced in 1899 by Butler & Butler. Phillip Morris brought Marlboro (originally a cigarette for women) to the US in 1902. In 1912, Liggett & Myers reintroduced Chesterfield as a Turkish and Virginia blend. R.J. Reynolds introduced Camel in 1913. Lucky Strike (originally a chewing tobacco brand of the R.A. Patterson Tobacco Company) cigarettes were introduced in 1916 by the American Tobacco Company as a direct competitor to Camel. By 1919, commercial cigarette sales eclipsed rolling tobacco.

So, if commercial cigarettes have outsold rolling tobacco for 90 years, why roll your own in the Twenty-first Century? Two reasons: roll your own cigarettes can offer better flavor than commercial brands and they are substantially less expensive. Some purport that there are less additives in roll your own tobacco versus commercial cigarettes while some reports indicate that roll your own cigarettes may be more of a health risk than their commercial counterparts. I am not going to delve into either subject: I started rollling my own to cut cost and I have enjoyed the results.

My very first experience with rolling my own came in 1986 when I was returning from Myrtle Beach with a friend. We had blown most of our money, were struggling just to buy fuel, and soon ran out of cigarettes. We scrounged change and found a bag of Bugler at a convenience store. As I recall, it was $.49 and the clerk lent us a couple of cents to cover the tax. My buddy was more experienced with rolling papers than I was so he rolled while I drove. It made a pretty good cigarette and since I smoked regular Camels at the time, the lack of a filter was not disconcerting.

I always remembered this experience as an emergency option but, until this year, I was not compelled to exercise it. The financial repercussions of the deteriorating economy and the draconian excises imposed by the National Socialists that were sent to Washington in 2008 led me to explore make your own (MYO) and roll your own (RYO) options: MYO involves the use of an injector and filtered cigarette tubes while RYO involves hand rolling. My initial attempt was an MYO option with a modestly priced (around $11.00) Premier Supermatic Twin injector.

I found the results with this injector inconsistent at best. At first, I experienced torn tubes and tubes that were not well stuffed, but as I practiced more, the cigarettes became better. I noticed that the cut of the tobacco seemed to affect the overall performance and the best cigarettes seemed produced by tobaccos with a shag, or traditional cigarette cut (which, conversely, suffers from the $24.78 per pound Federal excise). I experienced two especially annoying factors with even the best cigarettes I produced with the Supermatic: 1. After the cigarette was packed, approximately 5 mm at the end of the tube was empty and 2. Tobacco fell out of the tube at a more pronounced rate than factory made products when the cigarettes were carried in a case or old pack.

While these issues did not greatly affect smoking, they were irksome and I sought a solution. My research led me to consider a tabletop injector. With several brands available and users reporting cigarette quality rivaling that of factory products, it was a noteworthy option yet dwindling financial resources led me to put off an expenditure of forty to sixty dollars, especially when I could make do with the Supermatic Twin. On a lark, I bought a Top cigarette roller for $1.99, just to see what the results would be.

I tried rolling a few cigarettes with the Top roller. The first couple were a little thin, but I soon got the hang of it and was shortly making consistent, non-filtered cigarettes that were quite acceptable. It was not long before I noticed that the roller performed well with coarser cut pipe and dual use (e.g. Prince Albert and Half and Half) smoking tobaccos that are substantially less expensive than cigarette tobaccos. My next step was to add filters to my hand rolled cigarettes and I did so with trepidation that was unfounded. After a few tries, I had filtered cigarettes that were better than any produced with the Supermatic.

The cigarettes that I roll with the Top roller, both filtered and non-filtered (I find Prince Albert to be mild and better without a filter), have been satisfactory to the point that I decided not to bother with the tabletop injector. As a matter of fact, for some bizarre reason, I have come to enjoy rolling my own cigarettes even though I found using the injector a chore. An added bonus to the RYO method is experimenting with different rolling papers and determining how they affect the flavor of the tobacco. Most importantly, I can save abundantly by using the many pipe tobaccos that make good cigarettes without the aggravation of torn or under stuffed tubes (not to mention the excises of a tyrannical government). Why not roll your own in the Twenty-first Century?