Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Gun Shows, The Media, & The Tea Party




















































































Personally, I believe full disclosure should be the only way to go (due to the partisan rhetoric and ranker, from our government), and I am a "half independent and 1/2 libertarian," if a person was to rate, or have to put a label on me. Also, I have grown up with guns, around guns, have hunted, and understand that everyone should be able to protect themselves. However, I have also quit hunting, even though I ate the things I killed. I saw that I was able to buy whatever I need to eat, and their need not be "any" suffering, in the least, to the animals I may have shot in the future. I also believe that there is a difference and a "huge" facade, by the far right and the NRA, to try and make the AK-47's, AR-15's, and all the other heavy military weapons, used at "home defense guns." On the left, they to have the same talking points and the same tricks, but they are obviously looking to have the United States, "just like London, England" and the rest of the European Union. Now, with that being said, I will continue with the article.

Last weekend, I was able to muster enough strength and go to a "a major gun show in the Missouri area," with my father. I was there, not just to have a good time and look at high dollar, collector's, and just overall (to me) neat looking guns and knives with my dad, but also to look at the "tea party people" (which are often labeled by the media, as "gun nuts," "huge amounts of people, mobs if you will, who hoard guns and ammunition"), and also to just get a feel for the overall sense of who the people were that worked there. To be honest, there was about 10% that were just about as "batty" (or how MSNBC would label them), for my taste, in that they were there as obvious racists, obvious survivalists, and some separatists. Then there was about 60% that were die-hard gun owners, collectors and were seller's. NOT ONE GUN, THAT I SAW PURCHASED (48, while I was there, and witnessed the whole process) DID NOT DUE A BRADY/FBI CHECK, AND DID ALL OF THE CORRECT PAPERWORK AND PHONE CALLS. These dealers walking around and those people who were there to sell a gun, or two out of there own collections (I saw seven of these), asked for ID (which they didn't have to), talked to the guy (for more than 5-6 minutes, which they didn't have to), and they also made the decision to sell to each of those people (which they didn't have to, and two guys turned down people "for the asking price of their gun," do to the fact they did not feel "comfortable selling to those two people", and both were white men). Then there is about 30% of people selling everything, from purses, candles, and a combination of all kinds of items. As there is a certain amount of things, other than guns and weapons, allowed in each show (depending on the show).

Meeting more than 400 people personally, that day, getting pictures, and video, I did not have any bad relations, talks, and there was more people and vendors there to just talk about their own hobby. However, one stood out, from the other vendors/dealers. I walked up to the majority of the tables, but when I walked up to the table labeled, "She's A Pistol", I was really blown away. They had a mixture of things. Yet, the thing that caught my eye, was they had a set of "sensual clothes/bikini's" (see pictures below, there is nothing lewd about them), having a combination of pink with camouflage. Then I looked, more and a little more, and they had a mixture of outdoors things, clothes, and also some of the most "quiche" side of the outdoor world, I have ever seen. Then, up walks a lady, to help me, and we begin to talk about how they got started. These people did not only have the best booth, but they were also great people. They were not terrorists, did not sell any guns, and they were in the "norm of society." I would have to say, they were as far away from the "belt way, as they could be, but they had common sense and knew about a host of political issues. (If you wish to look at these cool things, not in my pictures, below, here is their web site: ( http://www.shesapistol.com/ and all questions, for thier products are to be directed to ( sales@ShesAPistol.Com ).

This was the overall vibe, of the whole gun show. It was not about whether you were one of those fringe elements, as those people who were there to buy a ticket "knew" who was for "them," "on the fringe," and/or just something they were not into, or were into. The people in between the aisles of sale, were a mixture of races, genders, and ages. There were people there of different sexual orientation, those that were way out on the "far right," and there was not problems. There was not any police action, except one rumor that a gun went out the front door, without the dealer, or the owner's permission, but they would not go into any details, or specifics. With the right and left side of the media, side of the population, or the fact that those who have given these shows a "label" (one way, or another), there is only one thing I would say about this show. It was "everything" the mainstream, right and left fanatics, and those who want to squelch "the right to bare arms," opposite, of what is coming out of the majority of those venues.













This is not the only gun show I have been to, or the only state (Missouri). I have been to more than fifty gun shows in my life, pretty easily. The only problem(s) I have ever seen, heard, or was involved in anything wrong (as portrayed in the media, the far side of each), was when I saw one white man (in one of the smaller gun shows, not that it makes it right), not serve someone of another color. This is the only thing, I have ever seen, heard, or witnessed bad, at any of these gun shows. Some people take these times to have and make money, others are there to let others see the collection, and then there are others that are at these gun shows, like I was (last weekend), to spend time with their father.













Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.Com












Friday, August 26, 2011

LSU's Players Lack Of Respect & Violations, Cost Them A National Title















LSU Tiger Football just took a huge hit this week (pun intended), and a bit earlier in the week. It is official, LSU Tiger quarterback Jordan Jefferson and starting linebacker Josh Johns. Also, adding in the suspended and multi-talented Russell Shepard (think Dexter McCluster, the tandem brother combo at Oregon State (last year), or even Tyrell Pryor). These three players, all hammered, and justifiably so, by the NCAA and the LSU school, have not only jeopardized their own futures, but they just dashed the hopes of a National Championship, for sixty-five (plus) other teammates. Jefferson and Johns were both charged with 2nd degree battery, and both players bailed out on $5,000 bond. Though, Jefferson found out thru a text message/tweet, that he was wanted by the law, and he did walk in on his own, this is something that made Les Miles and the Tiger Staff to take action, suspending both players from all football activity indefinately.

LSU football will survive. They already have a quarterback (thought without the talent of Jefferson), in Jared Lee, in the wings who can fill in to the position. The second string quarterback, is a transfer, who just got to LSU in January, and the coaching staff had already admitted, that he was at least a year away, "though his arm strength is ready now." Johns, the linebacker, was just a back-up linebacker, but he has the same 2nd degree battery charge behind his name. However, the loss of Jefferson and Shepard, from the number four team in the land, is more than the Tigers and Les Miles can afford. The lack of respect of the institution (giving these players, OVER other deserving applicants), lack of respect for the law and the recipient of the "battery" (details are sketchy on who got hit and what went on, for sure), and then the lack of respect for themselves and their "teammates", it begs to question on whether Jefferson (especially), desierves another chance (after constant and other troubles with people in the law and life, counting 4 instances, to date, that are known). Especially, with (#4) Tigers versus (#3) Oregon Ducks (some think is the best team in the land), rolling into town on opening weekend. This game should be a precursor of things to come and the only question left:

Can LSU even make a bowl game this year, or do you start rebuilding, now?

Copyright. DMAN @ TheThoughtSpigot.Com
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Rick Perry/George W. Bush II New Mantra Better Be..........

Texas Governor, Rick Perry is the "shiny new penny," in the 2012 Presidential race. He, in the latest Gallup Poll (as of 8-16-11), it shows: Rick Perry 29%, Mitt Romney 18%, and Michelle Bachmann 13%, has pulled ahead, to become the front runner. What does the "front runner" do on his first day? He says that the Chairman of the Federal Reserve (honestly a heinous institution, and poorly run, to say the least), Ben Bernake, was "almost guilty of treason," obviously a charge that carries a possible, death penalty (something for sure to come out later, Perry's Texas death prison rate, and how many times he has NOT "come to the aid". To be seen in another article). However, President Obama, who is out on a bus tour, for "jobs" (in reality, no pundit, White House Staff, or W.O.N.K. on the Hill, could say otherwise, that this is a tax payer, fund raising trip for Obama, right after the Iowa Straw Polls and Perry's recent announcement.), said the exact same thing, about the "far right/tea party" and that they were also guilty of treason, he just used six sentences to say it. Good politician, good speaker, and (aside from Bill Clinton) the best fund raiser in either party is Barack Obama.

I digress, back to Gov. Rick Perry, and what is soon to be his problem. He will act like, will look like at times, and he will most definitely be attacked as, George W. Bush, and possibly G.H. W. Bush, too, one never knows today). When the constant comparison comes up, "Rick, Rick, Rick, Mr. Perry what do you say, that you are just another George W. Bush, big oil, big Pharma, wrapped in a different package?" Wow, if that question would have been asked by anyone, to Rick Perry today, what would he have said? "Well, I can understand your question, but I am Rick Perry look at my record, look at his." C'mon, what would he have said? It would have been, something like that, and then the next ten months, he would have been branded "George W. II"!

His answer should have been, "Are you kidding me? You are asking me, if my 10 years as Governor, all of the things I have done, and all the while I was not in the White House, or anywhere near Capitol Hill? I did not have anything to do with George W. Bush, but good business and taking care of my fellow Texans. However, now I am running and am planning on "winning" the White House. Once this happens, I will have to look out for everyone of my fellow Americans, not just Texans, so no, I am no carbon copy of George W. Bush. I hope that puts this question to rest." If he would say that, and just take his lumps, over a Monday thru a Friday news cycle, it would stick. The Democrats and President Obama, would come off seeming petty and just name callers.

One thing is for sure, this election cycle will continue to continue to get more and more ugly. Both sides are far, far away from being individuals and are not going to play fair, this is the game of politics. However, the Republicans will be shown the door, as this election is going to be historic. Every single vote will count, there are 14+ months to the election, many things can change. However, Rick Perry's campaign, as him being a "shoot from the hip" talker, and a politician who will be (and could eat up) all of the new found glory, falling on his face. Though, he will not even get to Florida, if he will not stick to the "I am not George W. Bush II" answer down, and get it down fast.

Copyright. TheThoughtSpigot.Com by DMAN
http://www.thethoughtspigot.com/