Whenever I see an pro (illegal) immigration rally someone is carrying a Mexican flag. This seems the wrong idea to me. Shouldn't they be carrying an American flag? I'm trying to think of a flag one could carry to counter protest that flag. Don't Tread on me? 13 Colonies flag? Canadian flag? A sports team (local or hated opponent)? I'm also trying to find an analogy:
"Carrying a Mexican flag at an immigration rally is like..."
Help me out here.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Solution to the imigration problem
This sounds simple to me, and easy to do, so I know I'm forgetting something.
A Guest Worker system, BUT the worker has to be in another country to get it. Illegal aliens can't get it.
A Guest Worker system, BUT the worker has to be in another country to get it. Illegal aliens can't get it.
Murders have families too!
Greeley was the site of the largest ICE raids of all time a week ago. While this may not have made national news, it's been wall to wall coverage here ever since. 221 people were detained, mostly for being illegal aliens and for stolen identities.
Also last week, a man on the county's most wanted list for attempted murder and kidnapping was killed. He was pulled over, ran away while shooting at police, busted down a apartment door and when the resident locked herself in her bedroom, he shot the doorknob but didn't get in. She escaped. After 3hrs of negotiation, teargas was fired. A LOT of teargas as this apartment has a weird layout. He didn't come out. When police tried to enter, he charged them with his gun. They fired and killed him.
The Greeley Tribune posts many voice, email, blog and mailed comments on their Opinion page. Both stories elicited comments about the families involved. The wanted man's family were angry he was killed, and that they weren't able to talk to him during the standoff. The families of the arrested illegals made comments about the arrested being treated like animals, being unable to communicate with them, and how they would survive without the family member and their income.
There seems to be a growing trend to not blame a person for what they've done, but to blame others. Don't want to get shot? Don't join a street gang, don't kidnap or try to murder people. Don't want to get arrested for being an illegal alien? Don't become one. If you want to do things you have to look at the possible outcomes to yourself and others.
I think this same mentality also leads to too many lawsuits. Hot coffee burns you? Sue. Feel like using your lawn mower to cut shrubs and something bad happens? Sue. Slip on the ice? Sue.
A quick rant: Auto insurance. We have mandatory auto insurance here. Yet, when you get insurance, you need liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, etc. Insurance should protect you, not protect others from you. I understand that it feels wrong for you to pay if it's someone else's fault, but it makes sense. "I got hit by some guy. My husband got injured. My house burned down. Luckily, I have insurance" Makes sense, right?
Also last week, a man on the county's most wanted list for attempted murder and kidnapping was killed. He was pulled over, ran away while shooting at police, busted down a apartment door and when the resident locked herself in her bedroom, he shot the doorknob but didn't get in. She escaped. After 3hrs of negotiation, teargas was fired. A LOT of teargas as this apartment has a weird layout. He didn't come out. When police tried to enter, he charged them with his gun. They fired and killed him.
The Greeley Tribune posts many voice, email, blog and mailed comments on their Opinion page. Both stories elicited comments about the families involved. The wanted man's family were angry he was killed, and that they weren't able to talk to him during the standoff. The families of the arrested illegals made comments about the arrested being treated like animals, being unable to communicate with them, and how they would survive without the family member and their income.
There seems to be a growing trend to not blame a person for what they've done, but to blame others. Don't want to get shot? Don't join a street gang, don't kidnap or try to murder people. Don't want to get arrested for being an illegal alien? Don't become one. If you want to do things you have to look at the possible outcomes to yourself and others.
I think this same mentality also leads to too many lawsuits. Hot coffee burns you? Sue. Feel like using your lawn mower to cut shrubs and something bad happens? Sue. Slip on the ice? Sue.
A quick rant: Auto insurance. We have mandatory auto insurance here. Yet, when you get insurance, you need liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist, etc. Insurance should protect you, not protect others from you. I understand that it feels wrong for you to pay if it's someone else's fault, but it makes sense. "I got hit by some guy. My husband got injured. My house burned down. Luckily, I have insurance" Makes sense, right?
Saturday, December 02, 2006
New Lefty Mayos
I received two rare knives this week. Left handed Tom Mayo knives: A Dr Death and a TMX.
The Dr Death is 4" long spear shaped and CPM154V steel.
The TMX is 3.5" long with a slight recurve and is made of 6K Stellite. Note the backwards logo placement. The Mayo logo is on the left (back) side of the knife.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
YAPEDP (yet another post election day post)
As a Republican, I am a bit depressed at the outcome of 11/7. The MSM was saying this was going to happen for months, but I hoped they were just spinning hopefully. Here in Colorado, we elected a Democrat as Governor, and both of the state houses are also Democrat. I've said in the past that I prefer Repubs on the National stage and Dems on the Sate level, but have ended up voting straight Repub even on a state level do to my interest in guns, knives, and motorcycles. I received an email from the Colorado State Shooting Association today, brooding the worst is coming and now is a time to rally new members. Of course if we had won, they would have asked for more members to take advantage of our majority. Still, I hear that many of the new Federal Dem Reps are pro gun, but we'll see over the next two years if they prove that true, or follow the party line of anti-gun. 'They' say this election was about the War in Iraq, but what I think we'll find out is that there are unintended effects of Democrat majorities.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Stranded via Buell
Nice day here, in the mid 60s when I left the house. Decided to ride the motorcycle. I've been having a strange problem with mine. It'll start when cold, or hot, but if I ride 2-3 miles and shut it off, it won't start. I believe this has to do with the auto choke being off, but not hot enough to start without it. I've been caught out three times doing local chores, but figured I'd be ok today. Stopped at the bank drive thru and kept it running. Went to McDonald's and shut it off to make a special order (no cheese). Went back outside and it started, idled for 10 sec while I started putting my gear on, and died. I couldn't get it to catch again. It'll turn over, the battery is fine, and it's not the dummy features (sidestand switch, clutch switch) because then it wouldn't do anything. It's just that there's no boom. Pushed and duck walked the bike a mile to work in full gear after waiting 20 minutes for it to cool. As usual I went out hours later and it started right up. I'm going to throw it at a dealer soon and see if they can reproduce and fix the problem. I like the bike, but need reliable transportation. So annoying! I figure in the 21st century they could have mastered the motorcycle as they have the car.
Tomorrow: Vote, haircut, dentist.
Tomorrow: Vote, haircut, dentist.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Lazy, kinda
I purposefully decided not to go to the rally to get a ticket. It was early and cold, plus I had to meet a business contact at an unspecified time later in the morning, and I didn't want to miss his call. He called around 10 and I met him over at the Philips 66 and I bought some stuff from him. I normally see him on Mondays, at the store, but this was a rush shipment.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
The Prez in CO
The local paper is awash that the President is coming to Greeley this Saturday. I missed him last time, two years ago. I'm going to try and make it this time. Volunteers get first crack, then registered Repubs, then everyone else. I hope some will be left for me. I may have to delay opening the store tomorrow, or Sat, but I think it's worth it. Other than him, the most famous person I can think of to visit Greeley is Alyssa Milano, who was stumping for Kerry in '04.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Time Estimates
Time keeps on ticking, into the future.
However, time seems to vary depending on what and where you are. Now, I'm not talking about 'a watched pot never boils' time. I'm not talking about events seeming to take longer or shorted than they seemed. I'm talking about how items actually take longer (usually) or shorter than predicted. This usually happens when dealing with individuals, rather than with people who are part of a larger system. I'm trying to generalize here instead of taking a specific area, like business, relationships, or whatever. I think self discipline has something to do with this, but also the tendency to over-promise.
If I'm driving somewhere, the further it is away, the worse my predictions become. My car GPS predicts better than I do, but I'm able to correct for conditions, rush hour, etc. Sometimes when driving to far away places I go to often, I ask my GPS to route me there, just to see what route it'll take me. Sometimes it takes different routes than I do, and I either discover a better route, or find my regular route is more complex but better.
When I was out east in mid Oct, I was using the Neverlost system, and it would take me different routes to the same place I would go to often, like from my hotel to my sister, and back. I did that route a few times, and it took me at least three different routes. I assume the time estimate was about the same for all three. I didn't mind as it got me seeing more of the area. I assume the longer route, with most of it being highway miles, was the fastest, as there were less stoplights and a higher speed. It was also easier for me as it had less turns and was better marked and lit.
When dealing with other people, I find that tradesmen and craftsman suck at these predictions. Now, I understand that the cable guy doesn't know how exactly long each job will take, but he does know what each job is, and should be able to narrow it down more than Afternoon. Others will schedule 10am, but will call letting me know he's running early or late, and that can be about an hour each way. When you go to them, like a gunsmith, TV repair, or a knife maker, I think they know what they have in the cue, know how long they'll take, and give you a good estimate. But they can't. Are Smiths closer to artists, and they need inspiration to hit them? Do they work in moods, or on an unusual schedule, like in spurts? I know that when they need items to work with that shipping is very accurate, and the shipper knows what day the order will be pulled from stock and sent out.
I wouldn't even mind broader estimates from a craftsman. 'By this time', or 'In X months' would be fine with me. I shouldn't have to take an estimate, double it and add a bit more to figure out when I should expect to see it, or contact to get an update.
I have horrible self discipline when doing stuff for myself, but am much better when someone is counting on me. When I become a craftsman, I'm going to do this right.
However, time seems to vary depending on what and where you are. Now, I'm not talking about 'a watched pot never boils' time. I'm not talking about events seeming to take longer or shorted than they seemed. I'm talking about how items actually take longer (usually) or shorter than predicted. This usually happens when dealing with individuals, rather than with people who are part of a larger system. I'm trying to generalize here instead of taking a specific area, like business, relationships, or whatever. I think self discipline has something to do with this, but also the tendency to over-promise.
If I'm driving somewhere, the further it is away, the worse my predictions become. My car GPS predicts better than I do, but I'm able to correct for conditions, rush hour, etc. Sometimes when driving to far away places I go to often, I ask my GPS to route me there, just to see what route it'll take me. Sometimes it takes different routes than I do, and I either discover a better route, or find my regular route is more complex but better.
When I was out east in mid Oct, I was using the Neverlost system, and it would take me different routes to the same place I would go to often, like from my hotel to my sister, and back. I did that route a few times, and it took me at least three different routes. I assume the time estimate was about the same for all three. I didn't mind as it got me seeing more of the area. I assume the longer route, with most of it being highway miles, was the fastest, as there were less stoplights and a higher speed. It was also easier for me as it had less turns and was better marked and lit.
When dealing with other people, I find that tradesmen and craftsman suck at these predictions. Now, I understand that the cable guy doesn't know how exactly long each job will take, but he does know what each job is, and should be able to narrow it down more than Afternoon. Others will schedule 10am, but will call letting me know he's running early or late, and that can be about an hour each way. When you go to them, like a gunsmith, TV repair, or a knife maker, I think they know what they have in the cue, know how long they'll take, and give you a good estimate. But they can't. Are Smiths closer to artists, and they need inspiration to hit them? Do they work in moods, or on an unusual schedule, like in spurts? I know that when they need items to work with that shipping is very accurate, and the shipper knows what day the order will be pulled from stock and sent out.
I wouldn't even mind broader estimates from a craftsman. 'By this time', or 'In X months' would be fine with me. I shouldn't have to take an estimate, double it and add a bit more to figure out when I should expect to see it, or contact to get an update.
I have horrible self discipline when doing stuff for myself, but am much better when someone is counting on me. When I become a craftsman, I'm going to do this right.
Guns and Games: supply problems
This week the World of Warcraft Collectible card game came out. Stores and distributors under ordered as the customers for this product are new, coming from the PC game, so the store owners (and distributors) had no way to gauge interest. Looks like the restock/reprint will be in Jan '07.
The FN FS2000, a Bullpup .223 rifle is out, but not available everywhere. I see it on gunsamerica, but the gun store I've ordered it from has no idea when they'll get it. I'm willing to wait, as I get a good price from them.
Two hot products, two supply problems. This results in hype for the product, inflated prices, and a possible overreaction in ordering leading to a glut of dead product. Oh, and a lot of annoyed stores and customers who want the product.
In the 3 tier model (manufacturer, distributor, retailer) the question is where the burden of risk should be. Manufacturers presell most new products to distributors. They may make extra, usually to take advantage of economies of scale (it's less expensive to make one run of 5000 than two runs of 2500). They've taken the risk of time and money creating the product, and if they make extra, they risk not selling it.
Distributors get preorders from retailers and may order extra as many stores don't preorder product. They also order extra as they want to be able to provide product after a maker is sold out. They risk this extra product not selling, and retailers not honoring their preorders. Distributors are like superstores as they carry a lot of product, very deep. Think of a distributor as like Sams Club, but with better selection.
Retails are the contact with the end consumer. They preorder based on gut instinct as few customers preorder. They want to carry product, but don't want to carry deeply, expecting to reorder weekly from the distributor if it sells. They want a wide selection, or at least the appearance of having a wide selection. There's a business axiom "You get 80% of your sales from 20% of your inventory". I may carry the whole Glock line, but sell few Glock 32 compared to the 17. New products sell better than old product. New products that don't sell well are dropped from any of the three tiers, good selling product stay in production and become evergreen.
The bottom line of risk IS the Bottom Line. In return for their respective risk, how much money are they making? Supermarkets make little on each item but sell many items often. Car dealers are the other end: they sell little, but make a lot on each. They both make a lot of money doing this. If you don't believe this, look at advertising. It's expensive. Who's doing a lot of it? Non-Electronic Games and guns are both industries where the retailers aren't chains. I'm not sure exactly what this means, but I assume if there was good money to be made a chain would exist to maximize it.
The FN FS2000, a Bullpup .223 rifle is out, but not available everywhere. I see it on gunsamerica, but the gun store I've ordered it from has no idea when they'll get it. I'm willing to wait, as I get a good price from them.
Two hot products, two supply problems. This results in hype for the product, inflated prices, and a possible overreaction in ordering leading to a glut of dead product. Oh, and a lot of annoyed stores and customers who want the product.
In the 3 tier model (manufacturer, distributor, retailer) the question is where the burden of risk should be. Manufacturers presell most new products to distributors. They may make extra, usually to take advantage of economies of scale (it's less expensive to make one run of 5000 than two runs of 2500). They've taken the risk of time and money creating the product, and if they make extra, they risk not selling it.
Distributors get preorders from retailers and may order extra as many stores don't preorder product. They also order extra as they want to be able to provide product after a maker is sold out. They risk this extra product not selling, and retailers not honoring their preorders. Distributors are like superstores as they carry a lot of product, very deep. Think of a distributor as like Sams Club, but with better selection.
Retails are the contact with the end consumer. They preorder based on gut instinct as few customers preorder. They want to carry product, but don't want to carry deeply, expecting to reorder weekly from the distributor if it sells. They want a wide selection, or at least the appearance of having a wide selection. There's a business axiom "You get 80% of your sales from 20% of your inventory". I may carry the whole Glock line, but sell few Glock 32 compared to the 17. New products sell better than old product. New products that don't sell well are dropped from any of the three tiers, good selling product stay in production and become evergreen.
The bottom line of risk IS the Bottom Line. In return for their respective risk, how much money are they making? Supermarkets make little on each item but sell many items often. Car dealers are the other end: they sell little, but make a lot on each. They both make a lot of money doing this. If you don't believe this, look at advertising. It's expensive. Who's doing a lot of it? Non-Electronic Games and guns are both industries where the retailers aren't chains. I'm not sure exactly what this means, but I assume if there was good money to be made a chain would exist to maximize it.
Hot and Cold running weather
We had a heavy snowfall last week. Nothing on the ground now. Was in the high 60s yesterday.
Life in Colorado
Life in Colorado
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Hello World!
Overload in Colorado trying another BLOG here on blogger. I seem to create them but they are inaccessable and I lose them.
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