davjohns

I remember when I was young and all the science magazines were printing articles about the coming ice age. It's really hard to get too excited about this topic, for me. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Hmmmm....looks very interesting...and 2.5hrs away. Thanks! I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

I've got a big heart that way. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

So...102 weekends left in Europe. I spent the first weekend touring Brussels. Second weekend, I had to go to the obligatory (not really) SHAPE Fest where all 29 NATO countries served their country's traditional fare, dressed up, etc. Also drove through the scenic countryside and had dinner with a co-worker's family. My Jeep is now in my possession and my birthday is this week. I'm trying to decide how this next weekend should go. My gear isn't here yet, so skydiving is probably out. Paris (2.5 hours)? London (4 hours)? Dusseldorf (2.5 hours)? Something else? Decisions, decisions. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

You should trade them in. Apparenlty other people have firearms that take people out at random. Or, you could sell them to me cheap. I'm ok with guns that have no intent of their own. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

So he doesn't really have a buddy? MY story is anecdotal...you nutbar! I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Just anecdotal. Take it for what it's worth. At my last assignment, the organization was almost entirely civilians. I was required to answer a quarterly questionnaire with questions such as "How many women / ethnic minorities have you tried to recruit?" and "How many positions have you downgraded to create entry level positions for women / ethnic minorities?". Then, there were annual meetings with one of the EEO reps to answer this stuff all over again and brainstorm ways to get more women and ethnic minorities into the organization. Keep in mind, I saw the demographics...the organization had more women and ethnic minorities than the US population would suggest was appropriate. I finally rebelled. I explained at the meeting that we had a system to determine what pay level a job required and I would not jeopardize my mission to help the EEO office look good. I also explained that I had to have the best qualified people I could get regardless of what they looked like. I filled out the quarterly questionnaire in an even less helpful manner. When asked how many women / minorities I had tried to recruit, I answered, "Do dates count?". When asked how many women I had encouraged to take a position with the organization, I answered, "I offered a few a position on my staff." My boss exempted me from future meetings and questionnaires on that subject. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Umm...can't name any of those, either. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Does nobody see a problem with this mindset? What if guns were less accessible by ALL? Would that not have a greater effect at stopping shooting rampages than if guns were easily accessible by all? The United States needs to take a good look at their gun laws and compare them to a country like Canada. Or Switzerland! Oh wait. That doesn't support your argument, now does it? The US is not Canada. I have nothing against Canada, but the US has always been a bit different. We like being able to take care of ourselves as individuals. It was written into our constitution and some of us still like it that way. Enjoy Canada, friend. Just stay out of the US if you don't like it. Don't tell us we need to be like you. I'm not trying to be offensive, but you were a bit offensive in your post. Probably unintentional, but annoying just the same. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

It makes the weapon a bit more accurate by eliminating the disrupting escape of gases as the projectile exits. More importantly, it reduces the reaction of the shooter to the sound of a .45 going off. The length of the silencer makes point and shoot much more accurate. It eliminates muzzle flash that could potentially blind me in low light conditions. It also reduces the confusion of an already tight situation. In all respects, it is really better. As for the neighbors...why do I want to wake them up? I don't need help if I'm already shooting the bad guys. Let 'em sleep. I'll tell them about it the next day. But there is the question of added trauma to family members. Waking up to gunfire tends to unsettle a person. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Wait...you mean the 'E' in EO doesn't stand for 'Equal'? Next, you're going to tell me that people aren't hired for their abilities. Sorry to hear about your buddy. Many of us (caucasian males) have been there. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

I'm a big believer in Murphy's Law. I consider a corollary of the law that the more prepared I am, the less likely it is that bad things will happen. So, I carry weapons. I carry a knife and a flashlight most everywhere. I carry a handgun when legal. I sleep with a silenced high capacity .45 with an extended mag. Because if someone is worth shooting, they're worth shooting well. On the flip side, I now find myself in Belgium. It is nearly impossible to get a handgun permit here. The property crime is so high that the US government pays for all of our people to have have alarms at home. Makes sense to me. Once the threat of getting shot is gone, breaking into houses become a much more viable vocation. Now, how do I let them know that I am an expert with the sword? I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

I seem to recall reading articles in psychology publications extolling the virtues of the hormones in ejaculate for easing depression and menstrual symptoms (emotional / psychological) in women. I haven't run a search. Sounds plausible in an evolutionary light. Males who have the ability to get a great favor from a woman and return the favor with increased happiness in the woman will reproduce more frequently. Sounds like wishful thinking to me, but plausible wishful thinking. Of course, it is more likely that men who are completely satisfied in that area of their lives are easier to live with, more appreciative of their partner, and/or take better care of the one that takes care of them. And women who feel they are appreciated and cared for are more likely to return the favor. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

The civil confiscation laws are what concern me. It no longer matters if you have something to hide. Do you have something worth taking? We'll find an accusation to support taking it. Especially once we watch you through your computer camera without your knowledge and monitor your facebook for any comments you make that we can use to describe you as mentally unstable. I hate to sound paranoid, but there are various roads converging that I don't like the looks of. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

There are a few .45 autos out there that are compact enough for regular carry. I am partial to the ParaOrdnance P12. The P10 is smaller, but my hands have a difficult time with it. AMT makes a dandy little stainless .45 that you might seek out. When you carry next to the body regularly, stainless reduces maintenance worries. The P12 and P10 are available in stainless, but harder to find used. I am partial to saving a few bucks and getting used firearms. Afterall, it's virtually impossible to wear them out. It can be done, but it has to be your profession for the most part. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

If the boss isn't there, ask for the next level of boss. Never stop going up. There is not an appropriate level to stop until the problem is solved. For a shutter, it is likely to cost you more than a shutter is worth unless you get a judge who is very sympathetic and will award you court costs. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Fair point and please don't take it personally. My sample pool hasn't done very well. That doesn't mean it is a representative sample....better? I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Thanks for thinking about me. Don't worry. Nothing to do but hang in there. Life goes on. Or, as they say here, "C'est la vie". I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Yup. Good thing, too. Apparently this trip overseas is going to end in divorce just like the last one. What is it with women that they can't last a couple of weeks before they start looking around? Eh. I'm just pissed right now. I'm not really looking for a response. dwj I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Save the boobie! Name that rack! I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Full face closed helmet? Kiss me hard before you go! I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

Every helmet I own is full face with visor except for the rock climbing one. They don't make full face for that. Motor cycle, sky diving, hang gliding, etc. are all full coverage. My theory is that my face isn't great, but being dragged over pavement or through a barbed wire fence could make it worse. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

I sit here wondering how many forums you can be banned from... I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

I'll check that out. Meanwhile, here is what I sent home today: When we last saw Spaceman Spiff, he was leaving Planet Iraq to return to Earth...or something like that. Actually, I note that Iraq has thrown us out of the country since I left. I maintain this is because nobody could compare to me and, in a fit of despair, they refused to have any Americans if they could not have me. That's my story. Unless you can prove otherwise, you'll have to go with it. :-) I stopped writing chronicles of my adventures when I returned from Iraq. I wrote most weeks, then, to a list of people to tell them what was going on. Now seems an appropriate time to begin again. And since I have no Watson to keep the chronicles, I am on my own. So, my new assignment to NATO in Belgium has been interesting. I left the US last Tuesday. There was a tearful farewell with my beautiful wife, dear mother, steadfast father and newly returned/retired brother. I went through security...and they went through my bag. I went through security again...they went through my bag again. So, that's where I left my favorite knife. And I got to the gate just in time!...to see them lock the aircraft door. And the United agent was kinda surly; and asked me if Europe was East or West of Huntsville so he could re-book me. I concluded United was a bunch of morons. And their system was down, so they couldn't re-book me. And Delta told me United was a bunch of morons and they couldn't re-book me either because United showed me on an airplane. And United couldn't change that; because their system was down. And SATO travel told me United was a bunch of morons. And they couldn't re-book me either. And the other United guy at the desk was surly. I saw a pattern developing... But, after a lovely dinner with my beautiful wife and our darling Little Zachary, I successfully negotiated security and the United morons and got underway to Europe. I made my connection in DC without a hitch and boarded the next plane. And then, a hairy Indian gentleman sat next to me. And he seemed to think the armrest was his. After a moment of his hairy arms and body odor, he was right. And he thought his English was excellent. He was wrong. And his headphone jack was out, so he thought we should talk all the way to Europe. He was wrong again. But, we arrived in Frankfurt on time. I had an hour layover, so there was no rush. Except Frankfurt doesn't let international flights come to the terminal. Everyone has to get on a bus and ride around the airport. And a 777 takes a while to de-plane. And the buses are slow and meandering. And it wasn't really the terminal they took us to. And we had to go up several flights of stairs to stand in line for the surly German to sneer at our passports. And then we had to leave the airport. And then back through security. And down several flights of stairs. And take a tram to the terminal. And I arrived just in time!...to see my plane leave without me. So, I got to spend the next hour in the Lufthansa line with a lovely English couple who missed the same plane I did. The Lufthansa agent wasn't surly. He said United had already re-booked me...for the wrong flight. He told me the United people were morons. (If you are keeping count, that's three industry professionals and me that have voted for United to leave the island). He told me my bag was in Frankfurt and he would make sure it arrived with me. He re-booked me. I couldn't let my sponsor know that I was now later than ever to meet him in Brussels. I was originally supposed to be there at 9:30am Wednesday; then 2:00pm; then 4:30pm. My plane touched down at 5:00pm. I watched the luggage conveyor belt spit out bags. I watched everyone get their bags. I watched the conveyor belt shut off. What I didn't watch was my bag coming out. I went to baggage claim and spent the next hour in line with nobody who spoke a language I recognized. My bag was there. It came in at 9:30am. The Lufthansa guy was a moron. So, with a 50lb duffle bag and equally weighted backpack over my shoulders, I set out in search of my sponsor. He was gone. He had waited for hours and had no contact from me. He emailed and left a message at my hotel, but we never thought for him to give me his cell number. I found the taxi stand. They didn't speak English. They didn't know where Chievres Air Force Base was. I called the hotel and got the GPS coordinates. I found a cab that would take US Dollars. $290 and an exasperated cabbie later, I was in my hotel room. I emailed and called everyone and let them know that I had negotiated the obstacle course between me and my hotel in the middle of Europe successfully. The next day was just about perfect. My sponsor picked me up at the hotel and got me started on my in-processing. I got half way through my list of stops on the first day. I get 30 days to do this. But that includes finding a place to live and other things that are just slow. But I was off to a wonderful start. My sponsor's wife had very thoughtfully put food in my hotel room, so I was able to eat that first night and then some. Jet lag hit me Friday and I spent the day recovering. My sponsor and his family took me to Brussels Saturday. It is a gorgeous city. I posted a few pictures on Facebook. This week, I have continued going through the red tape of reporting to Europe. I will give some anecdotes about that, my encounters with locals and impressions of Belgium in my next email. David (Not really Spaceman Spiff. That's a Calvin and Hobbs thing.) I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.

I sure will. Looks like a very interesting place. I know it just wouldnt be right to kill all the stupid people that we meet.. But do you think it would be appropriate to just remove all of the warning labels and let nature take its course.