Fishing 2014

This year's fishing trip was different.  My boss offered to pay for a charter for me and my fishing buddies.  It wasn't the quiet reflective time, I;ve come to expect during my annual salmon trip.  This was working a small commercial fishing boat.

The challenge here wasn't finding and fighting the fish itself, it was trying to stay on your feet in the rolling chop.  For a shore fisherman, finding my sea legs wasn't going to happen.

On my turns, I went straight to the deck and fought the fish from my knees.

After six hours we had eight fish.  A mixed catch of king salmon, steelhead and an elusive brown trout.  We had at least one coho that got away. Not a bad day for this time of year.  No trophies here, but a lot of good eats.

Fishing Trip 2014 - Raptor Charters Ludington MI

Caption Glen Buehner took us out on his boat Raptor.   We didn't do a "north troll" as that would have been too rough for the crew.  If you're brave enough, tell him you want to fish for the limit and comfort is secondary.

Memorial Day Weekend 2014

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."~ Ronald Reagan

Freedom is a special thing.  It does not mean being able to do what ever we want, but being free to do what is right, and that freedom is never free.  A terrible price has been paid for us to enjoy that freedom, and I fear we have become a nation unwilling keep up on our payments.

I spent Saturday at the range with my two younger sons.  The youngest used a 10/22 and a Buckmark pistol.  The older one and I used a Springfield Armory M1 Garand and a FNX45 pistol.  While trying to reload an en bloc clip, I though of those men during the Korean War doing the same task with the imminent threat of being overrun.   It gave me a new appreciation for detachable magazines and stripper clips.

The Garand came to me through a co-worker.  His brother had served as a Marine in the Korean War, and in the brother's words was a "gun nut".  He passed away in 1982 and all his firearms went to his brother (my co-worker) to keep in trust for his children.  The children are of age now, with children of their own, and have no interest in their father's firearms.  This seems sad to me.

Along with the rifle were several en bloc clips and a canvas pouch to hold two loaded clips.  The clips were loaded with blanks.  His brother had apparently been a part of an honor guard, rendering Military Funeral Honors.

So this Memorial Day, I did do some BBQ, but I also taught my children what the day is about, and why it was started.  To see and hear people wishing each other a "Happy Memorial Day," doesn't seem right.  To me, they just don't "get it."  To those that do "get it", please teach your children well.


PS.  The ribs were delicious.

USDA Swat Team?

When I think of USDA, I think of meat inspectors.  You know,  guys in white coats and hard hats walking through a processing plant holding a clipboard and checking temperatures.  Sort of like Paulie.  You know, Rocky's brother-in-law.

I guess inspectin' the cow punching business has gotten much more dangerous.  How else to explain the USDA's solicitation for submachine guns?

Solicitation Number: USDAOIGWEA-5-7-14
Notice Type: Sources Sought
Added: May 07, 2014 2:03 pm
Synopsis:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, located in Washington, DC, pursuant to the authority of FAR Part 13, has a requirement for the commerical acquisition of submachine guns, .40 Cal. S&W, ambidextrous safety, semi-automatic or 2 shot burts trigger group, Tritium night sights for front and rear, rails for attachment of flashlight (front under fore grip) and scope (top rear), stock-collapsilbe or folding, magazine - 30 rd. capacity, sling, light weight, and oversized trigger guard for gloved operation.  NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS.  All responsible and/or interested sources may submit their company name, point of contact, and telephone.  If received timely, shall be considered by the agency for contact to determine weapon suitability.

Contracting Office Address:
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 40-E J.L. Whitten Fed Bldg
Washington, District of Columbia 20250
Place of Performance:
USDA, Office of Inspector General - Investigations
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, District of Columbia 20250
United States
Primary Point of Contact.:
Linda F. Josey,
Chief, Procurement Management Branch
linda.josey@oig.usda.gov
Phone: 2027208337
Secondary Point of Contact:
Desiree Clayton,
Contracting Officer
desiree.clayton@oig.usda.gov
Phone: 202-720-5931
Fax: 202-690-1282

Are cattle being held hostage?  Is there a corn field in crisis?  What is the pressing need for a USDA swat team?  Why Linda?  Why Desiree?  Dear Lord, for the love of beef, why?

The Boy Scouts Miss Me.

Got this in my inbox today:

Dear Parent,

According to our records, your son did not renew his Scouting membership this year.  We are glad for the time he spent with us and hope it was a positive experience for him and your family. 

The purpose of this email is to let you know that your boy is welcome to rejoin Scouting at any time.  There are some exciting outdoor programs available this summer, and we don’t want anyone to miss out!  Visit http://www.michiganscouting.org/UpcomingEvents for more details.

Please select the best response for your situation, and please provide any additional feedback you feel would be beneficial:

q    I received this email in error; my son is still active in Scouting.

q    My son would like to rejoin his previous unit (please give unit #).

q    My son’s former unit was not a good fit.  Please send me information on
        other units in my neighborhood.  (Please provide school district name.)

q    My son is no longer interested in Scouting.

Thank you again for your time.  If we can be of further assistance, please contact Kevin Huffman or Leon Bell at 313-897-1965.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Great Lakes Field Service Council
1776 West Warren Avenue 
Detroit, MI 48208
P 313.897.1965
glfsc.recruiting@scouting.org

My response:

Dear Recruiter,

I am raising my children to have principles and morals.

I do not want my children to comprise their morals or principles because of peer pressure.

BSA's failure to remain stalwart to its own oath in the current climate of political correctness is not an example my children should follow.

Good luck with your moral relativism.

-A Parent No Longer Sending You Money.

Detroit...You Surprise Me.

Wow, Detroit.  You Big D, you.  What is happening?

First you elect a white mayor for the first time in a half century.  Okay, he's still a Democrat, we can talk about that later.

But your police chief is now all down with concealed carry,  thinks the law abiding will help make Detroit a safer place.  That's pretty radical for a Detroit Police Chief.

Shoot, he might start thinking that the high cost of local government is a detriment to private business and industry and stuff.  Well, maybe not.  That might be a bridge too far.

Well, Detroit, I hope you will continue on this road of self help and responsibility.  Keep surprising me, please.

And Baby Makes Nine.

Hello, Brigid.

Happy Birthday.

Your mother and I have been waiting for you to arrive.

Welcome home.

Election Day

Benny Napoleon is running for Mayor of Detroit.  He is making the case that until Detroit has a "Law and Order" mayor, a mayor who understands public safety, Detroit will continue to have lots of murders.  Benny is the former police chief for Detroit PD and Wayne County Sheriff.

I can't believe that Benny can say such symbolically racist things as a political candidate.

Benny Napoleon:  Symbolic Racist

I agree that public safety should be important to Detroit citizens.

I guess that makes me a symbolic racist too.

UPDATE:   I've been informed that since Benny has some melanin, he is incapable of being racist, symbolically or otherwise.  Only those without significant levels of melanin can be racist.  How this theory isn't racist itself, has yet to be explained.

UPDATE II:  Mike Duggan has won the mayoral race.  Good luck, Mike.  Hopefully you can help turn around Detroit.

UPDATE III:  Mike Duggan stated that his first priority is reducing response times for emergency calls.  Well Benny,  it seems like Mr. Duggan has the right idea.  Response times for priority one calls is now averaging 11 minutes.  Let's see what happens in six months.