Sic Semper Tyrannis

A Threat to the US from North Korea.

"“We do not hide that a variety of satellites and long-range rockets which will be launched by the DPRK one after another and a nuclear test of higher level,” the statement said, “will target against the U.S., the sworn enemy of the Korean people.” As in the past, the statement also suggested North Korea viewed its weapons programs as a “deterrence” against attack. It may prove that the statement was another outburst by an insecure, starving country; North Korea has often threatened to strike the “heart” of the United States, and a popular propaganda poster there shows a missile hitting what looks like Capitol Hill. But the difference now is that the country has just completed a successful long-range rocket test that showed for the first time that its goal of designing a weapon that could hit the United States could be within reach in the next several years."  NY Times

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North Korea is an obvious menace.  Any country that seeks a capability to hit the United States with nuclear weapons must face the consequences of their actions and stated intentions.

A missile launch that carries a warhead that lands near Guam, Hawaii or the West Coast will bring a change in US policy.  pl  

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/25/world/asia/north-korea-vows-nuclear-test-as-threats-intensify.html?_r=0

Thoughts on Gun Control Hysteria--by Foresman

I am not a libertarian; nor am I conservative or liberal; in fact I guess I am a moderate whose views are shaped by the ideologies of libertarianism, conservatism, and liberalism.

Gun Rights Forum

Paul Deavereaux (no relation to Claude) sent me this comment which I woiuld like to make the starting point for a discussion on Firearms ownership rights.  He lives in California.  pl

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"Well, in brief, some kind of laws that won't take my guns away from me :-)  

As I posted, I currently own three firearms -- a riot shotgun and two antique but nicely maintained .22 rifles -- no handguns at all. Speaking for myself, with my level of training and no official need to carry a handgun any longer, any protection offered by handguns is way offset by the danger to myself and my family. So I got rid of my handguns. And feel good about it. Safer. Which is the point.  

As for controls, I think long guns and handguns should be legal but need to be treated a little differently in terms of oversight.  

Gun ownership/purchase should be permitted only to those individuals who have completed a proper, certified and rigorous course in their use and their legal liabilities and responsibilities (service in the military does not exempt one from completing the civilian course).  There should be individual courses for handguns and long guns. The courses can be administered by gov't agencies or by duly licensed private individuals and groups (NRA etc). Cost for the course should be fixed at a reasonable figure so as to not be prohibitive (used as a 'gateway' to restrict gun ownership to only the affluent).

A new kind of war - FB Ali

On the recent thread about Anwar al-Awlaki’s killing, the question came up as to whether the US really is at war or not. This is an important issue, and its answer carries much wider significance beyond just the legality of killing Awlaki.

The short answer to the question, of course, is: it is war, because the US chooses to treat it as such. But it’s the dawn of a very different kind of war.

When George Bush declared his Great War on a nebulous noun (which most people understood to mean Islamists, though some construed it as Islam), he still waged it in the conventional manner. Pinning the blame for 9/11 on Afghanistan and Iraq, he invaded both countries. This was not much different from Austria-Hungary declaring war on and invading Serbia in 1914 because of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by a Serb nationalist.

Review of the Kel-Tec SU-22

 
I was out on a range yesterday with Basilisk.  This was the first chance I have had to shoot my new Kel-tec SU-22, .22 LR carbine.  The weapon came well bore sighted and zeroed from the factory.  With iron sights (peep sight and post) I had a tight group at 100 yards.

The action functions beautifully, smoothly and without misfires. 

Taking down the gun is simple.  there is one assembly pin to be drifted out and then the whole bolt, and operating spring assembly comes out in one piece.

This gun weighs 4 pounds empty.

My only complaint about it is that in re-assembly, the front end of the tube holding the operating spring gets hung up on the fitting at the end of the spring itself.  You have to fiddle with it a bit.

All in all, a great little rifle, and completely US made.  pl