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Philippine Government . . . You're Fired!
Posted on May 6, 2012 July 5, 2015 AuthorVirtual Vigilante31 Comments
My advocacy is to reduce the Philippine Government (the "Government") to its bare essentials. That means I will do everything I can to minimize the taxes I pay the Government and to encourage every taxpayer, individual and/or corporate, to do the same until the Government relearns its sole purpose and function—to serve the taxpayers.
The reason is simple. Since my birth nearly half a century ago, the Government has consistently proven itself to be an utterly negligent administrator of the assets of the Filipino people. The Government is not only useless, it's downright damaging. Under any decent standard of accountability, I would have fired the Government several times over since my birth. However, given the infirmities of the Philippine Constitution (then and now) and the apparent absence of the Government's ability to amend the Constitution (another manifestation of a dysfunctional Government), there is really no way I can "fire" the Government. No matter how negligent, how incompetent, how corrupt the Government is, I cannot fire the Government. All I can do is throw my vote (which is usually contrary to the vote of the super-majority of non-tax paying Filipinos) on a few politicians, who are mostly shady and mediocre in the first place. In essence, I am forced to pay taxes to pay people I would not even consider hiring in my own organization. And I cannot fire them. So, my solution is to pay them as little as I possibly can. Pay as little tax as possible without going to jail.
I have spent my entire adult life as a productive economic citizen paying fulsome taxes supporting a Government that does me a great disservice. So now that I am no longer employed, I will resort to guerilla tactics to destroy in my own very limited way no less than a monster leech of Philippine society—the Government. Imagine the ultimate potential when all taxpayers come together to stop paying taxes to cripple the Government and to finally dictate what the Government should do for the taxpayers—instead of the Government throwing away our hard earned money and resources to programs that are unimportant to taxpayers but merely perpetuate the parasitic existence of Government.
Let's start with the mismanagement of Philippine forests. The total land area of the Philippines is roughly 30 million hectares. In 1955, approximately 15 million hectares were covered in forests. Philippine forest land is under the ownership of the Government and has been managed mainly for timber production. Usufructory rights to timber resources have been awarded to the private sector through leasehold contracts called logging concessions or timber license agreements ("TLA"). Poor monitoring and enforcement of such logging concessions, including kickback schemes between government officials and private concessionaires, led to the rape and pillage of such forests, thereby diminishing severely the forest resource base (and its contribution to the economy) of the Philippines and causing serious long-term environmental damage—including the destruction of aquifers, massive soil erosion and catastrophic flooding. Today (2011), the Philippines may have less than 2 million hectares of forests left. The Government will refute this and say it has more. It's a lie like most declarations of the Government to cover its filthy ass. Every year, during the summer season, it is increasingly difficult to tap into natural water sources and, during the rainy season, massive landslides occur in many denuded areas, burying whole towns and killing hundreds of individuals at a time. Downstream, prime agricultural lands are experiencing increasingly severe floods, destroying billions of pesos of crops and pushing our farmers deeper into poverty. For more than half a century, the Government, in cahoots with the political and military leadership, has systematically stolen a priceless resource from the Filipino taxpayer and, in fact, is responsible for all the unnecessary loss of life, property and crops in connection with landslides and floods due to denudation.
The question is, why is the Government still in charge of taking care of our forests, when it clearly has bungled the job from the outset and continues to bungle the job today? Short of an amendment to the Constitution yanking out the Government as the administrator of forests and assigning the job to some reputable non-profit NGO to re-establish 15 million hectares of Philippine forest again, then each centavo spent on this Government to care for our forest is wasted money.
Another example of the Government's extreme wastage is evident in the evolution of the Philippine power sector. The National Power Corporation or NAPOCOR was like most national/government integrated power utilities that was responsible for supplying electricity (power generation), transmitting electricity over long distances at high voltages (power transmission) and distributing electricity to customers (power distribution). This was most apparent during the Marcos Dictatorship in which NAPOCOR took over the Manila Electric Company (MERALCO, the power distribution utility in Metro Manila), thereby having virtual control over the three (3) sub-sectors of the power utility infrastructure: generation, transmission and distribution.
The tenure of NAPOCOR, representing the Government's control of the power sector, saw the systemic degradation of the entire power utility infrastructure in the Philippines. NAPOCOR evolved into a bloated, inefficient, incompetent and unresponsive government organization that ran its facilities to the ground. In the early 1990's, the Philippines experienced 12-hour power outages everyday, which was eventually fixed after legislation allowed the private sector to build, operate and own power plants that sell electricity to NAPOCOR—at a premium price. In the meantime, NAPOCOR incurred over 20% of the total National Government debt by 2001 (i.e., US$9.355 of the total government debt of US$46.31).
At this time, another critical law on the power sector was passed (EPIRA of 2001). Unfortunately, it was practically drafted by the most powerful vested interest in the Philippine power sector—the Lopez Group, which had by then recovered MERALCO from the Government. EPIRA allowed cross-ownership between power generation and power distribution, permitting the Lopez Group to self-deal by way of selling electricity from a subsidiary power plant to a subsidiary power distributor at the expense of the consumer. To make matters worse, when the Lopez Group lost control of MERALCO and the legislature could finally plug the cross-ownership hole in EPIRA, the lawmakers sat idle while another business group (Salim et al and a foreign group at that through the money laundering enterprise of Manny Pangilinan) took control of MERALCO and set-up their own power generation enterprise to continue self-dealing at the expense of consumers.
In the absence of true competition in the power generation sector, it is no wonder the electricity rates in the Philippines are now the highest in Asia. In short, the Government ran our entire power utility infrastructure into the ground, brought in the private sector to fix its problems (albeit at a premium price to consumers), contributed substantially to the hemorrhaging national debt, and sits idly while vested interests promulgated and perpetuated legislation and policies that limit true competition in power generation for the benefit of consumers. It takes several decades to mess-up such a critical sector in an economy and the Government did just that with the Philippine power sector over the past 60 years. As if that wasn't enough, this is the same Government responsible for the over-priced and unutilized Bataan Nuclear Power Plant.
The good news is NAPOCOR has actually been fired, over ten (10) years ago, when EPIRA became law and the privatization of NAPOCOR commenced. The question is, why does NAPOCOR still exist? The answer is, to mismanage again at the expense of taxpayers whatever little is left for it to manage, which is the Small Power Utility Group or SPUG. Even SPUG should be privatized, so that electricity supplied to far flung islands and areas is done with the minimum intervention of the Government. If SPUG needs to be subsidized, then the Government should just subsidize the electricity rate of the private enterprises providing the service—just get the Government out of the way.
Another question is, how much longer will the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM, a new government corporation) exist, when it has had over 10 years (as of June 2011) to privatize the assets of NAPOCOR and program the still very substantial "residual" debt that is left behind in spite of (or maybe because of) all these years of machinations? Will PSALM evolve into another leech in Government with an over-extended life, using up taxes for nothing?
What about plugging the hole of self-dealing between affiliated companies in power generation and power distribution, and creating a truly competitive power generation sub-sector? PSALM is even more liable than the legislature for standing idle as the Lopez Group lost control of MERALCO, as it is suppose to make the Philippine power sector more competitive and consumer-friendly. Nee haa nee hoe. There is no cross-ownership allowed in the transmission sub-sector, and the same should have applied between the generation and the distribution sub-sectors from the outset of EPIRA. Then, Government should stay the hell out of the way.
Government should be out of everything in the power sector except in regulation. Taxes should be invested in improving the skills, competence and integrity of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The irony is this, the more deregulated the power industry, the more sophisticated regulation is required of the regulatory body—and that is the ERC, which remains a political lapdog at its current stage of evolution.
Government land and squatters—these two elements consistently go hand in hand. That is because the Government is a lazy and corrupt caretaker of public land. Instead of diligently securing public land under its care, government officials ignore and even encourage the encroachment of informal settlers into such public lands—often exacting a bribe for the use of such public land—until the same is jam-packed with squatters like sardines. As if devaluing public lands with squatters is not enough, the same squatters are then paid by government officials to vacate public land using—you guessed it—taxpayers' money. Just look at the experience of the Philippine National Railway. Talk about being raped then sodomized by Government.
Philippine forests, power infrastructure and government land are a few examples of precious and tangible assets that have been mismanaged and wasted by the Government at the grave expense of the Filipinos. Yet, greater damage has been done on more precious (albeit intangible) resources. For instance, the integrity of our judiciary, the third branch and last bastion of the Government, has been so completely eroded that our judicial system is not only a failed system but one that continues to bring us to ever increasing heights of institutional perversity.
It was well-known within the inner sanctum of Government that Chief Justice Narvasa was on the payroll of Lucio Tan; hence, the landmark Supreme Court decision to acquit Lucio Tan's companies of P26 billion of taxes (when the exchange rate was about P26 = US$1). That marked an all time low in the history of the Philippine judiciary, which appears to be reprised in recent events by no less than the same star studded cast of Lucio Tan and, premier attorney for super-crooks, Estelito Mendoza.
No wonder none of the Marcoses have been jailed for either their ill-gotten wealth or for their crimes against humanity. Not a single word of apology from the Marcos brethren who are back in power with a vengeance, a fully-loaded war chest and an overwhelming arrogance that will stop at nothing to revise Philippine history. Even Marcos cronies like Bobby Ongpin can launder money, secure behest loans and engage in insider trading with impunity and with the characteristic arrogance and offensive tact of the Marcos regime. No wonder Erap continues to brush aside the judiciary that had adjudged him guilty of plunder by unilaterally insisting on his righteousness without any hint of remorse. No wonder GMA and the rest of her family continue to make a mockery of the pending graft cases against them. These are but a few grand manifestations of a cancer that has metastasized extensively into the farthest reaches and tiniest nooks and crannies of the Philippine judiciary.
I cannot articulate any better than Conrado de Quiros my disgust for the Philippine Supreme Court in his Philippine Daily Inquirer editorial dated October 11, 2011 entitled "Impeach Them" which I reprint in its entirety below.
Only a month ago, the Supreme Court spoke thus:
"PAL appeared to have deliberately omitted the portions of the Court's Resolution…that not only referred to our original finding that PAL failed to observe the proper procedures and requirements of a valid retrenchment but…also reaffirmed (it). Thus, PAL appears to us to be less than honest in its claim."
"Wherefore it resolves to deny with finality respondent PAL's second motion for reconsideration. No further pleadings shall be entertained."
Now it squeaks thus:
The wrong division ruled on the case. Wherefore, "pursuant to the internal rules of the Supreme Court, the court en banc resolves to accept (the case). The court en banc further resolves to recall the resolution dated Sept. 7, 2011, issued by the Second Division."
What did it take for the Court to go in but one cycle of the moon from its Olympian stance to this head-scratching, idiot-faced grinning, "Ay mali"-spouting dance today?
A letter from Estelito Mendoza, Lucio Tan's lawyer.
It was not a dramatic revelation that it was Fasap in fact and not PAL management that had been "less than honest in its claim." It was not a thunderous presentation of new evidence that the flight attendants had in fact been falsifying documents or making erroneous calculations. It was not an earthshaking demonstration that PAL in fact had been overpaying its flight crew or inundating them with benefits.
It was in fact: A letter from Estelito Mendoza, Lucio Tan's lawyer. A letter that said the wrong division ruled on the case. A letter that had the justices piously saying, "Amen."
That cynical, mindless, sniveling stupidity cannot possibly come from a Supreme Court. There is no other way to explain this barefaced, in-your-face, dirty-finger-shoving display of naked perfidy. It does not show how much the justices thought about this, it shows how much the justices were paid for this.
The issue here is no longer about labor, it is about integrity. The issue is no longer about Fasap, it is about the Supreme Court. The issue is no longer about whether the flight attendants, who have been dismissed unjustly, have a right to be paid what they lost. The issue is whether the justices, who have been dishing out injustice for so long, have a right to exist.
They do not. They have no right to exist on three grounds.
One is for making a mockery of justice. Or more to the point, for assuring that no one can possibly get any justice. Or still more to the point, for assuring that the rich can get away with murder. That is what their decision to open a case that has been ruled upon "with finality" means. Final means end. There is no such thing as "more final," or "most final," or "most most final," ad infinitum. This is by no means the first time the Supreme Court has done this, to the monumental chagrin of the poor plaintiff or defendant who thought he had won his case. I've written about this before and vituperated against this before. In the case of Fasap, this is the third time they've won their case only to see that victory dashed to pieces. Bob Anduiza, the Fasap president, has a point: That is like having three overtimes in a basketball game not with the score tied but with one team having already won. That is not a game, that is a joke. There can be no justice with a finality that has no finality. Who stands to gain from this? The rich. They can always get a case that has gone against them reopened by buying off the justices. Yes, buying off, let's call a spade a spade. Or bloody murder, which is what they will quite literally get away with. Time is on their side. Money is on their side. The crooks are on their side.
Two is for having no business being justices. What idiocy is this that the Second Division had been deliberating on PAL's second motion without knowing all along that the Third Division should really be doing it? You hold the life of people in your hands and don't even know you have no right to? If so, then the justices should be stripped of their robes and sent back to law school to learn the basics of court procedure, quite apart from the basics of human decency. If so, then the culprits should have nothing to do with the Supreme Court, they should have to do only with Lucky Me Supreme. My apologies to Lucky Me. While at that, even on a procedural note, isn't there a rule that says that someone might challenge the ruling of a division—whether it is the right division or not, or indeed whether the proper forum is a division or the Court en banc—only before it has ruled and not after?
Three is for being a–hole. That is the most solid ground of all. That is the most compelling reason of all. Do they have any idea what they're doing to people who have already been victims of a humongous injustice? I don't know which is worse, an owner who runs an airline like a taho factory or judges who run their courts like a talipapa, rulings sell cheaper by the dozen. I do know what's worse than flight attendants being tossed away like used condoms after they've served faithfully and well. That is being told they'll finally get justice and restitution, only to have those snatched away from them at the last minute. Again and again. That is subjecting them to a roller-coaster ride of joy and grief with no end in sight. To appreciate how that feels, the justices should have their pay—or forget their pay, their bribes—withheld from them at the last minute. Again and again. With no end in sight.
We have only three options. One is to abolish the Supreme Court. Two is to scrap the justices and just appoint Estelito Mendoza, the lawyer of Lucio Tan, Supreme Arbiter. Three, and far more sanely: Freaking impeach them.
Amen! However, since we are really unable to fire any branch of the Government, I say we, the individual and corporate taxpayer, do everything we can to minimize the taxes we pay the Government and to encourage every taxpayer, individual and/or corporate, to do the same until the Government agrees to do the bidding of the taxpayers. If this doesn't work, then the next step is a coordinated and swift course of action to stop paying taxes altogether to paralyze Government completely and to force Government to do the bidding of the taxpayers. It's about time the people paying the bills (the taxpayers) are given a voice in the Philippines and our first action item is to fire the Government!
Virtual Vigilante
CategoriesCrime, Development, Environment, Government, Politics, SocietyTagsdeforestation, electricity, lucio tan, MERALCO, NAPOCOR, power generation, squatters
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31 Replies to "Philippine Government . . . You're Fired!"
SnareYellow says:
Well, f*&^%$g AMEN brother!
I'm all in for that! Just to see my payslip each time and see how substantial a loss they deduct from it makes my skin crawl. Talk about a farce of an institution. Yes. Welcome to the 21st century, wherein the enemy of the Filipino people does not reside in the other side of the world but instead within the very bounds of the land. More than high time to put in a V mask and claim what is rightfully ours. Time to get our country back from these bumbling imbeciles.
coolass says:
Robert Haighton says:
How can I comment to this Blog being a foreigner? I think I should back off here and keep silent.
But as long as I am not wrong you give the government too much credit by typing the name with a capital G; I think government suffice.
Not long ago, my Philippine partner applied for a job at a city government (LGU) because it would give (more) stability. What I didnt know is that getting hired by a Philippine city government is a political decision and not based on the quality of the person that applies. Probably Philippine government employees cant get fired. I even think the same applies in my country still (as long as the employee really doenst do stupid things but just doing his/her job then its almost impossible to get fired).
However there are political parties in my country who want to down-size the number of (city/provincial/national) government employees. The overhead is enormous.
What is the general feeling of the "men in the street" for the Dutch government (city government, provincial government and/or national government)?
They are lazy, slow and expensive. They (the government)think the public is there for the government while they (the government) should be there for the public.
Hey Robert,
Sorry for not responding to your e-mails sooner, been too busy lately with new work and all.
Your observations are accurate, in the Philippines at the local government level there is no room for skills or career, only personalities and acquaintances. It should be a good thing if the people were a bit more Teutonic in their mindsets (with that Prussian efficacy), but unfortunately, they don't. Filipino civil servants at the local level are just salary moochers, who work just for salary, with no aim to improve their procedures and no reason to improve even themselves.
No worries Don,
Like I said so many times, the Philippines is diagonal opposite to my country. Not only in culture but also when it comes to hiring people and many other territories as well.
Is it really more fun to be in the Philippines?
Did I have any experiences with a section of any Philippine government being a foreigner? Yes, I have.
In the past, I sent 2 emails.
– One to a local city government department. I never received a reply/response. Not even one saying "thank you for your email. We will get back to you within 3 office days".
– The other one to the PNP (Philippine National Police). Here again still waiting for a repsonse.
nelson ongpauco says:
same thing happen to my daugther she work us a sbtitute teacher in laguna she live in laguna closed to the school she apply to a permanent job because they are hiring a teacher but what they do is hired a new graduate teacher from ilocos because pinoy is ilokano this is about who you know not what you know you need some body in the goberment or politician to get hired ..
Probably it will work everywhere the same way. It may help if you know somebody on the inside but ultimately and finally THE hiring is done by HRM (Human Resource Management) after so many job interviews. And if the particular finance & accounting dept head (lets say one is applying for a job at the financial dept) and the one from HRM dont believe/feel/think you are the right candidate you will not be hired, even if you know the mayor, the president or who ever. One may know the mayor but if you are under-qualified, or not made out of the right timber then you are out. The new prospect employee must at least have some added value (compared to all other candidates). Otherwise they can hire the local clown.
i dont think so my brother friend is aagriculture graduate she apply at city hall she did not pass a civil service test but because my sister in law ninong sa kasal is a supervisor at city hall she was hire as a clerk as temporary employee but the temporary position been temporary for 3o years to get hired at the goverment office you need padrino..
@wanderlust
Just wondering: what kind of taxes do a typical Filipino pay? Or in other words what are the revenues for the Philippinian government?
– (Income) taxes?
– Excise?
– fees (for passport and driver's license)?
– VAT?
– penalties & fines (parking tickets, speed tickets)?
– license fees? (wedding licenses/certificates, construction/building licenses, etc)
– (import) duties?
As most products having a 19% VAT I am sure all people spend most of their income on VAT. I dont know how to stop paying for VAT.
aja says:
Withholding tax – taken from the monthly salary.
around 250K+32% at max.
given the rough computation of 25% + 12% of the remaining 75% (9%) that's 34% of the salary paid by every employee from the moment they receive their salary to the moment they spend it all
Hyden Toro says:
The government is comprised of people. Most are political appointees, by politicians in power. These politician appointees can be either: incompetent or crook. If you elect people, who have Hidden Agendas, as most of our elected politicians. We end up with this kind of government. Just take the case of the Aquino-Conjuangco ownership of the Hacienda Luisita. It is a plain Swindle on the Philippine government, by a powerful family. Then, they are in power themselves. They are able to buy Congressmen;corrupt Congress; hire high priced attorneys; and impeach Justices, who decide not to do what they want; regarding the land they swindled…
@Hyden Toro,
so you are saying that if and when I am hired as some middle-management or lower management figure it is still a polital thing? Truely insane if that is the case.
brianitus says:
@Robert:
Yes. Most of the time, it is insane.
Did you understand the message, YellowTard? It's just an example of where we are…the Aquinos and the Cojuangcos are insanely greedy. Mga Swapang na Intsik..Anyway, the behaviours of Noynoy Aquino is already insane…
Aegis-Judex says:
A government big enough to shower its love for you is big enough to butt-rape you.
Amir Al Bahr says:
Why fire your government when you can fire at them, or even rain fire on them! Mwahahaha
joel_delr says:
It would be a great idea if people allowed to vote in an election (be it national or local) should only be the ones who are paying income taxes. It only makes sense since taxpayers are actually the public servants paymasters. No votes from squatters, sidewalk vendors, jeepney drivers, market vendors, etc etc. (not that all of them pay their income taxes, anyway, i think)
itchyBB says:
I completely agree to this. It is time for the taxpayers to dictate who should be put in the government. We have been abused for so long. It is time that we stand together and ensure that what is rightfully ours be given. I guess we are more entitled to programs by the government than the non-taxpayers are.
@joel_delr
I am truely sorry but I disagree with you. The government should be there for all people. Rich and poor, paying taxes or not paying taxes.
Otherwise people who pay more taxes than you, can claim more efforts by the government than you.
But I do get your drift behind your statement.
@ Robert Haighton
I don't expect a non-Filipino to understand my above statement. But, needless to say, here in the Philippines, the thinking, working class…those who do honest work, those people that when they receive their paycheck already have taxes deducted…are the ones burdened by the non-thinking "masa's" decision to vote for some idiot just because he happens to be the son of some other idiot or just because he is sikat (even if he is a stupid idiot). We can't do anything about it. The so-called "masa" outnumber us greatly. And they are increasing in number as we speak, since us, the working, thinking class prefer to have reasonable number of children, and they (the masa) went forth and multiplied…and multiplied, and did nothing to alleviate their situation but instead, watched noontime shows and telenovelas and still make more babies.
Homer says:
I heard this idea from my sister around 2 decades ago. It's a great idea, and I still support it.
On the other hand, I've become skeptical of seeing this come to life…not just because some goons and warlords (disguised as political leaders) can be at a disadvantage, but also because the thinking/taxpaying classes will end up disagreeing on various issues that would result in conflict, backstabbing, mistrust, speculation, illogical reasoning, etc.. Most of all, the media would be of no help.
Hey, it's da pinoy way. 😉
Manuel says:
It's not exactly voting by taxpayers only–although I agree with you completely. However, its an attempt to mitigate the tyranny of the masses. Check out the essay on Responsible Democracy in the following link: http://shootingthebreezebywanderlust.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html
@joel_delr,
I do know just a little about the Philippines. Not much, just a little. I would even use harsher words than you when talking about the so-called "masses" in the Philippines. Intellectually, you just cant shut them out.
I know we can't just shut them out. But since voting is a privilege given to all citizens, it should be done properly. It's as simple as the line from The Spiderman movie, "with great power comes great responsiblity." And obviously, these "masa" are unable to handle the responsibility of choosing the right people to put in the goverment, then they should be stripped of this power (privilege). In the end, it would be beneficial also to them.
joel_delr,
I read your posts. Interesting proposal you have there.
All that taxpayers can prove is this: They can pay taxes. Them knowing better than most is an entirely different story.
What makes you think that the taxpayer knows better? Are you aware that there are members of SEC/ Market Segment ABC who voted for PNoy? I see a lot of cars with that YELLOW RIBBON. Some in the ABC also went for Binay. You know how he's known in some circles, right? These people in the ABC segment are mostly taxpayers. Heck, some are even tax cheaters.
Maybe what you want is better voter education. You can help by talking to the masa constructively instead of condemning them.
Now I dont know if the Phili government pays a kind of child support (for each kid in the household). If that would be the case, the government can/should decide to minimize/limit that only for the first 2 or first 3 kids.
Anyway, I think I should stop giving suggestions bec I dont know what I am talking about. I simply know too little about this topic.
Below is an article consistent with the essay on Responsible Democracy. You don't have to be a genius to predict where the Philippines is headed with the masses selecting the leadership of the country.
http://getrealphilippines.com/2012/06/mahathir-mohamad-on-why-the-philippines-may-suffer-from-a-case-of-mediocre-political-leadership/
cynic says:
Yes, let's go all Guy Fawkes on the government and blow up Congress. Let's stop paying taxes, let's go full on anarchy. Alan Moore would be proud. Let's see if you can do better.
Typical sociopathic commentary. Come up with something better. I demand it.
unconcerned says:
I am not trying to incite riots or rage here. But the Philippines at its current state, apart from something very drastic, is already beyond redemption.
It is not just about the government, because we must remember that it is we that put them there. Don't excuse yourself of this whole "masa" thing, because look around you, that is the embodiment of the Philippine society – a gutless, ignorant, blabbering, self-centered vanity.
The Filipino people, as it was groomed throughout the decades, had been dumbed down and oppressed without them even noticing. What you see in the televisions, newspapers, the web have been a propaganda machine of making much of the sane world stupid.
Even worse, thanks to the mass exodus due to this "OFW phenomenon – our modern day hero", we are left with the much lesser breed.
Folks, this is reality.
sbagsic says:
Belgium was able to put in a private organization to manage the country when it fired its government, we can do the same! Seriously, is there a way to do this? Year after year, the same disasters, the same issues. If we can use our tax money to effectively manage the country and its problems instead of funding the government, I will be happy to take part. Otherwise, I am taking my family out of here.


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If you have selected a part or a layer of Kiev city vector map and open the dialog box by clicking the icon in the Control panel, on the Samples palette or the Color Catalog, or if you choose Edit > Edit Colors> Repaint Graphic Object, then the «Repaint Graphic Object» dialog box appears, and you get access to «Assign» and «Edit» tabs.
Create and edit color groups of Kiev city vector map, and also assign colors using the «Edit Colors»/ а «Repaint Graphic Object» dialog box.
The harmony rules Menu and the Color Wheel are used to conduct experiments with color harmonies. The color wheel shows how colors are related in color harmony, and the color bars allow you to view and manipulate an individual color values. In addition, you can adjust the brightness, add and remove colors, save color groups and view colors on the selected Vector Map of Kiev city or a separated layers.
The «Assign» tab is used to view and control on how the original colors are replaced with colors from the color group like your corporate colors in the Vector Map of Kiev city.
The assign color ability is provided only if the entire map, layer or fragment is selected in the document. You can specify which of new colors replace the current colors, whether the spot colors should be preserved and how colors are replaced (for example, you can replace colors completely or changing the color tone while maintaining the brightness). The «Assign» tab allows you to redefine colors in the Vector Map of Kiev city, or in separate layers and fragments using the current color group or reducing the number of colors in the current Vector Map.
Kiev is an important industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural centre of Eastern Europe. It is home to many high-tech industries, higher education institutions, and world-famous historical landmarks. The city has an extensive infrastructure and highly developed system of public transport, including the Kiev Metro.
Any color group can be selected and edited, or used to redefine the colors in the selected vector map of Kiev city, its fragments or elements.
Use these commands if you need to edit the colors in the selected vector map of Kiev city.
Use this button if you need to adjust colors of Kiev city vector map using the а «Repaint graphic object» dialog box.
Note. This color editing method is convenient for global color adjustment in a vector map, if global colors were not used when creating a City Map of Kiev.
Click this button if you need to edit colors on the «Color Catalog» palette or edit and then apply them to the selected Vector Map of Kiev city or its fragment.
Click this button if you need to edit the colors in the specific color group or edit and apply them to the selected Vector Map of Kiev city or a group of its elements, for example, the whole layer "Streets and lines". You can also double-click the color group in the Samples panel to open the dialog box.
The city prospered again during the Russian Empire's Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century. In 1917, after the Ukrainian National Republic declared independence from the Russian Empire, Kiev became its capital. From 1921 onwards Kiev was a city of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, which was proclaimed by the Red Army, and, from 1934, Kiev was its capital. During World War II, the city again suffered significant damage, but quickly recovered in the post-war years, remaining the third largest city of the Soviet Union.
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and Ukrainian independence in 1991, Kiev remained the capital of Ukraine and experienced a steady migration influx of ethnic Ukrainians from other regions of the country. During the country's transformation to a market economy and electoral democracy, Kiev has continued to be Ukraine's largest and richest city. Kiev's armament-dependent industrial output fell after the Soviet collapse, adversely affecting science and technology. But new sectors of the economy such as services and finance facilitated Kiev's growth in salaries and investment, as well as providing continuous funding for the development of housing and urban infrastructure. Kiev emerged as the most pro-Western region of Ukraine where parties advocating tighter integration with the European Union dominate during elections.
Geographically, Kiev is located on a border of the Polesia (woodland) ecological zone (a part of the European mixed woods) and forest steppe biome. However, the city's unique landscape distinguishes it from the surrounding region. Kiev is completely surrounded by Kiev Oblast.
Originated on the right bank, today Kiev is located on both sides of the Dnieper, which flows southward through the city towards the Black Sea. The older and higher right-bank (western) part of the city is represented by numerous woody hills (Kiev Hills), ravines and small rivers. The Kiev's relief contributed to the city's toponyms such as Podil (means lower), Pechersk (caves), uzviz (a steep street, "descent"). Kiev is a part of the larger Dnieper Upland adjoining the western bank of the Dnieper in its mid-flow. Dnieper Upland contributes to the city's elevation change. The north outskirts of the city border the Polesian Lowland. Kiev expanded to the Dnieper's lowland on left bank (to the east) only in the 20th century. The whole portion of Kiev on the left bank of Dnieper is generally referred as Left bank. Significant areas of the left-bank Dnieper valley were artificially sand-deposited, and are protected by dams.
According to the UN 2011 evaluation, there were no risks of natural disasters in Kiev and its metropolitan area.


a minimum CGPA of 2.75 (out of 4.0); or a minimum CGPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0) for mining/petroleum professionals with at least 2 years of relevant technical experience.
the required level of English proficiency. Overall IELTS test score of 6.5 (with sub-score requirements no less than 6.0), or the equivalent TOEFL score as posted on the ETS website.
Applicants applying to the MSc in Mining Engineering or MSc in Petroleum Engineering program are required to complete and submit online the application form available at the University website (admissions.nu.edu.kz) as well as a complete package of admission documents, before the deadline. Admissions documents are submitted electronically.
In case your application will progress to the next stage, you will be asked to provide the notarized and/or original copies of your application package to Graduate Admissions Department. Applicants who obtained their degree diplomas/certificates from foreign educational institutions must request their official transcripts be sent directly to the following address: Graduate Admissions Department, 53, Kabanbay Batyr ave., Astana 010000, Kazakhstan.
Once you have found the course or programme you are interested in, you can apply directly using the online application system.


text:
Mike would have been 57 today....
My friend, Michael Franklin Mays, would have been 57 today. I suppose that I appear maudlin, but he was a good fellow who like some other good folks I know left too soon. This Saturday will be the opening for the spring turkey season. I think that was Mike's favorite hunting. He loved to call in the birds even if he wasn't doing the shooting. Loved it.
Mini-CSA East Coast Postponed 'Til Next Wednesday
We were planning to go to Low Moor range near Clifton Forge, VA for our mini-CSA but the weather conspired against us. We just didn't want to get the guns wet so we have passed till next week.
This gave me time to work on Bruce Hamlin's new Pump Rifle Forum.
Happy Anniversary to the 1911 pistol!
Posing with the 1911 Pistol
Today is the day, 100 years ago, that the U.S. military first adopted John Browning's invention the Colt 1911 pistol. I am celebrating by including this photograph of my great-grandfather Orrin Lawrence Brodie at ROTC camp ca. 1911 with a newly issued pistol. CPT Brodie defended the New York City water system during World War One and was forced to retire, still a National Guard Captain, in 1943. He died in October 1943. By that time the 1911A1s had been in production for several years and World War Two was raging.
Thirty years later I entered service and used some of those 1911A1s from World War Two. They were good guns then and they are good guns now.
NOTE: It has been pointed out to me that the first pistols weren't shipped until 1912. As this is during the summer and he has the pistol I'm wondering if this was in 1912. As it is I can't find the original right now (in the huge stack of old photos) to check the penciled date. He would be about 31 or 32 years old and a 1st Lieutenant here and was a Captain for a long, long time (1918 or so until 1943).
Defending the NYC Water Supply, 1918
0 comments Labels: Family, General
Sad to say today at the gun shop was notable for the lack of notable things that happened or notable guns that passed through the door.
Nothing of note happened.
An unusual sight...
I was driving got work this morning and saw something that has become a bit unusual. I thought I'd share that and some musings that the incident aroused.
My route to my Friday place of work takes me north on US 11 into Verona, Virginia. This is a 4-lane road with a center turn lane. There are no sidewalks. This morning as I drove into Verona I noticed a man (about 6-feet tall and of medium build with brown hair wearing a dark ball cap and plaid jacket, probably with blue jeans) striding south, facing traffic, with a bolt action rifle with black synthetic stock. I immediately gave him the once over and evaluated his body language. He was walking just as many do in the woods with the rifle in his right hand grasping the rifle at the magazine. For you guys who want to know all the details that is about all I got at 42-45 miles per hour closing speed.
One doesn't see this very often any more. In the past, I have seen people walking the roads, usually more rural roads at that, with a firearm. And, again usually, this was during hunting season. We used to think nothing of it. One doesn't do that now. It was an unusual place and time of year for such as things are now. However it seemed that nobody was particularly concerned. This was only about 1/4 to 1/2 mile south of the Sheriff's department and there were no police or sheriff's deputies about.
I remembered that once, about 12 years ago, we had a National Guard soldier in uniform carrying an M60 machinegun walking about 1/2 mile from the armory to the unit training area just outside (south of) Charlottesville. Local "authorities" had been given prior notification of the weekend's training. The route took the soldier past a local school (not in session as it was on a weekend and he was not on school grounds). The local police stopped him and were pretty upset about his location. To get there, one unit came by the armory, the other unit came by the training area. Where he was stopped you could see BOTH the training area and the armory. This was still considered a "dangerous" situation. Soldiers then had to be driven to and from the armory. Such idiocy is more the norm, even in this area.
In another instance, a person dressed as a Confederate Civil War soldier in uniform was making a march along a route used during the Civil War as part of a memorial observance. He was carrying his muzzleloading musket when stopped by an officer and interrogated about his reasons for being there.
Twice now, once in Virginia just recently, somebody has mistaken an umbrella for an assault rifle and called in a "man with a gun" to 911. In the incident in Roanoke it was reported that the police were investigating the man with the umbrella. They probably should have investigated the person who made the 911 call as clearly they had escaped their care-givers.
For future reference:
Black Umbrella in Closed Position
"Evil Black Rifle" aka M16
They don't look at all alike, do they?
M1 Carbine Stuff...
Correct M1 Carbine Gas Piston
Interesting thing I ran into today. A fellow had an M1 Carbine (not the rifle) that had been "converted to manual action". He wanted it converted back to semi-auto. It had the original gas piston nut and we couldn't, at first, get the gas piston out of the gun. A little soak in Kroil worked wonders and what we discovered was that the original gas piston had been replaced with one of the units from S&K. I'm not a huge M1 Carbine fan, and haven't ever owned one nor did I have to work with or on them while in the service. So, I learned a lot today.
It will be an easy fix. All that is needed is the correct gas piston and the gun should operate as intended.
Now, why did somebody do this? Well the owner said it was to comply with New Jersey law but I've been told that New Jersey law does NOT prohibit semi-automatic rifles. We thought perhaps it was to comply with a hunting regulation such as those in Pennsylvania which don't allow semi-auto firearms. We just don't know why this particular gun was altered.
1969 Ad for the Gas Piston Dummy
Why, you're probably asking yourself, did/do some states prohibit semi-automatic firearms for hunting? I believe it was a misguided attempt to cut the "game hogs" off at the knees and to prevent one shooter from killing all the deer a large hunting party might be licensed to kill. In other words, it was intended to reduce deer kills. I don't know why it might still be in effect, but old "traditions" die hard.
2 comments Labels: Gunsmithing, Milsurp, Rifles
Ira Harold "Bearface" Dodge
In Blackpowder Cartridge News #73 Leo Remiger's article on Ira Harold "Bearface" Dodge suggests that it is a story that Ira Dodge is buried in the Kemmerer cemetery. It is a fact. His year of death is given as 1920 and Sarah E. (1867-1908) is also buried there. HOW he died I can't determine. It is known as the Kemmerer City Cemetery and is also known as the South Lincoln Cemetery, Kemmerer.
Ira Harold Dodge and Sarah Elizabeth Slate Dodge had sons Raoul E., Harold Hazelwood, and Feron and daughters Irene and Muriel. Son Raoul E Dodge is ALSO buried in the Kemmerer cemetery. The daughters were living with Ira in Pocatello in January 1920. In that same census Ira is a farmer and Irene is a Deputy Assessor employed by Bannock county. There are a number of descendants so I'm presuming that there might still be family in Wyoming or Idaho.
The one story was that Ira was killed in a blasting accident in Pocatello. Apparently the family believes that Ira did die in Lander, Wyoming 30 Mar 1920. That gives a lot of credence to Lander being the place of death. However, Lander is a long way from Pocatello, ID which the census shows as Ira Dodge's residence in 1920. I can only wonder at the journey he must have had if injured in Pocatello and moved to Lander (presumably for care by somebody) before dying in Lander. It is conceivable even with 1920 roads for him to have been moved about 300 miles (road miles not as the crow flies). They might even have traveled through Kemmerer to get to Lander. If so they would also have likely traveled through Granger where his son Harold (single) lived in 1920. So why to Lander for care? I know that in 1916 (just 4 years earlier) my great grand aunt made a "circumnavigation" of the country in a car and it was considered big news. I don't know anything about the history of the roads between Pocatello, Kemmerer and Lander. It would be believable that he died in March where he was living in January but it isn't really believable to me that in the winter in 1920 he was moved from Pocatello, ID the 300 some miles to Lander for care. I can believe that he went to Lander for some business or personal reasons and died there.
This is pretty darn fascinating.
Ira Dodge of Cora, Wyoming, for example, reported that 20,000 elk passed his place in the fall headed for the Red Desert just north of the Green River (Commission on the Conservation of the Jackson Hole Elk 1927). From " Historical Elk Migrations Around Jackson Hole, Wyoming" by Christina M. Cromley Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative
It seemed rather slow yesterday. We did do about 5 transfers and sold or completed lay-aways on 6 guns. However, there wasn't much other business. I think I was on the register 4 times and 2 of those were for Shoot-N-C 1" Targets. I did help repair a holster. Interesting guns were limited to two Winchester Buffalo Bill commemoratives, one a rifle and the other the "carbine" (short rifle with saddle-ring). The hopeful seller made much of the decorative sleeves he still had despite their rather ragged appearance and that one was taped together. The guns were indeed NIB. However, the seller wanted full retail and a retailer simply can't pay such prices and make money. He left with the guns.
That was about it. That's a really slow day at the shop.
The past is another country...
My dear grandchildren, sometimes we have to digress a bit. Life is about more than just our personal pleasures.
I've come to the conclusion that I'm an old man. Not old in years by current standards perhaps but far removed from my past and living in another country. L. P. Hartley's opening line in "The Go Betweens", "The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there," has been paraphrased as "The past is another country." It is so widely known because it is so very true and as we age we see the truth of it more clearly.
In my country a man held the door for a woman and didn't expect an interlewd in return. In my country children minded their manners around adults and listened to them because they were older, bigger, and interesting. They didn't dare be rude or see them solely as a source of prescription pharmaceuticals. That is no longer true.
I remember great adventures when I was young. Walking down the hill and across the highway to the post office in Huntersville, WV to get the mail. I was just 6 years old. I also walked to school, two rooms one above the other and that about the same distance behind the house. I've no doubt now that Mom watched me but I didn't think so at the time. I was on my own. Later, I escorted a younger boy across downtown Elkins to the YMCA for swim classes. Neither his parents or mine felt that was out of line and I was just 8-years old. We stopped once to see the toys in the Western Auto. Mom knew we'd been there and I was corrected for not following instructions. On reflection, the store must have called my mother. I would also walk across town to Dad's office on the other side of the park, near the Davis and Elkins campus to see him or if Mom wasn't home after school. Later I wandered around Menifee County, Kentucky and met a number of interesting people. Even later we'd bicycle from Bridgewater to Dayton and back, walk to and from school and so forth. We couldn't allow that with our children. What a pity.
In that other country a grilled cheese sandwich and strawberry pie at the Jerry's Restaurant in Winchester, Kentucky was a real treat. Now, it is just another, less than filling, night of eating out. I used to enjoy the rainy days of summer vacation reading a book or Reader's Digest while listening to my parents and grandparents discuss sundry happenings to family, friends and community. I could close my eyes and smell the mouthwatering smells of good food cooking in the kitchen. I could get a little closer to the pot-bellied stove and it would take off the damp. We stayed up late to watch man go to the moon and come back.
As we got older and learned to drive we asked permission to take the car to school, loaded the shotgun in the trunk and after school went dove, quail, grouse, squirrel, rabbit or deer hunting. Our teachers would sometimes ask to borrow a boy's pocket knife (and you were expected to have one). Boys might get in fights at school but a teacher would simply break it up and then scold them. Nobody ever pulled out their pocket knife or ran to the parking lot to get their shotgun. Never.
Everybody who lived in those times thinks about this now and again. Massad Ayoob even published a letter from a resource officer (as we call the police in the schools hereabouts) who talks about how the children are all too aware of the circumstances in which they live. I wish I could reproduce the whole letter here but can't and I hope you take the time to follow the link and read it. When you have a child tell you to arm yourself against the bad guys you have proof positive that we've allowed our society to deteriorate, perhaps beyond immediate redemption. Yes, the past was another country and we did things differently there...
Shotworks Pro
Need a way to keep your shooting stuff organized and accounted for? I think everyone does. I used to use Access from Microsoft after trying Excel but lost it in a computer switch. I was looking for something else and somebody recommended Shotworks Pro. I tried it. Not happy. After entering data for five firearms and trying to find the proper place to enter current values and manufacturing date I get continuous error messages. So, I've uninstalled the program. Pretty disappointing. At least there was no apparent virus associated with the program.
Musings on Weapons of War
Today's initiation of attacks on the forces of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya made me think about all the wars in which the U.S. has been involved in my lifetime. First, there's the Korean War (you can call it a "police action" but it is a war) which is still on-going despite the truce. Then, you had the "Cold" War, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, the Gulf War, the Yugoslavic war(s), the Global War on Terror, the Iraq War, the Afghanistan War, and, now, the Libyan war. As I sit and think, we've not really been at "peace" in my lifetime even though there's plenty of "anti"-war protesters (who are actually agents of all our enemies and at war with the U.S.). Heck, even the current President who campaigned against "the" war has continued and even escalated the war in Afghanistan and started this war with Libya.
But what interests me for the moment and what I want to talk about here is the changes in weaponry that have occurred over that time period. Some call them improvements but...
First, there's the pistols. We've gone from the 1911A1 to the Beretta M9 (or is it M9A1?), from .45 cal to 9mm because you can carry the same ammo as our enemies and more of it (but you don't really) and because the leadership thinks close combat isn't influenced by how quickly your enemy hits the dirt and that you don't.
Second, we've had like improvements in rifles, switching from the M1 Garand .30-06 rifle to the M14 7.62mm NATO to the M16 and its derivatives in 5.56mm NATO. That was so much of an improvement that there are efforts within and without the military to modify the 5.56mm cartridge to come closer to equal-lying the old .30 caliber rounds in terminal ballistic performance.
Grenades and other individual explosive devices haven't changed that much except in shape and size with some improvement in quality or uniformity of fragmentation. We have had improvements with grenade launching moving to the M79 then M203 systems for the individual soldier and the Mk19Mod3 40mm grenade launching machine gun.
Likewise we've seen some improvements in light and general purpose machine guns with the M249 and M240 being fielded replacing the M60 and older M1919A4 guns. Some soldiers would disagree, but their just grousing as soldiers do, right?
The biggest changes have been in targeting systems for munitions delivered by artillery and aircraft. Those big changes are in Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and with the remote controlled aircraft for targeting both stand-off distances and accuracy are greatly enhanced protecting the lives of American servicemen and women. For those instances where targets are moving operators can light them up with a laser and ordnance can be flown directly into the target. These systems have been revolutionary and are THE reason that the U.S. has been militarily pre-eminent. How long this might last is in question, but for now...
0 comments Labels: General, Military
I'm not late in recognizing People of the Gun, I did so on another blog several years back, but this is new to me here as it usually isn't something I post about because this is really a journal for the grandkids. Still, it is important that we recognize that people from all parts of the country, of all ethnicities, of all professions, of all formal education levels are gun owners and advocates for the righteous ownership and use of firearms.
I started my interests at a young age, as you can see, but such things run deep in my family. As farmers and citizen soldiers, firearms have been a tool for survival for my family from the earliest days of colonial America.
Need a Contender Barrel?
As of now, these are the best sources...
- Bellm's TCs
- Bullberry
- Dave Van Horn
- David White
- E. Arthur Brown
- Ed's Contenders
- RJ's Guns
- Stratton Custom took over from Virgin Valley
- SSK Industries
I've dealt with everybody but Stratton. Foxridge aka TC Custom shop is no more. Neither is OTT LLC who did EDM chambering of barrels.
0 comments Labels: Gunsmithing, ThompsonCenter
From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners©
If you cast your own bullets you've probably got a couple of references. There's the Lyman loading manual for cast bullets and then maybe you've got the NRA compilation by C. E. Harris on casting. Well, here's a reference you probably need! From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners© by Glen E. Fryxell and Robert L. Applegate.
If there is any fault with From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Handgunners© it is that there isn't a paper/print version you can have down at the loading bench for reference or to carry to the reading room for entertainment/diversion. Yes, I have a Kindle, but I still have a place in my home for the old fashioned printed work.
Mr. Fryxell and Mr. Applegate have joined forces to produce an genuinely useful reference lacking in the old wive's tales one used to read in magazine articles on casting. There is plenty of clearly and concisely presented information which, if acted on, will allow anyone to produce accurate, useful, quality bullets.
Vehicles...
Somebody asked and I tried to list all I've owned...
I had a:
- Suzuki GT185 (sold)
- Citroen ___ (sold)
- 1973 Datsun Pickup (sold to Dad)
- 1979 (I think) Subaru 4WD Wagon (traded in)
- Honda Civic (went with the ex-wife)
- 1985 Nissan Pickup (traded in)
- 1986 Aerostar (wrecked and never ran right again)
- 1987 Aerostar (a lemon)
- 1990 Aerostar (traded in)
- 1990 Mazda B2000 pickup (died after 150K+ and abuse by son and gone to the scrap yard)
- 1990 Subaru Sedan (bought from Mom for daughter and sold)
- 1995 Dodge Dakota (son is still driving it)
- 2001 Nissan Xterra (wife still driving it)
- 2004 Ford F150 (current vehicle)
I had a 3½-year hiatus from vehicle ownership. One can get by without in Seoul but I'd never try it in California.
Kahr has been pretty successful. In fact, so much so that since the company's founding by Kook Jin "Justin" Moon (son of the Unification Church founder) in they have been acquiring other firms such as Auto Ordnance in 1999 and Magnum Research in 2010. Its headquarters is in Blauvelt, New York and it has a manufacturing facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. I have never seen one of these guns returned for repair. If you've been interested in seeing how these guns work, there's this animated view and now there's also a video!
- Kahr Arms Facebook Page
- Kahr Arms
A slow day, we only did 4 background checks and two lay-aways. However, we did have a 4" Python that walked in the door at 10AM and was sold at 2PM. We also got an old 1873 .38 WCF rifle working. I'm always amazed at how well fit the links and pins are in those old rifles. The boss man also brought his dog in to work this afternoon. Nice old golden retriever, Harley is a good old girl. She is good at begging cheese and leaning. Now that I write about it I can see that it was a really slow day. Not as slow as the $212.00 day, but pretty darn slow.
The 9.0 Earthquake in Japan
To my grandchildren,
Likely you don't, won't, remember this day or you might and that may be for reasons other than the images or for the sympathetic memories of earthquakes in other places and at other times. This morning we awoke to news of an horrific earthquake in Japan accompanied by an even more horrific tsunami which together likely killed thousands. We watched on TV as people unable to move their cars further from the flood, stepped out to meet the wall of water. We watched the mass of debris of every kind swept through town and farm, over every obstacle penetrate miles inland. We saw how little notice we get of natural disaster and how pervasive and absolute it can be. In this we saw and thought of you.
All we do and have done has been to put you in a place where you can thrive. We can only hope we have succeeded. We hope that you will honor our efforts by attempting the same for your grandchildren.
The Kindle
Originally 12/28/10, updated 3/8/2011
I've got to say that I have been ambivalent about the Kindle with 3G service. I'm a fan of the tactile experience of reading a book or magazine and I like to see the color illustrations. Like all children, I like illustrations. After registering, my first book was Jeff Cooper's, "Art of the Rifle". One thing I like is that I am able to but the "book" down (turn it off) and come back right to where I left it. I can search for other such books from this one. I can search by author or title. Still, there is something to turning the page, smelling the ink, etc. Intangible pleasures not available in the digital version. Also, since Nana got one, I've had a bit of a problem working two Amazon accounts off one e-mail address. However, now that her account is functioning, we can let it be as she orders off the Kindle device with one-click payment. One of the biggest selling points of the Kindle for me is the accessibility of free, pre-1923, books. I am particularly interested in Theodore Roosevelt's writings. Heretofore one had to buy a print version or lug it back from the library IF you could find a copy there. This will be infinitely easier.
The 3G Kindle would seem to be a bargain as one doesn't pay for the service but can surf the net using Google and Wikipedia (which is neither awful nor exemplary but is useful) as a starting point.
We have had a problem with Nana's Kindle cover. A patent leather looking folder with what appears to be a felt lining and a hook system to secure the Kindle to the cover, it certainly doesn't have a high-tech appearance but it must be. You see as soon as I put the Kindle in the cover the device kept rebooting. Finally, it locked up and had to be manually reset. I called customer service and as soon as I explained what was happening the tech on the other end told me to take the cover off. It has worked perfectly since. We tried re-installation of the cover with the exact same problem. Another call to Amazon and I was told that the cost of the cover would be reimbursed to Nana's account and to order another cover. I did so. Knock on wood.
The new Kindle cover worked just fine, for me. Nana had it in hand for about 10 minutes and it started to reboot. I took off the cover and it worked fine. I think I've discovered the problem. It is in how she holds the Kindle when in the cover. She holds it in such a way that the power switch on the bottom of the Kindle is pushed to the right and held for over 15 seconds which causes it to reboot. She doesn't hold it the same way out of the cover and so doesn't get this effect. She's now using it without the cover but my use with the cover shows that it doesn't reboot.
My kindle reading list...
An Autobiography of Buffalo Bill COL Cody, William F.
American Rifle: A Biography Rose, Alexander
A Rifleman Went to War CPT McBride, Herbert W.
Art Of The Rifle Cooper, Jeff
Broad-Sword and Single-Stick With Chapters on Quarter-Staff, Bayonet, Cudgel, Shillalah, Walking-Stick, Umbrella and Other Weapons of Self-Defence Allanson-Winn, Rowland George Allanson
Common Sense Paine, Thomas
GOD DOES NOT FORGET: The Story of a Boer War Commando Reitz, Deneys
Hero Tales from American History Roosevelt, Theodore and Lodge, Henry Cabot
Hunting the Grisly and Other Sketches Roosevelt, Theodore
Hunting with the Bow and Arrow Pope, Saxton
Letters to His Children Roosevelt, Theodore
Red Eagle and the Wars with the Creek Indians of Alabama - Famous American Indian Eggleston, George Cary
Roosevelt in the Badlands Hagedorn, Hermann
Sailing Alone Around the World Slocum, Joshua
Sailor's Knots Jacobs, William Wymark
The Art of Fencing The Use of the Small Sword L'Abbat, Monsieur
The Colt 1911 Pistol a Mechanical Engineers Perspective Werner, Malcolm J.
The Emma Gees CPT McBride, Herbert Wesley
The Rifle and the Hound in Ceylon Baker, Sir Samuel White
The Rough Riders Roosevelt, Theodore
Through the Brazilian Wilderness Roosevelt, Theodore
With Axe and Rifle Kingston, William Henry Giles
Wild at Heart Eldredge, John
- Note on Kindle Cover Problem
I went to work dragging from my bout with "the crud" a severe cold with some flu symptoms that started at Bob Monast's funeral and progressed apace until I was puking on Friday, breathless on Saturday and unwilling to eat until Sunday evening. Things started slow but, as predicted by a co-worker, picked right up in the afternoon.
The state police must be experiencing "the crud" as well because delayed backgrounds are much delayed, commonly taking more than a day instead of about 1½ hours to clear. This started last Monday and continued over this Monday. When we opened we had 7 backgrounds awaiting completion from Saturday. This takes up work space and otherwise complicates things for the dealer. One only hopes that the buyer(s) aren't unduly inconvenienced. Firearms ownership is a RIGHT not a privilege and if a background check is so darn important they should allocate the funds to do it correctly and protect the right rather than denying the right to legitimate buyers.
We did have a couple of interesting guns show up. The first was this engraved Smith and Wesson Model 36 (no dash) built in 1970 (most likely judging by the serial number with information from the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson) and has been engraved with some gold inlay. It appears to be "signed" on the left side near the rear bow of the trigger guard. The grips appear to be some sort of after-market fake ivory, but they are better looking than most such. I think it is a very handsome piece but then I'm only comparing it to what I know which isn't much. Some of the mistakes have been pointed out to me and now I can see them. It is still ahead of the game compared to some roll-marks which pass for decoration!
Chicago Palm Pistol
The other was a relatively rare Chicago Palm Pistol, all blue and in very good to excellent condition. I'm afraid I didn't get a great photo of this one.
Antique Arms and Antique Associates at West Townsend had this description of one such in their catalog...
...This variety has no engraving around the barrel or on the frame. Most examples observed are engraved…this example is quite scarce. Peter Finnegan of Austin, Illinois purchased the patent rights for the Protector Palm pistol from the Minneapolis Firearms Company in 1892 and established a new company…The Chicago Firearms Company instituting design improvements making the gun more reliable. The improved pistol is slightly larger, the safety functioned better and the sideplate was more secure; the entire gun was sturdier. He contracted with Ames Sword Company of Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts to manufacture the weapons and deliver them to him in time for the opening of the Columbian Exhibition (The Chicago World's Fair of 1892). Ames defaulted and did not deliver until after the Exhibition had closed and even then, only a small percentage of the contract was delivered. Finnegan sued Ames eventually winning cash settlement with the Ames Sword Co. becoming the owner of 13,000 Protector Palm pistols that they sold from 1894 through 1910 although the guns themselves were all made prior to 1898.
Black Powder Loading the .45-75
To quote Rick Bachman of Old West Reproductions,
I've been shooting and reloading the .45-75 for over 40 years. I've used all of the granulations in blackpowder and always come back to 2F. I always load to original factory specs and the 350 grain lead bullet with 72 grains of 2F black works extremely well. The 2F black is what UMC and Winchester used in manufacturing factory ammunition of this caliber. I have experience only with original '76 rifles and carbines and I reload with original Winchester bullet molds and reloading tools. The only brass that was available years ago was .348 Win., and that is what I still use today. These cases are heavy and will only hold about 72 grains of 2F when weighed on a scale, but I load by volume and slightly compress my loads under a card wad. I have never had a cartridge failure and I've never had a gun that wouldn't shoot this ammo with great accuracy.
Does one need to go any further? I don't think so.
I thought I'd published this here earlier. Copied from elsewhere I can find no attribution.
When you purchase either a 2nd or 3rd Generation Colt Blackpowder Arms revolver it bears the Colt patent stamping on the frame and the Colt address on the top of the barrel. There is also a serial number stamped on the bottom of the frame, again on the bottom of the barrel lug, trigger guard and buttstrap. The serialization indicates the year or period of manufacture, and this is as straightforward as model identification gets. Even though many of the Colt parts for the 2nd Generation, and all of the Colt parts for the 3rd Generation were cast in Italy, the guns were finished and assembled in the United States by Colt or the Colt Blackpowder Arms Company, and Colt pistols, regardless of the origin of their components, bear only Colt markings.
The same model gun, an 1860 Army for example, manufactured in Italy and sold by Uberti or F.LLI Pietta, is stamped with a variety of markings – Italian Proof House devices, manufacturer's symbols and an encoded date of manufacture. It is usually a combination of heraldry and letters, which need to be decoded. The same is true of flintlock and percussion lock pistols and long rifles manufactured by Uberti, F.LLI Pietta, ArmiSport, Davide Pedersoli, Armi San Paolo SRL (Euroarms), and Palmetto, which comprise the major Italian manufacturers currently in production.
The Italian proof houses in Gardone and Valtrompia have been around for a very long time but as far as reproduction black powder arms are concerned, the dating begins in 1954. Prior to 1954, the year of proof was indicated in full Arabic numerals.
Following is a chart displaying the year of proof symbols used from 1954 to 2003. These are traditionally found within a box next to the individual proof house symbols. From 1954 through 1970 Roman Numerals were used. Roman Numerals and Arabic Numerals were combined in 1971, 1972, and 1973, and Roman Numerals were used again in 1974. Since 1975 two capital letters have been used exclusively.
As to the placement of proof house symbols, it depends upon the model of gun, and the level of embellishment, the latter often dictating a discrete location on the underside of the barrel or frame on highly engraved examples.
There are two standardized proof house marks. The first is the provisional Gardone proof, consisting of a star surrounded by eight lands and grooves over a coat of arms featuring a hammer and anvil and crossed bayoneted rifles; the second is a star surround by eight lands and grooves over the capital letters PN. All firearms produced in Italy since 1950, regardless of type, receive the first stamping. The second, also instituted in 1950, is the first black powder proof for Gardone and Brescia, and is only used on black powder arms. Thus all black powder arms must bear both proof house symbols.
Finally, there is the manufacturer's mark. This is often confusing unless one is familiar with the manufacturers' insignia. Most use their logo, while some combine their name and logo, or use an abbreviation as their logo. Earlier guns generally bear only their manufacturers' mark, while more recent production has been seen using both an emblem and company name.
Davide Pedersoli, one of Italy's oldest manufacturers has had three logos since 1957. The earliest was a diamond inside a circle. This is rarely seen. This mark was followed by the image of an anvil with PEDERSOLI above it in capital letters and the initials DAP inside the anvil. This again is rarely seen, except on very early models. The company logo, a lowercase dp within an oval, has been used for more than 40 years. This logo is often followed by the DAVIDE PEDERSOLI or PEDERSOLI name in capital letters. In short, there is no mistaking a Pedersoli product!
The same is true of Aldo Uberti, S.r.l, which has used the same logo since its founding in 1959 – a capital U contained within an octagonal barrel device. For Fratelli Pietta, another of Italy's leading manufacturers of black powder pistols and long arms, the initials FAP contained within a horizontal diamond identify F.LLI Pietta; often followed by F.LLI PIETTA in capital letters.
Palmetto, which manufactures a variety of black powder arms distributed primarily through Dixie Gun Works, uses a very recognizable palm tree within a circle as their company logo.
Armi San Paolo S.r.l., established in 1970, uses the last names of the original founders Grassi, Doninelli, and Gazzola as a symbol, DGG, usually contained within a circle. Beginning December 31, 2001, Armi San Paolo officially became Euroarms Italia S.r.l. The same logo is used on all Euroarms models.
Armi Sport, which produces an exceptional line of single shot percussion pistols like the French Le Page, Sharps rifles, and the popular Spencer rifle for Taylor's & Co., uses an AC within a circle, (AC for Armi Chiappa founder Rino Chiappa's last name).
Aldo Uberti S.r.l. was founded in 1959 and has always used a capital U surrounded
by an octagonal device, which is actually the muzzle of an 1851 Navy (their first gun) with six lands and grooves and the front sight. This photo of a Paterson barrel has a boxed AZ indicating a manufacturing date of 1990.
These are the three standard stampings on every Italian-made black powder revolver, pistol, rifle and shotgun. From left to right: year of manufacture, Gardone V.T. black powder proof house stamping, and Gardone proof house stamping. Armed with this information it is now possible to identify the maker and year of manufacture on any black powder rifle, shotgun, pistol, or revolver produced since
Symbol Year of Proof
XI 1955
XII 1956
XIII 1957
XIV 1958
XVI 1960
XVII 1961
XVIII 1962
XIX 1963
XXI 1965
XXII 1966
XXIII 1967
XXIV 1968
XXV 1969
XXVI 1970
XX7 1971
XXX 1974
AA 1975
AH 1981
BH 1996
BI 1997
BL 1998
BN 2000
BT 2003
13 comments Labels: Blackpowder
A little late with the report because I had some other stuff in the queue...
Monday was a lot busier than I expected. I had to leave the house early to get Bailey's dog license at City Hall. You see, I'd misplaced the rabies certificate back in November when I paid the city taxes and forgot to go back and get the license. I just received a letter threatening to send the dog catcher to the house to get my unlicensed dog so with that "pleasant" reminder I had to get that done.
Back at the shop we were busy there, too. The boss man had a booth at the Annual Western Virginia Sports Show at Augusta Expoland and it generated a lot of interest. The big seller? Smith and Wesson Sigmas. S&W has cut prices this year and we are able to offer these guns at very good prices. They don't have the cachet that others, including S&W's own M&P might have but they are good solid guns at an excellent price point. I would personally rather have one of these than a Taurus.
Anyway... we processed 11 background checks, did about 7 lay-aways and sold some ammo and other stuff. There were two notable guns. One was a pristine Remington Model 700 in .250 Savage. The other was a Springfield 1903A3 with an M15 grenade launcher sight. That's a consignment gun and both the sight and gun and in excellent condition. The price? $700.00. Unfortunately, there is no carrying case for the M15 sight with this package.
Interesting things at work...
I don't just work at a gun shop, I also work at a place called "The Spoils of War". We began as a gallery for the work of James Dietz whose works our parent company publishes (We now also publish Larry Selman). We have expanded, and now the store also functions as the headquarters for a minor empire of military fine art prints including those not published by ourselves. Our storefront has, since I started there in October 2001, sold a variety of military collectibles. The only thing in which we don't deal is functional firearms of newer than 1898 manufacture. Let me repeat, we don't sell firearms there...
However, we do sometimes have non-functioning, dewat, replica and reproduction arms as well as pre-1898 originals. We also keep our ears to the ground and are often aware of individual sellers who have firearms appropriate to our interest. It is a unique benefit of this job to have access to some wonderful things because sometimes people bring things by just to show off. Among those things recently were those items shown following.
The Model 1941 Johnson Rifle
The 1941 Johnson Rifle was an American made, short recoil, 10-round rotary magazine, semi-automatic rifle designed prior to WWII. The designer was Melvin Johnson. Made in .30-06 and 7x57mm Mauser, the rifle was used by the U.S. Marines, who used rifles originally ordered by the Netherlands for issue to the KNIL in the Dutch East Indies and by the anti-Castro Brigade 2506 in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. Only about 20,000 of these were produced and an unknown number were lost in combat. I have personally only seen 5 or 6 of these and only had an opportunity to handle two of them including the one here which recently passed by the shop.
The Johnson rifle competed with the Garand but lost out for various reasons. It has some faults and in some ways is better than the Garand. I'm sure that the Marines liked that it could be loaded with the same clipped ammunition as the M1903 rifles that were so prevalent in the Corps until later in the war. Some liked that it held two more rounds than the Garand.
There is, as one might expect a web site dedicated to the rifle, http://www.johnsonautomatics.com/.
The German MG-08
MG-42
The Luger or German P-08
1 comments Labels: General, Milsurp
From Ingot to Target: A Cast Bullet Guide for Han...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


While over time, red grape production has grown larger and larger, white varieties, led by Riesling and Chardonnay, still continued to pace production. Then in 2012, red production for the first time pulled ahead of white production, by a scant 1,000 tons out of 188,000 tons harvested. That gap widened to 34,000 tons in 2017, with red varieties now making up 57.5% of production. Though there's the caveat that white production was down in 2017, Washington's grape production, led by Cabernet Sauvignon, is becoming more and more red.
The numbers are even more tilted looking at wines I sampled in 2017. A full 75.25% of those wines were red wines (21.54% were whites; 3.21% were rosés out of 1,588 wines sampled). What this indicates to me, which squares with my experience, is that, while the state produces an abundance of white wines, the bulk of those wines in terms of production come from larger producers. That is to say, there are fewer individual offerings of white wines, but some of them are made in higher volume.
What does all this mean? It means that Washington has squarely become red wine country. Don't get me wrong, white varieties can very much succeed here, and I taste numerous high quality white wines from Washington each year. But red wine is increasingly where the action is. And the state is only going to get redder in the years to come.
Interesting analysis. Red wines are more expensive to produce (later releases, barrel costs, etc.) but white wines are more difficult to do well. In terms of a global reputation, unless you're Champagne, your standard-bearer had best be red. The downside here, especially for small producers, is a lot of competition at very high prices. White wines can be sold quickly at lower, more competitive prices.


text:
Clockwork Aqaurio lands on 30th November
Written by Ross Locksley on 25 Nov 2021
Clockwork Aquario was an arcade game from Westone that was never released due to the rise in popularity of 3D and fighting games which left 2D pixel-based games behind. Happily it's seeing a digital release on Nintendo Switch and PS4 on Tuesday 30th November in the EU (with the US following on December 14th - nice to be at the front of the queue for a change!)
Originally developed in 1992 by the studio behind the Wonder Boy & Monster World series, Clockwork Aquario was developed by the studio founder Ryuichi Nishizawa, who has been pivotal in resurrecting the title for today's gamers.
"In the 90s, when game centers were dominated by fighting games, there was one title which had never been released, even though it was completed after more than two years of development and repeated changes. This title is Clockwork Aquario. Who would have thought that it would be restored and playable again? I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to those who have worked so hard to restore it. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this work is a great piece of 2D art, where the pixel artists of that time put their hearts and souls into. I'd be happy if people would appreciate and enjoy it."
Shinichi Sakamoto (@sintan_jp if you want to follow him) has also returned to provide an amazing soundtrack that will provide all the classic authenticity a game like this deserves.
A colourful side-scrolling game with gorgeous pixel graphics, the game has been much anticipated by classic arcade fans (us included!) With a choice of three characters to choose from - adventurers Huck Londo, Elle Moon or their robot friend Gush, you can play alone or with a friend to make the most of this baddy mashing melee.
You can find out more on the official Inin Games website.
We'll be reviewing the game shortly, but in the meantime, enjoy the launch video below:
About Ross Locksley
Ross founded the UK Anime Network waaay back in 1995 and works in and around the anime world in his spare time.
COMMENT AND DISCUSS
Sing a bit of Harmony available to book now
posted by Ross Locksley on 14 Jan 2022
AMC buys Sentai Filmworks and HIDIVE - MVM Unaffected
Marvelous announce Rune Factory 5
Belle by Mamoru Hosoda hits UK Cinemas February 4th
Funimation UK Announce Three New Anime To Their Streaming Service
posted by Eoghan O'Connell on 10 Jan 2022
Tales Of Luminaria The Fateful Crossroad
New Urusei Yatsura anime coming in 2022
New Gundam Cucuruz Doan's Island PV


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text:
Holiday shopping: Black Friday shopping hours in Naples, Fort Myers
Sarajane Sullivan | Naples Daily News
Could COVID-19 end Black Friday holiday shopping tradition?
The busiest shopping day of the year has been waning for a while, but did the COVID-19 pandemic finally bring it to an end?
This holiday season may look a little different from years past, with the coronavirus pandemic changing the way we interact with others on a daily basis.
Black Friday shopping will certainly be different.
Some shopping centers have already changed their strategies, with stores like Target and Walmart extending their Black Friday offers to last throughout the week in an effort to avoid overcrowding.
However, stores will still be open on Friday, Nov. 27, and will still offer deals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends shopping at a distance of six feet from others and wearing a mask to contain any spread of COVID-19, along with washing and sanitizing shopping carts and hands often.
Read on to find out which stores will be open on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.
KEEP IN MIND: COVID-19 pandemic is not taking a holiday, experts warn
National Chains
Target: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Open 7 a.m.-11 p.m. on Black Friday. Locations in Naples, North Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. For a full list of deals, hours and locations, visit target.com or call your local store.
Walmart: Closed Thanksgiving Day. On Black Friday doors open at 5 a.m. Locations in Naples, Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. Visit walmart.com for a list of deals, locations and hours.
Best Buy: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. on Black Friday. Locations in Naples, Estero and Fort Myers. For more information, visit bestbuy.com.
Publix: Closed Thanksgiving. Black Friday hour vary. Check with your local store for full details. Locations in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Visit publix.com for more.
Barnes and Noble: Closed Thanksgiving Day. On Black Friday, open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. in Naples, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. in Estero and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. in Fort Myers. For a list of deals and locations, visit barnesandnoble.com.
Marshall's: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Black Friday. Locations in Naples and Fort Myers. For more, visit marshalls.com.
Skip the dishes: Where to eat Thanksgiving dinner at restaurants in Naples, Bonita and Fort Myers
Food trend: Five places to find quesabirria tacos from Naples to Fort Myers
Khol's: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.- 9 p.m. on Black Friday. Locations in Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. For more, visit kohls.com.
Sam's Club: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Black Friday. Locations in Naples, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. For more, visit samsclub.com.
Costco: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Black Friday. Locations in Naples and Fort Myers. For more, visit costco.com.
Hobby Lobby: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Open Black Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Locations in Naples and Fort Myers. For more, visit hobbylobby.com.
Lowe's: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Open 6 a.m.- 9 p.m. Black Friday. Locations in Naples, Estero and Fort Myers. Visit lowes.com for more.
JC Penney: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Black Friday. Locations in Naples and Fort Myers. Visit jcpenney.com for more.
Home Depot: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Black Friday. Locations in Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers and Cape Coral. Visit homedepot.com for more.
Coastland Center: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Black Friday at 1900 U.S. 41 N., Naples. For more, call 239-262-7100 or visit coastlandcenter.com.
Coconut Point: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Black Friday at 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. For more, call 239-992-4259 or visit simon.com/mall/coconut-point.
Gulf Coast Town Center: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Black Friday at 9903 Gulf Coast Main Street, Fort Myers. For more, call 239-267-5107 or visit gulfcoasttowncenter.com.
Seed to Table: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 7 a.m.-midnight Black Friday, 4835 Immokalee Road, Naples. Call 239-310-7333 or visit oakesfarms.com for more.
Miromar Outlets: Closed Thanksgiving. Open Black Friday 6 a.m.-9 p.m. at 10801 Corkscrew Road, Estero. For more, call 239-948-3766 or visit miromaroutlets.com.
Waterside Shops: Closed Thanksgiving Day. Open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Black Friday. For more, visit watersideshops.com.
Promenade at Bonita Bay: Closed Thanksgiving. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Black Friday at 26811 South Bay Drive, Bonita Springs. For more info visit PromenadeShops.com.
Restaurant news: Naples gets a drive-thru cantina and a specialty Italian foods store
Sarajane Sullivan writes about food and restaurants for The News-Press and Naples Daily News. Email her at sarajane.sullivan@naplesnews.com and find her on Twitter @bysarajane.


Figure 1 – Initial challenge image.
Figure 2 – Image metadata revealing hint.
This sounded promising! I looked up how to diff two images and magically, a third image was the result (Figure 3)!
Figure 3 – Result of diff of two images.
QR Code, sweet. I uploaded it to zxing (Figure 4), where I was then able to grab the flag!
Figure 4 – QR code metadata.