A numbers game played for comfort, complacency and self-deception.

“If every German Jew and anti-Nazi had possessed a Mauser rifle, twenty rounds and the will to use it, Adolf Hitler would be a footnote to the history of the Weimar Republic.” — Aaron Zelman, 1995.

"The Deerslayer, the Suburban Cowboy, and the Militia."

So, how would the 25 million militiamen fare against a land invasion from China? It seems that barring use of nuclear weapons by the Chinese, and assuming that we could muster up the willpower, America would suffer tremendous loss, but ultimately prevail.

I can now confirm that the email mentioned at the beginning is believable. Let those who would deprive Americans of their birthright as an armed warrior nation take a warning from Tenche Coxe, and we who support the right to keep and bear arms continue to voice his words that, “The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people.”

I have seen these estimates from time-to-time since the early 90s but I have ever been suspicious of them. They are rolled out every so often as a numbers game played for comfort, complacency and self-deception by our side. The unstated conclusion is that we have nothing to fear since we have the evil bad guys outnumbered. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. As Aaron Zelman said, it all depends upon "the will to use it." And that is far more than a numbers game. That will is essential but then so is marksmanship, individual firearms training, team organization and proficiency, logistics, etc. That can only be developed by doing -- by getting your ass in the grass and developing the martial skills of a "well-regulated militia." If the recitation of statistics is taken as an excuse to do nothing, it will be a deadly self-deception.

Four from Herschel Smith,

Jihadist Shooter Was Going To Target A Church

Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association Position On Malheur Occupation

Do You Need To Break In A New Rifle Barrel?

Another Entry In The Annals Of Dumb Gun Laws

Bloomberg smoking the fascist nanny state weed of power again.

Michael Bloomberg says he is eyeing 2016 run for the White House

"Justice Department, US Attorney Meet with Muslim Leaders Linked to Hamas: Government agencies look to provide CAIR and friends with money. "

Fellow travelers in terrorism.

There is, of course, a third possibility. "Is Pete Santilli a free speech champion or just another loud mouth?"

So useful to the enemy that if he did not exist, they'd want to invent him.

After EOTech Stumbles, Optics Makers Vie for Market Share

In the months after EOTech Inc. settled a lawsuit over defective sights, competitors say they're vying for more market share amid a shakeup in the industry. Companies such as Trijicon Inc., based in Wixom, Michigan, and Aimpoint AB, based in Malmo, Sweden, say customers in the U.S. military and law enforcement markets are reaching out to them in large numbers to inquire about their products in the wake of EOTech's settling of a lawsuit that accused the company of knowingly selling optics that failed in extreme temperatures and humid weather conditions.

"Kicked in the Bowls: Beyonce sparks race row after controversial Black Power Super Bowl half-time show."

In front of a TV audience of one billion, her dancers paraded in outfits similar to controversial activists the Black Panthers. They also raised their fists in an apparent tribute.

"Operations Research Analyst Position at ATF - Open for Graduating Seniors."

Full time employee opportunity for graduating seniors with the federal government as an Operations Research Analyst at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Office of Strategic Management:

The position is located in Washington, DC.  The position is being filled at the GS-7 level (currently $43,684 per year) with promotion potential to the GS-12 level.  This position has been designed for and is tailored to undergraduate and graduate students with a concentration in criminology and statistical research who have completed their degrees and are ready to enter the workforce.  

The primary work of the position will be the generation of analytical products derived from our data warehouse that incorporates all data from our criminal and regulatory case management systems and licensing systems to generate performance data, provide oversight of operations, and develop management tools to “help run the business.”  

We are specifically looking for individuals who are proficient in developing queries and reports using Oracle Business Intelligence or similar analytical tools.  This is a full time paid position with the federal government.  Applicants will be required to pass a full background investigation and obtain a Secret clearance.  Applicants will need to meet ATF’s drug policy (summarized below).

The position is located in ATF’s Office of Strategic Management.  OSM serves as the strategic planning and performance management staff for the Bureau and is responsible for facilitating the development and communication of the Bureau's strategic plan and strategic priorities.  OSM serves as the analysis staff and liaison to directorates for coordinating and implementing the Office of the Director's priorities and initiatives.  OSM also performs administrative and budgetary functions and manages special projects for the Office of the Director.  OSM tracks and analyzes the Bureau's performance data and is responsible for all external performance reporting.  OSM supports directorate-level program analysis and evaluation activities, the results of which will inform Bureau-wide strategic planning. 

The position is being filled through the Pathways Program – Recent Graduates Program. For additional information on Pathways see:https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-authorities/students-recent-graduates/#url=Overview

The position will be posted on USAJobs later today as an Operations Research Analyst (Recent Graduate).  The link to the site is: https://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads

Yeah, well, we'll see if they're able to meet their promises. There's very little that the military procurement system CAN'T screw up. "Soldier-Driven Bullet Innovation, Lighter and More Punch."

the engineers and innovators of Orbital Army Technologies as LCAAP have heard and responded to the requests of soldiers returning from Afghanistan and other combat zones. A new case for ammunition is in the early stages of development at Lake City. Rather than brass cased ammunition, cartridges will have new lightweight polymer casing. The switch from brass to polymer will reduce the weight of ammunition by approximately 20-30% but still have the desired effect on the enemy. However, the switch also comes with a number of complications that need solved before it is implemented. One of these complications is the use of polymer cased 7.62mm belts for the M240B machine gun. The current M13 links grip the polymer casing so tightly that the links shear polymer off the case. The amount of force required to de-link a round from a link, the stripping force, is set at 8.5-18 pounds. This standard is an Army regulation for ammunition used in training and operations. The current M13 link with the polymer cased ammunition has a stripping force in excess of 20 pounds. This causes problems when firing the weapon system because the round does not eject from the links. However, PCP Ammunitions out of Florida have developed a modified link that meets the standards of the Army. The modified links brings the average stripping force down to approximately 9 pounds, which is on the lower end of the spectrum. Although there have been several innovations regarding lightweight polymer cased ammunition, they are not scheduled to be mass produced until 2022.

‘Strict Scrutiny’ Decision on Maryland Semi-Autos Still Leaves Dangerous ‘Common Use’ Threat Looming

Just as the military no longer uses yesterday’s technology, so too must that apply to the citizenry. When technology advances and the most effective “common use at the time” infantry weapon turns out to be a Star Trek-style “phaser rifle,” it’ll be the right of our Posterity to own one. Otherwise, we might as well try to defend our freedom with spears.

Black and Unarmed: Behind the Numbers

What the Black Lives Matter movement misses about those police shootings.

Without question, police officers must be constantly retrained in courtesy and respect; too often they develop boorish, callous attitudes towards civilians on the street. Some are unfit to serve. Some are surely racists. And if de-escalation training can safely reduce officer use of force further, it should be widely implemented. But the Black Lives Matter movement’s focus on shootings by police should not distract attention from the most serious use-of-force problem facing black communities: criminal violence. In 2014, there were 6,095 black homicide victims, more than all white and Hispanic homicide victims combined, even though blacks are only 13 percent of the population. The black homicide toll will be even higher in 2015. In over 90 percent of those black deaths, the killer was another black civilian. By all means, we must try to eliminate unjustified use of force by police. But as long as crime rates in black communities remain so high, officers will be disproportionately engaged there, with all the attendant risks of such deployment. Indeed, the incessant refrain that cops are racist could well increase the likelihood that black suspects will resist arrest, and that witnesses will be reluctant to cooperate.

David's Secret Weapon: The real message of the battle with Goliath is not that the underdog wins, but that things are not always as they are seen.

In this story, God is a constant, unseen presence, and faith in Him is a matter not so much of revelation and miraculous intervention than of proper conduct in circumstances where there is no manifest proof of God’s will. Armed with that view, David succeeds.

Be ready to download in three, two, one . . .

Hacker Plans to Dump Alleged Details of 20,000 FBI, 9,000 DHS Employees

New York Times clucks its tongue in collectivist pique. "Obama’s Lofty Plans on Gun Violence Amount to Little Action."

The centerpiece of a plan for stemming gun violence that President Obama announced to great fanfare last month largely amounts to this: an updated web page and 10,000 pamphlets that federal agents plan to give out at gun shows. In a tearful display of anger and sadness in the East Room of the White House, Mr. Obama ordered a series of steps intended to limit gun violence and vowed to clamp down on what he called widespread evasion of a federal law requiring gun dealers to obtain licenses. But few concrete actions have been put in motion by law enforcement agencies to aggressively carry out the gun dealer initiative, despite the lofty expectations that Mr. Obama and top aides set. Obama administration officials said they have no specific plans to boost investigations, arrests or prosecutions of gun sellers who do not comply with the law. No task forces have been assembled. No agents or prosecutors have been specifically reassigned to such cases. And no funding has been reallocated to accelerate gun sale- investigations in Washington or at the offices of the 93 United States attorneys.

Miracles happened here yesterday by virtue of the hard work of friends and God's grace.

I am recovering still from yesterday's work day and barbeque. Folks came from near and far to help with the clean up of the house and yard and though much remains to be done the big tough jobs are just about complete. Later on I'll post some pictures from before and after. The ashes of the bonfire used to consume the brush after the landfill unexpectedly closed early are still smoldering in the back yard. We'll be working with Bob Wright's small crew today after church on some smaller but important jobs such as installing the security cameras for Rosey.

I cannot thank y'all enough for all the work and material support you have given us in this time of need. Words fail me.

I'll have more later.

Supreme Court likely to hear new “assault weapons” ban case

This apparent contradiction between the 7th Circuit Court’s ruling in Friedman v. City of Highland Park and the 4th’s ruling in Maryland has likely provided enough contrast for the Supremes to take up the question. This, as you might imagine, has liberal gun rights opponents in a state of panic, as a ruling agreeing with the rationale cited by the 4th Circuit Court would essentially kill off any similar rifle bans around the nation.

Good luck with that. Kollectivist Kalifornicator Kongresscritter: "Regulate homemade weapons."

"The alarming phenomena of homemade firearms and their ease of access without any scrutiny, has led me to introduce two pieces of legislation in the House – the Homemade Firearms Accountability Act and Home-Assembled Firearms Restriction Act. These two bills would mandate anyone who intends on legally manufacturing their own firearm to obtain a registered serial number to be affixed on the firearm and would block the sale of any form of do-it-yourself firearms parts or kits – especially those currently being sold over the internet. It is my hope to draw attention to the too often overlooked issue of homemade firearms and include these firearms in the national discussion on gun control."

Work weekend off to good start.

Bob Wright and a couple of his stout-hearted men came from New Mexico and we also had volunteers from Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi yesterday. They removed all the vegetation from the front of the house (Rosey was thrilled when she got home from work) and began work on the back. Will try to take some before/during and after photos today. We'll get going at 0800 hours Central this morning on the back yard and see how much we can accomplish, although I use the "we" with some imprecision because it is all I can do to stumble around giving guidance and encouragement. God bless you all for your support, one way or the other. It is humbling beyond belief.

Rewriting history to serve the collectivist meme.

"Historically, militias were a tool of the state, not a force formed in opposition to the state."

Utah Fusion Center Warns Cops: Watch Out for Don't-Tread-on-Me Flags

The report includes several "visual indicators" to help police determine whether they're dealing with "extremist and disaffected individuals." These range from images associated with specific political groups, such as the Oath Keepers and Three Percenters, to a more generic patriotic symbol, the Gadsden flag—a famous Revolutionary War banner featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the slogan "Don't Tread on Me."