In the late 1980s, the Salina, Kansas Public Library had the Omni Magazine Audio Experience Volume 1 on cassette tape. It contained two audio dramas based off of Ray Bradbury's Martian Chronicles. The one that stuck with me was "And the Moon be still as Bright." I always loved the beautiful audio production effects in the audio drama.
After much searching I finally found the audio drama online. It was best listened to with headphones. Close your eyes and let your mind flesh out the rest.
http://vixaudiofun.ning.com/profiles/blogs/the-omni-audio-experience
The link for the drama is in the blog post.
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Thursday, June 19, 2014
A Interesting Quote from the Head of the Committee of Public Safety (The French Revolution)
Read the following quote, then read my quick thoughts and question afterward.
What is our aim?
It is the use of the constitution for the benefit of the people.
Who is likely to oppose us?
The rich and the corrupt.
What methods will they employ?
Slander and hypocrisy.
What factors will encourage the use of such means?
The ignorance of the sans-culottes (the radical left-wing partisans of the lower classes; typically urban labourers).
It is the use of the constitution for the benefit of the people.
Who is likely to oppose us?
The rich and the corrupt.
What methods will they employ?
Slander and hypocrisy.
What factors will encourage the use of such means?
The ignorance of the sans-culottes (the radical left-wing partisans of the lower classes; typically urban labourers).
The people therefore must be instructed.
What are the obstacles to their enlightenment?
The paid journalists who mislead the people every day by shameless distortions.
What conclusion follows?
That we ought to proscribe these writers as the most dangerous enemies of the country and to circulate an abundance of good literature.
The people- what other obstacle is there to their instruction?
Their destitution.
When will the people be educated?
When they have enough bread to eat, when the rich and the government stop bribing treacherous pens and rogues to deceive them and instead identify their own interests with those of the people.
When will this be?
Never.
What are the obstacles to their enlightenment?
The paid journalists who mislead the people every day by shameless distortions.
What conclusion follows?
That we ought to proscribe these writers as the most dangerous enemies of the country and to circulate an abundance of good literature.
The people- what other obstacle is there to their instruction?
Their destitution.
When will the people be educated?
When they have enough bread to eat, when the rich and the government stop bribing treacherous pens and rogues to deceive them and instead identify their own interests with those of the people.
When will this be?
Never.
Maximilien Robespierre
While this is from some of his private writings that have been surmised to be from a depressed period of his, I ask myself the question if that is the case. Or what if he realized that the only way for the French Revolution to be successful was for it to never end? To put it into a modern phase, "to bring fundamental change..." Read on the French Revolution and the Committee of Public Safety and compare it to what is going on today.
Again I link to the excellent program the BBC did on this:
The Thursday Mix It Bag of Stuff (Targets, Articles, Pictures and Video!)
So, I have been bookmarking pages that I see on my Iphone. Here is part of the collection of interesting items that I have found over the last several weeks:
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/06/09/diy-project-silhouette-targets/
A really neat and quick DIY target project that looks really professional.
http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/aar-defensive-training-group-llc-train-the-trainer-iessential-skills/
An excellent AAR with some very good comments as well.
http://soldiersystems.net/2014/05/24/gunfighter-moment-frank-proctor-8/
A very interesting read on a minimalist carbine set up and considerations. Again, so much of carbine setup is very personal, but the modular capability of the AR-15 makes it king of customization.
Speaking of AR-15s, here is a picture of my most recent build. The specs were based off of ideas from my oldest son.
.JPG)
Simple specs: 20" bbl free floated Rock River Arms upper, Del-Ton lower, JP reduced trigger spring kit, MOE+ grip, ACS-L stock, Primary Arms 6x scope. Not sure on the weight, but a big difference between this and my 16" Lightweight Middy build that I normally run. Very pleased so far.
By the way, here is my oldest son running through a quick drill with the aforementioned light weight "16 middy.
http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/06/09/diy-project-silhouette-targets/
A really neat and quick DIY target project that looks really professional.
http://westernrifleshooters.wordpress.com/2014/05/26/aar-defensive-training-group-llc-train-the-trainer-iessential-skills/
An excellent AAR with some very good comments as well.
http://soldiersystems.net/2014/05/24/gunfighter-moment-frank-proctor-8/
A very interesting read on a minimalist carbine set up and considerations. Again, so much of carbine setup is very personal, but the modular capability of the AR-15 makes it king of customization.
Speaking of AR-15s, here is a picture of my most recent build. The specs were based off of ideas from my oldest son.
Simple specs: 20" bbl free floated Rock River Arms upper, Del-Ton lower, JP reduced trigger spring kit, MOE+ grip, ACS-L stock, Primary Arms 6x scope. Not sure on the weight, but a big difference between this and my 16" Lightweight Middy build that I normally run. Very pleased so far.
By the way, here is my oldest son running through a quick drill with the aforementioned light weight "16 middy.
Saturday, June 14, 2014
My Thoughts on the Situation in Iraq.
Right now I do not know whether to be angry or sad about what is going on in Iraq. Nature cannot abide a vacuum. There was a vacuum in Iraq. Now we will have to live with the results. That region is extremely tribal. Those with the biggest and most swords will win the day there.
Do a little research on ISIS. They did their "mission readiness exercise" in Syria, you know, as part of the "rebels" backed by the US to topple the Asad regime. It sure looks like ISIS is putting those lessons to use.
I hesitate to begin to even try to count the cost of lives and treasure that we spent trying to "democratize" Iraq. There are groups of people that will never ever understand the principles and practices of liberty. Of course the average American will just shrug their shoulders and say "It doesn't affect me. Its over there, not here." Oh really? Oil jumped 4% this week based alone on what is going on "over there." If the instability continues, expect higher prices this summer on gas, food, and anything that needs to be transported.
We live with the consequences of our decisions, both personally and nationally. By the way, there are still hundreds of Americans still in Iraq. Are we just going to Benghazi them too? Could have we done more? What should we have done differently both here and abroad?
Think about that while you go about your lives this weekend.
Only the dead have seen the end of war. It is for us, the living, to never forget them.
Do a little research on ISIS. They did their "mission readiness exercise" in Syria, you know, as part of the "rebels" backed by the US to topple the Asad regime. It sure looks like ISIS is putting those lessons to use.
I hesitate to begin to even try to count the cost of lives and treasure that we spent trying to "democratize" Iraq. There are groups of people that will never ever understand the principles and practices of liberty. Of course the average American will just shrug their shoulders and say "It doesn't affect me. Its over there, not here." Oh really? Oil jumped 4% this week based alone on what is going on "over there." If the instability continues, expect higher prices this summer on gas, food, and anything that needs to be transported.
We live with the consequences of our decisions, both personally and nationally. By the way, there are still hundreds of Americans still in Iraq. Are we just going to Benghazi them too? Could have we done more? What should we have done differently both here and abroad?
Think about that while you go about your lives this weekend.
Only the dead have seen the end of war. It is for us, the living, to never forget them.
Friday, June 13, 2014
Patriot Nurse and Her Thoughts: Iraq Will Fall...What it means for US in the United States
Agree or disagree with her, her thoughts are interesting and well thought out.
Saturday, June 7, 2014
1 5 Drill & El Presidente by a Guy I Know
This channel and the corresponding website is run by a guy that I work with. They are rather new, hungry, and learning.
Interesting Things of Note...
Below is some of the things that caught my attention over the last week or so (links follow)
A very cool 'hawk:
bawidamann-blades-rmj-tactical-collaboration-the-ragnorak
Also from bawidamann, a very cool morale patch:
Archangel Michael Morale patch
A lot of folks are talking about the Al Qaeda video showing a cell wiping out a rival insurgent camp in Yemen. Some really great discussion here.
Here is the video:
Of course I need to mention the 70th anniversary of D-Day. My grandfather landed on the beach there. He survived the landing only to be wounded later on during the bocage fighting in France. He convalesced in England and was sent into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation to hunt fleeing SS officers. An interesting side note is that he, my father, and then myself all were assigned to units that were stationed at Schweinfurt, Germany.
Then I found this:
http://survivalprepper-joe.com/16-year-old-builds-tiny-house-mortgage-free-future/
While I and my wife have five kids and a tiny house would not be practicable for us, this is an inspiring story.
A very cool 'hawk:
bawidamann-blades-rmj-tactical-collaboration-the-ragnorak
Also from bawidamann, a very cool morale patch:
Archangel Michael Morale patch
A lot of folks are talking about the Al Qaeda video showing a cell wiping out a rival insurgent camp in Yemen. Some really great discussion here.
Here is the video:
Of course I need to mention the 70th anniversary of D-Day. My grandfather landed on the beach there. He survived the landing only to be wounded later on during the bocage fighting in France. He convalesced in England and was sent into Germany as part of the Army of Occupation to hunt fleeing SS officers. An interesting side note is that he, my father, and then myself all were assigned to units that were stationed at Schweinfurt, Germany.
Then I found this:
http://survivalprepper-joe.com/16-year-old-builds-tiny-house-mortgage-free-future/
While I and my wife have five kids and a tiny house would not be practicable for us, this is an inspiring story.
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