The UN: Bringing Peace & Security (to everywhere no one will hurt them).

Gunmen attempt to kidnap UN refugee mission chief in Gaza: Fox News is reporting that now the UN will withdraw from Gaza, as the locals apparently don't appreciate their efforts. Here is one of the fundamental reasons I laugh at people who think black helicopters and blue helmets will ever be a threat: the UN runs from conflict faster than a greasy burrito through a spastic colon.

Death By Work

I think my employer is trying to kill me through my job. Go in early, put on non-breathing, full wrap 20 pound lead apron, set up sterile field/table, assist physician for a couple hours during case, clean room/process images as fast as possible, get next patient and repeat until several hours after scheduled end of workday. Go home, sit down, come back in middle of night to do some more, then go home: repeat process all next day.

I've got a lead apron that looks like it's developing unknown lifeforms on the lining, and it's generating interesting smells depending on the room temperature.

I wonder if my local library has any openings for a job requiring sitting in a chair for hours on end with an occasional foray into the stacks?

Germany Being Overrun By Unwelcome Immigrants

See the whole story here. I see they're congregating in cities, as there's less chance of being shot there. Just like other types of opportunistic scavengers!

Sunday Ugly Gun Post

Another former Arisaka, this one apparently sacrificed by arts and crafts dabblers. This has got to be a rifle for display only; you'd hate to take the risk of getting a scratch on the stock out in the field.

Apparently, Miracles Do Happen

(Photo by Oleg Volk, A Human Right)

Apparently Washington D.C. residents are having firearms rights restored to them. I never, never thought I would actually see this happen. This popped up on MSN when I got home from work. I'm ecstatic for these people, as it's been decades since honest citizens have been able to legally protect themselves. I expect there will be a wave of purchases, along with surge of "blood in the streets" editorials in their local media. Note the quote in the article:

Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said the ruling could put more guns in the hands of young people. "I am personally deeply disappointed and quite frankly outraged by today's decision," he said. "Today's decision flies in the face of laws that have helped decrease gun violence in the District of Columbia."

If this doesn't demonstrate someone who's living in an alternative reality, nothing does.

Latest Purchase From The MODs

Photo courtesy of The Russian Mosin Nagant Page

Last weekend our local gun club held it's annual gun show at the fairgrounds. Rotten weather diminished both the number of vendors and customers, but for our area, it was still worth going. Although the prevalent arm at these shows is the 12 gauge sporting shotgun, there's usually a small but consistent number of milsurp dealers. This time I was I was torn between an ancient Italian infantry rifle that had been arsenal(Terni) converted from it's original blackpowder chambering to 6.5mm and an impressively refurbished Soviet M-44. The Italian, which had seen a lot of wear, was missing the front sight blade, and used the Mannlicher clip system of loading. However, it was an unusual find for this area, and had an almost baroque appearance that I love in the old blackpowder cartridge arms. The price tag was $200. The M-44 was fairly common, and of standard Mosin appearance (which, in my view, is somewhat inelegant). In it's favor: Excellent arsenal refinishing, matching numbers, came off the production line in 1944, The Wife thought the wood was "pretty", I have and can easily get more ammunition for it, and $95 out the door. The M-44 won, and feels like a pretty good deal compared to the same or worse condition M-44s a couple blocks away at the local Fleet Farm for a hair under $200.

Have No Fear, The TSA Is Here

Thank goodness we have the Transportation Safety Authority to keep us safe since 9/11. Otherwise these guys might have smuggled some boxcutters or nailclippers. You know, the really dangerous stuff.