Senator Pam Brown is revisiting an old idea. That seems to come up every 30 years or so.
She wants to spend countless millions on a study that if implimented would would create a lake where Ashland, Nebraska has been established for generations.
Seveal question will have to be answered; Where will all of the people relocate? How much compensation will they receive for their trouble? What will be done with all of the cemetaries that are located where they plan to put this puddle?
Even if it does provide the hydro-electric power that Senator Brown alludes to; How many generations will it take to just break even on the fiasco?
I have a much better idea
Why not put that damn on the Missouri River just south of Omaha. After all there is much more water in that confluence and it would take a much shorter time to re-coup the investment throught the sale of hydro-electricity.
Oh wait it would interfere with barge traffic wouldn't it? The solution there would be to truck everything North of that point thus creating even more jobs. Now that would be a real boon to the economy.
Oh but then large portions of Omaha, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs would be under water. Well you can make up your own mind whether that would be a good thing or not.
The Omaha International airport might also be under water as well. That is not all bad, it could create a whole new water sport using those old runways.
Imagine the kids that park and make out on the bluffs could go home and honestly tell their parents they were watching the submarine races.
Submarine Race tailgate parties !!!!! What's on the menu????
Would Budwiser or Dupont be interested in fielding an entry?? I can see it now "The Rain Bubble Warriors".
Maybe Subway and Blimpie can co-sponsor the events. The SubBlimpieWay 500 ???
Post race interview; "Well jeff you could have won that race if that sturgeon hadn't swam out in the fourth turn and put you into the wall."
"Well that's the breaks, the crew had the Rain Bubble Warrior sub running fantastic to that point in the race and I'm sure it is a big disappointment for our sponsors, Dupont and Sunkist Tuna, but those things happen. We'll be back next year though.
There are a lot more important issues going on in this state than to commission millions of needed dollars to study a subject that has not ever gotten off the ground in the last 70 years.
Monday, January 30, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Chambers vows to kill CCW
In a predictical move Senator Chambers has avowed to do everything in his power to kill not only the CCW bill, but the Fetal Assault measure that is before the Unicameral.
Senator Chambers plans to nit pick and filibuster every bill that comes up for debate from now till the end of the short session.
This is not the first time the Honorable Senator from Omaha has plyed this tactic. If he can slow the Unicameral down to a slow crawl time will expire before these bills can be brought up again, thus insuring non-passage of either one.
Since term limits are about to kick in I suspect that there is little chance for passage this session either.
Why?
Because as I have long suspected and as Senator Chambers himself has told me personally;
"If these people really wanted to pass a concealled carry bill they would have done it a long time ago. You don't know how many of them that say they are for it really don't want it, they just use me as the bad guy. Then they can go back to their districts and say i tried but it was that darned Ernie Chambers again. They blame it on me, I know that and accept that."
There yuh go folks a lot of those people that Ernie was talking about are about to term limit out. Now they can either let him drag it to the end and let it die or they can vote the way they really have felt all along about it.
Ernie Chambers is on a term limit induced roll and he has got nothing to lose. He is going to give it all he has got from now till the end of the session. Many of his fellow supposed pro-gun Senators can quietly sit back and let him run the boards or they can vote how they really feel about CCW for a change. Either way it doesn't matter they are out, they have nothing to lose either folks.
CCW this session not likely.
Time to start shouting about Initiative Measure No. 403 from every roof top in the state.
Senator Chambers plans to nit pick and filibuster every bill that comes up for debate from now till the end of the short session.
This is not the first time the Honorable Senator from Omaha has plyed this tactic. If he can slow the Unicameral down to a slow crawl time will expire before these bills can be brought up again, thus insuring non-passage of either one.
Since term limits are about to kick in I suspect that there is little chance for passage this session either.
Why?
Because as I have long suspected and as Senator Chambers himself has told me personally;
"If these people really wanted to pass a concealled carry bill they would have done it a long time ago. You don't know how many of them that say they are for it really don't want it, they just use me as the bad guy. Then they can go back to their districts and say i tried but it was that darned Ernie Chambers again. They blame it on me, I know that and accept that."
There yuh go folks a lot of those people that Ernie was talking about are about to term limit out. Now they can either let him drag it to the end and let it die or they can vote the way they really have felt all along about it.
Ernie Chambers is on a term limit induced roll and he has got nothing to lose. He is going to give it all he has got from now till the end of the session. Many of his fellow supposed pro-gun Senators can quietly sit back and let him run the boards or they can vote how they really feel about CCW for a change. Either way it doesn't matter they are out, they have nothing to lose either folks.
CCW this session not likely.
Time to start shouting about Initiative Measure No. 403 from every roof top in the state.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Chain Ranch New Year
Back at the Chain Ranch
Wanting to be way out of town when the inibriated city dwelling revellers practiced their New Years Tradition of carelessy, recklessly, dangerously and randomly discharging firearms, the wife (PJ) and I booked a hunt and arranged to meet my brother at the Chain ranch in Oklahoma for the Holiday weekend.
Livingroom area of the Main Lodge
We arrived on Thursday the 29th and were able to start hunting that afternoon. Jim and I have been there before, but it was the PJ's first trip to the Chain. When we were there last March Jim failed to find the Hog he wanted to shoot so in his words; "I have got to redeem myself this time".
We spent 3 days there this time and could not have asked for a better time.
After spending Thursday afternoon, Friday morning and afternoon hunting, we were getting a bit dissappointed that we weren't seeing the kind of hogs we knew populated the Ranch. We were seeing lots of hogs just not any that we felt were big enough to shoot. That is the way it goes though; If we got something evertime we went out to the field it would be called "gathering" instead of hunting.
A few of the smaller pigs that inhabit the Chain Ranch
All that changed Saturday morning.
PJ and I had just got settled into our morning blind right at the crack of dawn. This particular blind is set in a depression they call "the bowl" and it offers 180 degrees of nearly 100 yrds of visability. Coffee mugs had been carefully placed where they wouldn't be kicked, an improvised shooting rest (my left cammo glove) had been set on the window of the blind, PJ had taken a couple of practice sightings to make sure nothing would hamper her shot and I thought about setting up the video equipment. All was well with the world.
Just as God's Golden Fingers of daylight touched the ground in front of us, a solitary boar strode out into the sun. I immediately sized up the big black and white ugly as a sizeable quary and pointed him out to PJ as I mentally kicked my own ass for not getting the video gear going. Well it wasn't going to happen now. She laid the Model 94, 30-30 across the glove and sighted on the pig. A few seconds later she lowered the gun and said she didn't think it was big enough. She thought it looked big but when she put the sights on it it shrunk she said.
After assuring her that it was an optical illusion that commonly manifests itsself at longer ranges (70 yrds or so)with open sights, I told her it was indeed a very good boar and that if she wouldn't take it I would. The Winchester came back up and in a measured few seconds it spoke a single syllable that pig understood to be an invitation to the dinner table. He shivered real hard with excitement at the invitation and took off running in a big circle that brought him back to the patch of woods he had come from. I heard him quit running and begin thrashing around. I knew at that point he had accepted Pj's invitaion to dinner and the hugs and high fives commenced.
We decided to give him a half hour or so before going to look for him. During that time I contemplated a few things. One; I knew it was a really big hog and Two; we did not need both freezers at home filled with pork.
When we first arrived Newly had also offered us a chance at some of the Fallow deer that roam wild on the ranch if we were of a mind to. He wanted a few of the Doe taken to better balance the herd. While I was pondering what I wanted to do four Fallow bucks stepped out into the clearing and began to feed. I started watching them through the Binoculars wondering if any of the females of the species would show themselves. A short while later three Doe walked out and began feeding with the bucks.
I would rather have used a different gun for the deer, but all I had was "Thor's Hammer". My Granddads old winchester was safely locked in its case back at the lodge. Not letting regret get in the way I raised the Mossberg SSI-One 12 gauge rifle and rested it on the shooting glove that was still on the ledge of the blind. Checking out the doe through the scope I settled on the biggest one, who by the way had the prettiest spot pattern of the three.
Slipping off the safety I settled the crosshairs low on the front right shoulder and issued my own invitation to dinner at the Gunscribe table. The Remington Copper Solid crossed the 70 yards and found a place in her heart. Not wanting to be late for dinner the doe kicked into high gear and ran about 60 yards before piling up within 20 yrds of where we would find PJ's hog.
We knew my deer was down and after about 10 minutes we eased out of the blind and began looking for a blood trail that her hog should have been gracious enough to leave. Not one drop was found, but we were able to follow his tracks to the egde of some thick brush. Just as I was about to go around the brush and work my way back through it PJ stepped up to a log and looking over it began yelling, "He's here, He's right here. My hogs right here." Well the great White Trackers ego deflated like a popped balloon and I stepped humbly over to admire the hog she had shot and found all on her own (well mostly anyway).
Damn this thing looked bigger on the ground than it did on it's feet. PJ just like a pro stepped in behind it and poked at it with the barrel of her rifle before she let me near it. When she was satisfied the pig was dead she indicated that since I screwed up not getting it on video, I should drag it out where we could at least get some pictures before Newly came to pick us up. Looking at how far the sun had gotten in the morning sky I figured that wasn't going to happen for a couple more hours at least.
PJ'S Boar and a close up of his cutters. Yes they can hurt you if your careless
Grabbing it by the hind legs I pulled it up over the log and thankfully it just sorta slid down the bank about 10 feet from there. Rolling it over and positioning it just right PJ got down with "Sizzleen" (Yes she named her hog) and began posing for pictures. After snapping several pictures I finally asked "She Who must be Obeyed" if it was okay if I went over to look at my deer now.
All the while admiring "Sizzleen" she sorta nodded toward the little deer and said yes.
Note: Fallow Deer (Dama dama) are a smaller member of the same Cervidae family as the Whitetail (Odocoileus virginianus). As adults a large Buck (male) seldom exceeds 125 pounds. An adult Doe will seldom weigh more than 100 or 110 pounds. Both species maintain their fawn like spots through adulthood.
After a cursory examination of the effects left by my invitation to our dinner table, I can't get over how accurate and effective the Remington 1 ounce Copper Solid 12 gauge sabot slug is. That deer just did not have the heart to refuse dinner with us.
I was eventually able to coax PJ away from "Sizzleen" long enough to take a few pictures of me and my contribution to our freezer.
Female Fallow deer
A short time later Newly arrived having already picked up Jim from his stand. We got the game loaded and headed back to the Lodge. While enroute PJ imformed me that before I went back out hunting with my brother, who had yet to score, that evening I had to cut some steaks from her hog so she could fix us dinner while we were gone.
When we got back I got the deer butchered and into vacuum sealed bags before starting on "Sizzleen". The deer was easy and it got me in the groove. By the time we got the hide, head and entrails off PJ's hog it was almost time to head back out to hunt. I quickly cut out the backstarps and sliced off a few steaks before hanging the old Boar in the meat locker. All told "Sizzleen" weighed about 250 pounds.
Jim and I headed out for the evening hunt, but that and the ensuing dinner is another blog entry that will be coming soon.
Note for the ballistic peformance geeks: The 150 grain Remington Express Corelock 30 caliber bullet went all the way through the hog and it was recovered in a perfect mushroom lodged in the hide on the far side of the hide. That is as good as it gets, perfect expansion with all of the bullets energy expended in the target and the slug recovered from the far side of the game. As with the last deer I took with "Thor's Hammer" the 12 gauge the slug was not recovered but it definately left it's mark on the deer. I had hoped to see what it would do on a big hog, but hey there is always next time.
Note: For those that haven't read my previous post on the Mossberg SSI-One with the 12 gauge rifled barrel installed, I don't name all of my firearms but, the way this one performs I just couldn't help but call it "Thor's Hammer".
Wanting to be way out of town when the inibriated city dwelling revellers practiced their New Years Tradition of carelessy, recklessly, dangerously and randomly discharging firearms, the wife (PJ) and I booked a hunt and arranged to meet my brother at the Chain ranch in Oklahoma for the Holiday weekend.
Livingroom area of the Main Lodge
We arrived on Thursday the 29th and were able to start hunting that afternoon. Jim and I have been there before, but it was the PJ's first trip to the Chain. When we were there last March Jim failed to find the Hog he wanted to shoot so in his words; "I have got to redeem myself this time".
We spent 3 days there this time and could not have asked for a better time.
After spending Thursday afternoon, Friday morning and afternoon hunting, we were getting a bit dissappointed that we weren't seeing the kind of hogs we knew populated the Ranch. We were seeing lots of hogs just not any that we felt were big enough to shoot. That is the way it goes though; If we got something evertime we went out to the field it would be called "gathering" instead of hunting.
A few of the smaller pigs that inhabit the Chain Ranch
All that changed Saturday morning.
PJ and I had just got settled into our morning blind right at the crack of dawn. This particular blind is set in a depression they call "the bowl" and it offers 180 degrees of nearly 100 yrds of visability. Coffee mugs had been carefully placed where they wouldn't be kicked, an improvised shooting rest (my left cammo glove) had been set on the window of the blind, PJ had taken a couple of practice sightings to make sure nothing would hamper her shot and I thought about setting up the video equipment. All was well with the world.
Just as God's Golden Fingers of daylight touched the ground in front of us, a solitary boar strode out into the sun. I immediately sized up the big black and white ugly as a sizeable quary and pointed him out to PJ as I mentally kicked my own ass for not getting the video gear going. Well it wasn't going to happen now. She laid the Model 94, 30-30 across the glove and sighted on the pig. A few seconds later she lowered the gun and said she didn't think it was big enough. She thought it looked big but when she put the sights on it it shrunk she said.
After assuring her that it was an optical illusion that commonly manifests itsself at longer ranges (70 yrds or so)with open sights, I told her it was indeed a very good boar and that if she wouldn't take it I would. The Winchester came back up and in a measured few seconds it spoke a single syllable that pig understood to be an invitation to the dinner table. He shivered real hard with excitement at the invitation and took off running in a big circle that brought him back to the patch of woods he had come from. I heard him quit running and begin thrashing around. I knew at that point he had accepted Pj's invitaion to dinner and the hugs and high fives commenced.
We decided to give him a half hour or so before going to look for him. During that time I contemplated a few things. One; I knew it was a really big hog and Two; we did not need both freezers at home filled with pork.
When we first arrived Newly had also offered us a chance at some of the Fallow deer that roam wild on the ranch if we were of a mind to. He wanted a few of the Doe taken to better balance the herd. While I was pondering what I wanted to do four Fallow bucks stepped out into the clearing and began to feed. I started watching them through the Binoculars wondering if any of the females of the species would show themselves. A short while later three Doe walked out and began feeding with the bucks.
I would rather have used a different gun for the deer, but all I had was "Thor's Hammer". My Granddads old winchester was safely locked in its case back at the lodge. Not letting regret get in the way I raised the Mossberg SSI-One 12 gauge rifle and rested it on the shooting glove that was still on the ledge of the blind. Checking out the doe through the scope I settled on the biggest one, who by the way had the prettiest spot pattern of the three.
Slipping off the safety I settled the crosshairs low on the front right shoulder and issued my own invitation to dinner at the Gunscribe table. The Remington Copper Solid crossed the 70 yards and found a place in her heart. Not wanting to be late for dinner the doe kicked into high gear and ran about 60 yards before piling up within 20 yrds of where we would find PJ's hog.
We knew my deer was down and after about 10 minutes we eased out of the blind and began looking for a blood trail that her hog should have been gracious enough to leave. Not one drop was found, but we were able to follow his tracks to the egde of some thick brush. Just as I was about to go around the brush and work my way back through it PJ stepped up to a log and looking over it began yelling, "He's here, He's right here. My hogs right here." Well the great White Trackers ego deflated like a popped balloon and I stepped humbly over to admire the hog she had shot and found all on her own (well mostly anyway).
Damn this thing looked bigger on the ground than it did on it's feet. PJ just like a pro stepped in behind it and poked at it with the barrel of her rifle before she let me near it. When she was satisfied the pig was dead she indicated that since I screwed up not getting it on video, I should drag it out where we could at least get some pictures before Newly came to pick us up. Looking at how far the sun had gotten in the morning sky I figured that wasn't going to happen for a couple more hours at least.
PJ'S Boar and a close up of his cutters. Yes they can hurt you if your careless
Grabbing it by the hind legs I pulled it up over the log and thankfully it just sorta slid down the bank about 10 feet from there. Rolling it over and positioning it just right PJ got down with "Sizzleen" (Yes she named her hog) and began posing for pictures. After snapping several pictures I finally asked "She Who must be Obeyed" if it was okay if I went over to look at my deer now.
All the while admiring "Sizzleen" she sorta nodded toward the little deer and said yes.
Note: Fallow Deer (Dama dama) are a smaller member of the same Cervidae family as the Whitetail (Odocoileus virginianus). As adults a large Buck (male) seldom exceeds 125 pounds. An adult Doe will seldom weigh more than 100 or 110 pounds. Both species maintain their fawn like spots through adulthood.
After a cursory examination of the effects left by my invitation to our dinner table, I can't get over how accurate and effective the Remington 1 ounce Copper Solid 12 gauge sabot slug is. That deer just did not have the heart to refuse dinner with us.
I was eventually able to coax PJ away from "Sizzleen" long enough to take a few pictures of me and my contribution to our freezer.
Female Fallow deer
A short time later Newly arrived having already picked up Jim from his stand. We got the game loaded and headed back to the Lodge. While enroute PJ imformed me that before I went back out hunting with my brother, who had yet to score, that evening I had to cut some steaks from her hog so she could fix us dinner while we were gone.
When we got back I got the deer butchered and into vacuum sealed bags before starting on "Sizzleen". The deer was easy and it got me in the groove. By the time we got the hide, head and entrails off PJ's hog it was almost time to head back out to hunt. I quickly cut out the backstarps and sliced off a few steaks before hanging the old Boar in the meat locker. All told "Sizzleen" weighed about 250 pounds.
Jim and I headed out for the evening hunt, but that and the ensuing dinner is another blog entry that will be coming soon.
Note for the ballistic peformance geeks: The 150 grain Remington Express Corelock 30 caliber bullet went all the way through the hog and it was recovered in a perfect mushroom lodged in the hide on the far side of the hide. That is as good as it gets, perfect expansion with all of the bullets energy expended in the target and the slug recovered from the far side of the game. As with the last deer I took with "Thor's Hammer" the 12 gauge the slug was not recovered but it definately left it's mark on the deer. I had hoped to see what it would do on a big hog, but hey there is always next time.
Note: For those that haven't read my previous post on the Mossberg SSI-One with the 12 gauge rifled barrel installed, I don't name all of my firearms but, the way this one performs I just couldn't help but call it "Thor's Hammer".
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Round One: CCW - 1 Ernie Chambers - 0
The Nebraska Unicameral has been debating LB 454 Concealed Carry Legislation for the past two days. I have only been paying attention to it out of one side of my brain as it has been this far in years past.
Today ended round one before the full Senate with 34 Senators voting to bring cloture to a Senator Chambers filibuster. It was then by majority vote sent to the Select File.
Been there done that
Three years ago LB 256 (the same bill) made it this far before being tabled by Senator Tyson to be heard the following year. It was never heard from again.
Last year it was ressurected by Senator Combs as LB 454. It was, as it always seems to voted out of committee and sent to the floor of the full Unicameral. There it languished until Senator Combs was promised; If she tabled the bill until this years session it would get the full attention of the Unicameral.
Despite that written promise I am surprised that it has been brought up. I am not suprised that the vote for cloture succeeded and that it was vote on the full floor to advance to select file, as I said we been there done that already.
Long way to go
It isn't over till theFat Lady Sings blog entries are posted folks. There are Senators that have some very restrictive amendments they would like to see added, that voted for cloture this time around. Just like they did the last time. If they can not get what they want added to LB 454 they won't vote for cloture let alone the final product.
This is not a time to rejoice, we been here before, now is the time if you support this bill to keep what ever pressure you have been bringing to beear on your Senators. Call their offices, get 10 friends to call their offices, get 10 friends to get 10 friends to call their offices.
It is really to early to tell how CCW will fare in Nebraska this year and I for one will be very suprised if it does in fact pass.
Today ended round one before the full Senate with 34 Senators voting to bring cloture to a Senator Chambers filibuster. It was then by majority vote sent to the Select File.
Been there done that
Three years ago LB 256 (the same bill) made it this far before being tabled by Senator Tyson to be heard the following year. It was never heard from again.
Last year it was ressurected by Senator Combs as LB 454. It was, as it always seems to voted out of committee and sent to the floor of the full Unicameral. There it languished until Senator Combs was promised; If she tabled the bill until this years session it would get the full attention of the Unicameral.
Despite that written promise I am surprised that it has been brought up. I am not suprised that the vote for cloture succeeded and that it was vote on the full floor to advance to select file, as I said we been there done that already.
Long way to go
It isn't over till the
This is not a time to rejoice, we been here before, now is the time if you support this bill to keep what ever pressure you have been bringing to beear on your Senators. Call their offices, get 10 friends to call their offices, get 10 friends to get 10 friends to call their offices.
It is really to early to tell how CCW will fare in Nebraska this year and I for one will be very suprised if it does in fact pass.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Posts Forth Coming
We are back home. Again
Over the next few days I hope to get up a few posts. I'll try to spread them out a bit so that they aren't all done in one day.
It has been a hectic last few weeks. The vaction went off as planned and we had a very successful hunt and got back home last Tuesday at 8:00 PM.
Just as we were literally walking in the door Mrs Gun's Mom was calling to tell us that one of Mrs Gun's younger sisters had been struck and killed by a car. So by Friday evening we were repacked and ready to go again.
We got back this afternoon and hopefully we will be home for a while and I can get some posting done.
Over the next few days I hope to get up a few posts. I'll try to spread them out a bit so that they aren't all done in one day.
It has been a hectic last few weeks. The vaction went off as planned and we had a very successful hunt and got back home last Tuesday at 8:00 PM.
Just as we were literally walking in the door Mrs Gun's Mom was calling to tell us that one of Mrs Gun's younger sisters had been struck and killed by a car. So by Friday evening we were repacked and ready to go again.
We got back this afternoon and hopefully we will be home for a while and I can get some posting done.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Hiatus
I know I haven't written much lately. December is a busy time for me, what with a slew of family birthdays all between Thanksgiving and Christmas. There have been a few minor things I wanted to comment on but just could not find the time.
Speaking of which I sincerely hope that everyone's Christmas was joyful and triumphant.
The bad news is that it will continue for at least another week. The wife and I leave in the morning (Thursday)for a long anticipated wild hog hunt in Oklahoma. We will be spending New years eve together at a nice lodge in what will hopefully be a bit warmer climate.
Aside: For those of you that are interested in such things, yes I am taking "Thor's Hammer" (see a previous post for the explanation of the hammer) with the 12 gauge rifled barrel on it and will be using the Remington 3" Copper Solids that worked so well for me a few weeks back during deer season.
After that we will take a few days in Texas to visit some friends and be back home next week sometime.
I anticipate that after this bit of planned recharging I can get back to some regular posting.
May all of you have a wonderfully safe New years Eve celebration and a joyous and prosperous 2006.
Thank you all for reading my blog and for the comments both complimentary and critical this past year.
Gunscribe
Speaking of which I sincerely hope that everyone's Christmas was joyful and triumphant.
The bad news is that it will continue for at least another week. The wife and I leave in the morning (Thursday)for a long anticipated wild hog hunt in Oklahoma. We will be spending New years eve together at a nice lodge in what will hopefully be a bit warmer climate.
Aside: For those of you that are interested in such things, yes I am taking "Thor's Hammer" (see a previous post for the explanation of the hammer) with the 12 gauge rifled barrel on it and will be using the Remington 3" Copper Solids that worked so well for me a few weeks back during deer season.
After that we will take a few days in Texas to visit some friends and be back home next week sometime.
I anticipate that after this bit of planned recharging I can get back to some regular posting.
May all of you have a wonderfully safe New years Eve celebration and a joyous and prosperous 2006.
Thank you all for reading my blog and for the comments both complimentary and critical this past year.
Gunscribe
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Almost Seven Million Dollars
Projections for the Capital City indicate a 6.8 million dollar shortfall even if many of Madam Seng's pet projects are flushed.
Word is that the culprit is a lack of increase in sales tax revenue. The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that sales tax revenue supports over 40 percent of the annual budget and that income has stagnated.
Apparently the city anticipates a 3 to 4 percent growth in in sales tax revenue on a yearly basis, and that just ain't happening this year.
Well DUH, is it any wonder why?
There is not much, if anything being written in the press about why the sales tax revenue has flatlined, but anyone that listens to local radio knows the score.
More than one public official has indicated that the smoking ban implmented by the People of the "No Nose Tribe" is more than partially to blame. One guest on a local talk show agreed that it could be as much as 4 million dollars. And that is probably just sales tax revenue that has not been generated, that might not even include the 14 cents on every dollar the city is losing from Keno that is not being played.
Aside: Keno is legal in the state of Nebraska and the city of Lincoln. Keno is gambling. Keno, alcohol and cigarette smoke go together like the three legs of a stool; cut off one of the legs and you fall on your ass.
THE CITY OF LINCOLN HAS FALLEN AND CAN'T GET UP
It is not only the loss of 14 cents for every Keno dollar played that the city is losing; It is the sales tax on the food and beverages that the players consume. There has also been some tracking as to how other non-Keno local restaurants and bars have been fairing.
Observations from this tracking revealed that food and beverage sales are down all over the city as compared to years past. Some businesses have cut their staff even further reducing the amount of taxes generated by the city and state.
Whether you are for or against the smoking ban it is hard not to aknowledge the economic impact that it is having on the city. When you cut the slaughter one of the cities cash cows, you are obligated to find another cow.
Between the lost revenue from Keno and the lost sales tax revenue from the sales tax on food and beverages the city of Lincoln has fallen into a financial money pit.
So how does our glorious leaders plan to compensate for this debacle? Why tax increases of course! The plan being formed now is to replace the single huge cash cow with a whole herd of little teeny weeny itsy bitsy little cows; i.e. the individual tax payers of Lincoln.
There is already talk by City-County Planning Director Marvin Krout of raising property taxes, wheel taxes and imposing an occupational tax on gasoline.
1400 KLIN radio is also reporting that City Budget Officer Steve Hubka says rate increases for water and sewer are also possible.
To that I say NO THANK YOU.
I think that everyone that voted to "cut their nose off to spite their face" ought to step up and identify themselves. Then the number of people that voted for the ban can be divided into the amount of the deficit and made to write a check for their portion of their ignorance.
You Do-gooders wanted smoke free bars and restaurants; well now you got them. It came at the expense of the cities infrastructure and no now you want me to pay for your shortsightedness?
YOU WANTED THIS, YOU GOT THIS.
IT WAS YOUR DUMB ASS HOLIER THAN THOUGH MENTALITY THAT GOT US IN THIS MESS YOU PAY YOUR OWN WAY OUT OF IT.
I am not saying the there would not be a deficit if the ban had not gone into effect, but I believe that the shortfall would be negligable or even virtually non-existant if it had not.
GET YOUR OWN CHECK BOOKS OUT AND COUGH UP FOR YOUR OWN IGNORANCE.
ITS YOUR STOOL, YOU BROKE IT, FIX THE DAMN THING YOURSELF.
Word is that the culprit is a lack of increase in sales tax revenue. The Lincoln Journal Star is reporting that sales tax revenue supports over 40 percent of the annual budget and that income has stagnated.
Apparently the city anticipates a 3 to 4 percent growth in in sales tax revenue on a yearly basis, and that just ain't happening this year.
Well DUH, is it any wonder why?
There is not much, if anything being written in the press about why the sales tax revenue has flatlined, but anyone that listens to local radio knows the score.
More than one public official has indicated that the smoking ban implmented by the People of the "No Nose Tribe" is more than partially to blame. One guest on a local talk show agreed that it could be as much as 4 million dollars. And that is probably just sales tax revenue that has not been generated, that might not even include the 14 cents on every dollar the city is losing from Keno that is not being played.
Aside: Keno is legal in the state of Nebraska and the city of Lincoln. Keno is gambling. Keno, alcohol and cigarette smoke go together like the three legs of a stool; cut off one of the legs and you fall on your ass.
THE CITY OF LINCOLN HAS FALLEN AND CAN'T GET UP
It is not only the loss of 14 cents for every Keno dollar played that the city is losing; It is the sales tax on the food and beverages that the players consume. There has also been some tracking as to how other non-Keno local restaurants and bars have been fairing.
Observations from this tracking revealed that food and beverage sales are down all over the city as compared to years past. Some businesses have cut their staff even further reducing the amount of taxes generated by the city and state.
Whether you are for or against the smoking ban it is hard not to aknowledge the economic impact that it is having on the city. When you cut the slaughter one of the cities cash cows, you are obligated to find another cow.
Between the lost revenue from Keno and the lost sales tax revenue from the sales tax on food and beverages the city of Lincoln has fallen into a financial money pit.
So how does our glorious leaders plan to compensate for this debacle? Why tax increases of course! The plan being formed now is to replace the single huge cash cow with a whole herd of little teeny weeny itsy bitsy little cows; i.e. the individual tax payers of Lincoln.
There is already talk by City-County Planning Director Marvin Krout of raising property taxes, wheel taxes and imposing an occupational tax on gasoline.
1400 KLIN radio is also reporting that City Budget Officer Steve Hubka says rate increases for water and sewer are also possible.
To that I say NO THANK YOU.
I think that everyone that voted to "cut their nose off to spite their face" ought to step up and identify themselves. Then the number of people that voted for the ban can be divided into the amount of the deficit and made to write a check for their portion of their ignorance.
You Do-gooders wanted smoke free bars and restaurants; well now you got them. It came at the expense of the cities infrastructure and no now you want me to pay for your shortsightedness?
YOU WANTED THIS, YOU GOT THIS.
IT WAS YOUR DUMB ASS HOLIER THAN THOUGH MENTALITY THAT GOT US IN THIS MESS YOU PAY YOUR OWN WAY OUT OF IT.
I am not saying the there would not be a deficit if the ban had not gone into effect, but I believe that the shortfall would be negligable or even virtually non-existant if it had not.
GET YOUR OWN CHECK BOOKS OUT AND COUGH UP FOR YOUR OWN IGNORANCE.
ITS YOUR STOOL, YOU BROKE IT, FIX THE DAMN THING YOURSELF.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Awwww I have been infected with a dreaded Meme
Jed over at FreedomSight Meme'd me. This infestation would remain on my Blog until I posted my responses to the 7 X 7 Meme that he sent me. I know this is a fun thing thing and I thank Jed for thinking enough of me to pass it my way.
It has taken me awhile to complete it, because I had been thinking of some of these things as of late and see this as an opportunity to post my thought out and meaningful answers to the Meme.
Here goes;
Seven things to do before I die (not necessarily in any given order)
Hunt the Water or Cape Buffalo
Celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary
Return to Alaska to Fish
Catch a Marlin (the fish not the gun)
Win the Lottery
Hunt for a full curl Ram
Get to know my Great Grand Children
Seven things I cannot Do
Tolerate the liberal mind set
Stay away from the firing range
Make a decent pancake
Violate a confidence
Speak Chineese
Bungy Jump
Think of one more thing for this list
Seven things that attract me to .... (the outdoors)
The Sunset
The Moon
The Sunrise
Fresh air
Wild Game
Fish
Campfires
Seven things I say most often
Yes Dear
As you wish Dear
In a minute Dear
Get your ass outa my chair
Dumbass
That's a car not a phone booth your driving
Don't threaten me with a good time
Seven Books (or series) that I love
John Grishams Lawyer Novels
John Axlers Death Lands Adventure Novels
Ann Colters How to Talk to a Liberal (If you must)
Bob Barrs The Meaning of Is
Shotgun News
Bill Jordons No Second Place Winner
Massad Ayoobs In Gravest Extreme
Seven Movies I watch Over and Over again
Quigley Down Under
The Outlaw Josie Wales
Hard Target
Hearbreak Ridge
Tombstone
The Shootist
Rooster Cogburn
Seven Suckers I want to infect
TFS Magnum
PTG
Abe
Ryne
Kevin
Head
Merri
Thanks Jed I only hope the people I infect are as greatfull as I am.
It has taken me awhile to complete it, because I had been thinking of some of these things as of late and see this as an opportunity to post my thought out and meaningful answers to the Meme.
Here goes;
Seven things to do before I die (not necessarily in any given order)
Hunt the Water or Cape Buffalo
Celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary
Return to Alaska to Fish
Catch a Marlin (the fish not the gun)
Win the Lottery
Hunt for a full curl Ram
Get to know my Great Grand Children
Seven things I cannot Do
Tolerate the liberal mind set
Stay away from the firing range
Make a decent pancake
Violate a confidence
Speak Chineese
Bungy Jump
Think of one more thing for this list
Seven things that attract me to .... (the outdoors)
The Sunset
The Moon
The Sunrise
Fresh air
Wild Game
Fish
Campfires
Seven things I say most often
Yes Dear
As you wish Dear
In a minute Dear
Get your ass outa my chair
Dumbass
That's a car not a phone booth your driving
Don't threaten me with a good time
Seven Books (or series) that I love
John Grishams Lawyer Novels
John Axlers Death Lands Adventure Novels
Ann Colters How to Talk to a Liberal (If you must)
Bob Barrs The Meaning of Is
Shotgun News
Bill Jordons No Second Place Winner
Massad Ayoobs In Gravest Extreme
Seven Movies I watch Over and Over again
Quigley Down Under
The Outlaw Josie Wales
Hard Target
Hearbreak Ridge
Tombstone
The Shootist
Rooster Cogburn
Seven Suckers I want to infect
TFS Magnum
PTG
Abe
Ryne
Kevin
Head
Merri
Thanks Jed I only hope the people I infect are as greatfull as I am.
Monday, December 05, 2005
Pointed Bullets in a Lever Gun???
Hornady has done it again.
Headquartered in Grand Island Nebraska, Hornady Manufacturing has introduced a pointed bullet round that is safe to load in lever actions with a tubular magazine.
Calling it "LEVERevolution" Horandy has added a soft ballistic tip to pointed bullets in the 30-30, 35 Remington, 444 Marlin, 45-70 and 450 Marlin calibers.
Since the inception of the tubular magazine fed centerfire firearms we have always been cautioned to NOT load pointed bullets in these guns. In a tubular magazine the rounds are stacked on top of each other with the point of one pressed against the primer of the one in front of it. When the firearm recoils with pointed bullets loaded in the magazine this can and will fire the primer/s of rounds in the magazine with devastating results.
That is why until now there has been an industry wide caution on using only roundnose or flatpoint bullets in firearms that have a tubular magazine.
There is some claim with this new ammunition, that also boasts improved ballistics that the 30-30 is now a genuine 300 yard gun. I'm sure some of the claims Hornady is making with this new inovation will be proved in the field and it is an exciting new product.
Pointed bullets in a tubular magazine are really nothing new to me though as I have been using them for years.
There are a number of companies that have made bolt action, semi-auto, and pump action guns in the venerable old 30-30 caliber that do not use a tubular magazine. Loading information in the several of the loading manuals has for years listed pointed bullet loads for the 30-30, and yes I have used them with great success in lever action firearms without incident.
There is one caution I have must offer in regard to using any other poined bullets except those specifically designed by Hornady for use in lever action firearms;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
In most hunting situations you won't have time for more than one or two shots at most anyway.
Back in the mid 70's I did a great amount of experimenting with pointed bullets in a lever action Model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Most of the shooting that was not at paper was done on the Southern New Mexican out-of-control Jack Rabbit and Coyote populations with great success.
Even given the powders available then, and keeping within the standard pressures for the cartridge, we were able to accomplish some pretty long range shots at these vermin.
At that time the pointed bullets were designed to function at higher velocities and I do not believe that the speed with which the 30-30 shoots was enough to ensure reliable and consistant expansion. Since our target species was rabbits and coyotes expansion was not a concern. My main goal was better accuracy and a bit longer range and that was accomplished.
Much of the loading data I used involved the 130 and 150 grain Speer bullets and data from Speer's reloading manual # 9.
The effect these rounds had, or would have had on deer was not known to us as only one time can I recall using one of these loads on deer, and it was well within the normal range of the 30-30 anyway. Since the projectile exited the deers body it was not recovered for examination. It did the job though.
I'm sure I am not the only one that did this kind of experimenting, but I did have a lot of fun with it and have considered again loading some of those types of rounds in the last few years.
I may not have to now, this Hornady ammunition looks promising and I can't wait to try it.
If you do decide to experiment for yourself with pointed bullets in a tubular magazine please head the following Century old advice;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
The new round from Hornady would be an exception to that, of course.
Headquartered in Grand Island Nebraska, Hornady Manufacturing has introduced a pointed bullet round that is safe to load in lever actions with a tubular magazine.
Calling it "LEVERevolution" Horandy has added a soft ballistic tip to pointed bullets in the 30-30, 35 Remington, 444 Marlin, 45-70 and 450 Marlin calibers.
Since the inception of the tubular magazine fed centerfire firearms we have always been cautioned to NOT load pointed bullets in these guns. In a tubular magazine the rounds are stacked on top of each other with the point of one pressed against the primer of the one in front of it. When the firearm recoils with pointed bullets loaded in the magazine this can and will fire the primer/s of rounds in the magazine with devastating results.
That is why until now there has been an industry wide caution on using only roundnose or flatpoint bullets in firearms that have a tubular magazine.
There is some claim with this new ammunition, that also boasts improved ballistics that the 30-30 is now a genuine 300 yard gun. I'm sure some of the claims Hornady is making with this new inovation will be proved in the field and it is an exciting new product.
Pointed bullets in a tubular magazine are really nothing new to me though as I have been using them for years.
There are a number of companies that have made bolt action, semi-auto, and pump action guns in the venerable old 30-30 caliber that do not use a tubular magazine. Loading information in the several of the loading manuals has for years listed pointed bullet loads for the 30-30, and yes I have used them with great success in lever action firearms without incident.
There is one caution I have must offer in regard to using any other poined bullets except those specifically designed by Hornady for use in lever action firearms;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
In most hunting situations you won't have time for more than one or two shots at most anyway.
Back in the mid 70's I did a great amount of experimenting with pointed bullets in a lever action Model 94 in 30-30 caliber. Most of the shooting that was not at paper was done on the Southern New Mexican out-of-control Jack Rabbit and Coyote populations with great success.
Even given the powders available then, and keeping within the standard pressures for the cartridge, we were able to accomplish some pretty long range shots at these vermin.
At that time the pointed bullets were designed to function at higher velocities and I do not believe that the speed with which the 30-30 shoots was enough to ensure reliable and consistant expansion. Since our target species was rabbits and coyotes expansion was not a concern. My main goal was better accuracy and a bit longer range and that was accomplished.
Much of the loading data I used involved the 130 and 150 grain Speer bullets and data from Speer's reloading manual # 9.
The effect these rounds had, or would have had on deer was not known to us as only one time can I recall using one of these loads on deer, and it was well within the normal range of the 30-30 anyway. Since the projectile exited the deers body it was not recovered for examination. It did the job though.
I'm sure I am not the only one that did this kind of experimenting, but I did have a lot of fun with it and have considered again loading some of those types of rounds in the last few years.
I may not have to now, this Hornady ammunition looks promising and I can't wait to try it.
If you do decide to experiment for yourself with pointed bullets in a tubular magazine please head the following Century old advice;
WHEN USING POINTED BULLETS IN A LEVER ACTION FIREARM DO NOT LOAD MORE THAN TWO ROUNDS TOTAL IN THE FIREARM, ONE IN THE CHAMBER AND ONE IN THE MAGAZINE.
The new round from Hornady would be an exception to that, of course.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Thor's Hammer (the new name for my Mossberg SSI One)
With the 12 gauge rifle barrel on it anyway!
Yea I know I haven't been around much, but hey I been out hunting. Not just deer either, but that is the subject of this post.
For those of you that read this Blog with any regularity you know I have been touting the Mossberg SSI One.
To Re-cap;
It is a singleshot firearm with interchangable barrels that can be had in 223 & 22-250 heavy barrel configuration and in 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 308, and 30-06 sporter configuration (tapered). There are two 12 gauge barrels available; one with rifling and one designed specifically for Turkey hunting.
I own two of these fine firearms in 30-06 and have the 12 gauge rifled barrel that I use on one of them. I was fortunate to enough to take the 12 gauge rifled barrel on a recent deer hunt and it exceeded my expectations. This firearm will shoot 1 1/2 inch or less groups at 100 yards if I do my part.
Shotguns only
One of the areas I hunt is limited to shotguns and muzzle loaders only. This is not a problem because shots in that area rarely exceed 80 yards anyway. We spent two days hunting and I lucked out about a half hour before the end of legal shooting light on the last day of the regular firearms season.
Having an antlerless only permit I was set up in a cedar tree about 50 yards downwind from a well travelled deer trail. I heard a deer bounding through some pretty thick brush before it came into a small opening. As it entered the opening I shoulder the Mossberg and gave a bleat to stop the deer. When it came to a halt I settled the cross hairs on the right shouldered and fired.
The deer was about forty yards away and never took another step. I approached the downed deer and after ensuring that it had expired I tagged it and began a cursory examination of the wound the slug caused.
I won't get into the gory details of that or the ensuing field dressing autopsy, but it is suffice to say that the 3 inch Remington Copper Solid 12 gauge saboted slug I was using is one of the most devastating rounds I have used in all of my years hunting deer. The slug exited the left side and was not recovered.
I had hoped that this firearm and ammunition would be a good combination for deer and I am entirely satisfied that my hunch was right. I am not exagerating when I say that deer dropped like "a pole axed steer" or that he had been "struck with Thor's Hammer".
Discontinued
The sad news is that Mossberg has discontinued this firearm. There are plenty of "new-in-the-box" and used guns available along with all of the barrels. The Gun Auctions seem to run hot and cold with them. If you are looking for an affordable single shot firearm that has interchangable barrels take a long hard look at the Mossberg SSI One.
I intend to find a few more barrels for the ones I have, and in a recent conversation with the folks at Mossberg, they still work on them if one needs service and they intend to for quite some time.
As a side note:
I have a Bushnell Sportsman 1.5 - 4.5 power shotgun scope mounted on the 12 gauge barrel and I have some issues with it. On the shooting range the optics appeared crisp, clear and it holds a very good zero.
Using this scope in the field however I found that objects, trees, brush and game sort of blended into together making it hard to get on the target well. On the first day in the field I had the opportunity to take a shot at two different deer, but I just could not find them in the scope.
I have not experienced this phenomenon with any other scope I have ever used and Bushnell had no answers over the phone either, except that I send it back to them for testing. I will consider this, and possibly give it some more field testing before looking for another scope.
Yea I know I haven't been around much, but hey I been out hunting. Not just deer either, but that is the subject of this post.
For those of you that read this Blog with any regularity you know I have been touting the Mossberg SSI One.
To Re-cap;
It is a singleshot firearm with interchangable barrels that can be had in 223 & 22-250 heavy barrel configuration and in 223, 22-250, 243, 270, 308, and 30-06 sporter configuration (tapered). There are two 12 gauge barrels available; one with rifling and one designed specifically for Turkey hunting.
I own two of these fine firearms in 30-06 and have the 12 gauge rifled barrel that I use on one of them. I was fortunate to enough to take the 12 gauge rifled barrel on a recent deer hunt and it exceeded my expectations. This firearm will shoot 1 1/2 inch or less groups at 100 yards if I do my part.
Shotguns only
One of the areas I hunt is limited to shotguns and muzzle loaders only. This is not a problem because shots in that area rarely exceed 80 yards anyway. We spent two days hunting and I lucked out about a half hour before the end of legal shooting light on the last day of the regular firearms season.
Having an antlerless only permit I was set up in a cedar tree about 50 yards downwind from a well travelled deer trail. I heard a deer bounding through some pretty thick brush before it came into a small opening. As it entered the opening I shoulder the Mossberg and gave a bleat to stop the deer. When it came to a halt I settled the cross hairs on the right shouldered and fired.
The deer was about forty yards away and never took another step. I approached the downed deer and after ensuring that it had expired I tagged it and began a cursory examination of the wound the slug caused.
I won't get into the gory details of that or the ensuing field dressing autopsy, but it is suffice to say that the 3 inch Remington Copper Solid 12 gauge saboted slug I was using is one of the most devastating rounds I have used in all of my years hunting deer. The slug exited the left side and was not recovered.
I had hoped that this firearm and ammunition would be a good combination for deer and I am entirely satisfied that my hunch was right. I am not exagerating when I say that deer dropped like "a pole axed steer" or that he had been "struck with Thor's Hammer".
Discontinued
The sad news is that Mossberg has discontinued this firearm. There are plenty of "new-in-the-box" and used guns available along with all of the barrels. The Gun Auctions seem to run hot and cold with them. If you are looking for an affordable single shot firearm that has interchangable barrels take a long hard look at the Mossberg SSI One.
I intend to find a few more barrels for the ones I have, and in a recent conversation with the folks at Mossberg, they still work on them if one needs service and they intend to for quite some time.
As a side note:
I have a Bushnell Sportsman 1.5 - 4.5 power shotgun scope mounted on the 12 gauge barrel and I have some issues with it. On the shooting range the optics appeared crisp, clear and it holds a very good zero.
Using this scope in the field however I found that objects, trees, brush and game sort of blended into together making it hard to get on the target well. On the first day in the field I had the opportunity to take a shot at two different deer, but I just could not find them in the scope.
I have not experienced this phenomenon with any other scope I have ever used and Bushnell had no answers over the phone either, except that I send it back to them for testing. I will consider this, and possibly give it some more field testing before looking for another scope.
Term Limits; Lounge Chair for Apathy
The Citizens of Nebraska have voted for term limits at General Election several times in the last 10 years. Previous attempts by the voting Public have been rebuffed by the courts, and it looks like the issue will be back before the Nebraska Supreme Court in the next few months.
Under the term limit statute several State Senators are serving their final term in the Unicameral. One Senator in particular (No it is not Ernie Chambers, but he is thinking about it) filed a petition to run for re-election and was denied by the powers that be under the term limit statute. This Senator knew he would be denied the opportunity to run again and has a prepared lawsuit to challenge the Constitutionality of the term limit statute.
Note: The names of the parties are not important, and that information can found just about anywhere. It doesn't matter who is suing who over the statute, the question is; Is it Constitutional?
Term limits on the surface may seem like a good idea, but in my reality it is not.
People of voting age have gotten continuely apathetic about who it is that represents them since the end or World War II. Without a doubt there have been some fairly incompetant people elected to higher office in the last sixty years, from both parties.
The answer to this seems to be; We're to busy to vote so we will limit the time they have to slop at the public trough and all will be well.
How's that for apathy??
Some scumbag politico gets elected and we don't have to worry about voting because in a few years he/she'll be out on their pompus ass in a few years anyway.
Such a system is an excuse for a person not to perform their Civic Duty; "Well yea I really oughta vote, but the asshat will be out of office in a few years anyway so why bother".
What about me and all of the others that take our Civic Duty seriously by studying the issues and voting for whom we feel is the most qualified candidate?
Quite possibly I may think the incumbant has been doing a very good job and would very much like to vote for him/her again.
Term Limits Deny me the right to vote for the candidate that I deem most qualified.
The apathetic people all turned out to vote for term limits so they wouldn't have to pay attention to the issues and make an informed decision at the ballot box. Too many people can't be bothered to become familiar with the issues, it gets in the way of their sewing guild, bowling league of kids soccor games.
If more people would do their Civic Duty and vote we would not need the term limits that deny me my right to vote for the candidate I deem best suited for the job.
In fact it is even easier today to become informed that it ever has. A very large portion of the public has, or knows someone who has access to the internet. A few minutes spent on any of the state, county or local websites will inform a prospective voter of all the information they need to know about the candidates.
Here are a couple of suggestions;
Dad - instead of surfing for porn tonight after Mom and the kids go to bed, why not look up some info on the candidates?
Mom - instead of spending that 5 or 6 hours in a chatroom today while hubby is at work and the kids are at school, why not look up some info on the candidates?
How's this for an idea? Put the kids to bed and both of you get online and learn something about the people that represent you.
As I said earlier the names of the parties are not important, I don't even care if we share the same philisophical ideas on any of the other issues. We do agree on this one. I hope that the State Supreme Court finds the statute unconstitutional.
Term Limits are a bad idea and in my mind always have been. It lets the apathetic go on being apathetic.
Their is no excuse for apathy when it comes to ones Civic Duty and term limits are not the answer to that apathy. Term limits encourages the apathy to continue.
BY IMPOSING TERM LIMITS YOU ARE DENYING ME THE RIGHT AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE I DEEM MOST EFFECTIVE FOR THE OFFICE.
Under the term limit statute several State Senators are serving their final term in the Unicameral. One Senator in particular (No it is not Ernie Chambers, but he is thinking about it) filed a petition to run for re-election and was denied by the powers that be under the term limit statute. This Senator knew he would be denied the opportunity to run again and has a prepared lawsuit to challenge the Constitutionality of the term limit statute.
Note: The names of the parties are not important, and that information can found just about anywhere. It doesn't matter who is suing who over the statute, the question is; Is it Constitutional?
Term limits on the surface may seem like a good idea, but in my reality it is not.
People of voting age have gotten continuely apathetic about who it is that represents them since the end or World War II. Without a doubt there have been some fairly incompetant people elected to higher office in the last sixty years, from both parties.
The answer to this seems to be; We're to busy to vote so we will limit the time they have to slop at the public trough and all will be well.
How's that for apathy??
Some scumbag politico gets elected and we don't have to worry about voting because in a few years he/she'll be out on their pompus ass in a few years anyway.
Such a system is an excuse for a person not to perform their Civic Duty; "Well yea I really oughta vote, but the asshat will be out of office in a few years anyway so why bother".
What about me and all of the others that take our Civic Duty seriously by studying the issues and voting for whom we feel is the most qualified candidate?
Quite possibly I may think the incumbant has been doing a very good job and would very much like to vote for him/her again.
Term Limits Deny me the right to vote for the candidate that I deem most qualified.
The apathetic people all turned out to vote for term limits so they wouldn't have to pay attention to the issues and make an informed decision at the ballot box. Too many people can't be bothered to become familiar with the issues, it gets in the way of their sewing guild, bowling league of kids soccor games.
If more people would do their Civic Duty and vote we would not need the term limits that deny me my right to vote for the candidate I deem best suited for the job.
In fact it is even easier today to become informed that it ever has. A very large portion of the public has, or knows someone who has access to the internet. A few minutes spent on any of the state, county or local websites will inform a prospective voter of all the information they need to know about the candidates.
Here are a couple of suggestions;
Dad - instead of surfing for porn tonight after Mom and the kids go to bed, why not look up some info on the candidates?
Mom - instead of spending that 5 or 6 hours in a chatroom today while hubby is at work and the kids are at school, why not look up some info on the candidates?
How's this for an idea? Put the kids to bed and both of you get online and learn something about the people that represent you.
As I said earlier the names of the parties are not important, I don't even care if we share the same philisophical ideas on any of the other issues. We do agree on this one. I hope that the State Supreme Court finds the statute unconstitutional.
Term Limits are a bad idea and in my mind always have been. It lets the apathetic go on being apathetic.
Their is no excuse for apathy when it comes to ones Civic Duty and term limits are not the answer to that apathy. Term limits encourages the apathy to continue.
BY IMPOSING TERM LIMITS YOU ARE DENYING ME THE RIGHT AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE I DEEM MOST EFFECTIVE FOR THE OFFICE.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Here are the Ordinances
This is a follow up to the previous two posts concerning the Ordinance proposed by Police Chief Tom Casady and the City Councils subsequant enactment of same on November 14th 2005 by a vote of 7 - 0.
The Ordinance creates a rebuttable presumption that; Since any vehicle kept or stored within the City limits for more than 30 days is PRESUMED (can you say guilty until proven innocent) to be being operated on the streets of the City and as such shall be registered in compliance with section 10.08 of the Municipal code. the Police to enter upon your property to verify unregistered or incoreectly registered vehicles and issue a summons for the same.
Currently there is no State Statute or City Ordinance that prohibits having an unregistered or incorrectly registered vehicle on your property.
The applicable section of the city ordinance are reprinted here. Bold and/or Color highlights are mine.
10.08.010 Registration Required
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or operate any motor vehicle upon any street or public way within the city without having registered it as provided by the laws of the State of Nebraska............. (Ord. 156 ~1; July 9, 1990: PC ~ 10.48.010: Ord. 13753 ~ 1; January 30, 1984: Ord. 5699 ~ 1101, as amended by Ord. 6673; November 25, 1957).
10.08.040 Registration; Fictitious License Plates.
No person shall operate, drive, or cause to be operated or driven, a motor vehicle on the public streets, alleys, or other public property, which bears (a) any number plate or certificate other than as assigned to it for the current registration period or (b) any fictitious or altered number plates or registration certificate (Ord. 16120 ~ 1; May 26, 1992).
This amendment to the present ordinance (10.08.010) would allow law enforcement officers to go on "quasi-public property for the purposes of ticketing non-registerd vehicles and would afford City Prosecution a rebuttable PRESUMPTION (In plain English you have to prove your innocence because you have already without the benefit of trial been presumed guilty) that vehicles stored or kept within a City for a period in excess of 30 days are presumed to be operated or parked on the streets of the City.
Please note that a Rebuttable Presumption is the same thing as saying; YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT.
If you have an unregistered or incorrectly registered vehicle on your property and you receive a summons, then you MUST take time off from work, appear in court and PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE. This Ordinance allows you to rebutt the citation but only at your own personal expense. In other words you may get it dismissed, but you will still be "fined" the amount of money you loose from work, parking meters etc..... Either way it will cost you money out of your pocket.
How many more ways can I say that the Chief of Police Tom Casady has pushed through Ordinances, now and in the past that are contrary to the State Statutes and not only the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, but the Constitution of the United States as well?
How many more ways can I say that the City Council has voted for and passed Ordinances, now and in the past that are Contrary to the State Statutes and not only the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, but the Constitution of the United States as well?
It doesn't matter whether you keep your registrations current or even detest those that don't this Ordinance should make every single Lincolnite mad and I mean damn mad. If you care anything at all about due process or the age old legal concept of "Innocent until proven guilty" you need to contact all of the members of the City Council and the Mayors office and express your thoughts on this blatant disregard for your rights as a Citizen of the City of Lincoln, State or Nebraska, United States of America.
The Ordinance creates a rebuttable presumption that; Since any vehicle kept or stored within the City limits for more than 30 days is PRESUMED (can you say guilty until proven innocent) to be being operated on the streets of the City and as such shall be registered in compliance with section 10.08 of the Municipal code. the Police to enter upon your property to verify unregistered or incoreectly registered vehicles and issue a summons for the same.
Currently there is no State Statute or City Ordinance that prohibits having an unregistered or incorrectly registered vehicle on your property.
The applicable section of the city ordinance are reprinted here. Bold and/or Color highlights are mine.
10.08.010 Registration Required
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or operate any motor vehicle upon any street or public way within the city without having registered it as provided by the laws of the State of Nebraska............. (Ord. 156 ~1; July 9, 1990: PC ~ 10.48.010: Ord. 13753 ~ 1; January 30, 1984: Ord. 5699 ~ 1101, as amended by Ord. 6673; November 25, 1957).
10.08.040 Registration; Fictitious License Plates.
No person shall operate, drive, or cause to be operated or driven, a motor vehicle on the public streets, alleys, or other public property, which bears (a) any number plate or certificate other than as assigned to it for the current registration period or (b) any fictitious or altered number plates or registration certificate (Ord. 16120 ~ 1; May 26, 1992).
This amendment to the present ordinance (10.08.010) would allow law enforcement officers to go on "quasi-public property for the purposes of ticketing non-registerd vehicles and would afford City Prosecution a rebuttable PRESUMPTION (In plain English you have to prove your innocence because you have already without the benefit of trial been presumed guilty) that vehicles stored or kept within a City for a period in excess of 30 days are presumed to be operated or parked on the streets of the City.
Please note that a Rebuttable Presumption is the same thing as saying; YOU ARE GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT.
If you have an unregistered or incorrectly registered vehicle on your property and you receive a summons, then you MUST take time off from work, appear in court and PROVE YOUR INNOCENCE. This Ordinance allows you to rebutt the citation but only at your own personal expense. In other words you may get it dismissed, but you will still be "fined" the amount of money you loose from work, parking meters etc..... Either way it will cost you money out of your pocket.
How many more ways can I say that the Chief of Police Tom Casady has pushed through Ordinances, now and in the past that are contrary to the State Statutes and not only the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, but the Constitution of the United States as well?
How many more ways can I say that the City Council has voted for and passed Ordinances, now and in the past that are Contrary to the State Statutes and not only the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, but the Constitution of the United States as well?
It doesn't matter whether you keep your registrations current or even detest those that don't this Ordinance should make every single Lincolnite mad and I mean damn mad. If you care anything at all about due process or the age old legal concept of "Innocent until proven guilty" you need to contact all of the members of the City Council and the Mayors office and express your thoughts on this blatant disregard for your rights as a Citizen of the City of Lincoln, State or Nebraska, United States of America.
Monday, November 14, 2005
City Council - 7 Citizens Rights - 0
In a very short segmant of the City Council Meeting on the 14th of November every single member of the Lincoln City Council voted to drive another wooden stake through the hearts of their Constituency.
It has been painfully obvious for a very long time the Members of this City Council have absolutely no respect for the individual rights of the citizens trhey are suppose to serve.
In a unanimous vote the Council created, at the request ofField Marshall Police Chief Tom Casady, an Ordinance that allows City Police Officers to "Legally" tresspass on private property and write citations for something that is not even a crime.
Since there is no law that states a vehicle kept on Private Property must be registered, the Lincoln City Police Department now has the power to enter on private property without a warrant and issue a citation for NOTHING.
A valid registration is only required to operate said motor vehicle on public thourogh fares. In order to obtain a conviction for an unregistered or faulty registered vehicle the burden of proof is on the municipality to prove that vehicle is being operated on public streets. Again I say, the Lincoln City Police Department now has the power to enter on private property without a warrant and issue a citation for NOTHING.
The danger here is that while "Legally" on that private property they can use the "Doctrine of plain sight" "Discover" other potentially illegal activity.
This is just one in a long string of travesties that has been perpetrated on the Lincoln Community by "Tommy Boy" Casady and aided and abetted by the incompetance of the Lincoln City Council. It seems like every time "Tommy Boy" blows smoke up the City Councils chimney they wipe the soot from their eyes and give him what he wants.
Incompetence ?? Yes I said that. The members of this Council are so swollen up with themselves and their perceived power that they either routinely ignore their duty to the State Constitution and Statutes or they simply do not care and vote to violate that sacred document with impunity.
I doubt seriously that it would do any good to remind these sloppers at the public trough of their oath of office and what it really means to SERVE the people that elected them.
It has been painfully obvious for a very long time the Members of this City Council have absolutely no respect for the individual rights of the citizens trhey are suppose to serve.
In a unanimous vote the Council created, at the request of
Since there is no law that states a vehicle kept on Private Property must be registered, the Lincoln City Police Department now has the power to enter on private property without a warrant and issue a citation for NOTHING.
A valid registration is only required to operate said motor vehicle on public thourogh fares. In order to obtain a conviction for an unregistered or faulty registered vehicle the burden of proof is on the municipality to prove that vehicle is being operated on public streets. Again I say, the Lincoln City Police Department now has the power to enter on private property without a warrant and issue a citation for NOTHING.
The danger here is that while "Legally" on that private property they can use the "Doctrine of plain sight" "Discover" other potentially illegal activity.
This is just one in a long string of travesties that has been perpetrated on the Lincoln Community by "Tommy Boy" Casady and aided and abetted by the incompetance of the Lincoln City Council. It seems like every time "Tommy Boy" blows smoke up the City Councils chimney they wipe the soot from their eyes and give him what he wants.
Incompetence ?? Yes I said that. The members of this Council are so swollen up with themselves and their perceived power that they either routinely ignore their duty to the State Constitution and Statutes or they simply do not care and vote to violate that sacred document with impunity.
I doubt seriously that it would do any good to remind these sloppers at the public trough of their oath of office and what it really means to SERVE the people that elected them.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
State Constitution means nothing to Casady
Lincoln Police Chief Tom Casady is once again seeking to have the rights and privacy of Lincolns citizens stopped at the City Limits.
In his latest crusade to impose his Napoleonic dictum on the populace whose rights he has supposedly sworn to protect Tommy Boy wants the City Council to give him and his minions "authority" to "legally tresspass" on private property to issue citations for un or improperly registered vehicles.
But because the vehicle was parked in a driveway, the police were powerless to do anything about it, short of conducting a stakeout to bust the owner if they drive the vehicle off the private property into the public domain.
Well DUH Chief that is the way it is suppose to be. Neither I nor anyone else is required by state law to have either; A) a vehicle that is not running or B) is never used off of our PRIVATE property registered.
If I have an old 4 wheel drive for pulling stumps and plowing snow in my drive and that vehicle NEVER leaves my property I DO NOT under state law have to register that vehicle.
If a particular vehicle is NOT running for what ever reason I can let the registration lapse and when that vehicle is repaired or rebuilt the Department of Motor Vehicles will let me sign an affidavit to that affect and I will only have to pay the registration from the day I am re-registering it.
IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE AN UNREGISTERED VEHICLE ON YOUR PROPERTY.
Because I am required to show proof of insurance at the time of registration this SCHEME will also require me to carry insurance for a PARKED on PRIVATE PROPERTY vehicle that I am not driving either becasue it is broke down, I am restoring it or I simply choose not to use it on PUBLIC thoroughfares.
State law requires one to show proof of insurance at the time of registration.
Again there is no state statute that compells me to insure a vehicle that I am NOT operating on public thoroughfares.
Casady asked the City Council to amend city ordinance to allow police to go after improperly registered vehicles that are parked in “quasi-public” places, such as driveways and private parking lots. Basically, “anywhere a door-to-door salesman can go.”
Hey Chief, get this through your head; There is a big difference between You, your Officers and door to door salesmen.
A door to door salesman is a PRIVATE CITIZEN acting in that capacity. You are a PUBLIC OFFICIAL acting in an OFFICIAL CAPACITY.
I can tell a door to door salesman to get off my property if I don't like what he/she is selling. Under this grandiose scheme I do not have that option when you come sneaking around MY PROPERTY at three in the morning shoving your Badge in my Face. In addittion the opportunity for abuse is just too great.
Consider the following;
Officer in Court: Your Honor I could not plainly see whether the registration was current from the street, it is a rather long driveway and the license plate was obscrured by a bicycle leaning against the back of the car, under the authority of city ordinance I entered upon the property and in the course of my investigation I noted that ________ (fill in the blank) and subsequently arrested the defendant on a charge of ______ (fill in the blank).
Do I believe that the local gendarmes will under the colour of this ordinance use it to sneak around private property in the middle of the night as a pretext to discover other crimes they may or may not suspect? Unequivocally YES I DO.
The change would help police enforce registration laws, which police have been focusing on since early last month. The council will likely vote on the proposal during its next meeting on Monday.
If you have an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on your property you are not committing a crime. If this ordinance passes you will still not be committing a crime. Afterall the ordinance does not make it a crime to have the unregistered vehicle on your property, it only gives the Chief and his minions the authority to tresspass on your property at their liesure.
All this appears to be is a scheme to generate more revenue for the city coffers. What Casady proposes is that the City give him the authority to tresspass on private property and issue citations for something that IS NOT against the law.
If you value your property rights and privacy then contact your City Council Persons and tell them how you feel about this blatant disregard for the rights of the people that Casady is again perpetuating on the city.
If the City Council does pass this then they will have, once again violated the oath of office they took to uphold the Constitution and laws of the State of Nebraska.
In his latest crusade to impose his Napoleonic dictum on the populace whose rights he has supposedly sworn to protect Tommy Boy wants the City Council to give him and his minions "authority" to "legally tresspass" on private property to issue citations for un or improperly registered vehicles.
But because the vehicle was parked in a driveway, the police were powerless to do anything about it, short of conducting a stakeout to bust the owner if they drive the vehicle off the private property into the public domain.
Well DUH Chief that is the way it is suppose to be. Neither I nor anyone else is required by state law to have either; A) a vehicle that is not running or B) is never used off of our PRIVATE property registered.
If I have an old 4 wheel drive for pulling stumps and plowing snow in my drive and that vehicle NEVER leaves my property I DO NOT under state law have to register that vehicle.
If a particular vehicle is NOT running for what ever reason I can let the registration lapse and when that vehicle is repaired or rebuilt the Department of Motor Vehicles will let me sign an affidavit to that affect and I will only have to pay the registration from the day I am re-registering it.
IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW TO HAVE AN UNREGISTERED VEHICLE ON YOUR PROPERTY.
Because I am required to show proof of insurance at the time of registration this SCHEME will also require me to carry insurance for a PARKED on PRIVATE PROPERTY vehicle that I am not driving either becasue it is broke down, I am restoring it or I simply choose not to use it on PUBLIC thoroughfares.
State law requires one to show proof of insurance at the time of registration.
Again there is no state statute that compells me to insure a vehicle that I am NOT operating on public thoroughfares.
Casady asked the City Council to amend city ordinance to allow police to go after improperly registered vehicles that are parked in “quasi-public” places, such as driveways and private parking lots. Basically, “anywhere a door-to-door salesman can go.”
Hey Chief, get this through your head; There is a big difference between You, your Officers and door to door salesmen.
A door to door salesman is a PRIVATE CITIZEN acting in that capacity. You are a PUBLIC OFFICIAL acting in an OFFICIAL CAPACITY.
I can tell a door to door salesman to get off my property if I don't like what he/she is selling. Under this grandiose scheme I do not have that option when you come sneaking around MY PROPERTY at three in the morning shoving your Badge in my Face. In addittion the opportunity for abuse is just too great.
Consider the following;
Officer in Court: Your Honor I could not plainly see whether the registration was current from the street, it is a rather long driveway and the license plate was obscrured by a bicycle leaning against the back of the car, under the authority of city ordinance I entered upon the property and in the course of my investigation I noted that ________ (fill in the blank) and subsequently arrested the defendant on a charge of ______ (fill in the blank).
Do I believe that the local gendarmes will under the colour of this ordinance use it to sneak around private property in the middle of the night as a pretext to discover other crimes they may or may not suspect? Unequivocally YES I DO.
The change would help police enforce registration laws, which police have been focusing on since early last month. The council will likely vote on the proposal during its next meeting on Monday.
If you have an unregistered and uninsured vehicle on your property you are not committing a crime. If this ordinance passes you will still not be committing a crime. Afterall the ordinance does not make it a crime to have the unregistered vehicle on your property, it only gives the Chief and his minions the authority to tresspass on your property at their liesure.
All this appears to be is a scheme to generate more revenue for the city coffers. What Casady proposes is that the City give him the authority to tresspass on private property and issue citations for something that IS NOT against the law.
If you value your property rights and privacy then contact your City Council Persons and tell them how you feel about this blatant disregard for the rights of the people that Casady is again perpetuating on the city.
If the City Council does pass this then they will have, once again violated the oath of office they took to uphold the Constitution and laws of the State of Nebraska.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Wild Game populations then and now
Preface: In a previous post I wrote about Carrying Capacity and Habitat. This is a continuation of that trestise and was prompted by personal feedback and comments on that post.
A Century ago
In the late 1800's and into the early 1900's the Wildlife populations were at an all time low, some nearly to the point of extinction.
As an example in 1900 the whitetail deer population was estimated to be less than one half million. A few years later (1907) the native elk population did not number more than 41,000. The Turkey population in the early 1900's was thought to be less than 100,000 birds nation wide.
Much of the migratory game species like Ducks and Geese were also suffering a near extinction decline in numbers as well.
Many have blamed market hunting as the sole reason for these declines. Granted market hunting was prevalent at the time and did indeed have a negative effect, but the most telling effect on wildlife populations was the destruction of habitat by residential and commercial development.
What changed
Sportsman concerned with the decline of our precious resources, developed an idea took action in the 1930's. With the aid of Key Pittman a Senator from Nevada and A. Willis Robertson a representative from the state of Virginia the concerned Sportsmen created what became the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937.
The Pittman-Robertson Act established Federal aid in the restoration of wildlife species and their habitat by IMPOSING an 11 percent manufacturer's excise tax on ALL sporting rifles, shotguns and ammunitions. The Act was made law when it was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The Pittman-Robertson Act has been amended twice since its inception; Once in 1970 to include a 10 percent manufacturer's excise tax on handguns, and again in 1972 with the help of Fred Bear to include an 11 percent manufacturer's tax on Archery gear.
These tax dollars are collected by the federal government and either used or disbursed out to the states to be used for sound wildlife management practices and habitat restoration.
What the money MUST be used for
There are provisions in the Act that prevent any government agency that is a reciprient of Pittman_Robertson funds from using them for anything else except wildlife management and habitat restoration.
Sportsman of that era were thoughtful and being familiar with the ways of government had the following 29 words written into the Pittman- Robertson Act as well;
".. And which shall include a prohibition against diversion of license fees paid by hunters for any purpose than the administration of said State fish and game department..."
In plain English it means that, much to the consternation of any number of Political Officials, all the money raised by the Pittman-Robertson Act and the sale of licenses cannot be used for anything except habitat restoration and wildlife management.
None of those dollars can be diverted for the pet pork barrel projects that so many Senators and representatives put forth on a yearly basis.
It was Hunters that saved the Wildlife in this country not PETA.
Consider the number of new firearms that has been sold in this Country since 1937. Add to that the number of rounds of ammunition that is also taxed at the 11 percent rate. How many new handguns have been sold since 1970 with the 10 percent tax added? How many new bows and all of the arrows that have been purchased since 1972? How many licenses to hunt are sold every year to American Sportsman?
Since the late 30's untold billions of dollars have passed through the federal coffers straight to the field. Every penny of that money was paid by Sportsman and/or firearms purchasers.
How much money has PETA collected in that time period and how much of what they have collected has actually benefited wildlife and the habitat they need to survive? Most of the money that PETA collects seems to wind up in the pockets of lawyers trying to stop hunting or fishing.
What has been the effect
Since 1937 and the advent of the Pittman-Robertson Act the Whitetail Deer population has risen from the paltry half million to a staggering 40 million plus animals today.
The Elk population in the U.S. has gone from the pitifully few 41,000 to nearly 1.5 million. If fact there are so many Elk today that they have been re-introduced in places like Kentucky with such success that there are hunting seasons on them in those areas.
The Canadian Goose population from a low of about one million birds in the 1940's has grown to an excess of 4 million birds. This increase has resulted in special seasons in some areas to help keep the number of birds in balance with the habitat.
These species are not the only ones that have benefited from the revenues generated by the Pittman-Robertson Act. Wild Turkey has gone from the measly 100,000 to an estimated 6 million birds in the same time frame.
Add to that all of the non-game species that share the same habitat that have had their numbers multiplied and it is easy to see that hunting has a tremendous positive effect on wildlife and the habitat they need to survive.
But .... but .... but .... how can this be?
There is so much hunting that goes on every year and the numbers of the species being hunted is increasing every year?
Understand that;
Regulated hunting has not nor will it ever result in an endangered or extinct species.
Let me say that again so that it is clear;
Regulated hunting has not nor will it ever result in an endangered or extinct species.
If a species were to ever decline to a critical level hunting would be STOPPED for that species until it's numbers returned to a harvestable level again.
Hunting is an effective tool that is utilized by Wildlife Managers who use sound biological and scientific data to manage not only the huntable game, but the entire range of biota (plants and animals) in the environment.
Professional Wildlife managers at the federal level and in the states have, for the most part, done such a fantastic job over the last eighty years with the money generated by the Pittman-Robertson Act and from other sources that there must be a fall harvest to keep the species in balance with the habitat.
Hunting benefits healthy wildlife by;
1) By generating the money needed to maintain good wildlife management and habitat restoration programs at both the federal, state and local levels.
2) Keeping the wildlife population at numbers that the habitat will support without damage to the habitat of the health of the species.
Hunting is not only a tradition, it is tool of vital necessity to maintain certain species of wildlife at healthy levels with their habitat.
A Century ago
In the late 1800's and into the early 1900's the Wildlife populations were at an all time low, some nearly to the point of extinction.
As an example in 1900 the whitetail deer population was estimated to be less than one half million. A few years later (1907) the native elk population did not number more than 41,000. The Turkey population in the early 1900's was thought to be less than 100,000 birds nation wide.
Much of the migratory game species like Ducks and Geese were also suffering a near extinction decline in numbers as well.
Many have blamed market hunting as the sole reason for these declines. Granted market hunting was prevalent at the time and did indeed have a negative effect, but the most telling effect on wildlife populations was the destruction of habitat by residential and commercial development.
What changed
Sportsman concerned with the decline of our precious resources, developed an idea took action in the 1930's. With the aid of Key Pittman a Senator from Nevada and A. Willis Robertson a representative from the state of Virginia the concerned Sportsmen created what became the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937.
The Pittman-Robertson Act established Federal aid in the restoration of wildlife species and their habitat by IMPOSING an 11 percent manufacturer's excise tax on ALL sporting rifles, shotguns and ammunitions. The Act was made law when it was signed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The Pittman-Robertson Act has been amended twice since its inception; Once in 1970 to include a 10 percent manufacturer's excise tax on handguns, and again in 1972 with the help of Fred Bear to include an 11 percent manufacturer's tax on Archery gear.
These tax dollars are collected by the federal government and either used or disbursed out to the states to be used for sound wildlife management practices and habitat restoration.
What the money MUST be used for
There are provisions in the Act that prevent any government agency that is a reciprient of Pittman_Robertson funds from using them for anything else except wildlife management and habitat restoration.
Sportsman of that era were thoughtful and being familiar with the ways of government had the following 29 words written into the Pittman- Robertson Act as well;
".. And which shall include a prohibition against diversion of license fees paid by hunters for any purpose than the administration of said State fish and game department..."
In plain English it means that, much to the consternation of any number of Political Officials, all the money raised by the Pittman-Robertson Act and the sale of licenses cannot be used for anything except habitat restoration and wildlife management.
None of those dollars can be diverted for the pet pork barrel projects that so many Senators and representatives put forth on a yearly basis.
It was Hunters that saved the Wildlife in this country not PETA.
Consider the number of new firearms that has been sold in this Country since 1937. Add to that the number of rounds of ammunition that is also taxed at the 11 percent rate. How many new handguns have been sold since 1970 with the 10 percent tax added? How many new bows and all of the arrows that have been purchased since 1972? How many licenses to hunt are sold every year to American Sportsman?
Since the late 30's untold billions of dollars have passed through the federal coffers straight to the field. Every penny of that money was paid by Sportsman and/or firearms purchasers.
How much money has PETA collected in that time period and how much of what they have collected has actually benefited wildlife and the habitat they need to survive? Most of the money that PETA collects seems to wind up in the pockets of lawyers trying to stop hunting or fishing.
What has been the effect
Since 1937 and the advent of the Pittman-Robertson Act the Whitetail Deer population has risen from the paltry half million to a staggering 40 million plus animals today.
The Elk population in the U.S. has gone from the pitifully few 41,000 to nearly 1.5 million. If fact there are so many Elk today that they have been re-introduced in places like Kentucky with such success that there are hunting seasons on them in those areas.
The Canadian Goose population from a low of about one million birds in the 1940's has grown to an excess of 4 million birds. This increase has resulted in special seasons in some areas to help keep the number of birds in balance with the habitat.
These species are not the only ones that have benefited from the revenues generated by the Pittman-Robertson Act. Wild Turkey has gone from the measly 100,000 to an estimated 6 million birds in the same time frame.
Add to that all of the non-game species that share the same habitat that have had their numbers multiplied and it is easy to see that hunting has a tremendous positive effect on wildlife and the habitat they need to survive.
But .... but .... but .... how can this be?
There is so much hunting that goes on every year and the numbers of the species being hunted is increasing every year?
Understand that;
Regulated hunting has not nor will it ever result in an endangered or extinct species.
Let me say that again so that it is clear;
Regulated hunting has not nor will it ever result in an endangered or extinct species.
If a species were to ever decline to a critical level hunting would be STOPPED for that species until it's numbers returned to a harvestable level again.
Hunting is an effective tool that is utilized by Wildlife Managers who use sound biological and scientific data to manage not only the huntable game, but the entire range of biota (plants and animals) in the environment.
Professional Wildlife managers at the federal level and in the states have, for the most part, done such a fantastic job over the last eighty years with the money generated by the Pittman-Robertson Act and from other sources that there must be a fall harvest to keep the species in balance with the habitat.
Hunting benefits healthy wildlife by;
1) By generating the money needed to maintain good wildlife management and habitat restoration programs at both the federal, state and local levels.
2) Keeping the wildlife population at numbers that the habitat will support without damage to the habitat of the health of the species.
Hunting is not only a tradition, it is tool of vital necessity to maintain certain species of wildlife at healthy levels with their habitat.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Blogroll Addition
I have just added another Nebraska type home grown hey we are increasing in numbers Blog to the Blogroll.
Merri Musings is written by Merri a person that has the ACLU down pat, likes Rachael Cusimano (nee Ray) and who with her husband drives around in a big ole honking "b-eeeeee-U-tiful" SUV.
I can really appreciate anyone that wants the same Rachael Ray oval fry pan that I do.
Welcome to my Blogroll Merri.
Merri Musings is written by Merri a person that has the ACLU down pat, likes Rachael Cusimano (nee Ray) and who with her husband drives around in a big ole honking "b-eeeeee-U-tiful" SUV.
I can really appreciate anyone that wants the same Rachael Ray oval fry pan that I do.
Welcome to my Blogroll Merri.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Just off the radio
The current smoking ban in Lincoln, Nebraska is coming back to bite the Capital City in a big way.
The City, that has lost an estimated 3 million plus dollars to date due to the ban, was presented abill totalling more than half a million bucks.
A Local bar owner who recently closed his doors due to lost revenue presented a 500,000 plus bill to the city in June. This claim is for damages due to loss of revenue due to the smoking ban. The City has two choices; pay it or deny it. The City Attorney notified the City Council that the city is electing not to pay the man but officials at the meeting indicated that they were very concerned that a law suit to re-coop his losses may be in the works.
There have been several businesses that have closed their doors this year claiming the loss in revenue due to the ban was too much for them to absorb.
As already noted this ban has cost the city a loss of over 3 million dollars. Couple that with the number of jobs eliminated and the possibly pending lawsuit that could very well turn into a class action suit if some of the other defunct businesses seek to join in and the no smoking debacle could end up costing more money than the city can afford.
Fear not that businesses are boarding up and the city is going broke the air in the empty buildings will be smoke free.
Last year the City council passed a partial smoking ban that excempted bars and smoke shops. A few weeks later in the dark of night the same city council recinded that ban and enacted a complete and total ban on smoking in all public places in Lincoln, including restaurants, bars and smoke shops.
The insuing uproar initiated a petition initiative that placed two choices on the November 2004 ballot.
Choice One: The original partial ban as passed by the council.
Choice two: The total and complete ban as passed by the city council.
There was no choice three: No ban at all.
In other words Lincolnites there WILL be a ban whether you want one or not, but we will let you decide which one.
At the General election in November the citizens of Lincoln voted by an overwhelming majority to cut off their nose to spite their face.
The truth is this ban has cost the city more than it can ever hope to re-coop and the bleeding continues.
Since the ban took effect many businesses that operate just outside of the city limits has seen an increase in revenues proportional to Lincolns losses. These communities are gratefull to Lincoln smokers and the windfall that they have brought with them.
Before the vote there were many voices that proclaimed the economic devastation that a total ban would conjure up. These claims by knowledgeable econimists was poo poo'd by the non-smoking public.
HEY GUESS WHAT >>>> THEY WERE RIGHT
The money is still being spent it just isn't being spent in Lincoln.
The City, that has lost an estimated 3 million plus dollars to date due to the ban, was presented abill totalling more than half a million bucks.
A Local bar owner who recently closed his doors due to lost revenue presented a 500,000 plus bill to the city in June. This claim is for damages due to loss of revenue due to the smoking ban. The City has two choices; pay it or deny it. The City Attorney notified the City Council that the city is electing not to pay the man but officials at the meeting indicated that they were very concerned that a law suit to re-coop his losses may be in the works.
There have been several businesses that have closed their doors this year claiming the loss in revenue due to the ban was too much for them to absorb.
As already noted this ban has cost the city a loss of over 3 million dollars. Couple that with the number of jobs eliminated and the possibly pending lawsuit that could very well turn into a class action suit if some of the other defunct businesses seek to join in and the no smoking debacle could end up costing more money than the city can afford.
Fear not that businesses are boarding up and the city is going broke the air in the empty buildings will be smoke free.
Last year the City council passed a partial smoking ban that excempted bars and smoke shops. A few weeks later in the dark of night the same city council recinded that ban and enacted a complete and total ban on smoking in all public places in Lincoln, including restaurants, bars and smoke shops.
The insuing uproar initiated a petition initiative that placed two choices on the November 2004 ballot.
Choice One: The original partial ban as passed by the council.
Choice two: The total and complete ban as passed by the city council.
There was no choice three: No ban at all.
In other words Lincolnites there WILL be a ban whether you want one or not, but we will let you decide which one.
At the General election in November the citizens of Lincoln voted by an overwhelming majority to cut off their nose to spite their face.
The truth is this ban has cost the city more than it can ever hope to re-coop and the bleeding continues.
Since the ban took effect many businesses that operate just outside of the city limits has seen an increase in revenues proportional to Lincolns losses. These communities are gratefull to Lincoln smokers and the windfall that they have brought with them.
Before the vote there were many voices that proclaimed the economic devastation that a total ban would conjure up. These claims by knowledgeable econimists was poo poo'd by the non-smoking public.
HEY GUESS WHAT >>>> THEY WERE RIGHT
The money is still being spent it just isn't being spent in Lincoln.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Freeh at last, Freeh at last, thank Louis the Director, Freeh at last.
Ex Head Fed speaks out on Bill Clinton's actions as President and the consequences there of.
Formerly Director of the FBI Louis Freeh has written it all down in a book; My FBI
Excerpt;
“The problem was with Bill Clinton — the scandals and the rumored scandals, the incubating ones and the dying ones never ended. Whatever moral compass the president was consulting was leading him in the wrong direction. His closets were full of skeletons just waiting to burst out.”
In a scheduled appearance on this Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes Freeh discusses his tenure as Director of the FBI under the Clinton Presidency.
Most telling about Freeh's character is the following explanation;
Freeh also says he was determined to stay on as FBI director until President Clinton left office so that Clinton could not appoint his successor. “I was concerned about who he would put in there as FBI director because he had expressed antipathy for the FBI, for the director,” he says. “I was going to stay there and make sure he couldn’t replace me.”
Formerly Director of the FBI Louis Freeh has written it all down in a book; My FBI
Excerpt;
“The problem was with Bill Clinton — the scandals and the rumored scandals, the incubating ones and the dying ones never ended. Whatever moral compass the president was consulting was leading him in the wrong direction. His closets were full of skeletons just waiting to burst out.”
In a scheduled appearance on this Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes Freeh discusses his tenure as Director of the FBI under the Clinton Presidency.
Most telling about Freeh's character is the following explanation;
Freeh also says he was determined to stay on as FBI director until President Clinton left office so that Clinton could not appoint his successor. “I was concerned about who he would put in there as FBI director because he had expressed antipathy for the FBI, for the director,” he says. “I was going to stay there and make sure he couldn’t replace me.”
This promises to be a good read that has been added to my book list.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Sexual Predators seem to have declared an Open season on children in Lincoln
A week or two ago a man who's family admitted he had a past record (Juvenile) of molesting children was arrested after he made advances to an elementary school student in the bathroom of the school.
He had evidently traveled cross town, using the public transit system, from the "Group home" he was living at to effect his crime.
Another man, with a documented history of sexual predation was arrested yesterday near a local elementary school with a young boy in his car. His arrest ended a nearly month long operation by the Lincoln Police Department. Essentially the police knew who they were looking for as the suspect was using the same modus operandi that he used before he was caught and convicted several years ago. The suspect was driving around the school waving money out the window attempting to entice young boys into his car.
Also Yesterday a 52 year old man was arrested after he was caught fondling the breasts of a sleeping 15 year old girl. The man was caught by the girls mother who took up a decorative sword in defense of her daughter. In a struggle for the blade the mans thumb was cut and chased by the protective Mom he fled the domicile where he was subsequently arrest by Lincoln's Finest.
The Police spokesperson stated that the Mother was not arrested.
I have just one question; Why the hell should she have been arrested?
She was in her own home defending her daughter from the likes of a sexual predator, why should anyone even consider having her arrested let alone qualify the public statement with "The woman was not arrested".
She should have had a gun instead of a sword.
I am not sure how superstitious I really am but things certainly do happen in threes don't they.
Update: While enroute to pick up one of my precious Grand daughters from school, (She is a first grader in one of the afore mentioned schools by the way) I heard a news report on KLIN 1400 AM that the Mom of the Arnold School child has filed a million dollar law suit against the Lincoln Public School system. Said School system has 6 months to respond. (posted: 5:08 Oct 5 2K5)
He had evidently traveled cross town, using the public transit system, from the "Group home" he was living at to effect his crime.
Another man, with a documented history of sexual predation was arrested yesterday near a local elementary school with a young boy in his car. His arrest ended a nearly month long operation by the Lincoln Police Department. Essentially the police knew who they were looking for as the suspect was using the same modus operandi that he used before he was caught and convicted several years ago. The suspect was driving around the school waving money out the window attempting to entice young boys into his car.
Also Yesterday a 52 year old man was arrested after he was caught fondling the breasts of a sleeping 15 year old girl. The man was caught by the girls mother who took up a decorative sword in defense of her daughter. In a struggle for the blade the mans thumb was cut and chased by the protective Mom he fled the domicile where he was subsequently arrest by Lincoln's Finest.
The Police spokesperson stated that the Mother was not arrested.
I have just one question; Why the hell should she have been arrested?
She was in her own home defending her daughter from the likes of a sexual predator, why should anyone even consider having her arrested let alone qualify the public statement with "The woman was not arrested".
She should have had a gun instead of a sword.
I am not sure how superstitious I really am but things certainly do happen in threes don't they.
Update: While enroute to pick up one of my precious Grand daughters from school, (She is a first grader in one of the afore mentioned schools by the way) I heard a news report on KLIN 1400 AM that the Mom of the Arnold School child has filed a million dollar law suit against the Lincoln Public School system. Said School system has 6 months to respond. (posted: 5:08 Oct 5 2K5)
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Hunting a Traditon and a Tool for heathly Wildlife
The leaves are starting to turn and fall hunting seasons are just around the corner. Now is the time that a lot of us reflect on seasons past as we prepare for the ones approaching.
A Brace of Chukkar Partridges and a good dog
Many of us began hunting because it is a tradition passed down through family generations and we continued because we believe it is a necessary part of existance. Others began hunting after being exposed to it from co-workers or friends.
Those of us that hunt understand that hunting is a tool utilized by the various States game management agencies to control species populations at healthy levels within the confines of thier home ranges.
To fully appreciate that we must understand Habitat and Carrying Capacity.
Habitat is the enviroment in which we and all creatures live. It is made up of the things we need to survive; Water, Shelter, Food, Space and Companionship.
Carrying Capacity is the number of creatures that can survive year around in a given area WITHOUT damage to the habitat or health of the species.
If there are too many deer in a given area for the habitat it will not be long before the habitat is depleted to the point that it affects all of the other species that share that habitat. When that happens the health of all the species that call that area home begins to decline. These creatures then experience poor health and in some cases agonizing deaths from disease and predation by the carnivores that share the habitat.
Carrying Capacity is usually determined by the number of animals that can subsist at the worst time of the year. Generally this is the late winter and early spring. The universal truth is that only some many of a species can survive in a given area and that includes human beings.
How many people can survive in a one bedroom house and for how long? 10 people in that house is too many for the continued well being of all of the occupants. The same principal applies to wildlife. Not all areas in the out of doors have the food, water, shelter and space needed for wildlife to survie. Over crowding in those areas that have the essentials for survival will soon have a very negative effect on the habitat and the health of the wildlife.
Spring time brings on the rebirth of nature. species are born, trees bloom, farmers plant crops and the waters flow. On through the summer the habitat can support an increased number of all of the species.
It is into the fall when food sources and water dry up or are harvested by the farmers that things become more critical. Now the habitat can not support through the winter the increased numbers that spring birth brought forth.
Due to the diminishing resources there are numbers of wildlife THAT WILL NOT SURVIVE to see the next rebirth of nature. Hunting allows the harvest of wildlife that is expected to AND DOES DIE horrible painfull deaths through the winter. Hunters that harvest this SURPLUS game thus utilizing the meat for sustinance rather than allowing it to waste. Deer and many other species mate in the fall. The gestation period of these animals is through the very worst time of year for species to survive in the outdoors. Because of hunting the female wildlife that does survive the winter is much more healthy in the spring and produce off spring that are more halthy as well.
Hunting is a necessary part of good wildlife management. Because we hunt the remaining populations are able to live fruitful productive lives in well maintained habitat that can support their numbers.
A Brace of Chukkar Partridges and a good dog
Many of us began hunting because it is a tradition passed down through family generations and we continued because we believe it is a necessary part of existance. Others began hunting after being exposed to it from co-workers or friends.
Those of us that hunt understand that hunting is a tool utilized by the various States game management agencies to control species populations at healthy levels within the confines of thier home ranges.
To fully appreciate that we must understand Habitat and Carrying Capacity.
Habitat is the enviroment in which we and all creatures live. It is made up of the things we need to survive; Water, Shelter, Food, Space and Companionship.
Carrying Capacity is the number of creatures that can survive year around in a given area WITHOUT damage to the habitat or health of the species.
If there are too many deer in a given area for the habitat it will not be long before the habitat is depleted to the point that it affects all of the other species that share that habitat. When that happens the health of all the species that call that area home begins to decline. These creatures then experience poor health and in some cases agonizing deaths from disease and predation by the carnivores that share the habitat.
Carrying Capacity is usually determined by the number of animals that can subsist at the worst time of the year. Generally this is the late winter and early spring. The universal truth is that only some many of a species can survive in a given area and that includes human beings.
How many people can survive in a one bedroom house and for how long? 10 people in that house is too many for the continued well being of all of the occupants. The same principal applies to wildlife. Not all areas in the out of doors have the food, water, shelter and space needed for wildlife to survie. Over crowding in those areas that have the essentials for survival will soon have a very negative effect on the habitat and the health of the wildlife.
Spring time brings on the rebirth of nature. species are born, trees bloom, farmers plant crops and the waters flow. On through the summer the habitat can support an increased number of all of the species.
It is into the fall when food sources and water dry up or are harvested by the farmers that things become more critical. Now the habitat can not support through the winter the increased numbers that spring birth brought forth.
Due to the diminishing resources there are numbers of wildlife THAT WILL NOT SURVIVE to see the next rebirth of nature. Hunting allows the harvest of wildlife that is expected to AND DOES DIE horrible painfull deaths through the winter. Hunters that harvest this SURPLUS game thus utilizing the meat for sustinance rather than allowing it to waste. Deer and many other species mate in the fall. The gestation period of these animals is through the very worst time of year for species to survive in the outdoors. Because of hunting the female wildlife that does survive the winter is much more healthy in the spring and produce off spring that are more halthy as well.
Hunting is a necessary part of good wildlife management. Because we hunt the remaining populations are able to live fruitful productive lives in well maintained habitat that can support their numbers.
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