Another Weekend and More of the Same

And here we go again still. Fortunately, my work week is as busy as ever, and actually more so. There is occasional time for a beer or a bourbon, and maybe a cigar. But it's the weekend when we seek out fun and relaxation. Sadly, the options are limited given the current lockdowns, and the oppressive decrees from our state government.

On a bright note, it was the Easter weekend! A time for reflection and hope of a new beginning. Sadly, the socialist-in-charge, Governor Northam, spent this time of celebration for Christians proudly touting on social media the new attacks on freedom and democracy which he had signed into law. In an exceptional show of arrogance, he chose Good Friday to brag that he had loosened restrictions on abortion even further, paving the way for even more children, historically those of minority background, to be slaughtered in the name of "convenience." Among his other gleeful pronouncements over the Easter weekend was the signing of various bills increasing the ease of committing voter fraud, and ones making it harder for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves and their loved ones, while at the same time making plans to release more criminals from prison.

All those attacks on freedom and democracy aside, I made every effort to keep it a joy-filled weekend. I did also resolve to skip any chores in the course of the Holy Feast, though I did replace a couple of defective smoke detectors in the house. Some chores must really be completed, no matter what.

Saturday afternoon I made a quick trip over to 1781 Brewing to pick up a growler of their delicious König Fruhling Doppelbock. While there, I ran into a good friend who was also picking up some tasty brew for his weekend celebrations. Despite being nearby neighbors we hadn't seem each other in a couple of months. A few minutes of catching up was one of the highlights of the day.

My beer in hand, I settled on the sunny deck and fired up a Crowned Heads Court Reserve XVII. This full bodied smoke was complimented quite well by the caramel and malty notes of the beer.

Near the end of the smoke, my beer glass long empty but not yet refilled, Colleen finished her preparation in the kitchen for the next day's Easter dinner, and joined me on the deck. "Would you pour me one of those?" she inquired. I also poured myself another glass and grabbed another stick from the humidor.

The next cigar selection was a NUb Maduro by Oliva Cigars. This 4x60 stick offers full flavors of espresso and chocolate. Again, a wonderful match for the Doppelbock and perhaps my favorite stick of the weekend.

That wrapped up the daylight part of Saturday, and we retired inside for dinner, followed by random shows on Netflix. (Another "normal" part of the day of late.)

And then it was Easter morning! Hallelujah! Reminded again that our governor has decreed public religious gatherings to be an illegal activity, we streamed the live Easter Mass into our living room. Though distant, it was still most comforting. A tasty brunch was soon being devoured, after which I realized, although it was cloudy and breezy outside, the temperature was rising into the 70's. That meant more deck time was in store.

Colleen and I went out to the screened porch for some fresh air and reading. I poured us both glasses of Bold Rock Cider. For myself, an Ave Maria Immaculata was procured from the humidor. This mild smoke features a Connecticut Shade wrapper, and Nicaraguan binder and fillers. Having been in my humidor for close to two years, it seemed even milder than I remembered. However, in combination with the cider, it was immensely enjoyable.

After that, we enjoyed a long video visit with our son and his fiancé. While we had planned on a  weekend visit from them, circumstances prevented that. After a long absence with no visits, even the virtual version was a welcome pleasure. The long chat left some dinner preparations behind schedule, so there was time for a before dinner beer and smoke.

The round two selection was another glass of the 1781 Brewing Dopplebock and a Liga Privada Undercrown Sungrown from Drew Estate. The medium bodied stick offered sweet and cedar notes, and a good long burn.

Finally we turned our attention to the roasted lamb dinner that Colleen had prepared. A newly found recipe featuring garlic, (100 cloves!) limes, and peanuts is definitely a keeper. Typically we grill our lamb outdoors, but the grill gave up the ghost a few weeks ago and has yet to be replaced. Dessert was an interesting and tasty Ricotta based cheesecake. As there was only two of us, we will get to enjoy leftovers for several days during this Octave of Easter.

So once again, that's all I know. The governor has decreed the lockdown will continue until at least June 10. (Not so coincidently, the day after our scheduled elections.) He seems to be doing his best to destroy small business and create a population dependent on government support. I will once again try to get in a trip to the outdoor range this week. It would be a welcome change of pace.

Patrick Henry On Liberty

"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.... The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able might have a gun."

-- Patrick Henry, Speech to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, June 5, 1778

Fair enough.

The racist governor of Virginia should take note.

Beware the Thought Police

A New York (of course) democrat (of course) wants to require a review of your internet browsing history as part of the background check to buy a gun.

People applying for a pistol permit or renewing a license could have their social media accounts and internet history reviewed. It's part of a newly proposed bill in the New York State Senate.

State Senator Kevin Parker of the 21st District introduced Senate Bill 9191 in attempts to keep firearms out the hands of people who may be violent.

The measure requires, "social media and search engine reviews prior to the approval of an application or renewal of a license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver; requires a person applying for a license to carry or possess a pistol or revolver or a renewal of such license to consent to having his or her social media accounts and search engine history reviewed and investigated for certain posts and/or searches over a period of 1-3 years prior to the approval of such application or renewal; defines terms."

In order to facilitate this dismantling of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, the state would demand your passwords to online accounts. What shouldn't be overlooked, is that having your private account information also will allow government agents to control and alter your accounts at their will.

Related news from another part of the world, ironically posted the same day, offers a clue as to where the leftists in this country draw their inspiration. China is moving forward with a plan to rank citizens by their social behavior.

China’s plan to judge each of its 1.3 billion people based on their social behavior is moving a step closer to reality, with Beijing set to adopt a lifelong points program by 2021 that assigns personalized ratings for each resident.

The capital city will pool data from several departments to reward and punish some 22 million citizens based on their actions and reputations by the end of 2020, according to a plan posted on the Beijing municipal government’s website on Monday. Those with better so-called social credit will get “green channel” benefits while those who violate laws will find life more difficult.

How long before democrats demand we be chipped?

See "NY State bill would review social media, internet history as part of background checks" and "Beijing to Judge Every Resident Based on Behavior by End of 2020."

It's Not "Gun" Control They Want

This list about the Maryland school shooting has been making the rounds of social media, and it gets right to the heart of the matter.

• What didn’t stop the Maryland school shooting

• Maryland’s assault weapon ban

• Maryland’s 10-round magazine limit

• Maryland’s universal background check requirement

• Maryland’s law requiring an extensive application process to obtain a permit to purchase a handgun

• Maryland’s law prohibiting purchase of more than one firearm a month

• Maryland’s law requiring handgun registration

• Maryland’s law requiring licensing of handgun owners

• Maryland’s extremely limited approval of conceal carry permits

• Maryland’s refusal to honor any concealed carry permit from another state

• Federal law prohibiting handgun possession for people under 21

• Laws against carrying without a permit

• Gun free school zones

• Laws against discharging a firearm in public

• Laws against attempted murder

• What did stop the Maryland school shooting

• An armed person at the scene who engaged the shooter in less than a minute

The "do something" laws and restrictions around gun ownership that the left has been crying for are already in place. Honest and intelligent people know these laws do nothing to stop evil people from committing acts of violence. Regulations and processes that could actually serve to keep people safe are routinely ignored by those charged with enforcing them. Our leftist antagonists have but one goal with their calls for "gun control." They are not interested in the safety of children, children are mere pawns to them, a means to an end. Their motive is a compliant, defenseless and submissive citizenry.

The despicable people pushing for "gun control" are in my opinion, no different than the tyrants throughout history who cruelly clamped down on the freedom and lives of others. Whether willful participants or useful idiots, they should be met with utter disdain and contempt. They've already proven how they feel about us.

The violence in Maryland will soon fade from the headlines. Unlike the Parkland, Florida mass killing, the outcome in this case doesn't fit the agenda. The leftist narrative must be maintained, facts be damned.

No Fly List Explanation

This pretty well sums it up.

It's double secret probation mandated by tyrants.

The Next Revolution

As I sit down to down some words for this Independence Day, I find that the ongoing illegal and tyrannical actions of the current administration weigh on my mind, as they have in previous years' posts on this day. If anything, the offenses against freedom, have increased over the years.

The egomaniacal ramblings of the current president have become more bold and more frequent. Negotiation with, and the release of known terrorists endangers Americans at home and abroad. The opening of our borders to criminals and disease is a threat to safety and the economy, the likes of which we have never before seen. The IRS scandal and ongoing coverup is an abuse of power that is chilling in magnitude.

Lest I be accused of partisanship, it should be noted that in a ruling just two weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the president violated the Constitution. And it was not the first such ruling. Many on the Republican side of the aisle shy away from impeachment proceedings, which are the proper response to continued violations of the oath of office. To refuse to proceed makes them just as guilty of ignoring the law as the president.

Today we mark the occasion when our forefathers stood up to a tyrannical monarch. Two hundred and thirty eight years later we are faced with an egotistical, power-hungry, and I dare say treasonous president, who promotes his power-grabbing agenda despite the will of the people and Congress. Hardly a week goes by that I don't read about someone who now regrets their previous support of this president. To those who cast a vote while ignoring the obvious, I reply that a simple apology doesn't cut it. The damage is done. The willingness to put "free stuff" over freedom must end.

Try as I might, there are few celebratory words to be said. Today we will, as a nation, mark the anniversary of our independence. We will enjoy the fireworks, the beach, the shooting range, the burgers and the beer. But we must prepare ourselves, a second revolution is at hand. It might not be fought not with arms, but preferably in the courts, the Congress and the voting booth, but it will be fought.

Sic semper tyrannis

“I do think there are certain times we should infringe on your freedom.”

--Mayor Bloomberg of NYC

Any questions?

This is the same mayor whose policies ensured that 80% of New York City high school graduates can't read or write at high school level. I guess there's more than one way to keep the citizenry oppressed and under control.