Blog Updates

Blogging about your blog is sort of like setting up mirrors facing each other and standing between them. But, if we're honest, blogging is pretty much like staring in mirror anyway.

I've added some new blog links for you to check out. You can find them under the Shooting & Freedom tab:

The Smoothing Plane
Kerry blogs about wide range of subjects, from woodworking to self-defense to politics. All the while keeping his faith at the forefront.

Down Range Report
Duke posts his observations on guns, self-defense and politics, from the point-of-view of a retired combat vet.

Barrel Smoke
The blogger sums himself up thusly:"So, here's the thing: I love to cook and I love to shoot. Nothing like smoke on a brisket and smoke from a barrel." And he does the occasional beer review too!

Jews For The Preservation Of Firearms Ownership
No one knows the dangers of a government out to destroy a faith better than these folks. As Obama begins his open attacks on the Catholic faithful, we should be heeding the dire warning from Jewish history. See this post in particular.


In other news, there are a lot of new folks joining the Musings using the Google Friend Connect link in the right hand column. At last look the count was up to 80. Welcome to all my new friends! Those folks represent a wide range of interests. A lot of them have blogs as well, so check them out.

The Earth, She Moves

This evening at 6:39PM central Virginia experienced a 3.2 earthquake. Mild in comparison to the 5.8 quake that hit last August, but still a subtle reminder that we are not the ones in charge.

And Twitter moves almost as fast.

What was really interesting about this event was how fast I got confirmation that it was indeed an earthquake. I had just sat down in a chair and could both hear and feel the rumble. About the same time my wife called down the stairs, "Do you feel that?" and I answered in the affirmative "Yes", a Twitter alert popped up on my laptop from a friend exclaiming "Aftershock!" I don't think the rumbling had even stopped.

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti

Table for Two

I was killing some time in the local beverage store Friday afternoon, looking for some interesting beers to bring home, when I spied Great Divide Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout. Ah, the memories this brewery invokes. There was a time when I regularly travelled to Denver. I always looked forward to visiting the tasting room at Great Divide, and in fact that would be my first stop each evening before dinner. I've long been a fan of Yeti stout and have enjoyed the "standard" Yeti, the Oak Aged Yeti, and the Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti. I've not had the espresso-enhanced version. Needless to say, a bottle found its way home with me.

Espresso Oak Aged Yeti pours as black as night with a thick, mousse-like beige head. The aromas of dark roast coffee and dark chocolate greet the nose immediately. The head fairly quickly drops leaving behind a thin layer, but lots of lacing on the glass. The flavor is what I've come to expect from Yeti — rich, roasted notes, mildly bitter with a lingering, mild bitterness. The espresso addition may have enhanced the flavor a bit, but it isn't as prominent as I expected, and even hoped for.

Despite Spring-like weather, with temperatures in the 70's, I was looking forward to this dark, Winter-like treat. The bottle never even made it to the basement, but was served the same evening at room temperature. We enjoyed relaxing with our snifters of Yeti Stout. It was a great way to unwind after a busy week.

Faulted For Full Pints

Not too long ago, I mused on the question "How Much Beer Is Enough?" Some folks measure "too much" by the pint. Apparently, at a pub in the U.K., serving too much beer in a pint can get you fired.

A pub landlord and ­landlady have been ­suspended and ­threatened with the sack for serving pints “too full” of beer. 

Pete and Debbie Gibson were ordered to close their Junction Inn pub on New Year’s Eve ­because brewery bosses said the heads on their pints of beer and lager were not big enough. 

Pete, 48, and Debbie, 47, say they have been told they owe brewing firm Samuel Smith £10,733 in lost stock for topping up customers’ pints 

The dispute centres on whether or not customers are entitled to ask for more than 95 per cent of their pint glass to be filled and get the pint topped up so there’s less of a frothy head.

At first glance at the headline I assumed that folks were upset that they weren't getting a proper head on the beer. As noted previously, a proper head on the beer is an important aspect to the full enjoyment of a good beer. As it turns out, the claims of the owners revolve around the servers being too generous with the product.

Interesting conundrum.

See "Pub landlord suspended for serving pints "too full" of beer".

The 2nd Amendment Caste System

To anyone who looks carefully, it becomes obvious that gun control laws are really about people control. I wrote previously about the "projection" by anti-gunners of their own weaknesses onto gun owners. Coincidently, this week we learned of a vocal anti-gun politician who, when being booked on domestic violence charges, surrendered three handguns of his own. This is a case of "okay for me, but not for thee."

Gun rights proponent, Alan Korwin makes a thought-provoking observation in his essay entitled Diplomatic Carry.

Officials travel armed. When a contingent of our officials visits any other country, they bring armed personnel in classic right-to-bear-arms manner. Life is dangerous and the ability to protect yourself is a reasonable and prudent thing, a fundamental human right of existence, a moral imperative. So they go armed. It's only rational. Hillary and similar bring along enough firepower that if some of their group go one way while some head off in another, they're both covered. 

The same is true in reverse. When an ambassador from Trashcanistan comes to the United States, discreetly armed bodyguards accompany the party at all times, "laws to the contrary notwithstanding." That's lawyer-speak for "their right to carry supersedes any other rules," or in plainer English, "We're above those laws." The ambassador might decide to personally carry too. I'm guessing Hillary does not. 

There's this whole "second system" of gun possession and carry here domestically, another layer of rules on top of the common ones you must follow, operating quietly with people in the know cooperating. 

Korwin makes a valid observation that our government acknowledges the right to self-defense for some people. People who have no obligation to obey our laws, and in some cases have pledged to disrupt our freedom, get by with a nod and a wink. All the while the gun prohibitionists push efforts to restrict the personal rights of U.S. citizens.

The author states correctly that a person's right to life and protection "cannot morally be denied." Diplomatic Carry raises this responsibility to a new level of "personal sovereignty." Personal responsibility is something our current leaders fight against with every breath. They seek to make decisions for us, and force us to comply through regulations and edicts. Perhaps it's time for a new paradigm.

I can imagine that right about now, my anti-gun readers, and probably a few pro-gun folks are stammering, "But, but, wait..." However, think about it. A caste system really does exist in this country when it comes to application of the 2nd Amendment. Why should it? The Bill of Rights was written for all citizens.

The Beer Cycle

Yea, that's about right.

Virginia Brewery Legislation

There's a bill being put forth in the Virginia House of Delegates that could be beneficial to Virginia breweries, and brewery fans. HB 359, sponsored by Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan (D - 71) will provide for brewery-to-brewery sales.

Alcohol beverage control; conduct not prohibited; leasing of licensed premises by breweries.  Provides that ABC law does not prohibit any licensed brewery from leasing its licensed premises and equipment located thereon to a person holding a brewery license for the manufacture of beer by such person at such times as specified in the lease agreement. Any such lease agreement shall require that (i) title to the beer at all stages of the manufacturing process be retained by the respective licensee using the licensed premises to manufacture the beer, (ii) the respective licensee maintain separate records as required by ABC law and Board regulations, and (iii) each licensee otherwise comply with Board regulations. This arrangement is commonly known as alternating proprietorship.

Essentially this legislation would allow a brewery to lease it's excess capacity and equipment to another licensed brewery. Start up costs for a brewery can be prohibitive. Under this bill, an established brewery with idle equipment could enter into an agreement with a new brewery and brew for them. It could also help out of state breweries enter the market with fewer shipping costs. More Virginia breweries means more jobs and more revenue for the state. And more local beer for Virginians!

You can track the progress of the legislation here.

Starbucks Valentine's Date

A group calling itself the "National Gun Victims Action Council" is calling for a boycott of Starbucks on February 14. The reason? Starbucks chooses to honor the gun laws of the states in which their stores are located.

As is so typical of the gun prohibitionists in the U.S., this group is offended by the Constitution, the laws of the land, and your right to self-defense. They want Starbucks, and all businesses, to impose their own policies to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. Frankly, I suspect the fear mongering of this group will have no adverse effect on Starbucks' bottom line. In fact, Starbucks might just have a banner day. There are many gun-rights supporters making plans to patronize the business specifically on that day. There's even a Facebook group dedicated to showing support.

I've already made a date to enjoy a coffee at Starbucks with my lovely wife on February 14. In fact, we might just go several times. Mark your calendars now. Even if you don't like the coffee, have a pastry or a sandwich. I think it will be a good day to visit Starbucks as the anti-freedom crowd, and the bad guys, will be avoiding the place.

I wonder if the NGVAC could be convinced to stick to their guns (sorry) and stay away everyday.