The Smokester is Up and Running!

Baby back ribs and a rump are smoldering on the grates over hickory. So far the temp has been easy to regulate.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Oops! I bet Biden wasn't supposed to say that...

"POTUS would have to declare a bank holiday after he was sworn in."

So much for settling those Keynesian "animal spirits".

Roll the kooky economic collapse conspiracy theorist footage. Not so kooky after all.

A bank holiday. A Bank Holiday! All those folk advising us to grow a survival garden, buy gold, stock up on ammo, stash one months supply of cash and horde food - those fringe whack jobs! - were actually clued in to a very real possibility being considered by the Whitehouse.

The fact that this was even discussed at any point should tell you how dire the condition of the economy. The smoke will eventually clear and the mirrors will inevitably tarnish to expose the reality of an unmanageable (and previously unimaginable) debt service the FedGov has saddled us all with while exporting the productive capacity of the nation, and therefore even the slim chance it could be serviced while any of us maintained a decent standard of living. Cap that off with the Moron in Chief pushing for yet another massive tax increase; on energy! of all things - can anyone think of a better way to accelerate the economy faster off the cliff?? - and you have a train wreck that makes the malaise of the Carter administration look like a 5 MPH fender bender.

I knew he was dense, but I didn't think anyone on the planet had a talent to do everything wrong.

Shameless Product Endorsement

Note the protagonist simply walks up to the sissy on the chick-bike. So funny in so many ways.

Ain'3 it a little early for wooly worms?

What's he doin' out already?

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

Women Have One Thing on Their Minds

Unicorns and all that implies:

Magical Journey

It's only amusing for the first 60 seconds or so.

Creative Marketing

This is copied from the 2010 Aerostich catalog and creatively describes the differences between three different motorcycle riding suits the company makes. Yes, I am a customer.

Roadcrafter vs. Darien

by Adam Novitt

Vance had always been a post-apocalyptic kind of guy. His favorite movies were Escape From New York and Logan's Run. He didn't like his neighbors and they didn't like him. The unmown lawn, the jury rigged solar panels and propane tanks just didn't sit well in Northampton. Vance wasn't surprised to find his neighbor Sally dead on her doorstep or her husband Teddy slumped behind the wheel of his car. In fact, up and down the street he noticed several cars that appeared to be crashed into telephone poles, trees, and houses. It looked like the inevitable had happened. He was, at last, a post-apocalyptic guy in a post-apocalyptic world. Naturally, Vance hopped on his bike slipped into his Aerostich Roadcrafter and headed towards the supermarket.

Vance was surprised to see Barry at the supermarket when he arrived. Everywhere along the way it'd been the same - bodies, crashed cars just like he'd always imagined. "Why'd you set the Stop and Shop on fire, Barry?" Vance intoned. "I didn't, it was burning when I got here. Anyhow, there's a Shaw's supermarket over the mountain in Pittsfield," Barry said as he leaned against his bike in his Aerostich Darien.

The morning was starting to heat up now, and the fire wasn't helping things. Barry slipped off his jacket (the Darien is a two piece) while they considered the route to Pittsfield. Vance, still astride his mount, unzipped the Roadcrafter, and even though it slipped on and off easily it was still a bit too much to take off for this short amount of time.

Barry's jacket and pants were both thinner and better ventilated than the Roadcrafter, so he felt cooler. This didn't really bother Vance, since he could wear very light street clothing under his Roadcrafter. Just then Vance noticed a group of bikers, The Mean Monsters, a local 1% gang. Shots rang out.

Vance pulled his Smith and Wesson .40 and returned fire. The Roadcrafter had ample pockets for an even larger piece than his giant S&W. The close fit of the Roadcrafter allowed the heavy gun to be carried comfortably, close to the body. Vance was surprised to see Barry pull out a Walther .22 caliber handgun. He didn't think Barry was the sort to carry, but he was glad he did.

After the Monsters went off looking for easier prey he asked Barry what gave. "Well, I stopped by Valley Sporting Goods this morning and threw a rock through their window. I looked at the guns and didn't know what to take. The lighter .22 just felt better in the Darien." Vance smiled thinking of his big gun but Barry knew that he'd deployed the lighter Walther faster and had gotten off more accurate shots due to less recoil. "In the end, it's not the size of the load, it's all about placement," thought Barry.

Both Barry and Vance wanted to get out of town. They motored fast through the wrecked cars. Vance was able to pull ahead since he felt confident in the more protective Roadcrafter. The Roadcrafter’s overall shape is better suited to an aggressive street riding position than the Darien.

As they got onto the mountain the going got slower and the Darien began to shine. Barry enjoyed standing and hunting through the rocky terrain. The main road had been totally cut off by a huge pile up and Vance and Barry had to pick their way along forest roads and sometimes even trails. The Darien was better suited to standing and trail riding.

They decided to camp for the night; it was late and it was cool. Overall Barry was more comfortable in his suit making camp than Vance in his ‘crafter. The two piece Darien was just easier to move around in and the padding was easily removed. Barry was pleased with the Darien for this application. He even managed to shoot a rabbit for dinner with his Walther, which Vance’s .40 would have obliterated.

When it came time to sleep, there was no contest. The Roadcrafter has long been known as the Aerostich Motel. Vance awoke well rested. Barry had even zipped in the optional jacket liner, but the Darien was just less comfortable to sleep in.

In the morning they decided to find some gas. When the dirt roads became pavement again near Dalton they stopped at a trailer home that had two ATVs, a Suburban, a riding mower and three cars out front.

It was then that they were set upon by the Road Rashers, a Mean Monsters satellite club. Unfortunately they’d locked their guns in saddlebags, so it was fisticuffs. The Road Rashers attacked with their trademark sandpaper-covered hockey sticks. The Roadcrafter with it’s superior padding definitely held up better and Vance was pleased. Barry’s two piece Darien also allowed the rashers to get purchase on Barry and drag him around, potentially getting under the coat and hurting him. Still, overall, they were much better protected than the Rashers in their vests and chaps.

Barry and Vance had both had dated the same Aikido instructor, Linda, whose class they’d both taken. They used that knowledge, and some garden implements, to fight their way back to their bikes. Barry was a bit more beaten up, but OK. Vance hardly noticed it.

When they finally got to the Shaw’s supermarket Barry and and Vance went in and filled up with Ramen Noodles and other awesome foodstuff. They drove their bikes right into the store, but Vance was able to pack a bit more into his Roadcrafter than Barry’s Darien. That’s when Shelly and Brenda appeared. Shelly said, “Wow, we have the same bikes as you guys. It looks like whatever happened just people with dual-purpose bikes and 1% gang members survived.” “Thank god, that means no more K bikes at the Yankee Beemers breakfasts” Brenda stated simply.

Shelly was wearing Darien Light and had a .223 carbine rifle slung over her shoulder, and Brenda an Aerostich Transit with a crossbow. The blue Darien Light set off Shelly’s fair hair that trailed below her Nolan N103. The Transit accentuated Brenda’s graceful form and dark locks. Both looked fetching and imposing.

So, pick your poison. The Roadcrafter is better at high speeds, better for carrying dense weight close to your body, makes a better sleeping bag and offers more protection. The Darien looks and acts more like a normal jacket and pants, is better for dual sport riding and fits looser and offers more freedom of action.

While the .22 lacks stopping power, it’s easier and faster to use and potentially more versatile. The big Smith and Wesson may be slower, but one shot is all it ever takes when on target.

Barry thought Brenda’s crossbow would be quiet and self contained – no looking for more ammo, just reuse the bolts. Vance thought Shelly and her carbine quite the pretty picture. The gun would still be useful in close quarters, due to it’s short length, but deliver incredible stopping power.

Somehow, everyone knew, there amidst the spoiling milk and rotting meat (the power grid gave out that morning) that everything would be OK. Everyone had chosen their gear well; all of these were good choices and it spoke to the intelligence of the group. Though the electrics that ran the store may have been dead there was electricity enough between Barry and Brenda and also between Vance and Shelly. Their loaded bikes awaited, and they rolled out of the supermarket to a life that everyone knew would contain not only adventure riding, but romance as well.

Just so y'all don't forget: Tomorrow is Dead Yankee day!

"The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing
with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in
defense of their country during the late rebellion,...."
Would that one could save up turds all year with which to decorate the invader's graves...

I did NOT plant daisies.

Is there a damned Johnny Daisyseed on the loose?

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

A Tale of Two Floods

New Orleans:


Nashville:


'nuff said.

Ow, ow, ow! or "Thank God for Ibuprofen"

There's a trail up in the Daniel Boone National Forest called "RedBird" that some fella's around the state decided to get together and ride. I tagged along on my trusty KLX250s. Little did I know I would be the only fella there with a green bike. It seems EVERYBOBY is riding Orange these days, and I can see why after playin' the role of the weak sister all day. Ordinarily, the KLX is the class of the field at a DS gathering, but the tight, mountain woods riding brought out the hardcore element within the community. Damn!, those guys are fast. Damn!, my shoulders are sore. And Double Damn!, I wish my calf muscles would quit cramping!

Only dropped the bike twice, which is two times more than it has hit the ground since I have owned it. This should give you an indication of how technical the trail is. Once at the BOTTOM the worst downhill - steep decline, two foot drops off rocks the entire descent - which I managed to complete upright and then promptly dropped the bike crossing a 6-inch log across the trail. Go figure.

Then there was this 20 foot long pool in the trail.... engine under water but still breathing, I gunned it WFO about the time the front wheel found a big rock and ripped the bars out of my hands. Splash! I managed to hit the kill switch before it could flood out, righted it, and rode out looking like some mud covered bog-monster. The rest of the group enjoyed that immensely.








I could tell I was holding back the fellas on the fancy orange bikes, so I bailed onto an intersecting blacktop. The GPS sent me off onto a dirt road called Bowen Creek Rd. Realize, I am thoroughly knackered by now. So, I'm haulin' ass down Bowen Creek Rd. for miles. And miles. When I finally come upon a toothless fella on a four wheeler. "Keep goin'", he says, "66 is a couple miles ahead. Just cross the river and it's right there." I thanked him for his help and continued on. Until, I saw "cross the river" didn't include a bridge.

Yes, I rode through the river. And yes, I was a contender for the Gold in sphincter tension, but it went a long way toward getting the bike clean again.

That God for ibuprofen.

Never Trust Anyone Over 30

Unless it's your GS.

FWIW

It appears Vox got around to commenting on the Jackboots. From the comments:

Having been involved in SWAT team training before I got a conscience, got out, and got an honest job:

Yes.

Every PD SWAT team I worked with was the place where the department concentrated their loose cannons, trigger-happy cowboys, gonzo gung-ho Soldier of Fortune military dress-up queens, anger management nutcases, and einsatzgruppen wannabes. Every one. I did not meet *one* SWAT cop I would trust with a loaded gun if I was standing in front on him, and I met a hell of a lot I wouldn't trust even if I was standing well behind them. The job positively draws guys who salivate at the prospect of smashing things, hurting people, whipping around loaded guns like garden hoses, and opening up a can of whupass on anybody they feel like without fear of any repercussions.

I have heard this "got a conscience and left" on other time and from a personal acquaintance of mine. It struck me as an oddity for a time, but perhaps that is not so.

Show This to the Womenfolk When Next They are Feeling "Protected" by Law Enforcement

The Luddite in Chief

Always nice to get some good meaty hypocrisy from Captain Kenya:

"With iPods and iPads and Xboxes and PlayStations, -- none of which I know how to work -- information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than the means of emancipation," Obama said.

It's not exactly hard to figure why the left is bemoaning folk getting information for diverse outlets. Oh, the irony....

A ride through West Virginia on scenic HWY 52.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

It Sucks to Get Old

and Slow.




Excerpt from a letter to a dualsport riding group about this last weekend's ride at Renfro Valley:

I've gotta say I'm really impressed by how awesome these dual sport blokes are. I was winded after about 1 hour in the mud, dumped enough times to start naming tree roots and rocks with intimate accolades, and will forever be in debt to the most generous man on a gasgas? 250? who picked my ass up out of the mud on 2 occasions cause my back was blown. It was particularly humbling when on the 2nd occasion he got me up on the bike, I was ready to go, only to fall the other way on the trail before I even let the clutch out. I will pick up the next poor sap who dumps in front of me, I swear.

After limping back to the hotel taking a long cut on the road which turned my ass to a shade of black and blue (love ktm seats), I shuffled up to my room, took a shower and a nap. Got up and went to dinner and guys were still out in what looked like a wet scene from that lobster fisherman show, and I thought.... how?

Went back to the warm cozy room only to be disturbed at 6:30pm from noise outside my room and 2 guys were just getting in! No food, nothing, just back from trail. And they said they were getting too old.... dang...

You are all supermen to me and I can only aspire to keep up with you. Jeff kicked my ass and Barry was somewhere in front of us and he lost me. I don't know how many passed me but in all fairness it was only because I was laying winded and broken in a face full of mud waiting for someone to roost over my back.

Cant wait till the next ride but beware young and old supermen.... these old broken bones will mend and I will get in shape. Look out for the orange (and hopefully not bleeding red) shape in front of you. He will do the whole trail...... I hope....

No, that's not me, but I'll not say it's never been me.

JACmail

Help a brother out, y'all.

Zion's Paladin (24.205.64.113)
Hey y'all. I'm gonna branch OT here.

JAC, this is mostly to you, though anyone else can feel free to chime in. Not like I could stop you from doing that anyway. Smile

Anywho, I finally got off my ass and scheduled an appointment with the DMV to take the written test for my motorcycle license. Since I already passed the MSF course, the practical is over and done with. But I'm facing two concerns that I need some advice or suggestions on.

1) Riding jeans. I've found at least one good site that sells a wide variety, both in the amount of armor plating they offer, types of jeans and sizes, including mine. My cautious nature tells me to get as much armor plating as they'll put in, but I wanted to check with the experienced riders here on whether that's the way to go, or if there's armor plating in certain areas I should avoid.

2) This is the doozy. Riding a motorcycle is my first experience with a manual tranny ever. While I am very confident in my ability to handle a bike in terms of steering, braking etc., the throttle control and gear shifting is what's got me concerned. With a car, someone else could drive down to a parking lot, field or whatnot and switch places with the learner so they can get the necessary experience. With a bike, my only choice is grit my teeth and learn or rent a trailer to haul it back and forth while I get the necessary experience. This is where I need the majority of the advice and suggestions.

Woulda e-mailed you JAC, but my previous laptop had a glass of water run into it, and I couldn't find your e-mail address anywhere else.
Today, 4:33:35 AM

Real quick, ZP.

1) Riding Jeans. They are nice in very hot weather and I use Diamond Gusset brand, but an armoured oversuit or overpants is preferable like this.

2) Shifting. It ain't that big of a deal. The basics are;keep the RPM's between the engine dieing and the tachometer redline and all is well. The initial takeoff is the difficult part as there is so much going on all at one. A primary foible a new rider will make is while making a left turn across traffic: So much attention will be paid to a successful lutch/accelerator interaction that none is paid to the rate of acceleration resulting in either a) panic and freeze up while turning leading to collision, or b) a dropped bike in the middle if the intersection. Bear in mind you may "slip" the clutch as needed to learn a feel for it and it is always permissible to pull the lever back in after taking off. That second bit will save your ass from a lot of rookie screwups. I watch my brother damned near ride off a bridge 'cause he was concentrating so hard on letting the clutch out to take off without "killing" the engine.

Best Practices

Should be copied and expanded. These deep thinkers should be sent up to a national level office. Oh, wait.... that already happened.

From WGN news and the Chicago Tribune:

State reps want to fight violence with National Guard's help

So far this year, 113 people have been killed across Chicago, the same number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan combined in the same period, Fritchey said.

"As we speak, National Guard members are working side-by-side with our troops to fight a war halfway around the world," Fritchey said. "The unfortunate reality is that we have another war that is just as deadly taking place right in our backyard." While the National Guard has been deployed in other states to prevent violence related to specific events and protests, the Chicago legislators said they are unaware of guardsmen being deployed to assist with general urban unrest.

So how is it Chicago isn't a paradise on earth? Leftists have had their way in Chicago for the last half century. The streets are surely made of gold, the shiny science fiction future of communal living, urban planning, high taxes..er.. "contributions", and suborning the individual to the state will take hold any minute now. You'll see. Really.

Fun News Day!

Two happenings are very interesting and, yes, amusing today:

1) From the Daily Mail: White racist lawyer stabbed to death by a black racist convict.

and;

2)From Pravda: Chomsky warns US on the verge of becoming a new WWII Germany.

It is worth noting that both stories are from the foreign press, especially given that their perspective seems to be a view askance toward the US as an unstable entity.

Item one has me head scratching in that there is a so much going on it is nearly overwhelming to try to determine who the greater villain is. One one hand you have a white skinflint lawyer who keeps to himself locally apparently taking advantage of his neighbor's convict status to get some work done really cheap, on the other you have a black tribally decorated violent criminal who committed the public service of lawyercide.
You see why this is a tough nut? I have ommited the term "racist" from the description of both parties as it is useful a descriptor of an individual human as "bipedal".

Item two contains the following:

It's very similar to Weimar Germany, the parallels are striking." Here, too, there is a tremendous disappointment with the parliamentary system, pointed Chomsky interviewing on Truthdig.

"The United States is very lucky that no honest and charismatic figure has appeared, and if this were to happen this country would be in real trouble for the frustration, disillusionment and the justified anger combined with the absence of a coherent response," he concludes.

In Germany, he recalls, an enemy was created to explain the crisis which was the Jew. "Here they are the illegal immigrants and blacks. We will say that white men are a persecuted minority. We will say that we must uphold and defend the honor of the nation. Military force will be exalted. There will be blows. This could be converted into an undeniable force. And if it takes place, it will be more dangerous than Nazi Germany. The United States is a world power ... I do not believe that this is far from happening," he says.

This is interesting in that folks watching the US from afar have a take on the country that is far different from those among us who self identify as the most wise, cosmopolitan, and politically savvy; i.e. the non-classical liberal or leftist. To ask a modern leftist to put the US on an historical timeline with both the beginning and an endpoint will illicit only rapid eyelid flutter. They are very hard to jolt out of a mindset that includes an eternal economic system and an eternal representative government, both of which are obvious absurdities, but speak to the traditional historical ignorance of the left.

The only comment I have regarding Chomsky's characterization of the racial component of unrest in the US is the fact that the only folks not over the black/white thing are black folk. Now, if folks ever start to realize their beef isn't with illegals, but rather those who wish to drive down their labor costs by increasing the available workforce through the attraction of illegal immigrants, coupled with the ongoing Depression, then we are looking at something a bit more akin to France circa 1788 han the Wiemar Republic circa 1932. Though it must be mentioned in support of Chomsky's analysis that the US has already implemented the Gleichschaltung.

Some Days is Does NOT Pay to Mess With the Bunny

From this thread:



Spacebunny: 4/14/10 8:56 AM:
Nicholas_Gascoine: 4/14/10 7:52 AM:

This IS from WND, isn't it?


Yet another reason to hold you in contempt Gasbag - you can't even read for comprehension or follow links. If you could you wouldn't make such demonstrably STUPID statements.

You're dumber than a box of rocks and an ass.