Around The Blogs: 2013-05-25

It's been far too long since I put up one of my 'Around The Blogs' posts.  I can only plead extreme busy-ness with the launch of my first novel on Amazon last week, completing a massive edit of the second novel in the series (due for publication in mid-July, and currently in Miss D.'s hands for critical review), and preparing to publish a print edition of the first book in a couple of weeks' time.  It's been hectic!

Anyway, I've been bookmarking posts that caught my eye on other blogs;  so here we go, in random order.

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Robb Allen tells us how he feels about the poor and downtrodden.  Amen, brother!

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The Miller reminds us that in defensive handgun calibers, top-performing ammunition does just about as well in one as in another.  The days of arguing the superiority of .45 ACP vs. 9mm. Parabellum, or .357 Magnum vs. anything else, are largely over, thanks to recent improvements in ammunition technology.  He links to graphic evidence at PDB's place to back up his claim.

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Kent McManigal bemoans the liberal tendency to reward the bully by punishing his victim.  Word.

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Rev. Paul reminds us of the top 25 ways to tell you're getting older.  Examples include:

• You think "libido" is an Italian pasta.
• You wake up with that awful "morning after" feeling, but you didn't do anything the night before.
• You can remember when the Dead Sea was only sick.

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Captain Tightpants remembers the tension of combat, and wonders "how do you explain it without sounding mad?"  Been there, done that (and had it done to me), got the T-shirt (and sundry scars) to prove it.  It's not fun.

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Old NFO reminds us that "Politics - especially, and specifically in the Obama administration - is all about misdirection ... And what is going to come out next???"  Sobering words, and very true, IMHO.

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On the birthday of Robert Anson Heinlein, the Tireless Agorist remembers his wit and wisdom.  Since RAH was one of my earliest science fiction influences, and I've been told I write somewhat in his mold, I'm grateful for the reminder.

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John Richardson of No Lawyers - Only Guns And Money draws our attention to Stumpies Custom Guns, Inc., a business founded by two comrades-in-arms wounded in combat in Afghanistan.  It's a heartwarming story of two former soldiers who refuse to let their disabilities slow them down.  The name of the business refers to their injuries.  Kudos to them both.

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Miss K. brings us a screamingly funny exchange of the 'Damn you, Autocomplete!' variety.  Caution - it's not safe for work.

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Frank W. James debunks the PSH about 'printable guns', pointing out that you can make a perfectly functional firearm for a dollar or two using a couple of pieces of pipe and a shotgun shell.

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American Mercenary corrects those who think that just by reading a manual, you're competent to perform more or less complex tasks or evolutions.  It's not that simple by any means.  Having BTDT myself, all I can say is, "Preach it, brother!"

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There are two very good articles on the meaning of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution.

• On Second Opinion Blog looks at why the Amendment was worded that way, and who wrote it, and why;
• Steven Den Beste, writing at Ace Of Spades, reminds us that the 2A was (and still is) "about everyday law-abiding citizens having the ability to resist a tyrannical government".

Both articles are well worth your time.

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Semiotic Apocalypse offers this photograph (grimly fascinating in our current economic climate) of German children in 1923, using bundles of worthless German marks as building blocks during the Weimar Republic's hyperinflation period.  The site's worth a visit by all who enjoy historic photographs and photography.

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Jeff Carter examines the current state of entrepreneurship in America, and concludes that "Prairie fires are a great metaphor for successful entrepreneurial ecosystems".  He makes an interesting point.  Go read.

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David of Popehat asks what the geographic concentration of human beings implies for US foreign policy, sustainable development and other important issues.  Good question!

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Greylocke brings us two side-splitting stories, one about the church organist and another about a Scottish cow.

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Via a link from Les Jones, we discover '99 Life Hacks to make your life easier'.  Some of them are really clever!  Recommended reading.

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The Silicon Graybeard discusses 'The structural problems taking down the US'.  He makes some telling points.

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Sultan Knish brings us 'The Golden Apple - A Socialist Fairy Tale'.  Indeed!

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The Jawa Report examines the deeper constitutional implications of the 'Big Brother' policies of a sheriff in Florida.  Disturbing.

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Charles Hugh Smith casts his inquiring mind over 'The Decline of Self-Employment and Small Business'.  He comes to some worrying conclusions.

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The 'store blog' at Rhino Den, 'Ranger Up!', has a useful article on military leadership in small units.  Again, having BTDT, this made a lot of sense to me - although some of it is from a perspective different to that of the armed force in which I served.  Food for thought.

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For those of a mathematical and/or statistical bent, Matt Asher speaks about 'Minding the Reality Gap'.  It's a trenchant look at how official statistics are 'fudged' and falsified.  Worthwhile.

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John Lott looks at 'The Real Unemployment Rates by State'.  Sobering - and bearing little or no resemblance to the 'official' numbers pablum with which we're fed.

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Finally, we revisit Greylocke for an interesting series of facts and figures about the human body.  When the Bible described us as 'fearfully and wonderfully made', it wasn't exaggerating!

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That's all for now.  More later.

Peter