Around The Blogs

Time for our weekly wander around the blogosphere.

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Dr. Grumpy has a Christmas gift suggestion that should leave you down in the dumps . . . literally!

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Dr. Whitecoat reflects on how lucky a patient was to have broken his hip.  Upon reading the whole story, I couldn't help but agree.

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The Hawsepiper reports on a Christmas present that's definitely nautical - almost too much so!

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Lawdog brings us a Native American Christmas carol with a twist in the Santa's tail.  (Gigglesnort!)

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Tam informs us with her usual weary cynicism (which I fully share on this subject) of yet another gee-whiz super-dooper felon-stopper magnum-blaster 'revolution' in ammo design.  My earlier caveat still applies:  If a particular defensive bullet design isn't in general use by police and sheriffs' departments, hostage rescue teams, and crack military outfits, don't bother with it.  If it was as good as the hype, all of those groups would have invested in it.  This new bullet is just another 'same old, same old' in new packaging.  Nevertheless, go read about it at Tam's place.  It'll help you to recognize the hype when the next 'revolution' comes down the pike.

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PDB makes a similar point about defensive firearms.  'So if we’re looking for statistically sound, relatively bias-free information on pistol reliability, where do we look? ... Police departments and competition shooting.'  I entirely agree.  He knows what he's talking about.  You should go read the whole thing.

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American Mercenary shoots down a ludicrous suggestion by an uninformed observer that the US Army can be cut to the bone to save money now, and built up again in time of need.  He points out that in the absence of the draft, this will be effectively impossible in any meaningful timescale.  'If we accept as fact that Congress will not pass a draft, then we must accept as true that we can not have another "massive mobilization" of America to field a gigantic Army ... I know the military is the low hanging budget fruit, but there comes a point where if you cut the Army enough, you might as well not have an Army at all.'  He speaks truly, and knows whereof he speaks.

In another article, he warns that 'arguing with crazy people is pointless', particularly when trying to defend our right to keep and bear arms against those who don't know what they're talking about and are manifestly unwilling to learn.

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Erin Palette almost falls out of her chair laughing at a new product that combines shotguns and seedlings.  I don't know about laughter . . . I'm still trying to figure out how anyone in their right mind could think up a product like that!

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Aesop, a.k.a. the Raconteur, reminds us that certain things that aggravate the hell out of the Powers That Be are, in fact, illegal and/or immoral and/or illicit and/or fattening, and should never be attempted by anyone of a law-abiding persuasion.  He goes so far as to point out how those who are not of a law-abiding persuasion can get away with such aggravations.  Terrible, that.  Just terrible.

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Mike Vanderboegh brings us a stirring review of a book and film about Jewish brothers who fought the Nazis during World War II and saved over a thousand of their co-religionists from extermination.  He concludes:

For all the unanswered moral, philosophical and theological questions -- the bottom line is that millions of Jews were killed, because they could be. The only true defense against a Holocaust is the ability to resist and to survive one. Before the State of Israel was officially declared, the Bielskis made their own Jewish state in a forest, to live as free men and women mere kilometers from their would be killers, and though like the real state and its real leaders, they may have been flawed, their triumph is not some uplifting moral, but a matter of accomplishment, the 1200 they hid in the forest against all odds, and through determination and hard work, they did not become victims or fatalities, they survived. And through their guidance and efforts so did 1200 others. No higher praise is needed.

Mike goes on to reinforce the lessons we need to learn from the Bielski's experience and example.  Highly recommended reading.

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Matt Walsh points out that, far from being anti-science or unscientific as alleged by many of its detractors, 'Christianity has done more for science than atheism ever could'.  True, that.

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From the frozen wasteland (a.k.a. Alaska), Rev. Paul brings us 'a lesson in snow for all the Southern folks'.

Yeah.  Right.

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Kathy Jackson, longtime friend and nationally-known shooting instructor, brings us a very interesting look at security preparedness when shopping at the mall.  I learned a lot from the examples she provides.  Highly recommended reading for all who take their personal security seriously.  (I do - which is one reason I deliberately avoid most malls!)

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Roberta informs us about Walgreens' new, intrusive and extremely frustrating policies when filling prescriptions for painkillers.  I've already written about my disgust at being treated like a criminal in Tennessee when attempting to get painkillers to assuage my nerve damage.  Looks like it's becoming a national problem . . .

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Rev. Donald Sensing brings us what he suggests might be 'the best Second Amendment speech ever'.  I won't argue with him about that . . .

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Kent McManigal, otherwise known as the Hooligan Libertarian, points out a simple but obvious truth about the liberal approach to economics.  He concludes, 'Why are "smart" people too dumb to see this?'  I wish I knew.

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Earthbound Misfit brings us a TV news report about a fire exercise that went badly wrong when the water they were spraying on the flames turned out to contain aviation fuel.  As she says, it 'Didn't work so well.....'  What can I say except, "No s***, Sherlock!!!"

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Last but not least, CenTexTim informs us of an unexpected snag in a new Catholic approach to contraception.

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That's all for this week.  More soon.

Peter