As I sit here watching the GB/Chi football game, cleaning the pistol I shot yesterday, I think of what the world is coming to. The Hoppes #9 gun cleaner is fragrant on my fingertips as I type all this on my (the company's) laptop computer. The game is done, Chicago loses, and I sit here and rub all contaminants off of the blued steel work of art, designed for one thing, killing. Although my favorite target is 60# card stock with a circle printed on it, I wonder if this weapon of death shall be wielded by my will... to KILL. I am an experienced hunter, I have harvested dove, quail, turkey, deer... for food (venison is very tasty). But my standard is, I eat what I kill.

So that makes the thought of shooting and killing a human being equivilent with being a cannibal, IMO.

Look at the world around us. Our precious government and their policies have effectively polarized the world for and against us, with most of our "allies" grudgingly so. The upper 40% of the "against" would kill US indescriminately, with no hesitation, because we are associated with what they call 'great satan'... our wonderful government.

As I sit here and ponder, I realize that if there were malcontents of any kind about to harm my family, I would not hesitate... I would do everything in my power to make them die from gunshot wounds I would inflict. It is interesting when you discover a facet of yourself that you have never thought of before, and then realize you are not as "good" as you thought you were...

I had a religious childhood, rather, I spent my childhood going from religion to religion searching for answers. I have sat, and listened, and learned from: catholics, methodists, C-of-C ers, baptists (oh my god, baptists...), mormons, 7th day adventists, Jehovah's witnesses, new age, Buddah... eh, you get the idea.

Organized religion plays wide and deep in this world of ours, the world that is currently on another brink... A time of troubles. A lot of bible scholars now are saying this is the end times. I studied Revelation, and Daniel. I can see where they would think that way, but I choose to not spew out scripture and post verse though, because I have more serious things to memorize in my life than the corrupted words of wise men from 2000 years ago. At one point in my life I was trying to learn Hebrew, so I could make MY OWN translation of texts supposedly inspired by a devine, greater power. Needless to say that wordsmithing didn't happen, and I still can't read or write Hebrew. The "end times" may be upon us, based on moldy texts, but that is no reason to flock to organized religion, the great whore of Revelations, IMHO.

The pistol I am working an protectant into is starting to shine deeply, this weapon of war. All guns, no matter what design, were weapons of war at one time. This beautiful single-action Ruger revolver I clean is a replica of the Colt design that "tamed" the old West in the 1800's. My other pistol I have in front of me is an improved design of the standard side arm of the U.S. miltary since the 1910's. They are weapons of war.

The gun was developed and designed to kill. There is no other reason for its existence. The sad fact of it all is that its development removed some of the barbarity from warfare. Can you imagine swinging a 3' piece of sharpened steel at another human being trying to kill them? (didn't think so...) With that said, the current "human condition" requires personal protection from people I consider "predators". Fortunately, I choose to live in a very low crime area, and I relish that fact, for the time being. This does not lessen my resolve to be the best shot I can be with any weapon I have. You just never know...

The signs of the times.... devine, foretold, fate? Who the hell knows...Life as we knew it, in all the ignorance of the times, ended when that airliner was planted in the side of Tower #1. This hatred of us has built for the past 50 years, and it has finally manifested itself on our shores, our home, our country.

People crack me up with their display of the U.S. nowadays. That patriotism should have been shown prior to this episode of chaos, but then, the same people complain that taxes are too high, the government is corrupt (DUH!), nothing is being done about this... blah, blah, blah...

What does tomorrow bring? Probably more pain and suffering at this point. The gun I have been working on is now back togther, sinister looking in this light, with the shine in the deep bluing of the metal. I lovingly place it back in its case, so it can wait until our next meeting, which hopefully will be a repeat of yesterday, shooting at paper, and practicing for what I hope will never come.

YMMV,

I guess this monologue has been building for awhile... like the hatred by others of our country...

Sniffin' the air...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 11, 2001

Answers

This tirade may not make much sense, but you try to type with paws, I dare you... : )

Lickin' my paw...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 11, 2001.

Dog:

As I sit here and ponder, I realize that if there were malcontents of any kind about to harm my family, I would not hesitate... I would do everything in my power to make them die from gunshot wounds I would inflict. It is interesting when you discover a facet of yourself that you have never thought of before, and then realize you are not as "good" as you thought you were.

My granfar started my gun training at3y [this was the mountains of Virginia during WWII]. They actually shot things because they needed to suplement the family hog. Food was needed. I started to shoot in competition in grade school. I have a lot of guns. I became the repository of the guns of all of my dead ancestors. The only one that I have cleaned in the last decade is the one that the cat decided to piss on. I have no intention of shooting a person and have no reason to believe that I will need to do that in the near future. I don't have 2,000 rounds of ammo in my van [I don't even have a van] and I don't carry guns with me [even though open carry is legal].

I get over 200 emails each day. Many are from the countries that you and the press say hate America. I don't see it and neither do they. I will wait and see.

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 11, 2001.

It made a lot of sense, Dog. Thank you. The arrogance of many Americans has engendered much hatred over the years. The government has manipulated nations in war against each other when it suited their purposes. And yet, there has also been a belief that we were somehow immune to retaliation on our own shores. As the old saying goes, "Payback is a bitch." (No disrespect to female dogs intended.) ;)

"What does tomorrow bring? Probably more pain and suffering at this point."

You can count on it. Even if there are no further attacks from terrorists, the USS Economy is sinking. Got a life raft?

-- Pammy (pamela_sue57@hotmail.com), November 11, 2001.

Aw...Dog, you're just stuck in a rainy, dreary climate. Things will be ok. I promise. :)

-- helen (free@prophecy.for.u), November 11, 2001.

I'll be getting a gun soon. My youngest is going on 12 and I have been discussing her responsability in leaving it alone.
Would not consider having one with young kids, and didn't feel the need for one in the past 20 years. I've had some guns before and used to go out and practice.

Think it's time to own one again.

-- Cherri (jessam5@home.com), November 11, 2001.

Dog,

You needed to take that gun and shoot Bret Favre. He took the Bears down again! Aaargh.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), November 11, 2001.

"What does tomorrow bring? "

Dog, to be honest I don't have a 100% fool proof answer, as I'm no Kreskin or prophet.But, the answer that always works for me is "The best that we can make it"

I'm more than a little hesitant to join in the chorus of "the end is nigh", as that has been heralded sinse pert near the beginning of time.Maybe it is, maybe it ain't, all we can do is do what we're doing.Slinging scripture is not a free pass to heaven IMHO, living by example, to me is the vangaurd of testimony, not memorized text bandied about Mensan style.

Hopefully tomorrow will bring the news of a job, if not, it will bring the hope and faith that "tomorrow's the day", that's why God made tomorrow, it's something to put your hopes, wishes and faith in.Because without tomorrow, today is our last day and if that's the case *I* am gonna make it the best day I can.I'm gonna make someone smile or feel just a little special or ask someone "how are you today?" say thank you, yes sir and yes maa'm.

I may not have alot of cash right now, maybe never, but I'll never be so poor that I can't afford to give a smile.

So, perk up Dog.If TSHTF we can't cut the cord or pull the plug but we can hopefully limit the amount of shit that flies our direction or through our actions today build a better shit shield for tomorrow.

Like Bill and Ted say "Be most excellent to each other"

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), November 12, 2001.

Because without tomorrow, today is our last day and if that's the case *I* am gonna make it the best day I can.I'm gonna make someone smile or feel just a little special or ask someone "how are you today?" say thank you, yes sir and yes maa'm.

Glad to see you're in a good place, internally, capn. To start the day with those words on your lips (and fingers) is to guarantee, come hell or high water, you and those you come into contact with WILL have a great glimpses of peace and love this day. Way to be.

Dog, I finished a Spider Robinson book Friday night - Lady Slings the Booze. Yes, puns galore. A good read. Anyway, time travellers are running a tavern in Suffolk County NY (Callahan's), and a brothel (Lady Sally's) in Brooklyn. These locations are bases from where they recruit a few compadres from this time period, use diplomacy to swing TPTB to NOT start what they cannot finish and revise continually plans for saving the world.

These travellers cannot figure out WHY the earth has not blown up yet. Why haven't humans self-destructed to the point of total annihilation? Much of the interplay of protagonists is a discussion of this question. That is, when they aren't molesting each other or thinking of doing so. :)

My point? Maybe time travellers from the future are here now, working to save our under-evolved asses from ourselves. Maybe it is the hand of God (pick a god, any god) which has prevented the ultimate series of bad moves that build the one way road from which we do not return.

Then again, maybe today is our last day. In that event, see capn's words above.

We form our own realities in so much as we control our outlooks and reactions to external stimuli. Or at least we have the potential for doing so. And in steps personal responsibility.

We cannot hope to change the "world", (which is, broken down, made up of lots and lots of individuals) into what we wish it/them to be until we ourselves change into what we wish to be.

That's one hell of a long row to sow. I better get started...

Peace,

-- Rich (living_in_interesting_times@hotmail.com), November 12, 2001.

JBT: The Packers toyed with the Bears like a cat with a mouse. Eat your heart out.

-- Peter Errington (petere7@starpower.net), November 12, 2001.

Thanks for insight to the dog Dog.

Don't think it's a unique or damnable us that caused this divide. Think it's the same old stuff that always divides. We got a dime and they got a penny. They want the dime too but there's only one. This one has a reliegous twinge but suspect the same old shit. All sons of Abraham sept for the Hindus & Buddhists. All fightn over that damned robe. All with a favorite Armageddon in their vision. Nuff to make a guy a Buddhist. Gonna give up your kid's dime cause you're tired?

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), November 12, 2001.

If the Bears had a Quarterback (wait I see a basic problem here) who could throw the ball to an open running back out in the flat they would have tied the game and went on to win their third straight come from behind and win it in overtime game.

Or at least that is my version of what the outcome would have been if the stupid son-of-a-bitch could LEAD A RECEIVER for chrissakes.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), November 12, 2001.

I mean he had to throw the ball what? Maybe ten or twelve yards. Allen had the linebacker beat so bad he was lunging to catch up. Just get the ball to him and he could walk into the fucking end zone. Now they have to play Tampa Bay and the Bears always struggle against them, goddamn it.

Sorry for disruptin your thread Dog, but this kind of shit really pisses me off. Especially when there is some smart-ass Packers fan just waiting to make comments like that.

-- Jack Booted Thug (governmentconspiracy@NWO.com), November 12, 2001.

Damn JBT, you tape that game or what? I think we could use you on Monday night in place of Dennis Miller... The Titans lost AGAIN. (The Titans are my team, since the days of Earl Campbell...)

I know my scenery and isolation have turned my mood, like you said Helen, but this feeling is deeper. I feel we have stepped off a precipice... It just doesn't "feel" the same, do you know what I mean? This morning when that Airbus went down, it was like, "Aw' shit, what NOW?" I didn't get to work until 0745 this morning (PST) because I was glued to the smoke cloud in the distance that was plastered on the TV.

I am surprised there have been no "religous repercussions" to my little tirade, but then this place with the requisite password, limits the far right as well as the far left. : )

Carlos I am going to have to disagree with you on the dime and penny scenario, these idiots are the ultimate religious zealots, plus I think they have been sampling a bit too much of their "product", if you know what I mean... I think these people do see us as the ultimate in evil, based on the drivel they keep spreading around like the fertilizer it is... If having something, technological or otherwise, to make your life easier, is of the devil, then I am the high priest of Baalzebul himself... These people freak me out, and my Moslem friends as well. I have a co-worker, at "the company", who is a strict Moslem. Turban, long beard, native shoes, the whole enchilada (mmmm... enchiladas... green chile enchiladas...oh, sorry), that is until after 9/11. He now dresses western style (western as in American, not cowpoke), is clean shaven, and I bet the turban is in the attic... He is scared to death some red neck is going to punish him for the actions of these pricks in the desert...

On the lighter side, this was sent to me today:

"Mommy," the little girl asks, "How old are you?"

"Honey, you are not supposed to ask a lady her age," the mother replied. "It's not polite."

"OK," the little girl says, "How much do you weigh?'

"Now really," the mother says, "those are personal questions and are really none of your business."

Undaunted, the little girl asks, "Why did you and Daddy get a divorce?"

"That is enough questions, little girl, honestly!" The exasperated mother walks away as the two friends begin to play.

"My Mom won't tell me anything about her," the little girl says to her friend.

"Well," says the friend, "all you need to do is look at her driver's license. It is like a report card, it has everything on it."

Later that night the little girl says to her mother, "I know how old you are, you are 32."

The mother is surprised and asks, "How did you find that out?"

"I also know that you weigh 140 pounds."

The mother is past surprised and shocked now. "How in heaven's name did you find that out?"

"And," the little girl says triumphantly, I know why you and Daddy got a divorce."

"Oh really?" the mother asks. "Why?"

"Because you got an F in sex!"

(snicker)

Scratchin' the tuff itch...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 12, 2001.

LOL Dog!

That one I gotta pass around, good to see your mood lightened just a lil.

I too am glad there is little and no "religous repercussions" here, seems like a more moderate crowd in the saloon,albeit a lil more eccentric.(but that's cool)

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), November 13, 2001.

lol, Dog. I hadn't heard that one. When filling out forms that ask Sex? I always reply YES! :)

Earl Campbell, Bum Phillips... Luv Ya Blue!

-- Pammy (pamela_sue57@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

WE'RE a lil more eccentric here? This place is a church-run daycare center compared to the other place.

-- helen's found her favorite shade of blue (blue@hairs.outlive.outlaws), November 13, 2001.

I enjoyed reading this thread. We never hear too much from dog, and I found it interesting for him to express his views.

Helen: I think "eclectic" or whatever term Capn used really is a euphemism for "a little bit nuts". It's the common denominator here, as I see it.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

He didn't say "eclectic" -- that would be good. He said "eccentric" which makes us sound like mule-kissing chicken-hatching...oh...never mind.

-- helen (stop@that.speeding.train.of.thought), November 13, 2001.

Helen:

Remember, you can get glanders from mule kissing. ;o)

Best Wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1x4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), November 13, 2001.

Z -- yeah, I thought about telling TB about glanders. You realize that while the CDC is looking for anthrax-coated smallpox meat-melters, the REAL threat is standing here in my back yard all puckered up and waiting to take over America.

-- helen (mule@lips.lethal.weapon.of.choice), November 13, 2001.

ec·cen·tric (adj): Having the axis located elsewhere than at the geometric center.

Ok, who told cap'n I was top heavy? ;)

-- Pammy (pamela_sue57@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

Pammy... Dare we ask?

nevermind....

Hidin' in the bedroom...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

if we are a little bit nuts, then what are LL and hawk? A lotta bit nuts?

-- (it's@only.me), November 13, 2001.

From the Blue Hair Files: Pammy is single, top heavy, and she disavows knowledge of panties. This one bears close investigation. Recommend we dangle conversational hooks about sick sexual practices to see what she knows. The Dog must be protected while off his leash.

-- Blue Hairs -- saving the world, one immoral cookie at a time (save@the.world.for.ourselves.and.our.posteriors), November 13, 2001.

LEASH? (GRRRR!!!)

Those are fightin' words...

Checkin' out the mule...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

Immoral cookie? I resemble that remark! Btw, would that be a Girl Scout cookie? The mint ones covered with chocolate? ;)

PS- I do believe in sexual practice. After all, practice makes perfect. :) However, I do not believe in being sick. It's not healthy. Does that answer you question?

-- Pammy (helen@makes.me laugh), November 13, 2001.

So Helen, would sick sexual practices be anything other than missionary??? (snicker)

Chasin' the mule around the barn...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

The Blue Hair Militia knows how to handled unwanted doggie aggression...

-- Blue Hair World -- only two snips away (fat@doggies.are.happier.after.they.get.over.it), November 13, 2001.

ROTFLMAO

Helen you are too much... LOL

Still gigglin'...

Rollin' on the floor...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 13, 2001.

"would sick sexual practices be anything other than missionary??? (snicker) " hmmmm...... doggie style???

Eccentric, eclectic, a lil nuts, alota nuts, yahoo's and downright wacky individuals...in other words, people I would invite to my house : ) AND I LOVE IT!!!

An immoral girlscout cookie....named Lolita.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), November 13, 2001.

Doggie style... Cap'n you are too much... You seem to be someone I need to party with... Got booze?

Sniffin' in the liquor cabinet...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 15, 2001.

Did you say "party" Dog? Well Hell Yesssss!!!!!!

* Got booze!!! What a question : )

Next time ya find yourself down in FL we'll turn a few up.

The cabinet is primed and waitin'.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), November 15, 2001.

Cap'n,

I don't get to FL much, but I will send you a note if I ever do, we will definitely get some 'exercise' with 12 oz curls... : )

15 days more in OR then I go home...

Lookin' at the clock...

The Dog

-- The Dog (dogdesert@hotmail.com), November 15, 2001.

"An immoral girlscout cookie....named Lolita."

Covered in chocolate just for you, cap'n. :)

-- Lolita (pamela_sue57@hotmail.com), November 15, 2001.

Want some Godiva lil girl?

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), November 15, 2001.

Drinking, partying, sex, and now godivas!

-- Blue Hair Society Alert! (LIL@GIRL.my.baggy.ass), November 15, 2001.

Gettin' better and better evryday eh!!!

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), November 15, 2001.

Look I didn't come here to read about everyone's sex life, or lack thereof. Can you please make a "sex" thread and keep it there?

-- (it's@only.me), November 15, 2001.