leroy

This is a great thing!! Just exactly the club i was thinkin about! On a less delightful note; i, like you, are interested in the interpretation. The damn hospital and doctors wont let me go "really armed" when i go see 'em (...im having to do that more and more; sadly...). I'm interested in keeping the yahoos from taking my baby aspirin (...and money --- what little there is...) from me in the parking garage. I see the ASP or sap as a great way to do that. I'm interested in the report from the "baton training" myself. FWIW; and old buddy of mine who is a reserve policeman said "dont worry about it". Just carry it and go about your business (...and ive done that from time to time; but i live in Knox county; they are pretty ignorant down there...). Keep up the good work! Leroy

Barry:________________ Thanks for the kind words. They are much appreciated. I believe as you do (....and as many others here do....) that real people have to take back the political discourse. RE: LBJ --- LBJ was one of the most delightful, windsome, and rascally political personalities in modern times. You couldn't help but love his style and antics no matter the political persuasion. I was about 21 years old when LBJ made the speech that i referenced. Any student of modern history (...or oratory...) should take the time to go to Youtube and watch some of LBJ's speeches (...if they are there...). RE: Beck. I see Beck just like you do. He is an "over the top" guy; and that tends to stir things up. I think Fox needs to team Beck up with Geert Wilders from the Netherlands; they would really have some incenderary stuff then!! I love Wilders; he is a great Dutchman. Keep up the good work. Leroy

Mosinon is exactly right. The truth is always the truth. The howling about Assange's character is just that; "...howling...". It's a desperate attempt to take the public's focus off the content of the messages and focus on discrediting the messenger. Dont allow yourself to be dragged of into the bushes about Assange's character; that aint the problem here, and those doing the howling well know that. If folks want to be mad about all this, the anger should be directed toward the overbearing insiders who are doing the wrong thing and being embarrased by all this, and the system that allowed a gay PFC to download it. How's that for '...dont ask -- dont tell?... . For additional reading on this subject; i would recommend this article by my genius heartthrob Ann Coulter's article at Townhall. Link here: Bradley Manning: Poster Boy for 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' - Ann Coulter - Townhall Conservative Highly recommended. Great read. leroy

Folks:____________ I (...like many of you ...) dont believe that being a stinkin lawyer (...TGO company excepted, of course!...) and a political operative all you life is the ultimate qualification for political office. The "Best and Brightest" would have you think that a JD degree from an Ivy League School plus "prior public service" are a necessity for leadership position in politics. I say to all that: "...Baloney!!..." That is about 2/3 of what's wrong with our political system. The "Fortunate Sons (...and daughters..[ and haints in pelosi and hillary's case]...), for the most part, are a detriment to this country. They actually believe the malarkey that says that they are, in fact, "...the best and brightest...". That means that any "lesser being" (...Ronald Reagan --- a no talent actor, and non "Ivy League" commoner; -- for example...) automatically cant be as smart or dedicated as these "anointed ones" are. On a more sobering note, it also means that you (...the citizen...) aint smart enough to know what's good for you and the country either. This, in my view, is the ultimate elitism and narcissism. They see the real citizens of this country as serfs to be told what to do and think; and i despise that. It is time for real leaders who are not necessarily connected to the "Fortunate Sons and Daughters" system be brought into politics. Character in politics (...and everywhere else...) matters. The root of many of our political problems in all areas of public, corporate, and military life in this country are directly traceable to a serious lack of both talent and character. Without character, it is impossible to do the right thing, and that is a great problem in our political, corporate, and legal systems today. I've got no real problems with "real folks" like Sarah Palin, Bobby Jindal, or other "outsiders". Their real test will be the "integrity test". The reason that these people are beinging savaged and slandered by the "inside the beltway crowd" is exactly that they are outsiders and are not part of the "Best and Brightest" fraternity. I say, bring on the new blood; the old system stinks!! Libertarian Leroy

I think JAB hit a homerun right here: A better analysis has never been given of these two than here!! Hillary is a white Nobama with a skirt and a real brain. Great work!! I think the great thing for us is that Hillary may well be drug down with the Nobama crowd. I think the fun is just beginning. Wait until the House and Senate starts fighting with everybody in Nobama's administration. The sad thing (....for Hillary...) and the good thing for us (...i think...) is that after what happened in 2010 and what i think will happen between 2010 and 2012; no Demorat will be able to be elected. Nobama and his gang will finish any hope of a Demorat win, because they dont care -- they are idealogues and narsissists at heart. I cant wait for the fireworks to start. That means that Hillary will have to wait until the 2016 election to try again. 2016 will make her about 69 years old (...i think, not sure...). That's a long time to be here, and lots of the commie, sociaist trash in my (...and her...) generation may (...thankfully for the country...) be in the rest home or the grave by then. I think it is a cruel irony that a no count conniving "haint" like her is being "cheated by fate" like this; dont you? HEHEHE! Keep up the good work! Leroy

7dog:_______________ Had to think about this one a bit; and still don’t know just how to give a real good answer; so I’ll hook it with a bit of political history to help explain my wishy-washy answer. After thinkin a bit; I think ya can boil this down to two issues: 1. Will this help government and will it push things back to ‘original intent” of politics as service? 2. Did someone want this to happen? Is it a “red herring” to take our minds off the real problems? Will this help “clean up government”? If real bad things come out (…yet to be determined; the stuff so far aint incriminating --- just embarrassing…) the answer is “Yes”. If anyone is able to be handed good evidence of willful lying to congress or the American people; or “cooking or tailoring data” there will be trouble. This is the “bone” that politicians, pundits, and those who are suspicious of entrenched government (…think Libertarian here…) are looking for. It will lead to a purge of some folks that ought to go. It will re-remind people to be suspicious of government and career bureaucrats (…military as well as civilian…). I count that a good thing. This sort of thing forced LBJ not to run for a second term in the 1968 presidential race. Nixon ® beat Hubert Humphrey (D) on the Vietnam issue (…Humphrey got 42.7% of the vote, Wallace got 13.5%, and Nixon got 43.4%...). That meant that the democrat popularity fell from a high of about 61% to 43% --- that’s pretty serious for one four year period. I well remember LBJ’s televised announcement that he would not seek the Democrat Nomination for this second full term (…remember, he served out Kennedy’s term, and was elected to a first term in one of the greatest races of modern times in a real “landslide” (…468 electoral votes to 52 for Goldwater. Johnson won with a 61% popular vote!!...). LBJ looked like a man who had been told he had terminal cancer or had just been told that a loved one had died – it was a sad sight for television. LBJ was a great politician (…although a crook and “dealmaker”…); but you couldn’t help but like him on a personal basis. He was kind of like your “no count uncle” that you dearly loved because he was so outlandish and winsome --- not at all like this current crop of overbearing, unlikeable trash we have today. LBJ later said that he had been systematically lied to by the old “holdovers” from the Kennedy Camp (…chief among them was Robert McNamara…) over the “progress” in Vietnam. Remember, the main problem in Vietnam was a combination of supporting a bunch of thugs and incompetents in South Vietnam and civilian political “meddling” in military affairs that destroyed any hope of finishing Vietnam in a timely way. The United States Military did not lose Vietnam; political wrangling and mis-reading of foreign leaders lead to us simply pulling out and letting the country fall into communist hands. The conclusion that I draw from the LBJ, Nixon, Vietnam thing is that people got mad when they found out what was going on in Vietnam and they took it out on the sitting politicians; and that could well happen again this time around. I will grant that things were much different then (…everybody was touched by Vietnam and the draft was on…). Today, we have a volunteer army and a much smaller fraction of the population affected by these “wars”; but there are folks still dying. I think that could easily happen again, if incriminating evidence comes out of any of this Wikileaks thing. As to the question of “…will things turn back to “original intent”…?” The answer is a quick “NO”. It never will, because (…I think…) the Founding Fathers never envisioned the idea of political interests being able to use military means effect political change somewhere else in the world. The Founding Fathers were “Isolationists” (…and I think that is a good thing…). This stupid meddling in foreign affairs started around WW1. The second question is pretty quick for me to; the answer is “No”. Politicians aint smart enough to orchestrate this sort of thing (…in my opinion…). They have been “bushwhacked” by it. That’s why I think it’s great. The sobering fact is that the future of this country lies in the hands of the voter. Let’s hope and pray that folks hold this entire sorry bunch accountable for the things they do. I believe that you may see the greatest shakeup in American politics since the Civil War over the Tea Party thing. You may see the Democrat and Republican party morph into a new party kind of like the European socialist party and the Tea Party become the new conservative party that stands for strict constitutional government, fiscal responsibility, capitalism, and smaller government. I certainly hope so. Clear as mud and ambiguous enough? Leroy

Zeus:____________ Check this link out: Collectors Firearms Leroy

Folks:____________ OS hit a homerun right here. The administration, the bureauracy, the Pentagon, the State Department, and our allies are concerned that the "real truth" will come out about our involvement and mischief in bunches of places around the world. The truth is that we regularly do some pretty henious things, that the polititians and some of their accomplices in the military are, in fact, running a series of "political wars" in various places around the world; and doing exactly what the politicos did in vietnam. As the great Smedley Butler said of World War I; "...War is a racket, and the cost is reckoned in innocent lives (...for the most part, American soldiers...) and the profits reckoned in (...mega...) dollars (...and influence...)"..... To pharaphrase OS's eloquent observation: "..the gubment is (...and has been...) lying about lots of things to lots of people...". Their political actions have made the middle east "Vietnam" and i believe that they are deathly afraid that some of these leaked cables will bear out that suspicion and give concrete proof to their involvement in this 'kabal". I firmly believe the indignation and rage you see is the product of a real fear that the truth will come out and both sides of the aisle will be saddled with it (...and, by the way, i think both sides are guilty...). If these things come out; it will give the american people a shocking look at exactly how sorry our foreign policy is and how completely morally bankrupt the majority of politicos and bureaucrats who are calling the shots in this "theatre of operations" are at this juncture in our nation's history. I predict that if this does come out, everybody will have the pitchforks out and will be calling for a clean sweep of many old time polititians and career bureaucrats that are currently residing inside the beltway. I say: "...let it happen..." Food for thought Leroy

I understand; and i understand why you think that. This nation has some very serious problems that need fixing. I hope and pray that they can be for our children and grand children; otherwise this country will not be fit to live in. Thanks. Leroy

I'm proud of ya son!!!! Seriously, I AM proud of you. Take care of that dad. There are many here that cant do that anymore. Keep up the good work. Leroy

I think the lesson here is a variation of what the great John Wayne said in one of the old time westerns. "...I hate a secret!! They cant be kept! ....". I dont want to see this country (...or any allies, for that matter...) have military personnel endangered thru this type stuff. We are doing enough of that through our own foolish actions. That being said; I don't have a big problem with american opinions being publically stated on individual leaders, foreign policy, and "...calling a spade a spade..." on some of the self-serving actions of other countries who purport to be our allies. I believe that the oil sheiks believe they have bought us (...i'm beginning to believe that one myself...) and view us as "paid mercenaries" to do the dirty work they cant do themselves and remain "leaders and brother muslims". I think the chinese distain us and believe they will finally own us as a "vassal state" (...even i'm beginning to believe that one too...). The list goes on and on... Remember this one thing; the USA lost the "high moral ground" in the diplomatic arena a long time ago when we started cozing up to our enemies, backing thugs in government coups in other countries, pardoning and using our old enemies in the espionage business, and doing all the the things that the foolish do. We sell out our allies and embrace our enemies depending on the whim of the administration that is in power and do whatever looks to be expedient at the time. When you do those things, you can't expect anybody to respect you; --- be he friend or foe. The despots of the world have to be "laughing their collective a**es off at the antics of the current administration (...and some of it's predecessors, too; both demorat and republican...) over American foreign policy since the end of WW2. I believe our "word needs to be our bond" regardless of administration. I believe that we need to call our enemies our enemies, and i believe we need to call out those (...including the chinese...) who do things that cause mischief and harm. We need to stop this "damnable double speak" when we talk to our friends and our enemies. Mabee the Wikileaks thing will embarass us enough for us to quit this damn appologizing to everyone for everything and cause us to call a "spade a spade" and to stand with our allies and against our enemies; but i aint gonna hold my breath waiting for it. Food for thought. Leroy

HvyMtl and OS:________________ I think it's a pretty easy task to get others to join your opinons RE: Political corruption and change. We can all agree on that. The question then becomes "...how will political change be effected that will restore the idealistic values of limited government, less corruption (...i dont believe you will ever remove it all, we are human. ...), return to the principles outlined in the Constitution (...without the nuanced baloney of 'tailoring" it as a "living document"...), capitalism, Individual responsibility (...for success or failure...), destruction of the "nanny state" and the "social hammock" in which the lazy rest, sensible foreign policy (...more akin to minding our own business, and less "protecting of "stratigic interests"...), retreat from socialist policies, etc -- on and on. We've heard lots of opinion on "why we're concerned" and some "it wont work"; how do you think this should be handled? I aint tryin to beat either one of ya up; I genuinely interested in what you think should be done. Remember, the election of Andrew Jackson: Jackson's election was the direct result of folks getting mad about a bunch of "ruling elites" doing something they (... the voter...) didnt like. I think that is what is happening with the Tea Party today. Remember what the great Ambrose Bierce quipped: "....There are four boxes protecting the United States, the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. ..."). We all need to hope and pray that the first two "boxes" work. By the way: Smith's observations are "dead on". Here they are again: The discussion of "what the present government is more like" is largely an academic exercise, and is largely irrevellant except to us political junkies. The fact is that the current "Nobama-Pelosi-Demorat" administration is authoritorian in nature, contemptuous of freedom, socialist leaning, anti-capitalist in nature, over-reaching into the private sector (...GM and health care to name two...), too cozy with the banking houses, over-regulating, ---on and on --- and more and more people dont like it. I count this 'Tea Party" and "voter revolt" a good thing --- its the first and second "boxes' that Bierce referred to in action. Always remember this: ----The real important thing (...in my mind, at least...) is fixing what's wrong with the present crop of socialist trash currently in charge; by removing their majority and ultimately making them politically irrevelant. I think that is exactly what is happening with the Tea Party, increased Libertarianism, and the 2010 mid-terms. Let's hope (...and pray...) it continues. Food for thought. Leroy

Lester:____________ Congratulations!! You'll like it, im sure. Of course you know you have started another "hobby". There is as much stuff for jeeps as there is for guns!! Start here: Jeep Parts, Jeep Accessories & Jeep Soft Tops From The Jeep Parts Experts - Quadratec ; and here: 4X4 Wheels, Tires, Lift Kits, Winches, & Accessories for Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Jeep, Toyota & Nissan 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles @ NTW Have fun! Leroy

Groit:______________ Try here, Fox And Company. Link here: Fox & Co - Knoxville, TN, 37918 - Citysearch Good luck. Leroy

I think there are some issues arising in the thread that need to be discussed further. I always like it when us regular folks think on important thoughts. HvyMtl appears to be making a couple of thought provoking points. They appear to be: "Are we facilitating corruption and the status quo by voting for the lesser of two evils; and thereby facilitating the continuation of the "current corrupt state" and selling out our collective virtue by doing so?...." "Has the Tea Party sold out by allowing some GOP'ers to hang on and be part of the process? After all; didnt we want to vote 'em all out?..." RE: The first question. I believe that folks have long been "ruled against their will" by the " elite ruling class" (...both demorat and republican...). The majority of folks chose to tolerate a moderate amount of discomfort in hopes that it would somehow get better. That didn't happen; thats why we have seen the Tea Party become so popular. Folks simply got tired of what is going on. I think that is a good thing. It was a gradual process, pushed over the edge by the radicalism of the Demorat party, the election of a radical socialist as president, and a failure of the opposition party to do anything other than be polititians. Why not take HvyMtls's purist point of view that postulates that the minute that a polititian does anything you dont like, throw him out! --- Which, by the way, I think is a great idea....? The answer, as great as it sounds and attractive as it is that; it's unworkable in our two party system. If you quit politics the minute a polititian does something you dont like, you wont stay active in politics too long. That becomes a problem over time, because when you quit, the more radical and base among us dont; and they eventually become the majority. That is exactly what has happened with the Demorats. Take a look at todays Demorat party; it is a far cry from the party of Harry Truman. Moral of this little dissertation. You can't afford to quit politics the minute a polititian does something you dont like. Regarding the "collective virtue". Most polititians well know they can get away with a certain amount of "rascalism" if they dont offend too many of their constituents. The real polititians hone this ability to a fine art. If you are around politics very long using our two party system; you need to be prepared to be sold out and offended, because it will happen sooner or later. There aint no "collective virtue"; there is only "individual virtue". In my view, not voting is, in effect, pacifism; i dont see pacifism as a virtue. I liken it more to the old "...i'll take my ball and go home..." fit of the childish. It sounds pretty good, but doesnt work out in the long run; because the no counts always win with that option. The other solution is the "anarchist" solution; shoot or otherwise remove those you dont agree with. I see that one as a non starter too. RE: The second question. "...the Tea Party has sold out because it allowed some GOP'ers to join its ranks. Let's throw 'em all out...". Make no mistake, i like the 'throw 'em all out" idea on a personal basis. I think it sends the right message. The Tea Party movement just doesnt have enough support to do that yet. I believe that it soon will have however. All polititians in the GOP have been sent a clear message for the most part. The message is "...we're watching, be careful what you do...."; and that's ok with me. I think that it is inevitable that some elements of the GOP will try to "push back", i just dont see 'em being very effective at it in the long run. Like i've said before; i believe that some of these GOP politicos (....like Karl Rove, for example...) better make up with the Tea Party, or they will find themselves suddenly unemployed. I think it's a bit early to say the Tea Party has "sold out". The Tea Party movement back toward smaller government and libertarian values is just getting started. It's beginning to clean up a mess that started with Woodrow Wilson in 1914. It will take a long time to straighten it up. I understand the frustration, though; i'd like to see it move faster myself. RE: The Nazi analogy is a fair one. Not in detail, but in overall approach. The Nazis were authoritarian. So are the present crop of ruling elite Demorats and their enablers. More like Stalin and the Soviets than the Germans. And, by the way, ...No, the government aint going to turn this place into a captive state. We are still armed. They are, however, trying to make us poorer and working mightily to make us all serfs. Libertarian Political Operative Leroy (...still armed...)

Glad to answer these: This happened in 2002. Campaigned against Alexander here in ET; supported Bryant. Bryant is a good guy. Check this out: Ed Bryant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaBryant wasn't as politically connected as Alexander (...nor Corker...). In my opinion; he is a much better man than both of them. Sadly, he simply didnt have the resources and name recognition the other two did. Bob Clement ran against Alexander that year. I voted against Clement. That, by the way, was a vote for the "lesser of two evils"; a common practice for lots of folks in elections who see voting as a clear responsibility. RE: Didn't vote for Rangle, and dont like him. He is, in my view, a great picture of all that's wrong with the Demorat party, politics in general, and lots of things above the Mason-Dixon Line. I could care less if they barbecue him. Rangle was ratty enough that his own party threw him under the bus. If that sorry bunch of trash thought he had done bad things; it's a slam dunk that he did. And yeah; i was extremely hard on him. I made a value judgement, and thought the derision was well warranted. By the way, Rangle aint a Republican. By the way, after thinking a bit, i think Mosinon is exactly right in all his points. The "political insiders" in both parties have went after some of the Tea Party folks with a vengence. My problem is that the first real "scorched earth" politicing i ever saw happened in Tennessee in 1978. Leroy

HvyMtl:_____________ I believe this is "over the top" rhetoric: I dont remember being "for corruption"; I doubt that you can find anyone here that is. You seem to be confusing "another view" with blind partisanism; it aint the same thing. You might want to take a baby aspirin and tone the rhetoric down a bit; this aint a courtroom. I figure my point is a valid one. In my view, folks need to be worried about these "scorched earth" prosecutions far more than the "corruption" they purport to clean up. It is the most heinous "abuse of political power" because it uses the power of the court to punish enemies. I'm not nearly enamored of those who practice law as some of others are here. I think "legal jihadists" are far more dangerous than the politicos you seem to be so contemptuous of. While we are having this frank little discussion; I would remind you that all court offficers are, in fact, political operatives. I challenge you to find one that isn't. The sad fact is that many of these "legal political operatives" are appointed; not duly elected by popular vote. If ya start assigning "relative lowness and rattiness" to these guys; my assessment is that they are a notch or two below the politicos. Piling on Delay is ok. Putting words in my mouth by innuendo and verbal gymnastics aint ok. Leroy

Dont entirely disagree with the first sentence. Do disagree with the second. I'm not taking up for any of them (...especially the long timers...); i'm simply pointing out what i think is going on and amassing a pretty good pile of evidence to substantiate it. I would be the last to confer any "sainthood" on any politico that is a long time member of any political body; but i believe there are some folks out there that are NOT ELECTED or elected at the state and local level in the prosecutorial and judicial ranks that are running wild; and i see that as a very bad thing --- much worse than the legislative mischief; because it can be directed at anyone they dont agree with (...as the great Elwood Blues said; "you, me --them..") using police power. Remember this little caveat: There is, indeed, a "political class" that seeks as it's duty the ruling of the "unwashed multitudes" (...like us...). The problem is that politics has become a "scorched earth" business and there are politicos that will use every tool in their toolbox to go after their oponents, including criminal prosecutions; and that is a relatively new thing. The "scorched earth" policy is a bad one in my view. It smacks of the old soviet "show trials" and hurts some folks who are clearly innocent. Leroy

Great stuff!! Reafirms the individual right to bear arms. Thanks for posting this neat piece. Keep up the good work. leroy

Great idea!!! Leroy

Lest we dare to think that all this is not politically motivated; check these two links out: The first is the Ronnie Earl entry: Ronnie Earle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The present prosecuting attorney in Travis county (....a heavily Demorat county...) is Ms Rosemary Lehmberg. My guess is that the jury pool is heavily demorat too; what da ya think? Check this out: Tom DeLay's trial will be in Travis County, Texas - CNN Right here is what the demorats are really going after Delay for: Link here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101124/ap_on_re_us/us_delay_trial_32 Food for thought. Leroy

I'll give y'all a little bit to think about. My take on all this is that it is, in deed, a political reprisal; but ill temper all of what i have to say with a caveat that most all long-time politicians get get a bit "ratty" and corrupt; and that works on both sides of the aisle. Several years ago, the state of tennessee had a gubernatorial candidate by the name of Lamar Alexander who founded his considerable political career running against the "crooked" policies of a sitting Democrat governor by the name of Ray Blanton. Alexander was well connected with polititians himself and was a pretty formidable power in east tennessee politics ----- an "insider" himself, similar to those he ralled against. His opponent was a powerful east tennessee businessman named Jake Butcher. Alexander won the election for governor in 1978, and immeditately instituted a "scorched earth" policy thru state prosecutions against his political opponents . He purged the state of tennessee of "fatcat" democrats who had backed Butcher in the gubernatorial election. He used the full power of the state of tennessee and influence with the feds to criminally prosecute many of them. Make no mistake; there are enough laws on the books so it's easy to find one that public men have broken (...most of them intentionally...). Alexander's actions decimated the large demorat donors in the middle and west areas of tennessee; while leaving unscathed those who were doing the same thing for the republicans. I put Delay's conviction in the same catagory as those against the old time democrats right here in tennessee and the prosecution of "Scooter" Libby. It just shows how powerful some of the political forces are in this country when you accompany it with the "jihadism" that some politically motivated folks feel in the legal and prosecutorial fraternity (...who, by the way, are all political operatives..). In my view; that's the most dangerous thing out there. There could be a day when these "jhadist" take a look at little guys (....like gunowners and hunters for example...). The moral of this little dissertation; don't be to happy or smug about the "alleged triumph of justice" in the case of Tom Delay by the texas court system. I'ts most likely politically motivated and far from just. Remember, with the right cricumstances it can come to a location near you. Food for thought. Leroy

I'll take four (4). Let us know where to send the dollars. Leroy

Glad to pass the info along Steve. Mabee some other members will chime in on their experience. I wish you wuz closer and i could give ya some. The stuff reminds me of a very mild smelling neatsfoot oil (...if that makes sense..); about the same consistency. It works good on the wood grips and stocks too. Regards, Leroy

This one probably aint. Is it the "Spallation Neutron Source" at ORNL. Check this one out: China Spallation Neutron Source I do believe in these. Leroy