Obamacare

So the Supremes decided that while the government can't legally require you to buy a Chevy Volt, it can legally impose a stiff tax on you if you don't.

Romney is campaigning on the premise that he will work to get the whole thing repealed, which I believe to be as likely as putting a unicorn in every garage. Repeal would normally require a House majority, 60 votes in the Senate, and a compliant president. 2 out of 3 won't work, and I don't see the Republicans picking up enough Senate seats to pull this off.

The tiny ray of hope comes from the re-definition of the mandate as a tax. Tax measures are exempt from the filibuster in the Senate, so while repeal of the whole thing is probably impossible, it may be possible to hamstring it by repealing the tax part.

We shall see.

Burning Chrome

In William Gibson's book of the same name, a cyberhacker type attacks the bank account of a large corporate entity (Chrome) and successfully transfers most of the corporate finances to parts unknown but to him.

Today it seems, the feat has been duplicated, only larger as multiple European banks have had assets transferred to parts unknown. According to the story, it's still happening as the bankers are slow to slam the electronic doors to the vaults.

It's 7:50 PM MDT. Do you know where your money is?

In an unrelated story, the Obama campaign has announced that being outspent by Romney is no longer a worry.

QOTD

Here's why I'll never have a career in the government:

“If anyone wants to advance safety through regulation, it can’t be done without further loss of life,”

William Voss, chief executive officer of the  Flight Safety Foundation.

Also why we don't need any more government. By this reasoning the best way to expand the size of a bureaucracy is to have it fail at it's assigned mission, thus proving that more of the bureaucracy is needed.

Oh wait....

Making Human Organs

On a chip. The latest killer app for your I-phone? Hell if this works I'm getting one. I could use several new organs at this point, and the prognosis for the rest isn't getting any better.

Come to think of it, isn't Microsquash's latest offering called the Slab? Human organs squelching away on a slab? The stuff Mad Scientists are made of!

Fire!

Smoke to the North of me (Ft Collins and Boulder). Smoke to the South of me (Colo Spgs). Smoke to the East of me (Bennet), smoke all around me, here on the edge of the Smokey Mountains of Colorado.

Update: Wind shifts, flames move toward Boulder, hippies from Denver jostle to get preferred places down wind.

Headline Fun

Japan police probe man who cooked own genitals

Adding insult to injury....

Existential Question

If you still had a rotary dial phone, and the phone maze you got into wanted you to '"press one for English", would the dialed signal work?

How about text? Would dialing "5" 3 times get you an "L"?

Dead Tree Journalism

Here's a piece about how the old model of journalism can't possibly be done without, citing reporters writing copy up to their knees in floodwaters during Katrina. Money quote:

"Every citizen can be a reporter," she said.

It's already here. The Wall St Journal, Drudge, and Complete Colorado are already available on your wireless internet device.

Range Report, Hi Point 4095

And Remington Nylon 66, but for now, loading .40 S&W at Hodgdon's recommended maximum of 5.9 gr of Titegroup under Barry's 155 gr round nose hollow base plated bullets delivers 1450 fps from a barrel lapped with Dave Tubbs' lapping bullets. Average velocity with the recommended minimum load was 1380 fps. FWIW, using Barry's plated bullets in the lapped barrel, I got no evidence of the plating failing even at the maximum velocities.

 Notes on the Remington: The gun makes extensive use of plastic (Nylon, duh) which at 104 degrees is a bit soft. The scope will hold a zero as long as you handle the gun carefully and don't bang it around, otherwise it walks all over the place.

Gun Fun and Lessons Learned

Yesterday was the clubs Blow Up The World BBQ and day at the range. Generally a fun time.

1. Don't bring more stuff that you actually need. Yes it was 104 degrees, and yes the shelter was a good idea, but...

 2. Pack as much of the big bulky stuff as you can the night before. This is easier when you don't have to work late Friday after working late most of the week.

3. Don't try to squeeze too much into what should be mostly a social event. Bringing a postal match along detracts from the socialization. Bringing a difficult postal match and a novice takes a big hit.

4. Co-ordinate with your shooting buddies. We had enough water between us to douse a forest fire. Unfortunately all the fires are over 100 miles away.

Gun Fun

A good day at the range begins when you have to check the air in the tires of the stuff you plan to shoot there.

Gun Running

The president has invoked executive privilege in the matter of turning over documents relating to Fast and Furious. Notwithstanding the somewhat checkered history of this doctrine, it has been pointed out that the primary purpose is to protect confidential communications between the president and his cabinet or foreign dignitaries.

Invoking executive privilege implies a direct presidential involvement with the F&F program, which I'm sure the prez would just as soon remained very confidential, having denied knowing anything about it repeatedly.

It helps when the media, in possession of evidence to the contrary, suppresses it. Unfortunately those old videos that wound up on the web never actually go away, and often can't be erased no matter who is embarrassed by them.


This makes it look like not only did everyone of any consequence get involved in the program, but that it was the president's brainchild to begin with.

Entrepreneurial Capitalism

Over on the Firearm Blog there's an article that restores my faith in the free market economy. Here's a fellow who recognized the opportunity in the New York gun buybacks, and is taking advantage of it.

It seems the NYPD will give you up to $300 for turning in a gun, no questions asked, and will then destroy the evidence for you. Being of an artistic bent, and full of avarice, Tom Sachs first builds zip guns as art, charges people to see them, then turns the art in to the NYPD who actually pays him for it.

This one actually works as opposed to some of the other items which are non-working art pieces.

Euroeconomics

France has elected a solid majority of Socialists to their parliament to compliment the Socialist they just elected president.

This will not end well, and with the kind of support President Francois Hollande is about to get, the end should be quite near. Keep a supply of popcorn around, and some nice California wine to go with it.

My bank here in Colorado, is ultimately owned by the biggest bank in France. Perhaps I should consider relocating some funds.

Ammo Shortage?

I asked my daughter for a brick of .22 for fathers day. Cheap and easy to find at Wal-Mart.

Wal Mart didn't have any. Instead they had mini-bricks, 225 rounds in smaller boxes.

When the zombies come, aim carefully, the ammo you save will be your own.