Saturday, February 1, 2014

Who Needs a Dashboard Camera?

After buying a dashboard camera, you feel like you are ahead of the GAME...until you realize that you are merely up to date with fellow drivers, and who really knows what devilish devices  law enforcement may have?     If you look around (no pun intended) you will find that dashboard cameras are becoming increasingly popular all over.  If you don't have one, here's what they look like:   ( It's the little box at the bottom of the pic)


 Google dashboard cameras and read the headlines and you find that most people are buying them for the same two reasons you bought yours for.  1) to protect yourself against police violence 2) to protect yourself in the case of an accident.
Nobody buys a dashboard camera TO SPY on anyone, at least not me.  I am not joking.  Okay, I suppose I did try to spy on some deer once, but unsuccessfully since my Night Vision is not working or (more probable) since  I don't know how to get it to work. And, oh yeah,  I do take notice every time I see a police car drive by.  Why's that?  Police misconduct is no game.   Look it up.  It's everywhere.  -- MM


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Who Needs a Shower Curtain?

"Something there is that doesn't love a wall"--Robert Frost

Bird baths are for birds, unless you go to a public school or small college in America.  At least that was my experience.  You had to take gym class and if you are going to get all stinky, it is only fair to those you are in close proximity with that you return to a tolerable aroma. The only option you had then was the communal shower.  I can't say I know anyone who looked forward to it back then and the thought of it makes me a little nervous even now.
I am not sure everyone feels the same as I do about privacy, though.  I was at the gym the other day where they  have about twenty shower stalls.  Trying to avoid everyone I went to the very last stall. Minutes later someone turns the shower on right next to me.  A minute or two after that, the shower comes on straight across from me.  Even though we are separated by walls on the side and a curtain in front, I don't want to hear a naked person making noises right next to me.  It just makes me nervous.  Why when nineteen of twenty stalls were open did they choose the one closest to me? 
By the way, I have had the same experience in the toilet stall.  I can go to the one the furthest away and inevitably someone will sit right next to me.  Can anyone explain this to me? 
I don't understand these people who do not love a wall or seemingly have little regard for privacy.  If I could, I would pay for them a trip to the  Olympics in Sochi where they can really "let it all hang out".

 
 
    
 



 

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Who Needs a Gun?

A kind police officer recommended that I buy a gun a few years ago...and I took his advice realizing  that "when seconds count, the law is just minutes away".   This first gun was a 38special revolver that I got off of my brother.  It was a good, safe introduction to firearms that I would recommend. 

I have since bought a few more guns, but I am not a gun guy in any way, shape, or form.  The most important thing you need to know--and this comes up in just about every conversation with a gun owner--is that you have to secure your weapon.  You don't want your weapon to end up in the hands of someone who could misuse it.

I know there is a lot of heated debate over gun ownership, but the thinking is counter-intuitive at times.  We seem to trust people with badges or uniforms with guns but not people without badges or uniforms...forgetting that PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE.  Why do we do this?

Something noteworthy is the CCDW license, if you need some added training.  It could be good or bad because the law will know you could potentially have a weapon on you.  As long as the law obeys the law, you should be okay though.  In my thinking, trust is something an individual must earn and I have several friends in law enforcement I trust.

Mostly for me, I use my guns for target practice.   It's "loads" of fun.  Here's a short clip of my mom shooting.  She loved it!  


        

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Who Needs the Police?

First I must say some of my best friends and heroes work in law enforcement, so this is not to bash any of  you guys.  I am just wondering what the expectations are, what the perception is of our police force by the public?  I can only give my experiences.  Here's a few off of the top of my mind...

 I've had a couple of warning tickets for speeding in my younger days, which was generous of the officers I thought.  I got one speeding ticket hot-rodding a car,  which I definitely earned and another for speeding ticket in town at 4am... which I thought was pretty lame, given I was the only vehicle on the road.  Oh, me and the officer I suppose.    I received a ticket on Sunday when no work was going on in a "work zone" and I was driving the normal 55mph speed.   Then there is the  experience in which I felt  racially harassed by a black police officer who had a need to refer to me as "Boy" instead of my name or Sir.  Of course I don't remember that guy too fondly.  And there's an experience in which I was driving without my lights on in town...is that a crime?...I attempted to get out of my truck to investigate the problem and the officer didn't like that very well and was not very kind to me.   But then there's my favorite... the officer who came to my house to investigate a crime and recommended that I buy a gun.  I listened to that officer.

What has been your experience?