btq96r

  It's a weak draft class by comparison, but every team is dealing with that, so it isn't a problem unique to the Titans.    Offense or defense, a tackle in the first round isn't bad at all provided he is ready to play in the NFL and isn't injury prone.  Draft the right one, lock in a contract extension early enough, and you can have him as a steady presence for a long time to build around.

My SPR type build is going to be a bit behind you in the pipeline.  Once I got that scope we all went crazy for, it was a matter of setting aside some money here and there for it.   I'm working on getting the right rail for it now.  My barrel is only 16", but since I'm like you and only want to reach out to 300 yds or so, I'm fine with that.  I also need to flip a coin and decide if I want a standard collapsible stock, or to put an A2 stock on there, and decide on what muzzle brake/compensator I want.  Finally, I'm deciding if I want an adjustable gas block or not.   Decisions, decisions...all good ones to have to make I suppose. :D

So, I'm far from a Titans fan, but I do like to see them do well since it's a positive for the community.   But drafting Mariota?  I really don't see any large benefit over Mettenberger that justify using the #2 pick on him.  I think the Titans front office were hoping for the kings ransom for that pick, and seriously misjudged their environment.   Here's hoping they draft some good offensive lineman...otherwise no matter if it's Mariota or Mettenberger taking snaps, Titans QB is still going to be the most dangerous job in Tennessee.

  They do when they go in looking for something to find.  And coming from suburbia, I know that it isn't all white.      I am looking at percentages as compared to the population.    Not a cop, and not sure what quantifies as "working around them."  But I know from casual conversation, social media, and good old fashioned common sense that there is a sentiment brewing deep in minority communities at how they have been targeted by law enforcement.  Coupled with unemployment or underemployment and it's a powder keg waiting for a spark.   Ferguson, Baltimore...these are harbingers of the future, IMO.  I think we're going to see more of it every time there is the least bit of suspicion involving a minority and an LEO, especially as the minority-majority factor continues to grow.

  When it comes to colleges, that would only be a benefit for the occasional visitor to campus, not the employees or students who have an HCP, but could still be caught up in discipline measures by the school.

  I really think the Tacoma is the best "all purpose" truck out there.  Not too small, and not too big, with a great longevity to them.  The only thing stopping me from owning one is that my current truck (a Ford Ranger) just won't die, and I refuse to buy a new vehicle without a need to.

  I'm the same way.  When I see a perfectly painted AR, my mind associates that with it being a safe queen.

  This being California, I never said they were going to be smart about it.  :)   Honestly, I'd like to see California split into three.  Roughly everything above Sacramento would be one state, then divide the rest into two states with a border somewhere around Bakersfield.  That way there is no disruption to the balance of political power nationally (such as when AK and HI were admitted to the union) and all the nice land in NorCal can be kept for good use.  Let San Fran, LA, and the rest deal with the consequences of their actions.

      I think there is a marked difference between committing and convicted when we talk about crimes, with targeting minorities leading to the large discrepancy in the latter.  With all the laws on the books, a heavy enough police presence could turn white suburbia into a heavy crime zone given enough time and a robust enough DA office willing to prosecute.  The "war on drugs" related crimes/convictions are bringing in a lot of the statistics here.  In my mind, it's time for a hard look at those laws...but that's  side subject, probably.   I also never said that the rioting was a form of protesting.  I would like to think I'm clear enough on only supporting protesting against the government and the actions of the police, not random looting and destruction in the community.  I think blocking streets, defying a curfew, disobeying orders to disperse, etc..are legitimate methods of protest, but destroying whatever business you run across is not.

  It's a fact that minorities are engaged (I’m speaking non-lethal engagements here, ie: police stops, arrests) more than non-minorities by law enforcement, largely as a result of profiling.  From Boston, to New York, to DC...this is a problem up and down the densely populated northeast corridor.  Throw in Chicago, and Los Angeles for good measure, and we have a national problem.    I'd be ready to take to the streets if I was in that demographic and can't fault their emotions.  When they march on City Hall and the Police stations they have my full support.  That support is non-existent for the folks looting CVS and other places of business.  It's a shame the rioters are taking away the attention from the legitimate protests.       So?

  If you wanted to get the police in trouble, and yourself off the hook, how would you go about it?    Me, I'd bash my face against the side of the van so there are gashes, bumps, or even a broken nose for my booking photo.  I certainly wouldn't try to give myself a severed spine, which could kill me, and I wouldn't even know how to go about it if I wanted that option.       Or they are dangeling a plea bargain or dismissial of the charges in his face for saying he thinks Gray intentionally was trying to injure himself.  I'm just not trusting a leaked story by the BPD that tries to move the spotlight from their investigation.

  Aside from the not so casual reminder to the government that people can and will rise up, the riots serve no purpose.  I'm not supporting them, but I am supporting those people who took to the streets in legitimite protest.   If I was living under the heavy handed thumb of the police state like minorities in big cities are, I wouldn't be standing by quietly for the same old "sweep it under the rug" once the media attention dies down treatement either.  Government needs to know people are watching.

  Hmm...let's give the "he may have tried to hurt himself" story an old fashioned smell test.   The prisoner, who is currently in jail, was separated from Gray by a metal partition and could not see him. His statement is contained in an application for a search warrant, which is sealed by the court. The Post was given the document under the condition that the prisoner not be named because the person who provided it feared for the inmate’s safety.   The document, written by a Baltimore police investigator, offers the first glimpse of what might have happened inside the van. It is not clear whether any additional evidence backs up the prisoner’s version, which is just one piece of a much larger probe.     The prisoner, who is in jail, could not be reached for comment. No one answered the phone at his house, and an attorney was not listed in court records.     So...this is a leaked story, to a major newspaper- which guarantees the story will be re-posted/linked/shared by the traditional media and blogosphere alike.  It was written by the police and can't be confirmed by the "witness" or anybody who might have had contact with him since then...   ...call me skeptical.       He was in police custody when he died.  The Baltimore Police Commissioner already admitted to flaws in the way he was handled.   I don't care how long is rap sheet was, they were responsible for his safety.  If we can't get it in us to be upset when someone dies in police custody because of intentional or incompetent conduct, we have a problem.

The enthusiasm for campus carry in Tennessee is about on par with Constitutional Carry.  Throw in reflex opposition from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), and it's a very uphill fight.  When vehicle carry passed, TBR made it very clear, that did nothing but remove the criminal penalties for carrying in a car.  They were quick to point out it's cause for firing employees, and expulsion for students.

Good info here.  Feel free to add your own data to help out with the sample size. http://nfatracker.com/

  Too much energy costs to make it a sound investment before it's do or die. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-05-01/energy-makes-up-half-of-desalination-plant-costs-study http://www.usbr.gov/research/AWT/energy_use.html

Had to deal with the ant invasion a few weeks ago at my house.  Somehow they found a way directly into my kitchen, which I found out  after saying "I'll clean it up in the morning" one night.  I sprayed and set out the traps.  It's worked so far.

Hipower, glad you were able to get some mags.  Much rather they go to someone who already has a Scorpion and will put them to use out on the range, than to the vultures who are going to list them on GunBroker and Armslist the day they come in the mail for twice what they paid.   I've been tapering off my enthusiasm for the Scorpion.  Not because I don't think it's awesome- it is- but I'm waiting for supply to catch up to demand, and price stability without having to synchronize my browsing to a time hack.  I'm also interested in seeing how the 922r issues are solved from CZ-USA and maybe some aftermarket companies.  I don't want to automatically SBR a Scorpion, as I think the brace adapter and CAA saddle would work fine, but I would like the option available.   So, with regards to the Scorpion, unless the chance to get one for a great deal comes my way, I'm going to exercise some tactical patience.  Hard as it may be.

I really wish the police wouldn't release the address of the home that was broken into.  The last thing someone in that situation should want to worry about is someone coming to avenge their friend or family member.

  Insurance is going to pay for it, because that's what insurance is for.  Lawsuits will get tossed out because the police don't have a requirement to protect, as was referenced in this thread earlier.    As to a Guard callout...it's the National Guard, not the ready brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division.  You just can't pick up the phone and expect to see troops out on the street riki tik.  Getting them mobilized takes time.

Can you give us the links to those photos? I want to post them somewhere else.

I'm not understanding the logic of why the dust cover isn't on there.  It's not an expensive part or anything.

It's definitely not safe for work (NSFW) or children's ears, but check this out if you have the chance.  Baltimore needs more mothers to smack their sons like this for their own good. https://instagram.com/p/1_suRjlEmh/?taken-by=simply.ish

  If it comes out that this was all brought on by what amounts to "contempt of cop," Baltimore, and other cities around the country are going to explode even worse than when Ferguson happened.

I can sort of understand the Mayor's decision in this one.  Letting the rage burn itself out is a technique.  I'm not saying it's the right one, but I'm also not saying it's the wrong one.     I'm sure the Baltimore PD and other agencies are being stretched thin with the situation, and I wouldn't be surprised for them to conclude that they simply don't have the numbers to secure every place, and instead need to focus on key infrastructure in the city.  They may also want to keep LEO's from being spread out too much number wise, in light of the current threats being discussed.   I know we see these types of actions and think in terms of action/re-action, but you have to look at the whole board, including how much manpower you have available to meet the threat in the days to come events.       Doubt it.  The Supreme Court has already ruled that police don't have a Constitutional duty to protect individuals from harm, so I'm fairly sure property or business won't be able to carve out a case.