peejman

I guess it's nice to know that in regards to murder rate, we're better than most 2nd and 3rd world countries.  That's interesting and all, but how does the US compare to other "industrialized nations"?  Just looking at the colors on the map, I doesn't seem we're much better than anyone else.   ... ok so I read one of the sited links ... http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/oct/10/world-murder-rate-unodc  ... and downloaded the spreadsheet....   The US is 104th on that full list when ranked from lowest rate to highest.    Do I question the reporting in a lot of those places?  Yep.  I know a thing or two about statistics and I'm a firm believer that there's lies, damn lies, and statistics. 

I've used the H&R Block software for the past several years.  My taxes are fairly simple and its quick and easy. 

Are you car camping or backpacking?    Do everything possible to keep you and your stuff dry.  Cold isn't fun, wet isn't fun, cold and wet sucks beyond imagination.  Damp wood will burn, but it takes a hot fire.  You might consider one of those fire starter logs to help get the fire hot enough to get the damp wood going. 

    So is the helicopter government owned?  The $1000/hr is typical of something like a Jet Ranger which is commonly used.  If they're flying something much larger (Blackhawk-ish), then cost would be considerably higher.  But I'd expect something like a Blackhawk to belong to the National Guard.  Seems like they'd happily call it a training exercise.  That's still us taxpayers footing the bill, it just comes out of a different bucket.  I'm a bit surprised TWRA could afford/justify a $10k/hr expense for something like that.  But then, I'm routinely surprised at what sorts of things our tax money is wasted on. 

    At least you have a basement.  All we have is the laundry room.

    Source?   The helicopter typically costs about $1000/hr plus fuel ($200/hr) to operate including the pilot.  Seems like the local SWAT snipers would appreciate some aerial practice and would be on the payroll anyway. 

    Agreed.  Fighting dogs go into a primal "kill everything" mode.  What if the fight came out of the truck?  Now you've fighting dogs loose in a busy public place.  Then what?   The article states that area has 1 animal control officer.  How far away was he/she and how long would it have taken to get there?  And again, then what?  Lasso one of the dogs in the fight and drag it out?  The other dog(s) are just gonna quit at that point?  Not likely.   If the fight went on long enough for the cops to get there in the first place, those dogs weren't stopping until one of them was dead.    I'd be pissed if the cops shot my dog too, but then I don't carry it around loose in the back of a truck.  And I'm sure they filled out the proper personal property damage forms if there were bullet holes in the truck. 

    Amen to that.             So we're all wrong and you're right?   Even the people who said the same thing as you?   :squint:           Be sure you understand how the gun patterns at close ranges with your chosen ammo.  Some have very tight patterns and aren't nearly as forgiving as you might think.

Purdy!

My wife also hated the .38 snubby I rented for her.  Between the muzzle blast and heavy DA trigger, she hated it.  I didn't much like it either.  Now she has an all metal S&W 9mm compact.  Runs like a top, 12+1 capacity, mild recoil, and she has no issue 'racking the slide'.    That said, you should get her the handgun she picks.   And speaking of women and 'racking the slide'...  I've shown a bunch how to do it and all of them could do my .45 compact with ease once they learned how.  The thing I learned is that most women have some apprehension about it, so they're tentative.  That's what prevents them from doing it.  Once you get them past that hurdle and convince them that they can't hurt the gun or themselves, its easy.  "That mindless hunk of metal is mocking you.  Get a little angry at it.  Don't let it beat you."  A little aggression and voila, they do it easily.   ....   Read more ->  http://www.corneredcat.com/article/running-the-gun/rack-the-slide/

  :rock:     Very interesting on the phosphorescence.  The nerd in me is gonna have to look that up at some point.

    I wish I had that problem.  Been up since about 4am.  The worst of it isn't supposed to get here until mid-morning, though the wind has been howling for hours. 

      That's absurd.  :shake:

    If you don't mind getting in/ou of the crawlspace, it's probably the best option.  How often do you need to get at them anyway?  Sounds like your stuff is sealed up quite well.  At the least, you could move them to the crawlspace in June and back to the garage in September. 

I've been interested in a bow for a while as well.  I work with several avid bow hunters and have been told that used gear is the way to go.  Everyone seems to have a preference regarding one brand or another, but I think the differences are nil for a beginner.  I'm also told that most newer bows have a fairly wide range of adjustment, though I haven't a clue what's right and what's not. 

    They do indeed.  I didn't notice them until mentioned. 

Wow.   His comments about civility.....   right on.    My mom also made me return a Hot Wheels car I stole from K-mart and apologize to the store manager when I was about age 8.  I've never forgotten how horrible I felt being forced to do that.

Could be a powder horn, they had match-lock guns then.  But I'd bet that in that day, the dogs did most of the work and the person only came in to finish the critter off. 

Welcome from a TTU alum...

Welcome!

    If you've got moisture issues, I'd fix that first.  Lots of long-term problems can result.    My house had one corner of the crawlspace (slopes from 48" - 18") that stayed kinda damp.  I fixed the drainage problem on the outside (I think) and put down 6 mil plastic vapor barrier.  It made a huge difference.  You could start by putting a few concrete stepping stones on top of the plastic.  That will prevent the concrete from wicking moisture from the ground and give you something solid to sit the buckets on. 

Dang.  Somehow I was hoping this story involved hookers.  Is that wrong?

I suspect you found the culprit with the scratches on the brass.  But you might check the extractor itself.  I'm not real familiar with the M&P but it sounds like the extractor is slipping off the rim.  Is there any tension adjustment for it, or is the tip of it worn or deformed at all?  I would guess that FTE's from the extractor slipping off the rim would be a "snowball effect" failure.  The first one damages it a little bit, the 2nd one a little more, etc.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/   http://www.handgunlaw.us/states/georgia.pdf

Heat and critters are the enemy.  I keep stuff like bird seed and dog food in my garage.  I've had to put both of them in sealed plastic containers to keep the mice out.    Keep the canned goods low or on the concrete floor away from any heat source (doors, water heater, etc.).  The concrete will help regulate the temperature.  Rotate your stock.... maintain a FIFO system.   http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/food/food_safety/handling/hgic3505.html   You mention a root cellar.... got a crawlspace?  It'll stay cooler in there than in your garage.  If you use it, moisture is the main concern.