Printer Dissatisfaction

   A soldier in Iraq called HP to deal with a broken all-in-one printer. He was told he'd have to pay them in order to learn how to fix it. These are the subsequent events that follow...   This video was originally sent to HP directly in 2006. HP resolved the issue to the customer's satisfaction more than four years ago. HP also instituted a "no questions asked" technical support policy for all active duty soldiers and provides phone support at no charge even if the product is out of  warranty.

This policy remains in place  today. Regards, CEO Customer Relations.

I personally agree with the soldiers' actions. If he was instructed to call HP directly for support. HP should not have even blinked. The management of HP should have solved this on the spot. I know this video has cost them dearly.  No amount of Customer Relations can fix this. Even if they bought a new printer and personally took it to him. The system failed.  When the price of ink replacement costing more than the printers being produced, (unless you bought a high end model) it is NOT worth a tech support phone call. A new printer model comes out just about every six months or so - just get another one. Cheaper and less headaches in the long run. The trick is to make a printer that does not fail. Today products are designed to fail, so you keep coming back and buying more. I would rather support a company that believes doing it right, building it to last. I buy Canon printers myself.

Do you believe in Freedom?

I live in the United States of America, I am a proud citizen, I served in the United States Marine Corps. I believe and worship in GOD. My Freedom was not free, many Americans paid dearly for (your and my) freedom.

I have been told that 86% of Americans do the same. Therefore I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a problem in having 'In GOD! We Trust' on our money and having 'GOD' in the Pledge of Allegiance. If Muslims can pray on Madison Avenue, why are Christians banned from praying in public and erecting religious displays on their holy days? What happened to our annual, National Day of Prayer?

Obama says we can't have that, yet Muslims are allowed to block off Madison Ave. in NewYork and pray in the middle of the street! And, it's a monthly ritual!

Tell me again, whose country is this? Ours or the Muslims? I believe it's time we stand up for what we believe... It is time that 86% of Americans in America have the same privilege as the other 14% of the people in America!

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG,
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS,
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE,
WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!

Even in our Pledge of Allegiance we proclaim "LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL", So I ask "What is the problem?"


A Mother asked this President............ 'Why did my son have to die in Iraq?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die in Saudi Arabia?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die in Kuwait?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die in Korea?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die on Iwo Jima?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die in France?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?'

Another Mother asked this President... 'Why did my son have to die on a frozen field near Valley Forge?'

Then long, long ago, a Mother asked... 'Why Heavenly Father ... Why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?'

The answer is always the same... 'So that others may live and dwell in peace, happiness, and freedom.' Yes our Freedom has a price it has been paid for down through the years. So that we ALL can pray as we desire. Do you believe in your Freedom?

Friday Night Fever

CR1 Aeronca

When I can not fly my :Veronica"  Hobby Zone  model somewhere this is a great alternative.  What do you think?

RC LAB FUN

You all know by now that my 15 foot trailer is now home to my new addition "Veronica", she is a Hobby Zone beauty. A classic of all time. She is what is called a "Ultra Micro Model". She keeps her weight down to around 1 ounce. Which better than what I can do right now :).

I have found a new friend named Dylan, He is my contact at RC Lab Fun. Right off the bat you can tell he loves RC planes and flying. He has several model modifications for Veronica. He backs up a lot of what is on his site with You Tube videos and articles to get you grounded on the information you need to keep you flying and enjoying the hobby.  He does not have everything to rebuild Veronica if I have a 'Oops', but he has a lot of nice parts to help.  Below is a video showing how to add a 3 blade prop to one of Veronica's cousins. Dylan has 32 videos on his channel right now.

Thanksgiving Day 2010

It has been a long week for me and I just want to express my thankful thoughts to all of you that have touched my life in one way or another. Thank You and may GOD bless you and watch over you all. It snowed today here in Mansfield. It was the first snow of the season. and YES it is very cold, I am glad I have a warm trailer to stay in.

I like to send out special Thanks to the Wendell's and the Zeiacher's this season. You all have blessed me more than I can imagine. Thanks.

Friendship Candle

The Candle Of Love, Hope  & Friendship  


15th of September,  1998.  

Someone who loves you has helped keep it  alive by sending it to you. Don't let The Candle of  Love, Hope and Friendship die! Pass It On To  All Your Friends and Everyone You Love!   May God  richly bless you as you keep this candle burning..  
I hope it comes back someday again.
Please keep this candle alive.

Psalm  46:10

'Be  Still  and Know that I AM GOD'

It's a gift

This is great, take a moment to read it, it will make your day! The ending will surprise you.

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had
everything in their collection, from Picassoto Raphael. They would often sit
together and admire the great works of art..

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands..

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.'

The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.' The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture..'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later.

There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence... Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. skip this one.' But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?' Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!' But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. 'We have $10, who will bid $20?' 'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.' The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel.. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!' A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!' The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'

'What about the paintings? ' 'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will... I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message is still the same today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?' Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...

THAT'S LOVE

May Yeshua  Bless you, Love you and Pour his Abundant Grace and Mercy on you today.

More on the Champ...

 

Click here for more videos and tips

Click here to visit the Hobby Zone link to the Aeronca Champ.

Click here to view the Manual

Click link for FMS Simulation Model.

It All Harold's Fault...

He bought one first.... LOL No really I have been looking all summer long trying to convince myself to buy one. Harold did I great selling job on this model. The price was right and the funds were there. So it all fell into place. I ordered it or should I say requested one too. Our friend "Rick" was in Springfield, Missouri today, So Harold gave him a call and asked if he would play the "Brown Santa" today.I understand Byron ordered one too. So either today or Sunday I will see my new "Champ". It is a cute little airplane. Everything is included in the box. It is just the right size for my 15 foot trailer, she has a 20" wingspan. It looks a lot like the Cessna Piper J3 Cub. But it was model after the Aeronca Champion , is a single-engine, two-seat, fixed conventional gear airplane. Designed for flight training and personal use, it entered production in the United States in 1945. The Champ by Hobby-Zone is a RTF (Ready to Fly) model, like I said earlier it has everything you need to fly already in the box including the batteries for the transmitter box. Below is a video introducing the The Aeronca, which I will affectionately call "Veronica" after 1950's cartoon.  Yep just got a call from Harold and confirmed it should be here within the hour or so... Gotta Run, see ya all later. Watch out Wally World I coming....

.

Transiting Iranian Airspace...........................

 In  addition to communicating with the local Air Traffic Control facility, all aircraft in  the Persian Gulf AOR are required to give the  Iranian Air Defense Radar  (military) a ten minute 'heads up' if they will  be transiting Iranian airspace. 

The following conversation was heard on the VHF Guard (emergency) frequency 121.5 MHz

Iranian Air  Defense Radar:  'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace.  Identify yourself.' 
Aircraft:   'This is a  United States  aircraft.  I am in Iraqi airspace.'  
Iranian Air Defense Radar:   'You are in Iranian airspace.   If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!' 
Aircraft:   'This is a  United States  Marine Corps FA-18 fighter.  Send 'em up, I'll wait.' 
Iranian Air Defense Radar:   (total  silence) ~~~

 

      "This gives me Goose bumps from head to toe"

 

SEMPER FI

Jane Fonda aka Hanoi Jane...

It has come to my attention (1) that soon Obama is going to honor Jane Fonda as one of the:

'100 Women of the Century.' 

Please give me a break. I believe that with you have done wrong, you are to pay for your mistakes. If I am wrong please do correct me. Jane Fonda aka Hanoi Jane has not done so.  I believe we should forgive and love her as anyone should do for their "Enemy", but to reward her! Come on now.

She may have done something to try to makes amends for her past, but I am sure giving her this award is certainly not the right gesture for her!!  

I was in high school at the time Jane Fonda performed these acts against our people. Upset about the way our troops were being mistreated and abused by our own people which Jane Fonda fueled the fire.  I joined the Marine Corps in a 280 day delay program, so I could get my two cents in.  I have included a link to covered her betrayal to our troops and our country. As a Vietnam Veteran I was, and am ashamed of the way I and fellow Vietnam Veterans were and are still being treated. As American soldiers we did what our President and our Congress asked of us. Many of us did not return, and the ones that did, were and are still cruelty treated even today.  It almost seems like our President of the United States of America is getting in bed the the "Enemy", so to speak.

Giving Jane Fonda this reward is WRONG, anyway you look at it.  

Please I not only ask but demand that is not done.

Cpl Andrew James Elliott Jr

USMC 1974-1980

(1) Thank you Wendy for passing this on to me, I think you are beginning to know me better than I know myself. Have missed you lately - you must be working far to hard, give me a call. :)

Wishing You a Warm Day

I am wishing you the chance to snuggle around a nice warm cozy fire and enjoy some close company, on this cold and wet day here in Missouri. :)  I have prayers going out to many people today especially Mellina and Daughter. Please join me in these prayers for their special needs and healing touch.  I ask for a healing touch while I wait for a tooth to be removed.  There are so many special friends and pen-pals I wish to pray for on this miserable wet day. May Yeshua spread his mercy and grace over each of us this day.  Andy

Can this be true!

President Files Own Impeachment Forms as Part of Midterm Election Ritual

Nov 16th, 2010 | By Adam Utley

WASHINGTON — Upon return from his ten-day tour of Asia, President Obama gathered with newly empowered Republican leaders for the first time since the election. Both sides expressed a desire to avoid political gridlock. In a conciliatory move, the President’s chief counsel filed congressional forms requesting the House Judiciary Committee to schedule the traditional impeachment
continue reading…

Australia says NO ...

The United States of American has been called the melting pot of the world, They came here for values that they did not have from where they left. So they ideas and values we have had here, are as important now that ever before. Let us join Australia as we once again declare our values and stand United under one GOD.

The Australian Prime Minister does it again!!


Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd. Isn't backing down on his hard line stance and one has to appreciate his belief in the rights of his native countrymen. A breath of fresh air to see someone lead. I wish some leaders would step up in USA. Truer words have never been spoken. It took a lot of courage for this man to speak what he had to say for the world to hear. The retribution could be phenomenal, but at least he was willing to take a stand on his and Australia 's beliefs. America needs a leader like this!

Rudd angered some Australian Muslims by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.. Take It Or Leave It.
I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate and post this amongst ourselves in America, WE will find the courage to start speaking and voicing the truths, that We in this country have always had.  Remember these words:

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. (JFK)

Link here for the full speech.

If you agree with this post, please SEND THIS ON and ON, to as many people as you know.

Pausing in Mansfield, MO.

Say a prayer, 
and then pass Him on to bless others. 

Our assignment is to love and spread the gospel throughout the world.
 
~~~
Oh God, please help all the unemployed, the hungry, the homeless, and all who suffer from some kind of disease, especially fear and hate. Be with our soldiers, please watch over them.  We pray for our COUNTRY to once again return to

"  One Nation Under God".

 ~~~
I Like to add my daily prayer is " I pray that Yeshua, will Lead me, Teach me, Bless me, That HIS will, is my will. That HE will allow me to touch all those that I meet with HIS great LOVE. That they see HIM not me. That he will allow me to show great Love, Passion and Strength to the mate HE has chosen for me as we die daily to serve HIM. That we Unite and become One under HIS loving arms of Grace and Mercy", Amen and Amen. 
 ~~~
When He gets to you, escort Him to the next stop. Please don't allow Him to sleep on your PC. 

The message He is carrying is very important and needs to go around. May God bless you as you do this: Past this around to each person you know, may it reach and touch each person. - AMEN. 

I am Proud to be American, are You.

At a time when our president and other politicians tend to "apologize"  for our country's prior actions, here's a refresher on how some of our former patriots handled negative comments about our country.

~~~~~

JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of as soon as possible. Rusk responded, "Does that include those who are buried here?" DeGaulle did not respond.

~ You could have heard a pin drop. ~

~~~ 

When in England, at a fairly large conference, Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury if our plans for Iraq were just an example of 'empire building' by George Bush. He answered by saying, "Over the years, the United States has sent many of its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in return is enough to bury those that did not return."

~ You could have heard a pin drop. ~
~~~

There was a conference in France where a number of international engineers were taking part, including French and American. During a break, one of the French engineers came back into the room saying; "Have you heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he intend to do, bomb them?"  A Boeing engineer stood up and replied quietly:  "Our carriers have three hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships; how many does France have?"

~ You could have heard a pin drop. ~

~~~

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many
languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"  Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied; "Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."

~ You could have heard a pin drop. ~

~~~

AND THIS STORY FITS RIGHT IN WITH THE ABOVE...

Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane. At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."  Then the American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it." "Impossible... Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !"  The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly explained, ''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."

~ Then too, You could have heard a pin drop. ~

~~~

If you are proud to be an American, Show it! 

If not, GET OUT!

I am proud to be of this land, AMERICA

On October 30th 2010...

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers. This event is one of 1,000 "Random Acts of Culture" to be funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation over the next three years. The initiative transports the classical arts out of the concert halls and opera houses and into our communities to enrich our everyday lives. To learn more about this program and view more events, visit www.randomactsofculture.org. The Opera Company thanks Macy's and the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ (www.wanamakerorgan.com) for their partnership, as well as Organ Music Director Peter Conte and Fred Haas, accompanists; OCP Chorus Master Elizabeth Braden, conductor; and Sound Engineer James R. Stemke. For a complete list of participating choirs and more information, visit www.operaphila.org/RAC. This event was planned to coincide with the first day of National Opera Week.

I am glad I have the internet to keep me enriched with items of interest like this.

Looking at the 50, 60, and 70's

I was born in 1956 so the

"The Fifties was a small part of my life"

"The Sixties is where I start to sense things"

"The Seventies is really where my grass roots were"

This brought to you by "Old Bluejacket Flicks" please enjoy this link as much as I have bringing it to you. (There are many other flicks here to view)

"Please share your comments here about your favorite flick"

~~~

Again I want to Thank Shirley for her inspiring me and bring material like this to me to share with you all.

Checking in on you Guys...

A friend was checking in on me, so I was feeling a little nosey too,  so I thought I would look in on you all and see if you're sitting at your computer checking out my blog page and if you're OK. You could say something I love comments! Especially from you pretty ones  :)
 

Yup, there you are and you look great!  

From a Romanian Newspaper :

We rarely get a chance to see another country's editorial about the USA

Read this excerpt from a Romanian Newspaper.  The article was written by Mr. Cornel Nistorescu and published under the title 'C'ntarea Americii, meaning 'Ode To America ') in the Romanian newspaper Evenimentulzilei 'The Daily Event' or 'News of the Day'.

~An Ode to  America ~

 

Why are Americans so united? They would not resemble one another even if you painted them all one color!  They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations and religious beliefs.

On 9/ll, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart.   Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the Army, or the Secret Service that they are only a bunch of losers.  Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts.   Nobody rushed out onto the streets nearby to gape about.

Instead the Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand. 

After the first moments of panic, they raised their flag over the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag.  They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a government official or the president was passing.  On every occasion, they started singing: 'God Bless  America !'

I watched the live broadcast and rerun after rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who gave his life fighting with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that could have killed other hundreds or thousands of people.

How on earth were they able to respond united as one human being?  Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes.  And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put into collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit, which no money can buy.  What on earth unites the Americans in such a way?  Their land?  Their history?  Their economic Power?  Money?   I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases with the risk of sounding commonplace, I thought things over, I reached but only one conclusion... 

 

Only freedom can work such miracles.

 

Cornel Nistorescu

(This deserves to be passed around the Internet forever.) It took a person on the outside - looking in - to see what we take for granted !

 

G OD BL ES S A ME RI CA !!!

VOTE this November 2, 2010.  

It's more important than ever!!!!!

What are the top 5 Calibers?

Kevin, has created a video on this topic. I also found some of his notes on this as well. Join Kevin on his YouTube Channel here. His Channel has been viewed over 444,000 times.

Below is some of the material he wrote:  From my opinion, pistols need to serve a dual role purpose - just like rifles or shotguns. Whether its on your hip while walking around the yard, or in your hand while hog or deer hunting, be sure to pick a caliber that will get the job done.

5. 22 Long rifle - inexpensive, light weight, takes care of small pest with little or no problems. The light recoil makes the 22 a great choice for small framed adults, teenagers learning to shoot and people who do not like the recoil of the larger calibers.

One of the big bonuses of the 22 long rifle, it can be shot out of a pistol or rifle, this makes it a dual role caliber. From a stockpiling point of view, and you intend for everyone in your group to be armed, the most inexpensive route is the 22 long rifle. When a brick of 550 rounds cost between $12 - $20, its cost effective to stockpile thousands of 22 rounds. For $200 someone could probably buy more 22 long rifle then they will shoot in a 10 years - do that with 9mm, 40S&w, 45ACP or 357Sig.

4. 38 Special - less recoil then the 357 magnum, can be shot out of pistols and rifles chambered for 357 magnum, easy to reload. From my reloading experience, the 38 special can use 6 grains of unique, which is the same charge that I used for the 9mm. With 6,000 grains in a pound of powder, that means you can get around 1,000 38 special loads from 1 pound of unique.

Stockpiling the 38 special - a lot of police still use the 38 special to qualify their officers, this makes 38 special brass easy to find. If your looking for a cheap, easy to find, easy to reload round to stockpile, the 38 special is going to be difficult to beat. I remember going to gun shows and seeing 38 special brass by the5 gallon bucket load.

Its the light recoil, abundance of brass for reloading, ease of reloading and ability to shoot out of firearms chambered for 357 magnum that puts the 38 special at #4.

3. and 2. - Tied between the 9mm and 45ACP - If you think the 9mm is better then the 45ACP, thats fine. If you like the 45ACP over the 9mm, thats fine also. The 9mm and 45ACP have to share the # 2 & #3 spots for the best round for survivalist. Their both easy to reload, brass is easily available, and sometimes you can find good deals on bulk ammo.

Back when I was reloading, a buddy of mine and I, we both had a progressive reloading presses setup in the same shop. My buddy had a Lee and I had an RCBS Rock Chucker with a Piggyback. In 1 hour we could load 1,000 rounds of 9mm. Their were 2 of us working the presses - 1 person per press, and a third person was keeping the powder hoppers filled up, keeping the brass on hand and the primers ready to go. We were using 6 grains of unique, small pistol primers and Remington 115 grain round nose. We would all pitch in and buy bullets in bulk from Midway USA. Back in the mid - late 1990s Midway used to have a case of 5,000 9mm bullets - that is what we would buy. It was not uncommon to load 2,000 - 3,000 rounds of 9mm in a weekend. Then we would switch the presses over to 45ACP, 38 special or 357 magnum and keep loading.

A lot of police officers use the 9mm and 45ACP, so finding brass should not be a problem - just like the 38 special. If you know someone that works for the local police department or sheriffs department, ask them to pick up brass for you next time they qualify with their pistols. There have been a several times when friends brought me 5 gallons buckets of mixed brass from the ranges - 9mm, 45ACP, 357sig, 38 special, 357 magnum,,,,,,. It took a couple of hours to go through all of the brass and sort to the different calibers, but it was worth it.

One of the plus sides to the 9mm and 45ACP, certain companies are making rifles for them as well. Examples include the Marlin camp 9 and camp 45, and the Beretta Px4 Storm.

1. 357 Magnum - despite the "magnum" name, the recoil is manageable, the 357 is chambered in pistols and rifles, its easy to reload and its got enough power to take deer and hog size game, or be able to shoot through a car - which ever one you need to do at the time.

If you do not want a revolver, then there is the Magnum Research Desert Eagle.

If you want a rifle chambered in 357 magnum, there is the Marlin 1894 lever action.

Personally, I shoot a Smith & Wesson model 66 combat magnum.

There is just something about holding and shooting a revolver that a semi-auto can not compare to. The feel of the wooden grips is much better then the plastic grips of most semi-autos, the action of a wheel gun seems smoother then the action of most semi-autos.

Special Mentions:

40 S&W - when the 40 came out, I was one of the people that jumped on the band wagon and bought one. The pistol I owned was the Ruger P91 DC - the DC stood for "decocker." It was stainless steel, double action, 40 S&W.

After shooting a few hundred rounds of 40S&W, I can honestly say that I do not like the recoil. When compared to the 9mm and the 45ACP, the 40S&W seems to have a sharper and most unpleasant recoil. Its the harsh recoil that keep the 40 out of the top 5.

41 Magnum - the 41 magnum offers improved ballistics over the 357 magnum, but at the cost of a larger frame pistol and a little more recoil. Even though the 41 magnum has a lot to offer, it never did catch on like other calibers did.

44 Magnum - Dirty Harry and the term "hand cannon" helped push the 44 magnum to popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. If you need a handgun for bear, then the 44 magnum might be right up your alley. If you need a handgun just about anyone in the family can shoot, the 44 magnum is off the list.

With rifles like the Marlin 1894, maybe the 44 magnum should be considered more of a light rifle round then a heavy pistol cartridge.

357 Sig - for you 357 sig fans out there, here is your special mention, I hope your happy.


Final thoughts:

I'am pretty sure that a lot of people are going to disagree with the 38 special being in the top 5, while the 40S&W only gets a special mention.

When thinking about the #4 spot, there were several things I took into consideration - recoil as one of the main factors. I personally think my 14 year old daughter would be more comfortable shooting a 38 special then a 40S&W.

When reloading, the 38 special can use the same bullets as the 357 magnum. Just order a bunch of 125 grain hollow points, and use them in either the 38 special or 357 magnum.

Closed poll...

The poll is closed on the question on wither "Women should play a major role in Christian Ministry"? This poll did not seem to generate much interest or attention. There was only 2 votes. 1 for Yes and 1 for No. neither votes had a comments. My thoughts on this are the YWYH is a Loving GOD. I have found NO direct message concerning the question. I do know that Yeshua used many women in his mission while he walked on earth. See this link about women in the Bible.

Mary Magdalene led a group of women who were prominent followers of Jesus of Nazareth. They were the main witnesses of all the key events in Jesus' life:

• his ministry in Galilee and Judea
• the crucifixion
• his death
• his burial and resurrection. 

The idea of women as primary witnesses does not seem very startling to people in the 20th century, but it was a revolutionary concept at the time. The testimony of women was not given the same weight as men's, either personally or in a court of law. 

When the Christian stories described Mary Magdalene and the other women as the first witnesses of the Resurrection, they were saying something important about the status of women within Christianity. 

The story of Mary Magdalene contains four different episodes:
1 Mary Magdalene as a disciple of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
Mary is described as a woman whom Jesus cured of an unspecified illness. She led a group of women who provided for Jesus and his followers from their own financial resources.

2 Mary at the crucifixion (Mark 15:40-41, Luke 23:49, Matthew 27:55-56, John 19:25)
In each of the four accounts of the crucifixion Mary was present, either standing at a distance with other women, or standing near the cross.

3 Mary prepared Jesus’ body for burial (Luke 23:55-56, Matthew 27:61)
Mary watched as Jesus’ body was sealed inside the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. She could confirm that he was really dead. She and the other women prepared the spices needed for proper burial of a body.

4 Mary witnesses the resurrection (Mark 16:1-11, Luke 24:1-11, Matthew 28:1-10, John 20:1-18).
Mary found that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb. She received a message from an angel and was the first person to see the risen Jesus. She was thus the first witness of the resurrection.

Throughout the centuries, Mary Magdalene was incorrectly portrayed in literature and art as a reformed prostitute. This happened because

• Mary Magdalene was confused with the woman with the alabaster jar, described in Luke 7:36-50; the story of this other woman comes just before Mary Magdalene is first mentioned
• the woman with the alabaster jar is called a 'sinner', but there is no reason to think that this meant she was a prostitute; in fact, when Luke describes an actual prostitute in 15:30, he uses a different word
• Mary Magdalene is described as having a serious illness, but the nature of the illness is unspecified; later celibate male interpreters linked Mary’s illness, her ‘demons’, with her sexuality
• Mary was traditionally presented as the sinful woman, contrasting her with Mary of Nazareth, the perfect virgin/mother.
  
  
   

So as you see Mary Magdalene and many other women were in his Ministry  Continue with this study here.

Amazing Grace...

So sweet the sound, his Grace for me.

Reggie...

This story as come to me at the right time of the year. I hope it warms you hearts as much as it as warmed mine. Wendy I wish I was there to give you a "Mighty BIG Hug and a Kiss" to Thank You for this story that you send to me. I have spent as least 3 hours reading it and feeling all the love and emotions that these people and this amazing dog felt in this story. Which will bring me to the last line in this post. (Wait for it!)

They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie, as I looked at him lying in his pen.. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street. But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home.

We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike. For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls --- he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. But it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name --- sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth or fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey. This just wasn't going to work.

He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."
Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys
from the shelter...I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction --- maybe "glared" is more accurate --- and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down .... with his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought. And I punched the shelter phone number. 

But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."

~~~

To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right.
So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.


Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones --- "sit, stay, come, heel." He knows hand signals: "Back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "Over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "Paw" for a high-five. He does "Down" when he feels like lying down --- I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business. I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog. Feeding schedule: twice a day once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car. I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows. Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....  His name's not Reggie. I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. But I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well ... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems. His real name is "Tank". Because that is what I drive.  Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with ... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone.. call the shelter ... in the "event" ... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word. Well, this letter is getting downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family ... but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.

And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. That unconditional love from a dog is what I take with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things ... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I have to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He is my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth. Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him "an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me."

Thank you,

Paul Mallory

~~~~

Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the "Silver Star" when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.

The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright.

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood
him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him.

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me.

Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball ?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

If you can read this without getting a lump in your throat or a tear in your eye,

 *** Please don't let  me know..., you just ain't right. ***

Now for the rest of the story. Click here

Andy