This time of year, of course, I think back on all the other Christmases in my long and not very productive life. I always remember one, in particular, about which I have written before (here) in which I as an intrepid chargé d'affaires had to deal with objections to holding a Christmas party (vice a Holiday party) and handle the outrage over the grotesque act of wishing a "Merry Christmas" without ritually listing every other religion's holiday in the mix. Anyhow, now that I am officially a retired nobody, I can wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hide behind my screen for protection from the outrage. So, Merry Christmas.
What is the Diplomad tribe doing? Well, we are currently at our house in the woods outside of Durham. My Catholic Diplowife is busy wrapping presents. I, the Grinch, am on my computer paying credit card bills, collecting tax documents, checking our stock portfolio, and doing other Fagin-light activities. Oh, and I am also thinking of heading over to the Dixie Gun Show in Raleigh to see what's on offer; I don't know if I will buy anything, but you never know. There's nothing I really need--except, of course, for world peace, and a Ford GT--but . . .
I am still awaiting delivery of a Texas-made STI Staccato I ordered a few weeks ago. A sure sign of the booming economy is the waitlist for certain high-end firearms. So I wait, but am also checking out offerings from, among others, Zev Technologies, in particular the OZ9. I haven't decided if it's a neat new gun, or just an upgraded Glock--and I am, sorry, not a huge fan of Glock, just a small one. I have a couple of Glocks, but they are rarely my choice for going to the range. We'll see what Santa decides to bring.
For the coming year? What do I really want? I want revenge.
I know that's not very Christmassy and all, but then I am an Old Testament sort of guy who wants to see my enemies smitten by a vengeful God. I wish disaster upon the world's oldest political party, the Democrat party; at a minimum, I want to see the Dem Party suffer the fate of British Labour for what it has done to America and the West. That clown show long ago ceased to be even mildly amusing.
We got very lucky in 2016: Donald Trump provided us a life boat to get away from the Democratic Titanic. We need to take advantage of that to the full.
As for the GOP: Please, no more Romneys or Ryans! No more me-too GOP.
OK. OK. Got that out of my system. I return to my finances and watching gun reviews and reading up on the latest offerings made possible by the wisdom of our Founding Fathers in writing the Second Amendment.
Sorry, another oh by the way. I just read a very interesting book called Chastise by the excellent British historian, Max Hastings--who has written some other great books which I have enjoyed. It's about the RAF's amazing 1943 Dam Buster mission. I have read a lot about that mission before, and, of course, watched the 1950's movie, but this book has some wonderful insights into how the mission was planned, the politics, the technology, and the personalities involved. It reminded me of another great book on WWII, Flames Over Tokyo, by E. Bartlett Kerr, which describes in fascinating detail how the US planned and executed the bombing campaign against Japan. Both books are excellent Xmas gifts for people who want to know how the West used to be able to do some amazing stuff, including smiting our enemies in grand style.
Anyhow, in case I don't write again before Christmas, Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Diplomad! Wishing all the best to you and yours for the New Year and 2020.
ReplyDeleteI ALSO with to see the demon-rat party punished.
ReplyDeleteSEVERELY.
What they have wrought on this great nation is inexcusable.
Dip, may you and all 11 readers have a safe Christmas, and a prosperous new year!
KAG!
TRUMP 2020!
Merry Christmas, Diplomad! Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee 2020 to all!
ReplyDeleteI have much to rejoice, not least that I've moved to Texas, so I'm back in the U. S. of A. again. Not only that, but yesterday I visited a huge gun store and shooting range, where I plan to spend a lot of time, so Heaven is near!
This is a very Merry Christmas indeed!
We are back in CA for Christmas but now reside in AZ. I am reminded why I moved each time I stop in the market for an item and am asked if I want a plastic bag. I also brought my son a care package of 9mm. Merry Christmas.
DeleteMark Felton Productions on YouTube. Perhaps the best WW1 through Cold war documentary channel available.
ReplyDeleteLewis, you seem to have a tendency to purchase BBQ pistols. Maybe you should take a look at some of the NFA weapons on market. A Sten or Riesing M50 are not a whole lot more then one of the BBQ 1911s. Yes, they take a awhile and the form is more than a 4473, but you likely will have no trouble passing through the ATF, and you live in a state that NFA weapons are allowed. I can guarantee the fun factor of a SMG is off the charts, and you will become the most popular guy at the range, and legendary in family gossip once you have one of your Spanish relatives run though a magazine.
BBQ guns!I haven't heard that in some time!
DeleteFired off a mag each from a Thompson and Ppsh outside of Ft Hood in the day. Guy said you can shoot every bullet you buy. Damned still don't know why I didn't buy them on the spot. They were on offer in '76, about 900 bucks for the both, including the stamps. But I was a poor GI once, and young. Probably 20+ times more expensive today.
DeleteMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! And confusion to our enemies!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you an all your readers.
ReplyDeleteRather than an old fashioned God-Smiting, I would gladly settle for a Barr-Durham Biatch-slap and a live bradcast of Brennan and Comey being frog marched out of CNN headquarters. Followed by more joyous YouTube vids of snowflakes and media heads losing their minds when Trump wins re-election and the Reps retake the House and hold the Senate.
Coming up KellyJ!
Deletehttps://theferalirishman.blogspot.com/2019/12/this-is-work-of-art.html
Merry Christmas from Arkansas Y'all!
You too JK
DeleteMerry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours and much fun in 2020.
ReplyDeleteMele Kalikimaka.
ReplyDeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS to all.
ReplyDeleteTo make my NEW YEAR a HAPPY and joyous one would be to see some high level pols actually doing time.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and your family Dip, from way down here in Western Australia. (PS, was my post a few months ago about having an STI Trojan responsible for your STI purchase?)
ReplyDeleteYou did, indeed, plant the idea in my head. Now my wallet pays for it!
DeleteGot this from a 1st year UF Prof this year:
ReplyDelete"Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year!"
So, I pass it on with a Ho Ho Ho~~~ a hat tip to the Learn-ed & those along the path, and with the Spirit of Santa, his 8+1 reindeer, his cadre of elves, and beloved Missus Claws, Ye Olde North Pole Consortium Inc. their dedicated accountants, lawyers, and especially the Investigative Div. who make it possible to ensure that all Lumps of COAL are delivered to the POLs, Polecats n'Rats what earned 'em!
And to all others out therein Tomorrow land: GO GATORS!
Cheers and, Ciao for now,
On Watch~~~
Red-Nosed and making Snow Balls ~~OOOOOOO~~ for tomorrow ;)
Unsolicited advice from a true fanatic...
ReplyDeleteAs you search out that next addition to your personal armory, consider adding a S&W 500 Magnum. Believe me when I say it will end all the arguments and chest bumping when discussion veer off into 45 vs 44 vs 357 territory. You should know that firing a S&W 500 Magnum at an indoor range will likely cause many to flee - leaving you alone and no one to talk to - provided you refuse to fire any half baked loads. Many folks balk when they find out how much single rounds cost. You really don't need to give that too much concern. 5 - 10 shots fired and you will convince yourself you have had enough practice and it is time to give the palm of your hand a rest. But to help you man up to the challenge I can relate how I bought my youngest son a S&W 500 Magnum when he was 13 years old. Now, more than 10-years later it is still the most accurate weapon he fires. Something about knowing what is about to happen tends to focus his mind, steady his hand, and take seriously the squeezing of it's trigger.
JR
Us old guys may have to defer on firing such a cannon.
DeleteRe-building the wrist and elbow is expensive.
I'mna preferring a high end BB gun for practice. Build up the muscle memory on the cheap. And a couple of mags of the real stuff for the follow through.
DeletePrayers up that all your Christmas wishes come to pass...
ReplyDeleteI know the glock is supposed to be a good gun, but It always felt cheap to me. To loose. I'm partial to berreta. PS mk you get a new dog yet I was worried about you. If you pass through Tennessee I'll set you up with a good German Shepherd.
ReplyDeleteIf you carry, and have to do the nasty on provocation, when the polizei confiscate your tool of choice, would you like to lose a 5k kimber, or a glock? Because you won't get it back.
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteI have several Hastings titles on the shelf (currently re-reading his work on the Korean War), so will have to locate a copy of "Chastise".
Funny thing about Hastings: I think he's a terrific military historian, but I can't abide his politics.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I'll have to find a copy of Chastise - I hadn't heard of it.
ReplyDeleteA happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas to all.
ReplyDeleteI'm sort of an Old Testament guy, too--embracing its promise of redemption and its fulfilment. I pray God would turn the hearts of this nation, whose leadership embraces abortion up to the moment of birth (this strikes me as uncomfortably close to the offering of the firstborn children to Ba'al, and the Nevi'im tell us how that turned out).
But, while not Jewish according to halakha, I am moed by the Midrash which describes how the Angels sang with Israel as Paharaoh and his army were drowned, yet God rebuked the angels for singing while His creatures were dying.
But, at the same time, there are times when we need a Phinehas, a Joshua, a David, or a Judas Maccabbaeus (ven if the last-mentioned isn't mentioned in the Hebrew Bible).
All buts aside, life is good! L'Chaim Mr.K!
DeleteHope you're enjoying your Winter recess,
Spring break is right around the corner!
Are you missing the lil miscreants yet? ;)
Best,
OW~~~
To be honest with you, I'm always ready for a break during the school year--and snow days, too! However, for as long as I've been teaching in this struggling school district, I've always had at least one class or some students who made me want to get up on a Monday morning.
Delete..."always had at least one class or some students who made me want to get up on a Monday morning." Kepha
DeleteMarvelous! "Monday, morning was all I hoped it would be~~~" My better half retired this year after 40 years in the classroom, so I know some of what you speak!
Remarkably she still has her sanity, I think! As of now she wants to take a trip across Canada. I managed to convince her that Spring might be a better time for subarctic travel, maybe she'll take up shooting-sports instead... wish me luck!
Hand salute to you and all our teachers in the trenches! Here in Fla.. Our new Governor is asking for teacher pay raises, but, he's not getting much support from taxpayers or their Representatives. The beat goes on la de la de la~~~ Any hOWl, Ron DeSantis has managed to get some teachers armed & trained, which could go a long way toward changing the 'soft target' image of American Schools. It seems to be working in Texas churches, so far anyway...
Sorry for the ramble, what I wanted to say is Cheers & an early Happy New Years to you and all others On Board 'Dip's Place! I'll be off the grid till 2020--a very good year for hindsight or foresight!
On Watch~~~
"Let's Roll"
As much as 'modern university education' is lamented for it's extreme political bias, that starts in the public school system. I appreciate any teachers there attempting to curtail the government/school agenda to the actual useful basics kids need. But most of what I hear is liberal claptrap.
Delete- reader #1482
Hey anon - better make that Canada trip a bit later in the spring. Like July. Unless you like snow and mud puddles.
ReplyDeleteAnd remember to leave the hardware at home or you’ll get treated real poorly by the customs / law enforcement types..No 2nd amendment up north. Otherwise it’s pretty nice.
..."remember to leave the hardware at home or you’ll get treated real poorly by the customs / law enforcement types..No 2nd amendment up north." - OTW
DeleteRoger that OTW~~~ Bow'n'Arrows w/a concealed cub scout knife on my belt! I'd hate to have to ask my cousin the Mountie to come bail me out...per your 'local knowledge' think I might wait for Summer... missus wants to track down her new favorite author's (Louise Penney) haunts (Three Pines)... her titles: "The Brutal Telling", "Bury your Dead", "The Nature of the Beast", give me the willies, I may have to hire an armed guide or tracker to be on the safe-side~~~ most unsettling of all, her latest title, "A Better Man"! Gulp! On third thought, think I'll just stay home and feed the Raccoons this summer~~~
Happy New Year~~~
just PrOWlin around~~~
Happy New Year Mr. Diplomad from one of the seven readers.
ReplyDeleteA belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you so happy to be reading you again..hated it when you..disappeared for awhile..re great books.just finished The Churchill Factor by Boris Johnson...published in 2014..just fantastic and in many parts you will laugh out loud.Did not know that BOJO was a prolific and brilliant writer..
ReplyDelete