It has been more than 24 hours since a paid agitator received the “Find Out” part of “FAFO”. Some things have become clear.

First, she is not married. She was living with a female partner raising children.

Her job was to be a paid agitator. She had taken professional development courses to further her career as a paid agitator.

Her partner was also a paid agitator.

She attacked a federal law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon. As such he does not need to wait to be lethally hit or severely injured before acting to stop the threat.

But the lie has entered the gestalt of the left.

She was an innocent woman attempting to flee an encounter with evil Trump minions, afraid for her life, when she was murdered for no reason at all.

I remember the anger I felt when I saw the video of Saint George Floyd being murdered by a police officer in full view of the world.

I remember how I was glad I was not there. Not knowing how I would have reacted to a cop attempting murder. Would I have killed the cop to save the life of that black man?

And it was all a lie.

That didn’t stop massive riots, the burning of cities, and the death of multiple people. All because the left and the media couldn’t stop lying.

It is my belief that the only reason we are not seeing massive riots already is the temperature is too low. It is too cold for a good riot.

If the weather changes for the better, it is likely we will see riots. If it doesn’t, it would not surprise me even a little that the media keeps things at a low simmer until it is warm enough for the riots to happen.

DefCon 3 right now, people. As it warms up, DefCon 2.

Keep strapped, keep your head on a swivel, stay away from stupid places, stupid people. Nothing good happens after midnight.

There are times when I wish I had entered the Computer Science world a few years earlier.

My mentor was born four years before I was. He went through the computer science program four years before I did at a prestigious university.

His academics took place as electrical engineering was morphing into computer science. Which meant that he was taught circuit design at a lower level than we were taught. He was taught how to design transistors and to build the hardware.

My class was taught bits, bytes, and words. We built on what his generation was learning as computers advanced.

A bit is the smallest amount of data that a computer can store. In fact, it is the only type of data that a computer can store.

Bits are grouped into bytes and words. Today, a byte is 8 bits long; in past years, it could be larger or smaller than that. I’ve worked on machines where a byte was defined as 12 bits.

Bits, by themselves, have no meaning. A programmer assigns meaning to a sequence of bits. Let’s take a byte of 8 bits, for example. The byte we will be looking at has a sequence of bits like this 0011 0001.

Again, this is meaningless until we assign meaning to it. If we say that it is an unsigned tiny integer, then a byte represents a value between 0 and 255, while our byte represents the integer 49. 0*128 + 0*64 + 1*32 + 1*16 + 0*8 + 0*4 + 0*2 + 1*1 = 49 base 10. We can also express that integer in base 16 as 0x31 or in base 8 as 061.

We could define it as a signed tiny integer; then a byte represents a value between -127 and 128. But one of the most magical ways of looking at the byte is as a character. In this format we have a table of values to glyphs or characters. The value 0x31, 49, 061, 0011 0001 is interpreted as the character “1”. In the same way, the value 0x41, 65, 101, 0100 0001 is interpreted as the character “A”.

In other words, a bit pattern doesn’t have meaning until we define what the value means.

Primitive Types

The CPU in a computer has several registers. Each register holds a bit pattern of a given size. The CPU can then manipulate registers with a fixed set of instructions. Those instructions define the meaning of the register for that instant. If we use the integer add operation, then the two registers are treated as integers with the result being stored in a third register. If we use floating point operations, then we treat the registers as 32 or 64 bit floating point numbers. Doubles are 128 or 64 bits. We can treat the registers as containing one byte or character or a multiple characters. Or, we can treat each bit as a boolean.

For languages, we normally have integer, unsigned integer, float, double, character, and string. These are all referred to as primitives.

While we have defined the type, we have not defined the meaning. For example, 1234.70 is a floating point number. But what does it mean.

It could be a price, a quantity, a physical measurement. If it is a physical measurement, then it is expressing units.

It is the meaning we give values that allows humans to interact with the data.

Formatting

Let’s say we are working with a basic product object. Each product has a SKU, price, description, and quantity in stock. We will call these “labels”. We give a primitive type to each. SKU=>string, price=>float, description=>string, quantity=>integer.

This is a good start, but we also define how we will format these values when we display the product for a user. We can say that SKU and description will be left-aligned, price will be formatted as currency ($x,xxx.xx) right-aligned, while quantity will be formatted as an integer (x,xxx) right-aligned. This formatting is encoded in the knowledge of the meaning of the labeled data.

Formatting is not part of the data; it is associated with the label. The label allows us to assign meaning to the data.

Viewing Data

Humans have a difficult time applying meaning to bit patterns, so each primitive type has a standard text format. This allows us to see the values of the data.

For example, we say that strings are input and displayed as quoted strings, “This is an example string”. Integers are input and displayed as an optional negative sign followed by a sequence of digits, 1-9 as the first character followed by 0 or more 0-9 characters. Or it can be a 0. This defines a base 10 integer. If integer starts with 0x, then what follows the x is an integer in base 16. if the first character after the sign is a 0, then it is octal.

Simple.

These rules for displaying and inputting values are well defined.

Information Interchange

This is a gigantic subject. We are going to barely touch on it. To transfer information in a meaningful way, we have to define the meaning of each datum that is exchanged.

There are specific tools for doing this. XML, JSON, YAML, SOAP, and others are designed specifically for this process.

Unfortunately, there are de facto “rules” for exchanging data. Rules that must be followed but that the people using them do not understand.

Excel, Word, and Other MicroSoft Monstrosities

The default for most people when exchanging a table of information is an Excel file, an xls file. How I hate this.

An Excel file gives labels to values and adds formatting but does not add meaning. Meaning comes from external sources.

So, we might have a two cells we are looking at; B1 has a value of “Price”. It is formatted as bold text, centered. B2 has a value of 7.50. It is formatted as text, so it displays as “$7.50”. If the cell was formatted as “number” or “general” it would display as 7.5.

It is the user who applies these formatting rules. It is the user who provides meaning to these values.

If you have an application that can read and display Excel sheets, then all is good.

But Excel sheets are not a great way to exchange data. As a matter of fact, they suck. Each cell must contain both formatting and values. There are linkages between cells and a hundred other things that can be added. They are painful to create programmatically.

The Savior of Data Interchange, CSV

It doesn’t get any simpler than a comma-separated values file. They use the well-defined primitive type display rules; they are easy to generate, they are row independent, and they can be read by a simple text editor.

The biggest thing to understand is that CSV exchanges values. The meaning of those values is up to the receiver.

Which is why expectations and Excel suck.

It’s Bad Data, No! It’s Being Displayed Wrong!

When a normal user receives a CSV file, they want to open the file and view it. On Microsoft platforms, the program tasked to do this is Excel. On many Linux platforms, the tool is LibreOffice. For Solaris it was OpenOffice.

These tools import the CSV file. That import process can break things, badly.

By default, a comma separates each field. If a comma is part of the value, it must be escaped. Quotes are used to provide escaping. Quotes within quoted strings must also be properly handled.

So we end up with client bug reports like this: “Data is misaligned throughout”.

What does this mean? It means that the client hasn’t properly defined the type and formatting for the column. In this case, the SKU sometimes consists of just digits. When this happens, Excel treats the value as an integer type. By default, integers are displayed right justified. If the value has characters in it, then it is displayed as a left justified character string.

Once you tell Excel that the SKU column only contains text, then the alignment issue goes away.

“The price column is missing dollar signs” means that values are being displayed as floating point numbers, not as currency. Change the format to currency, and it all just works.

“There are symbols instead of letters.” means they get what they put in. The value stored in the database has an accent in it. Like résumé.

The problem happens when Excel imports a word with accents on their Microsoft platform. My browser and LibreOffice both use the same font set, so I see résumé. Their Excel on their Microsoft platform displays the accent as something like a copyright symbol, ©.

They see what they put into the database, but they are unhappy that Excel is doing exactly what they asked it to do.

January 5:

250 Years of America, and It Started With Gun Confiscation
https://bearingarms.com/tomknighton/2026/01/05/250-years-of-america-and-it-started-with-gun-confiscation-n1231090
Here, in the 250th year of our nation’s founding, the anti-gunners would do well to remember that no matter how much they want gun confiscation, we’re no less likely to balk at such a thing than our forefathers were. rewrite(liberals don’t STUDY history’s cause and effect, they try to rewite it to justify their own agenda – jlr)
V
Gun Confiscation Came First: How Disarming Colonists Led to Revolution
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-confiscation-american-revolution/
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this history deserves careful reflection. The Second Amendment was not written out of paranoia. It was written from experience.

Sales of NFA Items Surge After Repeal of $200 Tax Takes Effect
https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/01/05/sales-of-nfa-items-surge-after-repeal-of-200-tax-takes-effect-n1231097
(However, until suppressors, short-barreled rifles, shotguns, et al. are REMOVED from the NFA, you still MUST submit photos, fingerprints, and the paperwork to REGISTER it with the ATF, and then wait for up to a year for ATF approval. The job is only 1/3 done. the 2nd and 3rd are removing suppressors, SBRs, et al. from NFA, The final 1/3 is defunding, dismantling, dissolving, destroying all of the 4473 data they have stored, and closing the ATF and all of its self-made-up rules forever, NOT moving its functions, registration files, and 4473s files sent to the ATF by gun dealers when they close their business, and people to another department in the government, and then continueing ATF business as usual under a differnt name. – jlr)

Tenth Circuit Slaps Down New Mexico Over Waiting Period, Yet Again
https://bearingarms.com/tomknighton/2026/01/05/10-circuit-slaps-down-new-mexico-over-waiting-period-yet-again-n1231092

Court Decision Shredding California’s Open Carry Ban Could Have National Implications
https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2026/01/05/court-decision-shredding-californias-open-carry-ban-could-have-national-implications-n1231094
The Ninth Circuit’s recent decision in Baird v. Bonta could have national implications on the right to carry going forward, both in the handful of states where openly carrying firearms is prohibited as well as several blue states where open carry is allowed without the need for a permit.

Pete Hegseth’s Accountability Announcement About a ‘Seditious Six’ Dem Triggers Chuck Schumer
https://twitchy.com/dougp/2026/01/05/secwar-pete-hegseth-makes-an-accountability-announcement-about-one-of-the-seditious-six-dems-n2423554?
V
Pete Hegseth takes action against Sen. Mark Kelly, who egged on military to defy Trump in viral video
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/pete-hegseth-takes-action-against-sen-mark-kelly-who-egged-on-military-to-defy-trump-in-viral-video-1613933/
“Therefore, in response to Senator Mark Kelly’s seditious statements — and his pattern of reckless misconduct — the Department of War is taking administrative action against Captain Mark E. Kelly, USN (Ret),” the War Secretary added. “The department has initiated retirement grade determination proceedings under 10 U.S.C. § 1370(f), with reduction in his retired grade resulting in a corresponding reduction in retired pay.” “Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,”
V
rcd vis e-mail
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth @SecWar
https://x.com/SecWar/status/2008189258528665898?s=20

WATCH Pro-Maduro Protester MALFUNCTION As Nate Friedman Shows Him Footage of Venezuelans Celebrating -Vid
https://twitchy.com/samj/2026/01/05/nate-friedman-protester-venezuela-n2423525
video – 00:01:36 – https://twitter.com/i/status/2007601639029608737
video – 00:00:29 – https://twitter.com/i/status/2007630439503278583

Socialist Network Mobilized Pro-Maduro Protests in 100+ Cities Within 12 Hours of Capture
https://istandforfreedom.com/socialist-pro-maduro-cities/
“A few of us stood up all night last night when we heard the news, conferring with each other, conferring with other organizers and, by 3:30, 4 o’clock this morning, we put out the call for demonstrations to happen today,” Brian Becker of the ANSWER Coalition admitted, describing the overnight mobilization that produced protests in “100-plus cities.

Venezuela Vexed: Chuck Schumer Was Fired Up for Maduro’s Removal Until Trump Made It a Reality (WATCH)
https://twitchy.com/warren-squire/2026/01/05/chuck-schumer-on-maduro-then-and-now-hypocrisy-n2423536
2020. Chuck Schumer criticizes Trump for not bringing an end to the Maduro regime.
Schumer: “The President brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break. He hasn’t brought an end to the Maduro regime.”
video – 00:00:48 – https://twitter.com/i/status/2007868827355484611

The Trump Effect: One Day After Maduro Capture, Reports Say Iran’s Supreme Leader Preparing to Flee Country to Moscow
https://www.westernjournal.com/trump-effect-one-day-maduro-capture-reports-say-irans-supreme-leader-preparing-flee-country-moscow/

Maduro First, Mexico Next? Trump Teases Next Possible Military Target After Capture of Maduro
https://www.westernjournal.com/maduro-first-mexico-next-trump-teases-next-possible-military-target-capture-maduro/
“She’s a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico. She’s not running Mexico, the cartels are running Mexico,”…“And we can be politically correct and be nice and say… she’s very frightened of the cartels, they’re running Mexico. I’ve asked her numerous times, would you like us to take out the cartels. ‘No, no, no, Mr. President, no, no, no, please.’”…“So, we have to do something because we lost — the real number is 300,000 people, in my opinion. They like to say 100,000. 100,000 is a lot of people, but the real number is 300,000 people,” Trump continued. “And we lost them to drugs. And they come in through the southern border, mostly the southern border. Plenty come in through Canada, too, by the way, in case you don’t know. But they come in through the southern border, and something’s going to have to be done with Mexico.”
V
Venezuela Now Hunting Supporters of Maduro’s U.S. Capture
https://redstate.com/wardclark/2026/01/05/venezuela-now-hunting-supporters-of-maduros-us-capture-n2197782
Object lesson: When a corrupt government falls, every remaining aspect of that government has to be pulled out, root and branch, and every member of that illegitimate government, at the minimum, removed from any government role. And there just aren’t many governments more illegitimate than the rule of Venezuela by the thug-dictator Nicolás Maduro. Now the top man and his wife are facing federal charges in the United States, but his illegal junta is still in charge of the South American nation, and already, they are seeking reprisals against anyone in Venezuela who may have supported the American raid.
(Venezuela is FA, and soon my be in the DJT FO phase – jlr)
V
Venezuela Reportedly Ignores Trump Warnings, Initiates Ominous Manhunt
https://www.westernjournal.com/venezuela-reportedly-ignores-trump-warnings-initiates-ominous-manhunt/
… the state of emergency declared on Saturday, shortly after Maduro’s capture, includes a decree to “immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support for the armed attack by the United States.”

Stephen Miller being considered for a role that will make liberal heads explode
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/stephen-miller-being-considered-for-a-role-that-will-make-liberal-heads-explode-1614007/
The Washington Post is reporting that Stephen Miller is being eyed for a higher role, and it may involve Venezuela.

Mamdani’s new director singles out ‘white families’: Property will go from an ‘individual good to a collective good’
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/mamdanis-new-director-singles-out-white-families-property-will-go-from-an-individual-good-to-a-collective-good-1613993/
NYC Mayor Mamdani’s Tenant Director, Cea Weaver: “We’ll transition from treating property as an individual good to a collective good. Whites especially will be impacted.”…While Weaver has evidently deleted her X account, she hasn’t done so quickly enough to prevent her ardent communist positions from being highlighted on social media. Libs of TikTok highlighted an August 2019 post that read, “Private property including and kind of ESPECIALLY homeownership is a weapon of white supremacy masquerading as ‘wealth building’ public policy.”
video – 00:00:35 – https://x.com/i/status/2008031475057439076
V
‘Seize private property’: NYC’s socialist mayor taps communist sympathizer to lead office to ‘Protect Tenants’
https://www.theblaze.com/news/seize-private-property-nycs-socialist-mayor-taps-communist-sympathizer-to-lead-office-to-protect-tenants
…an undated video resurfaced on social media of the activist discussing her goal to eliminate private property ownership. “I think the reality is, is that for centuries we’ve really treated property as an individualized good and not a collective good,” Weaver stated in the video. “And transitioning to treating it as a collective good and towards a model of shared equity will require that we think about it differently. And it will mean that families, especially white families but some [people of color] families who are homeowners as well, are going to have a different relationship to property than the one that we currently have.”
but wait, there’s MORE
New Yorkers seething over latest hike in subway fare
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/new-yorkers-seething-over-latest-hike-in-subway-fare-1613927/
(Mamdani swore to NYCers that everything would be free – jlr)

Woman films and confronts trans gym-goer masturbating in ladies room at Planet Fitness
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/woman-films-and-confronts-trans-gym-goer-masturbating-in-ladies-room-at-planet-fitness-1613977/
Man pretending to be a woman caught msturbating in the women’s bathroom with women present “I’m allowed to be in here… I’m a transgender.”…The location was later identified as a California Planet Fitness.
video – 00:04:37 – https://twitter.com/i/status/2007990639397679375

It’s always J6: Dem insists Maduro arrest done to distract from 5th anniversary of the ‘insurrection’
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/its-always-j6-dem-insists-maduro-arrest-done-to-distract-from-5th-anniversary-of-the-insurrection-1613921/Another day, another Democrat trying to pan President Donald Trump’s policies and actions as a “distraction” from an imaginary evil…U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland latched onto the latest narrative in an appearance on MS NOW as she pointed to the “coincidence” of Maduro’s capture with the upcoming anniversary of the Capitol riot, something that Democrats never let go of, and Congress plans to resurrect again as it reconvenes.
video – 00:04:20 – https://clipscache2.grabien.com/c/streams/3303/Uv3nscB6j6fKMdktleG6iQ/1767687206/3303756.mp4
V
Carville dumps his Grampers over Venezuela, claims Trump plot to distract from Epstein
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/carville-dumps-his-grampers-over-venezuela-claims-trump-plot-to-distract-from-epstein-1613924/
video – 00:06:21 – https://youtu.be/WqiIBwic6Mc
(liberals can’t even agree on why DJT arrested Maduro at this time – jlr)

Judge cuts off ousted Venezuelan dictator Maduro as he tries to defend himself in court
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/judge-cuts-off-ousted-venezuelan-dictator-maduro-as-he-tries-to-defend-himself-in-court-1613996/
The federal judge overseeing Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro’s case cut off the ousted leader as he tried to defend himself in court on Monday, according to several reports. Judge Alvin Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee, interrupted Maduro to say he was only asking for his identity, noting “there will be time and place to get into all of this,” according to the New York Times. Both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty during their arraignment in Manhattan. (What did they expect? – jlr)

Sanctioned oil tankers try mass run at US blockade of Venezuela
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2026/01/05/sanctioned-oil-tankers-try-mass-run-at-us-blockade-of-venezuela-1613960/
At least 15 U.S. sanctioned oil tankers have reportedly broken the complete blockade of Venezuelan oil exports since the Saturday capture of ousted socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro, using so-called “dark mode” tactics to evade capture. Four tankers, now some 30-miles off port, were tracked by satellite sailing east…These tankers did not secure authorization from the new interim government led by Maduro’s former vice president, the NYT reported citing internal communications and two anonymous sources in the Venezuelan oil industry. The remaining ships have not been located and are not broadcasting any signals. “The embargo on all Venezuelan oil remains in full effect,” President Donald Trump said

Hilton Hotels Is About to Have a Very Bad Week After What They Just Pulled in Minneapolis
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/amy-curtis/2026/01/05/hilton-hotels-dhs-n2668912
They’ve decided to opt for the Bud Light Treatment and align themselves with the Left’s anti-Trump “Resist” movement. How? By denying hotel rooms in Minneapolis to government officials. Both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have called out the hotel mega-chain. “When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations,” DHS wrote on X. “This is UNACCEPTABLE. Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?” DHS also shared an email from a Hilton employee with the subject “Upcoming reservation.” In the email, the employee wrote, “After further investigation online, we have found immigration work connected with your name, and we will be canceling your upcoming reservation. You should see a proper cancellation email in your inbox shortly from Hilton.” Another screenshot shared another message that read, “This email is in regards to the reservation you made with the Hampton Inn Lakeville property. We have noticed an influx of GOV reservations made today that have been for DHS and we are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property. If you are with DHS or immigration, let us know as we will have to cancel your reservation. Please pass this info to your coworkers that we are not allowing any immigration agents to house on our property.”
V
Updated: Hilton Responds After DHS Says Hotels Told Them to Pound Sand, Stay Somewhere Else
https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/01/05/no-vacancy-dhs-says-hilton-hotels-told-them-to-pound-stand-stay-somewhere-else-n2197784
Hilton Hotels has finally responded with a milquetoast statement claiming their properties “serve as welcoming places for all.” It does not say whether there will be any consequences for the apparently inhospitable attitude of its member hotel or hotels…We are investigating this matter with this individual hotel, and can confirm that Hilton works with governments, law enforcement, and community leaders around the world to ensure our properties are open and inviting to everyone.

Is ‘Little Rocket Man’ About to FAFO? North Korea Reports Hypersonic Missile Test Flights
https://redstate.com/mike_miller/2026/01/05/is-little-rocket-man-about-to-fafo-north-korea-reports-test-flights-of-hypersonic-missiles-n2197771
As North Korean media reported on Monday, Kim, the Hermit Kingdom dictator — hilariously dubbed “Little Rocket Man” by President Donald Trump during his first term — observed test flights of hypersonic missiles and emphasized the need to strengthen the country’s nuclear war deterrent. While Kim has puffed out his chest and made more ridiculous bluffs than most of us can remember throughout his vice-like grip on the Hermit Kingdom, surely he’s not insane enough to think he could win a nuclear war with the United States, right? Dunno. But I do know that if he were foolish enough to try, North Korea would likely be reduced to a smoldering parking lot if necessary.

Centrist House Democrats Furious Over Party Leadership’s Response to Maduro Capture
https://www.westernjournal.com/centrist-house-democrats-furious-party-leaderships-response-maduro-capture-report/

SBSS 9 – The Historical Case For $960 Silver
video – 00:05:39 – SBSS 9 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLhqp0-jnTU&t=23s

January 6:

as if on cue – – –
Venezuela’s Acting Gov’t Blames The Jews for Maduro Seizure
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/venezuelas-acting-govt-blames-the-jews-for-maduro-seizure.html/
…blaming Israel for a U.S. military operation against the Nicolás Maduro regime—an accusation as deranged as it is revealing…Venezuelan officials openly invoke antisemitic tropes—calling the operation “Zionist”—while Western activists and influencers echo the slander, proving once again that when a tyrant falls, the reflex of the Jew-haters is not to celebrate freedom, but to blame the Jews.

US Mint unveils new coins for America’s 250th birthday
https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/nation-world/new-coins-americas-250-birthday-us-mint-pictures/507-07327abe-6c49-4eb6-835a-496adba9fa75
The United States Mint unveiled the designs for the coins on Wednesday night at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The designs commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial milestone and will be displayed on the 2026 dime, quarter, and half-dollar coin.

Judge Resigns After Conviction for Helping Violent Illegal Immigrant Evade ICE Arrest
https://americanjournaldaily.com/judge-illegal-conviction/
In her resignation letter, Dugan had the audacity to frame her criminal actions as a noble crusade, claiming she is fighting for an “independent judiciary.” Give me a break. A truly independent judiciary is one that is free from political bias and loyal only to the law. What she did was the exact opposite: she allowed her radical politics to command her, turning her into an activist who happened to wear a robe. Her fight is not for the independence of the judiciary; it is for the supremacy of her own ideology over the rule of law. It is the arrogant belief, common among the liberal elite, that the rules don’t apply to them if they are acting in the service of a cause they deem righteous.

(rcd over the transom today – jlr)
The Immediate Liberation of Tina Peters: A Plain Reckoning
https://professordavidclements.substack.com/p/the-immediate-liberation-of-tina
I OPENED MY EMAIL after posting my thanks to President Trump for pardoning Tina Peters. Demons howled. Tim Johnson wrote, “She’s not pardoned you f–king moron. Do you not understand how the law works, you idiot? Seriously consider suicide.”…Tina had copied the records, preserved the truth of votes shifted in the night like shadows fleeing light. For that, the state had chained her, called it a the crime. But truth is no crime.

Gets WORSE: Can’t IMAGINE Why Minneapolis Hilton’s Leaders Didn’t Want ICE Around (Check Out Who RUNS It)
https://twitchy.com/samj/2026/01/06/cant-imagine-why-the-minneapolis-hiltons-leadership-didnt-want-ice-around-check-out-who-runs-it-n2423590
(All Indians from India, and ALL giving the same residence address – jlr)

Hilton Axes Hotel From Their Systems After Video Shows Them Continuing to Ban DHS and ICE Agents
https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2026/01/06/hilton-axes-hotel-from-their-systems-after-video-shows-them-continuing-to-ban-dhs-and-ice-agents-n2197811
Hilton Hotels swiftly terminated its franchise agreement with an independently owned Hampton Inn in Minnesota after a video surfaced showing the hotel continuing to refuse rooms to DHS and ICE agents. Less than two hours after the video had been uploaded to X, Hilton issued another statement saying they were dropping that particular hotel from their list of franchisees and accusing ownership of lying to them about making corrections to their policy.

Etiquette Is Civilization: How Manners Make Freedom Possible
https://pjmedia.com/jamie-wilson/2026/01/06/etiquette-is-civilization-how-manners-make-freedom-possible-n4947962
… When adulthood carries no honor and no expectation, people stop aspiring to it. You wind up with a nation of self-indulgent toddlers…The result is a paradox familiar to anyone living in a bureaucratized society: the more formal rules are added, the worse public behavior becomes. Not because rules are evil, but because rules cannot substitute for internal restraint. This is where “Karen” behavior emerges, not as a personality flaw, but as a learned strategy.
(An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life. – Robert A. Heinlein, Beyond This Horizon.- jlr)

Why the Second Amendment is life-or-death important.
https://miguelgg.substack.com/p/why-the-second-amendment-is-life
The best way to define Colectivos is the final form of Antifa: A disparate bunch of people, highly oriented to Socialism, mostly by convenience and no military training required. where do they get guns in a country that has gun control laws that would make Moms Demand and Brady have uncontrollable orgasms? From the Government, of course. Why? Because the population is NOT armed and they can be easily bullied by the Colectivos with the not-so-tacit blessings of the powers that be.

Is there a difference between opportunistic predators and inner city youth?
https://www.facebook.com/reel/840424462150458

January 7:

9-11-2001 has been “officially” DISREMEMBERED by New York State and NYC
New York Governor Orders World Trade Center Lit Green for Muslim American Heritage Month, Sparking Backlash
https://istandforfreedom.com/new-york-trade-muslim/

rcd via e-mail
Trump: ‘The Fraud Investigation of California Has Begun’
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2026/01/06/trump-the-fraud-investigation-of-california-has-begun/
“California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun. Thank you for your attention to this matter!

Democrat Leaders Rush To Defend Brutal Dictator
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/democrat-leaders-rush-to-defend-brutal-dictator.html/

‘Nothing Is Off the Table’: DOJ Tightens Noose as Nicolás Maduro and Wife Plead Not Guilty, Victims Demand Maximum Justice
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/nothing-is-off-the-table-doj-tightens-noose-as-nicolas-maduro-and-wife-plead-not-guilty-victims-demand-maximum-justice.html/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DAY 10: Iran Erupts Nationwide: Protests Reach 28 Provinces as Chants for the Shah Return Grow and Death Toll Rises
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/day-10-iran-erupts-nationwide-protests-reach-28-provinces-as-chants-for-the-shah-return-grow-and-death-toll-rises.html/

The Simurgh Rises: How an Ancient Persian Myth Has Become the Symbol of Iran’s Revolt
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/the-simurgh-rises-how-an-ancient-persian-myth-has-become-the-symbol-of-irans-revolt.html/
The Simurgh, the majestic bird of Persian lore, traditionally described with the head of a dog, the claws of a lion, and the tail of a peacock, embodies centuries of pre-Islamic wisdom, resilience, and the inherent power of the people. From the epic verses of Ferdowsi to the Sufi parables of Attar, the Simurgh now soars through protest art, poetry, and social media, offering a potent counter-narrative to the centralized authority of the Ayatollahs. An ancient myth has taken flight, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance against the clerical regime in Iran.

“DEATH TO KHAMENEI!”: Iran Uprising Explodes, Police Defect, IRGC Collapses in Tehran as Banks Burn and Towns Go Regime-Free
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/iran-uprising-explodes.html/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Escape From New York: Mamdani Edition
https://wilderwealthywise.com/escape-from-new-york-mamdani-edition/
…if you want to sell your multifamily building, you must first offer it to the city and favored nonprofits…For how long? Six months…An owner must notify the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), and these ***friends of Zohan “qualified entities” get first dibs. If you finally get an offer from a private buyer, NYC and its pet nonprofits still have a right of first refusal to match the offer within 15 days.

And now for something totally different
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1942194023038309
The clueless green mindset ignorance here is absolutely stunning – and she isn’t going too far, an expensive distance, but not far

I should title this, “I don’t know what I don’t know.”

Bitnami stopped providing free WordPress images. This means I have to create a container and docker compose control file that will plug in and replace the Bitnami version.

This isn’t horribly difficult; it just takes a bit of work. Even now, I just realized that I can make a change that will make my life a little easier, so it is something I will do.

The problem is that there is a possibility of crashing the site. Not something I want to do.

So I’ve been putting it off.

The good news is that we went from a point fix to a point release. We were on 6.8.2; 6.8.3 came out. I found out the need to redo the containers.

Before that happened, 6.9.0 was released.

I have a policy of waiting for the point fix before migrating. The point fix would be 6.9.1.

In the meantime, Google changed the way they handle reCAPTCHA, that annoying thing that asks, “Are you human?”

The robots found The Vine and proceeded to register around 450 users before I shut down user registration.

Those have been cleaned out. Unfortunately that took a bit of time, and now I have to look into the newest version of robot defenses.

Argh, why can’t this stuff be simple?

Meanwhile, on a different screen, I’m looking at a 3D model with dropdowns for “work”, “RPM”, “boiler pressure,” and a few other things that feed into the built-in spreadsheet. That spreadsheet then drives the 3D model.

This has required learning things that every backwoods machinist used to know. Now it requires reading books published in the late 1800s.

Oh, getting my AI to give me trustworthy numbers is driving me bonkers.

So to my understanding, Maduro stole more than one election. There’s information online about elections in 2018 and earlier, and then 2020, and again in 2024. This most recent one was won by the opposition leader, supported by Maria Machado (who couldn’t run, don’t know why, didn’t bother looking it up). Maduro ignored the win and claimed the presidency anyhow.

Sometime in Trump 1.0, we put a $15mil target on Maduro’s head. Biden’s people upped that to $25mil. Both sides of the aisle wanted this guy gone, very obviously. And why shouldn’t they? Venezuela has good oil reserves, and we’re set up to refine them. They have stuff we want, and we have stuff they need. Seems like a good connection. We also want to stop cocaine from coming to America from Venezuela, and since it seems that Maduro and his cronies were in on that, it just feels like a win all over.

Having the crazy Left standing up and protesting the capture (not murder, not assassination, not maiming, but *capture*) of a wanted fugitive that has a price on his head put there by both a Republican AND a Democratic President is just… bizarre. I don’t understand it at all. As several people have pointed out, the Left has been crying “no kings” for some time now, but when we removed an honest to goodness dictator, they get their panties in a wad.

Of course, the anger is all because “orange man bad.” It’s TDS run amok. I hate saying that, but it’s true. Most people have no idea what they’re talking about. And frankly, I’m not the idiot whisperer. I am not interested in educating most of the people who are Left of me. It’s exhausting even to talk to them. I have to prove every point and they get to “feel” I’m wrong. There’s no point.

All of this brings me to talking about socialism. I originally hail from Canada, having moved to the States some 25 years ago. I am American now. I have assimilated (with the possible exception of my continuing love of Tim Horton’s coffee and my occasional mispronunciation of “roof” lol). I now teach American history to people at living history museums. I love my chosen country, and I will defend her to my last breath.

Having grown up in Canada, however, I can tell you that socialism is not a good thing. Canada isn’t entirely socialist, but it’s very democratic (mob rule) and that’s not far from socialism on the political spectrum. The health care system is definitely socialist, and it’s dismal. The insurance is much less complex than America’s, certainly, but the CARE is horrendous. Here, insurance is a shit maze, but the care you get is phenomenal. I’ll pick door #2 every time, thank you.

Read More

This song has been running through my head for the last week or so as my wife flew out to rescue her mother.

January 2-4, 2026

White House Confirms U.S. Attack on Venezuela Captured Maduro
https://www.westernjournal.com/breaking-white-house-confirms-u-s-attack-venezuela-captured-maduro/
President Donald Trump announced shortly after 4 a.m. Eastern that the attacks on Venezuela had led to the capture of the country’s fugitive strongman accused of narco-trafficking, Nicolás Maduro.

‘The Irony. The SIZZLE’: Hilarious Thread Highlights the BEST Satirical Posts Following Fall of Maduro
https://twitchy.com/samj/2026/01/04/caroline-di-russo-thread-venezuelan-posts-n2423528

BREADCRUMBS: Asra Nomani Exposes Who Organized and FUNDED Pro-Maduro Demonstrations in MUST-READ Post
https://twitchy.com/samj/2026/01/04/asra-nomani-who-is-behind-the-pro-maduro-protests-thread-n2423527

when “the system” becomes “the enemy”
https://boriquagato.substack.com/p/when-the-system-becomes-the-enemy
the lessons of international order for domestic systems

rcd via e-mail
Maduro Arrest Is ‘America First’ – Until We Start Painting George Floyd Murals
https://anncoulter.substack.com/p/maduro-arrest-is-america-first-until
The entire government of Venezuela is a drug cartel. Their No. 1 export is cocaine. Their No. 2 export is cocaine boats. The national coat of arms is a coke spoon and two straws.

rcd via e-mail
Why Arresting Maduro Was Legal, Lawful, and Long Overdue
https://newsletter.amuseonx.com/p/why-arresting-maduro-was-legal-lawful
The arrest of Nicolás Maduro has been described by critics as an act of war. That description is mistaken. It misunderstands both the legal posture of Maduro himself and the nature of the action taken against him. The operation that resulted in Maduro’s capture was not a declaration of hostilities against Venezuela. It was the execution of a long-standing criminal indictment against an individual who, under US law and widely accepted principles of international law, was never entitled to the protections of a lawful head of state.

An Economist’s Investment Advice: Go Long Texas
https://texianpartisan.com/news/texasnews/short-united-states-and-long-the-republic-of-texas-economist-makes-the-investment-case-for-texit/
V
Austin’s Final Breath Echoes Through Texas History
https://texianpartisan.com/community/cultural-heritage/austins-final-breath-echoes-through-texas-history/

Biden’s ‘extravagant’ pension is largest of any president in history – and even more than what he earned as prez

https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/us-news/bidens-pension-is-largest-of-any-us-president-in-history/

Former President Joe Biden’s long career in politics allowed him to retire with the largest taxpayer-funded pension of any ex-prez in US history — $417,000, or more than his presidential salary, an expert says. Biden, 83, was in line to rake in the massive amount from two pension funds in his first year as former president, according to an analysis by National Taxpayer Union Foundation Vice President Demian Brady.

Predictions For 2026
https://wilderwealthywise.com/predictions-for-2026/

DOGE WAS RIGHT: HUD Finds $5+ Billion in Fraud in One Year Under Biden—Dead Tenants, Fake IDs, Inactive Accounts Paid
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/doge-was-right-hud-finds-5-billion-in-fraud-in-one-year-under-biden-dead-tenants-fake-ids-inactive-accounts-paid.html/

‘THEY WERE HIRING IDIOTS’: FBI Agent Explains How DEI Split The Agency and Led to Disaster
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/they-were-hiring-idiots-fbi-agent-explains-how-dei-split-the-agency-and-led-to-disaster.html/
Leftist rule hollowed out once-great institutions and turned them against the American people.

“FINAL BATTLE’: Regime Panics as Clerics Flee Cities and Iran Erupts Nationwide, “DEATH TO KHAMENEI!” “LONG LIVE THE SHAH!”
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/iran-final-battle.html/
Iran’s exiled Shah and National Leader, Reza Shah Pahlavi II, urges the world: “The tide of history is turning. I invite you not only to witness the birth of a new Iran, but to stand by our side as we achieve it and to work with us to build a legacy of lasting peace.”
(evidently the Iranian PEOPLE do not wish to be eradicated, and Iran turned into a parking lot – jlr)

(File under AYSN? – jlr)
Washington State AG Warns Citizen Journalists To Stop Investigating Somali Daycares Or Face Potential Hate Crime Charges
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/washington-state-ag-warns-citizen-journalists-stop-investigating-somali-daycares-or-face
(Don’t investigate crime committed by our protected special population, or we will charge you with a crime, that you havent actually committed, and prosecute/perescute you for it – jlr)

Mamdani’s Chilling Inaugural Remarks Are a Harbinger of Trouble to Come
https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/01/01/mamdani-inaugural-remarks-n2197681
video – 00:00:09 – https://twitter.com/i/status/2006818419686121475

Weekend Knowledge Dump- January 2, 2026
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/weekend-knowledge-dump-january-2-2026
Knowledge to make your life better. If you have some free time, check out some of these links this weekend.

Sunday 2A: Seconds Count
https://wilderwealthywise.com/sunday-2a-seconds-count/
When seconds count, the cops are minutes away. If you say this to a cop, it tends to irritate them. Along with calling them “second responders”. But those are both true statements.
All the songs so far are here (LINK). You can pre-purchase all the rock songs now wherever you buy music electronically – do a search for Wilder’s Hammer. I’ll get the country songs up when I have a few hours of free time.

I hunted until the last minutes, of the last day, of the last month of the 2025 deer season in Texas.
The 2025 Texas Deer season count is: 3 in the freezer(60#+, mostly 1#chubs of ground deer, and 4″ vacpaks of backstrap), 15+ seen over the 9 week +2 days season, 2 missed shots right at sundown+30 minutes, and I let 2 doe walk away today.  Next year I hope to max out my deer license.

January 5, 2026

Craigslist ad seeks ‘child actors’ for Minneapolis daycare inspection.
https://x.com/lizcollin/status/2007940190220808349
Minneapolis Craigslist post in search of child actors for daycare site where funding was “cruelly ripped away without cause.”
“To help hurry this state vetting process, we are looking to hire 20 child actors for 3 days while state is present on site.”
$1,500/day

Venezuela op heralds the ‘Donroe Doctrine’ era of ruthless American action
https://nypost.com/2026/01/04/opinion/venezuela-op-heralds-the-donroe-doctrine-era-of-ruthless-american-action/
His critics on left and right called it risky and impossible — but Venezuelans all around the world are thanking him, cheering in the streets from Miami to Buenos Aires.

Cuba, Venezuela, China, And America’s Left-Wing Revolution
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/cuba-venezuela-china-and-americas-left-wing-connection

Russia, China Demand That US Immediately Release Maduro From Custody
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/russia-china-demand-us-immediately-release-venezuelas-maduro

‘Come Get Me, I’ll Wait Here’: Maduro’s Fiery Dare To Trump That Didn’t End Well
https://www.news18.com/world/come-get-me-ill-wait-here-maduros-fiery-dare-to-trump-that-didnt-end-well-ws-l-9808929.html
video – 00:01:02 – https://twitter.com/i/status/2007603407235006793

Maduro “Effed Around & Found Out”; Trump Says ‘We Will Run Venezuela’ Until Safe Transition After Operation ‘Absolute Resolve’
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-forces-strike-venezuela-trump-reveals-maduro-has-been-captured

Operation Absolute Resolve: Why Trump Went Off Script And Why It Will Not Matter
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/operation-absolute-resolve-why-trump-went-script-and-why-it-will-not-matter

One quick point of order.
https://miguelgg.substack.com/p/one-quick-point-of-order
Out of all the dumb protest signs, the middle one takes first place in the Tim Waltz championships. By the time they designed, printed and marched with this sign, Maduro was well on its way to breakfast in America and all military personnel were back to their transports or points of origin. There was no bombing to be stopped, but never let an old worn out slogan go to waste.
( Please note who the offended/hosting party is – jlr)

Real Venezuelans Flood NYC to Counter Paid Leftist Democrat Protests Defending Bloody Dictator Nicolás Maduro
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/real-venezuelans-flood-nyc-to-counter-paid-leftist-democrat-protests-defending-bloody-dictator-nicolas-maduro.html/

Why We Need the Gold Standard
https://www.lewrockwell.com/2026/01/lew-rockwell/why-we-need-the-gold-standard/
“It is easy to understand why people viewed the gold standard as the symbol of this greatest and most beneficial of all historical changes. All those intent upon sabotaging the evolution toward welfare, peace, freedom, and democracy loathed the gold standard, and not only on account of its economic significance. In their eyes the gold standard was the labarum, the symbol, of all those doctrines and policies they wanted to destroy.”

Suspect Arrested After JD Vance’s House Comes Under Attack
https://www.westernjournal.com/breaking-suspect-arrested-jd-vances-house-comes-attack/
The suspect is accused of causing property damage to a personal residence associated with the vice president. The damage included broken windows on the exterior of the home, according to the statement. The attack comes amid an ongoing wave of violence nationwide that has targeted prominent conservatives.

the low identity agitariat is the true enemy of liberty – and the path back to better
https://boriquagato.substack.com/p/the-low-identity-agitariat-is-the
i actually once had a woman i was arguing with at a party in SF tell me “logic is the tool of the oppressor!” as a final emotive bastion from being cornered by sense.

Day Seven of Iran’s Uprising: Death Toll Rises, Regime Panics as Orders to Silence Pro–Reza Pahlavi Slogans
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/day-seven-of-irans-uprising-death-toll-rises-regime-panics-as-orders-to-silence-pro-reza-pahlavi-slogans.html/

Mamdani Promises to Replace ‘the Frigidity of Rugged Individualism’ with ‘the Warmth of Collectivism’
https://gellerreport.com/2026/01/mamdani-promises-to-replace-the-frigidity-of-rugged-individualism-with-the-warmth-of-collectivism.html/

Oil and gas prices expected to stay significantly lower through 2026
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/oil-gas-prices-expected-stay-significantly-lower-through-2026
The national average for gasoline fell to $2.83 per gallon to start 2026, marking the fifth straight week of declines and the lowest prices Americans have seen so far this year. Hawaii remains the most expensive state at $4.42 per gallon. (almost EVERYTHING, except sand, coconuts, hot lava, pineapples, and fish is imported to Hawaii – jlr)
Oklahoma is the cheapest at $2.24, and the lowest-priced markets are now in the low-$2 range as refineries boost output and demand remains seasonally soft.

rcd via e-mail
Canada Covers Up The Horrific Events That Happened All Over Europe On New Years. Ask Yourself Why?
https://librti.com/view-video/canada-covers-up-the-horrific-events-that
video – 00:13:08 – https://librti.com/view-video/canada-covers-up-the-horrific-events-that

Civil War 2.0 Weather Report: Stochastic Warfare
https://wilderwealthywise.com/civil-war-2-0-weather-report-stochastic-warfare/
(stochastic, adjective, 1: random, 2: involving chance or probability – jlr – I didn’t know either)
I have maintained the Clock O’Doom at 9., given the open support of assassination and criminality by the GloboLeft and the increase in violence as well as direct interference with ICE and the insertion of the military into law enforcement. Beware: the number can climb quickly.
My advice remains. Avoid crowds. Get out of cities. Now. A year too soon is better than one day too late.

‘Let others worry’: Scandal-plagued Tim Walz announces he will not seek third term
https://www.theblaze.com/news/let-others-worry-scandal-plagued-tim-walz-announces-he-will-not-seek-third-term
V
Tim Walz Ends Reelection Bid, Blames Trump
https://www.westernjournal.com/breaking-tim-walz-ends-reelection-bid-blames-trump/

A little humor…To start your week…
https://oldnfo.substack.com/p/a-little-humor-5f5
If you’re an old fart…TO ALL OF US WHO SHARED THIS ERA; AND TO ALL WHO DIDN’T, SORRY FOR WHAT YOU MISSED. I WOULDN’T TRADE IT FOR ANYTHING!

It has been a difficult couple of weeks here.

My mother-in-law is in an abusive marriage. When I met her suitor after my father-in-law passed, I was concerned that he was going to swindle her.

His words, actions, and use of money were all indicators of something not quite right.

As is normal, nobody on that side of the family listened to me. Her suitor wined and dined her. Took her to expensive places and, in general, did all the right things in public. But what I was hearing about the private interactions was not good.

My wife flew out to bring her mother home. Her mother got scared of what her husband would do. Decided not to come back. Wife canceled her mother’s flight back.

Mother-in-law and her husband had a loud, angry, abusive yelling match on Thursday, and Mother-in-law changed her mind and decided she needed to escape.

Since the plane ticket was gone, they packed up, got in her car, and drove here.

Mother-in-law is staying at a good friend’s house; she doesn’t like the mess that is my house.

I get one night with my wife. Then we go to breakfast; we have good conversation. Wife and MIL decide they are going to a local city to catch a movie. All good.

MIL changes her mind, which of course causes my wife to do exactly what her mother wants. They go back to the friend’s house where something went down.

Instead of figuring out options, MIL decides she needs to go home.

My wife talks to me. We agree that we need to have time to work this all out. She goes out and talks to her mother. Mother begs to go back home to her home in a state far away.

My wife can’t say “no” so instead she rushes home, grabs the suitcase she hasn’t unpacked yet, and she and my MIL are on the road.

From the time of the incident to the time my wife and MIL are back on the road, something like 45 minutes.

So my wife is a 1000+ miles away, again. My MIL has gone back to her house and her abusive husband.

You can’t save people who don’t want to be saved.

For the most part I use iron sights. For the AR-15 platform, I did install red dots.

I do have a single pistol with a red dot.

I never intended to get into scoped optics, but I was sort of forced into it.

Many years ago I made my first firearm purchases. The requirement was to have multiple firearms in calibers that would be easy to resupply after the inevitable fall. To me, at the time, this meant 5.56×45, 7.62×51 NATO, 9mm parabellum, .45ACP, and 7.62×39.

The 5.56 was relatively easy; it was an AR-15 platform. Unfortunately, this was the height of the AWB, and that required some strange design choices. Regardless, it is still a beautiful safe queen.

The 9mm was a Glock, and the .45ACP was a Kimber. After shooting the Glock, the Glock was supplemented with an H&K which I could actually hit my target with.

The 7.62×39 was an AK-47 of some sort, long since traded for other stuff. I was required to take out a box of trash for the price a paid. Can you imagine my surprise when that box of trash included 3 30-round magazines and some furniture to restore that AWB abomination into something that actually looked like an AK? The things people throw away.

This left the 7.62×51 NATO. My platform of choice was a Remington 700. Fully bedded, just a beautiful rifle.

I was excited to get to the range, a difficult thing to do in Maryland. I finally got there, setup, put my beautiful rifle on its bipod, got ready to take my first shot, and noticed something.

No iron sights. Nothing. Smooth as a baby’s behind.

I still sent a few rounds “that way” because I refused to pack up and not take a shot.

Back to my LGS to laugh. I ended up getting some Nikon glass. Gorgeous. My LGS mounted the scope and bore sighted it. I then took it to the range and dialed it in.

I can remember punching primers out of shotgun shells at 100 yards.

Great then. Great now?

I took my first deer with that rifle. It was a long shot. I put the crosshairs right where his heart was, then slowly elevated the sight until the crosshair was about 6 inches above his spine and pressed the trigger.

He got about 50 yards from where he was hit. The entry wound was a little high, going through both lungs.

I had no idea of the range; it was just a guess. I had no idea of the ballistics of that round; it was just a guess. I had no idea how much elevation I was putting on; it was just a guess. I got lucky.

The simple crosshair is good, but there are better reticles today.

The glass on that old scope is likely better than any scope I can purchase for under $2k today. But the reticles make a difference.

Vortex EBR-7C(MOA)

The scope I picked is very nice. 5-25 with a much more complex reticle.

It has a built in BDC. I’m sure it can be used for finding distances. It is going to take me a bit to understand everything it does, but it will eliminate much of the guesswork in allowing for distance and windage.

I’m at that stage where I don’t know what I don’t know.

Range time coming up soon!