tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305176452024-03-13T14:02:05.287-07:00White Shadow DojoGwynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07290741189141185835noreply@blogger.comBlogger425125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-39653464954410360322018-09-14T12:25:00.001-07:002018-09-14T12:25:22.438-07:00mew blog location<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You can follow my blog now at a new location. Go to: https://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/ my blog is under the column heading on the far right of the home page. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-41778036774730387852018-05-18T07:18:00.000-07:002018-05-18T07:41:58.589-07:00Fairbairns Not for Everyone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In the past 40 plus years I have amassed what may be one of the most diverse and largest collection of Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knives anywhere. At an early age I fell in love with the clean lines and no-nonsense functionality. Notice I did not say utility. The F-S knife is very much a one trick pony. It is a knife specifically designed to kill enemy sentries or soldiers in hand to hand combat. <br />
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It was not beloved by all military men during World War 2. Many soldiers complained that it had small metal handles, cold to the touch, slippery when wet, and the round shape made orienting the knife in one's hand in the dark difficult. Some troops wrapped the handles with cordage, leather thongs, or even tape to build up the diameter. These modification also improved the gripping and gave a warmer feel to the handles. They were less concerned about the precise balance than Fairbairn was. <br />
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Some of the more adventurous had the handles replaced with various materials. These included stag antler, varieties of wood, kitchen cutlery handles, wooden file handles, leather washers, washers of Plexiglas and metal among other options. Many times the knives so modified provided a better solution than the original handles. On some occasions the owners also replaced the guards but this was not as common a modification. A fighting knife is the most personal weapon a man ever carries and personalization of the knife was often just to reflect his tastes. <br />
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The better ones were converted by machinists and people having access to lathes and drill presses. The less successful ones were field modified, sometimes categorized as "Theater-made." Once I had satisfied my appetite for collecting standard models I branched out in search of what are known as "variants." Now variants, unlike theater made knives, are different designs but production made. Some are more common like the ubiquitous wood-handled, while others are more scarce like the hexagonal alloy gripped knives, or the "Polish" smooth handled knives.<br />
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Once you begin collecting these there are greater chances of buying a fake or a treasure. The difficulty is knowing which is which. Hopefully once my book is in print you will have a guide to assist you in determining which you have before you. The real enjoyment comes from finding a knife unlike any you have seen before. One tip I would offer is to try to buy knives that have their original sheaths. Usually a person making fake knives does not go to the effort to make a sheath for it.<br />
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The next blog will be about alternative knives that were popular with the troops. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-82969824025045830702018-05-18T06:47:00.000-07:002018-05-18T06:47:44.873-07:00We're Back!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well after almost a year I have decided to resurrect this blog. Hopefully someone will come and read it. After the elections ended I decided to separate the caustic effects of politics from everything else that was good going on in my life. My website has had a tremendous number of visitors. Thank you one and all.<br />
<a href="https://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/">https://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/</a> I am back to focusing on the things I love most fighting knives. <br />
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Many faithful visitors to my website have asked about my book on Fairbairn Sykes Fighting knives. I am still working on it so please don't give up. In the 3 years since I started writing it I have been blessed to find some very rare knives and also documentation that will blow the lid off many sacred cows and those pushing BS about the knives and people involved. I have been contacted by people like William Cassidy, a Yeaton family member, and the daughter of the man who financed the Castle Knife co. Leroy Thompson has written the foreword for my book and also provided valuable knives, information, and photos. So things are progressing and the additional information has been partly to blame for the hold up in finishing the book. Another wonderful friend in California has donated literally thousands of dollars of knives to my collection including more than a dozen clandestine knives! My thanks are not enough Kevin!<br />
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I left my old job at Dresser-Rand after 37 years with no retirement package and just walked out the door. I have not needed to buy antacids by the case anymore. I am now teaching part time at a small college and with the help of my daughter established my own company, Gas Engine Testing and Training (GETT LLC) We have purchased land in Idaho and hope to eventually move out there, get out of the prison state of New York, and build a new life. So much has been going on but I wanted to pick this blog back up as a channel of communications. <br />
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I will try to post a new article once a week, more often as time allows or important knives arrive. So I am going to close this re-introductory post and write the next one on knives. Enjoy and welcome back.<br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-83266974050793079892017-03-23T05:53:00.001-07:002017-03-28T13:51:41.706-07:00Links to Russia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I don't know about all of you but I am tired of hearing about the Russians. FAKE NEWS, Hyperbole, we all know who hacked the election, the DNC and the USA intel community. Why isn't Bernie Sanders more incensed? Now the FBI is hacking rightwing conservative websites looking for conservatives with links to Russia! Hey! Who gave the Russians access to our Uranium? Who had an unsecured server in her basement? One hint, her initials are HRC. But if the FBI is looking for links to Russia..... here we go. ...LINKS TO RUSSIA LINKS TO RUSSIA LINKS TO RUSSIA LINKS TO RUSSIA LINKS TO RUSSIA how am I doing? They are tireless servants of the people and I don't want their search to be fruitless. LINKS TO RUSSIA LINKS TO RUSSIA ..........Ok I hope they will now feel vindicated and have enough proof that conservative media sites are truly filled with links to Russia. Besides I am getting tired of typing. You know I grew up during the cold war with our government telling us on a daily basis the Russians were going to NUKE us. We had drills in case of a nuclear attack, hiding under our desks, standing against school hallways with arms over our heads Some folks built bomb shelters in their back yards. A government always needs a bogyman to distract its own people from the truth of what they are doing. As Sun Tzu said: "Uproar in the east, strike in the west." When the FBI points a finger at Russia look the other direction, to the one pointing the finger.</div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-42609716158787917242016-09-20T09:42:00.001-07:002017-03-23T05:55:51.545-07:00Elitists vs Us<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>"Former President George H.W. Bush appears to be joining a growing list of Republicans who say they will either abstain from voting for Donald Trump or cast their ballot for Hillary Clinton."</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If there was ever any question in your mind about whether we have a government run by an elitist few this headline should resolve all your questions. Trump is an imperfect candidate and I think he would admit that. BUT, when you have supposedly diametrically opposed politicians supporting one of the opposite party you have collusion against the American people and the two party system. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">They are not afraid that Trump might get us into WW-III. Who the hell got us into all of the other wars besides the members of the current ruling class? They are afraid an outsider might win. He might actually serve rather than rule. Trump is dangerous they say. Who is threatened, our enemies? I hope so! Are the Washington insiders also threatened? I hope so! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">In this case I am not sure that "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." I think the enemy of my enemy is also my enemy. It has all been a charade. There is no two party system folks. There is Them and Us. Vote your conscience not your party, use your head and not your emotions. We are being played by the very same people who have enslaved all Americans and poisoned the well of the Republic. Do Not drink the Washington Cool Aid. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">The Russians do not have to hack the election the DNC and GOP will make sure the "right" person wins. You think your vote matters, you think the elections are fair? All George Soros has to do is slip a few million in cold cash to a few Electoral College people and the election will go as planned. Sure I'm going to vote anyway because as I tell my friends and family. I vote because it irritates THEM.</span></div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-81456996055575482602016-08-25T09:37:00.000-07:002016-08-25T10:28:36.604-07:00government vs freedom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I was a young lad in 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> grade high school
I had a course on comparative governments or some such thing. During the class
we discussed Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism, etc. You get the idea. Back
in those days we lived in a state of relative innocence. It was the pre-Vietnam
era and life was good. Our studies in “isms” proved that Americans lived under
the most benign form of government on the planet (which I am sure was the
initial goal). But, I found myself in hot water with the teacher when he saw on
the cover on my notebook <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a statement that
read: “all government is a necessary evil.” I believed it then and I believe it
even more today. So what was my problem with governments?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am a firm believer that actions have consequences and
words have meaning. The concepts of Freedom and Government are mutually
exclusive! Either you are free, or you are governed. It is a case of “either or,”
they are not compatible. People willingly sacrifice some freedoms for some
safety or protection. Once you have lifted the lid of Pandora’s box looking for
protection many adverse things crawl out. Just as there are no boundaries to
freedom, pure freedom, there are no boundaries to government once it has been
unleashed. Government is like a flesh-eating virus, once it gets into your
system there is virtually no ridding yourself of it. During the Vietnam War over
35,000 American men and women died providing safety to the rest of America. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Safety from attack by whom?</b> Most of
them were forced into military service, to travel abroad to a foreign country
and overthrow the government there. In the process of making Vietnam safe we
killed tens of thousands of the Vietnamese people. We were there to set them
free from Communism, whether they liked it or not, no matter how many we had to
kill. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The vast majority of our service men and women acted honorably and did their duty. Our
government lied to us about why we were there and then escalated the war
because of a false flag operation known as the Gulf of Tonkin<span style="color: #558ed5; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #558ED5; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 153;">. “<span class="tgc">On August 7, 1964, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution,
authorizing <b>President Johnson</b> to take any measures he believed were
necessary to retaliate and to promote the maintenance of international peace
and security in southeast Asia.” </span></span><span class="tgc">It was over 40
years later that we learned the “attack” on our spy boats never happened, we
were duped by our own government. What could be more evil than to force young
men and women to travel against their will to a foreign country to kill the
people of that country, to possibly be maimed or killed themselves, all under
false pretenses? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><cite><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/gulf-of-tonkin"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-style: normal;">https://history.state.gov/milestones/1961-1968/</span><b><span style="font-style: normal;">gulf-of-tonkin</span></b></span></a><b> </b></span></cite><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now that generation is in their 60s and the same government
has labeled them potential terrorists and tried to strip them of their rights
to own firearms. In many states the same type of guns they carried in Vietnam,
to kill or make “safe,” the Vietnamese people, have been made illegal to own.
We, who were conscripted to make the world safe for Democracy, are no longer
safe in our own nation, in our own corrupted “democracy.” Still wonder why I wrote
what I did on my high school notebook cover? </span></div>
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-60923864720552064582016-08-17T15:34:00.000-07:002016-08-17T15:34:55.812-07:00Irony of Ironies!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: blue;">"An almost day-long outage of the National Security Agency’s website has raised further questions as to whether America's most secretive surveillance agency has itself been compromised, days after a shadowy cybergroup claimed to have obtained some of the NSA's most powerful hacking tools."</span><br />
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OMG this is too good to be true! The great all seeing eye, spying on our nation, like Cyclops, has been blinded!! Is this the ultimate irony of ironies or what? LOL</div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-39355026301610525492016-07-28T17:29:00.001-07:002016-08-04T18:16:04.719-07:00Disgusting lunatics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Thanks to the likes of Hillbilly Clinton and Nasty Pelosi we now know what the Democrats think of white male voters. They said that white men vote republican because of guns, gays, and God. I am not sure what "gays" has to do with anything but I am for the guns and God and if she isn't, well I'm sure God will forgive her. Obama seems overly fond of the gays so I won't touch that. Kerry said refrigerators are more dangerous than ISIS. No matter how dangerous they are, using a refrigerator for self-defense just doesn't make sense to me so I am thinking of trading my refrigerator for another rifle. Do you suppose there are any "Assault" refrigerators with high capacity ice cube trays? Am I being silly, a little facetious? Maybe so, but no more than any other nut in the asylum. .<br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-54721229589123023432016-07-24T14:14:00.000-07:002016-07-29T04:34:16.622-07:00Et Cetera !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
More blood, more killings, more spin, by the media. Its not a Muslim problem we are told, its a gun problem! So, how do we explain innocent people's deaths by machete, axe, car bomb, knife, suicide belt, cargo truck, IEDs, pressure cookers, et cetera? I forgot to add stoning, burning, drowning, throwing off roofs, and last, but not least, crucifixion. Did I miss any? <br />
How did the media take away the Islamic element and end up blaming my guns? I have owned and shot guns for over 40 years and never once killed anyone. I don't know about you but I am tired of the drivel from the President saying the world has never been safer. Or blockhead Kerry saying we are more likely to die due to air conditioners and freezers than ISIS.<u> If this is true then ban Air Conditioners and not my rifles!</u> Do you suppose Kerry has central air in his houses, air conditioning in his cars, refrigerators in his kitchens? No doubt, but he is part of the elitists who are never a part of the problem, only us ignorant proletariats, we're the problem. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-66662423771540684292016-07-17T10:09:00.004-07:002016-07-17T10:57:04.159-07:00More Blood, More Madness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Three more officers killed and three wounded in Baton Rouge, LA. I suppose we'll get another lecture from the POS in the white house about how we have to try harder to understand the Black perspective. How about if we just all stop killing people? White, Black, Yellow, just stop the killing! Where is this madness coming from? The hating needs to stop or maybe we need to have a final showdown and just get it all over with. Lock and Load! May the best man win. It's madness.<br />
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What sort of idiot says its easier for a black kid to buy a Glock than a book? What kind of malevolent moron stokes the fires of hate and racism and then cries the victim card? What sort of designer drugs is he doing in the People's House? <br />
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Prayers offered again for the injured and the survivors and loved ones of those killed. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-31953527422075961662016-07-17T10:09:00.003-07:002016-07-17T10:10:53.383-07:00More Blood, More Madness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Three more officers killed and three wounded in Baton Rouge, LA. I suppose we'll get another lecture from the POS in the white house about how we have to try harder to understand the Black perspective. How about if we just all stop killing people? White, Black, Yellow, just stop the killing! Where is this madness coming from? The hating needs to stop or maybe we need to have a final showdown and just get it all over with. Lock and Load! May the best man win. What sort of idiot says its easier for a black kid to buy a Glock than a book? What kind of idiot stokes the fires of hate and racism and then cries the victim card? What sort of designer drugs is he doing in the People's House? <br />
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Prayers offered again for the injured and the survivors and loved ones of those killed. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-72097583385275117822016-07-10T16:35:00.002-07:002016-07-10T16:35:50.203-07:00Atrocity in Dallas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Prayers are out for the Law Enforcement men shot in Dallas, those wounded, those killed and all of their friends and loved ones. We are in perilous times and our president can only talk about gun control and white prejudice. These are topics unfit to be discussed in the same breath as the tragedy so may people are suffering from. If we don't start coming together as a people we are going to see a lot of turmoil and chaos coming down the road. Its time the race baiters and haters were drowned out by the calls of Americans to stand together against violence in all its forms. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-55843702440677439512016-07-06T08:54:00.003-07:002016-07-10T16:31:31.007-07:00fighting knife sale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have listed more of my collection of fighting knives for sale on the Fairbairn website. Some of them are very hard to let go but I have purchased another rare commando knife from England and now I have to "pay the piper." So if you might be in the market for a bowie or a fighting knife to add to your collection please check my site out at <a href="http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/">http://www.fairbairnsykesfightingknives.com/</a><br />
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You might just find that special knife you have been looking for. That's how I felt when I bought each one of them and now reluctantly part with a few. I am open to trades or reasonable offers but please be reasonable. Here are some shots of some of the knives. I prefer money orders but will accept paypal. Full descriptions and prices are on the website.<br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-32067345325525246242016-07-05T14:00:00.001-07:002016-07-05T14:00:33.663-07:00The Fix is In<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Truer words were never spoken, The Fix Is In! What I hate the worst is the snarky POTUS (aka POS) flying Miss Daisy to a rally in North Carolina at your and my expense on the most extravagant airplane in the USA. And of course lets take the next Supreme Court nominee, Loretta Lynch, along too. She earned her wings last week working a deal with Slick Willie. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-57855929203251407582016-07-03T13:31:00.000-07:002016-07-03T13:31:11.303-07:00OSS commemorative<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
OK I am going to try to get away from politics for a bit! They are more corrosive than soaking in a vat of sulfuric acid. Like acid you cannot touch them without coming away scarred. So lets talk about my second most powerful addiction, knives, fighting knives in particular. <br />
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I just bought this unusual F-S knife from a good friend John Gibson. Yes you have seen his name on here before. It is obviously a post war knife, but who made it? It has a typical British machine ground blade, indicating Sheffield make. But in over 45 years of collecting I have never seen one before today. I like the way the letters O.S.S. are etched in a diagonal stripe, very racy looking. The handle is very distinctive too. The typical third pattern rings are cut into sections by longitudinal cuts. This is another characteristic which is unique to this knife. I suspect the gripping power is much better than on a standard third pattern knife. <br />
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It is accompanied by a traditional sheath which shows some age. I presume they are a set but the sheath could be older. I am looking forward to receiving it and adding it to our collection and book. Speaking of the book I may have to divide it into two volumes. Some people have suggested I start a group funding site to raise money for the first printing. I am having poor luck finding a publisher in this economy. Had I started one at a dollar a hit when I first launched my website I would have almost $100,000 to pay for printing. That's the difference between a businessman and an artist. <br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-73657208665802088982016-07-03T07:27:00.000-07:002016-07-03T07:27:13.160-07:00Incompetent or Complicit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incompetent or Complicit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take your choice of the above and decide where you feel the
President and his administration lie. For example, of all people, John Kerry ought to have
at least a fundamental grasp of guerilla warfare and terrorism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many “Leaders” have our Administration already
killed? How many innocent victims have been killed too, just for a fleeting
headline, a phantom victory? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
nation, are we so stupid that we do not know terrorism is formed in cells, able
to operate independently without a commander in chief? Are our leaders so ignorant
that they think killing one more leader affects the overall capability of ISIS?
Since when do three muslim attackers qualify as a lone wolf, singular? Why do muslim
terrorists carry rifles, while American civilians carry “ASSAULT” rifles? Why are AR-15s
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>demonized while the AK-47scarried by
the vast majority of muslim terrorists are characterized as “long rifles”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Terrorism is not about taking cities and holding ground. As
soon as ISIS started doing that they started having higher casualty rates.
Terrorism is about striking fear and “terror” into the hearts of the common people.
It is NOT about killing soldiers because they know that <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by killing civilians, creating havoc and
taking away from us all of our supposedly “safe” places <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they can have a greater effect. These same
safe places are also known as “Gun-Free” zones. The height of insanity is that even our military bases have
become gun-free zones. Our administration has offered us up as targets for
terrorists, either through ignorance or through intention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While ISIS operates freely, like spilled mercury,
we are being corralled and restricted, more freedoms stripped away, more
surveillance focused on us, the VICTIMS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Incompetent or Complicit?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While we are forced to live under increasingly stricter gun
control laws, laws that preclude law abiding citizens from protecting
themselves in target rich venues and activities. The government, conveniently
arrives just in the nick of time to take the body count and talk to the press.
But we are told to be brave and do not buckle under to the pressure of
terrorists or they have won. In the meantime our president travels around the world,
with a small army by his side, apologizing for our shameful “Islamaphobia,” while
riding in his 20 ton armored car. I ask you, Incompetent or Complicit?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-62219360241070612442016-06-12T14:52:00.001-07:002016-06-25T07:20:46.574-07:00The most Beautiful Sound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We heard the president say more than once that the most beautiful sound he has ever heard is the muslim call to morning prayer. I wonder if he ever hears the" beautiful sounds" of men being burned alive or slowly drowned, what about the gurgling sounds of men with their throats being cut, does he ever hear the screams of gays being thrown from roof tops, the screams of daughters and wives being stoned to death or set on fire? Does he hear the full spectrum of sounds coming from Sharia and Islam, the religion of peace? What about the people just killed in Orlando, their cries, their groans, their death rattles as he refuses to acknowledge we have a problem with radical Islamist terrorists. May the Orlando shooter burn eternally in hell. <br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-2866981882506905492016-06-06T12:35:00.002-07:002016-06-06T12:35:24.478-07:00Keeping Racism Alive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Mrs. Obama was quoted as saying.<br />
<br /><br />
When not taking a shot at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, first lady Michelle Obama used her commencement speech Friday at City College of New York to tell graduates that <span style="color: blue;">“every single day … I wake up in a house that was built by slaves.”</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">If she does not like it she should move her indignant, ungrateful butt out, and stay at a Motel 6 until her husband's term is up. And the left calls Trump a "hater"!</span></div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-52659221322055068552016-05-28T06:11:00.000-07:002016-05-28T06:11:35.464-07:00NOT About Roots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is <u><strong>Memorial Day weekend</strong></u>. A & E would have you believe it is about Roots and African American slavery. I honor all of those people of all races, colors and creeds who serve and have served in the AMERICAN military. I wish the twisted media moguls would do the same thing and stop pushing the Race Card. I suppose Obama will take the opportunity to diminish or apologize for American Veterans.<br />
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<em><strong>"Memorial Day</strong> is a </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_holidays_in_the_United_States" title="Federal holidays in the United States"><em>federal holiday</em></a><em> in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces" title="United States Armed Forces"><em>country's armed forces</em></a><em>.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-vamd_1-0"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day#cite_note-vamd-1">[1]</a></sup> The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-2"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup> originated as <b>Decoration Day</b> after the </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War" title="American Civil War"><em>American Civil War</em></a><em> in 1868, when the </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Army_of_the_Republic" title="Grand Army of the Republic"><em>Grand Army of the Republic</em></a><em>, an organization of </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Army" title="Union Army"><em>Union</em></a><em> veterans founded in </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decatur,_Illinois" title="Decatur, Illinois"><em>Decatur, Illinois</em></a><em>, established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup> By the 20th century, competing </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Army" title="Union Army"><em>Union</em></a><em> and </em><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederate_Army" title="Confederate Army"><em>Confederate</em></a><em>
holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and
Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while
in the military service.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-vamd_1-1"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day#cite_note-vamd-1">[1]</a></sup> It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while </em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_Day" title="Labor Day"><em>Labor Day</em></a><em> marks its end." source Wikipedia</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>GOD bless America, and our veterans and remember those who died to keep us free. </em><br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-82835820077384998922016-04-23T08:32:00.002-07:002016-04-24T08:26:14.579-07:00A New First Pattern FS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After only a few weeks wait time I received a package from the Egginton Group in Sheffield,
UK. I had ordered a First Pattern knife from them. This is a fairly new model from their custom shop, part of their “Collectable Knives” series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First
impressions are very favorable. The packaging was robust ensuring that it
arrived in undamaged condition. Inside the shipping box was a finely appointed
cardboard box which set the expectations that the knife inside would be equally
as elegant. Indeed I was not disappointed. Inside the box is a paper wrapped
booklet briefly describing the history of the cutlery firms which compose the
Egginton Group. The booklet also included a certificate of authenticity. Now,
let’s get on to reviewing the piece de’ resistance, the knife. </span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rptN-du938o/VxuSQiFcVVI/AAAAAAAAB7E/ivk3UvPjt5YeRdHvNpyI4zOkMNWIYm12ACLcB/s1600/rodgers%2Bfirst%2Bpattern%2B005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rptN-du938o/VxuSQiFcVVI/AAAAAAAAB7E/ivk3UvPjt5YeRdHvNpyI4zOkMNWIYm12ACLcB/s400/rodgers%2Bfirst%2Bpattern%2B005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There are some anomalies, but only someone reasonably familiar
with the World War Two version would probably notice. The nicely ground and
symmetrical blade is one inch wide at the ricasso and seven and one quarter
inches long. That is a trifle longer than most originals. It is approximately
3/16 inches thick. World War Two versions are a full ¼ inch thick and usually
under seven inches long. Still the knife has a nice balance and heft to it. One
thing I found ironic is the blade profile is closer to an X-dagger than a Wilkinson.
The original specification calls for a blade with a straight taper from the
guard to the tip. The ricasso, which is a little longer than normal, is nearly
parallel sided, whose taper then increases to the tip. Unlike many originals
this blade is sharp, a decided improvement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am especially pleased with the etchings on the ricasso. Both are
typical of the World War Two originals with the exception of Joseph Rodgers
replacing the Wilkinson name. Nicely done!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Handle and two inch wide “S” guard are both beautifully
plated and traditional in form. The serial number of this knife is cleanly
stamped on the upper surface of the guard. The sheath, the sheath is a breath
of fresh air! After decades of complaining about crappy sheaths this one is
superb. It is a very snug fit and has a lovely plated chape identical to the
originals. Snap and strap retention is very nice too. Kudos to the sheath
makers! WW-II knife top, Rodgers knife bottom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywv8S3ALPTU/VxuUxL1qHyI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/UR7AIQkiCGwZcuPC17ob9qtCO6cyuVx-wCLcB/s1600/egginton%2Bknife%2B001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ywv8S3ALPTU/VxuUxL1qHyI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/UR7AIQkiCGwZcuPC17ob9qtCO6cyuVx-wCLcB/s400/egginton%2Bknife%2B001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Is it a perfect rendition? No, but my final assessment is that I am very well pleased with the
knife, despite any of the minor anomalies listed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is perhaps one of the finest Factory- Made
First Pattern knives since those made by the H.G. Long Company a few years
back. It is destined to become a collector’s item based on the Joseph Rodgers
mark alone. The only fault I would point out is the lack of definition in the
region where the ricasso blends into the blade’s bevels. This is typical of a
machine ground blade, although these may be hand ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a knife of excellent quality and the
extra efforts taken in the finish and presentation of it make a very favorable impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congratulations to the Egginton Group
craftsmen for a job well done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Somewhat as an afterthought I have added a few photos which compare the ricasso areas of an original and also a Paul MacDonald First Pattern and a Peter Parkinson (very early) first Pattern (middle) along with the Rodgers knife. The variations in original WW-II knives are almost as stark as these three modern knives exhibit. The two by MacDonald and Parkinson have thicker blades. With original WW-II First Patterns selling in the $2,000 range, knives by any of these makers; MacDonald, Parkinson or Egginton, are a bargain. </div>
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-46552027625552845272016-04-05T11:35:00.000-07:002016-04-05T11:50:13.329-07:00Ancient trail of elephant dung helps scientists unlock mystery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This shocking headline caught my attention. I immediately assumed it was about the Republican Party. But alas it was about another disaster of historical proportions. It was about Hannibal's amazing trek across the mountains with elephants to attack Rome. If I remember correctly only one elephant survived the crossing and it was from India instead of Africa. <br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
But speaking of dead elephants, what are we true conservatives to think about a party that starts out with over a dozen contenders "impartially" supporting only one of them and he is eventually eliminated from the running. So now they are going to pick up their marbles (or trail of dung bits), go into their closet and pick a new candidate for us to vote for. <br />
<br />
<br />
I have been a registered republican all my life and I believe in conservative principals. It is too bad that the GOP, the conservative right no longer does. It is too bad that they are more concerned about sinking their own candidates than the true opposition on the left. But that is the pattern they set for the last two elections as well. What is going on? To these bozos the Party is more important than the country, more important than your vote or your opinion. They are going to tell us who we are going to vote for, whether we like that person or not, whether we even know who he is until the secret meeting in the closet is over. <br />
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<br />
Well screw them. I give the GOP the fickle finger of fate award. I raise my digit proudly in their direction and I will vote for Bernie or maybe write in a vote for Fidel Castro or Vladimir Putin, men who will do as they say in the bright light of day, not sequestered away in a dark closet. I have known for many years my vote means nothing, otherwise the great "hope and change" con artist would have never been in office. But I have always voted anyways since it is my right and it annoys them for you to do so. After all, they know better than you do who belongs in office. They play musical chairs with the nominees and remove all of the chairs but one. and when the music stops someone else is already sitting in the chair.<br />
<br />
<br />
We have been fooled but we are not fools. We can see their filthy charades being played out right in front of our eyes. They are too brazen now to even hide their perfidy. As the old song goes:<br />
"I thought that you'd want what I want<br />
Sorry, my dear<br />
But where are the clowns?<br />
There ought to be clowns<br />
Quick, send in the clowns<br />
Don't bother they're here"<br />
<br /></div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-8919577828303508912016-03-16T07:48:00.001-07:002016-03-16T07:59:39.608-07:00Bunches of Knives!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Two weeks ago I bought a nice Beaded and Ribbed knife from
John Gibson at Military Fighting Knives. Only a short while ago I also bought
my first and only Smatchet from John. Great guy to deal with and he and his
partner Gary Ruleford always have reasonable prices. I don’t know why I am
telling you this because now I have more people to compete against when they
list new knives. I guess I am telling you because people like them deserve my
support and your business. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Well right after buying the Beaded and Ribbed I got an email
asking if I was interested in a small collection of F-S knives. That’s like
asking whether my cat Lucy is hungry, she is always hungry! So John sent me
photos of the knives and a price. I bought the five of them without dickering.
You ought to be warned that “Commemorative” knives are not always the best
investment. Sometimes they go up in price and sometimes they remain flat in
value. So when it comes to buying them I recommend you decide whether they are
something you want to keep, not whether they are something you are trying to
make money on. I liked both of the commemoratives by Crown Sword Co. and John’s
price was very fair. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I added the five
knives plus the sixth Beaded and Ribbed to my collection in one fell swoop. John ships
fast and I had them in hand within about 3 days. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The five knives in this photo are, from left to right: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A Vietnam era chrome-plated F-S possibly made in Taiwan and usually
engraved for Special Forces troops. This one is sterile with no sheath, markings,
or engraving. There is another SF style knife that was made by Japan Sword which
I have illustrated on my website.</span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Crown Sword cased Commemorative for the Parachute regiments.
Nicely etched with some wear to the gold infil, but a nicely made knife. Note
the Crown Sword style handle which uniquely incorporates a third pattern ribbed
section with a second pattern pommel knob. </span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">PPCLI Knife. This is a copy of the knife issued to Princess Patricia Canadian
Light Infantry unit which was formed during the 1950s. It does not have the
PPCLI engraved on the blade as some models I have seen. Those were marked with
an electric pencil engraver. This standard third pattern knife is marked only
with a tiny ↑ inside the letter C on the guard. The knives were sourced
separate from the sheaths. By the way, the green paint is correct. Also the sheath is the
rare leg or arm style and is very well made. It too has a ↑C marking on the
back of the frog. </span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Made by Crown Sword, this third pattern commemorates
the 22<sup>nd</sup> SAS regiment. The quality is excellent and the knife is in
very good condition. </span></div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The final knife of the set is this Wilkinson Sword Co.
Second pattern. I was very surprised with this knife. I was not aware that
Wilkinson had made second pattern knives this late that were not special
commemoratives. It came with the std high quality sheath. What is unusual is
the blade is a bright heat blue, not the usual black nickle, commonly found on
their blackened knives. It has the long “Masonic” crest acid-etched into the
blade. On the opposite side is a small serial number #006, stamped into the
blade. This is an extremely nice knife and typical of the high quality knives
Wilkinson Sword once made in the 1970-80s. </span></div>
</li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">All in all it was one heck of a week for my collection,
although a little rough on the bank account. Thanks to John and Gary for
operating a nice website and selling good quality knives at affordable prices. Check
them out at:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #626262; font-family: "tahoma" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.militaryfightingknives.com/"><span style="color: #bd7821; text-decoration: none;">http://www.militaryfightingknives.com/</span></a>
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></span></div>
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-15298467389749518002016-03-06T06:28:00.001-08:002016-03-16T11:48:43.427-07:00Return of the Second Pattern<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Lets have a round of applause. Sheffield has finally started producing a high grade Second Pattern F-S knife. I got my copy off ebay for a very reasonable price. The seller is "Thesheffieldcutleryshop". Delivery was reasonable and the knife was worth the wait. <br />
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They are being produced by under the name of J. Nowill & Sons, a renowned cutlery firm with a long history. As any of you who have followed by blog or visited my website know, I consider J Nowill & Sons as the maker of the finest Third Pattern F-S knives today. The knife is the equal of any made during the war and shortly thereafter. A very nicely polished blade is richly blued and show no grind marks anywhere. An equally well finished and blued guard is well fitted. The knife is noticeably lighter than a WW-II version and testing with a magnet confirmed the handle is not brass and most likely is steel. The knurling is well done and finer that on WW-II knives. The knife still has the same feel and balance of a fine Fairbairn-Sykes fighting knife at a price that is sure to please. I do not know of any other way to get one other than through the ebay connection but don't let that discourage you. <br />
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-72978924557841266562016-02-02T06:12:00.002-08:002016-02-06T06:10:15.416-08:00Deja vu Separate but Equal?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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News Report: <span style="color: blue;"> "In order to help black males graduate, the University of Connecticut is constructing a dorm with a living space only for them. Called the ScHOLA2RS House, the living community for African American males is set to open in 2016. According to UConn’s </span><a href="http://lc.uconn.edu/schola2rshouse/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">website</span></a><span style="color: blue;">, the ScHOLA2RS House is “a scholastic initiative to groom, nurture, and train the next generation of leaders to address grand challenges in society through the promotion of academic success in undergraduate programs at the University of Connecticut and in competitive graduate programs.”</span><br />
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Now we move from affirmative action into reverse discrimination. We have lowered the standards to be admitted, lowered the standards to graduate, and given preferential hiring, what next? New college buildings for only Black men? Will they be paid for by Black men only or your tax dollars? I think you can figure that one out. <br />
<br />
When I was in 9th grade my family was living in Georgia. At that time the US was still living under the stigma of what was supposedly separate but equal public facilities. Separate lunch counters, bathrooms etc. Yes it was wrong and Americans changed it. For all of the civil rights marches and protests it was still primarily WHITE politicians who rewrote the laws and corrected the archaic discriminatory practices. My high school in Georgia was right out of the pages of "Gone With The Wind." The only new part was, of course, the gymnasium. The classrooms still had the iron framed bench seat desks with lift up tops and ink wells. This was like living on the set of Little House on the Prairie. The real irony was this school was all white. After we got off the bus the black kids continued on down the road. They went to a brand new school with all new desks and chairs. <br />
<br />
I remember separate lunch counters and bathrooms. I remember the dead freedom riders in a ditch in Alabama or was it Mississippi and the bombed churches. It was an ugly, evil time. Are we ready to repeat it all over by creating a new separate but equal society? Call it Apartheid, Segregation, or "a living community for African American males," it still smells bad. </div>
knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30517645.post-29722411445983978112016-01-27T10:06:00.004-08:002016-02-06T06:11:14.578-08:00Just Who is the Enemy?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
COWBOY'S LIVES MATTER.<br />
I am trying to absorb what happened in Oregon at the Malheur Refuge. A couple dozen people were holed up in what was basically an un-attended building, left open to the public. They were heavily armed and protesting the re-arrest, and re-sentencing of two local ranchers, for a crime they had already served time for. Whether the original conviction was even legitimate or not you cannot re-sentence someone for the same crime. It is unconstitutional, period! The protesters holed up were also trying to bring attention to the fact that this was only one more seizure of private property by a land hungry federal (or is it feral) government. The government has forced out ranchers and farmers and miners all to gain control over "public land." So that is the backdrop. <br />
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Last night on the way to a public meeting the protesters were stopped at a roadblock and engaged in a fire-fight. One protester was shot dead, another wounded, and 7-8 arrested and hauled off to jail. Now what really puzzles me is the high level of aggression brought down on these peacefully assembled people. In fact they were headed to a meeting to discuss a stand-down when they were stopped. Now I want you to contrast what happened in Oregon with what <u>did not happen</u> in Baltimore, or Ferguson, or New York City when other peoples exercised their First Amendment rights to gather and ask for redress of grievances. No arrests were made, none were shot and killed in Baltimore or Ferguson by the way. You look at the photos and see which side might be the Anarchists and which are not. <br />
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Okay now here are the folks in Oregon who were attacked by the FBI and State Troopers. Can you see any comparison?</div>
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As seen in the photo below these people came fully prepared to defend their rights and could have easily drawn first blood. But they vowed to NOT fire the first shot, even in defense of their rights or lives. One thing I didn't know, that Anarchist could also be spelled P.A.T.R.I.O.T. </div>
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knife-fighterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03748132080437519418noreply@blogger.com0