Friday, January 30, 2009

Why are we not enraged?


Just took this blurb about Tom Daschle's tax woes off FoxNews:


The White House has acknowledged that former Sen. Tom Daschle, President Obama's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, had "some tax issues," which, the administration says, have been resolved and shouldn't bar his confirmation as secretary.


FOX News confirmed that Daschle alerted the Senate Finance Committee, which will oversee his confirmation hearing, that the matter involves more than $100,000 in back taxes and interest for a car and driver that was provided to him for four years by Leo Hindery, a wealthy Democratic donor and longtime friend of Daschle's.


If I owed $100k in taxes to the IRS I can only imagine the heat they would be putting on me. And we are going to let this guy have a place of power in our Nation's government? The White House does not see anything wrong with not paying your taxes? And to furthermore stain the sheets of liberty, the taxes are owed on some hinky deal he worked out with a contributor to have a car and driver for himself. The taint is upon the White House already. They certainly seem to have forgotten that the White House is the people's house. They serve at our whim and fancy. Our government seems to forget that it is us, the everyday citizens who pay their salaries, who pay the bills in this country. Between the stink of this new administration (stinkier than the last by far, so far) and the way they are playing fast and loose with billions of dollars in our pocket change with this so called "bailout", I can only see hard times ahead for America.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Camping


The RB6 family went camping this weekend. Temps at our Bug Out Location ranged from the high to low 30's, but we didn't get an overnight freeze. Mrs. RipperBravo6 and Kid01 are bundled up in this pic, enjoying the day. As a concession to the weather, we actually took tents this time. Although it was uncomfortable for some, everyone agreed it was a good trip. Hot dogs and sausage on an open fire for lunch, some of Bertram Buck's famous pork chili for dinner and bacon and egg tacos for breakfast. It was good prep in case things get bad. Everyone realized they were capable of standing hardship much more than they thought. We put a few more survival skills under our belt and learned a few shortcuts. Most importantly, this allowed us to contemplate some changes to our gear and supplies. Inexpensive fleece blankets from Wal-Mart were especially nice. Get yourself a few as they are very packable and can be used as a poncho, sleeping pad or to line a sleeping bag. Stainless steel mugs are good for coffee and hot chocolate in the morning and are very easy to clean. Cast iron cooking gear is a pain to carry with you, but there is nothing better for cooking on an open fore. I suggest a frying pan, a small griddle and a medium dutch oven with lid at a minimum. We all discussed the possibility of putting up some more permanent structures on the site, such as small 2 bed cabins and an outhouse. We will see if we can get it going this spring. If you have not taken your family to the woods yet, get out there, it is a trip you will cherish for a long time!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

MOLLE Waist Pouch


This a a US Army Surplus MOLLE Waist pouch. It is normally attached to the issue MOLLE vest and used as a carry all. I removed the short belt it came with, added a strap and Fastex buckles from http://www.strapworks.com/ and now use it to carry my USGS topo maps in their waterproof soft case. The belt is adjustable so that anyone in my party can carry it, and the pouch is easily accessible, even on the move. In addition, due to MOLLE straps on the back, the pouch can be added to any pack with PALS webbing. Every member of my group will carry a compass and is trained in reading the maps.

Drop Down Leg Rig


This is the left side Drop Down Leg Rig from Condor. Both sides are interchangeable, and can be used on left or right. This rig features 2 double Condor mag pouches, holding 4 17 round magazines for the Glock pistol. Below the mag pouches are an oblong "Survival" type pouch. I will use this pouch to carry my basic field survival gear, consisting of a firestarting kit, a small flashlight, several light sticks, a few power bars, basic first aid kit, a SteriPen water filter, 2 bandannas, safety pins and an emergency "space" blanket.

Drop Down Leg Rig


On the right Drop Down Leg Rig, a Condor holster holds a Glock 17. The holster is well made, with PALS webbing on either side, making it reversible for you lefties out there. It also has PALS webbing on the front, which allows you to attach the included single mag pouch. This would be good if the holster was to be carried on a belt. Myself, I removed it since I have plenty of mags on the other leg and used the pouch to hold a Surefire G2 on my Tactical Briefcase. All Condor mag pouches have Velcro adjustable lids which allow you to use longer or shorter items in them with equal safety. The holster has a Velcro adjustable thumb break as well as an additional bungee cord to further secure your sidearm. I have augmented this set up with 2 Tactical Tailor multi tool pouches with Fastex buckles. I wanted the buckles to secure smaller items that might come loose. Mounted in front of the holster on the panel itself is the pouch containing my Leatherman Klick multi tool. Mounted on the holster in an easily drawable pouch is a folding auto knife. It is easily retrievable for utility of self defense use. The panel secures to the rigger belt with foldover Velcro pieces and is very secure. It is also easily detachable due to a large Fastex buckle. It secures to your thigh with 2 adjustable straps featuring Fastex buckles. I have found it both comfortable and practical.

Gear Loadout


Here is my new for 2009 Loadout. It consists of 1. a Condor Riggers belt, well made and able to support all my gear, yet comfortable to wear and, 2. a Condor Blood Type "keychain", although I don't hang my keys here, it gives a nice place to hang objects that I might readily need, such as gloves, binos, a knife or other items and, 3. a Condor Drop Leg Rig with a holster and 2 multitool pouches and, 4. a Condor Drop Leg Rig with 2 double mag pouches and an oblong "Survival" pouch.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

MOLLE Bag Review

Well, last year, I promised a review of the Diplomat MOLLE Ammo Bag I got from LA Police Gear. I finally had a chance to take it out to our big New Years MG Shoot near Houston. I loaded the bag up pretty good, tossed it in the backseat and hauled myself to the shoot. During the day, the bag was hauled up and down the line, dropped, stepped on and left lying in the mud. I can happily report no problems whatsoever! The bag is tough and durable and well designed. It had metal and plastic clips on the ample strap. I would have preferred all metal, but remember, I paid $9.99 for this bag! Inside, one side of the bag is covered completely in female Velcro for a holster or additional pouches, and there are two large pockets as well. Each pocket can hold 4 AR-15 Magazines. Overall, I was very impressed.

MOLLE Bag Review

And what can you fit in this magical bag? Well, here is what I took to the MG Shoot:
(Not shown, 1 Nalgene bottle in neoprene cover carabaniered to outside)
1 pair Wiley X Tactical Goggles (clipped to outside of bag in their hard case)
2 Lightsticks
Leatherman Klick Multitool
Garmin Legend GPS
Spare AA batteries in a glow in the dark carrier
Lansky knife sharpener
Folding Auto Knife
Backup Pistol in holster
Winchester Hearing Protectors
And SEVEN, yes seven- count 'em, fully loaded Orlite AR-15 Magazines

I was pretty impressed, all the junk I needed and the bag was comfortable and durable. It won't serve every need (doesn't fit my laptop for instance), but for $10, with expansion capable MOLLE on the outside, it sure fits my ideal of a good buy. Pick your up today at www.lapolicegear.com .