mspart

I kind of agree. Biden is laughable but has generally always shown up at the debate. I don't know why but he usually does well as well. It should be easy to run circles around him one would think, but then whoever does that would be shot down as a mean person taking advantage of the doddering, sympathetic, well meaning, elderly man. mspart

That's my plan. After 80 years of law abiding, I think I will go into bank holdups and casino thefts (think Ocean's 11). mspart

I guess I don't know the Heller case and its conditions etc. Gun ownership should be legal for everyone without extreme mental issues or not convicted violent criminals. I believe laws are already in place in this regard. Otherwise, I really haven't thought about it much more than that. mspart

There is no dichotomy here. Owning a gun and being pro life are not mutually exclusive. If you are pro life you are not using that gun to end lives unless your own or someone else's life is being imminently threatened. I see no conundrum here at all. I think that being pro life means protecting the innocent. Be it abortion, crime, etc. Who's life am I "pro" for? My own, that of my family, then friends, then strangers who have their life in peril because of a perp. The perp does not get consideration since he is willing to destroy an innocent life. I do not carry a gun. I have not found that this is necessary for me just yet. But I would not be opposed to carrying a gun if society gets to the point where I am feeling in danger. I have never shot anyone. I would most likely have a hard time doing so but would to save a family member for sure. mspart

Me too. mspart

I think they overturned the federal ban, not state bans. I'm not sure on that but that is how I understand it. I don't think they said anything about state bans. I understand there are 18 states that ban bump stocks. I personally am in favor of bumpstocks being illegal like machine guns. If Scotus says no on a federal level, then let the states do it. Further to the thread, I believe the 2nd Amendment gives citizens the right to bear arms. But I also think that that right can be revoked due to psychological issues or legal issues. There needs to be much better enforcement of the laws that are on the books. Those should be sufficient to do what is necessary to keep guns out of the hands of people that will use them for nefarious purposes. Unless of course, they get the guns illegally. Any crime where a gun is used, there should be enhanced penalties and there should not be any way to plea those down or not prosecute. Here in the Seattle area, they don't prosecute thieves and robbers for the use of a gun. At least generally, that charge is dropped. Part of that may be the enhanced 5 year prison term for such use which is WA law. I am for that as well. Hopefully that more fully states my position over my very short response earlier. mspart

Writing while high. Good one! Should be the same consequence as driving while high. Ha ha. mspart

Beautiful scenery. Congrats! mspart

Let's hope so. Even election fraud deniers should be happy with this. mspart

RL. He's the man. I'm guessing. mspart

We had a pineapple express come here last week. We had a flood watch and all. It has been clear without much rain since then. I wouldn't say it is BBQ weather but it is dry and warmer, highs in high 60s low 70s. But it is smelling really good in the house and outside right now. mspart

Editing note. I was going to put a pic of Ted Nugent's stranglehold, but the system wouldn't let me. I'll see if a small one will work. Nope won't let me. You can go here if you need that Nugent fix: https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=cff19ea8ba3a868e&sca_upv=1&q=nugent+stranglehold&udm=2&fbs=AEQNm0Aa4sjWe7Rqy32pFwRj0UkWfbQph1uib-VfD_izZO2Y5sC3UdQE5x8XNnxUO1qJLaRfKvQK6KSkFrWZdGNeSbyP2dr2mnY9u0zJ7SRXxZukdQvpefeYMo5bAgmG4SG-q6yARfmBph5O0LNjhdD2xCeBeDkDFR4SZD_-MHskrc_zbF9gDOGlg8yLsZdsY-IRLnaS01bFfomRkQzZXXysIcQUke8wBw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiF8tjcw9mGAxUFMzQIHd32AgEQtKgLegQIEBAB&biw=1920&bih=899&dpr=1 mspart

Got 4 pork butts smoking right now ahead of my wife's preschool end of year celebration. I did two in the smoker to smoke them up and pulled them out to put in the oven at 200F. I just put the other two in the smoker. I'm telling you what, this is looking really good!!! I figuree I'll let the 2nd batch stay in the smoker for a longer period of time. When I pulled the first set out, they were at 130F. I'll probably go a little longer with the 2nd set. Besides, the chips apparently weren't done smoking . I dropped them in our fire pit and they are smoking away out there, still burning. I injected with pineapple, brown sugar, salt, worstershire, soy, liquid smoke, and tabasco. I think it is going to be really really good. Tomorrow is the time of truth at the party. Ionel, if you are in the area, come on over. Just follow your nose! mspart

That has always been the mantra. It hasn't worked so far. There is a tried and true method here that has been practiced ever since money was developed. Do spend more than you bring in. Period. You can say, we borrow for houses and cars. And if we can't make the payments such as in 2008, things go south real fast. We are a long way from not adding to the debt but we could be adding less and less actual dollars over the short term. Keep that static. The interest should stay static as well. Then we have our expenditures somewhat equal to or less than what is brought in. It's a trick as old as time. Don't spend more than you have. The Federales need to relearn that. mspart

Let me put it another way, no sane person or country would buy our bonds if we refused to pay the interest. What would be the point? mspart

RV-I don't think it would take drastic cuts. Cut budgets 10% and revenue will catch up in a little while. 2023 expenditures were 6.13 Trillion. Revenues were 4.44 Trillion. Deficit was 1.7 Trillion. We no longer have to spend for Covid. We shoudn't be spending a dime on illegal immigrants. There is room to cut budgets. Budgets can be easily cut by 10%, not cut 10% of the growth for next year, cut 10%. The only thing that can't be cut is the debt interest payments. It is well known that the federal goverment is extremely wasteful. https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/media/reps/dr-paul-releases-2023-festivus-report-on-government-waste/ WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released his 2023 “Festivus” Report, totaling ~$900,000,000,000 in government waste.Dec 22, 2023 If true, if 900B is wasteful, that can be gotten rid of without consequence. Then 800 Billion has to be cut. That is just over the 10% originally noted. mspart

Yes, that is what will happen. if it gets too much we will just not pay it. That is the long storied history of governments who overextend. But then no one will give us their money anymore so something needs to be done now. But it won't. We are too addicted to free crap the gov gives. Obviously they don't give it, we pay for it. mspart

Ted Baxter was a crazy character back in the day. Les Nesman was also one of those that was quirky and you never knew where he was coming from or where he was going. mspart

You are a treat TPT. You twist and squirm to change what people say to make them demons. I did not equate myself to terrorists. Not even close. That is a lie you tell yourself with a smugness that allows you to think you are winning an argument. It is a ridiculous narrative you weave and everyone can see it. You might try something else, this isn't working for you. I have been very clear here about what I think. IDF goes after Hamas operatives. If they are hiding with civilians, and civilians get hurt or killed, that is on Hamas. I do not think IDF should or does target civilians. But if Hamas will use them as shields, that is on Hamas. Hamas should have thought about that before attacking innocent civilians in Israel on Oct 7. And it is apparent they did. Sinwa of Hamas wants casualties. He is very clear that more Gazan civilian casualties, the better. He is the monster you should be concerned with because he has very real power over there. I, who have been very clearly on the opposite of him, should not concern you one bit. And you know that but try to warp what has been written on here. Your fake outrage is very transparent. Your attempt to equalize me with terrorists is laughable. One of the worst comparisons I have ever heard. You need a new bag of tricks. mspart

That is actually a salient point. The DOJ and other enforcement agencies will move if the alleged crime is the right crime or so it seems. mspart

I read where A&W put out a 1/3 pounder priced the same as the McDs 1/4 pounder. Sales did not increase. They did a study and found most people thought the DQ was a worse deal because 3 is less than 4. https://awrestaurants.com/blog/aw-third-pound-burger-fractions Yes, normal people do not know fractions. Unbelievable! mspart

Wow you just described the leader of Sinwa of Hamas. See what I did there? mspart

https://www.crfb.org/blogs/interest-costs-just-surpassed-defense-and-medicare In the first seven months of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, spending on net interest has reached $514 billion, surpassing spending on both national defense ($498 billion) and Medicare ($465 billion). Overall spending has totaled $3.9 trillion thus far. They said we would get here and now we have. Debt is the #1 expenditure int he budget and that is not bringing any of the debt down. It is only paying the interest. We cannot keep going like this. mspart

What presidents have been over 65 when they were elected? Seriously, I know Trump and Biden, but are there any others? How were they? mspart

Not a complete answer, but I think at the very least, persons convicted of violent crimes should be able to have their 2nd Amendment rights stripped. Not just any felon, but those convicted of violent crime. Not sure about much else. Like I said, not a complete answer. mspart