tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:17:28 +0000http://grdurand.com/blogger/noreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)Blogger2556125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-2252853315258475372Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:56:00 +00002008-12-01T21:17:28.210-08:00I caught a little teasing for blogging the James Bond Gun. One reader suggested the Bersa Thunder .380 as an alternative, at about half the price. I don't think so. The Bersa is half an inch larger in every dimension — length, height, and most importantly, width. It's 1.44 inches versus the Walther's 0.98. I'm serious about small hands. The average man's hand measures 190 mm from wrist to http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/12/get-grip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-6805381306611980038Mon, 01 Dec 2008 02:34:00 +00002008-11-30T19:46:21.945-08:00I went to the Medford Rifle and Pistol Club's Semi-Annual Fall Gun Show for two reasons. First I wanted to look at all the rifles and see if any of them were even half as beautiful as the one I own. None were. Second I wanted to look at all the pistols and see if there was anything that really fit my small hands. There was. On a table in the back corner in amongst the used 45s there was a small http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/current-fantasy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-8045557753414962205Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:54:00 +00002008-11-28T06:54:01.013-08:00If the Obama administration nationalizes the mortgage, automotive, and health industries, and the tax burden becomes intolerable, where can we go? Isn't the United States the last, best hope? The freest nation on earth? Well, not exactly. The Heritage Foundation each year ranks the countries of the world on the basis of ten economic freedoms. And the United States, although ranking fairly well, http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/economic-freedoms.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-5594872901161146877Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:21:00 +00002008-11-27T09:15:50.837-08:00"Thanksgiving on the Farm" by John Clymer, November 26, 1955. Things are fairly quiet this year. The war, in Iraq at least, is pretty much over. The seemingly interminable presidential campaign has terminated, too, with surprisingly little strife. The Democrats won and they deserve it. A black man was given the nation's worst job. He reportedly looks forward to it. Here on the farm we finally http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/thanksgiving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-3036775895042712292Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:23:00 +00002008-11-26T19:50:29.506-08:00Well I missed Ammo Day this year—just too broke. But the check finally showed up on Monday just in time to take advantage of Bi-Mart's $2 off sale. Combine that with Remington's annual Load Up On Savings rebates ($5 per box) and the price of 7mm-08s just went down to $14.97/20. Can't beat that with a stick. Some day, I know, I'm going to seriously have to look into reloading. But in addition tohttp://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/ammo-day-late.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-7892214208806121774Thu, 27 Nov 2008 01:01:00 +00002008-11-26T17:43:10.656-08:00The Wall Street Journal continues today a tradition begun in 1961 of publishing each Thanksgiving two articles, the first an extract from Nathaniel Morton's journal written about 1620, and the second an editorial written by Vermont Royster in 1949. From the first: Besides, what could they see but a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wilde beasts and wilde men? and what multitudes of them http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/desolate-wilderness-and-fair-land.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-1478233666149539756Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:47:00 +00002008-11-26T09:10:21.358-08:00Did Roosevelt have advance warning?Did Oswald act alone?Is Obama a natural born citizen?Why do you ask, paisano? It is not for you to know.http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/who-killed-vince-foster.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-8732518664412400294Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:42:00 +00002008-11-24T18:49:26.797-08:00Mark Steyn: On Friday I had the honor of addressing the Federalist Society in Washington on the matter of my free-speech travails up north. And, in response to a question on whether the Canadian "Human Rights" Commission were surprised that I'd pushed back against them, I quoted that great line from the Kevin Bacon film Tremors when the giant mutated killer worms attack Michael Gross and Reba http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/broke-into-wrong-g-d-rec-room.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-6541494349601446831Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:49:00 +00002008-11-24T17:52:41.787-08:00Dave Burge reporting from Washington. Ending weeks of speculation and rumors, President-Elect Barack Obama today named Bill Clinton to join his incoming administration as President of the United States, where he will head the federal government's executive branch. "I am pleased that Bill Clinton has agreed to come out of retirement to head up this crucial post in my administration," said Obama. http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/another-key-appointment.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-2816949542990338651Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:37:00 +00002008-11-23T07:38:58.499-08:00http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/well-alright-then.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-1198959217778372688Sat, 22 Nov 2008 21:11:00 +00002008-11-22T13:18:07.537-08:00November 22, 2008. The first annual Victory in Iraq Day. As ZombieTime says, By every measure, The United States and coalition forces have conclusively defeated all enemies in Iraq, pacified the country, deposed the previous regime, successfully helped to establish a new functioning democratic government, and suppressed any lingering insurgencies. The war has come to an end. And we won. http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/victory-in-iraq-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-7330940861291984275Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:01:00 +00002008-11-21T23:14:56.362-08:00The Sarah Palin Turkey Interview, live and uncut (well, except for his head)! MSNBC advised us to hide the kids even though they'd "sanitized" the film. This is not the "sanitized" version! I say bring 'em back into the room, set them down, and let them enjoy that "frozen moment when everyone sees what's on the end of every fork." Oooh, yum, them's good eatin! (I didn't hear a word she was http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/uncensored.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-2276561225450402765Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:05:00 +00002008-11-21T19:49:08.030-08:00Tsk, tsk, tsk. Kids nowdays. Doreen Truesdell's put a new twist on the old gripe. I took a breath and asked to speak to the store manager. That’s when the eyes started rolling and the tongues began to cluck in disapproval all around me. But here’s what surprised me the most: there wasn’t a soul there under the age of 65, including the cashier, the man bagging my groceries and the customers in my http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/seniors-gone-haywire.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-1515621969512744080Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:24:00 +00002008-11-21T07:29:13.467-08:00Pruthviraj Patil, 11, suffers from a rare genetic disorder known as hypertrichosis — or "werewolf syndrome" — which causes a thick coat of hair to grow over every inch of his body except his palms and feet. In the New York Post.http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/way-more-unique.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-8356833255751223620Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:39:00 +00002008-11-20T19:40:41.394-08:0027.5 miles per gallonCreated by The Car Connectionhttp://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/better-than-i-expected.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-1115619910818867530Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:25:00 +00002008-11-20T19:28:20.241-08:00Snowflakes in Hell said it. Janet Napolitano gets tapped for Homeland Security. Now Kathy Sibelius for Labor Secretary. There are rumors of either Hillary Clinton or Bill Richardson at State. So we could be going forward with a lot of up-and-coming Democrats manning the decks on the U.S.S. Obama. This works out well for the Democrats if the ship turns out to be seaworthy, but it could be a http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/up-and-out.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-2106867223270639514Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:46:00 +00002008-11-20T06:46:00.327-08:00Jason Fried explains why the Drudge Report is one of the best designed sites on the web . To clarify, my definition of design goes beyond aesthetic qualities and into areas of maintenance, cost, profitability, speed, and purpose. However, I still think that the Drudge Report is an aesthetic masterpiece even though I also consider it ugly. Can good design also be ugly? I think Drudge proves it http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/can-good-design-be-ugly.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-2460771822033075998Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:10:00 +00002008-11-19T22:15:23.781-08:00According to the Oregon Revised Statutes, 471.430. Except when such minor is in a private residence accompanied by the parent or guardian of the minor and with such parent's or guardian's consent, a person under the age of 21 years may not have personal possession of alcoholic beverages. Translation: It's OK if you're at home and Mom says it's OK. Thanks to John McCormack at The Weekly Standard http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/glass-of-wine-with-dinner.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-7999910812815600667Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:34:00 +00002008-11-18T22:39:58.632-08:00The WSJ reviews Claire Berlinski's new book on Thatcher. Conservatives of a fatalistic bent -- their numbers this month have swollen -- like to depress themselves with the maxim that government programs never perish. Statism's relentless march can be checked at times but rarely beaten back. Just look, they say, at those New Deal relics known as farm programs. And then they see Time magazine's http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/stubborn-certitude.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-8370132364470875219Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:35:00 +00002008-11-18T21:55:27.905-08:00Ann Marlowe, correspondent (in the classic sense of the word) from Afghanistan for The Wall Street Journal, posts another dispatch. In 2002, there were 13 schools in this province of a million people. Now there are 205, of which 53 were built by the U.S. and 30 by other donors including NGOs, the World Bank and foreign governments. U.S. troops are building 25 more now. Before the invasion not a http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/marlowe-dont-negotiate-with-taliban.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-5083483821111381304Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:18:00 +00002008-11-16T18:23:13.801-08:00The other day I got invited to a party But I stayed home instead Just me and my pal Johnny Walker And his brothers Black and Red And we drank alone, yeah With nobody else Yeah, you know when I drink alone I prefer to be by myself Thanks anyway, Dr. Greenberg.http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/message-for-republican-party_16.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-6373668398539787859Sat, 15 Nov 2008 20:48:00 +00002008-11-15T13:00:19.377-08:00And does he have anything to do with the debacle at Crater High School known as the "Small Schools Project?" Yes, he does.http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/william-ayers-educator.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-4926391681156967000Sat, 15 Nov 2008 03:09:00 +00002008-11-14T19:17:57.067-08:00(Here she illustrates the classic French negotiating stance.) Well, the question we have to ask ourselves is Could she possibly be any worse than Madeleine Albright? And the answer is No, of course not. Nobody could. Well, OK then! Gets her out of one dead-end job she didn't really want, and into another!http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/hillary-for-sec-state.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-2872597024612533937Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:06:00 +00002008-11-14T18:31:09.656-08:00I think it was Mr. Reynolds whose link I followed to this. “Nobody ever defended anything successfully; there is only attack and attack and attack some more.” — General George S. Patton For all the tacky talk in media circles, where folks have extremely over-inflated opinions of themselves, one would think that Sarah Palin was the sole arbiter of Republican defeat this year. What a pile ofhttp://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/patton-in-red-dress.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24799032.post-6586959007866267416Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:26:00 +00002008-11-13T19:45:51.091-08:00Another brilliant essay by Robert Stacy McCain. On his blog. Remind me again what I need a newspaper for? There are many... parents who, if their daughter came home from college and announced she was a lesbian, would be "understanding." But if their daughter came and announced she was going to drop out of college and get married . . . oh, the horror! The disgrace! Too many... parents have http://grdurand.com/blogger/2008/11/life-not-worth-living.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Gordon R. Durand)