Data, who needs data we've got models.

Anthony Watts takes a subject near and dear to my heart: Taking global warming predictions and matching them with real world data.


Bask in the utter lack of correlation. And a lack of key physical phenomena required for the a given warming theory to function.

Apples and Oranges.

After seeing this, the preview for this isn't quite as impressive.

Don't get me wrong, I want to see Avengers, and I think it could be a real fun, especially given the personalities of the ensemble cast.

But after seeing Act of Valor's uber practical effects (it's hard to beat real seals using real weapons, with real ammunition, being moved around by real vehicles (like a frickin Ohio). Even the blood and gore effects were practical.

It really shows the extreme verisimilitude practical effects and cast members that know what they're doing can bring over CGI and actors.

And here's a bit of behind the scenes for Valor.

Comment(s) of the Day

We'll start because I like my ego with a reply to a comment of mine on Weer'd's:

There’s some positive thinking, Jack! That puts a smile on my face!

That crippled tyrant did have a positive side-effect!

You'll have to go to the link for the context.


Weer'd on Uncle showing off his son's first time firing an AR

Love that video!

Also this is impossible without a collapsible stock which is illegal in Massachusetts.

Making children smile is illegal here. This is the purpose of their laws.

And on the former Snowflakes in Hell on if the Canadian Long gun registry represent a bridge too far?

Will this repeal show Canadian gun owners that they have an option other than keeping their heads down or trying to accomodate with the antis? Well to use Rocky logic, this shows the Gun Control movement can bleed. That they can be beaten.

And another great comment by Weer'd:

Also, speaking as a former anti, the AWB was the big dumb lie that got me to question EVERYTHING the anti-rights movement has pushed.

The AWB seems like a good idea if you believe the guns are more deadly and dangerous than ban compliant guns.

Mandatory permits and training and registration sounds like a great idea if you believe these things lower, or solve crime, or prevent accidents.

Gun-free Zones seem like a good idea if it saves lives.

Of course data shows all of this is crap, and the backers of the laws are liars, and that converts pretty hard.

People don’t like being lied to.

An example. I have a Canadian gunnie friend and what really turned him from a "guns are neat but sensible gun control is sensible" to "Gun Control is a pack of stupid lies and jackbooted thuggery" was this story.

With that he realized that no only were safe storage laws BS that the police used to punish someone who dared defend himself. He's made jokes about a revolver covered in cable locks and trigger locks as being "Candian Compliant". And talks about how Canadaians do have a right to self defense despite what the police think.

Much of that came from the realization that he was being lied to by people that found him contemptible. People don't like to be played the fool. Which is part of why they get so invested in sunken costs.

Money and Mouths II

Here's a better subject than the last time I used that title.

Erin Palette at Lurking Rhythmically has a bit of a request.

And if you're a gunnie that looking to do your bit to help a shooter and help someone with self defense you could do worse.

A thought on ignorance.

Weerd Beard talks about some choice insanity by the Brady Campaign.

Basically they're harkening back to the good old days, a 100 years ago when" gun makers could build a #gun child couldn’t shoot for pennies per gun. Still can. Yet today triggers are more sensitive."

Are they talking about trigger pull? Safety features? The 1911 is a very popular gun (guess how old it is) and has a very light trigger, but has 2 safeties. Revolvers have no safeties but have fairly heavy triggers. And... the trigger weights haven't really changed. If anything with the Wonder-9's and subsequent composite frame weapons the trigger has gotten heavier.

This betrays a gut-level bleat based on no actual knowledge or experience with firearms. And yet they want to regulate them and think they know better than you if you should have a gun.

But why are they so ignorant? It's not like this stuff is hard to learn about. Especially not with the internet. Say what you will about abortion but at least both sides know what a trimester is. Obligatory shoulder thing that goes up.

So why don't they learn even a tiny bit about guns? This isn't about knowing something and lying for your side's benefit. This is just blabbing whatever "feels right".

We are dealing with a group that wears their ignorance of firearms like a badge of honor.

In a way I suppose that makes a certain kind of twisted sense.

Take Weer'd, he used to be an anti. Then he started shooting and became more informed about things and look at him now: Full bearded and full gunned.

I'd guess that all but the most insular anti's know at least someone that fell to the "darkside". Which could contribute to their fear of knowledge.

Lord knows they've got enough magical thinking already about the evil, corrupting intent of objects. Why not do the same with knowledge?

Is that it? They're not just afraid of objects but also of ideas?

Spring?

Well it's still February but dang if it ain't warm enough to fire up the grill and enjoy the afternoon outside.

In other, more enlightened countries...

You can be arrested, strip searched, have police search your house, and have Child Welfare sent against you... if you 4 year old child draws a picture of you holding a gun.

Doesn't matter if you don't actually own a firearm. The drawing is enough. Especially if you've got a record, due process what's that?

So we've got the teachers overreacting, the police "just doing their job", and all to find...

And there was a gun … a clear plastic toy gun that shoots soft plastic biodegradable BBs and retails for around $20 at Walmart.

Bravo. It's interesting to see that the teachers can say whatever they want and the police just have to follow orders. Nice work if you can get it.

Next up they'll go after the guy who's son says he owns an illegal rocketship, they have some strong pictorial evidence and hard testimony supporting that case.

Well it'll teach that little girl an important lesson. Authority figures are frightened, panicky idiots, and if you want to make it through school turn off your imagination and keep your head down.

Heaven help the Canadian with guns and a firearms permit, who has a child that likes to draw and has an imagination.