Wild ride today, huh folks? The House voted down the bailout and the DOW tanked - didn't hit the breakers though. Guess that's a good thing.

I'm pleased Congress figured out rushing into this thing was a Bad Idea. I'm sure we'll still see some excessive amount of taxpayer money used to try to prop up the failing banks, but with much more oversight. Still, any "bailout" is just going to postpone the inevitable.

Maybe if it's done right, we can glide into an "unpowered landing", rather than nosedive into the pavement.

I've been a member on The High Road forums since 2003. I'm a BIG fan of Oleg Volk's Second Amendment posters, and his photography in general.

The man has recently had his domain name and forum stolen out from under him, and is beginning a legal battle to get them back. You can see his statement here.

One of the original moderators has posted a detailed summary here.

Do you know what happens when you run 1000 rounds through a Glock 19 in 13 minutes and 51 seconds? You can find out here. (You'll have to register, but you gun folks really should already be a member at the Tactical Response forums.)

The summary for those not interested in registering - the guide rod melts out of the gun, but it keeps shooting.

I've had a concern about a particular gap in my supplies for a while now - specifically medical supplies. I've still got a decent trauma kit ready to roll since my days as an EMT, but it's small and limited in scope. I keep little mission specific kits spread around my gear, like a blister kit in my hiking pack and a VOK in my range bag, but I don't have a well organized, well stocked central supply of household medical gear.

Well, my wife requested that I acquire her a particular piece of equipment for an upcoming business trip, so I took the opportunity to fill in some gaps. I've now got a collection of nitrile gloves, N95 masks, and assorted dressings and bandages en route. I'm going to try to sit down in the next couple of days and figure out what other gaps exist in that area, and then figure out how to get them patched. If I generate any useful lists, I think y'all may get a peek at them.

Gold took a bit of a roller coaster ride today. I'm glad I bought mine on yesterday's dip.

According to a Justice Department audit released Wednesday, the inspector general reported the ATF was unable to account for 76 weapons and 418 laptops over the past five years.

How come none of you look shocked?

Here are a couple of photos I wanted to get on the web quickly.

USS Arizona Memorial:

Battleship Missouri (guns are on topic here, right?)

Thought of you, Jay, when I took this one:

Los Angeles class sub heading into Pearl Harbor. Don't see this everyday.

Along the Na Pali Coast:

Volcano National Park:

We hiked through here - the above picture of my wife and I was taken at the other end of this crater:

South point windmills:

A couple of random ones:

This might be my favorite of all the shots I took. This one is getting printed.

All of my "first look" photos are posted here. These are all unedited except for some quick crop & resize.

It looks like gold and silver have taken a nice dip. Might not be a bad time to add some to the stash, folks.

I've safely returned from my trip. I've got a couple on-topic thoughts that I'll share soon, and will share a couple of pictures, just because I can.

Comments won't be posted and e-mails won't be answered until September 15.

Here's hoping the world doesn't end in the meantime.

Aloha.

Interesting... About 300 protesters have been arrested near the RNC convention, 130 on felony charges.

I don't recall any media coverage of arrests at the DNC convention.

Since most people don't protest their own kind, what conclusions can we draw from this story?

I'm just sayin'....

Edit:

Yep, he looks like a fine upstanding Young Republican taking a face full of OC there... Sorry, I'm trying to wipe the smile off my face.