The Wandering Minstrel

This is the cockpit of a Sikorsky S-70 “Firehawk” helicopter (clickable image). This is the same airframe and powerplant as the UH-60 “Blackhawk” Army combat helicopter. Both ships are used in combat, each with very different missions.

This helicopter is owned by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. It was used in fighting the recent firestorms in Southern California. In the picture below, the crew chief and pilot prepare for liftoff as the fire crews don their gear for the mission (off camera). The mission, of course, is to be a simulated one, staged for public awareness at a wildfire awareness expo held in the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula today.

I enjoyed seeing this display and meeting many of the brave men and women who face danger on a regular basis. We should all be proud of these firefighters as much as we have pride in our military.

Bless ‘em all.

Aesthetically speaking, this cellular antenna disguised as a windmill, is no less an eyesore than the conventional, undisguised cell tower. Within a couple of miles of this beast is a cell tower disguised as a palm tree, another tower supposed to be some kind of a conifer and the usual kind, atop buildings, billboards and on standard towers.

In the quest for ‘harmony’ with the landscape and an attempt to blend into the infrastructure, all of these are dismal failures. The palm and conifer trees are a joke with plastic fronds and synthetic pine needles whipping in the breeze around an array of non-tree-like cell antennas painted green. Utterly hilarious - and UGLY!

And as for this piece of work, will someone please call the Man from La Mancha?

County Supervisors in Orange County (CA) adopt a resolution calling for CCW Permit-revoking Sheriff Sandra Hutchens to Back off. At one point, Hutchens draws ‘massive’ laughter from the gun crowd in the chamber . . .

From the Orange County Register:

County supervisors, Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and hundreds of gun activists engaged Tuesday in a Wild West-style shootout over restrictive concealed gun policies Hutchens has introduced during her first six months in office.

After hearing more than 80 speakers present compelling stories of threats and safety concerns, supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution calling on Hutchens to ease her review of concealed weapons permits and broaden the reasons why a member of the public could carry a concealed handgun.

…

“You’re being extremely restrictive,” said county Supervisor Pat Bates.

Hutchens replied, “I do not view my policy to be restrictive,” which triggered massive laughter from the audience.

Hopefully, the resolution will have the desired effect. Sheriff Carona knew that responsible gun owners should be entitled CCW as the Second Amendment guarantees. Sheriff Hutchens, apparently, ain’t that smart.

Thanks to NRA-ILA News feeds for the tip.

UPDATE (11/22/2008):OC Register editorial slams Hutchens.

The better half drew my attention to an article in this month’s America’s 1st Freedom Magazine. It is called “Fastest Man with the Golden Guns,” and featured Guinness Record fastest draw, Bob Munden. She was intrigued by the ornate pair of Colt Army Revolvers that were pictured in the article.

I went out to the web site for the National Firearms Museum and found the image of Munden’s modified firearms and an article about the man and the guns.

Check out the vertical hammers that are used for fan-firing and thumb extraction - click the image for bigger view.

I think I’m going to put this in the sidebar or something. I found it on a video gaming forum while searching for something completely unrelated.

I like the notion of turning the ‘footprint of the American Chicken’ into something quite different.

Gun pr0n for today - the MSAR STG-556 Bull-pup rifle. Enjoy.

Pictures courtesy Kaneohe Gun Shop.

This is out of the archives. The better half took this last May when we were out for a drive.

I wish I had found this nice white 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Convertible picture to post with some other white vehicles a while back.

While the better half and I were driving in traffic today, we spotted this bumper sticker on a little pickup truck. We didn’t know WTF this meant, so I Googled it a while ago. Apparently, there is an ad hoc website promoting a “Keep Portland Weird” theme.

Keep Portland Weird is about supporting local business in the Portland Oregon area. We want to support local business because they make Portland stand out from other cites and make it a more unique place to live. They do this by providing consumers a wide range of products that represent the different cultures that make up Portland. Local business also have pride in our city and are driven to make Portland a better place to live and enjoy.

Here, 976 miles south of Portland, we have no problem “Keeping California Weird.”