I guess I am not that old....

I may have said before that I have always thought I would make a great soldier. When I turned 34 I realized that it would be impossible for me to ever find out, but wouldn't you know it... the Army went and raised the enlistment age to 39! I could, if I wanted, still enlist! I kind of like knowing that if needed, I would still be of value to the military. Not that I would enlist now.. I just couldn't with the place I am right now in life and with my family, but if things were different, I would not hesitate. I wonder how many 34+ year olds will enlist now that the opportunity has been presented to them again? I t would be interesting to find out if the new age limit will have the desired effect.

Anyway, makes me feel good to know that I am not too old to join the Army, even though I won't. I bet Bruce Willis wishes the age limit was raised to 50!

out of touch? nah.. just jealous they won't let him play

My good gaming buddy Gregg, (who probably single handedly responsible for getting me back into RPG gaming... damn him) sent me this link from (I think) a Jewish internet publication. It talks about how the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) thinks that those soldiers that play D&D are out of touch with reality. What a crock of shit. And this from one of the better military organizations in the world. (at least on a small scale) Gamers who play D&D are no more out of touch with reality, than people who read books, watch sports, or play golf. It is a form of recreation, a form of socializing, and in many ways, maintaining the tradition of oral story telling in a world where 10 second sound bites or banging away on a key board are the norm for people to talk to one another. What is cool are the responses to this so called bit of journalism which are linked to the site. I have included one of the responses from none other than Thor, the god of Thunder, direct from Asgard! (talk about out of touch!) I must take issue with his opinion that D&D is not mainstream though. Anything that generates millions of dollars of revenue is definately not out of the mainstream.


If the IDF is considering D&D, then perhaps playing video games and watching movies should also be included in their criteria for being "detached from reality." Recreation takes many forms. Just because D&D is not mainstream or has a higher level of interactivity and creativity than people are used to engaging in is no reason to discriminate against it.
Thor ,
Asgard
(03.09.05)

Below is the link for the article. I think the article is written by a novice journalist... Very little about what he says about the game is true in how it is played so I put little faith in his information.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles//0,7340,L-3052074,00.html

Like I have stated before... gamers are controlling the world, so how can we be out of touch. Okay let me clarify that... Gamers are running most of the entertainment and technology industry. Wait! Maybe they are out of touch! AUUGH!


Later!

Ramblings in, from, and about a small town....

If there was ever a song that could sum up my life in a very general way, it has to be John Mellencamp's "Small Town." I was reminded of this song when a number of things over the course of a couple of days brought to my mind why I chose to live in a small town.
One day last week, I got home early and went to the grocery store and had my wife's purse sitting beside me in the car. I didn't think to take it of course and she was at the gym, so I left it in the truck. However, like always, I didn't lock the door. It was still there when I got back to the car about 20 minutes later. It was a busy day at the grocery store and any number of people would have walked by the truck and seen it. They would have also seen the car next to me that was running with the doors unlocked and no one in it too. While in the store, it is very enjoyable to have people, some strangers and some friends, say hello and offer to let you go ahead when you have two or three items compared to their cart full.
Also, I like it when my neighbors saythat if I need something, go ahead and get it, because the doors aren't locked. (and vice versa) I like knowing my neighbors, whether good or bad, and feel safer for it.
I went to my hometown to help my dad, and he wanted to go to the local watering hole to get a flu shot. The other person with us, my nephew in law, wanted to get something but the waitress was busy, so we went behind the bar, near the cash register and got it. No problem, just tell them about it when you see them. It was assumed that you are honest and could be trusted.
I took my family shooting and it turned into a full day of what some people might call "redneck" fun, but God as my witness, it was fun nevertheless. It was great watching things blow apart from a well aimed high caliber bullet impact!
What is the most used door in a small community? The back door. It is always unlocked and most homes have a open door policy, as long as you close it when you are done.
I like it when, for no reason at all other than being kind and good neighbors, you get invited over to eat at their home.

Childhood memories from a small town:

-waiting for the school bus to arrive. at the grain elevator with the "off duty" famers.
-a black Labrador dog named "Blackie" who was my constant, steadfast companion. He even knew when to walk up to meet me when the school bus dropped me off.
-wiener roasts for my birthday over a HUGE fire with all my friends and family.
-coming home and often finding friends sitting in the house waiting for you to come home so they could do something with you.
-inventing games because the current version wasn't dangerous enough.
-baseball games that were called not because you had played 9 innings, but because it was too damned dark to see the other players or because someone invoked the secret rule that beaning a player with a ball was as good as tagging them for an out with your glove.
-WWII combat actions re-enacted with some of the same ferocity of the real thing, except only with bb guns.
-bb gun fights that lasted all weekend long!
-D&D games that lasted all weekend long!
-swimming in the Whiskey Creek after my friends and I dammed up the entire creek with rocks and broken tile.
-noticing that when a person died, it was a shock to the entire community, not just a single family.
-I knew the names of everyone in my entire high school, junior high, and some of the grade school.
-camping out at Kaufman's Timber where a bringing a sleeping bag was considered an afterthought.
-climbing to the top of the grain elevator at night and guess what towns you could see from afar and trying to pick out the constellations.
-walking into town after hunting and leaning the guns up on the side of the candy store while you went in for some snacks.
-snow storms that turned the countryside into a barren, frozen wasteland. (it literally looked completely different and strange)
-most of your teachers were pretty cool to hang out with, even in the summer.
-having a drivers license was a technicality.
-knowing that you could not get into trouble, because everyone would know about it within 3 days.


I told you this would be a ramble...

later!

Turning 40 this year...

It wasn't until recently when scheduling for an event in October, (totally unrelated to my birthday) that I realized that I would be celebrating my 40th birthday! I knew it was coming but it really had not dawned on me that it would be a "landmark" birthday. I really don't know how I feel about turning forty, and certainly don't have any plans on launching into a "mid-life crisis." (After all, I don't feel that being 40 is mid-life, especially when you are one who has plans on living well into their 100's... ) I can certainly see how a mid-life crisis is created! Usually it is by people who already have a good life, a great family, a good job, and more than they probably need. However, they feel that they haven't done anything, haven't been discovered yet, or won't be remembered when they are gone. Then they decide to act on past desires that were never realized, make less than intelligent decisions and generally end up getting a bunch of people's undies in a twist until they grow out of the crisis. Maybe it is just that... like a teenager finally grows up and stop acting like a stupid kid, the 40, 50, or even 60 year old goes through another sort of growing period when they realize that they do have it pretty good and should only build on what they have, or they realize that they really haven't done anything worth while and it is time they get started doing something about it.

I for one, like where I am at in life. I hope to improve my financial situation so I can be more relaxed about the future, but other than having not become famous for some odd reason, I am pretty happy. Couldn't ask for a better family and I think my home is pretty sharp! I happen to like big black trucks, so I don't need a red sports car, and I have a ton of friends that I really enjoy spending time with. So life is pretty good. I think I will skip a mid-life crisis and use save my energy for when something really important comes up. I am going to get a new motorcycle before I turn the big 4-0! So maybe that can be my red sports car!

Later!

Gamers getting long in the tooth?

Just read today that the average age for a gamer, be it video, RPG, or traditiona, is 29 and that it might actually be increasing. I was actually quite surprised by this. I always thought the average gamer age was like around 16-20. You know, that age group that really is the freeest of us all. They are adults but don't yet have all the time comsuming responsibilities of those older than them, so instead of working, they game. Well I was wrong! Apparently those of us out there making a daily wage, worrying about kids, the bills, and the home are the big gamers! So that is why it is so hard to get good help now adays! Everyone is stuck in front of their XBOX! Geez! Get a life and go do something responsible and get away from the game! And while you are out working, do you mind if I pick up the game where you left off?!?!

Later!

Another Hallmark Holiday....

It's Valentines Day again and what have you got planned for your sweetie? I have been asked this question 5 times already and it is only just after noon. I tell everyone that my wife and I don't really celebrate or do special things for Valentines Day because it is too forced and a history of having bad things happen on Valentines Day in the past. What we do is just express our affection throughout the entire year... doesn't everyone? I just heard that couples that have a successful marriage are those that have similar personality traits and share common beliefs. Well.... DUH! How much money was spent trying to figure that out! I like to beleive that I have a successful marriage because I happen to love my wife. Yeah we have similar personality traits but I think it is more than that. I could not put my finger on some specific details other than we work well together, we actually talk to one another, and yes.. we have great sex! But I will tell you this, together, my wife and I make a whole. Without her, I would be alot less than what I am today. I would hate to think what or where I would be today without her. Thank God for her. Everyday is Valentines day in some way shape or form for me!

Gaming--- the next generation

Recently I got to do something that I have wanted to do in a long time.... No! Not that! I finally got to game, and I mean really game, with my son. I have, since the day he was born, wanted to teach him some of my favorite games and have him has my gaming bud. Well, now that day has finally come. At the urging of a friend of mine, we endeavored to teach our boys the newest version of the classic game of RISK. It is RISK 2210AD and it is a fantastic reworking of a great game. Happily, the boys took to it very quickly and even were able to remind us of rules that we told them about but were forgetting to adhere to at times. It took a bit of hand holding to get them through and I won't say we didn't help them with strategy but in the end, the way they played the game was up to them and win or lose, it was their choice. I did win the game and Julian came in third, but for me it was better just to see him enjoying it and saying how cool the game was and that he wants to play again!

And over the Christmas break I introduced Julian to D&D, a game that is very dear to me in more ways that just one. This too he took to very well. I have since played another game with him and another younger player and her family and we had a great time. At times I hear him talking to his friends about this game in tones of excitement and anticipation. It makes me feel good to know that he likes it and that the game can create fun and excitement for him too. (However, I must remember that he is 10 and 10 year olds tend to get tired after few hours of battling blood thirsty monsters) I hope the game sticks for him and that he eventually takes off on his own with it and starts it up with his friends. I remember the good times that game created for me and my buds and hope that it does the same thing for him.

I love my kids and want to be their friend as much as their father. Maybe this will be one way to insure that relationship. Now that I think of it, being a dad is kind of like being a DM for a D&D game. You get to be the person who showers rewards, controls their environment, and becomes their worst nightmares...

Anyway, go out and play a game with your kids. You might find that you like it!
Later!

What's up with the way we identify couples..?

Have you ever wondered why when we name a couple, be they married, dating, brothers, sisters, or whatever make s them a "couple" of people, one person's name alway comes first. Well, if you haven't, too bad! I have and I am going to let you know what I think....

Anyway, lets take a fake couple, and call them Bob and Dave. When introduced to new people, you always say Bob and Dave, not Dave and Bob. Why?

Here's what I think. I think it is one of three reasons:

The first is that it just rolls off the tongue easier in certain combinations. This is probably what most people would say is the reason why we identify couples in a certain way.

The second reason is familial. Let's say one person in the couple is blood- relation to you. Almost always, I bet you say the relatives name first. Maybe not in every instance, but more likely than not. Try it out and identify the couples you know that has one person that is related to you and see what you come up with. (If you have known one of the persons longer or have a strong friendship with that one person, it acts alot like a relative.)

The third reason is a bit more subtle, and maybe a bit more insightful into your opinions or feelings about the people in the couple. Could it be that the person named first in the identification could be the person that you care for the most or like the most and the second person is a bit farther down, if only slightly, on your friendship scale? Think really hard about it and see how you feel about the couples that you often identify with their first names. And if you find some couples that you don't name one person first more frequently, maybe they are new to your circle of friends or family. Makes you think don't it. The next time that someone identifies you (as a couple) to a person and your name is second, do you think they care less for you than the other person in your couple, or could the above two factors be more accurate? Makes you wonder!


later!

New Years Resolutions?

Does anyone make them anymore or are we just to unreliable and irresponsible to follow through with them? No one I met made any, or at least did not tell me of them if they did. (why?)

I however, always make resolution or two and certainly try to stick to it. This year I have a few more than normal. Here they are.

1. To do things on my time and say NO more often. (this one is the third year in a row for it and it has been working out very well for me.)
2. To game more. Especially with my kids. (I love games and games love me, so why not...?)
3. To continue going to the gym on a regular basis. (this one is easy as it has become a sort of habit.)
4. To own a new (new-used) motorcycle before the spring.
5. To order from the appetizers and dessert menus more often. (Life is short...)


So did you make any resolutions? I hope so, because people need goals, otherwise they just exist and don't create, or improve, or help, or simply have fun.
Happy New Year!
Later!

A wonderful Holiday Vacation

Wow! I don't know about anyone else, but I have had the best Christmas Break Vacation in a long time! Starting on the 22nd, I attended the Monty Python stage musical of "Spamalot." It was great and the limo drive with a bunch of my good friends was the crowning of a great night. The Christmas holiday was as I wanted it! The kids were ecstatic over their gifts, the gifts I gave were appreciated, and I loved all the ones I got. (My wonderful wife even considered a new motorcycle for me...it did not appear under the tree, but the fact that she even considered it should be proof enough of how cool she is.) My whole family was present for the holiday and we had a great time! We hosted a large party of 53 people at our home. It was a blast too! (this party has been going on for 50+ years by the way) In the down time, there were games, XBOX, shopping, sleeping in, hanging out, being lazy, working hard, eating good food and generally having not much of a schedule. Even New Years eve was fairly relaxed and easy going! It was great! A great way to end the year. To all those involved in making it happen, Thanks!

Later!

Losing my religion...

... or more like having it stolen from me.

As we close in on Christmas, I have been amazed at all the effort this year to take the Christianity out of Christmas. Granted, Christmas has for many years now been quickly becoming a commercial holiday rather than a religious one but that is besides the point. What I am talking about is that it seems these last few weeks there has been a signifcant rise in the accounts of not being able to celebrate or even acknowledge the religious aspects of Christmas. At the University of Illinois you cannot have a Christmas Tree in the common areas of the dorms and displaying Christmas messages or symbols in your window is being questioned. This is because some students were complaining about the "offensiveness" of the displays. Offensive!!?? A tree or Santa Claus?!?! Talk about thin skinned! Also, at many parties held this season, they are "holiday" parties rather than Christmas parties, but yet they are complete with all the Christmas trimmings, that are both obivious and subtle in their religious connotation. But yet, you can't call it Christmas. But it is the Advent season in the Christian calendar and on the 24th it will officially be the Christmas season, although the retail stores would have you beleive it started October 1st.

At church on last sunday the high school aged students presented a throughly modern play that through to me about how the real reason for celebrating Christmas has been lost to so many. For Christians, it is the celebration of the birth of their savior, and so we celebrate by giving gifts to loved ones much like the wisemen or kings of the bible story did at Jesus' birth. Retails stores have picked up on this and made it into their main season of sales and made it the commercialized holiday that it is and we Christians, along with everyone else that likes getting gifts have played into their hands and help the process along. However, no matter what you believe, never forget that you are also playing right along with the Christian belief that the saviour of the world was born in Jerusalem many years ago and began a long process of dying for your sins so that you might be saved in the end of all things. Don't tell me you can celebrate Christmas without celebrating Christ because it goes hand in hand. Can you celebrate Ramadan and ignore the Koran and writings of Mohammed, or celebrate Hannukah and ignore the significance of the Hannukah story. Probably, but it make the holidays a little hollow for those who follow those beliefs. I don't celebrate those holidays because they are not my beliefs but I respect them and would never think of telling those who do celebrate them that they can't include very signicant portions of their beleif system in their celebrations. I don't care if they are not commercially signifcant in the US or world economy. Just because my holiday is and it is very wide spread, doesn't mean I have to hold back or curtail aspects of it so that I don't offend someone of a different belief.

Let me have my holiday in its totallity and I will let others have theirs. For me Christmas is a very special holiday. It allows me to imitate God's love for me, by giving gifts to my family in somewhat of the same manner that he gave me a gift. Love and family, God's and mine, that is what Christmas means to me.

I am sorry if this is somewhat rambling but religion is a tough thing for me to speak on but I think you get my meaning. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Material Things

Recently I witnessed a very disturbing sight. On a Tuesday evening, I was called to the "home" of one of my best friends to be with him as his home burnt. I have never been close to someone who has suffered from a home fire and it was very traumatic not only for him, but for me. To sit there and watch as his home, his belongings, his treasures burned is unlike anything I have ever experienced. When someone loses a loved one, you can always console them, tell them that it will be okay and that they will always live on in memory and that the loved one has gone to a better place. However, with a fire, I found that there was little I could tell my friend other than, "What is your insurance like?" (Pretty impersonal, huh?) Really! That is all that you can really say. Unlike a loved one, of whom death is usually expected at some time or another, a fire that destroys all that you hold dear or precious or valuable in some way, is never expected. If it was, would we continue to buy things and store them all in one place, that in many ways is nothing more than a wooden box waiting to catch fire?

My friend is not a material person, but even he was moved to tears to know that his belongings were gone. I was even surprised to hear him say, "Everything that important to me was in there." And even more saddening was to hear that even though it was not pretty, not big, he was comfortable in his house and he and his girls called it "home."

He will rebuild and it will be "home" again. But what about all that stuff that he accrued over many years. Some of it he had since childhood. How do you replace that. I guess that too will live on in memory like a loved one that has crossed over...

I have a ton of stuff in my home and each and everybit of it means something to me in some way or another. There are some items that I really would not care if they were lost, but some things, like my books, my sword and gun collection, the pictures and childhood items... if they were lost, it would feel like a major part of my life were to be erased! There is no way I could replace them. I would not even try. I almost think that these material items are part of my identity and in some way part of what makes me, me. When people think of a sword or a gun they see or hear about, or a history or fantacy book, they often think of me, or vice versa.

So what is this all about? I don't know. Just that don't covet your material possessions, because they are not nearly as important as your faith, family and friends, but at the same time, life is short so go out and buy something that means something to you. Something that makes you, you. Your possessions are part of what you say about yourself to the rest of the world. And do your best to fireproof your home... (after writing this, I probably shouldn't listen to myself, 'cause I just found a motorcylce that I fell in love with....)

Burned bulbs and off-line

Ever wake your kids up and have them immediately start crying for no reason, and then find out that they are missing their mom? Talk about a tough thing to take in the morning. My kids miss me when I am gone, but I doubt that they voice their feelings as much as they do when their mom is gone. ( I think I am kind of jealous about that) They have been kind of blah , but I have been keeping them pretty busy and entertained the last few days and they are pretty tired when they go to bed but still I think they feel like I do. When mom is gone, it feels like one light is burned out in a beautiful chandelier and you can't wait for the bulb to be burning bright again. The house is just a little dimmer without mom around to them. And it wasn't really until this morning with the kids crying and then when I got to work and didn't see that she was online with Yahoo Messenger, (she always is online) that i really started to miss her. But like I said to the kids, it will be okay and Thursday will be here soon enough! At least I can do Christmas shopping with out having to sneak!

Random thoughts on traveling to Florida.

I recently drove my family to Florida to visit family there. It was a good time all the way around but I thought of some intresting things while there.

First, Kentucky is absolutely beautiful.

Ever notice that the further south you go, the more numerous the billboard signs get?

70 mph speed limits rock. It may only be 5 mph faster than in Illinois, but it feels like you are really getting somewhere alot faster.

While in Florida, we visited Epcot. While there in the "England" area we were eating and I asked our very friendly waiter where he was from. After a few more questions he quickly said, "You're going to aske me about our kings, aren't you. I only know of one, Henry VIII." I have met a number of average English persons and they all seem to be fairly unknowledgeable about their history. Granted, most US high schoolers don't know history well, but I think they are better schooled than people give them credit for. I have met only a few people from England who really knew their own history, but they were at historical re-enactments. Oh well, just a comment on that. And while I was there, I found out that my family name has a heraldic crest! A sable dragon, rampant, on a field of gold. Cool! Given sometime in the late 1400's.

Also, at Epcot, I learned that in the native language of Morocco, my name means "religion."

There are way too many cars on the road anymore..

How is it that Georgia can have gas for $1.71 and twenty miles later in Florida, it is $1.97?

Vacations in Florida aren't expensive, it's the eating in Florida that is expensive. The last thing we bought in Florida was a bottle of water for $3.75!!!

Florida smells rotten to me. Nothing personal to Floridains and you have a wonderful state, but it just smells rotten to my nose.

Manifesto

This is something I had prepared for a Survivor Audition Tape but at the last minute decided to do something different. However, everything in my little manifesto is still true. Never did get on that stupid show...


Who I am is a husband, a father, and a son. Who I am is someone who believes that without the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, you can never find real happiness or prosperity.
I believe that it takes a real man to find a woman who is your soul-mate and love her for the rest of your life.
I believe that most modern Americans are soft, lazy and over legislated, but we are still the greatest nation history has ever known.
Politically, I think most left wingers and liberals are self-loathing whiners who want Americans to be hand fed by the government.
I believe that to hunt, track and kill wild game is the best way to get closer to being a natural person, not wearing sandals, eating tofu and hugging trees. Vegetarianism is unnatural.
And speaking of things like hunting, gun control is hitting your target on the first shot. Drugs, even casual use drugs, are for losers. I’ve never used them, never will.
I have never much been interested in athletics, but believe that to let oneself go physically is a sin. I believe in staying in the best shape that one can.
And speaking of athletes, I think most professional athletes are over-sexed, over-medicated, moral degenerates that have no place being role models for our kids.
My biggest regret is not joining the military service. I would have made a great soldier.
Living outdoors, sleeping under the stars, without a whole lot, or very little modern conveniences, is what I call a vacation.
I am a great liar. But I have a guilty conscience so, I hate to lie. But when needed, you will never know I am doing it.
I believe that in order to have friends, you must be, and act like a friend.

And Speaking of Games....

For you XBOX Halo fans... I finally recieved my copy of HALO 2 and so far everything is thumbs up... way up! It is a great increase over the first game. I did not say improvement because it is hard to improve on Halo the Original but it is a great sequel and the extras and new add ons are great and make it all the more fun.

I really wish there was a way I could make good money playing games or doing living history. Until that time comes, I guess I will have to satisfy myself with making other people rich by buying them and playing them.


Recommended Games of the Moment:

Pirates of the Spanish Main
Mammoth Hunters
RISK 2110 AD
Pirateer!


These are all easy games to learn and play and are excellent for younger players too! (RISK may be a bit hard on kids younger than 13) Go check them out.

Later!

30 years of great gaming!!!

This is something I sent to many of my friends back in October when I first discovered the article. It is accompanied by another article that pretty much says the same thing but the last sentence is a hoot! Very well said and you can certainly tell the author is a D&D gamer!!

The National Review is a pretty conservative paper, but it comes as no surprise that even nationally newspaper columnists are "coming out of the closet" about being gamers. Gamers are a billion dollar industry and let's face it, gamer geeks are running the industry now. I personally have very fond memories of my gaming days and I think this guy hits it right on the head of the nail. It was fun and actually beneficial, regardless of what out parents told us....

http://www.nationalreview.com/miller/miller200410151029.asp


And the most recent article from the Boston Globe which also echoes my own sentiments about the game and the influences it had on me and many of my friends.

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/11/15/dungeons_and_dragons_we_love_you/

I think it is time to get the books out and start relearning the game.... damned updates and all!
Later!

Michael Moore- The hack... what a loser

Just heard that Michael Moore, producer, director and head whiner of the "documentary" (it's in quote's because documentaries are supposed to be factual) Farenheit 9/11 is planning on making a sequel to it. Apparently he didn't spread enough lies the first time around and thinks it will set the stage for trying to affect the 2008 presidential elections. Geez! Get a grip Mike! You are a loser and more than half of the people don't care what you have to say or lie about and the people who did see your movie are brainless twits anyway! (okay, that is harsh, but they sure seem to be awful gullible) You know, if he tried his hand at making a real documentary, he might be pretty good! It must be really terrible to wake up each morning when you think that everything around you is a scam or a conspiracy. He must have had a horrible childhood. That is what makes Republicans so much different from Democrats. We like to see the good and look on the bright side of humanity. We have goals! We believe in doing our best and if that is not good enough, then trying to better it! I sometimes feel that Democrats really are self - loathing manic depressives! Really! Things are not that bad! Smile once in awhile and embrace life! Have fun! Quit bringing people down. Dang...

Enough already.

Gun Owner in Illinois! We Win!

Hey Hey! the Illinois General Assembly did it! They overrode the veto of SB 2161 by the Governor. People in Illinois will now be able to preserve and defend themselves and their families as nature demands and not be punished for doing so! Oh yeah! Common sense prevails!

Gun Owners in Illinois!! Take Note!

In the Legislature in Illinois there is a Senate Bill # 2165 that reinforces an individual's Second Amendment right of self-protection and self-preservation. Overwhelming approved by the General Assembly in the 2004 session, it was vetoed by none other than "Mr. Chicago" himself, Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Basically he believes that if you kill or hurt someone with a gun who is intent on killing you, then you are the bad guy and you should go to jail. However, there is the opportunity for the General Assembly of Illinois to override the Gov's veto in the fall session. Gun owners should call their senators and representatives and tell them to over-ride the veto and support SB 2165. Do it now! (Oh, and tell them to think about Concealed Carry in Illinois. Sooner or later it will happen)

Anybody who wants to come into my home and harm my family will find more than one gun pointed at them...


And now back to regularly scheduled programming.