Air Corps 1903 rifle

[Dick Hosmer]

Damn, if he contacts you, the information can go into that list of the details of the known rifles that you typed up. Ya never know when one will show up or where.

This part should be made a new thread in Trapdoor Rifles. I'll attend to it directly (or at least this evening).

[Fred]

A radical movement on college campuses across the nation is currently underway, with the University of Missouri at "ground zero", to restrict free speech. This is an outgrowth of alleged police brutality episodes that has led to the Black Lives Matter movement. Radical college students of color and their sympathizers are calling for creation of "safe spaces" on college campuses where anything that might be construed as racist, bigoted, homophobic, sexist, etc., may not be exhibited or spoken, lest someone be offended. Students at the University of Missouri, and their faculty sympathizers, became so hostile that they forced the College President and Chancellor to resign. Other students and faculty on campuses across the nation have led protests and marches in sympathy with the University of Missouri students and have, likewise, called for creation of "safe spaces" on their campuses.

So be careful what you say and where you say it, lest you be accosted and charged with violating a "safe space!"

J.B.

I recall how back in the 1960's the millions of young students in Red China marched and gathered together throughout their nation, screaming and waiving their little red Chairman Mau books in the air and in the faces of visiting westerners. They were going to change the world through Revolution. They burned western books and were horribly closed minded to reason and common sense. All of those students are old men and women now. Perhaps they feel foolish for the way they thought and behaved then.
With the madness in the world and our country all around us today, my wife and I feel thankful to be away from the insanity of the world, here on our little ranch up on our hill, overlooking the river valley below. It seems like Shangri-La. Even the nearby city of Omaha seems to be a level headed and clean place. I wonder how long it will remain so. Well, whatever happens, at least it's peaceful here.

[John Beard]

I recall how back in the 1960's the millions of young students in Red China marched and gathered together throughout their nation, screaming and waiving their little red Chairman Mau books in the air and in the faces of visiting westerners. They were going to change the world through Revolution. They burned western books and were horribly closed minded to reason and common sense. All of those students are old men and women now. Perhaps they feel foolish for the way they thought and behaved then.
With the madness in the world and our country all around us today, my wife and I feel thankful to be away from the insanity of the world, here on our little ranch up on our hill, overlooking the river valley below. It seems like Shangri-La. Even the nearby city of Omaha seems to be a level headed and clean place. I wonder how long it will remain so. Well, whatever happens, at least it's peaceful here.

Fred,

Consider yourself fortunate if you are retired or near retirement age. The wave of unrest and perhaps destruction that will sweep our nation will not leave your place untouched. I fear it may no longer be a matter of "if", but "when." The next election will have a direct bearing on the "when." The Black Lives Matter and associated Safe Spaces movements are but the seeds of something forthcoming that is much larger. The question remaining is when will those seeds germinate. Hopefully, they will remain mostly dormant for the foreseeable future and we can enjoy a pleasant and prosperous retirement.

J.B.

[Fred]

I retired when I was 54 some years back. So far it's all been just fine and dandy. I'd sure hate to be the one to disturb my wife's peaceful life up here. She has a temper that'd make a Freight Train want to take a Dirt Road rather than to deal with her.

[Rick the Librarian]

Fred,

Consider yourself fortunate if you are retired or near retirement age. The wave of unrest and perhaps destruction that will sweep our nation will not leave your place untouched. I fear it may no longer be a matter of "if", but "when." The next election will have a direct bearing on the "when." The Black Lives Matter and associated Safe Spaces movements are but the seeds of something forthcoming that is much larger. The question remaining is when will those seeds germinate. Hopefully, they will remain mostly dormant for the foreseeable future and we can enjoy a pleasant and prosperous retirement.

J.B.

I retired at 56 almost 10 years ago and I think most of us Baby Boomers will make it through this life without too much difficulty. I hold out no such hope for my kids or grandkids; there will be changes and they will be interesting, I'm afraid.

[PhillipM]

Will me your ammo!

[Dick Hosmer]

I retired at 56 almost 10 years ago and I think most of us Baby Boomers will make it through this life without too much difficulty. I hold out no such hope for my kids or grandkids; there will be changes and they will be interesting, I'm afraid.

At 78, I hope to make it out OK, but like you, Rick, I fear for my kids and grand-kids.

[John Beard]

I retired at 56 almost 10 years ago and I think most of us Baby Boomers will make it through this life without too much difficulty. I hold out no such hope for my kids or grandkids; there will be changes and they will be interesting, I'm afraid.

Young people who are healthy, smart, and energetic will make it just fine. It's retirees living on Social Security and others living/dependent on government assistance who will be hurt first and foremost.

J.B.

[rebound]

I have a great fear that the coming changes for our grandkids will be more than just interesting if we don't start changing things back to normal starting now... Starting with P C etc.

[Rick the Librarian]

I wish I could share JB's optimism and I hope he's right. But I fear he will be wrong.

[rebound]

John has it half right, but the kids will still be saddled with 20 trillion by the time TPOTUS is done with us....

[Marine A5 Sniper Rifle]

My attorney is an old geezer as am I. He once told me that in the old days, cheating mates was the #1 cause of divorces around here (rural area), but that now the overwhelming cause of divorce is lack of income by the dominant spouse. He demands his money up front, whereas in the old days he had little problem getting paid, as no one wanted their credit damaged. He thinks people these days just accept bad credit as a way of life, and a huge number of his customers live on welfare.

I don't often disagree with JB, but on this issue I believe the youth of today will have a much more difficult time creating a lifestyle comparable to that which existed in the fifties and sixties, where even uneducated people could find good paying jobs, own a nice home with one new car and a old clunker for daily use. My dad was an uneducated welder working out of a union local who bought a 4-bedroom brick home in a nice neighborhood and put five kids through college. My younger brother didn't want to go to college, but he has been very successful in life.

Any economy depends on innovation and invention for economic growth, but there has been a national emphasis on increasing efficiency to generate capital for about thirty years now. If you don't believe me, try borrowing money for a capital project. The lenders know they can generate income faster by increasing efficiency of a known product line without the inherent risk of marketing a new product. The result has been devastating for our industrial complex, which has resulted in reduction of total employment figures. Who's to blame? Believe it or not, our educational system's use of continually improving computers is to blame. Couple that progress with our national decline in the willingness to take risks, and you have long term economic failure in a bottle.

jt

[louis]

Agreed by me also Jt. I really have been saying for awhile now that nobody wants to take risks. This country was made on risks some success some fail but that's life. Seems that now everyone just wants a guaranteed risk. They have risk managers that are probably just as bad as having lawyers.

[Rick the Librarian]

My attorney is an old geezer as am I. He once told me that in the old days, cheating mates was the #1 cause of divorces around here (rural area), but that now the overwhelming cause of divorce is lack of income by the dominant spouse. He demands his money up front, whereas in the old days he had little problem getting paid, as no one wanted their credit damaged. He thinks people these days just accept bad credit as a way of life, and a huge number of his customers live on welfare.

I don't often disagree with JB, but on this issue I believe the youth of today will have a much more difficult time creating a lifestyle comparable to that which existed in the fifties and sixties, where even uneducated people could find good paying jobs, own a nice home with one new car and a old clunker for daily use. My dad was an uneducated welder working out of a union local who bought a 4-bedroom brick home in a nice neighborhood and put five kids through college. My younger brother didn't want to go to college, but he has been very successful in life.

Any economy depends on innovation and invention for economic growth, but there has been a national emphasis on increasing efficiency to generate capital for about thirty years now. If you don't believe me, try borrowing money for a capital project. The lenders know they can generate income faster by increasing efficiency of a known product line without the inherent risk of marketing a new product. The result has been devastating for our industrial complex, which has resulted in reduction of total employment figures. Who's to blame? Believe it or not, our educational system's use of continually improving computers is to blame. Couple that progress with our national decline in the willingness to take risks, and you have long term economic failure in a bottle.

jt

Agree, as well, although I don't have quite the good memories from the past. I think we were just willing to get by with less. But we did enjoy a good life. This may come across as very sexist, but look at the vast number of moms that have to work outside the home; yes, I know many make that decision, but it many families it is a must.

[louis]

I agree with you also Rick. I'm 63 but I think we could have gotten by with less years ago. Not today. I believe that woman with families must work to help make ends meet.