We had our March gathering of Conservative Arizona Bloggers Saturday at Four Peaks in Tempe. I think a good time was had by all. The conversation was lively, as was to be expected with this group.
It wasn’t all about saving the world, though. We had to touch on the other critical issues of the day, like what in the heck was Jesse James thinking? He’s married to Sandra-freakin-Bullock, for goodness sake, America’s sweetheart. Which led, as most discussions of Ms Bullock do with me, to Roselyn Sanchez, “the Latino Sandra Bullock”. We had to cover peripeteia, since that video was sent to me by MzVRWC who was there with her husband, Capitalist Pig. Macker was there, and we finally got the opportunity to meet the lovely Mrs Macker. Exurban League‘s Kevin & Steve were there, and Rachel from Intellectual Conservative.
We did eventually get down to the real stuff, the issues that move us to action. Health care figured prominently, of course, and we also covered problems both local and national.
Elections are definitely on everyone’s mind, as there are many more vulnerable seats thanks to this unprecedented amount of government growth and unbelievable groundswell of resistance from the American people. People from all political parties and all income groups have seen this for what it is and are looking for ways to make their voices heard, looking for ways to turn the tide on government’s ever-expanding grip on our lives.
On that note, a few hours into our blogfest we got a visit from Vernon Parker, fresh from the Grand Opening of his new campaign headquarters. He has set himself apart in a very crowded race to fill the AZCD3 seat that is currently held by the retiring John Shadegg. The folks we elect to send to D.C. in November must be men and women worthy of our trust. Men and women who will work to repeal the atrocity rammed through this weekend. Men and women who will recognize that continued government bloat can not be allowed. Mr. Parker seems to be one of those men.
It was nice to be able to speak to him in such a casual, non-campaign-y environment. I just wish I had been a little less casual – I never got around to asking him the questions I wanted to. I really should have, I live in AZCD3. Thankfully others were more on the ball so I got a good idea of his stance on the big things.
Including his stance on the 2nd Amendment (pro), which we will be celebrating with next month’s blogger gathering, a Meet Up/Shoot Up at Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club.
The care of every man’s soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills.
~ Thomas Jefferson
Saw this on one of my friend’s Facebook pages. Too perfect for the day not to repost.
I had such a great time with the Flickr challenge my cousin put together last month (as if you could figure that out…) looking for the good and special every day, that I wanted to continue that ‘mindset’. (Besides, I already upgraded to a Pro account, might as well use it) I’ve decided to snap pics with my phone while I am walking the dogs each day (or most every day, anyway) Just whatever strikes me as pretty, amusing, intriguing….whatever…as we explorer the neighborhood.
If you have any interest, you can see them here.
We are having our monthly (and very laid back) gathering of Conservative Arizona Bloggers tomorrow afternoon. I just found out last night that we will have a special guest, Vernon Parker who is running for Congress in AZ’s 3rd District (the seat currently held by the retiring John Shadegg) This is a great opportunity to meet him in a casual environment, and a chance to see who he is and what he stands for. Find out why the NY Times spent so much ink on Parker in their story about one of his opponents, Ben Quayle.
Oh, and have some good food, good drinks & great conversation while you’re at it.
Saturday, March 20, 2010 1-5 pm
Four Peaks Brewing Company
1340 East 8th Street
Tempe, AZ
Almost as hard to get my hands on the Taurus 738 TCP as it is to get the .380 ammunition it fires. Fortunately, I was able to find both today (thanks to D‘s tireless efforts)
I had been looking at several of the smaller guns for more practical carrying in certain situations (like running with the dogs) but was unsure due to the dearth of ammo available. Still we looked, and researched – well, D mostly did the research…and the looking. The Bersa Thunder, while clearly a sweet little boomstick which gets fantastic reviews, is just a bit too big. Even the Concealed Carry version (love the grips) is not far enough removed size-wise from my PT111 to be worth the investment. (Though D did find a great deal on the Bersas from a dealer in our neighborhood)
The Ruger LCP, also sweet though with slightly more mixed reviews, was just a bit too small & light. Although I have to admit the idea of carrying one of the pink raspberry ones does make me smile, I wanted something a bit more…..there.
Enter the TCP, which is itty-bitty, but not too. It is just enough more substantial to give me that warm fuzzy feeling. It has several of the features found on my larger Taurus; key lock, loaded chamber indicator, wide, smooth trigger, bullet drops down through the grip when ‘unloading’. The TCP also comes with 2 magazines and a belt pouch, whereas the LCP comes with 1 magazine and no type of holster.*
That makes the Taurus almost $50 worth of better deal 
UPDATE: In case you are wondering “Why?” ((Hat Tip Exurban Kevin)
*Cabela’s does have a deal going on the LCP that includes an extra clip & a Nemisis pocket holster
Doc Zero get right down to it:
It would also be foolish to place such faith in Republicans, or anyone else. Today’s Democrats are not unique in their corruption, a cancer that can be driven into remission with electoral chemotherapy in 2010 and 2012. Massive government breeds massive corruption through its very nature
It would be a horrible mistake to accept a deal with the creators of history’s most staggering national debt, based on assurances they will place your interests ahead of theirs, for decades to come. As Darth Vader memorably explained to Lando Calrissian, the State can always alter the terms of the deal, and your only recourse will be praying they don’t alter it any further.
As they say, ReadItAll
(Hat Tip JamesAllenShow)
Remember that scene in Elizabeth, where Walsingham ‘detains’ the bishops he suspects will vote the wrong way – thus ensuring the queen wins her argument before the council?
Not sure why I thought of that in the midst of the ObamaCare debate….
(I wonder if there is a basement under the Capital building where possible “Yes” votes might find themselves passing the time? 
Who is our Walsingham? )
All 28 days of things I love. Thanks to my cousin for creating such a fun challenge and encouraging us to look for the special moments in each day.
1. Cafe, 2. Making friends at the dog park, 3. Peek-a-boo, 4. Hip, 5. Toys, 6. Dog Park, 7. Yummy on the side, 8. Sunshine Kitty, 9. Mom, 10. His Hands, 11. Wildflowers, 12. Zune, 13. Flowers, 14. The Boys, 15. BabyS, 16. Albums, 17. Bella, 18. Frappe, 19. Soap, 20. Thank You, 21. Stump, 22. Trails, 23. 28 Things, 24. Strawberries, 25. Wendy’s, 26. Pit-y, 27. Carrot, 28. Frame Shots
Was reminded recently of this post by Mark P Shea which makes an excellent, yet simple, point:
As Chesterton said long ago, when you get rid of the Big Laws, you don’t get freedom. You don’t even get anarchy. You get the small laws.
Many, many, many small laws.
Clearly, the Legislative branch still does not get it. Members of both parties continue to disregard the taxpayers, they just keep spending, spending, spending… Not like drunken sailors, who are limited by their own wallets, but like spoiled children with access to credit cards they never have to pay off.
Per Diem payments they receive to cover meals and incidentals while traveling, when most meals, transportation & lodging are provided for them, are used for their spouses or for shopping, rather than returned to the treasury per the rules.
Money provided for office expenses is used to lease high end luxury SUVs.
Hey, bozos, we are in a time of economic turmoil. Money doesn’t grow on trees and every penny you waste comes out of someone’s pocket. You want to help the American people weather this financial storm – QUIT STEALING & WASTING THEIR MONEY!
UPDATE: As a comment at WSJ.com points out “And this bunch was going to pay for Medical reform through savings in waste and fraud?“
Phoenix, AZ
