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the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

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You are here: Home / Politics / America / A Well Regulated Militia: In This Case Not So Much…

A Well Regulated Militia: In This Case Not So Much…

by Adam L Silverman|  February 26, 201811:29 pm| 157 Comments

This post is in: America, Ammosexuals, Crazification Factor, Domestic Politics, Gun nuts, Open Threads, Politics, Popular Culture, Post-racial America, Silverman on Security, All Too Normal

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The Oath Keepers have decided that they are going to start providing security at America’s schools, or as I suspect the schools that are not in inner city areas of America, until local, state, and Federal officials can secure them against potential mass shooters.

Oath Keepers plan to station volunteer armed guards outside schools (via @allegrakirkland) https://t.co/X1nECBmq37 pic.twitter.com/yJQgpithLz

— Talking Points Memo (@TPM) February 26, 2018

Imagine if every school campus in the United States had its own volunteer security officer: a former police officer or military veteran equipped with an assault rifle.

That’s the dream of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes.

 In the wake of the February 14 massacre at a Parkland, Florida high school, Rhodes is calling on members of his far-right anti-government militia group to serve as unpaid and unaccountable armed school guards — whether teachers and students like the idea or not.

Rhodes wants the military and police veterans who make up Oath Keepers’ membership to volunteer for unpaid, rotating shifts at schools of all levels, and colleges, throughout the country. He and two other representatives of the fringe militia community will hold a webinar Monday night where they plan to encourage Oath Keepers to station themselves at schools “to protect the children against mass murder, and to help train the teachers and staff.”

“I think it’s essential,” Rhodes told TPM in a Monday phone call. “It’s part of our responsibility to do what we can.”

“And what we can do is be outside of schools so that we’re closer if an attack happens, or when one happens,” Rhodes continued. “We’ll be there to be a fast response.”

An Oath Keeper in Indiana apparently got the party started.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA 21) –

An Oath Keeper armed with a handgun and AR-15 is standing watch outside of a local high school.

On Friday, Mark Cowan began his watch at North Side High School. He’s armed with a handgun and is keeping an AR-15 rifle nearby, in the front seat of his car.

He said he plans on standing at the school every day.

Cowan is a member of a group called Oath Keepers of Indiana, a “non-partisan association of current and formerly serving military, police, and first responders, who pledge to fulfill the oath all military and police take to ‘defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic’,” according to their website. 

Cowan said the Indiana Oath Keepers have about 100 members who are watching high schools across Eastern Indiana in the wake of a deadly shooting in Florida more than one week ago. He told ABC21 that although students and parents were not made aware of the Keepers standing guard, they have informed local police.

Cowan said he’s ready to risk his life to protect the children.

“These are kids. Ain’t none of those kids in there allowed to carry a gun to protect themselves,” he said. “There’s one school resource officer… take a look at the size of this school, look at the size of your school where you’re at. One officer ain’t enough.

“If somebody comes to this school or another school where we’re at, that school shooter is going to know, we’re not going to play games… You come to kill our kids, you’re dead.”

Local school officials aren’t too thrilled.

The Public Information Officer for Fort Wayne Community Schools Krista J. Stockman said they take the security of their schools very seriously.

“We understand he has a right to be out there,” Stockman said, “as he is not on our property, but we do not believe it adds to the safety of our students. At North Side, as at all of our schools, we have security procedures in place. In addition, at North Side, we have armed police officers in the building every day.”

Is Mr. Cowan a good guy with a gun? You be the judge:

Fort Wayne’s NBC has learned that Cowan has been convicted of misdemeanor battery resulting in bodily injury.

We uncovered that he was charged in an altercation with another person.

Fort Wayne’s NBC reached out to Cowan for an on-camera interview. He declined but did talk to our team over the phone.

Cowan says he was protecting his family and says the man he hit had already hit one of his grandsons and was about to hit the other.

A misdemeanor battery conviction does not prevent him from carrying a firearm.

Well then, no potential issues here at all.

I’ve been studying, researching, analyzing, and writing about these folks since the early 1990s and this is not likely to end well. In pretty short order one of these fine outstanding citizens will take it upon himself to start actually policing who is coming and going to and from the school. By policing I mean questioning anyone they think looks sketchy who is approaching or leaving the school. Teachers, staff, students, parents, vendors and delivery drivers, and legitimate visitors. And by sketchy I mean anyone who is darker than a manila file folder. Something like this:

(Color Identification Chart)

(Just so there’s no confusion in case Speaker Boehner visits Indiana on vacation, he’s somewhere between creamsicle and orange peel.)

(Speaker Boehner Colar Swatch)

Things will get interesting when someone decides to do the sane thing and ignore the Oath Keeper or Oath Keepers. When that happens we’ll see if they’re hanging out adjacent to schools to provide an extra set of eyes and ears or whether they expect that everyone needs to respect their authoritah! If I was a betting man, I’d put money on the latter, not the former. Local officials need to nip this in the bud really quickly. Otherwise they’re going to have a vigilante force that feels empowered by inaction on their hands. And that is not going to end well at all.

ETA at 11:55 PM EST:

The minute that one of these fine folks actually provides unofficial armed response he or she would be in violation of the Federal Gun Free School Zones Act. The minute they set foot on school property armed in response to what they think is an attack or any other problem, they’ve broken that law. There’s no exception for members of the Oath Keepers.

Stay frosty!

Open thread!

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Reader Interactions

157Comments

  1. 1.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:33 pm

    This will not end well

  2. 2.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:34 pm

    Completely off topic, but if anyone has any suggestions, please post with links. I was planning on buying one of these:
    https://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens-accessories/44407.aspx

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kevXUHFZ3DM

    I was just waiting for the next site wide 35% off sale. I went to check on something and they’re no longer being sold. I even checked with Duluth Trading customer service, who were very helpful and checked all the outlets to see if they could snag one for me. They basically went from in stock to discontinued in the space of two weeks without even a clearance sale email notice.

    If anyone has a recommendation for a similar product, I’d greatly appreciate it. And before you ask, yes, I’ve looked at the options at Amazon and I’m frankly not very enthused by what they have.

    Thanks in advance.

  3. 3.

    Villago Delenda Est

    February 26, 2018 at 11:36 pm

    The Oaf Keepers are white supremacist fucktards.

  4. 4.

    Corner Stone

    February 26, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    I doubt it will happen but if I ever see one I will call 911 every time. And raise hell in the school admin office.

  5. 5.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:37 pm

    @efgoldman: I thought I said that up top.

  6. 6.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:38 pm

    The fuckers use a faux-Ranger Tab?

  7. 7.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Baka Amerikahito) ? ?

    February 26, 2018 at 11:39 pm

    a former police officer or military veteran equipped with an assault rifle.

    Oh goody, just what schools need: washouts so bad that not even the police unions could save them from being fired patrolling schools. What if the students and teachers don’t want them there?

  8. 8.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:40 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    If anyone has a recommendation for a similar product, I’d greatly appreciate it.

    Damn, they’re expensive. OTOH but a really good garment bag for someone that travels as much as you it’s probably worth it.
    If Steve allegedly from ATL is still up, maybe he has some suggestions.

  9. 9.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:40 pm

    Also too, report them as creepy fucks loitering around schools.

  10. 10.

    PhoenixRising

    February 26, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    Out of respect for the short life and unnecessary death of Trayvon Martin, who was murdered by a trigger-happy self-appointed enforcer of white supremacy 6 years ago today, I will confine my comments to the following:

    This is the whitest thing I have seen this week.

  11. 11.

    Major Major Major Major

    February 26, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    @mtobey

    *hiding in a closet from an active shooter*
    Me: This psycho has a machine gun and he just loaded another clip. Somebody help!
    GOP: We’re here to help! It’s actually a semi-automatic rifle and they’re called magazines, not clips. Okay bye!

  12. 12.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: Check L.L.Bean.

  13. 13.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:42 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    I thought I said that up top.

    Sorry. Didn’t do the whole reading assignment before I posted. Do you grade on a curve?

  14. 14.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Baka Amerikahito) ? ?

    February 26, 2018 at 11:42 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:
    You could try these from Amazon

  15. 15.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:43 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Yep. Their founder is a now disbarred lawyer who is an Army veteran. And seriously in need of some therapy.

  16. 16.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:44 pm

    @efgoldman: Does he fucking seem like he fucking grades on a fucking curve?

  17. 17.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    @efgoldman: That’s why I was waiting for the 35% off site wide sale they run every few months. And I had a pair of $10 gift cards they sent me as a courtesy when they screwed up an order I made before the holidays. The shipping was delayed and they couldn’t figure out why. They actually sent me the gift cards with a note explaining why before I called up to complain.

  18. 18.

    Citizen_X

    February 26, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    he was protecting his family and says the man he hit had already hit one of his grandsons and was about to hit the other.

    Oh really? Because “convicted of battery” is a strong indicator that that is a pile of bullshit.

  19. 19.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Check L.L.Bean.

    Also Coach, or Hartmann Luggage. Wicked overpriced, but good, durable stuff.

  20. 20.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Baka Amerikahito) ? ?

    February 26, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:
    Almost. It would probably go more like this:

    *hiding in a closet from an active shooter*
    Me: This psycho has a machine gun and he just loaded another clip. Somebody help!
    GOP: It’s actually a semi-automatic rifle and they’re called magazines you filthy libtard. But don’t worry we’ll pay 25% of the costs for your funeral*

    *As long as the shooter shot you 15 times on a Tuesday.

  21. 21.

    Timurid

    February 26, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    I had a Marine veteran in one of my classes who was an Oathkeeper. He claimed that 1/3 of active duty Marines and 2/3 of (recent) Marine veterans were ‘Keepers. I sure as hell hope that was confirmation bias talking…

  22. 22.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Does he fucking seem like he fucking grades on a fucking curve?

    Asking the question for lazy students everywhere

  23. 23.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:47 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Would the parents or teachers have standing to request a restraining order to keep them away?

    Moreover, there stated task and purpose, which is to provide unofficial armed response would be a violation of the Gun Free School Zones Act. The minute they set foot on school property armed in response to what they think is an attack or any other problem, they’ve broken that law. There’s no exception for members of the Oath Keepers.

  24. 24.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Baka Amerikahito) ? ?

    February 26, 2018 at 11:48 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Watch Republicans try to repeal it.

  25. 25.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:48 pm

    @efgoldman: I was one of those. OTOH, I’ve also taught.

  26. 26.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:49 pm

    @efgoldman: I’ll let it go this time.

  27. 27.

    Couldn't Stand the Weather

    February 26, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    Adam:

    Great stuff.
    But shouldn’t that be Orange Julius’ color swatch?

  28. 28.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    There’s no exception for members of the Oath Keepers.

    But they probably think there is, if they think about it at all.
    ‘Fie was king, I’d classify them as a terrorist organization. Not likely the next few years.

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:51 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Would the parents or teachers have standing to request a restraining order to keep them away?

    That would depend on state law and local regulations. The Gun Free School Zones Act violations seem more obvious.

  30. 30.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Unfortunately the only garment bag they have is a standard rolling one. I already have one of those. This was for a 1 to 3 day temporary duty trip where I can put two suits and dress shirts in it, a pair of shoes, and then pack the rest of the stuff in my ruck and not have to check any bags.

  31. 31.

    Mnemosyne

    February 26, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    eBags.com is my go-to for travel bags, and searching “folding garment bag” brought up a bunch of results — this one was mid-range, price-wise. Their house brand is very good — G and I each have one of their slim laptop backpacks.

    And I know you already know all about the wonders of packing cubes, but they changed the way I travel in a huge way.

  32. 32.

    John Cole

    February 26, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: Everything about Duluth trading post is awesome. I buy all my underwear from them and their long sleeve tshirts are amazingly comfortable.

  33. 33.

    sanjeevs

    February 26, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    How will people recognize the Oath Keepers? Brown shirts?

  34. 34.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:53 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Baka Amerikahito) ? ?: Thanks, but I’ve been through the similar products at Amazon and haven’t seen anything that really excites me. There really isn’t anything there that’s equivalent.

  35. 35.

    efgoldman

    February 26, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    @John Cole:

    I buy all my underwear from them

    Jesus Cole. I didn’t know you were really rich. They’re as expensive as the stuff that advertises on BJ from time to time

  36. 36.

    jacy

    February 26, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    I don’t know much about garment bags, but here’s a good Pinterest board that might point you in a direction….. https://www.pinterest.com.au/kaypeah/garment-bag/?lp=true

  37. 37.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 26, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    @efgoldman: Good underwear is important.

  38. 38.

    scav

    February 26, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    I was also idly rather wondering about how well they’ve screened their oathy-membership for pedophiles, because that would be one hell of a cover for getting close to loads of kids, moreover close and with the assumed aura of authority (and packing).

    Good thing all those sacred children are safe from inappropriately gendered individuals in bathrooms though.

  39. 39.

    M. Bouffant

    February 26, 2018 at 11:58 pm

    Would-be school shooters nation-wide will enjoy checking how accurate their sights are on some cretin standing outside the school. Maybe once the oaf is dead they can get his gun out of his car & use it too.

    Normal people should just throw stuff at him as they drive by until he gets so mad he finally takes a shot at them. That might demonstrate how idiotic this all is. And put him away for a few yrs.

    And are they all going to pose w/ their rifles like the Lexington Minuteman statue they stole for their logo?

  40. 40.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:00 am

    @Adam L Silverman:

    where I can put two suits and dress shirts in it, a pair of shoes,

    If you find one, please let us know. In 20+ years I have never found one that would meet that standard, at basically any price point.

  41. 41.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Baka Amerikahito) ? ?

    February 27, 2018 at 12:00 am

    I totally think the kids at that school should prank Cowan.

  42. 42.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:01 am

    @John Cole: I am partial to the Armachillo drawers and undershirts. I also have several long sleeve ts, short sleeve cool max ts, a couple of shawl collar sweaters, an Alaskan Hard Gear light fleece. An Alaskan hard gear heavy fleece, one pair of chocolate wild boar mocs, one pair of black suede wild boar mocs. And some Alaskan Hard Gear moisture wicking ts. All of it on sale. They are, for this sort of stuff, what Lands End was before Sears destroyed them. Great products, great prices with the sales, and great customer service.

  43. 43.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:01 am

    @Mnemosyne: Thanks, I’ll give it a looksee.

    I am not authorized to talk about packing cubes at this time.

  44. 44.

    Another Scott

    February 27, 2018 at 12:02 am

    @Adam L Silverman: Ruffian Firefighter Garment Bag maybe?

    No experience with it myself.

    I usually check SierraTradingPost for things like this, but I don’t see anything there.

    HTH a little.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  45. 45.

    Mike J

    February 27, 2018 at 12:02 am

    This is a BFD

    Lockton @Lockton
    Lockton Affinity has notified the NRA that it will discontinue providing brokerage services for NRA-endorsed insurance programs under the terms of its contract.

  46. 46.

    Cheryl Rofer

    February 27, 2018 at 12:04 am

    Here’s a not-exactly-meme that I’m seeing. People vary the wording slightly and use different (uncomplimentary) pictures. They’re not hashtagging it.

    I PLEDGE TO WORK FOR FREE for any school to help secure the children. I am a retired Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Ranger with combat experience. I have a conceal carry, Primary and Alternate side arms, an AR-15, and all necessary tactical gear. pic.twitter.com/NVYf4xhchq

    — Dan Murphy (@bungdan) February 27, 2018

  47. 47.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:04 am

    I for one, fail to see where this situation, like, well pretty much any and every other situation cannot be resolved, made moot, countered, intimidated, or convincingly ‘won’ by the application of more and/or greater calibre or lethality of citizen-toted firearms.

    Maybe it’s just me.

    – NOoC

  48. 48.

    Mike J

    February 27, 2018 at 12:04 am

    @Mike J:

    142
    Donut says:
    August 26, 2014 at 9:31 pm
    @Roger Moore:

    Most firing ranges have liability insurance and many buy it through an NRA-sponsored program administered by a brokerage firm called Lockton Affinity. It’s actually the biggest profit-center for that company’s division. Don’t ask how I know this, but it’s true. And no, I don’t work there or for the NRA.

    https://balloon-juice.com/2014/08/26/you-deserve-to-be-dead-you-moron/#comment-5096868

  49. 49.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:05 am

    Then there is this fucking asshole:
    Florida Student Arrested for Bringing an AR-15 Rifle To High School Following Parkland Shooting
    “We have no reason to believe there was a threat implied or otherwise. Poor judgment is what we can chalk this up to,” said Dade City Acting Police Chief James Walters, according to WFLA. ”

    Click through to watch whiteness work.

  50. 50.

    Citizen_X

    February 27, 2018 at 12:05 am

    @Timurid:

    1/3 of active duty Marines and 2/3 of (recent) Marine veterans

    Utter nonsense. Every one of those armed rightwing organizations comprises a few hundred goons, at best, nearly each one of them carrying a pathological need to inflate their numbers.

  51. 51.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:05 am

    @Cheryl Rofer: Not inspiring confidence.

  52. 52.

    Timurid

    February 27, 2018 at 12:08 am

    @Adam L Silverman:

    OT, but I only got to it when the earlier thread was dead… you were telling me that you read my book?

  53. 53.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:09 am

    @Cheryl Rofer: I certainly hope that big ass fucking boulder does not roll over on him before he can escape its amazing mobility and range.

  54. 54.

    Amir Khalid

    February 27, 2018 at 12:09 am

    @Adam L Silverman:
    Has anyone explained this significant legal point to the Oath Keepers?

  55. 55.

    efgoldman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:09 am

    @No One of Consequence: Have you always been a troll, or is it your new avocation?
    To the pie safe

  56. 56.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:09 am

    @Corner Stone: Guns don’t belong in schools. End of story.

  57. 57.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:10 am

    @No One of Consequence: What are you trying to say?

  58. 58.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:11 am

    @jacy: Thanks, I’ll take a look.

  59. 59.

    ? Martin

    February 27, 2018 at 12:11 am

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    The Oaf Keepers NRA are white supremacist fucktards.

    FWIW, I call 911 any time I see someone with a gun who isn’t obviously Barney Fife or Gomer Pyle. Every time.

    15 years ago I had an incident whereby one of my students was stalking another, and it came to the point of an illegal firearm being discharged. I spent a week at work, doing nothing but dealing with this, trying to get the university to pay attention. They sorta did at the last minute, but it was the work of another police force a county away that ended up stopping the young man. He spent 7 years in prison. I nearly got fired that week, unwilling to put up with the runaround by the police, counselors, student health, and so on. The following week I was commended.

    I’m glad I listened to the concerns of the other students. I’m glad I acted as much as I did, and also troubled that it still got to the point that someone was nearly killed. If I see a gun, I call 911. I don’t care if you’re an undercover police officer. I won’t be embarrassed by calling. If someone is worried about a gun being near them, I call the police, I tell everyone. Your gun is not a secret and I don’t give a shit if 3 uniformed officers need to escort you around the city to prevent me from calling them constantly.

  60. 60.

    Cheryl Rofer

    February 27, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Okay. You can find them by searching “I pledge to work for free” on Twitter.

    I PLEDGE TO WORK FOR FREE for any school to help secure the children. I am a 29 year retired cat, Infantry Sergeant cat, U.S. cat Ranger with cat experience. I have a conceal chewing, Primary and Alternate arms, an assault machine gun, and all necessary tactical gear. pic.twitter.com/x9CzWcqyRc

    — Dr. Kropotnik ? (@idlematts) February 27, 2018

    I PLEDGE TO WORK FOR FREE for any school to help secure the children. I am a 29 year retired veteran, Infantry Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Ranger with combat experience. I have a conceal carry, Primary and Alternate side arms, an AR-15, and all necessary tactical gear. pic.twitter.com/NjzrWH9AgP

    — ♡BIGBABYBROKEBOY♡ (@BENDROWNEDVDC) February 27, 2018

  61. 61.

    Jay

    February 27, 2018 at 12:12 am

    @Citizen_X:

    Yup, La Meute in Quebec, claims 60,000 members,

    The most they’ve ever gotten out to a “protest”, is 25.

    Pretty sure the rest are Russians and Bots.

  62. 62.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    February 27, 2018 at 12:12 am

    Not withstanding the Guns in schools zones thing, these idiots would never be allowed in the schools with any kind of weapon. Do they think that a shooter is going to make himself known outside the school in advance so they can “take them down” what nonsense. In another observation have you seen the video where the Governor of Washington is telling Donny Dollhands (I love that expression) that he is full of shit when it comes to arming teachers and Donny folds his arms and starts swaying from side to side like fucking five year old saying “I can’t hear you, I can’t hear you, la la la la la” he looks so childish it is amazing.

  63. 63.

    Mnemosyne

    February 27, 2018 at 12:14 am

    @efgoldman:
    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I think you guys may need to take your snark meters in for servicing.

  64. 64.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:14 am

    @Corner Stone: The Duluth one that is no longer available could based on description. But I’ll report back if I find what I’m looking for.

  65. 65.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:14 am

    @Adam L Silverman: Sorry, when I went to college, back in the Dark Ages, my parents gave me a three piece set of luggage from Bean that included the item you wanted. It lasted for years and years. I currently have some Tumi stuff.

  66. 66.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:16 am

    @efgoldman: (are mandatory /sarcasm tags a thing, or does my internet just suck this bad?)

  67. 67.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:16 am

    @Another Scott: Thanks, but that is not what I’m looking for.

  68. 68.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:17 am

    @Mnemosyne: Gun nuts are weird.

  69. 69.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:19 am

    @Mike J: Well there goes their Carry Guard program.

  70. 70.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:19 am

    @No One of Consequence: If you don’t comment a lot, people here may misunderstand. Tensions are running high.

  71. 71.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:20 am

    @? Martin: A lifetime ago I had an Econ prof who had an affair with a student. She broke it off and he stalked her, eventually breaking in to her apartment in the middle of the night with a gun. Yeah, arming teachers and having guns around schools is a great idea.
    I plan to call 911 any and every time I see anything like one of these OKeeper assholes near a school.

  72. 72.

    Citizen_X

    February 27, 2018 at 12:21 am

    @Cheryl Rofer: I feel much better with Sgt. Kitty on the job.

  73. 73.

    M. Bouffant

    February 27, 2018 at 12:24 am

    @sanjeevs: A safety vest or a sash. Seriously.

  74. 74.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:25 am

    @Timurid: I was looking for something to assign in my other ways of war section for the students in my Culture, Strategy, and Policy elective. So I had a copy sent over on interlibrary loan and read a couple of chapters. Not the whole thing. Because of what I was using for other traditions I ultimately went with Ghandi’s Baghavad Gita, which is the Gita with the annotations of Ghandi’s commentary from when he led a daily Gita study. That’s no knock on your book, the Ghandi annotated Ghita just fit better.

    I need to get a copy and give it a proper read, but what I remember is that it was very well written.

  75. 75.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:25 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: That ‘The Answer’, never seems to entail anything that doesn’t require *more* guns, which at the end of the day, makes weapons manufacturers (the ones the NRA works for) more cash. I was trying to be Snarky, but my sarcasm implied meter is broken, and now I’ve gone and pissed off a poster/commenter whose work I actually really appreciate.

    Banner day, all and all.

    Frankly, I’m willing to go Cole one more, I would like to ban anything with cartridges. Shells, casings, anything like that. Police and Military get armaments as one would expect, but civilians can do with muzzle-loaded rifles and blunderbuses. 2nd amendment all the way, spirit of the founders! Just limited to the technology of the founders, the way Gahd intended, when She helped the Founding Fathers write the Important Documents. Moron Labia and all that worthless dreck.

    Lastly, which no one will now read, if there are any SF fans out there familiar with the Xanth books, that author wrote a (I thought at times clever) series called BattleCircle, if I remember correctly. The premise there was that guns were no longer allowed. Melee combat resolved disputes of signifiant import.

    Anyway, sorry to piss anyone off. I’ll go back to lurking. You can stop my doing that. Shakes his fist at an errant cloud on the way out…

    – NOoC

  76. 76.

    GregB

    February 27, 2018 at 12:25 am

    Have any local, state or regional KKK group offered their patriotic services yet?

  77. 77.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:26 am

    @Citizen_X: I would also…and not trying to be cat ageist here or anything…but a 29 yr old guard cat? That seems like they would rather be looking for a ray of sunlight to nap in than actively pursuing a deadly threat.

  78. 78.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:27 am

    @Adam L Silverman: in my experience traveling with suits and dress shirts for a couple of decades, the “you had one job” meme applies perfectly to garment bags. Roll up your shirts and suits and whatnot and pack them in ordinary cases. Can’t speak for stuffing them into cubes, but that is all the rage with the kidz these days.

  79. 79.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:27 am

    @Amir Khalid: Their founder is a lawyer, though presently disbarred. If he’s not going to do it, then I don’t know who will. Other than Federal law enforcement and someone from the US Attorney’s office.

  80. 80.

    MisterForkbeard

    February 27, 2018 at 12:28 am

    @Adam L Silverman: You’ve probably got more suggestions than you need, but I’ve used this before and liked it quite a bit: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/briggs-riley-baseline-compact-garment-bag/3299574

  81. 81.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:29 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Not your fault. My own for saying in December, that I didn’t need to get this at that time.

  82. 82.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:29 am

    @Corner Stone: I thought the point was that a near- or slightly past-death cat is equally effective at guarding children as one of the moronic gun nuts.

  83. 83.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:30 am

    @No One of Consequence: Hey, don’t walk away. I missed the sarcasm tonight. It might make my evening tomorrow. We need many voices here.

  84. 84.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:30 am

    @M. Bouffant: Which will make it very easy for any school shooters to clearly identify them and shoot them first.

  85. 85.

    Mnemosyne

    February 27, 2018 at 12:31 am

    @Steve in the ATL:

    Packing cubes are the shiznit, but I mostly wear t-shirts and jeans, so wrinkles aren’t a huge issue anyway. They’re especially great at keeping different types of clothing organized so I don’t have to unpack the whole bag just to find my swimsuit or whatever.

  86. 86.

    Another Scott

    February 27, 2018 at 12:32 am

    @No One of Consequence: Don’t run off. Post more often.

    If you’re concerned that something might be misinterpreted, you can do what Adam does and add “//” at the end. Or you can do what I do and add “!!!1!1ONE”

    The solution isn’t to lurk more, it’s to post more.

    “Anyone who says differently is selling something.”

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  87. 87.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:33 am

    @Adam L Silverman: British heritage. I sometimes apologize unnecessarily.

  88. 88.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:33 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Understood. I wasn’t here for Cole’s original woke moment, but I’ve been around since before Tunch passed unto stillness. A coupla few years prior to that I think. For example, I may be one of only a handful of people who actually know the Fate of the Mustard.

    And you are right, usually when I comment, it is either (rightly) ignored, or it sometimes gets a bad bounce. Not my intention for trying to smith wording into common KoolKid parlance.

    It’s all good, I get a lot from reading at this place. And many of the front pagers are awesome too. So, sorry again. Didn’t mean to ruffle or annoy or offend. Any more than I would normally. And certainly not malignantly pointed at anyone like some common off-hand firearm.

    – NOoC

  89. 89.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:34 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: sorry, didn’t know that

  90. 90.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:34 am

    @No One of Consequence: No worries. It happens. I left sarc tags off something one night last week and confused someone as well.

  91. 91.

    Jay

    February 27, 2018 at 12:35 am

    @GregB:

    Oath Keepers did,

    ( tired of parsing the various flavours of Nazi’s,

    Surprise Ending, they are all Nazi’s)

  92. 92.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:35 am

    @Steve in the ATL: The gun nut stationed outside has at least a chance of getting shot beforehand. With this warning all the students and staff have a chance to duck out the back way.

  93. 93.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:36 am

    @No One of Consequence: you can usually tell a sarcastic post because it says something like “i have a legal question—is Omnes around?” or “that’s a great point, Corner Stone!”

  94. 94.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:37 am

    @No One of Consequence: You are okay in my mind, fwiw.

  95. 95.

    MisterForkbeard

    February 27, 2018 at 12:37 am

    @John Cole: And with that recommendation, I ordered a couple of good collared shirts. Good enough for tech work, and if they’re comfortable that’s a huge bonus.

  96. 96.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:38 am

    @No One of Consequence:

    For example, I may be one of only a handful of people who actually know the Fate of the Mustard.

    What the fuck? Are you actually a real life Lara Croft? TELL US WHERE THE FUCKING MUSTARD IS!

  97. 97.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:38 am

    @Corner Stone: that’s a great point, Corner Stone!

    Note to NOoC: ironically, I’m not being sarcastic here! This stuff does get complicated.

  98. 98.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:39 am

    @Steve in the ATL: Sorry, I didn’t realize that.

  99. 99.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:39 am

    @Steve in the ATL: That’s not sarcasm, that’s just Paul Pierce.

  100. 100.

    Mike J

    February 27, 2018 at 12:39 am

    @No One of Consequence:

    Frankly, I’m willing to go Cole one more, I would like to ban anything with cartridges. Shells, casings, anything like that.

    Treat gunpowder like Sudafed.

  101. 101.

    frosty

    February 27, 2018 at 12:40 am

    @Mnemosyne: Hmmm. I’ve been managing this by putting the T-shirts on one side of the duffle bag, socks and underwear on the other side, spare shoes lengthwise, shirts folded on top. And by the third day on the road it’s a mess. Haven’t wanted to deal with the weight or cost of cubes but I see your point.

  102. 102.

    Omnes Omnibus

    February 27, 2018 at 12:41 am

    @Steve in the ATL: Feh.

  103. 103.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:41 am

    @Corner Stone:

    The gun nut stationed outside has at least a chance of getting shot beforehand. With this warning all the students and staff have a chance to duck out the back way.

    I can see it now:

    “OMG we’re in danger—there’s a gunman coming to the school!”

    “How do you know?”

    “Someone shot the obese pedophile republican gun nut out front!”

  104. 104.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:42 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: zing!

  105. 105.

    Fair Economist

    February 27, 2018 at 12:42 am

    @M. Bouffant:

    Would-be school shooters nation-wide will enjoy checking how accurate their sights are on some cretin standing outside the school. Maybe once the oaf is dead they can get his gun out of his car & use it too.

    This means anybody who wants to get an assault rifle for his rampage can just shoot the Oaf Keeper out front. A cheap handgun will suffice as long as they’re a decent shot.

  106. 106.

    PJ

    February 27, 2018 at 12:42 am

    @Adam L Silverman: Briggs and Riley makes very durable luggage but it is expensive. This one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B076XYQ9K4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519709720&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=briggs+and+riley+suiter+duffle&dpPl=1&dpID=41KHZJ%2Bd%2B9L&ref=plSrch or this one: https://www.briggs-riley.com/shop/function/garment-bags/baseline-compact-garment-bag-375 might work for you.

  107. 107.

    eemom

    February 27, 2018 at 12:42 am

    @PhoenixRising:

    This is the whitest thing I have seen this week.

    What do you mean? That these neo Nazi gun fuckers are only being talked about now because white school kids are involved? Honest question.

  108. 108.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:43 am

    @Steve in the ATL: “That fat bastard outside wearing all the camo hasn’t reached for his beer in at least three minutes.”
    “Holy shit! We’re under attack!”

  109. 109.

    frosty

    February 27, 2018 at 12:44 am

    @efgoldman: It appears NOoC screwed up his snark and has apologized downthread. Your call and I’m unaware of any other history but if it was me for this one instance I’d unpie.

  110. 110.

    smike

    February 27, 2018 at 12:44 am

    @No One of Consequence: This is exactly right! The “Moar Guns” bullshit is well past its sell date.

  111. 111.

    Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et Al.)

    February 27, 2018 at 12:44 am

    My ten year old goes to school where her blond, white ass is much in the minority. I’m only hoping these assholes are going to look at mostly minority schools as not being worth bothering with protecting [sic]. This is going to get somebody killed. If we’re truly lucky, it’ll only be one of the oaf keepers.

  112. 112.

    MisterForkbeard

    February 27, 2018 at 12:44 am

    @PJ: Exact same same one I recommended earlier in the thread. I’ve got one, and it’s performed very well.

    But you’re right, the major problem is the price point. Expensive but excellent quality.

  113. 113.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:45 am

    @frosty: When my son and I travel together and we check one bag, using cubes is amazingly helpful. IMO they are worth the initial cost.

  114. 114.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:45 am

    @Corner Stone: I’m to phucking Veteran WOKE, I remember when common wisdom was you were a professional Troll, and many folks were using Cleek’s early beta pie filter on you.

    I didn’t agree with some of what you said, but, for the record, I never pied you.

    I wouldn’t do that.

    Never do that…

    Heh.

    Like I said, I really like this place, and it is one of my go-to’s every day, many times. I get a *lot* from Adam’s posts about security, government, military, etc. But so many other great commenters too.

    And I am a rescue-dog guy, and have been for decades, even though I am the current human for a Porti-Doodle of approximately 7.25 months minus a uterus…

    Bona Fides, bitches.

    – NOoC

  115. 115.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:46 am

    @Corner Stone: this could be a fun game:

    “That fat bastard outside wearing all the camo hasn’t ________________ in at least three minutes.”

    -exposed himself to a child
    -shot off one of his toes
    -shouted “MAGA!” while Cheeto dust flies out of his mouth

  116. 116.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:46 am

    @Mike J: That’s awesome. Stolen! (May I? Just to use in discussions with others. Gaseous-exchanges only. No claiming digital ownership of any kind.)

    – NOoC

  117. 117.

    Mnemosyne

    February 27, 2018 at 12:46 am

    @frosty:

    I started off with packing folders, but then I found the Eagle Creek packing cubes on sale and now I use them all the time. If you keep an eye on Sierra Trading Post, you can find them discounted pretty often because Eagle Creek changes up the colors a lot.

  118. 118.

    M. Bouffant

    February 27, 2018 at 12:47 am

    Bit o’ clarification, as I read the story hrs. ago:

    To avoid confusion, members will be asked to wear a “long-range identifier” like a sash or orange vest, as well as a “close-range identifier” one that copycats cannot imitate, Rhodes said.

    And this:

    “If somebody comes to this school or another school where we’re at, that school shooter is going to know, we’re not going to play games,” Cowan told local station WPTA. “You come to kill our kids, you’re dead.”

    Dimbulb doesn’t seem to be aware that most school shooters are students already right there in the school, not “outside agitators”.

  119. 119.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 12:49 am

    I’m off to bed. It’s late since I’m pretending to be on the east coast.

  120. 120.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:49 am

    @No One of Consequence: Man, back away from the whatever it is you’re using tonight.

  121. 121.

    Repatriated

    February 27, 2018 at 12:51 am

    @Corner Stone: To be fair, 29 in cat years is about 3 human years (first two years=25, then 4 years/year thereafter).

  122. 122.

    trollhattan

    February 27, 2018 at 12:51 am

    The scene: sprawling suburban high school comprising multiple buildings across several acres. At 6:45 a.m. across the four-lane arterial from the school an old dude sits in a pickup truck He is outfitted with with a pistol, semiautomatic rifle, “tactical” knife, police scanner and various whatnots. Between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. 250 staff arrive, mostly by car. Between 6:45 and 8:00 a.m. 3,500 students arrive by car, bus, foot, bicycle, skateboard, etc. Each is carrying one or two backpacks, a musical instrument, artist’s portfolio, etc.

    One arrival is a former student carrying a backpack and a second long fabric case. He looks like any other student. He enters the school, climbs the stairs, takes out his rifle and starts shooting.

    How does the old dude in the pickup fit into this scenario?

  123. 123.

    frosty

    February 27, 2018 at 12:51 am

    @Steve in the ATL: @Corner Stone: You guys are on a roll tonight. Thanks for the larfs.

  124. 124.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 12:54 am

    @trollhattan:

    How does the old dude n the pickup fit into this scenario?

    Flip the switch on his modded AR-15 to Rock-N-Roll?

  125. 125.

    Mike J

    February 27, 2018 at 12:55 am

    @No One of Consequence: I think I just reworded what I read somebody else say. Go with God.

  126. 126.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 12:58 am

    None of this ends better than the hypothetical WallMart mental experiment where an accidental discharge leads to a mass casualty event.

    Dumbass A in Housewares has his Penis Extension go off accidentally, wounding a nearby innocent lady in the foot. She begins screaming in pain.

    Dumbass B in Automotive hears the shot, doesn’t see anything, but then hears screaming. He unholsters his Penis Extension and crouch-scoots towards where he believed the shot to have come from.

    Dumbass C in Frozen Foods hears the shot, hears the screaming, and crouches down to unholster his mini-penis Extension from rolling down his sock and getting it out of an ankle holster. During this time, he sees Dumbass B heading by the end of the aisle he is on, crouching, approaching with intent, with weapon drawn and being aimed. He thinks YipeeKaiYay and levels out, calmly pulls the trigger and shoots Dubmass B dead with a headshot.

    Dubmass D who is next to the dairy case, had his headphones on, didn’t hear any shots, but just saw Dubmass C in Frozen foods plug and kill Dumbass B who had a gun drawn. Dumbass D now levels off on Dumbass C, and shouts for him to drop his weapon. C turns on D thinking that there is another shooter on the enemy team and C and D shoot each other.

    And on, and on and on.

    It is a fucking school. Let’s not turn it into a shooting gallery. WalMart, well, people are rolling those dice and taking those chances. Public schools are another matter, in my mind and opinion.

    – NOoC

  127. 127.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 12:59 am

    @MisterForkbeard: Thanks.

  128. 128.

    Corner Stone

    February 27, 2018 at 1:00 am

    Why am I smelling something that reminds me of Caligula in this thread?

  129. 129.

    No One of Consequence

    February 27, 2018 at 1:02 am

    @Corner Stone: If I had found something awesome I would share. It’s a personal blue moon, and I am posting. I’ll go back to lurking for another several lunar cycles. No worries.

    None of the notes are hitting. I was actually trying to think of when I started reading here. Bush was still in office I believe. DailyKOS had gone nutty. Well, nuttier than usual, with the big major site overhaul, changing everything, establishing everybody’s own pages, or something like that. Fractured the whole thing and lost the cohesion and probably lost a lot of folks just like me.

    Anyways, its been a while. Wish I had some nice chemicals, but it was just a long day of work.

    Peace,

    – NOoC

  130. 130.

    Darkrose

    February 27, 2018 at 1:03 am

    @eemom: I assumed it was the fact that the kid who brought the gun to school is still alive.

  131. 131.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    February 27, 2018 at 1:03 am

    @Steve in the ATL: Add “used a pink dildo” to that list. Yes I know very obscure reference but back in the good old days when the Oafkeepers began it was during the Obama administration (or even prior to that if I recall). They were convinced that “Obummer” was going to take all their guns and all that and were an integral part of the “Birther” community. Anyway one of their heroes somewhere was being charged for all sorts of nefarious acts (including stealing evidence from a court house) and the brave Oafkeepers mobilized and set out for said courthouse in his defense. One of them was pulled over by the local police and was found to have all sorts of weird stuff in the back of his truck, including said pink dildo. Not sure what he was going to do with it in defense of the constitution and all that but it caused a great deal of mirth to us in the Fogbow community.

  132. 132.

    MoCA Ace

    February 27, 2018 at 1:04 am

    Try Duluth Pack. Everything they make is top quality and absolutely bullet proof. I have used their canoe packs for years and they can handle anything. Their garment bag is built the same way and like their packs it is ridiculously expensive.

    Also, I am a long-time lurker but first-time poster. Balloon Juice has been my go-to blog for pet news, rage inducing current events, and entertaining commentary for more than two years and this is the first post that compelled me to jump into the snark infested waters… go figure.

  133. 133.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 1:05 am

    @PJ: Thanks. I’ve looked at several varieties of those and the reviews all say the zippers have issues. They look neat though.

  134. 134.

    LosGatosCA

    February 27, 2018 at 1:06 am

    @trollhattan:

    Assuming the oath keeper hasn’t gotten bored by the lack of action and become the unhinged shooter, I’m guessing the shoot first and let his god of guns sort it out later would be the governing principle.

    you must destroy the school to save the students – that survive

  135. 135.

    Timurid

    February 27, 2018 at 1:09 am

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Thanks.

  136. 136.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 1:09 am

    @MisterForkbeard: How are the zippers? I’ve read in almost all the comments to this type of bag that the zippers are a problem.

  137. 137.

    Mike J

    February 27, 2018 at 1:10 am

    Floppy Boot Stomp @the_edwin_mix 4h
    “I pledge to work for free” for any school to help secure the children. I am a 29 year retired veteran Martian Space Ranger with combat experience. I have a conceal carry, Primary and Alternate side arms, an Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator and all necessary tactical gear

  138. 138.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 1:13 am

    @Timurid: You’re welcome.

  139. 139.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 1:15 am

    @MoCA Ace: Thanks, I’ll give them a look.

  140. 140.

    Steve in the ATL

    February 27, 2018 at 1:30 am

    @MoCA Ace:

    Also, I am a long-time lurker but first-time poster. Balloon Juice has been my go-to blog for pet news, rage inducing current events, and entertaining commentary for more than two years and this is the first post that compelled me to jump into the snark infested waters… go figure.

    At least it wasn’t the pink dildo that did it. Welcome!

  141. 141.

    GxB

    February 27, 2018 at 1:37 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: I thought they were “understaters” as in: “I think this Trump fellow may be a bit off, and the people who continue to support him are a might bit misled.”

    In a more general observation, I’m all for license, registration, and a metric fuckton of liability for everyone even tangentially connected to a shooting. Anything semi or full auto would be restricted to a range if they are to remain legal at all (and they shouldn’t – IMHO.) I haven’t fired a gun in over two decades though I will inherit my dad’s few old “sporting” guns. Couple .22’s, an old 30.06 deer rifle, a 20 gauge bolt action (my old bird gun) and a pump action 12 gauge that dates to the mid 1920’s which is probably rather valuable to a collector. Ya wouldn’t hear me whining if I had some hoops to jump through, and I’d probably just sell them off anyway.

  142. 142.

    Duane

    February 27, 2018 at 1:49 am

    If I’m parked at a school with an AR-15 and a couple of handguns the authorities can’t stop me because I’m with the oafkeepers? Good to know.

  143. 143.

    Mike J

    February 27, 2018 at 1:53 am

    @GxB: As far as ways to ban things, I was thinking about the articles in the Atlantic and Wired where doctors describe the difference between an assault rifle wound and one from a handgun.

    Assault rifles fire a smallish bullet at very high speed. A .44 fires a big bullet at a low speed.

    Speed x Mass = deadliosity. Ban weapons where D > some number. Not just a little lower than an AR-15, but significantly so, so they can’t shave 1/100th of a gram off and make it legal again. The .22 one might use to plunk rats is very, very different from a .223 Remington coming out of a AR-15.

  144. 144.

    MisterForkbeard

    February 27, 2018 at 2:00 am

    @Adam L Silverman: Haven’t had any issues with mine, but YMMV. It’s clean, no problems with the zip and it stays zipped.

    I guess that’s my full criteria for zippers.

  145. 145.

    Sm*t Cl*de

    February 27, 2018 at 2:05 am

    @M. Bouffant:

    as well as a “close-range identifier” one that copycats cannot imitate, Rhodes said

    These barmpots spent way too much time reading the Lensman series.

  146. 146.

    SgrAstar

    February 27, 2018 at 2:09 am

    @Adam L Silverman: Adam, check ebay. I think they have one. Cheers.

  147. 147.

    Sm*t Cl*de

    February 27, 2018 at 2:10 am

    @Adam L Silverman:
    XKCD has some tangentially-related observations.
    https://xkcd.com/1952/

  148. 148.

    Sm*t Cl*de

    February 27, 2018 at 2:14 am

    @Timurid:

    OT, but I only got to it when the earlier thread was dead

    “It was already dead when I got there.” Trust me, that story never works.

  149. 149.

    J R in WV

    February 27, 2018 at 4:08 am

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Yeah, there was a brief shining moment where you could go to Sears and get good polo shirts, which for most of my career were an unofficial uniform that got me out of wearing neckties while at my assigned place of work. Then that went away.

    Here’s a suggestion- a link to Macys garmet bags.

  150. 150.

    Elmo

    February 27, 2018 at 6:41 am

    @Adam L Silverman: Coming in very late, but in case you check back, let me strongly recommend the case I’ve been using for five years. It has a foldout garment bag on one side, a hard suitcase on the other, and it is absolutely a Tardis. Everything fits. And it’s a carryon. In five years of Platinum level travel, I have never checked a bag.

    It’s Here On Amazon.

    Note – it’s inexpensive as hell, and the zipper pulls are cheap plastic and will break. Replace em. Best bag ever.

  151. 151.

    The Ancient Randonneur

    February 27, 2018 at 7:11 am

    Filson sells a very similar bag.

  152. 152.

    Raven Onthill

    February 27, 2018 at 8:17 am

    It seems that the paramilitaries that have been part of every previous fascist movement in history are arriving.

  153. 153.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 10:09 am

    @Elmo: Thanks.

  154. 154.

    Adam L Silverman

    February 27, 2018 at 10:09 am

    @The Ancient Randonneur: Also thanks.

  155. 155.

    celticdragonchick

    February 27, 2018 at 12:47 pm

    @Fair Economist:

    This means anybody who wants to get an assault rifle for his rampage can just shoot the Oaf Keeper out front. A cheap handgun will suffice as long as they’re a decent shot.

    Yep.

  156. 156.

    BruceFromOhio

    February 27, 2018 at 1:58 pm

    @Corner Stone: This, this, this. The PD is just up the hill from 3 of the 5 schools, and they will descend like hornets.

  157. 157.

    Saving Private Equity

    February 27, 2018 at 4:59 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: Check Tumi. Will last forever.

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