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BLUF: Whatever each uniformed individual decides, he/she had better be on the winning side. Now, in the event of a secession as in the original Civil War, the academic case has been made that the states, as sovereign entities that agreed to form the "United" States, they voluntarily agreed to form a union and, as a contract, had the right to break that contract should the terms not be met - i.e., "state's rights." Since the North won - Lincoln did what he had to do to win and the Constitution be damned - suspending habeas corpus, freeing the slaves that were private property, thus denying "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (read by the SCOTUS as property rights)," etc, etc, etc. By winning, he and the federal government achieved the primacy of the federal over the individual state governments. See Smith v. Texas (or some such where the SCOTUS ruled in the late 1800s that a state can't secede). If the South had won, their argument would be the one that prevailed. Ultimately, might does make right and the victor writes the aftermath law. In the scenario listed in the article - pretty isolated and hardly a 'mass' insurrection - it isn't a Civil War. Think New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina. Big Green roled in and sorted out a lawless situation. And the Second Amendment rights of Naw'oleans were violated wholesale at the time as just one real-time, real-world example. A better, more realistic scenario would be a very liberal POTUS deciding to stretch (not all that much compared to Executive Actions begun under Lincoln, raped by FDR during WWII, and seduced during GWB and the current Administration) his/her powers to require registration of all privately-owned firearms under penalty of imprisonment for failure to comply. Would sheriff's allow this? Would state governments? Would the SCOTUS? What if the answer to this is "yes?" by any or all of these institutions? Would you comply? If, to force compliance, the National Guard was federalized in order to conduct house to house searches, all in the 'national interest,' or even the standing military was ordered to do so, then the basics for an insurrection are formed. Would the Guard comply? Would the military? My personal opinion is that younger troops/officers would follow these orders. I am not sure about mid-grade NCOs/FGOs. I hope (never a good basis for planning) that the senior NCOs/GOs would stop this by mass resignations and/or passive resistance. If you are wearing a uniform currently, you have to decide what you will do. Is it a "lawful" order? You have a duty to carry out legitimate orders and an equally strong duty to disobey unlawful orders. Better be right and on the winning side.

So it's not just me then... The passion, style, and service-related humor of JQP when it started was phenomenal. Enjoyed it as an experience and the work done on some issues like the Molly IP frame-ups was outstanding. Now, it's clickbait. No problems with a brother making a buck, but let me decide I want to spend the money not demand it as this auto-pop-up does now.

Errr..., sts?

Irony? It's like bronzey, only different...

For all you "co's/lt's" out there, the only one you have to impress is the face staring back at you in the mirror when you shave whatever it is you shave (gender neutral). The only opinions that matter is yours, those "bro's," and, should you lead people one day, theirs. As much as I loath Chang/Scotch's Blue assimilation and attempts to gather more into the collective, I have to agree with him on at least one point. Being an officer (or NCO or airman) is not a popularity contest. Sometimes you have to tell the boss he/she is wrong, tell them why, and how to keep their cranium out of their rectum. I'm betting 6 of 9 has never done that. Rather, he's gone the full Sgt Shultz...and thinks he's a better man for it. Big Blue doesn't give a sh1t about you as an individual, only that you help make a dot green on some slide somewhere. Given actual combat events that can either kill people or get you killed, I'm ok with that realization. For anything else, not so much. If The Man wants to have you around when the Big Dance starts, he damn sure better be wining and dining you in the other times. When I see a Chang/Scotch post, I'm sorry, I get this mental image every single time: Or to go all literary n' stuff, I am reminded of Courtney Massengale (the character, not the feminine product. Although, now that I think about it...)

Fairly effective overrun marking... Too soon? note: only written because everyone got out.

Wow, an eight year old quote showing I was incorrect (unfortunately). Although knowing the definition of "should" might also be of use.

Personal recce confirmed this. Great advice, thanks. Wound up just south of there in Spring Valley. Move next month.

Been on the road for the last week and enjoying the entertainment on this thread, largely via Chang's bait and all the bites he is getting. Like watching a fishing show where every cast = a strike followed by a dramatic fight to the catch and release. My opinion is that Chang is a FGO on staff and is enjoying his ability to wind up the AF's "one percent" population. (I know the math isn't right, but for the purposes of this post, just go with it). So he gets his cheap shots in, gets so much attention that he self-actualizes and needs a tissue to clean up with, and, not coincidentally, takes a few ideas back to his overlords that this thread generates. As well as serving as a non-attributable arena for some trial balloons - "Hey, how will the plebes react if we stop-loss? Will they go tell Congress or can we get away with it?" "15-19 year ADCS for UPT? Would they preach against it to newbs?" If Big Blue goes stop-loss under the current geo-political situation, i.e., no bigger war or major U.S.-based terror attack like 9/11, the screaming to Congress and the multiple class-action lawsuits that AF will have to answer will approach the ridiculous. Congressman X: "So, CSAF, you have the fewest aircraft in your inventory since pre-WWII, yet you are hundreds of pilots short to fly them. Why? How come the Army and Navy don't have this problem (assuming this is true, I don't know for a fact)? And since we, Congress, haven't declared that we are in a national emergency/voted for such, why are invoking the law we gave you to keep pilots involuntarily? Didn't you just force out a whole bunch recently? Lawsuit A: In that the President hasn't invoked a national emergency and that a stop-loss of any duration or magnitude constitutes a penalty for only a certain group, the AF has caused severe injury and hardship due to its own negligence and stupidity. Or some such legal argument... In A1's terrific solution - make the problem go away until someone else has to deal with it - have they thought through the 2nd and 3rd order effects of stop-loss and indentured servitude-like ADSCs? - As noted, how effective at doing anything other than flying would a stop-loss pilot be? During Madeline Albright's war, I.e., Kosovo, I can assure you my GAS factor was low. Something for the mission and I still ran at the bell. Want some other queep? Sorry, not my problem. And in order to just avoid the dishonorable discharge hoop, the work I will perform will be so sub-standard that you will spend so much time having to re-do it, you can't imagine the ass pain you are about to endure. - So you give a naïve kid who wants to fly a 15-19 year ADSC which he signs because, well, he's naïve. Is he now guaranteed to make at least O-4? Or will you have to ask Congress to modify the laws regarding promotions? - What happens when naïve kid gets cynical and doesn't get promoted? Currently, separation law trumps ADSC regs. - What about the budget effects of this sudden pool of guaranteed O-4s? Only so many FGOs can be on the books. Cut the promotions for non-pilots? Ok, what happens when you run out of MX guys, Cyber guys, etc, etc, etc. Stick a pilot in that billet? How effective will that be? And wouldn't that COA be an own goal since you took your pilot-slave out of the air arena - flying/staff/other directly related jobs - so now you lost both the non-rated expertise in that area plus a pilot out of flying? - This could be just the ticket to get the Warrant Officer/Enlisted pilot track underway. Cuts officer money, avoids the FGO limit. Win/win for the AIr Staff.

Roger, thanks.

While your viewpoint it valid, your history is not. Jefferson vs. Adams I Jackson vs. Adams II Johnson vs. Goldwater are likely the most egregious examples of polarizing candidates that divided the country. We can leave the 1860 election of A. Lincoln and the resulting secession of South Carolina, et al, for another time. We'll be fine, generally, regardless of which POS is elected President. Where we have gone wrong, IMHO, is the fact that both current political parties have ignored their constituencies and become entirely self-contained units. We have the Democrat liberals and the Democrat-lite parties, both intent on lining their own pockets, never mind what we mere peasants say or want.

Grumpy old, married, no kids left at home GS just scored at a job at Nellis. Haven't been there in 9 years. For QOL/ease of commute/not have to fight off meth zombies - and renting - is my best bet Green Valley/Summerlin/Henderson? Yes, I have been through this thread.

This answers at least one of the questions, IMO, to be answered before changing out. Can she/you handle recoil of something larger than, assuming, a 9mm? Is capacity vs. caliber something you consider? Can she/you deal with any malfunctions that could (not likely) occur with a semi-auto or would a revolver be a better choice (since you specified a couple of semis, I guess I know)? Is budget an issue? You named some very adequate, even good brands. You don't lack for choices, so narrowing any of your variables down will help. Just some advice from Capt Obvious...carry (see what I did there?) on... Personally, my nightstand gun is a S&W M&P 9 with 17 rounds. Wife can use it as well. I carry, however, an XDS in .45. She carries a J-frame S&W .38. The M&P has been utterly reliable through 1,000+ rounds.

Black text matters... and doesn't always convey sarcasm. No worries here.

Indeed. Or I could add around $5k to it and get an Ed Brown 1911. Or multiply it by an order of magnitude and get a custom Purdy shotgun. Or just buy a mid-range gun on a whim and write a short description and report on it. Your suggestion could work too, but I'm of a certain station and income in life where Hi-Point equals a moped or a fat girl...

$389 out the door. Just finished putting another 200 rounds through it.

Magnum Research MR9 (note: not my photo) This is an authorized clone of the Walther P-99AS. In fact, Walther makes the lower. Magnum Research (now owned by Kahr) makes the slide, barrel, rest of the upper. The trigger guard is squared off, very 1980s, compared to the Walther, but other than that and the stainless upper, it is identical to my beloved P-99. So identical that magazines, springs, guide rods, etc, are interchangeable. I had no need or intention of purchasing this, but a local gun store was nearly giving it away, so I said, "What the hell." At least I can shoot the hell out of this and not worry about it while I would/do on the Walther - but because I don't want to fork out the larger bucks for a new Walther, not because of it being wimpy. Back to this MR9 - 4" barrel, double/single action, decocker on top, adjustable rear sights and a boatload of different length front sights, 15+1 and with that amazing Walther-designed grip that is the best I've ever held. If it's not obvious by now, I am a yuuuge fan of the Walther ergonomics. I've put 600 rounds through this without a hiccup on any brand of ammo - 115, 124 gr, JHP or FMJ. Would carry this or use it as a nightstand weapon without hesitation. Learned I'm not a big fan of the two-toned gun. Who knew?

Fair cop, guv'nor!

Craig Spegel custom grips. Took nearly 18 months to get them made and they aren't cheap. They don't make the gun shoot any better. They are works of art.

Suit or tux depending on what is appropriate. Let those who still have to play by the silly rules have their moment. I just want to get to the bar unobserved and unhindered...

Errr, moving on... Smith & Wesson SW99 in .45acp note: not my photo or pistol In the very late 1990s and early 2000s, S&W and Walther entered into a partnership where S&W marketed Walther's stuff in the U.S as well as manufactured some components/assembled them in the U.S. One such example is the S&W/Walther PPK/S which is still in production. Another venture which didn't do so well was S&W's version of the Walther P99. I have the Walther P99AS in 9mm and it is probably my favorite handgun. I wrote about it much earlier in this thread. This report, however, is about the S&W SW99 in .45acp. In the now dissolved arrangement, Walther built the frames and S&W built the barrel and slide. In kind of a Frankenstein build, the lower is marked "Walther," and "Made in Germany," while the slide has "Smith & Wesson" and "Springfield, MA." Compared to the P99, this is a much larger pistol. About 1/2 longer (which fits since the .45 has a 4 1/2 barrel compared to the P99's 4.0") and nearly an inch taller. The grip on this thing is huge, relatively speaking. It is considered a duty weapon and a couple of smaller U.S. police departments have carried it. Numerous German/Euro police and military carry the 9mm P99 (as did James Bond for several movies). The closest thing I have to it in function and size is my M&P .45 which S&W moved to nearly as soon as they started producing this. The M&P is 1/2 longer counting the beavertail but 1/2 shorter in the grip. One thing about the grip - both this and the original P99 have the best ergonomic grips - including the then-new adjustable backstraps - of any pistol, including the 1911, that I've ever shot. They just are comfortable and fit the hand well. I didn't weigh the M&P compared to this, but this feels distinctly heavier and it shows when shooting. It snaps up less than the M&P. This is a DA/SA semi-auto, with a single stack of 9 rounds + 1 in the chamber. So no gain compared to the M&P and less than some newer competitors. But 10 rounds of .45 is still a lot of 'bang' to go 'round. The trigger is nothing to write home about, but that might be due to I haven't broken it in yet. I bought it as new old stock and have thus far only put 150 rounds through it. Of those 150, I had to two failures to feed. Both were from a Winchester white box. I had no issues with Federal and Remington ammo. The magazine release is the Euro-style bottom of the trigger guard and not a button. No big whoop, but different. Slides drop cleanly every time. BTW, it will fire with the magazine out. It has a rail up front for those that want it. It comes with three backstraps, three front sights, and two magazines. Summary: a good .45 that looks pretty cool. Too big, for me anyway, to carry concealed but would make a helluva statement for open carry (Go Texas!). No regrets in buying it - it will look good in the gun case displayed opposite the P99 - and will be a regular shooter, but in hindsight, I wouldn't have been worse off if I hadn't purchased it. But it did make my collection an even number now so that worry is off my mind. Until, of course, I get something else and the count is an odd number...which simply must be evened out. (My wife isn't enamored by my logic, but what the hell...)

Han Solo's blaster?

note: not my photo S&W CS 9 - CS for "Chief's Special." This third generation S&W semi-auto was made pre-polymer; 1990-ish. It is a sub-compact, 7+1 9mm. 3" barrel, about the size of the Walther PPK, but considerably wider. For me, most sub-compacts are too small for my hands and when I first got this pistol, I assumed it would be the same. Fortunately, I was wrong. With the fat Hogue rubber grips and the pinky extension on the magazine, it's not exactly a handful, but it's not too small to shoot comfortably. I put 200 rounds of 115gr. ball through it and, save for one probably dud primer, all went bang at the appropriate time and in the expected direction. The first round is double-action and is not too bad for such. Succeeding rounds are single action and break crisply. Don't have a gauge for that break, but it's not bad at all. The safety doubles as a decocker so that if you decide to lower the hammer, you can do so without riding it while pulling the trigger a la a 1911 or revolver. Nice gun, very suitable for CCW, even though there are better options with more modern guns that offer a higher magazine capacity for nearly the same size. If/when I get too feeble to take the beating administered by my XDS .45 for CCW, this very well may become my 'go to' choice. Small, unobtrusive, reliable. I played around with this pistol and put a brand of sights on it called "Big Dot." Those sights are what it says on the label. The front sight is a very large white dot (with a tritium insert for night sights). The rear sight is a wide 'V' with a single white (also tritium) vertical line. The result for aiming is: O I Imagine a very small lollipop and perhaps you can get the idea. Those that are familiar with Heinie style sights will 'get' this as well. The point of the sights is for self-defense. While you can, and I did, make 25 yard shots with them, it ain't easy and takes more work than traditional notch and post sights. But, for 3-5 yard 'oh sh1t' use, it is simply put the big white dot over the torso and pull. Worked a champ. Still pondering if I want to put those type sights on the XDS mentioned above.

Man from U.N.C.L.E. Mad Men does James Bond. Meh...

Regarding the first generation Walther P99 - they designed it in the mid-1990s so it was before the great Picatenny wave swept the handgun world. I'd think a competent gunsmith could make the change for you. But you have a great gun in the P99. If I had to pick only one of mine for some reason, my P99AS would be it. For the CH's "looking for a 9mm" query - if you have/had the S&W 6906 and like it, consider a 3913 or 3914. I love both of those and that would be my carry gun if I went 9mm. I am a big guy with large hands and both 'fit' and point very well. Very good, accurate guns. I also just picked up a S&W Chief's Special 9 (CS9). Not enough rounds through it to write a report - as well as waiting on some new Big Dot sights to see if I like that set-up - but for fit, carry, controllability, and concealment, it shows a lot of promise. I am getting really old-school the older I get and like metal guns over polymer. Once I get where I can't handle the .45 in the XDS, I will go to 9mm in one of these S&Ws. Speaking of which, no mention/consideration of the XDS - either original or Gen2 - in 9mm for your search? I really like my XDS for that purpose.