January 4, 2019 -- A Quick Run Around the Web (Update)

"Earth Catastrophe Cycle | SOLAR MICRONOVA II"--Suspicious Observers (16 min.)

Also read my post, "Inconstant Moon," where I discuss descriptions from the Bible describing something similar during the last days.

• This week's Weekend Knowledge Dump at Active Response Training. Lots of links to good resources, but I'll mention a couple: a link to an article discussing how to make sure your handgun fits you; and a video that explains some points about drawing a handgun while in a crowd. Also, Ellifritz points out the downside to most tactical pens: "Too many people know what they are and what they can be used for.  If you rely on a tactical pen as a defensive weapon, it should be very low profile." In other words, it should look like a normal pen.
• This time of year, we start seeing the announcement of new firearms to generate buzz prior to Shot Show:

• "Mossberg Announces the New MC1sc Subcompact 9mm Pistol"--The Truth About Guns. See also this video review from The Firearm Blog. The main points about this pistol is that it is essentially the same dimensions as the Glock 43 but with better sights and a slightly better trigger, can use Glock 43 magazines, and can take Sig Sauer sights. And there is a model available that has a cross-bolt style manual safety if that is important to you.

• The FAL has moved into the 21st Century with "DSArms New I Series SA58 FAL 7.62×51 Rifles and Pistols"--The Truth About Guns. Comes with a monolithic upper rail on the receiver and M-LOK attachments on the front handguard.

• And here is another video, this one from TFB TV, taking a look at the new Glock 43X and Glock 48 pistols.

• "Bill Drill | A Simple Drill"--The Firearms Rack. This drill is shot with the pistol holstered and hands in the air (like a surrender position); 6 shots at 7 yards into the "A" zone of an IPSC target or similar size target. The author notes that this drill tests both speed and accuracy, and while there is a not par time, 3 seconds or less is very good.
• "How Much Is Your Life Worth? SafeGuard Armor Ghost Bullet Proof Vest Review"--More Than Just Surviving. This is a Level IIIA vest that can be worn fairly discretely. The author notes that "Yes, it’s still going to slightly print, but unless you know what you are looking for, the vest is basically undetectable with the right clothing." But he also found it comfortable to wear all day. He recommends it for people that work in high crime areas or jobs that attract criminal attacks such as convenience store work, delivery jobs, etc.

• Update: Greg Ellifritz notes that vests can last a considerable time and still be effective. See his comments in the comment section below.

• "HOW LONG WILL A BULLET PROOF VEST LAST?"--Safeguard Clothing. Depends on how it was worn, how well it was stored, and exposure to sun, moisture, etc. From the article:

        The Kevlar® interior needs to stay out of direct content with liquids and sunlight. The vest needs to be stored properly as well. You need to store your vest in a place that will allow it to rest in a flat position. Many people choose to hang their vests, or store them in a drawer.

       How often you wear your bullet proof vest will also affect how often it will need to be replaced. A vest that is worn on a daily basis will need to be replaced sooner than a vest that is only worn on rare occasions.

       The carrier may become damaged over time. All carriers need to be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that they fit well; if straps begin to stretch, or the Velcro is not working properly, you may want to purchase a replacement carrier. It is critical that the carrier remains undamaged, or the vest's protection level may be lowered as a result.

        The last thing that greatly affects the length of time that body armor can be used is the way it is worn. Vests are made to be worn a certain way. When the wearer gains or loses weight, it can decrease the lifespan of the body armor. Someone who loses a large amount of weight will put excess stress on the ballistic panels because they will be able to move around inside of the carrier rather than press snuggly against the body. If someone gains weight, it could cause their vest to crease and damage the ballistic panels. It is important for you to wear a vest that fits you well and make adjustments when needed to ensure that the body armor works as well as it possibly can. Taking the time to be sure that your vest is well maintained, stored properly, and the carrier is replaced when needed, will allow the body armor to last for a very long time.

Vest manufacturers generally recommend that the vest be replaced every 5 years. While vests can be effective after this is properly cared for, in looking at different articles on this topic, I saw references to police departments replacing vests in as little as 2 or 3 years where the vest saw heavy use or was often exposed to heat or moisture.

• A preview of where gun controllers are heading, from an article on "Final records released by police in Las Vegas mass shooting."  The AP article exchanges "rapid-fire devices" for "bump-fire stocks". Expect to see more discussion of "rapid-fire devices."

"Tucker: The American dream is dying"--Fox News (10 min.)

Tucker Carlson explains that the biggest threat to our nation right now is declining marriage rates and the disintegration of the family. 

• If you haven't already, watch Carlson's commentary from his January 2, 2019 show as well (the first 15 minutes or so), or you can read a transcript here. I think he hits the nail on the head with this, however: 

        The goal for America is both simpler and more elusive than mere prosperity. It’s happiness. There are a lot of ingredients in being happy: Dignity. Purpose. Self-control. Independence. Above all, deep relationships with other people. Those are the things that you want for your children. They’re what our leaders should want for us, and would want if they cared. 

        But our leaders don’t care. We are ruled by mercenaries who feel no long-term obligation to the people they rule. They’re day traders. Substitute teachers. They’re just passing through. They have no skin in this game, and it shows. They can’t solve our problems. They don’t even bother to understand our problems.

• The Washington Post op-ed by Mitt Romney referenced by Carlson is entitled, "Mitt Romney: The president shapes the public character of the nation. Trump’s character falls short." That fact that Romney, ostensibly a Republican, would have this published in the leftist Washington Post instead of a centrist paper like the Wall Street Journal should pretty much tell you all you need to know about this. I will let you read the piece if you want. I thought it to be poorly written--a stream of consciousness or list of talking points instead of something thoughtful. And very globalist in its outlook and conciliatory toward China: "America is strongest when our arms are linked with other nations. We want a unified and strong Europe, not a disintegrating union. We want stable relationships with the nations of Asia that strengthen our mutual security and prosperity."

• Related: "Mitt Romney backtracks after Trump-hating op-ed attack bombs"--American Conservative. 

• You want civil war, this is how you get civil war: "No apologies! Anti-Trump lawmaker Rashida Tlaib who vowed Democrats will 'impeach the motherf***er' says 'I will always speak truth to power' following foul-mouthed tirade just hours after being sworn in as one of the first Muslim women in Congress"--Daily Mail. 

• Related: "Pelosi says it's 'an open discussion' whether a sitting president can be indicted"--CNN.

• As you probably know, the value of Apple's stock shares fell sharply after Apple announced forecasts of declining sales. Apple has primarily blamed declining demand in China, and that set off some alarms about the strength of China's economy. Drudge had a link to an article today that discusses that aspect in more detail: "Apple's stark warning may be ominous news for China"--Stuff.co. From that article:

        Car sales have been shrinking for the first time since 1990, when most of the country was peddling bicycles. A key manufacturing survey at the end of the year showed Chinese factory activity actually contracting. And revenue from consumption tax was down 72 per cent in November from a year ago, Balding said.

       Chinese investors have been among the most pessimistic about their economy's prospects: China's stock market lost US$2.3 trillion, or about a quarter of its value, in 2018 - its worst performance in a decade.

Remember, as George Friedman has written, countries with close economic ties are more likely to go to war with each other than countries with little or no ties.

• Related: The State Department has issued a travel advisory for China, warning that "Chinese authorities have asserted broad authority to prohibit U.S. citizens from leaving China by using ‘exit bans,’ sometimes keeping U.S. citizens in China for years." 

• More trouble for China: "China's population SHRINKS for the first time in 70 years, despite scrapping its one-child policy - leaving the country facing a 'demographic crisis'"--Daily Mail. Citing a researcher, the article reports that "[t]This downward trend may be irreversible, he cautioned, due to factors such as a decrease in the number of women of childbearing age and the reluctance of couples to have children due to rising education, health and housing costs."
• More proof that California's assault weapons ban only impacts the law-abiding: "'Drunk' MS-13 member is arrested with an AK-47 and meth in his car after he crashed on his way to confront a drug dealer"--Daily Mail. The weapon was a Norinco Mak-90 semi-automatic rifle. Ironically, the guy was on his way to settle a dispute with another drug dealer over a prior auto accident.
• "Has Ebola spread to Europe? Patient in Sweden is feared to have been struck down with the killer virus after vomiting blood following a trip to Africa"--Daily Mail. It is probably unlikely as, according to the article, the man had not visited any areas associated with the current outbreak.
• Diversity is strength: "Police refute claims of far-right patrols after migrant attacks"--DW. The attacks mentioned in the headline are described as follows: "Four suspects aged 17-19, who were asylum-seekers from Afghanistan and Iran, are reported to have suddenly harassed and hit passers-by on Saturday evening while under the influence of alcohol. Twelve people sustained mostly minor injuries." "Mostly minor" suggests that there must have been "some serious."

• Related: "Explosion outside AfD office in eastern Germany"--DW. The article notes that this comes after numerous other instances of vandalism at other AfD offices.

• "China just landed on the far side of the moon. Could it become the first nation to have its own moon base?"--Los Angeles Times. In other news, the USA has sent probes to the farthest reaches of the solar system, probes and landers to other planets, their moons, and asteroids, and landed multiple rovers on Mars. Oh, and landed men on the moon.
• Another data point in favor of my argument that the Benedict Option is impossible because the left will never leave Christians alone: "Christian Mingle, other religious dating sites must now serve LGBT singles"--Washington Times. From the article:

      Spark Networks Inc., owner of ChristianMingle.com, LDSSingles.com and other faith-based dating websites, will make its services more LGBT-friendly after settling a discrimination lawsuit filed by two gay men.

      The dating sites previously “required new users to specify whether they’re a man seeking a woman or a woman seeking a man,” The Wall Street Journal reported. Now, people will simply sign-up as a male or female.

     Additionally, “Spark Networks agreed that within two years, it would adjust other searching and profile features to give gay and lesbian singles a more tailored experience,” the article noted.

The lawsuit was pursued under a California anti-discrimination law.