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Mrs. Peel

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Posts posted by Mrs. Peel

  1. Posted

    Article about concealed carry permit holder crime stats - with a nice, detailed breakdown refuting the (apparently) grossly exaggerated statistics provided in NY TImes articles... brings to mind the expression: there's lies, damned lies... and then there's statistics. It always amazes me how something as tangible as numbers can be spun every which way depending on the writer's political stripes. Journalism really is dead.

     

    Anyway, I placed it in this particular thread because it does have some relevant  stats.

     

    http://www.nationalreview.com/article/443981/new-york-times-concealed-handgun-crime-numbers-are-bogus

    • Like 3

  2. Posted

    I did some more research and found this interesting article written by Kate Masters,as an interview with Georgetown Univ. Professor Liza Gold and titled:  A Psychiatrist Debunks the Biggest Myths Surrounding Gun Suicides

     

    Here is the link to the article:

    https://www.thetrace.org/2015/11/gun-suicides-mental-illness-statistics/

     

    Also, here are the first two paragraphs from that article:

     

    "Suicide accounts for more than two-thirds of the 32,000 firearms deaths the United States averages every year. Or, to come at the issue a different way: Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Americans aged 15 to 34, and more than 50 percent of cases involve guns. A big reason for the prevalence of firearms in suicides is the deadliness of guns themselves: When a firearm is used in a suicide attempt, there’s an 85 percent chance of it being successful. Whatever numbers you look at, they point to a significant public health problem. But because of a host of misconceptions and a lingering social stigma, suicides by firearm receive little popular attention.

    According to Liza Gold, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the Georgetown University School of Medicine and editor of the forthcoming Gun Violence and Mental Illness, a lack of information about gun suicides makes preventing them increasingly difficult for mental health professionals. In a conversation with The Trace, Gold spoke about the biggest myths about firearm suicides, and why there’s no such thing as safe gun storage when a family member is in crisis"

     

    I applaud the concept of reducing suicide and any partnerships geared to that end. That said, I'm very familiar with Trace (the online site quoted above) and frankly, I view their articles and conclusions with the same skeptical eye that I might view an article on InfoWars.  Trace is unapologetically biased towards gun control... and partners in that goal with their brethren, Slate and HuffPo, which should give you a clue. Trace's mission statement is: The Trace is an independent, nonprofit journalism startup dedicated to shining a light on America’s gun violence crisis.

     

    ​To me, the word "crisis" connotes a growing problem that is spiraling out of control... which does not align with the reality of our decades-long DECLINE in gun crime (we'll see if this last year's uptick is a long-term trend or not... but for many years, it's been a steady decline in the rate. That's just fact). So, to me, Trace railing about our "gun violence crisis" in their mission statement shoots their own credibility to shit coming right out of the gate. 

     

    NJGF readers will interpret the article and decide for themselves, of course... I'm merely pointing out the need to "consider the source".  Look at their other articles and ask yourself - is this journalism? or activism? Not denigrating the initial partnership between NSSF and AFSP, mind you, (which sounds very positive)... just pointing out the issues with this particular "news" source... of which the OP may not even be aware.

    • Like 2

  3. Posted

    Any friendly neighbors in the neighborhood with a snowblower that will help out your father? I used to do the elderly lady's driveway across the street till she moved and I know another neighbor down the street that does the driveway for the elderly couple next to him.

     

    You could offer to pay them or buys gifts to say thank you. The lady across the street was an odd bird and wouldn't even come out to say thanks, but I just couldn't watch her try to do it herself.

     

    You're a good egg, NJPlinker! :-) For many years, this relative did the same - he took care of his snow removal AND the properties on either side (one was a miserable widowed lady who also never said "thanks"). I mean, for years he did that. But, then households changed, etc.- faces changed. The new folks are more removed. So, all those years of paying it forward - he's not seeing the same kindness in return. Different times, I'm afraid. People are busy, distracted - less interested.  But, I'm determined to cast my net for a teenager in the neighborhood who's saving for a car or something. There must be one. I'm not giving up hope! Meanwhile, we'll probably contract with this company just to handle any big snow events.

     

    Eldercare is a balancing act, I've found - you juggle, you compromise, you cobble together solutions. It's ain't perfect, but it usually works out. :-)

  5. Posted

    Oy! Thanks Sota, for the informative, yet depressing breakdown on pricing - here and through your PMs. I'm gobsmacked. I really was waaaaay off-base on my expectations. I can see this is actually a perfect job for an entrepreneurial, responsible teenager --- but, ummm, do they exist anymore? LOL. There happens to be almost no teenagers in that neighborhood.. except for one right next door, who's so chubby and video game-obsessed that he doesn't even help shovel his OWN damn driveway. So, ummm... no help there! He's far too spoiled.

     

    I guess a backburner plan is to hire the snow removal company to take care of the bigger events only --- the kinds of storms that could make it difficult for my brother or I to get there. (That's when we're really freaking out with worry anyway). In the meantime, I'm going to search around locally through word-of-mouth.... and I'll switch the mail over to a P.O. box, so at least we can prevent our relative from stubbornly insisting on crossing his slippery driveway to get the mail! (Why are old dudes so damn stubborn? Rhetorical question).

  6. Posted

    Hi! After years of personally handling snow removal for an elderly relative's residence, my brother and I are ready to outsource. I got 1 quote (a commercial & residential contractor who does a great job). But, I was flabbergasted by the price. I need a sanity check... and perhaps some other bids!

     

    The property:

    • Bridgewater, on the border of Bound Brook
    • a double driveway leading up to a double garage. Driveway has just enough room to park 4 cars. There's also a narrow apron, and a sidewalk stretching across the front of the lot, all adding up to approx 972 sq feet of open, flat space. Other than a small porch retaining wall to the right of the driveway, NO big obstructions - no overhanging tree limbs, no cars, etc. All accessible by snow blower...  or by plow for the driveway (you know, one of those moveable plows that you can scoop, lift up and then dump to the side).
    • There's also a small raised porch with several curved, stepped platforms that cascade down to meet the driveway, all with railings - so that's an additional approx 108 sq feet that would have to be cleared with a shovel.

    I was looking for someone to clear all of that and drop salt when it snows. (For comparison, for a few inches of snow, at a steady, but leisurely pace it takes my brother 1/2 hr using a shovel... takes me about 50-60 min, going at a snail's pace. So, with a plow and a few young guys - we both think this is quite literally about a 10 min job in a modest snow event.

     

    I was quoted $120 for each snow event (and that's only for up to 6" of snow)!  I almost fell over!  Seriously? Ummm... that's like $720 an hour! I wasn't expecting that at all. Is that normal?

     

    ​If you do snow removal in that area and can give me a superior price - or you have a referral - please PM me. But...I must (MUST!) have someone RELIABLE with excellent references. Not someone miles out of the area or with 1 rickety old plow that breaks down all the time. We cannot have a "no show".  God forbid there's a medical emergency, we need to know that house is accessible.

     

    ​Thx so much!

  7. Posted

    Don't see how that last line has anything to do with anything.  But this does seem like a big mental health issue - especially with a post-deployment veteran who potentially has PTSD.

     

    Taken alone, an eviction could mean nothing, I agree. Taken together with all of the other things... it starts to create a portrait of a messy life. The reason for the mess, who knows? PTSD? Depression? Some other underlying mental condition? Or just a belligerent attitude that says "the rules don't apply to me"? Way too early to tell. But, how many of us have had negative interactions with the FBI, Homeland Security... and our landlord? Again, just very messy. I guess we'll hear more as the details role out. It's just amazing though how often these mass shooters have popped up on the radar screens in a multitude of ways prior to their big act.

  8. Posted

    Story getting a little more "colorful" already... from cbs in Miami: http://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/01/06/sen-bill-nelson-identifies-suspected-fll-gunman/

     

    Pertinent parts here:

    Law enforcement said he was found with an active military ID and is an American citizen, born in New Jersey. Previous known addresses include Penuelas, Puerto Rico and Anchorage, Alaska.

     

    They add that in November 2016, he walked into an FBI office in Anchorage claiming that he was being forced to fight for ISIS. He was sent to a psychiatric hospital. In 2011 or 2012, he was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations for child porn. Three weapons and a computer were seized, but there was not enough evidence to prosecute, according to law enforcement sources.

     

    Santiago also has a record for minor traffic violations and was evicted in 2015 for not paying rent.

  9. Posted

    Is it weird that one of my very first thoughts upon hearing this was: I'm so glad Hillary is not the President-Elect...? Lots (LOTS) of things I don't like about Trump, but can you imagine the legislation that would be rammed through after this if he wasn't, in fact, the Pres-Elect?

    • Like 1

  12. Posted

    I'm still a beginner with guns. I'm sure you know much more about them than I do. That said, I do know a bit about kids... and the stuff they get into! And you have TWO of them - double trouble! Are you so certain they couldn't load it and rack the slide? Hmmmm... easy enough to fit a magazine in, right?. And then... what if they're fighting over it? Once grabs the slide, the other grabs the barrel - a friendly tug of war ensues (inadvertently racking the slide? What would that take... 2 minutes?) 

     

    How many kids end up overdosing because their families were "sure" they couldn't reach the bathroom cabinet?  Or end up outside and hit by a car because everyone was "sure" they couldn't get past the locked front door? The little rug rats are always capable of more than we think. And, if not now, then perhaps 3-6 months from now. So, your plans always need to be ahead of their current developmental stage.  Really, this is not worth the risk... or the family angst. Take one of the recommendations above.

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    Mmmm... I had never heard of this Coquito before! Coconut eggnog? Damn... what's not to like? It sounds delish. Here's a recipe for any holiday bartenders out there: http://www.latintimes.com/coquito-recipe-how-make-puerto-ricans-favorite-christmas-drink-360981

     

    Unfortunately, it totally doesn't go with the meal I'm preparing for Christmas day (baked ziti, hot & sweet sausage, meatballs, etc. - gonna make my Italian grandmother look down proudly from Heaven) - but hey, maybe I'll whip some coquito up for New Year's instead.

     

    Happy Holidays, Everyone! I hope your holiday season is a good one... and that Santa brings all the guns, ammo and holsters you could possibly wish for! :xmascouple: 

  14. Posted

    Zeke.. oh, my... all this baiting... and here I thought we were friends?  if I didn't know better, I'd think you were beggin' for a verbal smack down (not that I would ever be capable of such a thing)! 

     

    Thank you Purple Patrick... I will definitely join the next one... the next one in Spring that is.  I am very low-maintenance about most things in life... EXCEPT for temperature and humidity control. When it comes to that, I'm as high-maintenance as they come... like Goldilocks and her porridge.  

    • Like 1

  16. Posted

    A long article... but an enjoyable read. Talks about some of the irony of Hollywood types who promote a pro-gun control stance as they're making MILLIONS by featuring firearms in their shoot'em up movies. Also focuses on some of the armorers that serve the movie industry. Enjoy!

     

    Edit: Sorry... I seem to be plagued with "link deficiency syndrome" - trying this link again (thank you, DirtyDigz):

     

    http://features.hollywoodreporter.com/the-gun-industrys-lucrative-relationship-with-hollywood/

  18. Posted

    Sorry, Zeke. We usually agree, but I'm with Peter G on this one. For the life of me, I can't figure out why that weird pile-on even happened. It had nothing to do with him. IMO, good-natured mocking of someone who's been on here for awhile ...ok, fine. A takedown of someone who's been repeatedly obnoxious... hey, also fine. But needling a new member for NO GOOD REASON? Rude!!! Bigly rude!! And dumb. We should be engaging NJ's gun owners, not driving them away.

    • Like 3

  20. Posted

    Even the basic assumptions on this bill show bias... that it's focused only on gun violence for instance. Do they think the ex-felon who's been put back on the street yet again wouldn't just as happily stab you to death... as shoot you to death?

     

    What they're doing is shoring up their future gun-grabbing efforts by setting up a new sham "echo chamber" that will appear to be really official and scholarly - even though the "research" will be run out of a very liberal school (and I'm a Rutgers grad, so I can say that)... and as you say, it will be at least partly funded by gun control groups. Gee... I wonder which way those studies are going to skew? Ridiculous. And I really resent my tax dollars going towards this bunk.

     

    There is TONS of scholarly research on the causes of violence. We already know all of the causative factors. These folks aren't going to learn anything new or noteworthy as they burn through our money... but any skewed crap they come up with will be cited by NJ pols as they propose progressively more Draconian laws. Bach's comment was dead-on.

    • Like 2

  23. Posted

    Awww... I was only half-joking about your kiddos traversing a nuclear wasteland well-prepped by their Uncle AVB. I spent several years working with engineers and architects btw and I was always rather amazed by... The planning! The checklists! The redundancies! Yikes. I'm the first to admit I come up short on the "Be Prepared" scouting credo. 

     

    So, rock on... Uncle AVB... rock on.

  25. Posted

    While a commendable endeavor, most of the items on your list will remain unused, forgotten about and over time end up in the corner of the garage when space in the trunk becomes more important for luggage or shopping bags.  

    Bingo!  Reading that list... I was thinking, damn... apparently I'm a crazy, reckless fool livin' on a wing and a prayer (LOL). I admire your protective attitude(s)... such Boy Scouts on here. Adorbs! My dad did the same when I was a teenager - I learned to change a flat, change the oil, to park on a hill (so I could pop the clutch to start my little VW Bug), etc. Even had my own dad-purchased tool box (good grief, why did he think that was necessary?). Good times, good times....!

     

    But, today... I have NOTHING even close to AVB's all-encompassing, ready-for-the-nuclear-wasteland list in my car. As Bill said, today's cars are far too computerized to deal with... and I'm traveling in NJ, not Denali National Park. A great mechanic, regular maintenance (including checking the air in spare tire), jumper cables, "Premium" AAA membership, a charged cell phone, a blanket, and a waterproof poncho... baby, that's about it for me. Oh, and once the cold season hits, I also throw spare snow boots and a snow shovel in my trunk and keep them there until spring. 

     

    If you must get them something, AVB, why not one of those hand crank emergency radios? I've been thinking about getting one of those myself. Most have a flashlight, a strobe light feature AND an all-important port to charge a cell phone. Combined with a AAA membership, that seems more practical to me than anything else. And it's small, so your loved ones will have the tendency to actually keep it in the car - where it's needed.

     

    Edit: one more thing... I also have a length of pipe in the car...so if I'm in a dead zone and can't get AAA on the phone, I can at least get a little leverage on the lug nuts of a wheel - to compensate for my lack of muscle.

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