The 2nd Amendment Caste System

To anyone who looks carefully, it becomes obvious that gun control laws are really about people control. I wrote previously about the "projection" by anti-gunners of their own weaknesses onto gun owners. Coincidently, this week we learned of a vocal anti-gun politician who, when being booked on domestic violence charges, surrendered three handguns of his own. This is a case of "okay for me, but not for thee."

Gun rights proponent, Alan Korwin makes a thought-provoking observation in his essay entitled Diplomatic Carry.

Officials travel armed. When a contingent of our officials visits any other country, they bring armed personnel in classic right-to-bear-arms manner. Life is dangerous and the ability to protect yourself is a reasonable and prudent thing, a fundamental human right of existence, a moral imperative. So they go armed. It's only rational. Hillary and similar bring along enough firepower that if some of their group go one way while some head off in another, they're both covered. 

The same is true in reverse. When an ambassador from Trashcanistan comes to the United States, discreetly armed bodyguards accompany the party at all times, "laws to the contrary notwithstanding." That's lawyer-speak for "their right to carry supersedes any other rules," or in plainer English, "We're above those laws." The ambassador might decide to personally carry too. I'm guessing Hillary does not. 

There's this whole "second system" of gun possession and carry here domestically, another layer of rules on top of the common ones you must follow, operating quietly with people in the know cooperating. 

Korwin makes a valid observation that our government acknowledges the right to self-defense for some people. People who have no obligation to obey our laws, and in some cases have pledged to disrupt our freedom, get by with a nod and a wink. All the while the gun prohibitionists push efforts to restrict the personal rights of U.S. citizens.

The author states correctly that a person's right to life and protection "cannot morally be denied." Diplomatic Carry raises this responsibility to a new level of "personal sovereignty." Personal responsibility is something our current leaders fight against with every breath. They seek to make decisions for us, and force us to comply through regulations and edicts. Perhaps it's time for a new paradigm.

I can imagine that right about now, my anti-gun readers, and probably a few pro-gun folks are stammering, "But, but, wait..." However, think about it. A caste system really does exist in this country when it comes to application of the 2nd Amendment. Why should it? The Bill of Rights was written for all citizens.

The Beer Cycle

Yea, that's about right.

Virginia Brewery Legislation

There's a bill being put forth in the Virginia House of Delegates that could be beneficial to Virginia breweries, and brewery fans. HB 359, sponsored by Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan (D - 71) will provide for brewery-to-brewery sales.

Alcohol beverage control; conduct not prohibited; leasing of licensed premises by breweries.  Provides that ABC law does not prohibit any licensed brewery from leasing its licensed premises and equipment located thereon to a person holding a brewery license for the manufacture of beer by such person at such times as specified in the lease agreement. Any such lease agreement shall require that (i) title to the beer at all stages of the manufacturing process be retained by the respective licensee using the licensed premises to manufacture the beer, (ii) the respective licensee maintain separate records as required by ABC law and Board regulations, and (iii) each licensee otherwise comply with Board regulations. This arrangement is commonly known as alternating proprietorship.

Essentially this legislation would allow a brewery to lease it's excess capacity and equipment to another licensed brewery. Start up costs for a brewery can be prohibitive. Under this bill, an established brewery with idle equipment could enter into an agreement with a new brewery and brew for them. It could also help out of state breweries enter the market with fewer shipping costs. More Virginia breweries means more jobs and more revenue for the state. And more local beer for Virginians!

You can track the progress of the legislation here.

Starbucks Valentine's Date

A group calling itself the "National Gun Victims Action Council" is calling for a boycott of Starbucks on February 14. The reason? Starbucks chooses to honor the gun laws of the states in which their stores are located.

As is so typical of the gun prohibitionists in the U.S., this group is offended by the Constitution, the laws of the land, and your right to self-defense. They want Starbucks, and all businesses, to impose their own policies to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. Frankly, I suspect the fear mongering of this group will have no adverse effect on Starbucks' bottom line. In fact, Starbucks might just have a banner day. There are many gun-rights supporters making plans to patronize the business specifically on that day. There's even a Facebook group dedicated to showing support.

I've already made a date to enjoy a coffee at Starbucks with my lovely wife on February 14. In fact, we might just go several times. Mark your calendars now. Even if you don't like the coffee, have a pastry or a sandwich. I think it will be a good day to visit Starbucks as the anti-freedom crowd, and the bad guys, will be avoiding the place.

I wonder if the NGVAC could be convinced to stick to their guns (sorry) and stay away everyday.

Sierra Nevada - Deal Done

We've been reporting for awhile that Sierra Nevada Brewing was considering a location in Virginia for an east coast brewery. Even as recent as last month, Virginia was seen as still in the running. Unfortunately, it will not be, according to this press release from the brewery.

CHICO, Calif. — Jan. 25, 2012 —Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is pleased to announce that it has chosen a site in western North Carolina for the future home of an East Coast brewery. The site, approximately 90 acres in the Henderson County Town of Mills River— along the French Broad River, 12 miles south of Asheville — will be home to the new production facility, as well as a proposed restaurant and gift shop. “We are thrilled to have found an ideal location in western North Carolina for our second brewery,” says Ken Grossman, founder of Sierra Nevada. “The beer culture, water quality and quality of life are excellent. We feel lucky to be a part of this community.”

The new facility will add much needed capacity for Sierra Nevada, and will allow for the quick shipment of brewery-fresh beer to consumers in the east. The East Coast brewery will start with a capacity around 300,000 barrels, with room to grow. The added barrelage will accommodate wider production of the myriad of seasonal beers and bottled specialties Sierra Nevada has produced in recent years, as well as an expansion of the brewery’s well‐known flagship product: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

The new brewery is expected to be up and running in early 2014 and employ 90 workers.

We can close the book on this story now. Congratulations to Asheville on the great addition to your community.

Given all the great breweries that already call Virginia home, we're still doing just fine.

The entire press release is here.

Do It For The Children

As noted previously, our son's school held their annual dinner and auction fundraiser this weekend. At our previous school, each year we donated a craft beer and food tasting event to the cause. Now that he's moved on to high school, we agreed to do the same for the new school. The event consists of at least  eight different courses, served for 6 people, in our home. We discuss the various types of beer, the signature marks of each style along with interesting brewing, beer culture or historical facts related to craft beer. Of course an appropriate food is served with each beer. The event has apparently developed a bit of a reputation as we have folks telling us well in advance they intend to bid it.

The tasting is scheduled be held in May. In order to give the winning bidder something to take home that evening, the package also included a cooler, a bottle opener, a six-pack of Starr Hill beer, a 750ml bottle of Gouden Carolus, 4 assorted specialty beer glasses, 2 Blue & Gray Brewery pint glasses, and copy of the classic "Brewmaster's Table: Discovering the Pleasures of Real Beer with Real Food" by Garret Oliver.

As the evening progressed it became apparent that folks had pooled their resources and two groups were engaged in a bidding war for the event. After the bidding ended, in order to further support the school, we offered to provide another dinner to the second place bidder, if they agreed to also match the winning bid. This offer was accepted.

So, now there will be two Saturday afternoons this Spring that we'll spend expounding on the goodness of craft beer and food, and of course tasting it too! It is a sacrifice that we'll happily take on. After all, we're doing it for the children.

CCW iPhone Reference

Legislation to make concealed carry permits nationally recognized between the states as been in the news of late. One push behind the proposals is to lessen the confusion and untangle the myriad of gun laws that states enact in ignorance of the U.S. Constitution. Gun owners have a responsibility to know the laws of their states, and of the states to which they travel. Even among non-travelers, having a handy reference can be a useful tool.

I've used a number of iPhone apps that provide references to these laws. CCW – Concealed Carry 50 State Guide is one of the newer such apps available for the iPhone. The main screen for each state provides a quick summary of the state's regulations. Links are provided for detailed information on reciprocity, transportation, restricted areas, and the duty to inform. Links to official state websites are provided where applicable.

The app also uses the phone's built-in GPS functionality to find nearby gun-related places such as shooting ranges and gun stores. Another feature allows the user to input the state or states where he (or she) holds conceal carry permits and the app will show a map and list the states that honor the user's permits.

Someday perhaps we will have elected representatives who actually follow the Constitution they swore to uphold and we will no longer need references like this.

Note: This app and others like it are for informational (or entertainment) purposes only. Be sure to check current laws, from official sources, before travelling. Be a responsible gun owner. 

And Then There Was Beer!

Saturday evening we attended a dinner and auction fundraiser for our son's school. I was looking forward to spending the evening with friends, and even meeting a few more of the parents. I wasn't really thrilled when I approached the bar and saw the beer selection was limited to Coors Light, Bud Light, and Heineken. In fact, a friend who was volunteering at the bar approached me first and said "Sorry, there's no beer." I sucked it up and ordered a Heineken. Oh, now I remember why I don't do that.

A short while later I saw that Jeff and Lori from Blue & Gray Brewery had arrived at the party. A short while later Jeff stepped out and quickly returned from his car with two pigs of beer; Blue & Gray's Fred Red and Classic Lager. I bowed to Jeff's awesomeness and was the first in line for the new arrivals. "I'll have the Fred Red please." I even took a few opportunities to help educate some folks on the beers.

It was a fun evening, made all the better by the unexpected arrival of good beer from my favorite local brewery.

The Ultimate In Aged Beer

I've mentioned aged or cellared beers in the Musings previously, but for us, five or six years old is about as extreme as it gets, so far. A recent discovery in Great Britain shows what can be done under proper conditions. 2,000 bottles of a 75-year old Coronation Ale have been found in a brewery in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

It was made to celebrate Edward VIII’s first year as king, but when he abdicated the special royal beer was locked away... until now. 

Workmen renovating a brewery’s cellars uncovered 2,000 bottles of Coronation Ale which had been hidden for 75 years. 

Greene King created the brew to mark Edward’s first year on the throne – but he abdicated in 1936 after just 325 days to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

The beer was brewed at 12% ABV and apparently stored under proper conditions. The "rich fruit flavor" is reported to remain. A British ale fan was able to taste the beer and reports his impressions here.

Of course, there have been archeological discoveries of ancient beer. But those would be of more interest for study, rather than consumption.

See "Royal ale that's never been tasted found in cellar after 75 years" for more info and pictures.

Incompetent Working For Useless

"All of my senior managers are paper pushers. They won't be able to help you."

Verizon had just accidentally canceled one of my phone lines and informed me that it can't be reinstated due to FCC regulations. That's the response I got from a phone support supervisor when I asked to speak to a senior manager.

That's probably right out of the Communications Workers of America union handbook.