Breakfast burrito, with chorizo, in La Puente, CA.

A simple rendition, done near homemade style (if the tortillas were homemade, then this would be The Bomb). Just outside the football field at La Puente High School, the El Rey Farms distribution of New Mexico Green Chiles takes place every year (from late summer into early autumn). If you get there early, then the local sports boosters are serving up some breakfast items – of which we never pass up the chorizo breakfast burritos! Not oozily dripping grease, like nearly every other chorizo burrito out there, but very well made, with the right mix of chorizo (Mexican sausage), scrambled egg, and potatoes.

Enjoy!

– image © 2011 A R Lopez

When Gun-Control Advocates Carry Guns
It’s more prevalent than you might expect. From The Firearms Blog,

There is a level of hypocrisy that goes beyond belief from the anti-gun crowd. Over the years anti-gun zealots such as Rosie O’Donnell suggested that no one should have gun, yet her bodyguard was armed. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg continues a crusade against all guns (not just the illegal variety) with his anti-gun group Mayors Against Illegal Guns, yet everywhere the billionaire goes he has armed guards.

And now it seems that David Brock could be the biggest hypocrite of them all. His name might not be as familiar to readers as Bloomberg or O’Donnell, but Brock is founder of Media Matters for America, a progressive watchdog site that routinely calls out the NRA for anything pro-gun.

Yet it gets even better (or worse, depending on your point of view), from the Daily Caller,

By 2010, Brock’s personal assistant, a man named Haydn Price-Morris, was carrying a holstered and concealed Glock handgun when he accompanied Brock to events, including events in Washington, D.C., a city with famously restrictive gun laws. Price-Morris told others he carried the gun to protect Brock from threats.

Remember incidents like these whenever someone advocates “common-sense” gun laws. Yes, as these anti-gun people so plainly illustrate, “common-sense” equates to taking the necessary steps to protecting oneself.

###

CEO Demonstrates Body Armor
By having a live round fired at him, point-blank!

Kids (and adults) DON’T try this at home!!!

###

Negligent Discharge (ND) of the day
Remember, Remember, Remember: Guns don’t discharge or “go off” all by themselves. From Knoxnews.com (emphasis added),

A vendor at the Knoxville Gun & Knife Show shot himself in the hand while attempting to show off his personal weapon Sunday, according to the police.

…

Adams, a licensed vendor at the event in the Jacob Building on Magnolia Avenue, apparently was showing his personal concealed weapon — a Kimber .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun — to a customer when the weapon discharged, DeBusk said.

Please, people, know and practice the 4 Rules of Gun Safety.

###

If you keep a firearm for home defense – know when the safety is off
And when it’s on. From the Springfield News-Leader (emphasis added),

Branden M. Slavens, 28, has been charged with first-degree burglary, first-degree assault, armed criminal action, felonious restraint, first-degree robbery, felony resisting arrest, third-degree assault and two counts of first-degree tampering, according to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.

…

Between 3 and 3:30 a.m. Friday, Slavens used an ax to force his way into the back door of a residence within one mile of the crash site, the documents said. A woman at the residence, awakened by noises, initially told Slavens to leave before he used the ax to get in. Once inside, he threw the woman onto the floor, the documents said. A man at the home then came down the stairs with a rifle. The man later told police he pulled the trigger to protect himself and his wife, but the safety was on. Slavens then struck the man on his left arm with the ax, causing severe injuries. Slavens then took the gun.

###

New York City working on “X-ray Vision” to look under your pants
For any concealed guns you might be hiding. And the ACLU is not happy (among others). From the New York Times,

In a speech on Tuesday morning to the New York City Police Foundation, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said the department was working with the Defense Department to develop gun-scan technology “capable of detecting concealed firearms.”

The tool would operate as a sort of reverse infrared mapping tool by reading the energy people emit and pinpointing where that flow is blocked by some object, like a gun.

Can we all say, “governmental intrusion”?

###

Another pregnant woman with a shotgun
In Minnesota, and she ran off burglars by racking her shotgun. From CBS,

It’s the last thing two burglary suspects expected to hear when they broke into a Coon Rapids home. From within the house came the unmistakable sound of a pump shotgun. At the other end of that gun was a 22-year-old woman who is nine weeks pregnant.

HHS Mandate Edition II

Joe Carter’s FAQ page for the HHS Mandate
Some excerpts,

What is this contraception mandate everyone keeps talking about?

As part of the universal health insurance reform passed in 2010 (often referred to as “Obamacare”), all group health plans must now provide—at no cost to the recipient—certain “preventive services.” The list of services includes sterilization, contraceptives, and abortifacient drugs.

…

Doesn’t the mandate only apply to religious organizations that receive federal funding?

No. The mandate applies to religious employers even if they receive no federal funding.

…

Isn’t this just a Catholic issue?

No. Although the Catholic Church has been the most vocal opponent of the mandate, many Protestant, Jewish, and Muslims also oppose the mandate. In fact, several evangelical leaders have called on evangelicals to stand with Catholics in civil disobedience to this law. Additionally, 300 academics and religious leaders—including TGC’s D.A. Carson and Justin Taylor—signed a statement by the Beckett Fund explaining why the mandate is “unacceptable.”

###

Lies, damned lies and 98 percent of Catholic women

###

6 more things everyone should know about the HHS Mandate
From the post,

1. The rule that created the uproar has not changed at all, but was finalized as is.

2. The rule leaves open the possibility that even exempt “religious employers” will be forced to cover sterilization.

3. The new “accommodation” is not a current rule, but a promise that comes due beyond the point of public accountability.

4. Even if the promises of “accommodation” are fulfilled entirely, religious charities, schools, and hospitals will still be forced to violate their beliefs.

5. The “accommodation” does not even purport to help objecting insurers, for-profit religious employers, secular employers, or individuals.

6. Beware of claims, especially by partisans, that the bishops are partisan.

Actually, it was in Long Beach (close to Los Angeles), and it was ICE Agent on ICE Agent.

From CBS2 News,

A workplace encounter turned deadly when a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent turned a gun on his boss after he threatened disciplinary action at the Long Beach Federal Building Thursday evening.

…

During a press conference held by the FBI and ICE, officials said the incident began when an ICE supervisor called in an agent to discuss disciplinary action. The agent responded by shooting his superior. Another employee intervened and shot the gunman, who died at the scene.

Why is this important?

In the debate regarding the 2nd Amendment and private ownership of firearms it is often argued, from anti-2nd Amendment apologists, that we the people should only trust firearm ownership and possession to “those qualified” – i.e., law enforcement. The fly in the ointment with such “reasoning” is that law enforcement personnel are human and, as such, are subject to the same failings as the rest of us regular folk.

While incidents such as this one should not be used to broadbrush paint all law enforcement officers as derelict, we need to remember that responsible firearm ownership and possession is by no means limited to their domain. As such, we should also remember that private citizens in the United States are guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms.

Another point to take away from this story, particularly with regards to the use of firearms in the act of self-defense, can be found from this L.A. Times excerpt,

Kevin Kozak, 51, a second-in-command of ICE in Los Angeles, suffered six gunshot wounds to his legs, upper torso and hands. Authorities identified the shooter as Ezequiel Garcia, 45, a supervisory agent, who was shot to death by another supervisor in the office after wounding Kozak.

The victim was shot six times yet was, as an article elsewhere states, “awake and lucid.”

Private citizens who keep firearms for self-defense need to always be cognizant of the fact that an attacker may not be stopped when hit by only one or two bullets – unlike what is typically portrayed on TV or in the movies. If forced to use a firearm for self-defense, per all competent trainers, you never shoot to kill, you shoot to stop (the attack). However, be aware that it may take multiple shots on the assailant to stop him from harming you or your loved ones.

As with any form of self-defense you may choose to use, training and preparation are key.

The Missouri Skillet, from Flappy Jack’s Pancake House, in Orange, CA.

A Route 66 roadhouse that is off of Route 55… oh well. The Missouri Skillet combines loads of potatoes, two eggs, ham, bacon, tomatoes and onions topped with Monterey jack and cheddar cheese. Yowser! Toast or pancakes side, and I always add some coffee. A very tasty combination of savory breakfast flavors in this dish. Be forewarned, however, you’ll have leftover potatoes for the family!

Enjoy!

– image © 2011 A R Lopez

‘God help anyone who would …get in the way of TBN’
This is truly scary stuff. From the OC Register,

We told you last week that the granddaughter of Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Paul and Jan Crouch has accused the world’s largest Christian broadcaster of unlawfully distributing charitable assets worth more than $50 million to the company’s directors.

…

On Thursday, Feb. 9 — the same day that our story ran online — Paul Crouch and his son, Matt, were having a live chat on TBN’s “Behind the Scenes.” Paul was reminiscing about how TBN began back in 1973 — God spoke to him as he was driving on MacArthur Boulevard — and the conversation took a turn that Koper’s attorney finds somewhat menacing.

“You know what’s funny Dad?” Matt said (at minute 8:38 on the video). “There have been a few attempts in the TBN history to upset TBN, to stop TBN, to — there have been a few fools in the 38, 39 year history, coming up on 40 years, and you know what, any attempt at stopping TBN — they have no idea who they’re actually pushing into the corner. You and Mom get pushed in a corner, God help you. That’s a lesson I’ve learned from you, seriously.”

Paul Crouch responded: “God help anyone who would try to get in the way of TBN, which was God’s plan. … I have attended the funerals of at least two people who tried….

I wonder what Crouch’s rationale was for attending the funerals of people who, supposedly, stood directly against God?

###

Slab City
From the article,

Slab City…, is a squatters’ camp deep in the badlands of California’s poorest county, where the road ends and the sun reigns, about 190 miles southeast of Los Angeles and hour’s drive from the Mexican border. The vast state-owned property gets its name from the concrete slabs spread out across the desert floor, the last remnants of a World War II–era military base. In the decades since it was decommissioned, dropouts and fugitives of all stripes have swelled its winter population to close to a thousand, though no one’s really counting.

Flickr photos here.

###

Entire school staff removed at Miramonte Elementary School
after two teachers arrested on suspicion of lewd conduct.

About three dozen parents and supporters protested in front of the main doors of the school earlier Monday, some carrying a banner that read, “We the parents demand our children be protected from lewd teacher acts.”

Sounds like a reasonable request to me.

###

CORRECTION – It is still LEGAL to toss a frisbee on a beach in Los Angeles County

###

Lesbian couple – basis for California’s Propostion 8 – are getting divorced
Well, gays and lesbians have stated that they are just like heterosexuals.

The Monte Cristo Sandwich at the Cafe Orleans, in Disneyland.

The Monte Cristo is described as “Sliced Turkey, Ham, and Swiss fried in a light batter and served with Berry Purée dusted with Powdered Sugar.” Wow! This is an awesome sandwich and is a definite “I gotta take the rest home” serving. Living close to Disneyland, my wife and I like to occasionally have a dinner at the Cafe Orleans, enjoying the sights and sounds of the faux New Orleans ambiance (without the humidity, I might add).

Enjoy!

– image © 2011 A R Lopez

From Self-defense instructor, and law enforcement officer Massad Ayoob comes word of an upcoming boycott of Starbucks due to their policy of following state laws regarding the legal carrying of firearms on their premises. Per Ayoob,

We discussed here in February, 2010 how the Starbucks chain, when gun haters demanded that firearms be banned from their coffee shop premises, stood up and said no, they would follow the laws of the given state, and those legally carrying guns would be welcome…

It seems than an anti-gun group has called for a boycott of Starbucks on this coming Valentine’s Day, February 14. As Dave explains, many of us in the gun movement will be buying something at Starbucks on that day, just to make sure that Starbucks has a profitable holiday despite being boycotted by the antis.

The boycott they refer to is being promoted by the National Gun Victims Action Council. Per their website,

A nationwide boycott of Starbucks stores and its products will be launched on Valentine’s Day 2012. Its goal is to eliminate the risk of guns in public places and ultimately to bring sane gun laws to the U.S.

Ayoob states that thehighroad.org, a firearms related forum, is promoting its own anti-boycott of sorts, encouraging supporters of the 2nd Amendment to make a special trip to Starbucks on Valentine’s Day. Also, sending an e-mail of support along the lines of,

I’ve just heard that there’s a planned boycott on Feb. 14 by anti-Second Amendment groups attempting to punish Starbucks for their decision to follow state and local law instead of changing company policy on law abiding customers carrying firearms legally. While I’m an occasional customer I’ll make a point of doing my share to offset any business Starbucks may lose due to this proposed boycott. I’ll see to it that my family and I are in Starbucks at least once on Feb. 14.Thank you for not caving in to the radical beliefs of a small vocal group of marginalized extremists.

Now that’s a good idea.

If you get the chance, stop by Starbucks today as well as e-mailing them a note of support.

Update:

I received this reply, from Starbucks –

Dear Rusty,

Thank you for your feedback regarding Starbucks’ policy on open carry laws.

At Starbucks, we deeply respect the views of our customers and recognize that there is significant and genuine passion surrounding the issue of open carry weapons laws. We comply with local laws and statutes in the communities we serve. Our long-standing approach to this issue remains unchanged and we abide by the laws that permit open carry in 43 U.S. states. Where these laws don’t exist, openly carrying weapons in our stores is prohibited.

As the public debate around this issue continues, we encourage customers and advocacy groups from both sides to share their input with their public officials. We are extremely sensitive to the issue of gun violence in our society and believe that supporting local laws is the right way for us to ensure a safe environment for both partners and customers.

Sincerely,

Matthew

customer service

Starbucks

The HHS Mandate Edition

Six Things Everyone Should Know About the HHS Mandate
Read the entire post,

1.The mandate does not exempt Catholic charities, schools, universities, or hospitals.

2.The mandate forces these institutions and others, against their conscience, to pay for things they consider immoral.

3.The mandate forces coverage of sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs and devices as well as contraception.

4.Catholics of all political persuasions are unified in their opposition to the mandate

5.Many other religious and secular people and groups have spoken out strongly against the mandate.

6.The federal mandate is much stricter than existing state mandates.

###

Message from Chuck Colson
If the administration does not back down, religious liberty—as clearly articulated in the Constitution and in court cases—will be gravely impaired. And your organization, like mine, will face the question of civil disobedience.

###

Manhattan Declaration – Sign it

###

Tightening the Screws
From the article,

Perhaps the Government’s own attempt to kick this can down the road until after the elections will be cited as evidence. In its announcement of January 20, 2012, HHS stated that “birth control… is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women.” If contraception is already the most commonly taken drug in America, then it seems hardly necessary to shove a requirement to provide it down the throat of the Catholic Church and other religious organizations.

###

National Petition to Stop HHS Mandate – Sign it

###

Obama Tries to Spin His Way Out
From Mere Comments,

Abstinence for 15-year-olds is considered impossible–how in the world can they possibly control themselves? But obesity is something we can fix by teaching them to control their appetites for certain foods and eating veggies. What a country.

Blue Corn Enchiladas, courtesy of The Range Cafe, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. What, you say? Blue Corn? Yes, there is a variety of blue corn.

New Mexico-style enchiladas are served flat, with cheese and meat (optional) spread inbetween the tortilla layers. The enchiladas on this plate were topped with white cheese, but true New Mexico-style enchiladas also have a fried egg topping them! Sides include pinto beans and arroz verde (green rice). Chile can be spread over the enchiladas or served on the side (as shown below), and you always have the choice of “green” or “red” chile (green, in this case). This is a killer meal and scrumptious to behold, especially after a long day of traveling and sightseeing.

Enjoy!

– image © 2010 A. R. Lopez

Your call is very important to us… [click]
It seems that the recession has hit California so hard that calls to the Employment Development Department sometimes go unanswered – to the tune of 9 out of 10 call! From the OC Register,

More than nine out of 10 callers who wanted to talk to a state Employment Development Department agent were unable to get through on the phone at the peak of layoffs in 2008-09, according to a state audit released Thursday.

Callers got so frustrated that they dialed in an average 23 times — and sometimes as many as 80 times — trying to get through to an EDD agent, according to a customer satisfaction survey last June.

###

Man arrested after weapon is fired at apartment complex
What’s particularly interesting to note about this story is that, evidently, the man is had a restraining order prohibiting him from being at the apartment complex, and he is a felon – which prohibits him from possessing a firearm. But, hey, since when do criminals care about the law?

Meanwhile, it’s next to impossible for a law-abiding citizen to obtain a concealed carry weapon permit in southern California.

###

Two men arrested after cache of weapons is found in their home
But owning weapons (of the legal variety) is not against the law. Oh, read further into the story and you’ll find out that both of these guys were also barred from possessing firearms. Dang! Are we noticing a pattern here? From the OC Register,

The search turned up a variety of weapons, including an AK-47, high-powered rifles, at least one assault rifle that had been altered to be automatic, a baton, flak jackets and ammunition, Bertagna said.

###

Well, at least we’re safe from sex offenders
Nope. Not in Rancho Santa Margarita, anyways. Again, from the OC Register,

City officials on Wednesday approved an ordinance to keep sex offenders out of parks.

The ban, based off the County’s Child Safety Zone Ordinance developed by District Attorney Tony Rackauckas in April, is tailored for the city and its privately home owner association-owned parks. The ordinance would require sex offenders to receive written permission from the city’s chief of police to enter a park. A specific location, time and date would be required before permission could be granted. The city’s proposed draft has received approval from the District Attorney’s office.

The City Council unanimously approved the ban even though it may be largely unenforceable unless local HOAs come on board, City Attorney Greg Simonian said. All 25 parks in the city are privately owned. City officials have contacted the individual HOAs about the proposed ordinance but have been turned down.

Always be wary of customer reviews at online shopping sites
Especially if customers are being offered bribes for 5 star ratings. From the NY Times,

In the brutal world of online commerce, where a competing product is just a click away, retailers need all the juice they can get to close a sale.

Some exalt themselves by anonymously posting their own laudatory reviews. Now there is an even simpler approach: offering a refund to customers in exchange for a write-up.

###

They said “refurbished”, not “wiped clean”
From Engadget,

Usually, when passwords and personal information are exposed, it’s because someone hacked a company’s not-so-secure system. Motorola, however, managed to put people’s info at risk without such malfeasance when it failed to wipe the memory of a batch of refurbished Xooms.

###

Tattoos – What happens when/if you grow up?
Or, like the popular philosopher Jimmy Buffet, tattoos are “a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.”

###

Christians making bad art

###

If “truth trumps everything”, then does truth also trump faith?
From Revelation Movement,

In November 2011, I visited two classes at a Christian university in North America. I asked both: “How many of you would still believe Christianity if you found out tomorrow that Christianity was not true. That is: God never became a man; Jesus did not die for our sin; or, that he did not rise from the dead?”

Twelve hands went up in each class of about 25 and 45 students. These sincere and devout students had grown up in Christian homes, gone to church all their lives and studied in Christian schools. Some had been in that Christian university for three years! They respected their elders who taught them that Christianity was all about faith with little concern for truth.

I recently watched Rebel Without a Cause, for the first time, and decided to highlight a breakfast in Paso Robles because of it. Why Paso Robles? It’s near the spot where James Dean crashed his Porsche and died.

Vic’s Cafe is a little spot nestled away in the old town section of Paso Robles, a community with a rich cattle heritage that now also sports an upscale wine industry. The simple plate of bacon and eggs comes with hash browns and toast. Add the requisite coffee and you’re set!

Enjoy!

– image © AR Lopez

Adoptions? That would be 0.26% of your business – that’s Zero-Point-Two-Six-Percent.

###

Afghanistan – it’s over
From Michael Yon,

This war is going to turn out badly. We are wasting lives and resources while the United States decays and other threats emerge. We led the horse to water.

Importantly, there is no value in pretending that Pakistan is an ally. We should wish the best of luck to the Afghans, and the many peaceful Pakistanis, and accelerate our withdrawal of our main battle force. The US never has been serious about Afghanistan. Under General Petraeus we were starting to gain ground, but the current trajectory will land us in the mud.

The enemies will never beat us in Afghanistan. Force on force, the Taliban are weak by comparison. Yet this is their home. There is only so much we can do at this extreme cost for the many good Afghan people. We must reduce our main effort and concentrate on other matters. Time to come home.

###

The Information Age, swallowed up by the Entertainment Age

###

What?! Apple is greedy?

###

Yes, Apple is greedy. And Ed Bott thinks they’re also saboteurs.

Breakfast Burrito at Pepe’s, in Fullerton, CA.

We discovered this little gem about a year ago, after a photowalk at the Fullerton Arboretum. In my opinion, this is one of the best breakfast burritos in Orange County. A healthy mix of egg, along with potatoes, cheese, beans, bacon, and sauce / salsa. I usually hold the beans as I think they can overpower the handhold-ability of the burrito. And I typically order the salsa on the side. I really like the fact that these puppies have a generous amount of egg, not attempting to pass off a potatoe filled burrito as your breakfast. Also, the bacon is crisp and very evident.

Enjoy!

– image © 2010 AR Lopez