Philo T. Farnsworth

We use it at least once per day. Some homes have more than one. It became a status symbol in the early 1950s. People have been entertained and informed for generations since. The inventor's first name was used by actor Clint Eastwood in the film, Every Which Way But Loose – by accident or on purpose. It is television.

However, I bet few know who invented the technological marvel that changed the world, for better or worse. His name is Philo T. Farnsworth. Unfortunately, he did not get historical attention until recently. Indeed, encyclopedia, under the entry electronic television, will read:

Vladimir Zworykin invented the Ionoscope for RCA in 1923 …

Wisconsin Department of Transportation: Considering a Fuel Hike

Door County Daily News, Rick Jensen ...

The State Department of Transportation has proposed a nickel a gallon hike in the state gasoline tax and a dime a gallon hike in the tax on diesel fuel.

Wisconsin Motorcarriers Association President Neal Kedzie – a former state senator – says this is just the start of the discussion.

The proposal is to raise the state tax on gasoline five cents and diesel ten cents. Because of taxes, the price at the pump for diesel is either the same or more than regular gasoline - historically this was never so.
In addition, the Wisconsin DOT proposes that the legislature pass an annual fee for hybrid and electric vehicles that cost more than other vehicles in sticker price and now maintenance of the alternate energy vehicles that the environmentalists are screaming about will have an annual fee. 

Tribute to Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters

Thanksgiving Day is one of those holidays that is important to families, the other is Christmas Day. Each year, and months in between, I ask folks to not forget those serving in the Armed Forces of the United States who cannot be home for the holidays. But there are others who serve and commit acts of heroism that is taken for granted or misrepresented by the media and some bad eggs among them (like in the military) who do not get recognition for their service.

Atlanta Police in Ice/Sleet Storm

Therefore, this article is in honor of those who serve in the myriad of duties and dangerous conditions of law enforcement as well as the all the local firefighters across the United States.

The people of Ferguson, Missouri demanded justice and so it was served; but the vigilante mob of the community did not accept the careful deliberation of a grand jury and pursuit for facts by the prosecutor of that county of St. Louis. They did not want justice, they wanted an eye for an eye and blind revenge.  They are skirting the real social issue.

Olin/Winchester Product Warning: Shotgun Ammunition and Safety Warning

Winchester 1200 Defender

Winchester has published a product warning (not a recall) that reinforces my input of how important it is to use correct ammunition for the firearm you are shooting …

It refers to the Winchester Slide-Action shotguns models 1200, 1300, 120, 2200 as well as the Sears Slide-Action models 200 and Ted Williams 200; Winchester semi-automatic shotgun models 1400, 1500, 140, and 2400; Sears semi-automatic shotgun models 300 and Ted Williams 300.

November 22, 2014: 51st Anniversary of JFK Assassination

One of the dark days of United States history, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, is also an issue for those who have researched extensively that day and events and people who led to the infamy of that day. Some may blow off these conspiracy theories, but there still remains too many unanswered questions.

Calibers, Shotgun Shells, and Artillery Ammunition

Guns and Ammo

Since the advent of the cartridge ammunition its measurement and description of size of the ammunition has been caliber (calibre), sometimes confusing to the new shooter.

The caliber is the internal diameter of the barrel as well as the diameter of the projectile, called the bullet. Calibers of firearms are also referred to in millimeters, originating in Europe – now used by US military to keep standard ammunition amongst the NATO armed forces.

Chocolate Cheesecake

Cook's Country has an outstanding recipe for a rendition of the standard cheesecake – Milk Chocolate Cheesecake. It is a great addition to any special or holiday meal for dessert.

Part of the ingredients is an American historical cookie called the Oreo, originally called the Oreo Biscuit when it was introduced in 1912 by the National Biscuit Company, founded in 1898 and later changed to Nabisco. Its corporate office opened in the world's first skyscraper building in Chicago in the same year. Introduced by Adolphus W. Green, who died in 1917 at the age of 73. The Oreo, like the Barnum's Animals crackers has been an historical tradition in the United States. The Oreo was made to compete with the Hydrox cookie made by the Sunshine Company, introduced in 1908. The modern-day Oreo, known as the 'sandwich cookie' was developed in 1952 by William A. Turner, when the company name changed to Nabisco.

With that tidbit of historical information aside, here is the recipe for Milk Chocolate Cheesecake:

Sirloin in Wine Sauce with Linguine

This recipe is with Sirloin Steak made Italian style, served with linguine and serves four.

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon ground mustard

1 pound beef Top Sirloin Steak, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons butter

1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed beef consomme, undiluted

1/2-cup dry red wine or beef broth

1 jar (4.5 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained

¼ cup chopped green onions

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Cooked linguine

1. In large resealable plastic bag, combine flour and mustard. Add beef, a few pieces at at time, and shake to coat. In large skillet, brown beef in butter.
2. Add consomme and wine. Stir in mushrooms, onions and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Serve with linguine. Side dish suggestion: Pan-Fried Asparagus. If you are going to serve with dinner rolls, I suggest Stone Baked Artisan French Dinner Rolls by Pepperidge Farm. Quality is excellent for frozen rolls, costing $4 for eight dinner rolls.   
   
   

Grimm, TV Series, in 4th Successful Season

In case you haven't seen the television series Grimm, it is an American police/fantasy drama that is unique and entertaining. The actors and actresses help make everything fall into place and believable with a myriad casted characters. The screenplay has contributed greatly to the series' success.

It was inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales, brothers who were academics, linguists, cultural researchers, lexicographers and authors of the most lasting folklore stories created in the 19^th century that the series resurfaces in the 21^st century.

Wilhelm & Jacob [right] Grimm

Jacob Grimm (1785-1863) and Wilhelm Grimm (1786-1859) produced stories that became adapted for storybooks that Disney filmmakers would recreate on screen, like Cinderella (Aschenputtel), The Frog Prince (Der Froshkönig), Hansel and Gretel (Hänsel and Gretel), Rapunzel, Rumpelstiltskin (Rumpelstilzchen), and Snow White (Schneewittchen). Their stories became as famous as those created by Hans Christian Anderson, a Danish author of children's storybooks, plays, novels, and poems; except the Grimms tales were darker in nature incorporating into the Gothic vogue at the time. The first collection of these folk tales was published as Children's and Household Tales (Kinder-und Hausmärchen) in 1812.

Culture of Fear Appears in Wisconsin

Keith Koffler:

Firing Blank Ammunition in 21-Gun Salute

Fear is gripping the land. And it’s a good thing. For the Left, anyway, which has the perfect palliative: the warm, comforting embrace of government.Did you now, a new threat to students has been identified by school district officials in Eau Claire, Wisconsin? Veterans. Veterans trying to teach kids about patriotism and sacrifice. As part of a Veterans Day program for the schools, the former service members traditionally fire a 21-gun salute using blanks. The tradition reportedly goes back to the 1930s. No more. 

Weird Science: Is the Hoverboard Here?

AP … Remember the hoverboard featured in the film Back To The Future II? Well, it has come to be a reality in Los Gatos, California. Mattel is selling the futuristic 'skating' board, but its just a replica; but a disappointment to customers and sales. It hovers, but you cannot use it like a skateboard. But take heart, skateboarders, the dream is becoming a reality.

Weapons of Choice: Sig Sauer P320 - Another Addition to the Sig Sauer Line

SIG P320C

The Sig Sauer P320 is a no-nonsense striker-fired pistol that law officers have come to appreciate; even those who like the M1911 and Beretta 92-FS/92-G. Its features include:

• Striker Safety.

• Disconnect Safety.

• 3-point Take Down Safety System.

• Take-down cannot take place without removing the magazine.

• System prohibits take-down without slide locked to the rear.

• Rotation of take-down lever allows disassembly without tools or trigger manipulation.

Veterans Day Tribute

NOTE: Left-Click to Enlarge

Weapons of Choice: Benelli Shotguns and New ETHOS

Shotguns prolific history began in Europe and continues to be a popular firearm in different configurations, some still crafted with precision and beauty in engraved models. English and Italians have gained the reputation for fine shotguns. In both countries it has been a tradition.

In the United States, shotguns were invented in different configurations for the need of the Wild West frontier of yesteryear from the double-barrel stagecoach shotgun to the lever-action shotgun that hit the market in the late 1800s. As civilian gun control took effect in Europe, the shotgun remained, one of the reasons why they are so prolific.

Memo To Republicans: "A Republic, If You Can Keep It"

Now that Republicans have the majority in Congress, it is a time for no compromising the Constitution of the United States. Promises not kept in the 1990s when this occurred only slowed the movement toward socialism, away from constitutional law. When it comes to articles and amendments of the Constitution – there is no compromise. If there are to be changes, it will be done by repealing or rewriting amendments. 

One such repeal should be the 16^th Amendment by adding an amendment that discontinues tax on income and progressive taxation with consumption tax at a fixed rate that can only be changed (increase/decrease) by two-thirds majority vote in House and Senate.

Weapons of Choice: Beretta ARX

Beretta ARX-100

Third Generation Rifles are starting to escalate in popularity in the civilian market. The first generation of assault rifles originated in WWII that included the US M14, German G3, British LA1 and FN FAL. Included in that bunch as far as popularity goes, but not in assault rifle category, is the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) and the Thompson Carbine/submachinegun. Soviet Russia and communist bloc countries also introduced the SKS and AK-47 – most of the rifles, except BAR (30-06) and Thompson (.45ACP) are in 7.62mm. Some people like the Thompson carbine because it uses the same cartridges found in semiautomatic sidearms – making it practical. The same reason why those who like the firearms of the Old West have rifles chambered in .45 Long Colt and single action pistols in the same caliber.

Political Dueling, Gun Control and Media Bias

Political dueling has become so common place and the idea that a representative or senator in the US Congress must pass a flurry of bills in order to make their special interest constituents happy, it is one of the main reasons why congressional members lose sight of the reason why the articles of the Constitution of the United States was written. They manipulate the truth to get people on their side with the willing help of the mainstream media while using fear tactics and preying upon the emotion of voters hoping they will not stop for one minute and use common sense and factual logic to appraise the situation or problem. 

Yea - Democrats No Longer Majority in US Senate (and elsewhere)

The GOP has won the majority of seats in the US Senate, winning in West Virginia, Montana, South Dakota, Colorado, Arkansas, and Iowa that Democrats previously held as the political majority. Wisconsin, who became an Obama state in 2008 and 2012, is going to be a close win for Governor Scott Walker if the final results indicate he won. Senator Mitch McConnell will become the new Senate Majority Leader.

Let us, with hope of the beginning of true reformation, especially in the Congress, uses its majority wisely.

Voting Day Nears, HR 2745 Still in Committee, US Marine Returns Home

To help decide who to make the final vote for 2014 for people in your district for Congress and state assemblies (and governors), but especially congressional members – see if they are on board for the HR2745: No Social Security for Illegal Immigrants Act, originally sponsored by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). The congressman plus former Rep. Ed Royce, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, and Arizona Republican Rep. Matt Salmon were the prime members of Congress to fight for the release of Marine Sgt Andrew Tahmooressi from a Mexican prison. Meanwhile, the president and his Democrat congressional members did nothing to free the American from a Mexican prison. Andrew is back in the United States after a long period in Mexican prison.

While Christians Are Ridiculed for Being Against Taxpayer Paid Abortion ...

Islamic Jihadists have no boundaries when it comes to sadist, evil acts - in this case involving an infant: Islamic State jihadi gets baby to kick severed head 

Robert Spencer: Leave Elegance for the Tailor. ... 

How long can the Western world go on pretending that atrocities like the kidnapping and murder of three Jewish teenagers in Israel by Palestinian Muslim Arabs have no connection to the religion of Islam?

Vote Like Constitutional Law Depends Upon It ...

Kurt Schlichter ...

...the progressives – and the progressives have one party – the Democrats.  They are shredding our Constitution, bankrupting us, and turning the might of the federal government against their political enemies (that’s us) in order to hold on to power. ... If everyone reading this gets five voters to vote for America, maybe we can save America. The polls are that tight. We have to overcome a lot to retake the Senate and put the brakes on America’s runaway decline. We need every vote. We have to beat Democrats’ margin of stupidity. We have to beat Democrats margin of fraud. 

Deer Season Is Upon US ...

Voting and Unlimited Government: 'Evil Will Win If Good Does Nothing'

Daniel Mitchell concerning the TSA (Transportation Security Administration)...

Consider these horror stories.
o Confiscating a plastic hammer from a mentally retarded man.
o Detaining a woman for carrying breast milk.
o Hassling a woman for the unexplained red flag of having sequentially numbered checks.
o Demanding that a handicapped 4-year old boy walk through a metal detector without his leg braces.
o Putting an 8-year old cub scout on the no-fly list.
o Stopping a teenager from flying because her purse had an image of a gun.

Heroe: Chris Kyle

It is estimated that there are 90 firearms for every 100 citizens of the United States. Just as the Constitution of the United States is unique among the nations of the world and the history of civilization, the right to keep and bear arms is one of the things that makes Americans stand out internationally. Of course, with that right and those liberties comes responsibility, just as freedom of choice comes with responsibility of accepting the result of one's individual choice.

American Gun is a newly published book that provides detailed information of the ten firearms that made it big in the history of the United States and its constitutional amendment that guarantees that right. 

Take Time To Vote, Tuesday

To ensure you know which candidates support or oppose our Second Amendment rights prior to voting on Tuesday, please visit www.NRAPVF.org.

Find your voting location. 

Cracker Dressing with Cranberries and Pecan

In 19^th century America, crackers were used instead of bread for stuffing and dressing traditional holiday feasts. The cracker was a common staple in the cupboard in the 1800s, the pilot or common cracker being used.

Today's version of the cracker is either saltines or the buttery Ritz crackers. Toasting the crackers before crushing them kept them from being soggy when adding celery, onions, and sausage. The following recipe is a good side dish for the Turkey-in-a-Pot holiday feast. It serves 8 to 10.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potatoes are the traditional side dish for the holidays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Here is a great sweet potato casserole side dish for the holiday family feast …

4 cups sweet potato, cubed

½ cup sugar

2 eggs, beaten

½ teaspoon sea salt

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

½ cup milk

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1//2 cup chopped pecans

Thanksgiving Feast: Turkey-in-a-Pot

For those who would like to dispense with a full-bird turkey this Thanksgiving Day, especially for a smaller crowd and not spend hours preparing, served with traditional side dishes, like dressing, cranberry sauce, biscuits and yams – this Turkey-in-Pot recipe is for you.

The breast alone is easier to cook and carve and yet roasted. The solution is turkey breast French style: in a pot. Surprisingly it produces a very moist and tender meat; most often the method being used to cook whole chickens.

Bone-in turkey breasts will vary in size, like frozen turkeys at the grocery mart. 6 to 7 pounds is the ideal size that will feed a small crowd up to eight, yet small enough to fit into a 7-quart Dutch oven, especially when the rib bones are trimmed.