occasionally I just want to be ready to fire for mass effect, should a crowd come visiting. Or sumthin' like that. Civilization's veneer appears to me to be rather more thin than is has been, world-wide, since the last outbreak of mass homicidal rudeness. Back then, we had two oceans, a lot of natural resources, a heavy hitting industrial base that could mfg what we needed, and fairly unified set of core values.

Today? We are nearly as far away from WW2, as they were from the Civil War. The rate of change in our world is accelerating at near science-fiction speed: First World, Third World, Industrial World, Financial World, Ocean World -- the balance of power, influence, intentions, and goal plays in motion only reinforce that the CONUS is not the sanctuary and continental fortress that sheltered that last generation.

History is full of shock and surprises for the dominant players. While we haven't yet formed civil fire base refuges, I'd wonder if the our 18th Century ancestors, if apprised of today's world, wouldn't ask us exactly why we have not done so, or at least are planning for such contingency. Whether internal civil disorder, border war, or terrorists -- we do live in an America -- that lives in a far different world than the one of our youth.

So. Do I like my own little Marlin slug-spitter? Ya betcha; I'm trying to track down another one that I had Brockman do for me years ago. Even more svelte and slick than my recent buy. And, that is the 'ready'-house rifle, too. Other stuff is available, but it lives in an inconspicuous kitchen corner; just would like another one for the front door. Very low crime in this little ol town, now suburb, and happy to keep it that way.

Happy Shootin'