Well, the time has come, @SummRidge 's boy is turning 15! Alex is getting his permit to drive and even though Brian and myself are TOTALLY comfortable teaching him to drive we decided that Rascal should do the honors!
Just touched base with Rascal and he muttered something about feeling safer in France and I told him him to stop being scaredy trash panda and to be a good friend. Got him in line now.
Evidently Alex needed a new hunting rifle so I reckon they are headed to Knoxville to shop a bit!
On theme for this week's fun is a Browning AB3 rifle chambered in .30-06!
Y'all know what we like but be sure and wish Alex, who this post should be a surprise to, a big hearty wholesome happy birthday!
As always, thanks to @SummRidge and let's all have a great week!
Good Luck
Godspeed (especially to you Rascal & Alex)
and Keep Going!
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Before the weekend ends and America moves on to the next headline, we need to pause and look at a story that matters more than almost any other—the collapse of Venezuela, and what it warns us about if the last democratic superpower ever falls the same way.
This didn’t happen overnight. It happened step by step, over one generation.
VENEZUELA: HOW A PROSPEROUS NATION COLLAPSED
1992
Venezuela is the 3rd richest country in the Western Hemisphere, powered by oil and a growing middle class.
1997
Venezuelans become the 2nd largest buyers of Ford F-150s—a sign of widespread prosperity.
1998
Hugo Chávez is elected, promising to “redistribute wealth” and fix inequality.
2001
The country votes again for socialism, framed as compassion and fairness.
2003
The government imposes price controls and currency controls.
Black markets appear. Shortages begin.
2004
Private healthcare is fully socialized.
2006
Inflation rises sharply as massive welfare programs expand without real economic backing.
2007
All higher education becomes “free.”
2008
Key industries—oil services, steel, cement, telecom—are nationalized.
Production drops almost immediately.
2009
Private gun ownership is banned.
2010
The currency is devalued by 50%, crushing savings and accelerating inflation.
2011
Oil production begins a steady decline due to mismanagement and lack of investment.
2012
American politicians, like Bernie Sanders, publicly praise Venezuela’s model.
2013
Chávez dies. Nicolás Maduro takes power and tightens state control.
2014
Opposition leaders are arrested or silenced.
2015
GDP collapses. Hyperinflation begins.
2016
Severe food and medical shortages spread nationwide.
2017
The constitution is suspended. Elections are no longer meaningful.
2018
Inflation exceeds 1,000,000%. Maduro “wins” a widely fraudulent election.
2019
Unarmed civilians are killed by their own government.
2020
More than 8 million people flee the country to escape hunger and repression.
2023
Minor economic improvements fail to relieve mass poverty.
2024
Disputed elections trigger protests and global isolation.
2026
Maduro is removed by force. Venezuela is liberated after decades of ruin.
THE HARD TRUTH
It took one generation of “progressive” leadership to turn one of the richest countries on Earth into a nation defined by hunger, fear, mass graves, and mass migration.
This is the lesson history keeps teaching:
You can vote your way into socialism.
But history shows people only escape it through collapse, violence, or foreign intervention.
And here is the part Americans must understand clearly:
If this happens in the United States, there will be nobody coming to save us.
No outside superpower.
No rescue force.
No second chance.
Freedom is fragile. Prosperity is not guaranteed.
And once lost, they are brutally hard to recover.
Venezuela’s people paid the price.
America cannot afford to learn this lesson the same way.
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#1UTEXFAN retweeted
i'm giving away $1,000 $XRP.
like and retweet this tweet to enter.
must be following me to be eligible!
#1UTEXFAN retweeted
A rivalry like no other 🤘
🎙️ @Brian_Robison
It is finally starting to cool off here at home, and yet, I go looking for Rascal and soon after receive a communique that he is in the heat of "The Jungle".
What does this mean? How would I know? It could be anything with this animal.
All I could make out was, "Hey, I hate to cut it short but their closing in and while the drones are not as effective in this heavy canopy these barefoot bums can sure be a nasty fight on the ground. Sal is ready and the fuses are set, gotta go light'em up boss! Hey! *Radio Crackle* take the FN, it's ready to go and hot to trot!"
Before I can get out the second half of "WTH?" I hear rifle reports and he hangs up.
Well, all I can figure is he has gotten himself neck deep in jungle trouble with his buddy Sal. Rascal has been in worse scrapes before. He'll make it back, for sure.
As always we thank @SummRidge for their continued support on missions as these! Time is tight and the shots are close so get in the comments for more!
Good Luck
Godspeed
Keep Going!
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#1UTEXFAN retweeted
Whoa, I thought this was fake.
I guess we're doing a giveaway. I ain't giving it all away, but $3000 is good enough. Yes, $3000 giveaway.
Repost to enter.
#1UTEXFAN retweeted
F · O · U · N · D · E · R · S
The sitcom about how the ripple:native Ledger was born.
Episode 1: "The One Without Mining"
cc @JoelKatz @bgarlinghouse @chrislarsensf
Please
It is actually starting to cool, thank The Lord, and the nights are starting to arrive just a bit earlier. Soon that superior season will be upon us. Autumn.
This reminds me of story from a few autumns past when Rascal had to deal with some ne'er-do-wells raising Cain late one night at the shop.
When I got there I found the creature dressed in his best 1800's sleepwear and holding a .45 revolver.
"You take the light, i'll lead the way." was all the talk he would allow.
He handed me the Humming Meadow Silo Taper Hurricane and deeper into the dark warehouse we went. Given that this was years before Humming Meadow was stocking these I have no clue how he came by it. No, I did not bother to ask.
How that evening unfolded is a story, perhaps, for another time. For now I will thank @SummRidge for always supporting us and will say that this week's fun is a Taylor's and Co. Remington Conversion .45colt revolver paired with a lovely Humming Meadow Silo Taper Hurricane Candle holder (will be throwing in a candle too!)
I hope all of you have an amazing and blessed week and are looking forward to fall as much as we are!
Good luck to all and Keep Going even when it gets spooky!
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