December 2022 Thread

[joecool]

A new month. Only 24 shopping days left until Christmas, for you guys that can still afford to buy presents in today's economy. Well, here's a free gift idea. Mind you, I know I'm talking to the Royal Ranger choir here. But is there a little something extra you can give to Jesus on His birthday? Praise, prayer time, a promise?

[joecool]

Every once in awhile, I will check the national website and look at the outpost locator. For quite a few years, the only outpost in our state was at a church where the pastor was also the district commander. Looking at the locator tonight, this outpost is now gone. Bummer. BUT, a new outpost popped up in another town. Too bad it's still too far away to commute to. Sigh.

And for anyone who might be thinking, 'Hey, just start up your own outpost,' look at the Breaking In The New Guy thread. It's a heart breaker. A couple of years ago, I checked around to see if anyone would join me in starting up an outpost again. No takers from any generation. People like Claymore are rare indeed. He and Mark will be saying the RR pledge when they keel over.

[Claymore]

I believe that this thought was too important to disappear in a monthly "Chit-Chat" thread.

I pasted your comment "Breaking in the New Guy".

I feel that we should continue from there.

Respectfully,

[joecool]

Sitting by the fireplace, looking outside the window at 7 elk about 50 feet away. Sometimes, after a snowfall, they'll come down to our elevation for easier meadow grass to eat. Big Sky country is hard to beat.

[Claymore]

Well in winter, we only have overcast skies, rain, and scrawny deer.......

......but you don't have to shovel rain.

[joecool]

Well in winter, we only have overcast skies, rain, and scrawny deer.......but you don't have to shovel rain.

Up to 23 elk out there right now. And for your information, Claymore, we don't have to deal with rain and it's problems for 5 months a year. It just comes in solid form.

[Claymore]

From the "Sea Level to Mountaintop Thread"

Sept 12

It had taken many months of study and sitting under the tutelage of shipmates from different departments to get to where I was. My qualification board was at hand and I was more than a little anxious about it. Receiving the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin is a goal for most sailors, but not all end up with one. Arriving at the appointed time outside the Wardroom, I found myself waiting with 6 other guys. Even more surprising, the ship's captain was present.

For the next two hours, we were tested on our knowledge. But it was far more comprehensive than a question and answer session. The seven of us were teamed up and run through a variety of scenarios that were designed to test if we knew how to apply our knowledge to them. It was more than challenging. It was inspiring and confidence-boosting, and allowed the captain to see if we really knew our stuff. When it was over, we asked for just one more scenario, but were told, "The next one will be for real, and you'll do just fine."

The pinning-on ceremony was almost anti-climax, as the adrenaline-fueled excitement had worn off. As important as that knowledge was to our professional lives, it actually pales in comparison to the knowledge that will serve us every moment of our lives. "Oh, the depth of the riches of that wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33)

A neat thing about Parachute School is that they pin your wings on you, right there on the Drop Zone, after your 5th Parachute Jump.

Your adrenaline is not even down, yet.

[joecool]

Anybody out there invested in a 401K? By statute, financial managers were required to put your retirement money into those investments that were most likely to bring the best returns. But no longer. Beginning next month, that has been relaxed. Financial managers can now invest your retirement into ESG-friendly buckets, even if they don't provide as good of a return.

ESG stands for "Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance."

Whether through union dues, carbon credits or changing the rules of investing, the left will continue to be creative in funding their pet projects. Keep your eyes open and your wallet closed. Is your financial manager "woke?"

[Claymore]

I had monthly retirement withdrawals made from my police checks since about 1988.  We were allowed to designate what kind of funds those payments would invest into.

I recall the investment advisor mention "Green Funds", and he stated that they were investments in recycling, green energy, etc.  I declined on that option, as I knew that they wouldn't generate revenue like good-old capitalism and entrepreneurship.

Well, it ends up that the "Green Funds" greatly outperformed the rest of the market.  But it was not because they were so efficient; it was because the government was taking dollars from our own taxes to prop up these "pet projects" and giving them an unfair advantage in the Market of Ideas.  The government was also requiring companies and agencies to give money to these "Green" organizations.

When the Government has its thumb on the scale, the concept of "advancement through hard work and honesty" are completely out the window.

(And you see the same thing in Management.  Corporate funds are spent on fielding an overpaid non-productive woke Human Relations Department, that produces NOTHING, when the guys who make the items that bring revenue into the company earn a fraction as much.  - - - But it keeps the lawyers off of the company's back.)

[ccm2361]

Up to 23 elk out there right now.

Wow that must be cool to see, All we have around here are a few deer, a couple turkeys & a fox.

[joecool]

Yesterday, we had 8" of snow and it's -32 F as I type this. Coldest I've seen it here in my nearly 20 years in Montana. Can't plow because my side-by-side won't start. I hate global warming.

[ccm2361]

Merry Christmas my firends! may the LORD Bles you all!


Snowing like crazy here

[joecool]

Merry Christmas my friends!   May the LORD Bless you all!

Merry Christmas to you and the rest of my fellow Rangers. In tonight's message, our pastor said that as good as the first Christmas was, Christmas 2.0 will be just as good. His second coming, of course, is the Rapture. I know we're all going to be a little busy when we enter Heaven, so how about on the 20,000th day, we all meet in person at Claymore's mansion?

[Claymore]

I know we're all going to be a little busy when we enter Heaven, so how about on the 20,000th day, we all meet in person at Claymore's mansion?  

B.Y.O.A.


(Bring Your Own Ammo)

[Claymore]

Merry Christmas

[Sponsored content]