Looks like they are going to promote the charges against Chauvin higher, as well as charging the other three officers.

https://www.startribune.com/ellison-will-charge-chauvin-with-2nd-degree-others-to-be-charged/570984872/

What price are we paying for technology and convenience? The loss of our own personal privacy? The hands on approach of true craftsmanship? Becoming slaves to technology? The loss of actually thinking problems out and solving them ourselves?

As technology advances, it almost seems to me that society as a majority, and primarily among the younger generations, that we are being "dumbed" down to a large degree. Too many people tend to rely upon technology to solve problems, or to find answers as their solutions. That in some ways, we are letting machines do our thinking and work for us. At what point do the machines think we are no longer needed, or that we are the threat? Now, this may sound far-fetched, and sound like the movie franchise "Terminator" and to be honest, the thought of this idea came to me some years ago after watching the first "Terminator" movie. Carefully thinking it over, It's really not as crazy as one might think. For that movie to become actually real, and not just sci-fy imagination, AI, (artificial intelligence) would need to become a reality. That is one thing that many are working on as the next progression of computer technology. Once that truly happens, then the entire premise of the movies becomes a very real possibility IMO.

Another concern, is that we have placed convenience and a fast paced lifestyle above so many other important things in life. We are all in such a hurry, to do, exactly what? The same thing we did the day before. The week before. The month before. The year before. Seems like a being a rat on wheel to me. Not a lifestyle I would want. Seems also like trying to hurry to the grave!

I see technology as a two-sided sword. But are we the masters, or the slaves of technology? If there was some cataclysmic event in which technology was shut down, how would many who have relied upon it so much, survive? IMO, many wouldn't, because they became slaves to it, rather that the master of it.

Personally, I like technology. But I hope and try not to be it's slave. I still read an actual book, or magazine. I still like doing things with my hands, and making things. I still like doing my own research and not just accepting something at face value because someone posted it on the internet. O still like doing many things the old-fashioned way, like my parents, or grandparents, or even my great grandparents did things.

A country boy will survive!

So how about a thread, just to post random stuff, that doesn't really fit in one specific area, or might just gain a few replies and not necessarily need it's own thread. Or just witty banter about various things. Or random questions about anything that might be perplexing you.

Please be careful outside. The snakes seem to be out early with spring coming early and warmer weather.

I killed two copperheads, and a water moccasin last week, and saw another water moccasin as well, and very close to the house. One of our smaller puppies was also bit on the leg last week.

I have a feeling with all the rain over the last six months or so, snakes are going to be bad this spring and summer.

Well Trump says he won't reauthorize the FISA courts unless there are some serious reforms are put into place.

Trump seriously has a vested interest in seeing them reformed.

I have this idea of building a budget-minded rimfire target rifle. The premise is fairly simple. Bolt-action, single shot, or repeater, preferably one with a box type magazine, heavy varmint, or target style barrel, and set up for use with a scope. And since my collection has a void in it of a 22 Magnum, that is the desired cartridge that I want build around.

I started the same similar thread on a few other gun forums over a year ago. The replies and suggestions were pretty varied. The naysayers were most assuredly in attendance! It can't be done on a budget, or a 22 Magnum can't be made accurate, and quite a few other negative responses. But, there were a few people that were encouraging of the project, even one gunsmith who tinkers with a lot of rimfires, who offered to do my chamber reaming of the barrel for free. One of the most frequent negative replies, was that budget and target didn't belong in the same sentence, and that I would dump a bunch of money into project that I'd never get my money back if I sold the rifle. I'm not planning to build it with intentions of selling it. This is for my personal enjoyment, and to see if it can be done.

The main focus, will be concentrating on the details. Such going to target style laminated stock, reworking the trigger and other adjustments. Trying out every 22 Magnum ammo available to find which is the most accurate in my rifle. Mounting a decent scope and rings on the rifle. Possibly even trying out different barrels in the search for greater accuracy.

Thing is, I think it can be achieved. I have done it before with other rifles in the past. Nothing can be achieved if you don't try.

The floor is open for tips, advice, or discussion.

I saw this subject come up on another gun forum. Press checks of your carry pistol, to ensure that a round was chambered. Hmmm......

Personally, outside of Hollywood movies, and TV shows, I haven't seen anyone do such a thing with their carry pistol. Hmmm......

My thoughts? It's dumb! I revert back to one of the basic tenets of gun safety, all guns should be considered loaded, and handled as if they were loaded. ALL pistols in my home, or that I'm carrying, ARE loaded.  IMO an empty gun, is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. So why would I press check a pistol to see if it's chambered? I don't, and never have.

Thoughts?

I predict that 2020 and some near future elections, are going to end ousting some of these obstructionist Democrats. I think this is going to be pivotal year, as well as very important, and telling to the Democrats.

They had better decide what is important, serving their constituents, or their own political agendas. My prediction? Even many democrat voters are getting fed up, and quite possibly will jump ship.

Many of the things Trump has made better in our country, are not partisan politics. Better jobs. Better education opportunities. Bringing more blue-collar jobs back to the USA. Lowering unemployment. Lowering taxes. Working on more affordable health care. A huge boost in the stock market.

These are reasons, that people will vote for Trump, and quite possibly replace Democrats, who didn't get anything done for the last three years.

We all have cars in the past that we let go for various reasons, that years later we end regretting getting rid of it. Some, we want back simply because of nostalgic reasons, some, we just didn't realize or know that one day of their value or importance.

Then there are those we ended passing on, for whatever reasons at the time, later to kick ourselves for not taking the leap and buying them. I suspect others, like myself may fall into both categories.

Some that got away from me!

1975 Chevrolet Laguna S-3. I was the second owner of record on this car, and rebuilt this car pretty much  from the ground up. It was a mild street rod, and had it's typical "hot rod" problems, and my first ex-wife convinced me to trade it in on a new 1988 Dodge pickup. Sadly, the car is long gone, as is the ex-wife. I miss that car, but I sure don't miss her!

1967 Pontiac GTO. Dark blue with black interior. 389 tri-power with a 4 speed manual trans. I still kick myself for not buying this one. It was very clean, with only S/S Cragar mags and 60 series tires being not stock. It was sweet!

1977 Pontiac Can Am. Traded this to a buddy. Back many years ago, it was just a big Pontiac that was cool. Rebuilt it from the ground up. Pretty much back to stock. Pretty much! We just didn't know how rare these Pontiacs were back then. Maybe around 1100 were produced, but no one knows the exact numbers. Mine was white with the red interior, 400 engine with an automatic trans, and the optional OEM aluminum snowflake wheels. This car was really cool!

1978 Pontiac Formula. Black and gold, with a black interior. W-72 400 engine and a 4speed manual trans. This one I bought from close friend. It was in pretty decent shape, but needed engine work. Rebuilt the engine with some extras to make it perform better. Cleaned it up after it being sat up for several years, and added Pontiac aluminum snowflake wheels. I loved this car, but sold it back to my friend when I was going through my second divorce.

So..........

I like studying the history of WW2, and watching documentories on the subject. One topic that from what I have gathered, concerns Hitler. Some think that he was a genius when it came to strategy, and some believe he was psychopathic moron, that just had some dumb luck in the beginning of his attempted takeover of Europe.

Personally, I think he was an idiot that just got lucky, and in the beginning, didn't meet any real opposition.

Curious to hear others thoughts or opinions.