Politics

[Red Leg]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1896729104692793419

I wonder how accurate this story is??

If true or mostly true sure makes our blind support of Ukraine over the past 4 years look pretty stupid.

I would guess it is about as accurate as everything else he has said about the war in Ukraine, Russia, and the status of the conflict - pretty close to absolute falsehoods (or lies as he likes to say) that could have been prepared for him in the Kremlin.

I used to be a fan until he decided to host people like Douglas Macgregor who had their own vendettas to ply with respect to Ukraine. His "reporting" from Russia was perhaps the most embarrassing effort at journalism I have ever seen as he tossed softball after softball to the little dictator. The most embarrassing segment of that trip was his stop in a Russian grocery store where he was so excited about the low prices. As he praised the Russian government, for offering such bargains he failed to offer his viewers a small data point in comparative cost analysis.

The average American earnings are currently pegged at approximately $60,000 - $70,000 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) a year. His or her Russian counterpart is earning $13,000 - $15,000 (depending on exchange rate). The commodities over which he was swooning actually were costing the Russian family far more of their available income.

Finally, I am in Europe a lot. I am confident I am visiting and staying at venues as nice as Tucker's resort. Five years ago, a loud drunken Russian could be a problem in a restaurant or a bar (that at least did come to a screeching halt three years ago). I have never seen these mysterious uber-rich Ukrainians he claims to have witnessed. I guess I was just in the wrong hotel.

 

[Red Leg]

This makes me wonder so many things.
Does AI…

…prefer a bolt or double?
…recommend soft or solid for the follow up shot?
…rent their rifle or bring their own?
…use a travel service for reservations?
…know when DSC convention is returning to Texas?

Not to mention their perspective on CBL, tipping, maximum scope magnification…!!!

Lol. I asked the following and received this response. The thing leans toward the Mauser and CRF. Get an X account and play with it. Amazing capability.

My question. For a dangerous game hunt in Africa would you recommend a mauser actioned rifle in .375 or a Blaser R8 in .375?

Grok's response.
Choosing between a Mauser-actioned rifle in .375 (likely .375 H&H Magnum) and a Blaser R8 in .375 H&H for a dangerous game (DG) hunt in Africa depends on your priorities, hunting style, and what you value in a rifle. Both are capable tools for tackling DG like Cape buffalo, elephant, or lion, but they differ in design, operation, and practical application. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Mauser-Actioned Rifle in .375 H&H
Pros:

• Reliability: The Mauser 98 action is legendary for its controlled-round feed (CRF), which grabs the cartridge from the magazine and holds it securely through the entire cycle. This reduces the chance of a double-feed or jam—critical when a buffalo is charging and you need a fast, dependable follow-up shot.
• Tradition & Durability: It’s a proven design, battle-tested for over a century, and widely trusted by African professional hunters (PHs). It’s mechanically simple, with fewer moving parts than the Blaser, making it less prone to failure in dusty, rugged conditions.
• Stopping Power: The .375 H&H Magnum is a classic DG caliber, delivering 4,500-5,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy with 300-grain bullets at ~2,500 fps. It’s versatile—effective on buffalo and elephant with solids, yet manageable for plains game with soft points.
• Cost: A quality Mauser-actioned rifle (e.g., a Winchester Model 70 or CZ 550) is often more affordable than a Blaser R8, leaving budget for ammo, optics, or travel.

Cons:

• Speed: Bolt cycling is slower than the Blaser’s straight-pull action. Under stress, it’s easier to short-stroke a traditional bolt, potentially delaying a second shot.
• Weight: Mauser-actioned rifles tend to be heavier (9-11 lbs with scope), which aids recoil management but can wear you out on long stalks.
• Ergonomics: Older designs may lack the modern fit and modularity of the Blaser.

Best For: Hunters who prioritize rugged reliability, don’t mind a slower follow-up, and appreciate the traditional feel. It’s the choice of many PHs for backup due to its no-nonsense performance.
Blaser R8 in .375 H&H
Pros:

• Speed: The straight-pull action allows lightning-fast cycling—potentially shaving a second or more off follow-up shots compared to a Mauser bolt. For DG, where split seconds matter, this is a big advantage.
• Versatility: The R8’s interchangeable barrel system lets you swap calibers (e.g., to .300 Win Mag for plains game or .458 Lott for bigger DG) without buying another rifle. This modularity is unmatched by a Mauser.
• Ergonomics: It’s compact (shorter overall length due to the magazine-over-trigger design), lighter (around 7.5-9 lbs depending on configuration), and balances well, making it easier to carry and maneuver in thick bush.
• Safety: The manual cocking system keeps the rifle uncocked until you’re ready to fire, adding an extra layer of safety—a plus when tracking wounded DG.

Cons:

• Feed System: The R8 uses a push-feed mechanism, not CRF. While reliable under normal conditions, it’s theoretically more prone to double-feeds if you short-stroke it under pressure. Real-world failures are rare, but CRF is the gold standard for DG.
• Complexity: The straight-pull design has more parts than a Mauser, increasing the chance of mechanical issues in extreme conditions (e.g., mud or sand). That said, Blaser’s engineering is top-notch, and failures are uncommon.
• Cost: The R8 is significantly more expensive—often $4,000-$6,000+ versus $1,500-$2,500 for a Mauser-actioned rifle. Accessories like extra barrels add to the price.
• Recoil: A lighter R8 might kick harder unless configured with a heavier barrel or recoil-reducing stock.

Best For: Hunters who value speed, modern design, and adaptability, and who are comfortable with a higher price tag and push-feed system.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Lol. I asked the following and received this response. The thing leans toward the Mauser and CRF.

My question. For a dangerous game hunt in Africa would you recommend a mauser actioned rifle in .375 or a Blaser R8 in .375?

Grok's response.
Choosing between a Mauser-actioned rifle in .375 (likely .375 H&H Magnum) and a Blaser R8 in .375 H&H for a dangerous game (DG) hunt in Africa depends on your priorities, hunting style, and what you value in a rifle. Both are capable tools for tackling DG like Cape buffalo, elephant, or lion, but they differ in design, operation, and practical application. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Mauser-Actioned Rifle in .375 H&H
Pros:

• Reliability: The Mauser 98 action is legendary for its controlled-round feed (CRF), which grabs the cartridge from the magazine and holds it securely through the entire cycle. This reduces the chance of a double-feed or jam—critical when a buffalo is charging and you need a fast, dependable follow-up shot.
• Tradition & Durability: It’s a proven design, battle-tested for over a century, and widely trusted by African professional hunters (PHs). It’s mechanically simple, with fewer moving parts than the Blaser, making it less prone to failure in dusty, rugged conditions.
• Stopping Power: The .375 H&H Magnum is a classic DG caliber, delivering 4,500-5,000 ft-lbs of muzzle energy with 300-grain bullets at ~2,500 fps. It’s versatile—effective on buffalo and elephant with solids, yet manageable for plains game with soft points.
• Cost: A quality Mauser-actioned rifle (e.g., a Winchester Model 70 or CZ 550) is often more affordable than a Blaser R8, leaving budget for ammo, optics, or travel.

Cons:

• Speed: Bolt cycling is slower than the Blaser’s straight-pull action. Under stress, it’s easier to short-stroke a traditional bolt, potentially delaying a second shot.
• Weight: Mauser-actioned rifles tend to be heavier (9-11 lbs with scope), which aids recoil management but can wear you out on long stalks.
• Ergonomics: Older designs may lack the modern fit and modularity of the Blaser.

Best For: Hunters who prioritize rugged reliability, don’t mind a slower follow-up, and appreciate the traditional feel. It’s the choice of many PHs for backup due to its no-nonsense performance.
Blaser R8 in .375 H&H
Pros:

• Speed: The straight-pull action allows lightning-fast cycling—potentially shaving a second or more off follow-up shots compared to a Mauser bolt. For DG, where split seconds matter, this is a big advantage.
• Versatility: The R8’s interchangeable barrel system lets you swap calibers (e.g., to .300 Win Mag for plains game or .458 Lott for bigger DG) without buying another rifle. This modularity is unmatched by a Mauser.
• Ergonomics: It’s compact (shorter overall length due to the magazine-over-trigger design), lighter (around 7.5-9 lbs depending on configuration), and balances well, making it easier to carry and maneuver in thick bush.
• Safety: The manual cocking system keeps the rifle uncocked until you’re ready to fire, adding an extra layer of safety—a plus when tracking wounded DG.

Cons:

• Feed System: The R8 uses a push-feed mechanism, not CRF. While reliable under normal conditions, it’s theoretically more prone to double-feeds if you short-stroke it under pressure. Real-world failures are rare, but CRF is the gold standard for DG.
• Complexity: The straight-pull design has more parts than a Mauser, increasing the chance of mechanical issues in extreme conditions (e.g., mud or sand). That said, Blaser’s engineering is top-notch, and failures are uncommon.
• Cost: The R8 is significantly more expensive—often $4,000-$6,000+ versus $1,500-$2,500 for a Mauser-actioned rifle. Accessories like extra barrels add to the price.
• Recoil: A lighter R8 might kick harder unless configured with a heavier barrel or recoil-reducing stock.

Best For: Hunters who value speed, modern design, and adaptability, and who are comfortable with a higher price tag and push-feed system.

I wonder how much of that it got from AH

 

[TTundra]

I wonder how much of that it got from AH

If we didn't know it was AI one would think that could be a @One Day... post. Pretty thorough and well stated.

 

[flatwater bill]

Risking his career, certainly his freedom, and even his life....from the Deep State.......only Tucker Carlson had the courage to go to Russia. Your first entry is wrong @Red Leg , your second not applicable. I salute Tucker, and also praise his stand on White Farmers in RSA, gun ownership, hunting and free speech. This man is an American hero. And if any you were interviewing Putin, how tough a questions would you pose? Or would you ask them via email or phone? He went into the dragon's den.................FWB

 

[Aaron N]

And super yachts

And super models

 

[Red Leg]

Risking his career, certainly his freedom, and even his life....from the Deep State.......only Tucker Carlson had the courage to go to Russia. Your first entry is wrong @Red Leg , your second not applicable. I salute Tucker, and also praise his stand on White Farmers in RSA, gun ownership, hunting and free speech. This man is an American hero. And if any you were interviewing Putin, how tough a questions would you pose? Or would you ask them via email or phone? He went into the dragon's den.................FWB

….. as a propaganda tool. I regret the passing of a commentator I once admired. My assessment of his Ukrain War assertions are absolutely correct. As the only western journalist offered an Interview with the little dictator, he was probably the safest human being on the planet.

 

[Datchew]

@Red Leg

I'm ashamed of you. Prioritizing AI questions that aren't relevant to life's higher questions.
Gin n tonic with hendricks, beefeater dry martini (with ice chips floating on top) or Oban 14 for the campfire?

 

[Red Leg]

@Red Leg

I'm ashamed of you. Prioritizing AI questions that aren't relevant to life's higher questions.
Gin n tonic with hendricks, beefeater dry martini (with ice chips floating on top) or Oban 14 for the campfire?

You don't put a slice of cucumber in a Hendricks gin and tonic do you?

 

[Datchew]

You don't put a slice of cucumber in a Hendricks gin and tonic do you?

Negative. No lime either.

Dirty secret - sometimes I don't even use ice.

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

I wonder how much of that it got from AH

Exactly. It’s eating our own shit.
Our grandchildren are screwed.

 

[Lone Star Bluegrass]

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Negative. No lime either.

Dirty secret - sometimes I don't even use ice.

This is hilarious!

I had an old comrade at my place two weeks ago that made his G&T with both cucumber AND jalapeno.

If I hadn’t been trying to sell him one of my more lucrative pieces I’d have chastised him appropriately.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Exactly. It’s eating our own shit.
Our grandchildren are screwed.

A guy on another forum asked a couple of them to write poems about AI poems. Pretty crazy stuff. It’s “aware” of the criticisms of it being cold and formulaic

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Negative. No lime either.

Dirty secret - sometimes I don't even use ice.

 

[Russ16]

Negative. No lime either.

Dirty secret - sometimes I don't even use ice.

A splash of Campari rounds it out nicely.

 

[John Wasmuth]

You don't put a slice of cucumber in a Hendricks gin and tonic do you?

The Horror, the Horror! Blasphemy I say!!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

If we didn't know it was AI one would think that could be a @One Day... post. Pretty thorough and well stated.

Now that you mentioned it, has anyone actually met @One Day... in person????

 

[DrBob]

Freeland is now asking for nuclear arms backup from UK and France against that evil invasive USA. Is the 49th parallel to become a DMZ? Cry havoc and let slip the Canadian raccoons of war? The tariff war is immediately "solvable" with equal tariffs. Canada has more internal problems that the US is not part of.

 

[Russ16]

Freeland is now asking for nuclear arms backup from UK and France against that evil invasive USA. Is the 49th parallel to become a DMZ? Cry havoc and let slip the Canadian raccoons of war? The tariff war is immediately "solvable" with equal tariffs. Canada has more internal problems that the US is not part of.

He’s not asking for tariff changes to remove the tariffs on Mexico and Canada he’s asking them to secure the border. Although I haven’t heard an outline of what the metric is to determine if they’ve met that goal.

 

[MauserM03Blog]

It’s a fallacy that most of our food is produced by illegals. It happens but it’s a minority of our production. My farm in Eastern Colorado is small but produces about 80,000 bushels of corn a year and I have several pastures that I lease out to other ranchers for grazing. None are worked by illegals. Some of the bigger operators use the visa programs to get legal workers from Mexico. I’m sure there are some illegals picking produce in California but the majority is also done by visa workers.

In construction here, most concrete, insulation and drywall workers are Hispanic. Some could be illegal but not all.

And by the way, most business owners are Republicans for various other reasons. Don’t get too caught up in your European media’s narrative about the USA. Inform yourself or come visit. You’re welcome to come to my place and see the truth. I will also show you the environmental destruction caused by wind and solar projects that are inefficient, harmful and without government subsidies, would never be built. It’s a liberal-run industry here with their hands out for government money because the projects don’t make either environmental or fiscal sense otherwise.

Thank you for the expert testimony and for the invitation.

My ancestry is Dutch, a country once festooned with windmills (working as water pumps, mostly). My name is derived from this technology. They transformed the country and helped generate its place in the world. Here in Australia we have wind power spinning on some ridge tops. To me, they are beautiful, as they signify how clever we are to make electricity out of wind. They're not perfect but are better than burning coal.

I'm familiar with arguments against investing in new technologies. I worked my career in Defence, spending billions on things we hoped never to use (and usually didn't) and which were only good for killing people. Our F-111s were ready for war one day and buried in concrete the next. We constantly talked about how many hospitals or schools this project or that could buy. This kept us energised and focussed on doing the best we could with the money. We felt the responsibility deeply. We were good public servants. We knew that some in the community hated what we were doing. This also made us feel the responsibility deeply. I expect that the scientists and engineers who build wind power in the US experience the same emotions.

Re your gracious invitation, please allow me to take a raincheck. I'm sure I would enjoy your company and your surrounds greatly at some point in the future, but for the moment I need to keep my distance from Americans. It could lead to you learning some new swear words. I don't think I'm alone in this. It would be hard for me to describe how deeply I am troubled about what your administration is doing to the world. Despite all the signs and alarm bells, obvious for decades, the American electorate has allowed itself to be scammed into choosing a man who is without question one of the most flawed human beings ever to seek high office; a man who is utterly unfit to be President of the United States and leader of the free world. With only a shadow of a doubt, I believe Americans will come to regret their choice, soon and significantly. Notwithstanding, I wish each of you good health and happiness, in the difficult times ahead.