::::: : the wood : davidrobins.net

My name is David Robins: Christian, lead developer (resume), writer, photographer, runner, libertarian (voluntaryist), and student.

This is also my son David Geoffrey Robins' site.

Socialized healthcare protest #2

News, Political ·Thursday July 23, 2009 @ 21:13 EDT (link)

Parking FAIL: a silver Mercedes E430, license WA 639 VQJ, pulled about two feet into the opposite parking space in the Microsoft building 36 garage.

This one was on somewhat short notice, held 1700-1800 today outside GroupHealth's Bellevue offices at NE 8th Street and 116th Avenue NE. We took the side of the road opposite the "gimmes" (thieves, handout-seekers, call them what you will, they want hard-working people to work to support them and give them "free" stuff, which sounds like seizure and slavery all rolled into one, but I digress). I had no meetings scheduled, so I headed over for a while, parking at the side of an out of the way strip mall without any tow-away threats posted, behind a camper, next to a row of empty spaces (in short, not infringing on any business parking).

First a wide shot to show both sides of the street, with GroupHealth and the gimmes on the left; then some costumed nurses and the rest of our side (Liberty Belle was one of the nurses, I believe):


Some of our signs (I held the "No National Healthcare" sign for a while):



It was good to meet Don, also from Microsoft (red shirt, holding up the "No National Healthcare" sign that I held for a while); I introduced him to CLAMS, the Conservatives and Libertarians at Microsoft discussion list; I expect to see his introduction there shortly. It was good to also see Alan and Allison from Dan's 7000 Year Leap book club, and meet Bruce, Deba and Jeff, and all the other freedom-loving patriots that took time away from jobs and family to show up.

Observe the gimmes' last lonely sign left when they fled the field around 1800; presumably they'd only been paid to shill for an hour—with their professionally printed signs—whereas while we had hand-made signs, those I talked to on the "anti-theft" liberty side all had jobs, but several said they'd planned to outlast the enemy, and we did. If only we had the votes: it's always easy to get people to vote for someone that promises to take other people's money and give it to them, so I fear that while our cause is just, I lack Mandorallen's faith that "We must needs prevail." Time will tell whether the American people love liberty and independence, or robbery and oppression.

Books finished: The Forgotten Man.

House appraisal back: all is well

News ·Monday July 20, 2009 @ 01:31 EDT (link)

The appraisal for the house finally came back just where we needed it. Chip Dusseau, our agent, talked with us Saturday and we decided to do all the items requested in the inspection (the list wasn't bad). His guy, JHB Construction, seemed pretty reasonable, so we're having him do the deck items requested, plus we need to get the furnace done, and we even elected to go ahead and get the requested chimney cleaning of our gas fireplace, just so we could check the box to continue and not give them any excuse to cancel the deal. I'm not sure if they would anyway: I'm sure Chip wants this sale to be over so he can get his commission and be done with it, but I understand the logic. Anyway, they still have the "neighborhood review" clause if they want out.

Second Amendment Day #3

News, Photography, Guns ·Sunday July 19, 2009 @ 19:45 EDT (link)

Today from noon to around 1600 about 25 of the Microsoft gun group, together with a few other shooters present, met at the Sultan pit to throw some rounds downrange. This was the third such arranged group event (1 2) and as before was a success, in that much fun was had, much ammo expended, many targets destroyed, and nobody hurt. Safety is no accident, and we have KA to thank for being the RSO again, as well as each individual that was there for taking responsibility for their own safety and that their firearms were used responsibly, and helping others as needed.

First, setting up: AL assembled his 2x4 target (which had been laid flat in his truck), decorating it with apples, bowling pins, and an Osama bin Laden target—one of those would later be used for the final "all out assault". KH's wooden target, a pallet supported by some 2x4s, also stood up well (far better than my boxes, even weighted down).




The main difference people noticed is that there was a lot less garbage around—we brought trash bags as before, but there was far less to collect. This is partly due to DNR taking closer interest in the property, and one local shooter, Larry, who, with the blessing (and insurance) of the DNR, has taken partial responsibility for the area. For our part, we made sure to clean up our brass, shells, and targets.

This time we aimed for 20-minute ceasefires: probably too long for some and not enough for others, but nobody complained. Again a decent variety of weapons: pistols, shotguns, and rifles in various calibers.




Videos of the final "all-out assault" on the bin Laden target: JC's and DM's. SI also took video, but it was only posted to an internal share; there was one taken at the last event too. JC also had one of shooting potatoes. (JC's links updated after some controversy over him including the Gun Club @ Microsoft logo in the videos; he took those down and replaced them with videos without the logo. Didn't matter to me, but it wasn't technically a GC@MS event, and the videos with the logos could have been abused by haters.)

There are also more photos.

I was at the Monroe WAC gun show the day before, and picked up some .308, which I didn't end up using; I did get to fire Paul's FN P40, Andy's Remington 870 shotgun (I want one… has a bit of a kick though, left some nice bruises), and a Mac 90. What a great weekend!

DVDs finished: M*A*S*H: Season Eight.

Honey's back

News, Work ·Friday July 17, 2009 @ 17:20 EDT (link)

I picked up Honey from the airport Wednesday, after workaholics (which management is spinning as "wonderful Wednesdays" now—I don't see why they bother, it's the same thing as before). The WA-520 exit near Microsoft (at 40th) was closed, so I had to detour to 148th; then I had to wait for 25 minutes on I-405S—construction or an accident, I never found out, and the government's I-405 construction information radio said nothing about it.

Today was Office "Friday fest"—food and drink on the soccer field. I got a Mac & Jack and some kettle corn and left early, stopping at the grocery store to pick up a few things for "Second Amendment Day" Sunday. Hopefully the weather continues to be nice—it's scorching today.

Books finished: The Federalist Papers, The Federalist Papers, A Foreign Policy of Freedom.

DVDs finished: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Season 4.

An afternoon of firearms

News, Guns ·Saturday July 11, 2009 @ 19:54 EDT (link)

I decided to pick up some ammo for the upcoming MS Gun "Second Amendment Day" next week at the Sultan pit; I headed down to Issaquah and stopped at Big-5 first. I wandered around looking for ammo before realizing it was behind the counter (which is common to large retailers; gun stores just keep it on the shelves). I got some 12 ga. shells there and then crossed the I-90 to West Coast Armory, much loved and highly recommended by Microsoft shooters. I'd stopped in before, but this time I picked the brain of employee Ken Lin about shotguns, rifles, and scopes. He cheerfully explained what I asked and let me try several scopes and handle various firearms. After I try out some firearms and scopes with live fire on 2A Day I hope I can give them some business. The Remington 700 sniper rifle I looked at was beautiful, and they had some very nice scopes too, if pricey (generally, not over other prices I'd seen). I picked up some more ammo for 2A Day in hopes of trying out guns (.40, .45, and 7.62). I wanted to get some rifle ammo, but wasn't sure what would be best to get. Hopefully for trials I can buy a couple rounds at the pit, even if I have to overpay a little.

On the way home I stopped in to SVRC to shoot my Glock 34 for a while. I tried out the used bowling pins some of us at Microsoft had bought in a group buy ($0.83/pin); they're decent targets.

I mowed the lawn when I got home, but it hadn't grown much due to the weather. Tomorrow I need to go around and edge and pull a few weeds.

Inspection Monday

News ·Saturday July 11, 2009 @ 00:37 EDT (link)

Home inspection for the current offer will be this Monday at noon.

I've opened some windows and the door to the top deck, and will be doing some trimming of the lawn tomorrow or Sunday, although with the heat it hasn't been growing as fast as usual (either that or it knows I have a gas-powered mower now and aren't [ain't?] afraid to use it). This trimming will also include edging and doing whatever I can to traumatize the bamboo, and picking up some of the leaves and pulling the worst of the weeds (and possibly spraying what's left of my evil weed killing chemicals from my backpack sprayer).

I made a "junk run" to Safeway to pick up some chips and candy (all I've had in three weeks… I've mostly been good).

Books finished: The Federalist-Anti-Federalist Debate Over States' Rights.

Offer number two

News ·Tuesday July 7, 2009 @ 20:19 EDT (link)

(Again, prices have been removed.) The people that made the ridiculously low offer came back with a higher offer. We countered. I initialed and signed papers this evening with our realtor, Chip Dusseau. I think I'm okay with this: we'd do slightly better than break even, provided they don't ask for more than $2k after the inspection. But we're getting ahead of ourselves: they haven't accepted the counter yet. Should hear from them tomorrow or the next day.

Majority rule is evil

Political ·Monday July 6, 2009 @ 00:40 EDT (link)

Federalist #39 sparked this, although the specific mention is arguably a case of necessary evil:
Were the people regarded in this transaction as forming one nation, the will of the majority of the whole people of the United States would bind the minority, in the same manner as the majority in each state must bind the minority; and the will of the majority must be determined either by a comparison of the individual votes, or by considering the will of the majority of the States as evidence of the will of a majority of the people of the United States.
"Bind" is the word that sticks out as dangerous.
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
—attributed (probably incorrectly) to Benjamin Franklin
This is not to say that minority rule is an improvement: any sort of "rule" implies coercion, and coercion should be avoided whenever possible, i.e., first, let the individual decide. Subsidiarity at its finest!

It's not "ruling" (despite arguments) if a minority can stop an action, such as the passage of a law. A minority can stop a constitutional amendment from passing: is that tyranny? It would be a good idea to require supermajorities for all laws, especially takings, if they cannot be replaced by individual choice (and most can).

Sometimes majority decisions are a necessary evil. If so, they should just go to form, and not reduce liberty. Arguably the adoption of the Constitution was such a case: the Articles of Confederation were fairly powerless to defend the nation and allow it to act among the other powers, and the Constitution did not generally reduce liberty, although it upheld the ability of majorities to do so—but they already could under the Articles.

To conclude, some quotes from Professor de la Paz, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, R. A. Heinlein:

"The more impediments to legislation, the better. But, instead of following tradition, I suggest one house of legislators, another whose single duty is to repeal laws. Let the legislators pass laws only with a two-thirds majority… while the repealers are able to cancel any law through a mere one-third mnority. Preposterous? Think about it. If a bill is so poor that it cannot command two-thirds of your consents, is it not likely that it would make a poor law? And if a law is disliked by as many as one-third is it not likely that you would be better off without it?"

As to financing government: "Goodness me, sir, that's your problem. I can think of several ways. Voluntary contributions just as churches support themselves… government sponsored lotteries to which no one need subscribe… or perhaps you Congressmen should dig down into your own pouches and pay for whatever is needed; that would be one way to keep government down in size to its indispensable functions whatever they may be…. But if you really believe that your neighbors must have laws for their own good, why shouldn't you pay for it. Comrades, I beg you—do not resort to compulsory taxation. There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." (Emphasis mine.)

Fireworks, Bellevue downtown park

News ·Saturday July 4, 2009 @ 23:49 EDT (link)

I looked around to see where the nearest best fireworks show would be; I considered Carnation, but they wanted $4 to park and Bellevue billed their event as the eastside's largest fireworks show, and Bellevue Square was offering free parking. So I decided on Bellevue; and I dropped TH and Katt a note figuring I might see them there since they live nearby (it was the same park as the OC picnic). I hadn't been to the event previously, and wasn't aware that it crammed (they claimed) 60,000 people into that small park.

When I got there (~2045) I figured I'd swing by the park parking lot to try for a spot—ha! It wasn't even possible to attempt: it was by permit only, probably for symphony and fireworks vehicles (and important politicians). Even nearby side streets were packed, so I gave up and drove to Bellevue Square. The crossings were flooded with people, and police were directing traffic. I wonder if McIvor was there (yes, there's a Bellevue cop called McIvor (say it out loud…)). Despite our OC picnic here, I was carrying concealed because of the crowds and because a lot of my attention would be on photography.

There was an ocean of people in the grassy area spreading out from the stage to infinity. They were on blankets and camp chairs, with hardly space in between to walk. I finally found a square yard or so of unclaimed grass and set up my camp chair under me and and my tripod in front of me.


My strategy if I return in future years is either The latter's more likely; I hate waiting around, and I really only wanted to see the fireworks. Unless I could get reasonably close, the nearby chatter tends to ruin the music. If I biked in from a reasonably distant side street, I could get there almost exactly on time, allowing time to put up my tripod only; I wouldn't need to thread through the sea of people (or wait for the crawling, milling sheep to make their sluggish way out of the park): I could set up on one of the paths (as long as they weren't blocked off as firework fall areas) or even outside the park proper.

The general atmosphere brought me back to the Memphis in May event in 2002, except the Memphis event had better food, was less crowded, had better music, and a better backdrop for the fireworks (the Mississippi—ah, the reflections!—with the bridge all lit up).

I took about 400 pictures of the fireworks, experimenting with a few different speeds (1/10 to 1" did best). I kept the ISO equivalent to 400; it might have been better to set it lower so I could do longer exposures without whiteouts. But I'm quite happy with the results.


AS said they got there ~1930 and managed to park on the first level of the garage, and get out within 15 minutes. I had to park in the far reaches of the third level (3J) and it took an hour to get out of the lot (2225-2330). What a mess!


I stopped in at work again: still no build, but I synced a build break fix and now there's hope for Monday.

Independence Day tea party, Mercer Island

News, Political ·Saturday July 4, 2009 @ 17:57 EDT (link)

I went to the Independence Day tea party at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island (2040 84th Avenue SE). It was very easy to find; parking was a bit scarce but I got a spot after circling the lot a few times: people were coming and going. I arrived about 1330; there were some good speakers. I was very impressed by (Attorney General) Rob McKenna. I left around 1630, and stopped into work on the way home: my build had failed so I attempted to revive it.


The crowd on the stage are the veterans that were present, asked to step forward by one of the speakers.

I packed in my lunch, and ate it between photographs. I was also open carrying: it seemed the day for it, although freedom should not be restricted to one day. Great signs, great liberty-minded people: what a great atmosphere. It's good to be part of a movement that realizes government is the problem, that government needs to serve the people, that "government is best which governs least" (Paine), and that redistribution is theft (as a bumper sticker I saw recently says: "The difference between government and mafia? Size."). And kudos to CAPR (the Citizens' Alliance for Property Rights) for coming out with their giant "Private Property is the Basis of Freedom" sign. Government is infringing on all our freedoms: but if property rights are gone, then how shall the others be exercised? Can there be effective speech when government controls the press? Can there be effective defense against tyranny without weapons? As another sign said: "Remember the natural right of secession." Perhaps this time liberty will win over tyranny.

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