Each year, Stihl (fine makers of saws and blades) sponsors the Stihl Timbersports Series.
This year’s competition will be held in Thanksgiving Point at Lehi, Utah and televised by ESPN Outdoors.
The disciplines:
-Boom Run
-Speed Climb
-Springboard chop
-Standing block chop
-Underhand chop
-Single Buck Saw
-Stock Saw
-Hot Saw
Wood
I do not mean to speak ill of the dead but this video is a demonstration of how NOT to respond to a hostile man with a gun during a robbery in progress.
*WARNING EXPLICIT VIOLENCE*
The robber’s primary intent was the money. No surprise because most often this is the case but a robber’s intent is not always easy to discern by a victim, especially under stress. Once the store clerk became an obstacle to the money, the robber chose to go from robber to killer. The store clerk resisted the robber’s attempts at robbery but did not resist with enough force to disarm the robber or frustrate his attack. This proved to be a lethal combination.
When held a gun-point, you have basically three choices:
1. Compliance
2. Flight
3. Resistance
Compliance
This is what most companies instruct their employees to do during a robbery. This probably has more to do with concern over a law suit than with concern with the safety of the people. (Let’s assume it is out of a concern for safety.)
You should consider compliance when it appears the assailant’s motivation is robbery and the assailant has too great a tactical advantage:
-The assailant is armed and you are not.
-The assailant has caught you in a state of unreadiness.
-The assailant(s) outnumber you.
-The assailant has superior size, age, strength or combat skill.
-Flight is not a viable option
Keep in mind, compliance is not a perfect option. If you comply you may survive most robberies but you place yourself completely at the mercy of an anti-social criminal. This is also not the best approach if the objective of the assailant is to hurt you.
Flight
Sometimes a tactical retreat is the best choice. If an avenue of escape is available and you are placed in the disadvantages that might lead you to compliance, why stick around? When you flee, most times you deny the assailant the option to hurt you easily. You should balance the risk of standing around waiting for a sociopath to decide whether you live or die with the risk that flight may provoke the assailant to do you harm.
We have seen examples where flight proved to be the right choice.
Considerations in case of flight include:
-What is the assailant after? You may want to flee in the opposite direction.
-Can you swiftly put distance between yourself and the primary objective? You may not want to flee if you are unlikely to get away cleanly.
-Are you leaving loved-ones behind that might be at risk? Leaving your children behind in a hostage situation may not be your best choice.
Resistance
If the assailant’s intent is to do you harm or harm those you care about, you may have no option but to fight. Clearly your objective is to win so when time allows form a plan, fill yourself with an overwhelming desire to survive and execute the plan.
Gain every advantage time allows:
-Gather weapons
-Enlist the help of others
-Use the elements of surprise and deception
-Fight back with all the ferocity you can muster
Ultimately, the decision is based on your judgment. Choose wisely, it’s your life.
Happy Birthday and Semper Fidelis to “the world’s most exclusive gun club!” The Continental Congress authorizes the establishment of a force of American Marines for service on land and sea in the American War of Independence.
The legislation reads (unedited):
“Resolved, That two Battalions of marines be raised, Consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors, and other officers as usual in other regiments; and that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that special care be taken, that no persons be appointed to office, or inlisted into said Battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so aquatinted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea when required: that they be inlisted and commissioned to serve for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress: that they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered as part of the number which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of.”
This directive heralds the birthday of the Marine Corps. The first recruits to enlist — two weeks later — will be a motley mix of young adventurers and street toughs captained by the barkeep of a Philadelphia alehouse.
Quickly whipped into a crack contingent of seagoing soldiers, the Marines will evolve into one of the world’s premier military organizations, or — as rocker Ted Nugent says in a 2008 tribute to the Corps — “the world’s most exclusive gun club.”
California is going bankrupt, crime and traffic are still high, unemployment is among the highest in the nation and for the first time in the state’s history, more people are moving-out than moving-in.
So what does the government focus on?
“A state blue-ribbon panel unanimously approved landmark fishing restrictions Tuesday for Southern California, creating a patchwork of havens for marine life designed to replenish the seas while leaving some waters open for anglers.”
Golden State?
Our experience in Mesopotamia has shown us the need for up-armored vehicles. The HUMVEE although up to the task of navigating rough terrain has been less than adequate at defending our troops against the most basic of improvised explosive devices and small-arms fire.
Introducing, the Valanx:
“The JLTV program, managed by the Army’s Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), challenged industry to bring forth a family of vehicles – with companion trailers – “capable of performing multiple mission roles that will be designed to provide protected, sustained, networked mobility for personnel and payloads across the full range of military operations.” The JLTV requirements include:
* Increasing protection and performance over the current fleet;
* Minimizing ownership costs by maximizing commonality, fuel efficiency and other means; and
* Maintaining effective competition throughout the lifecycle.
Up-armor
Good to see the people of Canada changing laws the infringe upon personal firearms ownership.
“Canada took a step on Wednesday to scrapping a controversial gun registry, though rules will still remain much tougher than in the United States.
The House of Commons approved in principle a bill that would eliminate a decade-old registry of long guns such as hunting rifles and shotguns.
Gun owners would still require licenses for themselves as individuals, and a registry of handguns would remain, but if the bill finally passes it would be a major defeat for the gun-control lobby.”
Bang, eh?
Congratulations to Caden Smith on catching a near-record size catfish.
“For the rest of his life, Caden Smith will probably relish the time he caught a catfish weighing more than himself—a feat he will quite likely never surpass. That’s because last weekend Caden, a 40-pound 4-year-old, caught and released a 45-pound flathead catfish from Texas’ Trinity River.
Caden was fishing with his family near his home in Joshua, Texas when he hooked the fish of his short lifetime.
“He battled for his life,” his uncle Dan Smith told the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. Proud mom Natalie said the fish was as big as her son.
“When they got it out, he hugged it,” she said. ”
Big
This is how we fold the flag of the United States of America.
“The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.
In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.”
“The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother’s day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God we Trust.”
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.”
Spirit of the Sportsman is not a political blog but we support the US military.
We grieve for the innocents murdered and show our gratitude for those who risked their lives to preserve innocent human life.
