What are the odds ?

As gifts go, Jim Richardson's choice for his father's 79th birthday was a long shot.

Virgil Richardson fondly remembered the .30-caliber M1 Garand rifle he carried during his time as a soldier during the Korean War.

He even still had the weapon's serial number.

Using that number, Jim Richardson went online and found the firearm at a Kentucky gun broker.

"I couldn't even talk when he gave it to me," Virgil Richardson told The Flint Journal. "It didn't even have to be the same gun to be important to me."

About 7 million of the sturdy rifles were produced during the Korean War period, making the odds of finding the right one so long that the broker didn't believe the serial number matched, said Jim Richardson, 54, of Saginaw County's Frankenmuth, about 70 miles northwest of Detroit.

"After the war, the soldiers couldn't bring the rifles back with them," Jim Richardson said. "They stayed in Korea (until the 1980s), when they were able to be imported back to the United States."

He won't say exactly how much he spent, but some collectors have paid as much as $3,000. He gave the Garand to his father last week, although the elder Richardson's birthday isn't until next month.

Virgil Richardson served from 1951-53 as an Army radio operator in the 25th Infantry Division. When he speaks of the war, the General Motors Corp. retiree often mentions the rifle's accuracy and dependability, as well as his own marksmanship.

"My sister lives in the country, and it came up that you could shoot a deer right from the deck of her home," Jim Richardson said. "Dad made a comment that he could hit a silhouette target at 500 yards without a scope. Most people can't see that far without a scope."

Virgil Richardson said he'll wait until his Oct. 26 birthday to shoot the weapon.

"What shocked me the most is how very heavy it is," he said. "I have trouble now holding it up and aiming it. I guess they were made for 20- and 21-year-olds

Source: The Flint Journal, http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal

We Have DAYS To Stop the $700 Billion Stick-Up (and Fascist Power Grab)

George Washington’s Blog
Sunday, Sept 21, 2008

Congress hopes to pass the $700 Billion bailout bill by Friday, according to an article in Bloomberg.

In case you haven’t heard, the bill would not only stick up American taxpayers for an additional $700 billion, but would literally give Paulson and the government fascist powers.

Don’t believe me?

Well, as the Bloomberg article notes: “The bill would bar courts from reviewing actions taken under its authority.”

Bloomberg includes the following quotes by people who understand the significance of the bill:

It sounds like Paulson is asking to be a financial dictator, for a limited period of time,” said historian John Steele Gordon . . . .

***

The Bush administration seeks “dictatorial power unreviewable by the third branch of government, the courts, to try to resolve the crisis,” said Frank Razzano, a former assistant chief trial attorney at the Securities and Exchange Commission now at Pepper Hamilton LLP in Washington. “We are taking a huge leap of faith.”

This power grab is so serious that investigative reporter Larisa Alexandrovna calls it “the final stages of the coup“.

We have days to stop this bill. March on Congress. Educate and motivate everyone around you. Do everything you can to prevent this disaster before it is too late

Taking A Break

Good Morning. I have chosen to take a break today and deliver Posts either later today or resume tomorrow morning. Thanks for understanding and I'll be back soon.

Chalk Drawings

Question of the Day, Sun 9/21

Today is International Day of Peace.

I pray for peace everyday. I pray our troops will live to see US soil again. I pray our world will learn to live as one. What does this day mean to you?

OHIO OIL COMPANY ABANDONS WELL RIG ON MT. HERMON ROAD

"Joe

For those folks that are unaware and not from around here, an oil rig such as the one displayed below, was built on the property then owned by Larry G. Hammond. It was located 6 miles east of Salisbury on Mount Hermon Road. Oil drilling was abandoned in 1945 after reaching a depth of about 43,000 feet. That is when they hit bedrock and back then they didn't have the technology to continue drilling deeper.

The property currently has a two story home on it and is the same land where the oil derrick was constructed. After hitting bedrock they abandoned the well and I've heard it was sealed and is still visible in the basement of the dwelling. The two story home was formerly occupied by Grace Cropper who has since passed away.

I wish Ohio Oil had continued their effort and struck 'paydirt' because it would have had a dramatic effect on all our lives here on the eastern shore.

Maybe you, and I among many others can convince the majority of our people to declare our independence from the Western Shore so we can embark on some 'oil catting' ourselves. I'm sure that idea will generate considerable consternation among some of our US Politicos who claim to currently represent our constituency here on the eastern shore.

You can read a little more about it on the link listed below:"
http://www.jstor.org/pss/1299352

News In Delmar

"We in the Delmar area have something else for fame besides you and the former fire chief(not missed) Gordy. The Daily Times in the sports section had an article in todays paper about Ford marketing with Carl Edwards being sponsored by Scotts products and they were giving away a Ford Mustang Convertible(nice cars). The nationwide drawing was won by a girl in Delmar but it hasn't been publically announced by Ford and Scotts yet I don't think. So there is your scoop of the day over the daily times."

Some People Will Do Anything To Get Elected

Delmar "Heritage Day Festival" Information

2^nd Annual

Heritage Day Festival

Downtown Delmar

September 27, 2008

9:00 am until 9:00 pm

Parade/National Anthem Cruising in 11:00 am Delmar Car Show

Registration 9 am to 12 pm

$10 per vehicle, Awards at 2 pm Free Concert featuring

2008 Brick Unveiling Randy Lee Ashcraft 12:00 pm and the

Martial Arts/Dance Workshops Saltwater Cowboys
1 - 3 pm 5:30 - 9:30 pm

“Over the Line”

"Eat the Pie: Horseshoe Tournament 4:30pm

pie eating Contest 5:00 pm Registration 2 pm to 4 pm $15 per
team,$300 First Place prize.

Fire Engine rides, Carriage rides, Games, Food, Craft Vendors,
Entertainment: “Carry the Yoke” relay, “Motivate the Melon” contest,
Historical memorilbilia, Street Art activity, and numerous giveaways.

Kiwanis Club, Oyster Sandwiches & French Fries

Sponsored by Delmar Revitalization Committee, Vendor Spaces
Still Available

Schedule of Events

Parade - 11 am

“Carry the Yoke” relay - 11 am

Brick Unveiling - 12 pm

Kids Street Art Competition 12:30pm

Martial Arts/Dance Workshops - 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Cruising in Delmar Car Show - 9:00am-2:00pm

“Motivate the Melon” contest - 4 pm

“Over the Line” Horseshoe Tournament - 4:30 pm

“Eat the Pie” Contest - 5 pm

supporting & Food Vendors All Day

Farewell To Lights
Free Concert 5:30pm to 9:30pm
(Chairs & Coolers Welcome)


The Delmar Revitalization Committee would like to thank all the local
businesses, Local clubs and organizations for supporting our efforts to
bring downtown Delmar, The place to spend a Saturday night in town.