More Questions To Ponder

A few days ago we posted questioning which story by David Hogg was true. Since then some reports have indicated Hogg’s comment was taken out of context and he rode his bicycle back to the school later that evening at twilight to shoot film. One thing is for certain, it would have been impossible for Hogg to have heard about the shooting while sitting at home and make it there before the school went into lockdown. Since there is video which was made during and after the lockdown of Hogg, he was certainly inside the school. If his statement was simply taken out of context then shame on CBS for editing clips to drive viewership and controversy.

There still are some questions which remain unanswered. The timeline for the events in Parkland are well documented. The shooter was dropped off by an Uber at 2:19pm, the shooting began at 2:21pm and stopped at 2:24pm, the school was locked down at 2:25pm, the shooter exited at 2:28pm, went to WalMart at 2:50pm, McDonalds at 3:01pm, the lockdown lifted at 3:36pm, and the shooter arrested at 3:41pm. Edited video from Hogg has been released on various news media which has him in a classroom or closet interviewing students and providing his own commentary. It begins at 2:52pm and he indicates he heard a single gun shot at around 2:30pm. We’re only talking about a 5-9 minute discrepancy, but one would think someone who professes to be a journalist would strive for accuracy especially someone from a generation known to use a smartphone regularly as their clock. At 3:13pm in the video Hogg identifies “Nick Cruz” as the shooter. This makes us wonder how he could have identified someone at 3:13pm who was not arrested until 3:41pm.

An unedited and unverified time stamp video emerged which indicates the interview in the closet/classroom is actually taking place at 9:32 with no indication of am or pm. So has someone pieced together various videos to try to tell a particular story, or are portions completely made up? In the LA Times video Hogg can clearly be seen exiting the building after the lockdown was lifted. There can be little doubt he was in the school at the time of the incident. The questions then become is the video and edited compilation of snippets designed to tell a narrative and are portions fabricated. Also how would Hogg be able to identify Cruz before the police were able to make the identification? We’ve not seen anyone pose that question before, but to know at 3:13pm it was Cruz would mean Hogg knew information the police had not yet figured out. The only other explanations which come to mind are Hogg’s video is a fabrication or Hogg was somehow complicit in the event. We may never know the truth, but it is evident the LA Times video is edited so we are leaning toward the video being fabricated to meet a storyline.

Apparently David Hogg Can’t Keep His Stories Straight

I remember in the aftermath of the tragedy in Parkland, FL hearing David Hogg talking about the shooting. He indicated in this video he was in his Environmental Science class.

He gave the same story to the Sun Sentinel.

So how does he explain his latest statement where he said he was home and rode his bike to the school to get video.

If anyone is thinking of Hogg as their spokesperson they might want to rethink their choice. He’s quickly showing his true colors and a panache for making things up as the shooting was over before he could have ridden three miles to the school after he received the news. He inserted himself in the middle under the guise of journalism, but his true colors are showing through, all he desires to do is extend his 15 minutes of fame. Looks like we may have another Brian Williams in the making.

David Hogg Career Advancement

I remember watching the aftermath of the shooting which occurred in Parkland, FL and seeing David Hogg interviewed and later making commentary on CBS News Sunday Morning and thought what an intelligent young man. I also felt for all he must have been through during the shooting which took 17 lives. Later it surfaced he may have been coached, oh heck, he WAS coached in his responses. Regardless he still experienced the shooting and was certainly affected by it.

On 60 Minutes they featured the high school students from Parkland and of course Time has them on the cover. Yesterday a video surfaced of a woman discussing the “rally” on Saturday in DC and the lack of permits, where they were going illegally, and firms who supposedly has financed the trip when the reality is those firms are not providing transportation. She is a teacher and was coaching the kids on how to act, what to wear, and what to say. She mentioned throughout the experience they would have teachers with them. It got me wondering if this group of students is leading the charge as they asserted on 60 Minutes or if it’s the adults who run the show.

Anyway, last night I happened upon a YouTube video of David Hogg entitled, “David Hogg is the NRA’s worst nightmare, and he’s just getting started,” by The Outline. I was listening to the video and besides figuring out Hogg used the most profane sentence structure to enunciate his thoughts, I happened to catch a statement made at ~5:40 into the 9 minute video which made me rewind and listen again. The Outline has part of video written on their website, but neatly omits that portion. Here is what I heard, listen and see if you hear the same thing.

David Hogg: So honestly it’s been a great thing because people are becoming more critical thinkers and becoming more politically active as a result. It’s also been great advertising for me. Uhh, in terms of acting, because I don’t give a **** what people say about me, but they quadrupled my twitter following, they’ve done a great job of that.

Previous to that statement the people conducting the interview touched on the crisis actor conspiracy theories so some might say the term actor and advertising were a response to those previous questions, but I don’t buy that argument. In candid interviews he tends to say what’s on his mind without thinking and judging by the volume of profane statements this was a candid interview and he was speaking his mind without thinking. We’ll see what the future holds. I suspect you’ll see him as a commentator on the news and eventually as a reporter. That is unless he continues to do candid interviews laced with profanity and discussing how the tragic event in Parkland has been great advertising.

Old Forester Signature 100 Proof

At the suggestion of a friend I picked up a fifth of Old Forester Signature 100 Proof when it went on sale for about $25. I wasn’t expecting too much, but what I got was actually quite tasty. The aroma was filled with brown sugar, pepper spice, leather, oak, and coffee coupled to hints of cinnamon and clove. The flavor was similarly spicy with brown sugar, chocolate, coffee, oak, and caramel at first on the palate quickly followed by cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. The alcohol in the aroma was minimal and in the flavor it came through, but only in the finality of the finish and warming post consumption do you remember this puppy rings in at 100 proof. Despite the fairly low price point the complexity of the aroma and flavor rival that of a much more expensive Bourbon. This one was quite nice neat, with a cube, or mixed into a drink. At any rate, I finished off the bottle tonight so I may have to snag another the next time I locate it on sale.

Old Forester Single Barrel – Augusta Liquors 2016

The almost empty bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel from Augusta Liquors has been sitting in the bar for far too long so tonight I decided to bid it a fond farewell. The label for the 90 proof Bourbon indicated it was from Floor 5 of Warehouse G and bottled for Augusta Liquors in 2016. I found it in Augusta of course and I think the price for admission was around $55. The spicy nose was filled with cinnamon and pepper on top of a backbone of brown sugar and oak. Alcohol tickled the nose hairs letting you know this one held a bit of a burn. Also present was a fruity and floral note and a hint of orange citrus. The flavor was a tad bit hot on a clean palate as the alcohol let you know you were drinking a Bourbon which packs some punch. The main flavor had hints of leather, oak, citrus, all wrapped in a smooth brown sugar and caramel flavor. The finish was dry with alcohol and a lasting impression of leather and oaky char. Some may want to tame the beast with a cube or a splash which would allow the Bourbon to open up a bit and tame the burn. Should I run into another bottle somewhere I would probably snag one since this one was quite nice it isn’t too much of a stretch to think another barrel would be just as tasty. If you find it, I suggest you give it a whirl.

The Irishman Founder’s Reserve

Came home tonight and decided to pour a glass of The Irishman Founder’s Reserve which has been a whiskey I have enjoyed quite a bit lately. It seemed fitting as today is St. Patrick’s Day, but much to my chagrin there was only a single glass remaining. The 40% ABV Irish Whiskey is described as being 70% aged single malt blended with 30% single pot still whiskey and the result is a quite approachable libation. The aroma has sweet and peppery notes with sherry and light citrus. The flavor beings with an initial sweetness on the palate of brown sugar and honey with chocolate, bourbon, and caramel.  The finish goes dry with a pleasant alcohol and a final pleasant flavor of peaches which fades into the distance. I seem to recall this was sub $30 and I am near positive I purchased it on sale. Hopefully I can locate another bottle at that price to refill the liquor cabinet. If you see it, give it a whirl if you are an Irish Whiskey fan!

Ruger Letter To Shareholders

Ruger recently wrote a letter to shareholders which is worthwhile for everyone to read. They speak about Modern Sporting Rifles and the programs in place which they participate. The finish up with how they feel about banning firearms based on the action of a few criminals. Take a few minutes and read the letter. It will be time well spent.

Ruger Letter To Shareholders

Gun Sense?

Sometimes a teachable moment comes along. We noticed a tweet on someone’s page from Shannon Watts who is the director of Mom’s Demand Action For Gun Sense In America. It showed a rifle, a black one, and said, “You can buy this at @SportsmansWH if you’re 18.” We went to Mrs. Watts twitter feed and sure enough the photo below was there with the tweet.

We should take a minute to understand what “THIS” is exactly. Sure it is a black rifle, but what it is really? Look closely and you will notice it is a BOLT ACTION. For those who may not be familiar with rifles, in order to load a cartridge you pull back the bolt and when the bolt is closed a cartridge is removed from the magazine and placed in the chamber. After firing the bolt can be cycled to eject the spent casing and load another cartridge. We really need to peel the onion one step further in this case. In addition to being a bolt action this is also a .22LR. Mrs. Watts would have known this if she had simply typed Ruger 8400 into a Google search and then viewed the results.

We’ve been told all our lives to not judge a book by its cover. Just because a firearm is black and appears tactical it is not an assault weapon. Perhaps Mrs. Watts should work on her “Gun Sense.”

 

Kirkland Premium Small Batch Bourbon Aged 7 Years

On the advice from a friend I picked up a liter bottle of Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon Aged 7 Years from Costco in Myrtle Beach, SC. The bottle was marked Batch T-1796 and was 51.5% ABV or 103 Proof. The bottle gave no indication of the distillery other than to note Tennessee Distilling in Columbia, TN. I typically steer clear of any Bourbon which does not originate from KY or Indiana (MWGP), but the friend who suggested this bottle is one I trust so I snagged one for $27 best I can remember. The neck label indicated the Beverage Tasting Institute rated it 93 points. The aroma had hints of brown sugar and leather with hints of pepper alcohol spice. The flavor was filled with brown sugar, molasses, citrus fruits, and a nice complex caramel presence. When you boil it all down the price point suggested a Bourbon which could command a higher price point. The prickly alcohol and spice attributes which stay on the palate post consumption let you know this one has a bit of a kick. My suggestion is if you find this one to pick it up. Heck, go ahead and pick up two!