Why do I think DemoTex is a phony vet? He claims to be a forest ranger. A few months back, he was transferred to another duty station and because he was inexperienced, he wanted to know what kind of gun to buy for bear/wild animal protection while in the sticks.
His avatar is a Vietnam Service Medal.
DemoTex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 10:50 PM
Original message
You will never - in a thousand years - guess the cause of our big fire today.
We have a big fire burning at Hole-In-The-Ground (a Maar volcano to
the southwest of me). We (the US Forest Service) have 12 units on the fire, including a
helicopter for bucket drops. Additionally, there are firefighters from the BLM, the Oregon Dept.
of Forestry, and a rural VFD.
The first fire crews to arrive at the fire witnessed ATVs speeding away
from the scene. A fire investigator intercepted those ATVers at their camp,
where they were rapidly packing to leave. He confronted the people and
they admitted to starting the fire. How did they start the fire (this is the absolutely
unbelievable part)? THEY WERE FIRING A 50-CAL WEAPON INTO
HOLE-IN-THE-GROUND! A 50-CAL! They had the weapon with them at their
camp (I don't yet know if it was a single-shot, automatic, or machine
gun).
"What is a 50-caliber?" you ask. It is basically what the VC and NVA
used to shoot down helicopters and low-flying airplanes in Vietnam. A
50-cal round can be several combinations of armor-piercing, explosive,
and/or incendiary (and, probably others).
What are idiots like this doing in our National Forest shooting an
anti-aircraft weapon? The only thing as stupid as setting the fire was
their admission - without an attorney present - that they set it. They
are now in a heap-o trouble, facing federal and state charges (and
liable for the entire cost of the firefighting operation).
[several pictures of smoke]
Wind changes everything​," wildland firefighte​rs say. A late afternoon windshift (from southeast to northwest)
and velocity increase played havoc with the Hole-In-Th​e-Ground fire. The fire jumped the fire line and the
firefighte​rs had to pull back. The wind made helicopter bucket drops impossible​.
The VC/NVA used 12/7mm. American forces used the 50 BMG. It seems like he should know this.
madinmaryland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 10:52 PM
Response to Original message
2. Because the ****ing NRA believes that any asshole should be able to
shoot any ****ing weapon they want to where ever they ****ing want to.
**** them.
obama signed the law allowing firearms in National Forests. Take it up with him.
ThoughtCriminal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 10:59 PM
Response to Original message
7. But, but, but
Johm McCain told me illegal aliens were to blame! Not Elmer Fudds with 50-cals!
Different state.
alfredo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 11:02 PM
Response to Original message
9. The 50 cal is a bad assed weapon. I got to shoot one in the
Army. That was during basic. What the **** were they doing bringing that thing to a park? Stupid
Barrett makes several models that can be carried. The Ma Deuce is not a plinking weapon.
The Big Vetolski (56 posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 11:13 PM
Response to Reply #9
16. Thanks for posting the picture. Maybe it will do something to
dispel the notion that .50 cals are just anti-aircraft weapons. They're also very potent anti-personnel and, for that matter, anti-light vehicle weapons as well. The bullets are about 6 inches long. One of the most ridiculous depictions of their use was in "Rambo," where Sylvester Stallone was firing one from his hip. Absurd! The recoil would knock any human being on his ass, which is why .50 cals are always mounted on something.
I got to shoot one once, too, in the Navy, at the Pacific Ocean. I'd never dream of firing one in a park. That's just nuts. That violates even the NRA's safety standards.
Another clueless DUmmy. Rambo used a M60, which is a 30 cal.
DemoTex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 11:29 PM
Response to Reply #16
22. I just used anti-aircraft as an example (because of my intimate experience with 12.7mm)
Had the 12.7mm (50-cal) that ripped through my wing in 1970 exploded, as it was designed to do, I probably would not be posting here tonight. I was a lucky-ducky.
Whoops. He's a combat pilot. Who'd thunk it.
NickB79 (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 11:30 PM
Response to Reply #9
24. The chance they were firing a gun even remotely like your pic is slim
Unless they're freaking millionaires, as a legally owned gun like that would retail for close to 6 figures on the civilian market.
Dirty freeper troll.
madinmaryland Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 11:39 PM
Response to Reply #9
27. You can thank the NRA and their lackeys in the gungeon for legalizing that. nt
The gungeon is a section on the island that is populated by pro gun democrats(moles). Nice slam. Someone should alert Der Skimmer.
DemoTex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sat Jul-02-11 11:59 PM
Response to Reply #28
33. Truth be told, I broke down and bought a carbine for my wilderness situation.
I did not want to, but I was just too worried about Nick and the mountain lions out here (I spotted one on this butte in late May). I got a Marlin lever-action 44MAG short-barreled carbine. I hate the mofo. And, now that I have it, I feel that I really don't need it. But, as long as I'm doing these wilderness fire seasons, I'll keep it. Close by.
DemoTex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Sun Jul-03-11 12:24 AM
Response to Original message
34. BTW: My day began at 0220 AM with another fire
I did not even mention that. So my tail is dragging (as is my tale). A lost camper built a HUGH!! bonfire about 4 miles from my lookout. I got up at 2:20 to take care of nature and saw this bright orange glow at the base of Quartz Mountain. So I watched it - dozing off and on - until dawn. Then I had enough light and plenty of smoke to plot and report that fire. Our crew got in and extinguished the fire, then they led him three miles to his intended camp (with his buddies).
Ching-ching! Overtime! Maybe 17.5 hours today!
I wouldn't be surprised if DemoTex didn't start the fire.