Yes, another Newbie!

Viper6 · **Posted:** Sat May 16, 2009 7:33 am

Hi All, I have been a quiet Newbie since joining this Forum a couple of months ago. Experience has taught me to repress my natural instinct to jump in and and loudly announce my presence. Instead, I have, as Joel has put it, "lurked" around the Forum pretty much keeping my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open. I surmise God had a purpose when He gave us two each of the latter and only one of the former.

At this point I have to say that I find this a most interesting and informative Forum. The Membership, as a whole, come across as intelligent, articulate sentient beings and they are obviously friendly and helpful. I am very pleased to be allowed to join this group.

I'm a retired Federal Official, ex-Army. I routinely continue to carry a gun and hold current MN and Utah permits. In my younger days I shot competitive pistol and rifle and although the years have taken their toll; I was still able enough with a .270 to drop an antelope at over 550m out in Wyoming three years ago. I will confess that I didn't get him with the first shot. My hunting colleagues still shake their heads in amazement that the "old man" could pull that off!

My Federal career was in the legal area and I am now self-employed in a related area of expertise.

Most of my friends are current Federal 1811's in various agencies under DHS, DOJ, etc.

I used to be a Republican, but now I'm a Conservative; since the party abandoned its principles and values and fell into a deep pit over the preceding eight years.

I do pay attention to gun politics. I find it interesting that the Administration and the Democrats have thus far carefully deflected any anti-gun moves by the Left Wing of the party. We owe kudos to the Arkansas Congressman (D) who recently enlisted 64 of his fellow Democrats to sign on a letter to the AG indicating they would not be supportive of any anti-gun measures by his office. I believe that many of the newly elected Congressional Democrats from traditional Republican or close districts realize that going anti-gun will probably jeopardize their chances of reelection next year and they aren't about to make political enemies of the gun owners who will vote and who will hold the balance of power in that next election.

My, my, I think I have more than made my brief introductory announcement. Again, I thank you for permitting me to join you in this Forum.