This article was originally published by William L. Anderson at The Mises Institute. To the Democratic Socialists of America and their fellow travelers, The Moment has arrived. With the victory of Zohran Mamdani in New York City’s mayoral election Tuesday night, the DSA has another attractive face to add to its advocates nationwide, someone to complement Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders as socialism marches to its inevitable triumph over the entire United States. As one who believed that the U.S. was on its way to a real revolution of free markets and personal freedom with the election of…
Before refrigerators were commonplace in American homes, root cellars were the way many families stored their harvested food for the winter. From the 18th century through the early 20th century, root cellars helped preserve potatoes, squash, garlic, carrots, onions, cabbages, kale, beets, Brussel sprouts, apples, and other crops.Typically a below-ground excavation, the root cellar was usually located adjacent to the house or barn. Sometimes these storage areas were just a few feet square in size, and, other times, they were large enough for an adult to stand in and move around. This type of cold storage doesn’t have to be a…
I would recommend keeping some tissues handy for this one. The documentary Ofrenda follows endurance athlete Sara Aranda as she attempts to set the first female record for one of the most brutal stretches of terrain in the United States. But it’s Aranda’s emotional battle — and the heart-wrenching poetry that accompanies it — that makes this short film so compelling. “To inherit is often to carry an unknown shape that lingers in the dark, even if that shape has a name: BRCA1,” Aranda narrates early on in the movie. During Aranda’s college years, her mother was diagnosed with BRCA1, a genetic…
Vortex is expanding its flagship Razor lineup with a new mid-to-long-range optic designed for shooters who need speed, clarity, and durability in one tight package. The new Razor HD Gen III 4-24×44 FFP hits that sweet spot between compact precision and full-size performance, aimed squarely at DMRs, precision gas guns, and other mobile long-range setups. MSRP on the Gen III 4-24×44 is $4,199. The Gen III 4-24×44 runs a 34mm main tube and comes in at 12.5 inches long and 32.3 ounces, striking a strong balance between ruggedness and portability. On top sits an exposed locking elevation turret featuring Vortex’s…
If Daniel Clarke’s new studio, Unfeatured Films, gets its way, the future of documentary filmmaking, and how we engage with history, could change in a big way. According to Variety, Clarke, a filmmaker and creative agency veteran, launched the studio with a mission to turn archival images into cinematic, emotionally rich videos through the use of Artificial Intelligence. The goal is to make history feel alive and relevant, especially for younger audiences, without losing the care and authenticity that traditional storytelling demands. And when it comes to military history, that kind of vivid, immersive approach could hit especially hard. While the studio’s first…
A law firm intends to bring legal action on behalf of multiple victims against the U.S. Army following new accusations of sexual misconduct against a doctor performing medical exams of female patients.The Army announced last week that they are currently investigating new allegations of sexual misconduct against a medical provider at the Carl R. Darnell Army Medical Center (CRDAMC) in Fort Hood, Texas. The identity of the doctor, who has been suspended from his position and is no longer providing services to patients, remains unknown.“Fort Hood officials are unable to provide additional information at this time on any specifics involved…
There’s an assumption people make about outdoor gear that prioritizes circularity and sustainability. Many people expect to sacrifice durability and performance in exchange for these “greener” designs. Osprey and Houdini wanted to change that. So this season, the two brands teamed up to design a line of four-season technical packs, dialed for backcountry skiing, climbing, hiking, and other outdoor activities. The packs are made from recycled materials, repairable, and (according to the brands) fully recyclable at the end of their useful lives. On November 6, Osprey and Houdini unveiled the Allt pack line. (Photo/Osprey) “Allt is proof that circularity-focused products…
Two recent court decisions in Florida have declared parts of the state’s gun laws unconstitutional, shaking up the legal landscape in one of the nation’s most firearm-friendly states and prompting calls for lawmakers to act. Despite Florida’s reputation as a pro-gun state, its Republican-controlled Legislature passed several restrictive measures after the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Those included raising the minimum age to buy a firearm to 21 and maintaining a ban on open carry. Now, both of those laws are under fire, and the courts appear to be siding with the Constitution. Broward County…
Enlightened Equipment: 20% Off Sitewide (Photo/Tucker Adams) Sleeping quilts are all the rage among backpackers for their warmth and weight savings, and now one of the biggest names in the product is offering big discounts. Save 20% on Enlightened Equipment’s entire site, including quilts and apparel. Shop Enlightened Equipment BOTE: Up to 30% Off (Photo/BOTE) It might be too cold to paddle now, but that also means it’s a great time to save on gear for next summer. BOTE is slashing prices on a ton of paddleboards, kayaks, and inner tubes. Shop BOTE Sale Backcountry: POC Tectal Helmet: Up to…
The Spyderco Lil’ Native has been around for a few years but just got updated with a Wharncliffe blade profile. Fans of the original Lil’ Native like it for its diminutive size, which is legal in most jurisdictions. Not to mention the high-quality S30V steel and Spyderco’s well-earned reputation for excellent construction and keen edge profile.The Spyderco Lil’ Native WharncliffeTaking the Lil’ Native to the next level, Spyderco adds utility-level enhancements with the addition of a Wharncliffe blade profile. The Wharncliffe profile is known for exceptional force at the tip, which makes it great for self-defense and cutting power. As…
Paracord is so insanely versatile that it’s no surprise when it shows up on every single survival kit checklist. Parachute cord first became available to civilians after WWII as surplus. Hikers, outdoorsmen, and (of course) survivalists have all come to embrace paracord for its many uses. Since its first MILSPEC construction, there are many more types on the market ranging from recreational Type I 95-pound paracord to heavy-duty Type IV 750-pound paracord. The ever-popular Type III paracord hits the sweet spot of cost and function, so that is what we reviewed the most when we were looking for the all-around…
Folks in Louisville are still reeling from the deadly attack at a bank in their fair city. A number of families lost someone, but I suspect it might be hardest for the killer’s family. After all, while others are processing the suddenness of what happened, they have the added burden of knowing their loved one perpetrated the attack. The fact that we now can call it domestic terrorism likely doesn’t help them sleep easily at night. Now, though, the Louisville killer’s parents are joining their dead son in pushing for gun control. The parents of the Louisville gunman who killed five people at…
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Much ink has been spilled debating the difference between competition-focused shooting and tactical or “combat” shooting. The combat-shooting community has been the louder of the two voices, suggesting that the so-called “gamer” mentality used by competitive shooters would get them killed in critical situations. However, the shooting skills of top-ranked competitive shooters are hard to argue with. I’ve always felt that this division is over-hyped, but having never been a high-level competitive shooter or a combat veteran, my thoughts on the subject are hypothetical. Input from two qualified individuals have influenced my current opinions.I’ve done my share of handgun training,…
Sadly, far-right politicians and media figures have habitually stoked fear and manufactured moral panics as a political strategy to amp up their base. And it’s having an effect: For decades, Gallup polls have consistently found that Americans believe crime is going up, whether it is or not. The cost of this paranoia-propaganda machine? Real human lives — and poor policy choices that continue to make America an unnecessarily dangerous place to live. Fear boosts TV ratings for Fox News and clicks for right-wing websites. It elects “tough on crime” politicians, sells guns, and contributes to the proliferation of “stand your ground” and…
TAIPEI, Taiwan — China’s military flew 38 fighter jets and other warplanes near Taiwan, the Taiwanese defense ministry said Friday, in the biggest such flight display since the large military exercise in which it simulated sealing off the island earlier in April. Naval vessels were also seen in the area as part of China’s long-running campaign of intimidation against Taiwan. Later Friday, China’s People’s Liberation Army issued a protest over the flight of a United States Navy P-8A Poseidon anti-submarine patrol aircraft through the Taiwan Strait, which separates mainland China from the self-governing island democracy claimed by Beijing. Calling Thursday’s…
Designed for NRA-sanctioned bullseye events, the “B8” is the official target for timed- and rapid-fire stages. (The “B6” target is used for slow fire.) The B8 consists of a black bullseye with a 1.695-inch X-ring, a 3.36-inch 10-ring, and the 9-ring, which grows the black to 5.54 inches across. There’s also an 8-ring, which brings the entire center target size to 8 inches in diameter.While researching the history of bullseye competition, I was surprised at the lack of documentation regarding these targets. There is plenty of anecdotal history, but no specific history is easy to find in known books, and…
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – Three soldiers were killed and one seriously injured Thursday after two U.S. Army helicopters collided mid-air during a training exercise. The crash marks the second fatal military helicopter training accident in less than a month. The two AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright crashed near Healy, Alaska, according to a statement from John Pennell, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Alaska. Two of the soldiers were declared dead at the scene of the crash; a third died during transport to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, about 110 miles from…
WASHINGTON — The federal government wrote duplicate checks to doctors who provided care for veterans, costing taxpayers as much as $128 million in extra payments, according to a new watchdog report out this week. In nearly 300,000 cases, private doctors were paid twice — once by the Veterans Health Administration and another time by Medicare — for the same care provided to veterans from 2017 to 2021, the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found in its report. There’s been a spike in those duplicate payments since 2020, when the program that allows veterans to seek care from…
Within the tactical community, there is often an undercurrent of dismissiveness toward professional competition shooters. The argument goes, because a competitor shoots and moves differently in “a game” than in a gunfight, they would likely forget their tactics if confronted with a deadly threat. Well, that’s absolute rubbish that should be relegated to the dustbin of disproven dogma. Any endeavor where a gun owner is actually learning to shoot faster, more accurately, and move deliberately while communicating, should be lauded. Competition adds stress to non-lethal shooting by putting shooters under the watchful eyes of others with the real possibility of…
Two leaders of the Massachusetts Air National Guard unit that is home to a 21-year-old airman charged with leaking classified documents online have been suspended, the Air Force said Thursday. The 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron’s operational commander and federal orders administrative commander have been suspended during an ongoing investigation into the alleged leaking by Airman 1st Class Jack Teixeira, according to Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek. They will be suspended until the Air Force inspector general finishes the investigation. “Also, the Department of Air Force has temporarily removed these individuals’ access to classified systems and information,” Stefanek said in an…
