"YOU COULD PUT SOMBODY'S EYE OUT WITH THAT THING!

I almost forgot.
On this date, the 45th birthday of our soon-to-be first lady:
1893, In an early exercise of imperial might, the US, in aid of some wealthy sugar tycoons, forced the abdication of Queen Lili'uokalani, of the formerly sovereign Hawaiian Islands. That's how you get a fiftieth state!

1961, when I was in the first grade, Eisenhower gave his farewell address, warning of the "Military Industrial Complex".
We didn't listen.

And...1/17 is just five days (!) from my own birthday. I've got ten years on Michelle.
Jan. 22. Nice tasteful gifts.
I'll be fifty-five ("I can't be...FIFTY-FIVE"; Sammy Hagar, paraphrased)

I stole this video from George Hill. It provides a nice contrast.

Now the gun demonstrated is, I'm sure, the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
I'm just a little shaky on the practicality aspect.
It looks like a great tool for clearing brush - and you can bet the ranch that that "quick five" would have reduced any would-be enemy to a pile of gently steaming, pink mush.
My question: Would it have been any less effective with just one round?
Not as fun, nor as cool (by a long shot).
It's just, my membership in the boring, grownup's club demands that I ask the hard ones, questions, that is.
Below, Lena shows her stuff.
My lad the rock star took these vids - and my stone-age camera doesn't have sound.
If you just say "BOOM" at the appropriate time, it'll be just like you were there.

My lad paused in mid filming, for reasons that escape me.
Here's the second installment, complete with beard-cootie close-up.
The boy baffles me sometimes.
Sometimes?!

Andy, you'll notice a Land Rover in the background.
NO ONE was "hiding" in it, ya big wienie.
In conclusion, Isaac firing my Santa Fe, Jungle Carbine (after I finally got around to putting the hand-guard and sling-swivel on it).

He took out two beer bottles at around 150 Yd.
Not bad shootin' for someone who hardly ever does it.
Notice the rock-steady camera action of yours truly.
Not like my lad's "shaky-cam" action ala "NYPD Blue".
We brilliantly left all mickey ears/ear-plugs at home.
Hence the Kleenex "puppy ears".