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03 Jul 17:23

An American Declination of Codependence

by Brent Hamachek

The following address was delivered on Saturday, July 3rd, 2021 as part of the Red, White, and Blue Tour in Sturgis, South Dakota.

It was 245 years ago that a brave group of American colonists sent what was effectively a legal complaint to the King of England. Inspired by the English jurist William Blackstone, the complaint contained a list of the colonists’ grievances, then demanded their independence as compensation for damages. This citizen’s complaint is commonly known as the Declaration of Independence.

We won our independence, but we now suffer under a new sort of tyrant. We find ourselves bound by the invisible chains of codependence.

We celebrate July 4th, 1776, as our nation’s birthday. It is not, in the strictest sense, the date of our birth; nor is it even the actual year. Depending on how you choose to define it, our nation was actually “born” either in 1787 (with the signing of the Constitution), in 1788 (with the ratification of the Constitution), or in 1789 (with the convening of the First Congress). What then should we call July 4, 1776? It is the day we got pregnant. What followed was a long and bloody path toward liberation and birth.

Today, the Declaration of Independence is one of the (if not the) most cherished American documents. Its language is inspiring, and it reminds us of the incredible courage shown and the price paid by those who risked and gave all to secure for us the gift of freedom. It is a foundational part of our history.

But it is not a part of our present. We no longer are a distant colony living under the rule of an unreasonable king. We won our freedom, wrote a constitution, and built a new nation. Using the greatest ideas from the Enlightenment, our founding fathers started us on a path that led us to become the greatest nation in the history of Western Civilization.

We won our independence, but we now suffer under a new sort of tyrant. We find ourselves bound by the invisible chains of codependence. We are not being ruled unreasonably by others. Instead, we are unreasonably letting ourselves be ruled by the need to appear caring and helpful. We are supporting, perpetuating, and enabling the irresponsible and destructive behavior of our fellow citizens who are determined to fundamentally transform the tenets of Americanism.

It is, therefore, once again time for a statement to be made and for lines to be drawn. We cannot find the strength to restore our republic if we cannot first find the strength to set our own minds, bodies, and consciences free. It is time to formally and publicly decline to remain codependent.

William Blackstone.

William Blackstone.

THE DECLINATION

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for a group of people, who believe in the laws of nature and in nature’s God, to dissolve the codependent bands that (to their own great detriment) have connected them to others, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind require that they list the actions they intend to take in separation and rebellion.

Let it first be clear, we hold these truths to be self-evident:

  • That all Americans are created equal.
  • That they are endowed by their Creator with, and have had codified in their Constitution, certain inalienable rights. These include the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the right to act as we choose insofar as we do not compel others to act as we choose.
  • That these rights have been gradually eroded, both through public seizure and voluntary surrender.
  • And to continue to allow these rights to be denied to us by others—or worse, to voluntarily surrender our rights for the sake of and in appeasement to others—is immoral.

Since our present circumstance has become destructive toward the above-mentioned truths, it is the right of the American people to abolish the current state of affairs and to institute a new order, one based upon:

  • Self-understanding
  • Self-respect
  • Self-confidence
  • Self-determination
  • Self-preservation

History has shown that people are more disposed to suffer and stay silent while evils are sufferable than they are to stand up and fight on behalf of themselves. With respect to their perception vis-à-vis others, they also are inclined to be governed and inhibited by three types of fear:

  • The fear of losing something they think they have.
  • The fear of not getting something they want.
  • The fear of not being liked.

These fears can lead a free people to subjugate their own free will, and to establish in its place a sort of social codependence that erodes their freedoms and weakens their very God-given soul. But when a long train of abuses, usurpations, oppression, and persistent censorship leaves them no alternative, then it is their right—their duty—to throw off such suppression, as well as their inhibitions.

Today’s true Americans have spent so much time trying to prove who and what they are not that they have forgotten who and what they are. That ends now.

American Revolutionary War.

American Revolutionary War.

Therefore, we are resolved that from this moment forward, in declining our codependence on those who do not hold to our truths, that we shall:

  1. Break loose from the self-fitted chains and shackles of political correctness.
  2. Take back our language: no longer will we surrender words and phrases from our language to others. We will use the words we choose, regardless of their contemporary characterization or classification by others.
  3. Not be made to condemn or apologize for the actions of others. Likewise, we will not be made to applaud or affirm the behavior of others. We will apologize only for our own actions, when we feel it appropriate, and we will salute others only when we are personally so moved.
  4. Never deny our friendships or turn our backs on those of us who are being attacked by others simply because it is easier, convenient, or avoids confrontation.
  5. In accordance with the above, we will not hesitate to intervene in a situationally appropriate manner when we see one of our fellow citizens coming under attack. To turn away is to become complicit.
  6. Let those around us know that when they attack any one of us, they attack all of us.  e will not tolerate the phrase “but I didn’t mean you.”
  7. Embrace the classical notions of being masculine and feminine whenever and however we choose, and we shall not make excuses or issue apologies for so doing.
  8. Be skeptics at every turn when someone claims to be an “expert,” an “authority,” or a follower of “science.”
  9. Not allow ourselves ever to use the excuse “I was just following orders” to serve as a reason for engaging in or helping to silence or harm our fellow citizens.
  10. Not engage in defending ourselves when we are called “racist,” when we are called “homophobic,” when we are called “privileged,” when we are called “xenophobic,” or when we are labeled by anyone other than ourselves. We will not respond by giving examples of people we know or things we have done to prove what we are and what we are not. We do not need to try to justify ourselves or disprove baseless accusations to others. We will simply respond: “Your words. Not mine.”
  11. Embrace our faith in God if we possess such faith, without reservation. We may wear it on our sleeves, or we may keep it to ourselves. We will display our faith however we so choose, and will not deny the existence or importance of our faith for the sake of providing false comfort to others.
  12. Refuse to acknowledge the need for and legitimacy of “safe spaces” or “microaggressions.”  Simply because someone else decides they are threatened or offended will not be a reason for us to question our beliefs, our words, or our actions.
  13. Call “lies” by their proper name—which is “lies.”
  14. Not give the benefit of the doubt to those who seek to silence us or control us by presuming they are of good intentions. We will take them at their word and assume they mean and intend exactly what they say.
  15. Take great care in using terms such as “courage” and “bravery,” understanding that those terms have become corrupted in their use to signify simple acts of hate and defiance. We know true courage and bravery when we see it, and we will not lose sight of either.
  16. Be unwavering and undeterred in proclaiming that the interests of American companies, workers, and citizens must be placed above all other interests when it comes to matters of policy.
  17. Look directly at God, ourselves, and another human being every single day and say these words out loud: “I know who I am.”
Signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Signing of the Declaration of Independence.

We, therefore, the free people of the United States of America, do solemnly publish and declare our new independence by declining to be codependent upon those who seek to do us harm. There can be no harsher sentence served upon a people than that of being held prisoner to the approval of others.

We recognize that, in making this Declination, we place ourselves at risk of various forms of reprisal. We do so, knowing that the truest expression, the fulfillment of individual freedom, is the willingness to place that freedom at risk for the purpose of preserving it, so that future generations of Americans might enjoy it.

As we join in this Declination, we do so with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, and we mutually pledge to support each other with our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

This article is part of a Human Events Opinion Special Collection released July 4th, 2021: “INDEPENDENCE DAY 2021.” You can read the other pieces in the collection here.

02 Jul 19:33

Government take notice: Farmers market are the new terrorist breeding grounds



Tags: Politics

490 points, 52 comments.

02 Jul 19:32

people need to see this

by /u/deetsieboy
02 Jul 19:28

How to Make a Cardboard Plane, a Refreshing Bourbon Cocktail You Can Actually Drink at a BBQ

by Jeremy Repanich
You'll be standing in front of the grill with a spatula in one hand and this drink in the other.
02 Jul 12:53

Lagoon on an island: Atoll



Tags: Random

747 points, 72 comments.

02 Jul 12:14

Quick to Action: The Overlooked Carry Option

by Ed AKA “The Real Most Interesting Man in The World” LaPorta

With all the current instructors and instruction available, there is no end to the advice new shooters interested in concealed…Read More >

The post Quick to Action: The Overlooked Carry Option appeared first on The Shooter's Log.

02 Jul 11:59

Bluebird Barbecue’s Black-eyed Pea Salad - WCAX

01 Jul 11:09

These are the 6 best picnic recipes for a crowd

by Lindsay Parrill

Better weather means eating outdoors. These are the best scalable recipes that will be a huge crowd-pleaser.

The post These are the 6 best picnic recipes for a crowd appeared first on The Manual.

30 Jun 18:26

RV Industry Runs Into Massive Headwinds, Yet Thor Remains Upbeat

by Dale Buss, Contributor
With prevailing winds now against it, RV maker Thor Industries remains upbeat about the future.
30 Jun 18:22

An Active Retirement On The Appalachian Trail

by Next Avenue, Contributor
Even after he 'stopped working,' Jim Fetig continues to tirelessly serve the country
30 Jun 16:29

How The Price Is Right Predicted This Bear Market

by Brett Owens, Contributor
Just when I thought 2022 couldn’t get any stranger, my inflation research led me to a bold but inescapable conclusion...
30 Jun 12:21

Meal Kits Might Be Cheaper Than Groceries Right Now

by Lillian Stone

You’re not being paranoid: Your Chipotle bill is high, but your grocery bill is even higher. That’s because, per the Consumer Price Index (CPI), home cooks are currently experiencing worse inflation than restaurants, largely due to wholesale prices and economies of scale that benefit restaurants. Turns out that the…

Read more...

29 Jun 23:43

Making Yakitori on the Spark Grill

by Daniel Hale

I read recently that 80 percent of grillers believe that charcoal-grilled food tastes better, yet 60 percent confess to being gas grillers due to convenience alone. Well, I’m here to tell you that the debate over gas. vs. charcoal ends here, with the innovative and easy to use Spark 3-in-1 Charcoal Grill. (See below for details on discount on the grill offered exclusively to readers of this blog.)

In previous blogs, I grilled Lamb Kebabs, baked Mac ’N’ Cheese, and smoke-roasted a Berry Crisp, all highlighting the amazing versatility and convenience of the new Spark 3-in-1 Charcoal Grill. In my last Spark-related blog post, Grilled Pizza in Less Than 5 Minutes, I focused on how fast you can make a pizza with a crispy crust thanks to Spark Grill’s unparalleled 900 degrees F temperature capability.

This time, I’m going international with the Spark Grill and making yakitori. The word yakitori means “grilled chicken.” Yakitori can be made from any part of the chicken, beak to tail, or with alternative meats. Webster’s Dictionary defines yakitori as “bite-sized marinated pieces of beef, seafood, or chicken on skewers.”

The meat is skewered and cooked over a hot grill typically without seasoning or a marinade. It is seasoned by making a tare, a flavorful soy and rice wine vinegar sauce. The tare is applied halfway through the cooking process and again to finish the yakitori. The repeated application of the tare creates a lacquered finish to the meat that is sweet, salty, and delicious.

If you missed my previous posts, let me give you the run-down on all the cool features of the Spark Grill.

The Spark Grill

Spark has created a revolutionary new grill that’s a game-changer. It combines the convenience of a gas grill’s turn-the-dial ignition and temperature control with the flavor of charcoal, letting you focus more on the food, rather than the time-consuming and messy start-up process.

Spark designed a charcoal “briq” that fuels the grill. Spark’s briqs include the quick, the everyday, the high heat, and the low and slow briq. You select a briq based on the expected duration of your cook and the temperature you need. The briqs are made with all-natural hardwood charcoal that is ground up and then pressed into briqs that are perforated with air vents to allow for even heat circulation. Each briq type is made to be a specific density mass to achieve Spark’s unparalleled temperature range and control. Two heat sensors inside the grill communicate with two electric-powered fans to stoke and cool the briq to hit and hold exact temperatures. Because of this extremely well-tuned system, a Spark Briq burns 40 to 50 percent more efficiently than traditional briquettes, and it’s the same cost-per-cook as high quality lump charcoal or pellets. It’s all very “smart.”

Spark Grill Briq

The Spark comes with extra-wide cast-iron grates for superior caramelization and the grill marks Steven prizes. The Spark is built to last with double-walled porcelain enamel and insulated steel. The Spark even has an app that allows you to monitor the grill and your food via Bluetooth technology.

Making Yakitori

I kept it simple with my preparation of the yakitori and used boneless chicken breast cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. I lightly oiled the chicken pieces to keep them from sticking to the grill grate. I normally would season the chicken, but I wanted to keep it as traditional as possible, and I knew the soy sauce would provide a salty flavor.

Yakitori

To ignite the Spark Grill, I placed an everyday briq in the front-loading charcoal drawer and then simply turned the dial to “spark-up” the grill. So easy and no mess and it was up to temperature in 8 minutes. While the grill heated up, I made the tare sauce. Check out Steven Raichlen’s recipe if you have never made yakitori. Yakitori is the perfect finger food and is easily managed by guests when standing or holding a drink. Ideal for your next tailgate party.

Spark Grill Yakitori

The chicken cooked for about two minutes a side before the first round of basting with the tare sauce. Traditionally, yakitori is dunked into the tare sauce, but I used a basting brush. I basted the chicken one final time just before they were finished cooking.

Grilling Yakitori

To be safe and ensure the chicken was fully cooked, I checked the temperature with an instant- read meat thermometer. Once the thermometer read 165 degrees, the chicken was done.

The chicken developed a caramelized exterior due to the tare sauce and the heat of the cast-iron grill grates. I garnished the yakitori with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. To accompany the yakitori and create a meal, I made rice and grilled veggie kebabs with onion, pepperss, and mushroom. I even basted the veggies with the tare sauce. Time to eat!

Grilling Yakitori

The chicken was juicy and tender on the inside and acquired a salty, sweet, and rich umami flavor from the tare sauce. The char on the veggies contrasted with the tender chicken and rounded out the whole meal.

Yakitori is easy to prepare, and it can be done ahead of time. When you combine the ease of preparation of the yakitori with the convience of the Spark Grill, you can create a delicious meal in no time.

Are you convinced yet? If not, I’ll be back with future blogs to highlight the ease of charcoal grilling on the Spark Grill.

Follow Steven on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, or Instagram!

The post Making Yakitori on the Spark Grill appeared first on Barbecuebible.com.

29 Jun 23:43

Hot, Hot, Hot! Spicy Food Recipes for your July 4th Celebration

by Daniel Hale

Stick with the pyrotechnic theme of our nation’s birthday by serving an array of explosively-flavored foods at your backyard bash. Not only do spicy foods help keep you cool in hot weather (it’s no coincidence that chile heat is appreciated in the world’s warmest climates, from Jamaica to Malaysia), but according to the Cleveland Clinic, fiery foods have several health benefits. Among them:

  • Capsaicin, the compound that gives chile peppers their sting, boosts a body’s metabolism, enabling it to burn fat and produce energy more efficiently;
  • Some studies indicate spicy foods may reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and Type 2 diabetes;
  • Improves microbiome concentration for gastrointestinal health;
  • Reduces inflammation.

Of course, we love the effect spices have on bland foods, from white meat chicken to fish and shellfish to potatoes. So don’t apologize if your pantry shelves or refrigerator are overrun with hot sauces and dried and fresh chiles.

Below are some of our favorite fiery recipes for a scorching flavor-filled Fourth of July!


Spicy Food Recipes

Nashville Hot Wings

Spicy, smoky, and undeniably addictive, Nashville-style chicken was supposedly invented when a scorned woman made what she hoped was an incendiary snack for her philandering partner. To her dismay, he thought the chicken was wonderful—not a punishment at all.

Nashville Hot Wings

Get The Recipe »

Monroe County Pork Steaks with Spicy Vinegar Dip

The best regional barbecue you’ve never heard of—it comes from Monroe County, Kentucky. These pork shoulder steaks are grilled over a hickory fire and basted with a spicy, puckery vinegar dip.

Monroe County Pork Steaks with Spicy Vinegar Dip

Get The Recipe »

Piri Piri Prawns with Fire Butter

Originally grown in Brazil and introduced to the Europeann and South African continents by Portuguese mariners, piri piri chiles have been made famous by the Nando’s fast food chain. (Nando’s hot sauce is available online or in larger supermarkets.)

Piri Piri Prawns with Fire Butter

Get The Recipe »

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Chiltomate Sauce

Another incendiary shrimp preparation we’ve come to love are grilled shrimp tacos dosed with a toes-curling sauce that gets its heat from habanero chiles. Until 1999, the hababero was thought to be the hottest pepper in the world. They have since been displaced by other varieties.

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Get The Recipe »

Tandoori Lamb with Hell’s Fury Hot Sauce and Raita

Despite its alarming name, this lamb relies on relatively mild jalapeños for its spice. Cool the fires with yogurt-based raita. (Dairy-based drinks or sauces are more effective than water at taming the heat. Water simply spreads the fiery oils around in your mouth.)

Tandoori Lamb with Hell’s Fury Hot Sauce and Raita

Get The Recipe »

Caveman T-Bones with Hellfire Hot Sauce

The ultimate primal grilling—T-bone steaks charred directly on the embers and topped with a blisterinng sauce of jalapeños, cilantro, and garlic. It’s a great preparation when you’re cooking over a campfire. (Works with thick porterhouses, too.)

Get The Recipe »

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Here’s one of the most authentic jerk chicken recipes you’ll find north of Montego Bay. Allow at least 12 hours for marinating the chicken, and if you can find it, grill over pimento (allspice) wood. Serve with grilled pineapple, plantains, or coconut rice.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Get The Recipe »

Chipotle-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Nopalitos Corn Salad

Chipotle chiles (smoked jalapeños) in canned adobo sauce are wonderful with pork and chicken and are widely available in supermarkets throughout the country. Leftovers can be frozen.

Chipotle-Marinated Pork Tenderloin with Grilled Nopalitos Corn Salad

Get The Recipe »

What is your favorite spicy recipe? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, or Instagram!

The post Hot, Hot, Hot! Spicy Food Recipes for your July 4th Celebration appeared first on Barbecuebible.com.

29 Jun 23:41

One Prominent Libertarian Explains Why Unschooling Is the Best Way to Educate Kids

by Kerry McDonald

David D. Friedman, a physicist, economist, and law professor is a staunch supporter of unschooling, or the idea of self-directed, non-coercive learning that occurs either as an approach to homeschooling or in “unschooling schools,” such as those schools modeled after the Sudbury Valley School in Massachusetts that was founded in 1968.

29 Jun 22:29

The Story of the FPoleV: The ‘Not a Drone’ Action Photography Tool

by Matt Growcoot

FPoleV Imagery

Action videographer Steven Donovan developed a unique way to capture aerial stunts. Called the FPoleV, the results have amazed online viewers and brought him a cult-like following.

[Read More]

29 Jun 22:28

What to Look for When Ordering a Photo Book

What to Look for When Ordering a Photo Book

photo by AndreyPopov via iStock

If you are a beginner in the fun life of paid photography, either part-time or full-time, or are an established pro seeking an additional income stream, you should be examining the benefits of selling photo books.

Besides the possibility of increasing your profit margin, a personalized photo book can also work for several other reasons. A photobook makes a great gift, can be used as a form of portfolio, and they are simply fun to make and display for others, personally or in a business setting.

Table of Contents:

Photo Book Press

personalized photo book

Photo by AndreyPopov via iStock

One of the first tasks to take when making a photo book is to figure out where to have yours made, since all is not equal in photo book printing. I like the quality of the product and excellent customer service of Photo Book Press

Not only do they use excellent materials, have highly trained craftsmen, and produce a lovely end product, they also have very friendly pricing and wonderful customer service. In addition to hardcover and softcover photo books, they also make wedding albums, announcement cards, and beautiful wall art.

Hardcover Photo Books

photo book

Photo by Kritian Baensch via iStock

Think about the last time you went to purchase a new or used book from your favorite author. As you’re browsing through all the titles and authors, you find that one book you’ve been wanting. Side by side, you see a classic hardcover book, right next to it is a softcover version of the same book. Which would you choose?

What you’re going to use it for will be the ultimate deciding factor for you, but even if you really need the softcover version at that moment, you are admiring the hardcover book for what it is, a quality classic in look and feel.

That’s what a hardcover photo book evokes for many people. For an art book to sit on display, the hardcover photo books from Photobook Press are great. They are made from premium silk stock and will showcase your images in a manner that adds elegance and value to your already fine art.

As a portfolio of your photography, a hardcover photo book will show your clients what you can do for them as well as possibly being a stand-alone purchase, depending on your subject matter and client wants. More on what to include in your photo books will come in a moment.

Hardcover photo books are very durable and will hold their looks for a long time. Especially if the photo book is going to be handled by a lot of people, such as your own home office photo studio, a hardcover photo book will stand up to lots of views and handling.

Softcover Photo Books

photobook

Photo by Harry Wedzinga via iStock

Sometimes, you need a lower-cost alternative. Softcover photo books are just that, plus they have the advantage of being able to use the front and back covers for images, too. The softcover photo book options from Photo Book Press are very affordable, making them a great add-on purchase for your clients.

With the low cost of Photo Book Press softcover photo books, you could even include a smaller size, limited-page photo book as a promotional item when delivering your photography work to your clients, whether you deliver the other images as physical prints or digital files.

Wedding Album Photo Books

photo book press

Photo by Delmaine Donson via iStock

Wedding albums as a photo book is an idea that makes perfect sense. Wedding photography clients are already wanting a physical photo album of their wonderful day, printing a photo book of the wedding album adds a layer of specialness to the presentation.

A lay flat photo book with specialty binding, a beautiful cover, and high-quality silk paper pages all add up to a very special product to commemorate their very special day. The wedding album photo book can be a condensed version of a more traditional wedding album or the client might choose it as the main photo album.

What to Include in Your Photo Book

Ordering a Photo Book

Photo by Freeartist via iStock

The first thing to keep in mind is that you want your photo book to stand out as a high-quality representation of your photography work, so your photo books should include only excellent images, regardless of the subject matter presented.

A photo book is often made of the images that the client ordered, but you can also use them as a cross-sell opportunity. Your client may have come in for a series of family portraits which would look great as physical enlargements and as a photo book. 

But you could also make a photo book of other images you have. For instance, do you have some gorgeous shots of your latest vacation to the mountains or seaside that a client could want as a coffee table photo book? Cross-selling is a good way to increase your income stream.

Whatever you choose as your  photo book, hardcover, softcover, wedding album, or anything else, Photo Book Press is one of your best options for providing your personalized photo books.

Recommended Photography Gear

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29 Jun 22:25

Viking Yachts 64 Convertible

by Bonnie Schultz

A New Champion

The Viking 64 Convertible is designed for tournament fishing action and luxurious family comfort.

The newest member of the Viking Yachts’ fleet, the 64 Convertible, is a tournament contender designed to fish around the world and provide luxurious amenities for family cruising. She is a domineering replacement for the company’s popular 62 Convertible. Two feet may not sound like a lot in terms of LOA, but the New Jersey-based, family owned and operated sportfish builder’s design team has a knack for maximizing the volume out of every available inch. 

The 180-square-foot cockpit, for example, is six inches longer than in the 62C. Viking’s demo team has it outfitted for efficiency whether fishing for a Winner’s Circle trophy or going on a family vacation. A 90-gallon pressurized livewell is built into the transom, and the transom scuppers in the cockpit corners can be fit with drains to keep the deck dry if removable livewells are used. Beneath the coamings are fresh- and raw-water washdown systems, quick disconnect fittings for oil changes for the engines and generators, plus 12- and 24-volt outlets to accommodate dredge, kite, and deepwater drop reels. Side storage lockers and fiberglass wells beneath the cockpit sole keep the deck clear. A transom door with a lift gate is standard and allows flexibility for boarding and while fishing. 

While waiting for a sailfish or marlin strike, the flybridge overhang offers protection from the sun and spray when sitting on the observation mezzanine, which can be plumbed for air conditioning. The mezzanine deck also provides freezer, tackle, and gear storage as well as a space for an electric grill, a small cooler, and engine room access. A Seakeeper 26 in the lazarette is protected from the elements via a single watertight hatch accessed manually or with an optional electric actuator.

Spacious Salon and Galley

The design team utilized the wide beam and divided the very sociable salon into four separate areas to maximize comfort and convenience. Passing through the electrically operated fiberglass salon door, an L-shaped lounge with storage below is to starboard, complemented with a walnut coffee table. To port, a 50-inch HD television in the walnut cabinetry rises with the touch of a button. 

Forward to port is a dinette that seats four with a pull-out drawer sized to store fishing rods. A popular option with this layout is a second HD television on the port side bulkhead next to the dinette. The peninsula galley opposite the dinette includes a pair of bar stools for additional seating. 

Undercounter Sub-Zero refrigeration provides deep-drawer capacity, and the custom stone counter has an overhang to enhance usable space. Cooking amenities include a four-burner cooktop and a microwave convection oven. Plentiful walnut cabinetry throughout stores cookware, food items, and supplies. Viking offers a second galley layout with a walkaround island and similar features.

Luxury Accommodations

Accommodations below accentuate luxury and comfort. In the master suite, owners can customize the layout with the choice of an athwartships or fore-aft queen-size berth, ensuite head, credenza storage, and his-and-her maple-lined hanging lockers. The forward stateroom comes standard with a queen-size berth and ensuite head, but a crossover berth arrangement is optional. Separated by the third head are two guest staterooms to port, one appointed with upper and lower berths, the other with side-by-side berths. The latter stateroom also has a massive fishing rod locker behind a wall of walnut cabinetry. 

Well-equipped Flybridge

The flybridge boasts Viking’s signature center console helm outfitted with triple pedestal chairs. Navigation systems and other electronics installed by Atlantic Marine Electronics, a Viking subsidiary, nest in a black acrylic helm dash with three flush-mounted Seatronx touchscreen displays. The angle of the dash brings the screens closer to the operator for convenience, and the console itself is slightly taller for quicker access to the twin radio boxes and accessory controls flanking the teak helm pod. The length of the helm console also is slightly shorter to allow more room forward for a sizable lounge with a padded backrest, fiberglass armrests with cupholders, and a 76-gallon freezer under the cushion. Port and starboard lounges with rod storage beneath meld practicality and comfort, along with a chill box for beverages, a sink, and a freshwater outlet. 

Prime Performance

Take the wheel and prepare to smile. In the ocean off Palm Beach, I recorded a two-way average top speed of 42 knots. Viking’s engineering and design group fine-combed the running surface, tweaking the chine and running strakes that delivered lift and spray deflection. Modifying the shaft angle and the entry shape in the propeller pockets were other steps the team utilized to enhance the overall performance. At cruise, the water breaks abaft the house windshield and looking astern, there is barely a rooster tail of wasted thrust. The Optimus steering puts you in total control and the boat, despite its hefty weight, handles like a thoroughbred. 

The new Viking 64 Convertible is well on its way to being a successful player on the tournament circuit, yet is just as enjoyable for family cruising with motoryacht comfort. This boat truly represents Viking’s commitment to always build a better boat every day, and by doubling down with Atlantic Marine Electronics and its other subsidiary, Palm Beach Towers, Viking will deliver the 64 Convertible turnkey ready.  

-by Peter Frederiksen

The post Viking Yachts 64 Convertible appeared first on Southern Boating.

29 Jun 19:08

This New Electric Sailing Yacht Can Charge Its Own Batteries While Cruising

by Rachel Cormack
The 49-footer can generate 3.5 kW of clean, green energy when sailing at speeds greater than 8 knots.
29 Jun 12:25

How to learn a life hack and put it to use immediately!



Tags: Funny

569 points, 15 comments.

29 Jun 12:25

Dad joke


Tags: lol, meme, dad jokes

3457 points, 68 comments.

29 Jun 12:12

Whisky Review: Aberlour, Midleton, Bladnoch, And More

by Felipe Schrieberg, Senior Contributor
A special Balvenie, a well-travelled Irish blend, and a Scottish oak-matured Glenallachie are included in this batch of reviews.
28 Jun 14:45

Fried Fish on the Go

by Gabriela Gomez-Misserian

For pondside bream and more, pack up a no-fuss portable fish fry kit

The post Fried Fish on the Go appeared first on Garden & Gun.

28 Jun 14:35

10 Super Foods to Heal Your Body

by Rachel Jones

Foods and drinks you consume might either aid or impede your recovery from an illness or surgery. You must eat the proper foods, such as superfoods. Each superfood, whether a vegetable, fruit, protein source, or healthy fat, offers something unique to your body. Some of these foods have been demonstrated to help with inflammation, immunological […]

The post 10 Super Foods to Heal Your Body appeared first on Listverse.

28 Jun 14:03

Pack your sandals and sunscreen, and head to the world’s best black sand beaches

by Latifah Al-Hazza

Check out our list of the best black sand beaches in the world. You'll never see sand the same way again.

The post Pack your sandals and sunscreen, and head to the world’s best black sand beaches appeared first on The Manual.

28 Jun 14:03

Guinness Extra Stout vs. Draught: Which one tastes better?

by Mark Stock

We take the plunge to taste-test some of Ireland's most popular exports, two varities of the perennially popular Guinness beers and crown a king.

The post Guinness Extra Stout vs. Draught: Which one tastes better? appeared first on The Manual.

28 Jun 14:03

This is how easy it is to wash your car at home

by Joel Patel

Follow these simple steps in our guide that demonstrates how to wash your car at home. You'll save money by not needing to go to the car wash.

The post This is how easy it is to wash your car at home appeared first on The Manual.

28 Jun 13:51

What you should know about geofencing

by Juliet Bennett Rylah

In January, New York lawmakers proposed banning law enforcement from using geofencing and keyword warrants.

Though the bill hasn’t seen much movement yet, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has returned the issue to the spotlight.

First, what the heck are these warrants?

Geofence and keyword warrants are used to get tech companies like Google to hand over users’ data. Like traditional warrants, they require a judge’s approval.

Geofence warrants use location data to identify people who were near a crime scene at a specific time, per Slate.

  • Google says geofence warrant requests increased 1.5k% between 2017 and 2018, and now make up over 25% of all US warrants it receives.
  • Geofencing has been used to find people who attended the Jan. 6 insurrection, and in a bank robbery case in Virginia.

Keyword warrants look at online searches made within specific locations or time frames.

  • A 2017 keyword warrant asked Google for anyone who searched a fraud victim’s name in the city where the crime occurred.

Though perhaps useful for law enforcement…

… they’re controversial. New York’s proposed ban is supported by the ACLU and several tech companies, including Google. Also:

  • Some judges have ruled that the warrants violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures.
  • Innocent people have become suspects, including an Arizona man wrongfully arrested for murder, and a Florida man who became a burglary suspect after he biked past a crime scene.

Privacy advocates are also concerned…

… that warrants could be used to find people seeking abortions in states where it has or will become illegal.

In May, a report from the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP) detailed how tech might be used to enforce new laws if Roe v. Wade were overturned.

  • Albert Fox Cahn, STOP’s executive director, told Wired, “The truth is that when you develop those techniques, you are at the whim of those in power and whatever they next decide to call a crime.”

Related: Earlier this month, lawmakers introduced a bill to prevent data brokers from sharing location and health data. Read our coverage here.

28 Jun 13:48

FLYING WITH FIREARMS

by Mas
I am writing this in Tennessee, having flown in from the South while my lovely bride drove down from the North to meet me.  The first thing I did when she picked me up at the airport was to crack the suitcase and the gun case therein, and load up a .45. I hear people […]
28 Jun 13:46

Huckberry Book Club: Overlanding 101

From building off-road driving skills to finding routes across the West, these books will help you explore off the pavement

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