Never underestimate capitalists (shysters). A couple of years ago I’m reading either Runner’s World or Trail Runner and I see the latest ‘must have’ accessory, walking sticks. I’m not joking. Running or walking is pretty simple, a pair of shoes and some sort of attire and you’re good to go. Nowadays they have these people convinced you need to have all manner of electronics strapped onto you and the latest Gor-tex underwear to “wick” away moisture. Not to mention all the hats, gloves, sweat pants, water bottles and nutrition bars. Makes you wonder how people did it 50 years ago.

The gun industry easily has as many shysters as the running industry. The leading indicator of this is how they now rave as the second coming a pistol that actually works. That wasn’t always a requirement in the past. A pistol with a grip that actually functions as a “grip”. A trigger that isn’t a Bow Flex for your index finger. A magazine and feed system that puts a round into the chamber most of the time. Sights you can see. In the years 2021 (after 100 years of arms making), gun makers are quite convinced they are hot shit.

So now they have taken to selling “red dot” sighting systems that cost more than the gun. In this video Hop, purveyor of the cheap and tawdry, combines two of the most, Bushnell and Taurus. Taurus is riding high after getting a couple of pistols that function. Bushnell has long been a supplier of optics people can actually afford, a match made in heaven. Combine that with the gun slut Hop and it makes for a great video. The comments on YouTube are what make it for me.

[All this is promulgated on the idea of self-defense shooting, which is going to be within a few feet if at all, and not at 35 or 40 yards which is what these red dots take you out to. Not to mention how they greatly increase the size of the pistol, that they have been working very hard to miniaturize! But like I say, none of this has anything to do with the practical, its just about selling you crap.]