My Daddy Is a Sniper...What Does Your Daddy Do?

Recently three Navy Seal snipers took out three Somali Pirates thus freeing a kidnapped American Captain of a Merchant Ship.

All the world cheered. And I have to admit I did too. Those damn Pirates got what they deserved.

But I have to wonder, what kind of a person wants to be a Sniper? Obviously it's a position applied for and desired by a select few sharpshooters. It's a position that allows you to be a professional and legal Hitman. To hide in the shadows, the trees, an abandoned building or somewhere in the dark, aim your scope at some unsuspecting skull up to a kilometer away and blow his head off.

What kind of person wants to do this?

No one feels sorry for the the now headless Pirates, they probably got what they deserved. But I'll bet most "targets" are people with no other crime than being on the wrong side of a conflict.

I have to ask: Is there a lower form of humanity than a Sniper? Has anyone done a psychological analysis of these people? Are they actually serial killers that have found a legal outlet? Do they dream of the day when they'll be called on to shatter the brains of another human being?

Captain Richard Phillips actions were probably heroic. The actions of the Snipers served to free him.

But the Snipers themselves? Just plain creepy.

Motorcycle Update

Last week I graduated from Motorcycle School and I've been riding my Yamaha FZ6R for almost two weeks now, having put almost 500 km on the odometer.

The first break in period is 1000km, during which time I should not rev the engine for "prolonged periods" over 5800 RPM. So I've been obeying that and am really impressed with the power available in the lower rev range. Makes me really want to see how it performs in the sweet spot between 9000-11000 rpm.

So I really want to get this break in period over with fast.

Trouble is, the weather is not cooperating fully, cool damp conditions this last weekend.

The thing is, I won't ride unless conditions are right to have fun riding. Being cold is not fun. The only problem I am having with cold is my hands because my Icon Merc Long gloves are not cold weather gloves, they are made for protection, and that's it.

So for instance this morning I cut my ride on Westside Road short because my hands were just too darn cold.

In the 500 km or so I've ridden I can make a few observations.

If you are a control freak (like me) riding a motorcycle is the ultimate gratification.
It's pretty much all about control, the machine wants to be controlled and you get to input your commands every millisecond of your ride. Every movement of your body results in a corresponding action of the bike. It's an incredible power rush. If you don't like being in control then buy a Ford Focus.

I feel safer on my Yamaha then I have ever been in any automobile. This is totally opposite of what I thought I would feel. The reason? Read above. You have so much more control over your bike than you ever would in any car. The bike is infinitely more agile and responsive. Not only that, you have so much more room on the road.

Where a car (cage) is limited to maybe one foot of movement on either side of the lane, the bike has about 4 feet on either side for which to choose your road position.
That's a huge advantage.

Visibility, even with a helmet, is far superior to that of a car, even a convertible.

Now let's talk curves. There are no sideways G forces on a bike that you uncomfortably get in a car. Because you are leaning, any G forces are directed downward or almost totally minimized. The curves are what it's all about, the raison d'etre of any rider. It's a magical feeling you really have to experience to appreciate.

The only issue regarding safety I have is going into a corner "too hot". Until I get more experience I'll need to slow down a bit since I haven't developed the leaning (counter-steering) skills required to really pull off a fast corner. The last thing you want is to corner too wide into oncoming traffic. That would be messy.

So far it's been a total blast being a rider and with warmer weather coming, it'll only get better.