You have to hand it to these kids who organized this March. From the Nation's capital to every major city in the US and abroad. But will anything come of it? Who knows? But it's a start and a serious one at that. There is no real reason why anyone outside of the Military and the Police, should have an AR 15 or anything that resembles a Military assault weapon. There just no place for it.

As a Marine, we used M16's for combat. It seems to me those who buy AR 15's are trying to fantasize about M 16's or the M 4 rifles. Typically, it's the people who never served in the Military who want them. Hence the "fantasy" of having one. They can pretend to be NAVY SEALS, or Marines, and ARMY commandos. And the kids who commit these mass shootings at schools are every bit of those characters. The kids who do these horrific shootings choose these soft targets to go along with that fantasy. Soft targets mean they can kill as many as they want without fear of being killed.

That AR 15 gives them that feeling of power and plays into their fantasy world.

Of course that all changes once the SWAT teams show up. Then they either do one or two things. They kill themselves or they surrender and become famous. And that is the part that bothers me. They all seek fame when they pull these shootings off. And the media plays right into their twisted fantasy.

I'm all for banning the sales of BUMP stocks, and limiting the sale of AR 15's to any kid under the age of 21, along with other similar type weapons. And I am 100% for stopping the media from giving these kids all this INSTANT fame and publicity. Because like it or not, the NEXT Mass Shooter already has his AR 15. What he doesn't have, is guaranteed fame. And they so badly want that. If the media would stop their rush to getting the full story on these assholes, it would deter the "would be shooters" in the future.

But try telling that to the Networks. The old saying of "If it bleeds it leads" has never been truer than these last 10 years or so. From Columbine to Parkland. The shooters get more than their 15 minutes of fame. And they all thrive on that. I'm not caring about them (the shooters). I don't care about their hard times growing up. With or without a father. That's bullshit. They all know right from wrong. This last kid Cruz knew exactly what he was doing, and he also knew the instant fame he would achieve once he crossed that line.

Just like the asshole who shot and killed John Lennon on 12-8-80.



Paul McCartney was out there marching with the kids. He even brought up the killing of his "best friend." Mark David Chapman changed the course of history by shooting Lennon that night. There would never be a Beatles re-union after that terrible night. To this day, I get sick thinking about it.
* Chapman used a handgun on Lennon. A semi auto handgun. In other words, as fast as he could pull the trigger, his gun spit out death. Lennon was shot 4 times in the back. In the back, in front of Yoko. Personally, I would have been fine had they executed that loser. I would not have blinked an eye.

Instead Chapman became famous. Instant recognition. How sad.

We need to do more than change gun laws. We need to change our constant appetite for tragedy and bloodshed. And we can do that by simply stopping the making of the infamous shooters.



This photo was taken on Saturday morning in Washington DC. There's a saying that is so true, "There's strength In Numbers." Let's hope that Congress and the Senate can see this, and not only see it but to act upon it. Otherwise, this day will be all for naught. And that would be the ultimate tragedy.



This photo was taken in Boston. There were crowds like this in every major city across the country. Pretty impressive that a group of High school kids could organize such a major undertaking. But they did, it's up to the elected officials to do something about it, because, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.



And speaking of enough. Bozo the Clown died this week. Frank Avruch was 89 years old. There's been a slew of rumors about Bozo, some are true and some are not. The ones about Bozo hating children seems far fetched to me. Can't imagine he'd work with kids his whole career and hated kids. But what do I know? I never knew the man. I did watch Bozo like every other kid my age. There were a bunch a TV personalities back in those days. Major Mudd, Howdy Doody, Kaptain Kangeroo, Feep, and Bozo. RIP Bozo.



Not everyone was saddened by the news of Bozo's passing. Krusty The Clown must be happy. Krusty was the Anti Bozo. Or rather IS the anti Bozo. Krusty was more appealing adults than he was to kids. Though, the Simpson kids were clearly into him. Anyone who would introduce kids to the "Itchy and Scratchy" show was worth mentioning. Keep Rocking Krusty!



March 23rd was National Puppy Day. Not sure who comes up with these silly holidays but every dog owner knows, that all dogs are puppies. Here's my 7yr old pup Patch. *I know this is the second consecutive week with Patch in the blog but I was unaware of National Puppy Day until the actual day.



And would ya look at this. Holy Mackerel! Is there no end in sight? Well, I for one hope there isn't. This might be one of the BEST ever months of March.

"Lives of Children, Puppy Eyes, Bozo, and Surfing Heals All Wounds"

This is Perry Reynolds. Perry is currently in China. Not sure why he's there. I do know there's no surf there, so it must be something else, albeit pretty damn important. This pic was typical of Ed's use of green. he always managed to squeeze out the brightest of greens. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some Local, National and International News
I'm still chuckling over the thought of Joe Biden and Donald Trump actually fighting each other. Not sure who would win this bout, but I'd pay to see it.



Let's face it, these two old men fighting each other would be entertaining as all hell. Joe said he'd kick Donnie's ass if they were neighborhood kids growing up. Of course Trump was all over this. His tweets were typical Trump tweets. Crazy.



Oh I had to grab this once I saw it on social media. It's amazing how fast these memes get out there. The news is barely broadcast when someone (like me) is already putting these funny graphics together. This particular one is amusing to say the least.

Not so much these next few photos. Oh boy...



Is it me, or do you also see a certain pattern in the types of women DT seems to like? Most of them appear to have two big things going for them. No...not that. Come on. I'm speaking about their love for fame and money. I do have to say, that I am starting to feel bad for Melania. The absolute bullshit she has to put up with is beyond what any other First Lady has had to endure.



Poor Melania has more in common with Hillary than she does with any of the other First Ladies. And ironically, Bill Clinton's affairs seem to pale in comparison to 45's. I mean, a Porn Star and a Playboy Playmate? Oy ve. Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall at the White House tonight? I hear that Melania is down in Florida. Good thing for The Donald. His life could be in danger once Stormy starts to spill the beans.



We all know what we'll be doing tonight at 7PM.



You know it wouldn't surprise me in the least to hear that his core of followers think this might be cool. I mean this guy has made some rounds out there. And he has no shame about it. Not sure how he's going to spin this one. I would expect the tweets to be frantic and over the top.



KSM Photoshop of the Week
Check out this lame attempt at kissing his wife. What are you a pair of guppies? I mean I've heard of puckering up, but this? This is downright creepy. And wouldn't you know it, look who's there during this lame ass kiss. Dam you Khaliddy. How the hell do you pull this shit off week after week (he asks himself). Truthfully, the news is a never ending series of absurdity.

So my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths
of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of "lip balm" at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY EASTER April 1st, 2018!
HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY April Fools Day, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Noelle Fatello March 27th, 2018!
GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton Sending positive thoughts
and prayers to you!!
REST IN PEACE Patrick Mulvey.

FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take
over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols by calling his cell (603) 944-2418

THE NEW GRANITE GIRLS poster! Shooting for a May Day premiere and a Summer DVD release.




Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) Like Houdini he manages to escape a certain wipeout. T-Bone Kirby.
Thursday, March 22nd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) And make this perfect bottom turn. Terence Kirby.
Thursday, March 22nd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery






(Above) I have no doubt in my mind, that if Max was out there he'd find
barrels like this. Thursday, March 22nd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Johnny Meehan on a critical late take-off. At this point it looked like a 50/50 chance of him pulling this off. Thursday, March 22nd, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Ahhhh but make it he did. With flying colors. Johnny Meehan taming the beast. Thursday, March 22nd, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I've managed to be at the right spot so far this year where Mr Cropper is surfing. I hope the trend continues. Thursday, March 22nd, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kainalu Nichols pulling into barrel number 5000.
Feb-March - 2018. Photo by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is a killer bottom turn anywhere on the planet. Kainalu Nichols
Feb-March - 2018. Photo by Lenny Nichols
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Wonderful World Beneath us. Beautiful Water photos from Maui. Photos by Selena Wheels



(Above) Selena Wheels has discovered the amazing water world of Maui with these beautiful bright images. Photo by Selena Wheels
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Hello my little friend. Do you have a name? How is it that you have chosen these colors this day? Photo by Selena Wheels
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This is a FROG Fish. I love how he blends into the world he lives in. It's a wild water world off the coast of Maui. Photo by Selena Wheels
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery








(Above) This is a cool perspective. NYC? Chicago? March 2018.
Photo by Stephen Avola *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery