The TEMPORARY Home at 62 Lafayette Rd in North Hampton, NH Tel. (603) 929-7467

ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING.
45th PRESIDENT INDICTED.
FIRST IN US HISTORY!



WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE AR-15 STYLE RIFLE THAT THESE COWARDLY SCHOOL SHOOTERS SEEM SO ATTRACTED TO?

This latest shooting in Nashville Tennessee got me thinking about the two common threads in most of these school shootings. 1. The shooters of innocent children are all cowards. And the other common thread? The weapon of choice. The AR 15 style rifle.

Once again, a mass shooter chose the ever popular AR15 style rifle, as the weapon to commit their final heinous act. Just what is it about the AR15 that they find so appealing? Well, if you’ve never held one, or fired one, it’s hard to describe. But I’ll try here.

In 1969, I was an 18 year old Marine Grunt (infantry), when I first carried a fully loaded M-16 into the jungles of Southeast Asia. My rank was L/Cpl (E-3) and I was a squad leader in charge of 9 Marines. I didn’t have a single hair on my face. It’s true. I had a baby face. But I was not alone. I was just another young Marine patrolling the jungles and mountains in search of the elusive and evasive communist guerrillas. And most of us carried M-16’s. The weapon, that the AR 15 was designed and copied after.

There’s something about the M-16/AR-15 when you pick it up and hold it. The way it fits and conforms to your body and arms, it’s lightness, the way it swings, and locks onto a target. It is deadly accurate, and the rounds they shoot, can cause horrific wounds. I’ve seen first hand what it can do to a human being. The eyes on the faces of those who died from that weapon. That blank look of disbelief and total shock. The small entry wound compared to the massive extensive exit wounds. War is a terrible thing.  

And look, for all intents and purposes, the Marines are in the killing business.

And business was good in Vietnam. And again, in Iraq and Afghanistan. But that’s war. The man who designed the AR-15, knew exactly what he was doing. Eugene Stoner at Colt’s Patent Firearm Company designed this weapon for war. He never intended for it to be used in the civilian world.  And anyone who has ever carried one in combat, knows that it has no place on the streets. None, whatsoever. *Sporting ranges and Hunting not included.

Stoner knew that, and so did the rest of us who carried that weapon of war.



These Mass shooters today are all straight out of the comic books, TV shows, and movies that depict young warriors carrying them into combat. Call it the RAMBO mentality. The wannabe NAVY SEALS, or Special OPS members. We’ve all seen these kids armed to the teeth, with their body armor, helmets, and extra ammo bandoleers. They all look like silly extras in some action movie. That fantasy they see in their video games, and in action films. They never think about what those weapons can really do to a human body. And I have to believe that once they do? It must be somewhat of a shock to them. How could it not be?

The way some of the rounds fired from an AR 15 can turn and twist when it hits human flesh and bone. It is nothing short of shocking. We had a saying in Nam that a (5.56 caliber) round from the M-16 “will tear you a new asshole.” I remember hearing that for the first time and thinking, “My God, that sounds awful.” And it was.

There are those who want all the guns, in every single home, turned into law enforcement.

Those people are way off the grid. That kind of thinking will only create more problems. There are millions of law abiding citizens out there who own guns, for a number of reasons. Some for sport, some for hunting, some are collectors, and yes, some for protection.

However the AR 15 style weapon, (the preferred weapon of mass shooters) is something that can be solved without going “full bore” with those who dream of taking every single gun out of every home a reality. Because I will tell you all flat out, that, will never, ever, happen.

Let’s be realistic here.

That kind of thinking plays right into the narrative of those who have been warning everyone, that “they are coming for your guns.” So please,
don’t go there.

There are however, solutions:
 
1. No person under the age of 21 should be able to purchase an AR 15 Style weapon without an adult co-signing and a long and lengthy background check. They should be required to take a mental health test. Period.

2. And for the same style weapon, anyone over the age of 21 needs a long and extensive background check. And they too should be required to take a mental health test. It’s a minor inconvenience.

3. Significant fines to all future gun store owners who failed to administer the proper paperwork, and to use the mandatory check list. And still ended up selling the weapon used in any shooting. They need to be held accountable.

4. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE OF ALL. Armed guards at every single school. Preferably the front entrance. Whatever the cost. Armed guards at every school. I know this sounds drastic to some of you, but this is where we are at. There’s no turning back now. Since 1999 there have been 376 school shootings in America since the first one in Columbine.

There are already shooters out there right now planning their deadly 15 minutes of fame.

If one of these shooters were to be met with equal firepower, prior to them entering a school, they might rethink their plans. They are after all, cowards, and the thought of them being wounded, or killed prior to them killing children? That might change their minds. That would be a deterrent. That could save lives.  

And by the way, the police officer who killed this latest school shooter in Nashville? Officer Michael Collazo was a former Marine. Semper Fi brother.

Ed O'Connell was one of the most loved surf photographers in New England. A US ARMY Vietnam Veteran who saved the lives of so many ARMY Grunts in Nam in 68-69 as a Medic on board those Dust Off Hueys. He was a dear friend of mine. When he passed on July 1st, 2014 I swore I'd keep his memory and legacy alive by giving him this weekly corner. He loved surfing and he loved taking photos of all the surfers. Not just those who could really stand out. He shot every one. As long as I shall live and breathe the salt air, there will be a corner dedicated to Ed.

ED'S CORNER APRIL 2nd, 2023



The Goofyfoot and the Gull. I remember talking to Ed about this pic. Like how did he get that gull to fly in front of his lens like that? Ha ha. March 2008. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

THIS COMING TUESDAY APRIL 4th, 2023 THE 45th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WILL TURN HIMSELF INTO THE AUTHORITIES .



Because I am a graphic designer and a Blogger, I love the memes that have been coming out at a record pace. There are some really clever minds out there. Like this one. This one made me spit my coffee out of my mouth.



I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall at OJ Simpson's home when he saw this.



What was the chant? Oh yeah, "LOCK HER UP! LOCK HER UP!" Well that certainly came back to bite him in the ass.

And if they were to ban manufacturing AR 15’s today? There are still millions of them out there. The street gangs and criminals have them. The black market is well stocked with them. In other words, if you are hell bent on getting one? It wouldn’t take much effort in finding one. It would however, make it easier for law enforcement to track you down. Informants embedded on the streets, could provide Intel as to who has them.

In this last case, both parents were unaware of the shooter purchasing those weapons. The shooter had seven weapons and they were absolutely clueless. How is that possible? Well, we tend to turn our backs on mental illness. Truth is, we are living in a world of mass mental illness. The triggering signs need to be taught to a wide array of professionals. Teachers, coaches, clergy, management at work places, and most importantly, at home. In the home.

We need to pay attention.

This is not going to go away. And it’s not going to be easy. But to do nothing? That’s being complicit. And I’ve seen posts and comments on social media, where some people think that as a society, we are all OK with these shootings. There was one Tennessee GOP congressman Ted Burchett, who made a crude virtual shrug at the news of this latest shooting. Shame on him.  Remember him during the next election. But nobody that I know, wants to see another mass shooting. Nobody. We’re all sick of them.

Everyone wants it to stop.  So let’s do something this time.

Start with making it harder for some potential shooter from buying one of these AR 15 style weapons. Put in place, at every school (no matter what the cost) a Police officer/armed guard. Pass a law. Stand up and be the first to do something. Congress and the Senate need to quit the political BS, and work together on this. The shooters are not seeking out kids of either political party. They’re shooting every child they walk up on. It’s indiscriminate.
Kids of Democrats, and kids of Republicans.

They don’t care. In their twisted minds, every child dies.

So quit talking about it, and just do it.

PLEASE HELP THE TORNADO VICTIMS IN ROLLING FORK

Click on the banner above to help those who lost everything. The footage from those deadly Tornadoes are hard to look at it. The incredible force of nature from these "Twisters" is like watching something out of a horror movie.

I have said in the past that I'd like to actually see one of these storms. But only from a safe distance. For some reason, I find them fascinating. But I am truly heartbroken over the loss of life, and the complete devastation that these poor people had to endure. Please help if you can.

On a lighter note. GWYNETH PALTROW won her case in court this past week. Some guy tried to sue her saying that she crashed into him on a ski slope. But it was the other way around. He crashed into her.



The NEW HAMPSHIRE SURF DOCUMENTARY.
A documentary that has been 59 years in the making. Hear from Local Legends Surfers from all over New England talk about New Hampshire. Coming the Summer of 2023

“SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS.” 

Last week I mentioned the cool documentary MURF THE SURF. Well here's another suggestion. COCAINE BEAR. This movie was great. I can't say enough about it. Elizabeth banks should get an academy award for this movie. It was hilarious. Seriously.






This week was a no brainer with 45 and all possibly going to prison. So once again my friends, I took some creative liberties and my wild imagination brought us here. What if 45 and KSM ended up being cell mates? That would be pretty dam funny. Of course it would never happen, but if we could all just close our eyes and imagine this scenario. That's it. Lets pretend. Hee hee.



And 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 TROJANS at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY David Robinson April 2nd, 2023!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Don Rose April 2nd, 2023!
HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY Noelle Rizzo March 27th, 2023!
HAPPY Heavenly Birthday Gus Fatello March 27th, 2023!
HAPPY Heavenly Birthday Angelo Fatello March 27th, 2023!
GET WELL SOON Tracey Drane wife of Dustin Devlin.
KEEP FIGHTING Robert Gerard! You Got This Brother!
Heal quickly Gary Ritchie who's going through PT for a messed up shoulder.
Please keep LOCAL LEGEND Surfer Norm Murphy in your thoughts and prayers.
Please Keep local surfer Bill M. in your thoughts and prayers.

Finally, I'm calling this a special request.
LOCAL SURFER/MUSICIAN PETE KOWALSKI NEEDS A KIDNEY. A TYPE A KIDNEY. PLEASE if you know anyone with a Type A Kidney please contact me at ralph@adlantic.com



SURFING HEALS ALL WOUNDS!
Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 19 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

MY PETE TOWNSEND FROM THE WHO JUMP 1978
This is me at The RAT in Kenmore Square when I was fronting the VINNY BAND. That's a pretty good jump here. I'm only inches away from hitting my head on the pipes. I did eventually hit my head over the years. But I was a young Punk Rocker at the time. No brain no pain.
Photo by Jeff Crawford

*Click on the photo above to see a larger image

I kept a daily Blog on my CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY surf campaign, when I surfed every single day for 365 consecutive days. Click on the Banner above to read entries of my daily journey. There's some really interesting and true experiences
that happened during that year. Some of which are to this day, unexplainable. Some are just mind blowing. But all true.

I started on July 26th, 2010 and ended on July 26th, 2011.

Some rainy Sunday, pour yourself a cup and go through the journal. Pay close attention to the month of May in 2011. Read that month and let me know what you think of that. Be forewarned it will change you forever.

All photos taken this week unless otherwise noted.

Today- THE LAST MARCH SWELL
Sunday March 26th, 2023 Photos by RALPH



(Above) That's the one and only Mike "ZAPPY" Paugh at 10th Street.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on the ad above to see the Menu and other
important info on their Somerville restaurant and all the
other AMERICAN FLATBREAD locations.

(Above) There's a reason why I always swing my camera on flying birds.
Only a few of you know the answer to that. Rich, Max, Cory..
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The waves were really pretty good at the Wall, but there was hardly anyone out there. Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Best EAST COAST Coverage on the Internet.

Click on the ad above to find out more about
more about local surf artist Stan Chew's art

Clark Little's new book
Click on the ad for more info.

(Above) That guy was just a little out of reach. Too bad.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I checked down the road a piece and found more empty wave with no surfers. This was around 9AM. Weird. Sunday March 26th, 2023.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The SURFER'S JOURNAL is in a league all of their own.

DIPG THE CURE STARTS NOW
To learn more about Evan and his journey click here  https://thecurestartsnow.org/sup.../view-heroes/evan-austin/

(Above) I know you all see the potential here. But nobody out.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Then I went to the old hunting grounds and found life.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) That's a nice looking wave.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

If you love the Beatles and you love the guitar
click on this ad above for an amazing instrumental
band playing all of your favorite Beatles songs with
the coolest arrangements. Johnny A is one of the
best guitar players on the planet.

Peter Stokes is one of the BEST guitar techs in
all of North America. He's the BEST guitar tech
in New England.

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

(Above) I spoke too soon. The wave of the day came through and none of the dozen or so riders caught it. Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I called it waist to chest with the occasional shoulder high to head high sets. Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Produced by David Robinson of the CARS.
Visit our Facebook page

Produced by Steve Sadler.
Visit our Facebook page

The VINNY Band was around from 1976 to 1984




July 30th, 1979 headlining the Paradise Club
In Boston, MA

(Above) That's another one that got away.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Always calling for someone to paddle out there. Yet, nobody does.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) That's some cool looking clouds right there.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

The art of Donna Baldassari

Hannah Vokey is one of my favorite surf artists.

(Above) The last pic I shot that morning.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The SURF IS ALWAYS GREENER IN SALSALAND
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photos by Dina Crawford



(Above) This actually looks bigger than what we got.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Once again, I blew it by not following my instincts.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This looks so damn good. I bet this Goofy foot would agree with me.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

I love Erica's whimsical Gull art. So cool and unique.

ONLY THE DURHAM STORE IS OPEN.
Due to the massive fire back in August the
Hampton store is closed. We will let you all
know when SECRET SPOT is back in
operation on the seacoast.
Thank you.
Jon Gozzo and family.

(Above) Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This really looks like fun. Sunday March 26th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Perry Reynolds locked into a familiar left.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The swell angle was just right for this spot.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Jack Madden angling into a nice looking right.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Jack Madden pushing his board into overdrive.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Click on this image to visit Driftwood Photography

"GIVE YOUR BUSINESS A KICK IN THE ADS"
Since 1985.

Everybody has a story to tell

(Above) This is easily head high. Jack Madden
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Little lip bang on the inside section. Jack Madden
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Perry Reynolds Sunday March 26th, 2023.
Photo by Dina Crawford
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- More From Sunday March 26th, 2023.
Photos by KD Durham

(Above) Looks like there were still fun waves after I left.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is a legit nose ride. Can't tell who it is though.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I'm going to guess that this did not end well.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Jack Madden's backside lip tap.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Looks like Jack again. But I could be wrong. Nice head dip.
Sunday March 26th, 2023. Photo by KD Durham
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Send your SURF Pics to me directly to: ralph@adlantic.com.
Need photos by 10 AM on Saturdays. Seriously.
By 10AM. Make sure they are 1300 to 1555 pixels wide.
If you have more than 10 pics please use wetransfer.com it's free up to 2 gig. Please DO NOT send me over 10 pics without first contacting and communicating with me.
Thank you.

Click on Archives link to see all the past Blogs and pics.

My friend Rick McAvoy from Maine is the creator
behind this unique Surf Company

(Above) My man from my old stomping grounds Stephen Avola always sends me a few gems from the places I surfed as a kid. Sunday March 26, 2023.
Photo Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I have surfed here perhaps thousands...no more. How do you add up surf sessions that have spanned over 25-30 years? This summer will be my 60th year surfing. Sunday March 26, 2023. Photo Stephen Avola
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

He's more than just a good photographer

(Above) All Rise: The 10th Street District Court Of Surf is Now in Session. The Honorable Judge RALPH presiding. Case # 719 BLATANT DROP IN OF THE WEEK. Click the image above to see the outcome of this Surf Crime and the verdict that was rendered.
Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the outcome

This is what happens if you are found GUILTY. You become invisible.

Click on this image above to buy this book
and more cool KING'S X merchandise and music

I see a bump midweek.

I picked Thursday as the best of the week 4-6-23

APRIL 2nd, 2023

Knowing Tyler like I do, he was probably fine with one guy dropping in on him, and another guy ditching his board. I can just hear him now.
OUTSTANDING RALPH!

(ABOVE) Tyler Moore bulldogging his way out of another shit storm. Photo by RALPH



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