Thursday, June 30, 2005
Another reason to watch poker on ESPN
The incredibly sexy actress Jennifer Tilly won the World Series of Poker Ladies no-limit Texas Hold 'Em event. I normally wouldn't comment on World Series of Poker events as I try to a) avoid blogging about poker and b) avoid hearing anything about the WSOP until ESPN puts it on the air. However, it gave me an excuse to google images of Jennifer Tilly for "research."
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
A little dark humor
From Tom McMahon, who is a daily must-read. And I say that sincerely, not just 'cause I wanna suck up and be put on his blog roll.
I feel a lot better
Justice Stevens reassures us about the Kelo decision:
"For those who complain about income taxes, the same reasoning can be applied. The government established the income tax, it is well within their jurisdiction to take ownership of all businesses so as to eliminate the need for income taxes."What a comforting thought. I bet if Stevens ever comforts a child during a thunderstorm, he says things like, "The lightning is just a form of electricity. It can fry you just like that. However, electricity can also kill you via a faulty plug in a wall socket, so I wouldn't worry about it."
Feeling like Oprah
To steal a line from Rodney Dangerfield, "I hear this place is restricted, Oprah, so don't tell 'em you're Jewish, okay?"
After years of Oprah empathizing with everyone's troubles, we get to empathize with hers.
By now most people have heard about how Oprah was turned away from Hermes, an upscale store with locations world-wide. The particular Hermes in question was in Paris where she went to buy a watch for Tina Turner. Apparently they were closed and Oprah was asked to come back the next day. Oprah and her hangers-on insist that had Oprah been white rather than "North African", the store would've served her. Hermes has apologized for not being able to accommodate the talk show talker, and denies any racial motive or statements.
Of course, we're now going to get the larger sociological picture of race relations in America because Oprah was snubbed by the French. From the Associated Press:"
Pulling a DYKWIA has always worked before, so it must've been racism that caused the security person to ask Oprah to come back the next day. Considering how embarrassed Oprah was by the incident, the security guard might well have told her to use the service entrance next time. After all, no white American has ever been rudely treated in Paris, right?
There's only one thing to do. I think we should bomb Paris. Let's do it on the scale of the bombing of Libya in 1986. As Sam Kinison would've observed, this time our pilots won't have to fly so far. After all, racism is the most heinous crime in the world today. And if it's not servicing a customer after closing, tomorrow those rude Parisians might just close the restaurant early because the wait staff only works 35 hours/week. Won't Oprah be embarrassed then. And since Oprah is the most beloved figure in America, and since any insult to her is an insult to African Americans everywhere, let the bombing commence!
After years of Oprah empathizing with everyone's troubles, we get to empathize with hers.
By now most people have heard about how Oprah was turned away from Hermes, an upscale store with locations world-wide. The particular Hermes in question was in Paris where she went to buy a watch for Tina Turner. Apparently they were closed and Oprah was asked to come back the next day. Oprah and her hangers-on insist that had Oprah been white rather than "North African", the store would've served her. Hermes has apologized for not being able to accommodate the talk show talker, and denies any racial motive or statements.
Of course, we're now going to get the larger sociological picture of race relations in America because Oprah was snubbed by the French. From the Associated Press:"
"The presumption in America is that if you have the wealth, you'll get equality - but where's Oprah's equality?" asked Bruce D. Haynes, a sociologist at the University of California, Davis. "It picks up on every inkling of discrimination that a black person might experience in daily life."Yes, most black people on a daily basis will have the chance to have dinner with Tina Turner in Paris. Of course, they'll remember to stop at an extremely expensive store and buy their dinner companion a gift, and they'll be shocked, shocked to discover that people in Paris might not treat them generously. And of course, rude French people are just like Americans and will treat any white American with more favoritism than they will a billionaire black person.
Pulling a DYKWIA has always worked before, so it must've been racism that caused the security person to ask Oprah to come back the next day. Considering how embarrassed Oprah was by the incident, the security guard might well have told her to use the service entrance next time. After all, no white American has ever been rudely treated in Paris, right?
There's only one thing to do. I think we should bomb Paris. Let's do it on the scale of the bombing of Libya in 1986. As Sam Kinison would've observed, this time our pilots won't have to fly so far. After all, racism is the most heinous crime in the world today. And if it's not servicing a customer after closing, tomorrow those rude Parisians might just close the restaurant early because the wait staff only works 35 hours/week. Won't Oprah be embarrassed then. And since Oprah is the most beloved figure in America, and since any insult to her is an insult to African Americans everywhere, let the bombing commence!
There's a reason they called this team the Brewers
Almost missed this. On July 1st, The Milwaukee Brewers will be handing out t-shirts with the old MB glove logo from the golden era of Brewers baseball as well as t-shirts with the current M-barley logo. Fans will get to choose their preference. From OnMilwaukee.com:
Bring him back, and bring back the giant beer stein for Bernie Brewer to slide into. Put real beer in the stein this time. Watching this team play, Bernie could use a drink.
But while this is one of the first public acknowledgements of many fans' desire to return to the logo the Brewers sported during their glory years, the team's front office isn't oblivious to a gradual rise in interest.Reactionary that I am, I want the Barrelman back.
"I've noticed both in e-mails and in polls that there's a lot of appeal to the old logo," admits [Brewers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rick] Schlesinger. "It's a topic of fan discussion. It's clear that it's not just a small minority, and it's not just a temporary nostalgia."
Bring him back, and bring back the giant beer stein for Bernie Brewer to slide into. Put real beer in the stein this time. Watching this team play, Bernie could use a drink.
Marquette votes to continue controversy
Marquette University has announced the results of the second round of voting for the team nickname, and Golden Eagles beat Hilltoppers 54% to 46%. The total number of voters dropped by 8,404 votes from the first round to the second.
The Marquette basketball team still won't play UW-Milwaukee.
Marquette revealed today, that despite the threat not to count the ballots, over 10% of the votes cast in the first round were for the Marquette Warriors. Given the defiance of the alumni and the apathy towards the second round of voting, this controversy is still not over. By re-selecting the name that was never popular to begin with all Father Wild and the Board of Trustees have ensured is that students and alumni will continue to show up to games wearing bootleg Marquette Warrior t-shirts and sweatshirts - if they bother to show up at all.
No word when Board of Trustees Chairman John Bergstrom is going to stop selling Jeep Cherokees, Buicks, Pontiacs, and other automobiles exploiting the Native American experience just to make the white man more money. No word either when he'll demand the Green Bay Packers (on whose executive committee he sits) start boycotting games against the Washington Redskins.
The design of the logo is next:
The Marquette basketball team still won't play UW-Milwaukee.
Marquette revealed today, that despite the threat not to count the ballots, over 10% of the votes cast in the first round were for the Marquette Warriors. Given the defiance of the alumni and the apathy towards the second round of voting, this controversy is still not over. By re-selecting the name that was never popular to begin with all Father Wild and the Board of Trustees have ensured is that students and alumni will continue to show up to games wearing bootleg Marquette Warrior t-shirts and sweatshirts - if they bother to show up at all.
No word when Board of Trustees Chairman John Bergstrom is going to stop selling Jeep Cherokees, Buicks, Pontiacs, and other automobiles exploiting the Native American experience just to make the white man more money. No word either when he'll demand the Green Bay Packers (on whose executive committee he sits) start boycotting games against the Washington Redskins.
The design of the logo is next:
A series of focus groups throughout July will involve students, alumni, faculty, staff and season ticket holders in updating the visual identity for the Golden Eagles logo and mascot. At the same time those involved in this effort will also be reviewing comments and suggestions submitted online during the voting process. In this whole process the university will be assisted by Rickabaugh Graphics, the same firm that designed the new “MU” monogram unveiled in May.Might I suggest a big Indian in full headdress carrying around a stuffed bird?
The Republican race for governor
Over at the Badger Blog Alliance, there's some speculation State Senator Mike Ellis might take a crack at running for governor. And Marc Eisen, the editor of the Isthmus, recently wrote that State Senator Ellis should consider running.
None of this talk should surprise anyone. Back in 2000, Mike Ellis stepped down as State Senate Minority Leader to "test the political waters for a gubernatorial bid." It was that resignation that gave us eventual Majority Leader Mary Panzer, and we all saw how well that worked out.
But before someone floats Ellis' name for governor again, the question should be asked, what, are you kidding? After all, what possible leadership or policy credentials could Mike Ellis bring to the race for the Republican nomination?
This is the same Mike Ellis who gladly sacrificed having a majority in the state senate in a quixotic crusade to stop the building of Miller Park. This is the same Mike Ellis who is opposed to TABOR. This is the same Mike Ellis who supports campaign finance reform. None of which is going to score him any points with the Republican Party rank-and-file who will be voting on their nominee fifteen months from now.
Marc Eisen claims, "Many disaffected Democrats and Republicans view 2006 with dread." Supposedly these "disaffected" types would form the core support for an Ellis candidacy.
But contrary to Marc's thesis, many more Republicans can't wait for 2006 to get here. The GOP has two credible candidates, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Congressman Mark Green, both of whom would well represent the party's values as well as present a real challenge to the incumbent, Democrat Governor Jim Doyle. We should know a bit more about the relative strengths of the two candidates as the latest campaign finance report cycle comes to an end.
As for a possibility of an even split between Walker and Green allowing Ellis to slip through, I would encourage Ellis' boosters to take a real hard look at who will be voting in the Republican Primary. An even split still puts Ellis a distant third, possibly fourth if Chuckles the Clown enters the race.
So aside from the virtues (faults) a Marc Eisen can ascribe to Ellis, "He is a Republican that Democrats could like -– a spellbinding speaker and big-picture thinker with a dollop of humor, not to mention a glint of crazy-ass unpredictability", there is no case that can be made for Mike Ellis - Governor.
Thank Goodness.
None of this talk should surprise anyone. Back in 2000, Mike Ellis stepped down as State Senate Minority Leader to "test the political waters for a gubernatorial bid." It was that resignation that gave us eventual Majority Leader Mary Panzer, and we all saw how well that worked out.
But before someone floats Ellis' name for governor again, the question should be asked, what, are you kidding? After all, what possible leadership or policy credentials could Mike Ellis bring to the race for the Republican nomination?
This is the same Mike Ellis who gladly sacrificed having a majority in the state senate in a quixotic crusade to stop the building of Miller Park. This is the same Mike Ellis who is opposed to TABOR. This is the same Mike Ellis who supports campaign finance reform. None of which is going to score him any points with the Republican Party rank-and-file who will be voting on their nominee fifteen months from now.
Marc Eisen claims, "Many disaffected Democrats and Republicans view 2006 with dread." Supposedly these "disaffected" types would form the core support for an Ellis candidacy.
But contrary to Marc's thesis, many more Republicans can't wait for 2006 to get here. The GOP has two credible candidates, Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker and Congressman Mark Green, both of whom would well represent the party's values as well as present a real challenge to the incumbent, Democrat Governor Jim Doyle. We should know a bit more about the relative strengths of the two candidates as the latest campaign finance report cycle comes to an end.
As for a possibility of an even split between Walker and Green allowing Ellis to slip through, I would encourage Ellis' boosters to take a real hard look at who will be voting in the Republican Primary. An even split still puts Ellis a distant third, possibly fourth if Chuckles the Clown enters the race.
So aside from the virtues (faults) a Marc Eisen can ascribe to Ellis, "He is a Republican that Democrats could like -– a spellbinding speaker and big-picture thinker with a dollop of humor, not to mention a glint of crazy-ass unpredictability", there is no case that can be made for Mike Ellis - Governor.
Thank Goodness.
The bold and the vacuous
Two Democrat Senators with presidential aspirations suggest there are not enough troops on the ground in Iraq. Senator Joe Biden of Delaware and Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts both say to fight an effective counter-insurgency we need more troops.
Aside from the tactical and strategic questions that would arise from sending more troops to Iraq, just how many more troops would a President Biden or a President Kerry be able to send? After all, their party activists won't be happy for anything less than a complete withdrawal. Do the Democrats really propose sending more troops?
Or is this nothing more than empty grandstanding? Would be nice if someone actually asked them the question.
Aside from the tactical and strategic questions that would arise from sending more troops to Iraq, just how many more troops would a President Biden or a President Kerry be able to send? After all, their party activists won't be happy for anything less than a complete withdrawal. Do the Democrats really propose sending more troops?
Or is this nothing more than empty grandstanding? Would be nice if someone actually asked them the question.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
The national pastime
The national pastime is no longer baseball. Just ask George Soros (via Captain's Quarters).
While I'm agnostic on whether Major League Baseball should continue to hold its anti-trust exemption, or even the exemption's value to the sport, I'm certainly not in favor of any Congressional Committee using it as a club to force MLB to sell a franchise to someone the Committee deems acceptable.
Lashing out at Soros as part of some partisan vendetta is not in the Congressional job description. Attacking property rights for partisan political reasons is an activity beyond the pale of what's acceptable. I don't care if the other side did it or does it or whatever. I don't care if the US Supreme Court suddenly finds new grounds for destroying property rights. Congress should not try create a role for itself in deciding who the new owners should be for the Washington Nationals.
Perhaps Congressman Davis should spend some time talking with Senator John Cornyn who seems to have a much better understanding of property rights (via The Volokh Conspiracy).
Update!4:23pm Radley Balko at The Agitator makes a great point:
Update!7:33am Spelling corrected on Pastime. Still looks funny to me.
Major League Baseball hasn't narrowed the list of the eight bidders seeking to buy the Washington Nationals and some Republicans on Capitol Hill already are hinting at revoking the league's antitrust exemption if billionaire financier George Soros , an ardent critic of President Bush and supporter of liberal causes, buys the team.
...Rep. Tom M. Davis III (R-Va.), who was a strong supporter of bringing a baseball team to Virginia, told Roll Call yesterday that "Major League Baseball understands the stakes" if Soros buys the team. "I don't think they want to get involved in a political fight."Davis is the chariman for the Committee on Government Reform, which recently held the hearings on steroids in professional sports.
While I'm agnostic on whether Major League Baseball should continue to hold its anti-trust exemption, or even the exemption's value to the sport, I'm certainly not in favor of any Congressional Committee using it as a club to force MLB to sell a franchise to someone the Committee deems acceptable.
Lashing out at Soros as part of some partisan vendetta is not in the Congressional job description. Attacking property rights for partisan political reasons is an activity beyond the pale of what's acceptable. I don't care if the other side did it or does it or whatever. I don't care if the US Supreme Court suddenly finds new grounds for destroying property rights. Congress should not try create a role for itself in deciding who the new owners should be for the Washington Nationals.
Perhaps Congressman Davis should spend some time talking with Senator John Cornyn who seems to have a much better understanding of property rights (via The Volokh Conspiracy).
Update!4:23pm Radley Balko at The Agitator makes a great point:
The funny thing is, this apparently is legal. But if a few friends and I want to chip in to buy a television commercial to criticize Davis for such a bald abuse of his power in the last days of his next reelection campaign, the law says we aren't allowed.
Update!7:33am Spelling corrected on Pastime. Still looks funny to me.
Did they have a pinata?
I'm catching up on my reading, and I came across an announcement in the Shepherd Express for an anti-Mark Belling rally on June 22nd by the Coordinating Committee Against Hate Speech. The rally apparently included a tailgate picnic, mariachi music, and soccer (football and baseball are too American imperialist). Was this a political rally or a child's birthday party? I'm guessing despite all the good times, a few hateful words were cast in Mark Belling's direction.
Anyways, reported without irony, Doug Hissom writes about a proposed hate speech ordinance:
Also no comment from the alderman's father, the charity-subsidized radio hate-speaker without parallel, Michael McGee, Sr. Given the racial language used during his broadcasts, at the very least he might be concerned about getting hit with a fine. Or, if not a fine, when's the picnic?
Anyways, reported without irony, Doug Hissom writes about a proposed hate speech ordinance:
The measure, proposed by Ald. Michael McGee, would add a $5,000 fine to any violation against people or property when a person was found to have acted on the basis of race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. In the City of Milwaukee, that would include ordinance violations such as disorderly conduct, vandalism, petty theft and obscene phone calls, among others.No word yet on the view of State Senator Tim Carpenter, who has previously cast a dim view of some of the alderman's anti-homosexual hate speech.
Also no comment from the alderman's father, the charity-subsidized radio hate-speaker without parallel, Michael McGee, Sr. Given the racial language used during his broadcasts, at the very least he might be concerned about getting hit with a fine. Or, if not a fine, when's the picnic?
Monday, June 27, 2005
Some times you feel like a nut
Slate Magazine's Explainer tackles Tom Cruise's hostility to psychiatry:
The extent of the feud might stem from the immediate backlash that [Scientology founder L. Ron] Hubbard received from mainstream mental health organizations. Dianetics was published in May 1950; by September, the American Psychological Association had advised therapists to avoid it. Not long after, the board of medical examiners in Hubbard's home state of New Jersey pursued legal action against him for practicing phony medicine.Turns out L. Ron Hubbard wasn't always hostile to psychiatry. He may have sought help in 1947.
Well, so much for that poll
This will drive a few MSM types crazy: President Ronald Reagan was selected as the Discovery Channel's Greatest American. I admit I voted for him, knowing it would just drive editorial boards and college faculties across the country completely nuts if he won. I notice that under "Major Accomplishment" they mention Reagonomics without saying what it was and forget to mention the Cold War.
They'll never forgive him for winning the Cold War, will they?
They'll never forgive him for winning the Cold War, will they?
Sunday, June 26, 2005
How we corrupt our children
Before I put my four-year-old son to bed tonight, he was singing to himself while playing on the computer. What can I say? His mom is very musical, and even sang with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, so it's only natural that my children will enjoy singing, too. And then I recognized the song:
You've gotta beCould be worse. Could've been "Good Girls Don't." Sadly, there's no way I can pin this on his mom.
Cruel to be kind in the right measure,
Cruel to be kind it's a very good sign,
Cruel to be kind means that I love you,
Baby, you've gotta be cruel to be kind.
Fourth of July fireworks outta this world
This sounds like the kind of NASA project the fireworks planners in my family would have dreamed up. From the Associated Press:
NASA hopes to shoot off its own celestial sparks in an audacious mission that will blast a stadium-sized hole in a comet half the size of Manhattan. It would give astronomers their first peek at the inside of one of these heavenly bodies.
If all goes as planned, the Deep Impact spacecraft will release a wine barrel-sized probe on a suicide journey, hurtling toward the comet Tempel 1 — about 80 million miles away from Earth at the time of impact.
...The collision is expected to occur around 1:52 a.m. EDT when the comet, traveling through space at 6 miles per second, runs over the impactor, which will be shooting some of the most close-up pictures of Tempel 1 up until its death.The Fourth of July impact is described as being like detonating nearly five tons of TNT and could temporarily brighten the comet as much as 40 times more than normal.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Maybe they're looking for pictures of L. Ron's yacht
MSNBC says Lycos claims Scientology has surpassed Astrology as a search engine target. Coincidentally, Scientology and Astrology are about as equally far apart from actual science, and both should only be viewed for entertainment purposes. The differences are Scientology is a more expensive habit to get into, Scientology actually managed to convince the IRS they were not just a scheme to keep L. Ron Hubbard's yacht fueled, and the Feds were not afraid to tackle Miss Cleo.
Completely unrelated: I notice no line from Battlefield Earth made the AFI Top 100 Movie Quotes. I had such high hopes for, "I am going to make you as happy as a baby Psychlo on a straight diet of kerbango."
Completely unrelated: I notice no line from Battlefield Earth made the AFI Top 100 Movie Quotes. I had such high hopes for, "I am going to make you as happy as a baby Psychlo on a straight diet of kerbango."
channeling Dr. Dean
RightWingDuck over at IMAO accidentally drank Peyote Light (now with Splenda!)and is channeling DNC Chairman Howard Dean. He is taking your questions in the comments and will answer the best ones.
I've already asked him who can scream louder, Dr. Dean or Roger Daltry.
Update! Dr. Dean answers.
I've already asked him who can scream louder, Dr. Dean or Roger Daltry.
Update! Dr. Dean answers.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The wheels on the bus cost money
The Waukesha Freeman on Wednesday told the sad tale of a little girl who waited for her bus all day only to discover that during Summer School the bus isn't running in Oconomowoc. Apparently it didn't occur to her mommy that during the summer the school bus schedule might change. Indeed, because the cost of running the shuttle bus from Summit Elementary School to Oconomowoc High School was rather prohibitive, the 11 year old daughter of Sue Monday will just have to hitchhike to her summer gymnastics class.
Sue Monday's reaction? "I cannot be here at 10 in the morning, so what am I supposed to do?" Her husband, Steve Monday, was even more disturbed by the news. "I think it was just handled very poorly to make a cut like that and not inform anybody."
According to the Freeman, since the dropping of the bus route only affected one class, the summer gymnastics class, the school board suggested that maybe they could make a scheduling change, or maybe the parents could set up a car pool. The Mondays asked if a teacher could drive the students, but that was rejected.
What is wrong with this story?
1. Mrs. Monday didn't check ahead of time to see if the bus was running. This was the fault of a) the school district, b) the taxpayer, c) definitely not the parents, d) all of the above. Hopefully the kid will remember to bring a pocket full of bread crumbs the next time mommy is in charge of the kid's academic schedule. The summer school gymnastics brochure didn't mention anything about transportation, so of course the Mondays would assume a taxpayer funded bus service would be available. And when they stay at a hotel that doesn't mention a swimming pool in their brochure, there better be a swimming pool, dammit.
2. When confronted by the impossibility of meeting the required schedule for her child to attend a summer gymnastics class, did Sue Monday a) look in the Yellow Pages for a different gym class for the kid, or b) demand the school system provide her with taxpayer subsidized transportation. Given most teachers' salaries, the Mondays' suggestion of having a teacher drive the kids would have been the most expensive cab ride outside of Manhattan Island.
3. The Oconomowoc School District is looking to borrow $900,000 for "maintenance" costs. During this time of supposedly tight school budgets, summer school is a) for necessary remedial academics only, or b) for a gymnastics class that competes with the private sector and the YMCA. Unless the kid flunked gym class, maybe the taxpayers of Oconomowoc should be wondering why they're paying for the little Monday kid to be practicing the pommel horse.
Sue Monday's reaction? "I cannot be here at 10 in the morning, so what am I supposed to do?" Her husband, Steve Monday, was even more disturbed by the news. "I think it was just handled very poorly to make a cut like that and not inform anybody."
According to the Freeman, since the dropping of the bus route only affected one class, the summer gymnastics class, the school board suggested that maybe they could make a scheduling change, or maybe the parents could set up a car pool. The Mondays asked if a teacher could drive the students, but that was rejected.
What is wrong with this story?
1. Mrs. Monday didn't check ahead of time to see if the bus was running. This was the fault of a) the school district, b) the taxpayer, c) definitely not the parents, d) all of the above. Hopefully the kid will remember to bring a pocket full of bread crumbs the next time mommy is in charge of the kid's academic schedule. The summer school gymnastics brochure didn't mention anything about transportation, so of course the Mondays would assume a taxpayer funded bus service would be available. And when they stay at a hotel that doesn't mention a swimming pool in their brochure, there better be a swimming pool, dammit.
2. When confronted by the impossibility of meeting the required schedule for her child to attend a summer gymnastics class, did Sue Monday a) look in the Yellow Pages for a different gym class for the kid, or b) demand the school system provide her with taxpayer subsidized transportation. Given most teachers' salaries, the Mondays' suggestion of having a teacher drive the kids would have been the most expensive cab ride outside of Manhattan Island.
3. The Oconomowoc School District is looking to borrow $900,000 for "maintenance" costs. During this time of supposedly tight school budgets, summer school is a) for necessary remedial academics only, or b) for a gymnastics class that competes with the private sector and the YMCA. Unless the kid flunked gym class, maybe the taxpayers of Oconomowoc should be wondering why they're paying for the little Monday kid to be practicing the pommel horse.
Oprah mad, Oprah smash puny watch store!
Who'da thunk Oprah Winfrey is a North African? CNN reports:
Most likely she tried to pull a classic DYKWIA and got told that's great, and we'll treat you nicely tomorrow when we re-open. So now she's pulled out the Danny Glover and Hermes found out they were going to be subjected to a reverse Oprah Book Club effect, which is at least better than getting the Al Sharpton Freddie's Fashion Mart treatment, but hardly good for business.
The funny part about all of this? This happened in Paris, France. Gee, I've never heard of anyone getting rude treatment in Paris, France. Why, they just love Americans over there, don't they?
Maybe she should've spoken German. I bet they would've popped those gates open faster than you can say "Maginot Line."
Despite Hermes' apology, Oprah has her issue to sympathize with her fellow African Americans and we'll get to hear all about it.
"No really, I can really sympathize with you not getting that job because you're Black. Why, just a few months ago I was planning on having dinner with my friend Tina Turner and I wanted to buy her a $10,000 watch as a gift and the store security guard took one look at my black skin and closed the store. Hmm-mmm."
That's Oprah, just one of the downtrodden victims of racism.
Luxury store Hermes on Wednesday apologized to Oprah Winfrey for turning her away last week, saying that its Paris store was closed to set up for a public relations event when the talk show host stopped by. (via Boots and Sabers)Oprah is not buying their explanation. Apparently Oprah thinks the store discriminated against her because of her racial background, with her spokesman calling it a "crash moment." CNN helpfully adds:
The phrase "crash moment" refers to situations where a party feels discriminated against on the basis of skin color.Okey dokey. Meanwhile,
The New York Post, in its Monday Page Six gossip column, reported she was turned away because the store had been "having a problem with North Africans lately."So Oprah is a North African? Is she sure they didn't say North American? Or Chicago North Sider? Because I gotta tell you, Oprah doesn't exactly have Bedouin written all over her.
In comments to CNN, an Hermes spokeswoman categorically denied that allegation.
"There was never any discussion of North Africans," she said. "The story is not true."
Most likely she tried to pull a classic DYKWIA and got told that's great, and we'll treat you nicely tomorrow when we re-open. So now she's pulled out the Danny Glover and Hermes found out they were going to be subjected to a reverse Oprah Book Club effect, which is at least better than getting the Al Sharpton Freddie's Fashion Mart treatment, but hardly good for business.
The funny part about all of this? This happened in Paris, France. Gee, I've never heard of anyone getting rude treatment in Paris, France. Why, they just love Americans over there, don't they?
Maybe she should've spoken German. I bet they would've popped those gates open faster than you can say "Maginot Line."
Despite Hermes' apology, Oprah has her issue to sympathize with her fellow African Americans and we'll get to hear all about it.
"No really, I can really sympathize with you not getting that job because you're Black. Why, just a few months ago I was planning on having dinner with my friend Tina Turner and I wanted to buy her a $10,000 watch as a gift and the store security guard took one look at my black skin and closed the store. Hmm-mmm."
That's Oprah, just one of the downtrodden victims of racism.
First the Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man, now this
(via Best of the Web Today) As if Manhattan didn't have enough problems, now they've been attacked by a giant oozing Snapple popsicle.
The 25-foot-tall, 17 1/2-ton treat of frozen Snapple juice melted faster than expected Tuesday, flooding Union Square in downtown Manhattan with kiwi-strawberry-flavored fluid that sent pedestrians scurrying for higher ground.***
"What was unsettling was that the fluid just kept coming," Stuart Claxton of the Guinness Book of World Records told the Daily News. "It was quite a lot of fluid. On a hot day like this, you have to move fast."I can't wait for the movie version starring Tommy Lee Jones. Or even Bill Murray.
'Dem angry teachers in Racine
To steal a line from Bill Murray, don't type when you're angry.
The educationbal requirements for a teacher are extremely high when you look at the requirements for other professions, and then you compare to salaries of other professions? It's a joke.I gotta tell you that's the kind of teacher I want teaching my kids. He's definitely underpaid. I wonder if he helped any of his college buddies with their grammar?
You guys are the one throwing the piety party. Let the record show summer vacation is 10 weeks out of 52. My college buddies I helped through calculus their doing way better than me and they have a 401k with a company match, and most importantly they work a stright 40. I average 60. (From Real Debate Wisconsin)
Somehow we missed this agenda item
But there it was, sandwiched between permits for trailers attached to cars legally parked on city streets overnight and lighting requirements for commercial and industrial development.
As heard on Charlie Sykes' program, the City of Waukesha Common Council voted to ban the use of outdoor fire pits between midnight and 6:00 am. There is no logic behind such a move, except to appease one lady with an outdoor cigarette habit and an inability to get along with her neighbor.
So, for those of us who, after we put the kids to bed, wander out to the privacy of our backyard and start a cozy little fire to set a nice calm mood after a long day and perhaps enjoy an adult beverage or two, at 11:59PM dammit we better have the fire hose ready lest we receive a visit from the Alchohol, Tobacco and Firepit division of the Waukesha police department.
Do we really want to put a curfew on a harmless past time that actually encourages friends and neighbors to gather after the sun goes down and to talk about life in Waukesha? A few adult beverages and a discussion of property taxes, city services and our representation in government? Or is that what the aldermen are really afraid of?
After all, if they know better than us children when we can play with matches, what else do they know better than us?
As heard on Charlie Sykes' program, the City of Waukesha Common Council voted to ban the use of outdoor fire pits between midnight and 6:00 am. There is no logic behind such a move, except to appease one lady with an outdoor cigarette habit and an inability to get along with her neighbor.
So, for those of us who, after we put the kids to bed, wander out to the privacy of our backyard and start a cozy little fire to set a nice calm mood after a long day and perhaps enjoy an adult beverage or two, at 11:59PM dammit we better have the fire hose ready lest we receive a visit from the Alchohol, Tobacco and Firepit division of the Waukesha police department.
Do we really want to put a curfew on a harmless past time that actually encourages friends and neighbors to gather after the sun goes down and to talk about life in Waukesha? A few adult beverages and a discussion of property taxes, city services and our representation in government? Or is that what the aldermen are really afraid of?
After all, if they know better than us children when we can play with matches, what else do they know better than us?
Doh! I forgot to include the most quotable movie of all time
Kathryn Lopez of National Review is reminded of the Manchurian Candidate by a correspondent:
I have to include one movie quote that I can't believe was left off AFI's list. It's from the original "The Manchurian Canidate," a movie which we, as conservatives, should love. At least I do. The line is "Raymond, why don't you pass the time by playing a game of solitaire?" Now, the problem is that about five different people say this in the movie, but when one person says it it's my favorite film plot twist/reveal/surprise of all time. So if you say the name of the character or actor w/ the line, you're kind of giving away the surprise.That isn't the line. The line most often quoted is, "Raymond Shaw is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I've ever known in my life." Coincidentally, we heard something similar last year describing a certain political candidate...
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
An election missing a candidate
Marquette's John McAdams has the latest on the voter response in the Marquette team nickname poll.
As of about noon last Friday, 20,097 votes had been cast for a new Marquette nickname.He encourages people not to participate, as a lack of response will send a clearer message than voting for either Hilltoppers or Golden Eagles. Since the clear favorite of the Marquette community is Warriors, and since the voting process doesn't allow anyone to cast a vote for Warriors, I think McAdams has the right idea. The Marquette hierarchy might as well learn early there is no enthusiasm for either name on the ballot.
In the first round of voting, 31,501 people cast votes.
The voting will continue until 9:00 p.m. this Friday night.
100 Movie Quotes from AFI
The American Film Institute has released it's Top 100 Movie Lines of all time. Six quotes from Casablanca, which is how it should be. And it would be hard to dispute the top six choices:
Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. GONE WITH THE WINDHowever, there are no quotes from Young Frankenstein. There are no quotes from Blazing Saddles. And there are no quotes by John Cusack. Who can forget this classic line from Say Anything?
I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse. THE GODFATHER
You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I could've been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am. ON THE WATERFRONT
Toto, I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. THE WIZARD OF OZ
Here's looking at you, kid. CASABLANCA
Go ahead, make my day. SUDDEN IMPACT
I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.To top it all off, there's only one quote from Caddyshack. Missing from the list:
So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking. So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one - big hitter, the Lama - long, into a ten-thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-galunga. So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, "Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know." And he says, "Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness." So I got that goin' for me, which is nice....and of course: "IT'S IN THE HOLE!" Well, at least that one made it.
Eleanor Mondale ill
Eleanor Mondale has been diagnosed with brain cancer. (via Jiblog)
From the Washington Post:
We wish her well.
Mondale, 45, said her vision had bothered her in recent months but didn't believe there was anything seriously wrong until a camping trip May 16, when she suffered two seizures.The daughter of former Vice president Mondale, she also had a memorable role in the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. On December 6, 1997, Monica Lewinsky was kept waiting while then President Clinton had a private meeting with Eleanor Mondale, prompting Lewinsky to confide to her friend Linda Tripp her jealousy of Mondale.
Doctors determined she had two tumors, both in her frontal lobe, and on May 31 they were found to be cancerous.
From the Washington Post:
The former White House intern went to the White House Dec. 6, 1997, to deliver a letter and gifts to Clinton, according to the report, but she had to cool her heels for 40 minutes outside the northwest gate. Betty Currie sent word that Clinton "already had a guest," a Secret Service agent let slip that Mondale was inside, and Lewinsky grew "livid" and "stormed away." Lewinsky suspected that Mondale was "romantically involved" with Clinton, the report offers in a footnote. The president then was "irate" that Lewinsky had been told.Mondale denies any affair with Clinton occurred.
We wish her well.
Pulling a Racine
It wasn't that long ago, it seems. On June 4, 1996, there was a different special election over taxes in Racine. Nine years ago this month State Senator George Petak, one of the most decent and competent people I have ever met who held public office, was thrown out by the voters over a fraction of a penny tax to build Miller Park. The regional sales tax was a bargain compared to the boon gained for the entire Southeastern Wisconsin region, but fractions of a penny were too much for Racine voters to pay.
I remember being in a hotel room surrounded by people who worked so hard to prevent State Senator Petak from being recalled, the first ever recall of a state legislator. Many of us were drinking heavily to drown our sorrows. Many of us swore we would never forget.
In Petak's place, the voters sent Kim Plache (D-Racine), who of course became an ally of then Democrat State Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala and proceeded to fight against any efforts by the legislature to reign in government spending.
Yesterday the voters of Racine approved a referendum to throw $6.45 million dollars at the financial black hole of the Racine Unified School District. Rather than force financial accountability, rather than force their elected officials to act responsibly and make the necessary cuts, Racine voters handed the school district a $6.45 million dollar check to go play with.
The voters may as well have driven over to the Dairyland dog track and thrown the money away there for all the return they are going to get on this money.
So, from now on, whenever I hear of an election where the voters do something so stupid, so contrary to their own interests and the interests of the public good, the new phrase to describe it will be, "Pulling a Racine."
And if I ever hear of someone from Racine complaining about higher taxes or wasteful spending, I will remind them that they have no right to complain. They did it to themselves.
I remember being in a hotel room surrounded by people who worked so hard to prevent State Senator Petak from being recalled, the first ever recall of a state legislator. Many of us were drinking heavily to drown our sorrows. Many of us swore we would never forget.
In Petak's place, the voters sent Kim Plache (D-Racine), who of course became an ally of then Democrat State Senate Majority Leader Chuck Chvala and proceeded to fight against any efforts by the legislature to reign in government spending.
Yesterday the voters of Racine approved a referendum to throw $6.45 million dollars at the financial black hole of the Racine Unified School District. Rather than force financial accountability, rather than force their elected officials to act responsibly and make the necessary cuts, Racine voters handed the school district a $6.45 million dollar check to go play with.
The voters may as well have driven over to the Dairyland dog track and thrown the money away there for all the return they are going to get on this money.
So, from now on, whenever I hear of an election where the voters do something so stupid, so contrary to their own interests and the interests of the public good, the new phrase to describe it will be, "Pulling a Racine."
And if I ever hear of someone from Racine complaining about higher taxes or wasteful spending, I will remind them that they have no right to complain. They did it to themselves.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Longest day of the year
Kurt at Lakeshore Laments reminds us today is the longest day of the year, the Summer Solstice. As my pagan ancestors surely said, time to sacrifice a virgin.
For those of you living in Racine, the polls still close at 8:00pm.
For those of you living in Racine, the polls still close at 8:00pm.
Racine referendum
Ahh, democracy in action. If you live within the Racine Unified School District do not forget to vote NO on the referendum today.
And don't miss yesterday's Journal Sentinel article on the last School Board meeting:
And don't miss yesterday's Journal Sentinel article on the last School Board meeting:
AdvertisementYes, I wouldn't have labeled the article any other way myself. Especially that part about "other drastic measures." So remember, you're not only voting "NO" to keep you're property taxes down, but apparently you're fighting the advertising department of the Journal Sentinel as well.
The debate on the referendum has included discussion of ending funding for school athletic programs, making them "pay to play," and other drastic measures. Yet the referendum drew only a passing mention from board members during Monday night's School Board meeting.
Battlefield Earth was a really bad movie, too
Now that Tom and Katie are engaged and Tom has been behaving a little goofy, perhaps a little light needs to be shined on the religion Katie is about to join.
Scott Burgess at The Daily Ablution has a series of posts regarding the beliefs, history and controversies of Scientology.
Here is a list of celebrities that have been in or around Scientology with some surprising names. Skip down to the DECLARATION OF ANDRE TABAYOYON in the court case: Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz. The revelations about the perks and benefits for a celebrity like Tom Cruise reveals what makes Scientology so attractive to celebrities.
Here's an article from Time Magazine May 6, 1991. An excerpt:
Scott Burgess at The Daily Ablution has a series of posts regarding the beliefs, history and controversies of Scientology.
The obvious question at this point is: how could anybody believe this?
First of all, the Scientologst has been lead in small stages from relatively plausible ideas about communication and psychology - via an unending series of of "courses"and "rundowns" that essentially brainwash the subject into believing the lext level material.
And of course the comittment you've made, both emotionally and financially, makes it very difficult to leave the group. Not to mention the peer pressure that sometimes crosses the line into the criminal.
When they're told about Xenu - probably after at least 2 years of this indoctrination, they either leave (usually with great difficulty, and lots of nervous breakdowns), or they extend their commitment to the group to their entire lives. If they can't afford to continue paying for courses, they can work for the group full time in this life and subsequent ones.
Here is a list of celebrities that have been in or around Scientology with some surprising names. Skip down to the DECLARATION OF ANDRE TABAYOYON in the court case: Church of Scientology International vs. Steven Fishman and Uwe Geertz. The revelations about the perks and benefits for a celebrity like Tom Cruise reveals what makes Scientology so attractive to celebrities.
123. To assure that Tom Cruise's stays at the Hemet base were enjoyable, special provisions were made for him and restrictions were imposed on the staff at the Hemet base. Millions of Church dollars were spent so that millionaire Tom Cruise could regularly visit the Scientology base and be friends with Miscavige. For example, Tom Cruise received special meal services, special room services and the Hemet base staff was restricted in its access to Hemet base facilities. Indeed, a girl by the name of Jennie Matsamura was assigned to take care of him and his renovated cottage. The Hemet base staff was barred from going where Tom Cruise might be present. Construction and renovation work that was done on the base for Tom Cruise's benefit often had to be torn up and redone because the coloring was slightly off or there were a few inches of group that didn't quite match in color. Once we had to pour a concrete walkway so that Tom Cruise would not have to walk on the desert soil. Before the concrete dried it rained. The concrete was spoiled.
[Current Scientology leader] Miscavige went into a fury over that.
Here's an article from Time Magazine May 6, 1991. An excerpt:
The Church of Scientology, started by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard to "clear" people of unhappiness, portrays itself as a religion. In reality the church is a hugely profitable global racket that survives by intimidating members and critics in a Mafia-like manner. At times during the past decade, prosecutions against Scientology seemed to be curbing its menace. Eleven top Scientologists, including Hubbard's wife, were sent to prison in the early 1980s for infiltrating, burglarizing and wiretapping more than 100 private and government agencies in attempts to block their investigations. In recent years hundreds of longtime Scientology adherents -- many charging that they were mentally of physically abused -- have quit the church and criticized it at their own risk. Some have sued the church and won; others have settled for amounts in excess of $500,000. In various cases judges have labeled the church "schizophrenic and paranoid" and "corrupt, sinister and dangerous."I highlight all of this not so much as an explanation of Cruise's recent behavior but to show The Church of Scientology isn't some harmless little New Age manifestation of California. Scientology is a real and dangerous cult with very bizarre practices and beliefs. And as bizarre as Katie Holmes' and Tom Cruise's very tabloid romance has been, there is a tragic side to this story of an impressionable young girl being led into a charismatic-led cult that believes space aliens are responsible for much of the ills of the world. Educated minds may reel at the nonsense but we should not be sparing in our revulsion at this most recent turn of events.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Saving the taxpayers of New Berlin
The targets of the recall effort are fighting back. They are distributing flyers with the facts about the people trying to recall the four conservative members of the New Berlin School Board. If you're interested in helping, you can contact Matt Weiss, Jennifer Eitel, Tim Cramer and Donna Rathsack who will be happy for the help.
The website defending the New Berlin School Board can be found here.
(full disclosure: Matt Weiss is a friend of mine)
The website defending the New Berlin School Board can be found here.
(full disclosure: Matt Weiss is a friend of mine)
Byrd sorry he was a Cyclops
Senator Robert Byrd (Democrat-WV) has a new book out, "Robert C. Byrd: Child of the Appalachian Coalfields." Within the 770 pages is an account of how he became to be a leader of the Ku Klux Klan in West Virginia, winning the title of Cyclops, and how the experience propelled him into politics. It was an experience he now regrets, according to the Associated Press.
After all, it was just in 1991 the Senator was quoted as saying,
After the Senator had supposedly quit the Klan, Byrd opposed integration of the armed forces, not wishing our country to be "degraded" by "race mongrels". The Senator also wrote a letter in 1946 telling a Grand Wizard that the Klan was "needed today as never before."
So it's fair to say the Senator hasn't exactly had a scandal-free career after being an organizer and an officer in a racist paramilitary organization responsible for murder and racial intimidation. It could be argued that the white sheets and burning crosses were put away, but never the racism that fueled the midnight lynchings and cross burnings.
As for the Senator's role in the Klan, instead of asking the Senator how many billions of wasted money has he sent to West Virginia, someone should ask Senator Byrd, "So exactly just how much blood is on your hands?"
It's a mistake he has paid for time and again, the only significant scandal ever attached to a man who grew up in Wolf Creek Hollow and who next June stands to become the longest-serving senator in U.S. history.I would hardly say it's the "only significant scandal."
After all, it was just in 1991 the Senator was quoted as saying,
"There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time. I'm going to use that word. We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much."Senator Byrd has recently been his party's most vociferous defender of the filibuster, and his more than 14 hour use of the filbuster in fighting the 1964 Civil Rights act is a classic example of that cherished right of the minority, an example that understandably the Senator chose not bring up during the recent debate.
After the Senator had supposedly quit the Klan, Byrd opposed integration of the armed forces, not wishing our country to be "degraded" by "race mongrels". The Senator also wrote a letter in 1946 telling a Grand Wizard that the Klan was "needed today as never before."
So it's fair to say the Senator hasn't exactly had a scandal-free career after being an organizer and an officer in a racist paramilitary organization responsible for murder and racial intimidation. It could be argued that the white sheets and burning crosses were put away, but never the racism that fueled the midnight lynchings and cross burnings.
As for the Senator's role in the Klan, instead of asking the Senator how many billions of wasted money has he sent to West Virginia, someone should ask Senator Byrd, "So exactly just how much blood is on your hands?"
Saturday, June 18, 2005
One year ago today
It was one year ago today that I started this blog. Of course, the darn thing has undergone a lot of changes since then. So has the author. A year ago I wasn't quite sure of the form or content. Posting was sporadic, and so was the quality. Still, I gotta laugh at the first posting:
I still haven't found a niche or a theme, but what people have been getting is what they'll continue to get: me. This blog is no different than conversations that I have with neighbors, friends and family, and people who are stuck with me in line at the grocery store.
So, on my anniversary, I'm going to have cake. In the meantime, I leave you with one other post from that first day:
Another quiet night in WaukeshaToday, the quality has become a bit more consistent. There are a lot more than three people reading this blog on a daily basis, I've added features like comments (gotta fix that this week), trackbacks and links to other blogs and websites that I read and enjoy.
The first domestic dispute was reported (according to the Waukesha Freeman)at 11:57PM. Then 12:46 AM and 2:15 AM. If people would just go to bed at a decent hour there wouldn't be any trouble.
I still haven't found a niche or a theme, but what people have been getting is what they'll continue to get: me. This blog is no different than conversations that I have with neighbors, friends and family, and people who are stuck with me in line at the grocery store.
So, on my anniversary, I'm going to have cake. In the meantime, I leave you with one other post from that first day:
Waukesha?
Hard to believe I live in Waukesha, sophisticated urbanite that I am. But let's face it. When the worst crime overnight is "A suspicious resident was carrying a stick and yelling at residents in the 800 block of Eales avenue" and he does it at the reasonable hour of 6:34 PM, THAT'S where I want to live.
And as for the guy who was reported to police for carrying garbage bags and mumbling to himself at the county courthouse, I hear you brother, I hear you. I hate the garbage rules too. But the aldermen are at another location.
Of course, in many cases they're the same people, so spilling your trash at the courthouse might not be a bad idea.
posted by James Wigderson at 8:16 PM June 18, 2004
Friday, June 17, 2005
He'll never be a moth
Tom McMahon has an interesting correspondence with a blogger who prefers to be comfortable with his weltanschauung than with an exchange of ideas:
It's been my experience when commenting on other center-right blogs my comments are usually treated respectfully or ignored. Most of the time I see other commentators are treated the same way. (Most of the time. Lucianne.com is great for finding interesting stories but the comments are rarely worth reading.)
I don't see that type of dialogue on blogs on the Left, and on those rare occasions someone ventures out with an opinion short of Bush = Hitler the rest of the "community" acts like a group of rage-addled adolescents with an extra dose of hormones. Reading a day's worth of posts at the Democrat Underground and Senator Dick Durbin looks like Bill Buckley.
I think until the Left lets go of their unfathomable rage, left-wing blogs will continue to be relatively empty of content even as they outnumber the blogs on the Right.
But here's my point: Why have comments enabled if you're uncomfortable with hearing different points of view, especially when you're expressing strong and/or outrageous opinions? I just don't get it. Now I can well understand having comments turned off, for a number of reasons. But why have comments enabled just to hear other people echoing your point of view, all the time? How boring is that? It would drive me to tears.I think I have deleted one (1) comment since I started this blog nearly a year ago (364 days to be exact) and that was for excessively foul language. Some comments I've let go, while I've responded to others (sometimes a bit too vociferously I'll admit).
Like blogging in a cocoon.
It's been my experience when commenting on other center-right blogs my comments are usually treated respectfully or ignored. Most of the time I see other commentators are treated the same way. (Most of the time. Lucianne.com is great for finding interesting stories but the comments are rarely worth reading.)
I don't see that type of dialogue on blogs on the Left, and on those rare occasions someone ventures out with an opinion short of Bush = Hitler the rest of the "community" acts like a group of rage-addled adolescents with an extra dose of hormones. Reading a day's worth of posts at the Democrat Underground and Senator Dick Durbin looks like Bill Buckley.
I think until the Left lets go of their unfathomable rage, left-wing blogs will continue to be relatively empty of content even as they outnumber the blogs on the Right.
And then a spaceship came down and revealed the origin of the Earth
There are very few things that can ruin my lunch. Tom Cruise proposed to Katie Holmes atop the Eiffel Tower. Katie Holmes did not speak to reporters before being rushed to the waiting car. So they're engaged, no date has been set, and it was all done for maximum publicity effect. I swore I wouldn't comment on celebrity relationships after Brad and Jen broke up but this whole thing is a little creepy.
Free Katie!
Free Katie!
letting Terri Schiavo go
I honestly hoped that when Terri Schiavo's autopsy results were released the issue would finally come to a rest. Yesterday I chided those commentators who were seemingly gleeful over the autopsy results.
Today I'm wondering what Terri's parents, their supporters and Florida Governor Jeb Bush have for pursuing this case further. Do they really think that all the answers will be found regarding the mysterious circumstances of Terri's collapse 15 years ago? Do they really think pursuing this case further they will find that Michael Schiavo is in some way responsible for the condition of his wife at the time of her court-ordered dehydrtation to death?
What is to be gained by furthering the enmity between Bob and Mary Schindler and Michael Schiavo? At some point the body, the crusade, and Terri Schiavo need to be laid to rest. Furthering the vendetta will only engender sympathy for Michael Schiavo and hurt the very cause of protecting the lives of those helpless to defend themselves. It's time to let go.
Today I'm wondering what Terri's parents, their supporters and Florida Governor Jeb Bush have for pursuing this case further. Do they really think that all the answers will be found regarding the mysterious circumstances of Terri's collapse 15 years ago? Do they really think pursuing this case further they will find that Michael Schiavo is in some way responsible for the condition of his wife at the time of her court-ordered dehydrtation to death?
What is to be gained by furthering the enmity between Bob and Mary Schindler and Michael Schiavo? At some point the body, the crusade, and Terri Schiavo need to be laid to rest. Furthering the vendetta will only engender sympathy for Michael Schiavo and hurt the very cause of protecting the lives of those helpless to defend themselves. It's time to let go.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Klansman on trial
Edgar Killen, an 80-year-old former Ku Klux Klan leader, is on trial accused of organizing the murder of three civil rights workers in 1964. The triple murder is the basis for the movie Mississippi Burning. According to the Associated Press,
Killen has been suspected in the murders since the beginning. He was tried in 1967 for alleged violation of the victims' civil rights, but the jury deadlocked. Seven other people were convicted.Killen does not deny being involved in the Klan at the time. No word if Democratic Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) will be testifying as a character witness.
Some final thoughts on Terri Schiavo
The Captain has a well-done summary of what we now know, and what we don't.
The most hysterical charges involving Terri's husband were proven false, including the notion that he had injected Terri with insulin at some point to kill her. Some of the most well-publicized assertions about her activities also were shown to be wishful thinking, such as an ability to eat and drink without the feeding tube and Terri's following visual cues, which she seemingly did in the video released by her family. With her vision center destroyed, she had cortical blindness. In the opinion of the coroner after examining the brain, Terri's condition would never have improved.This stands in stark contrast to some of the unseemly dancing on Schiavo's grave I have seen in the last 24 hours: here, here, here and here. Perhaps someday Michael Schiavo and Terri Schiavo's family can put an end to the personal enmity surrounding Terri's death. It would set a good example for the partisans cheering her death via court order.
However, other issues remain unresolved. An autopsy cannot determine the existence of PVS, as the coroner went out of his way to remind everyone. Dr. Thogmartin's careful analysis could find no evidence that Terri had been abused, relying on contemporaneous medical records as well as his autopsy, but could determine no cause for her collapse. That's unfortunate, as the lack of finality on that point will mean that speculation will endure forever.
Second thoughts about violence and politics
The blog Conservative Thinking has stumbled across the remorseful and repentant statement of William Powell, the author of The Anarchist Cookbook:
During the years that followed its publication, I went to university, married, became a father and a teacher of adolescents. These developments had a profound moral and spiritual effect on me. I found that I no longer agreed with what I had written earlier and I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the ideas that I had put my name to. In 1976 I became a confirmed Anglican Christian and shortly thereafter I wrote to Lyle Stuart Inc. explaining that I no longer held the views that were expressed in the book and requested that The Anarchist Cookbook be taken out of print. The response from the publisher was that the copyright was in his name and therefore such a decision was his to make \226 not the author's. In the early 1980's, the rights for the book were sold to another publisher. I have had no contact with that publisher (other than to request that the book be taken out of print) and I receive no royalties.Unfortunately, while the author recognizes his work as "a misguided product of my adolescent anger at the prospect of being drafted and sent to Vietnam to fight in a war that I did not believe in," too many of his contemporaries have yet to grow out of their adolescent anger - even as they gain tenure at universities.
Oregon adds 80 acres
Badger Blog Alliance proves there are no small elections. Just bored election workers.
David Bauer newest Waukesha school board member
David Bauer, a certified public accountant and chief financial officer for Madison-based Facilitator Capital Fund, was selected last night from a group of nine by the Waukesha School Board to replace former member Roger Danielsen.
Danielsen resigned after being involved in an e-mail controversy shortly after the referendum defeat of a proposed tax increase. Danielsen sent out personal information regarding the family member of one of the tax increase opponents causing a threat of recall.
Bauer was elected by the board to complete Danielsen's term which expires in April 2006. Bauer has worked with the state Department of Workforce Development and the counties of Milwaukee and Sheboygan. He has a five-year-old currently attending Western Suburban Christian Academy, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In his letter to school board president Bill Baumgart at the time of his application, Bauer states, "I could bring the experience of really understanding the numbers, business reality and methods and approaches to evaluate funding or budget options." (Waukesha Freeman 6/2/2005, no direct link)
Originally there were ten candidates for the vacancy, but one dropped out when the meetings conflicted with her vacation schedule. Ironically, the school board was barely able to make quorum with the absences of board members Frank Finman, Patricia Madden and Daniel Warren. Apparently attendance is less of a big deal after you become a member of the school board.
Danielsen resigned after being involved in an e-mail controversy shortly after the referendum defeat of a proposed tax increase. Danielsen sent out personal information regarding the family member of one of the tax increase opponents causing a threat of recall.
Bauer was elected by the board to complete Danielsen's term which expires in April 2006. Bauer has worked with the state Department of Workforce Development and the counties of Milwaukee and Sheboygan. He has a five-year-old currently attending Western Suburban Christian Academy, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In his letter to school board president Bill Baumgart at the time of his application, Bauer states, "I could bring the experience of really understanding the numbers, business reality and methods and approaches to evaluate funding or budget options." (Waukesha Freeman 6/2/2005, no direct link)
Originally there were ten candidates for the vacancy, but one dropped out when the meetings conflicted with her vacation schedule. Ironically, the school board was barely able to make quorum with the absences of board members Frank Finman, Patricia Madden and Daniel Warren. Apparently attendance is less of a big deal after you become a member of the school board.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Bucher's office fails to charge sex offender
David Blundell, whom witnesses claim threw a malt liquor beer can out of the ice cream truck he was driving, and whom New Berlin police say had a blood alchohol level of 0.255 when they arrested him, has been charged in Waukesha County charged with his second offense of operating while intoxicated (OWI).
However, the Waukesha Freeman reports (in the last paragraph) that Blundell, a convicted sex offender, has not been charged with any crimes regarding his sex offender status.
What are District Attorney Paul Bucher and his office thinking? Doesn't he want to be the State Attorney General? Are these the types of stories he wants hanging on his campaign's neck?
We have the tools to lock these threats to society up. But it takes our prosecutors and judges to actually use them.
(note: I changed the headline from "lock up" to "charge" as the latter is more accurate. Bucher can't just lock someone up. Of course, nobody can if he doesn't charge them.)
However, the Waukesha Freeman reports (in the last paragraph) that Blundell, a convicted sex offender, has not been charged with any crimes regarding his sex offender status.
The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry indicates Blundell is a lifetime registrant after being convicted in 1987 of second-degree sexual assault. He has failed to comply with registration requirements set by the Department of Corrections, according to the registry.Failure to comply with the registry requirement can result in a Class H felony with a penalty of $10,000 maximum fine, six years in jail, or both.
What are District Attorney Paul Bucher and his office thinking? Doesn't he want to be the State Attorney General? Are these the types of stories he wants hanging on his campaign's neck?
We have the tools to lock these threats to society up. But it takes our prosecutors and judges to actually use them.
(note: I changed the headline from "lock up" to "charge" as the latter is more accurate. Bucher can't just lock someone up. Of course, nobody can if he doesn't charge them.)
Tragedy at Disney World
The death of a four year old boy aboard a ride at Disney World is one of those stories that parents dread hearing. We all picture ourselves in the shoes of the parents holding their lifeless child who, only minutes before, had brought such joy into their lives. And then we say to ourselves, it couldn't happen to us. We wouldn't let it happen to us. We wouldn't let our small child on that ride, would we?
But... in March 2002 we took our 16 month old boy to Florida to see the relatives down there, and my wife and I decided to spend a day at Disney Epcot. The boy is a rather placid child, even now, and is capable of going anywhere and everywhere. While at Epcot, we checked the guide book to see what was appropriate for very small children. The World of Energy was listed as a good experience for small children, and if you can't trust Disney who can you trust?
Shortly after the ride started, Disney and Ellen Degeneres re-enacted the Big Bang at a very loud volume. There was no point in telling my child that of course there should be no sound during the Big Bang (think about it) - he was screaming his head off. However, the Disney Origin of the Universe is so loud I couldn't hear him screaming even though I was in the seat next to him. All I could do was hug him and watch the tears stream down his face. Eventually the noise died down and my child slowly recovered from the shock with his mother and I comforting him.
Unfortunately, it was a moving ride so we couldn't just walk out. Fortunately, Will decided everything was back to normal and decided to take a nap. I think he forgave me long before his mother did (The World of Energy was my idea), and all I could do was point at the guide book which stated it was appropriate for very small children.
I'm not sure what lesson I learned, or should have learned, other than there's a small boy in our house who trusts me to make the right decisions when it comes to amusement park rides and attractions. My family got off rather lightly with my mistake.
But... in March 2002 we took our 16 month old boy to Florida to see the relatives down there, and my wife and I decided to spend a day at Disney Epcot. The boy is a rather placid child, even now, and is capable of going anywhere and everywhere. While at Epcot, we checked the guide book to see what was appropriate for very small children. The World of Energy was listed as a good experience for small children, and if you can't trust Disney who can you trust?
Shortly after the ride started, Disney and Ellen Degeneres re-enacted the Big Bang at a very loud volume. There was no point in telling my child that of course there should be no sound during the Big Bang (think about it) - he was screaming his head off. However, the Disney Origin of the Universe is so loud I couldn't hear him screaming even though I was in the seat next to him. All I could do was hug him and watch the tears stream down his face. Eventually the noise died down and my child slowly recovered from the shock with his mother and I comforting him.
Unfortunately, it was a moving ride so we couldn't just walk out. Fortunately, Will decided everything was back to normal and decided to take a nap. I think he forgave me long before his mother did (The World of Energy was my idea), and all I could do was point at the guide book which stated it was appropriate for very small children.
I'm not sure what lesson I learned, or should have learned, other than there's a small boy in our house who trusts me to make the right decisions when it comes to amusement park rides and attractions. My family got off rather lightly with my mistake.
Terri Schiavo autopsy results expected today
It's now a tragic tale getting dragged out with vendetta in the heart. I'm not sure what can be gained by fighting over the analysis of a dead body, by either Michael Schiavo or Terri's family, but Fr. Rob Johansen gives a preview of what may be reasonable expectations for the autopsy results (via the Corner).
Update: 10:37am Report has been released.
...an autopsy cannot possibly "prove" whether Terri was PVS or not. Indeed, Dr. Bernardine Healy, a former Director of the National Institutes of Health and medical columnist for U.S. News & World Report, responded to Felos' announcement, in an appearance on MSNBC, by pointing out that an autopsy can tell us nothing about Terri's neurological function. She lamented the surreal reasoning by which Michael would permit an autopsy when Terri was dead, but refused the medical tests that could assess Terri's brain function while she was still alive.Despite this, Fr. Johansen predicts the autopsy will "find" Terri Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state.
Update: 10:37am Report has been released.
Tough speaking duty for the Terminator
The college-aged Left once again demonstrates their inability to behave in a civilized manner. This time their target was Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger while he delivered a commencement address at his alma mater, Santa Monica College.
The governor was jeered relentlessly by protesters during the 15-minute speech, turning his address into an exercise in perseverance. Virtually every word was accompanied by catcalls, howls and piercing whistles from the audience of several thousand people watching the graduation.There is a solution to this behavior. Arrest, prosecution and expulsion from the university. If the student is a graduate, then denial of the diploma and the degree would be appropriate, because apparently they didn't get an education.
New Blog takes on Lutheran Lefty
Dennis York (unknown at this time if related to Dick York) takes on Reverend Sue Moline Larson, director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin, in an extensive post listing all the cares of the world she takes upon her shoulders (via John McAdams).
Apparently had she been around at the time of Martin Luther the Church would've needed much bigger doors, as she works on every cause from a Cesar Chavez state holiday to hybrid fuel cars for state use.
Apparently had she been around at the time of Martin Luther the Church would've needed much bigger doors, as she works on every cause from a Cesar Chavez state holiday to hybrid fuel cars for state use.
Reverend Larson is either totally ignorant of the fact that her ultra liberal crusade misrepresents tens of thousands of Lutherans in Wisconsin, or she is so arrogant that she doesn't care. Perhaps she doesn't realize that most Lutherans believe the church has more important issues to focus on than hybrid electric vehicles, product liability lawsuit reform or setting the public school curriculum. Yet she continues to advocate for her own personal left wing social engineering agenda while clothing herself in the banner of the Lutheran Church.York asks her for help in finding the Biblical underpinnings of her activist work on the Lutheran payroll but I suspect no answer will be forthcoming.
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Talking apes no longer biggest threat
The cows! Flee before the bovine of death stomp out the human race!
Here in Wisconsin, we're on the front lines of this potential menace. Someone alert homeland security!
Here in Wisconsin, we're on the front lines of this potential menace. Someone alert homeland security!
Live 8 tickets could help save the world
Bob Geldof threw a tantrum and got his way. E-bay will not allow auctions for Live-8 tickets (via Jiblog). Now people who would be willing to pay to see the "finest" of rock n' roll will just have to buy their tickets on a street corner, through a broker, or an ad in the newspaper.
While Geldof's tantrum is driving ticket sales back to the 19th century, we should note the lost opportunity to help his pet cause that this concert is supposedly about. (I mean helping poor countries, not self-aggrandizement and shameless self-promotion.) Surely it would have benefitted his cause more to sell the tickets at market price? Geldof and the concert organizers, instead of giving away the tickets, should have put them on E-bay themselves. Let the highest bidder pay for the tickets and send more money to the Third World. There is nothing illegal or immoral about allowing the rich to pay more for concert tickets, and Geldof has just missed an opportunity to get the rich to pay for his cause.
What about the poor people who couldn't afford to pay $1000 or more for the best seats in the house? Let them feel good knowing they gave up their seats to those who would've contributed more to save the world. Or, if they don't care about the world's poor but they're just envious of those that can afford high priced tickets, they can still watch it on television.
Let Owen and Jed have a chance on the open market to see the original Pink Floyd (where's Syd?). If they want to pay through the nose, let them. If it's not worth their blog ad revenue for the next twenty years, well, then the poor starving children of Africa get one less bowl of rice.
But don't be silly and give the tickets away. How does that help anyone?
Kinda like the stupid Green Bay Packers and the taxpayers that paid for the addition to the stadium.
While Geldof's tantrum is driving ticket sales back to the 19th century, we should note the lost opportunity to help his pet cause that this concert is supposedly about. (I mean helping poor countries, not self-aggrandizement and shameless self-promotion.) Surely it would have benefitted his cause more to sell the tickets at market price? Geldof and the concert organizers, instead of giving away the tickets, should have put them on E-bay themselves. Let the highest bidder pay for the tickets and send more money to the Third World. There is nothing illegal or immoral about allowing the rich to pay more for concert tickets, and Geldof has just missed an opportunity to get the rich to pay for his cause.
What about the poor people who couldn't afford to pay $1000 or more for the best seats in the house? Let them feel good knowing they gave up their seats to those who would've contributed more to save the world. Or, if they don't care about the world's poor but they're just envious of those that can afford high priced tickets, they can still watch it on television.
Let Owen and Jed have a chance on the open market to see the original Pink Floyd (where's Syd?). If they want to pay through the nose, let them. If it's not worth their blog ad revenue for the next twenty years, well, then the poor starving children of Africa get one less bowl of rice.
But don't be silly and give the tickets away. How does that help anyone?
Kinda like the stupid Green Bay Packers and the taxpayers that paid for the addition to the stadium.
More Comings and Goings
Het2Blog has changed it's name to Cooler Near the Lake. Same Link. I like the name change. Maybe I should change mine to "Warmer Inland?" Naaaahh.
Added a link to my wife's e-bay store. Buy stuff. Even if you think I'm stupid, buy stuff. Spending money will make you happy. More stuff makes you better than the Joneses. Buy more stuff. Do it for my children.
I've been adding and subtracting blogs from the blogroll. If I removed yours and you don't think I should have, shoot me an e-mail. Just don't shoot me. I've tried to include recently updated links and links I click on frequently. I don't have a blogroll policy per se, I kinda do it by "feel." I did drop one because of excessive language, ranting and pointlessness. If I've offended you, well, I find that hard to believe.
But as always, I'm open to suggestions. If you know of a blog that you like, or you have a blog yourself, just leave a comment to this post.
Added a link to my wife's e-bay store. Buy stuff. Even if you think I'm stupid, buy stuff. Spending money will make you happy. More stuff makes you better than the Joneses. Buy more stuff. Do it for my children.
I've been adding and subtracting blogs from the blogroll. If I removed yours and you don't think I should have, shoot me an e-mail. Just don't shoot me. I've tried to include recently updated links and links I click on frequently. I don't have a blogroll policy per se, I kinda do it by "feel." I did drop one because of excessive language, ranting and pointlessness. If I've offended you, well, I find that hard to believe.
But as always, I'm open to suggestions. If you know of a blog that you like, or you have a blog yourself, just leave a comment to this post.
The last word on Michael Jackson
I promise. National Review's Richard Brookhiser in The Corner:
It's time Roman Polanski came home and demanded a jury trial.
There is a reason he owns the Beatles catalogue, or half of it, or whatever: he sold more records than they did. He was about one hundred times more talented than Madonna. Our fascination with him is how such a lively figure became such a moral and physical gargoyle.There were people screaming, tossing confetti and releasing doves when he was acquitted yesterday.
It's time Roman Polanski came home and demanded a jury trial.
Museum finances given lift by loans
The Milwaukee Public Museum is getting rescued by a series of bank loans that are being guaranteed by Milwaukee County, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In return, the museum will have to continue making staffing cuts and sell off non-vital assets. The County will continue to provide it's quarterly subsidy, but that subsidy will be paid directly to the lending institutions.
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker deserves a lot of credit for resisting the temptation to ask the taxpayers to bail out the museum. By standing firm, Walker was able to come up with a solution to save the museum without spending more tax dollars. It may not have been the solution the Museum Board or its employees hoped for, but it is the solution the taxpayers hoped for.
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker deserves a lot of credit for resisting the temptation to ask the taxpayers to bail out the museum. By standing firm, Walker was able to come up with a solution to save the museum without spending more tax dollars. It may not have been the solution the Museum Board or its employees hoped for, but it is the solution the taxpayers hoped for.
Ice cream from hell
Memo to ice cream truck drivers: do not throw your empty malt liquor cans onto the neighborhood lawns. Please remember to recycle.
According to the Journal Sentinel, David Brundell was arrested for driving an ice cream truck at three times the legal limit of intoxication. And it turns out he's also a registered sex offender. He was identified by a local woman after he threw the empty beer can out the window of the ice cream truck onto her lawn.
Apparently Brundell likes to do some serious carbo loading in the morning: He told the cops when he was busted he had a beer for breakfast - but that's it. As for the malt liquor can, some kind stranger in the neighborhood gave it to Brundell.
I know, on a really hot day, I'll offer a beer or two to the local ice cream truck driver. If the temperature drops there's nothing those drivers appreciate more than a shot of Jagermeister to get them through their day. Nothing says "slam it down" like a truck designed to attract children.
He's been fired, of course. He faces a court hearing today.
According to the Journal Sentinel, David Brundell was arrested for driving an ice cream truck at three times the legal limit of intoxication. And it turns out he's also a registered sex offender. He was identified by a local woman after he threw the empty beer can out the window of the ice cream truck onto her lawn.
Apparently Brundell likes to do some serious carbo loading in the morning: He told the cops when he was busted he had a beer for breakfast - but that's it. As for the malt liquor can, some kind stranger in the neighborhood gave it to Brundell.
I know, on a really hot day, I'll offer a beer or two to the local ice cream truck driver. If the temperature drops there's nothing those drivers appreciate more than a shot of Jagermeister to get them through their day. Nothing says "slam it down" like a truck designed to attract children.
Blundell then failed a series of sobriety tests, getting stuck at the letter M when reciting the alphabet, repeating the numbers nine and 10 when asked to count down from 15 and confusing his right and left when told to touch his nose with fingers on each hand, according to the police report.I think he should claim he failed the field sobriety test because he's stupid. Who wouldn't believe it?
He's been fired, of course. He faces a court hearing today.
Monday, June 13, 2005
Long live the Prince
Prince Fielder has been called up to DH as the Milwaukee Brewers prepare for two interleague series. Too bad he can't play catcher. Injuries and an anemic offense helped force the move. I suspect Brewer fans will only get a brief glimpse before he's sent back down again.
A Jackson verdict has been reached
Just announced over the radio they will be announcing the verdict at 1:30PM PDT (3:30PM CDT, 4:30PM EDT). Our long, national nightmare is almost over.
Update! Drudge is now saying 5:00PM EDT. Jackson took some time to show up. Fans, of course, are going crazy.
Update! 4:09pm CDT. Everyone is in the court room, according to CBS Radio. There is an ambulance standing by in case of a medical emergency. The judge is reading the verdict to himself....
Update! 4:14pm CDT Not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty. So he's been acquitted. Would you trust your child with this man?
Update! Drudge is now saying 5:00PM EDT. Jackson took some time to show up. Fans, of course, are going crazy.
Update! 4:09pm CDT. Everyone is in the court room, according to CBS Radio. There is an ambulance standing by in case of a medical emergency. The judge is reading the verdict to himself....
Update! 4:14pm CDT Not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty. So he's been acquitted. Would you trust your child with this man?
The great bratwurst controversy
Over at Dummocrats, the great bratwurst controversy is on. For the record, I prefer Klements to Johnsonville, and I prefer small butcher shop brats to either. Onions, Sauerkraut, Mustard and Secret Stadium Sauce (available in most grocery stores) are the essentials, though occasionally a kosher dill spear is a good adder.
To prepare, I prefer a stronger beer, no water, some onions, then simmer on the stove until nearly done before you brown them on the grill. Miller Lite is for consumption not for cooking. Leinenkugel works real well for cooking brats.
Sides should be limited to chips, potato salad, and baked beans.
To prepare, I prefer a stronger beer, no water, some onions, then simmer on the stove until nearly done before you brown them on the grill. Miller Lite is for consumption not for cooking. Leinenkugel works real well for cooking brats.
Sides should be limited to chips, potato salad, and baked beans.
I found St. Anthony
As you may have heard briefly mentioned on Charlie Sykes, today is the feast day for St Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony is the saint for finding lost objects.
My wife, a life-long Catholic, first introduced me to St. Anthony shortly after we got married. I misplaced my wedding ring and she told me to say a prayer to St. Anthony. My experience with the Catholic Church is that I converted as an adult, and I still tend to be rather skeptical. "Okay, who is St. Anthony?" as I rolled my eyes. My wife was undeterred. "St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost objects. Pray to him and you'll find your ring. It really works."
I found my ring while vacuuming out my car. It was under the seat and miraculously did not get sucked up by the vacuum. "Remember to say thank you or he won't help you next time" my wife informed me.
Since then he has found: my car keys, my wife's car keys, books, pens, my wallet, my credit card and other objects. Okay, I'm trying to be skeptical, but when he found a $200 gift certificate yesterday after my wife and I both prayed for it's return, I was ready to make a pilgrimage to Rome.
I'm sure someone can explain the psychological and statistical factors for this phenomenon, but all I will say is, "Thank you Saint Anthony."
My wife, a life-long Catholic, first introduced me to St. Anthony shortly after we got married. I misplaced my wedding ring and she told me to say a prayer to St. Anthony. My experience with the Catholic Church is that I converted as an adult, and I still tend to be rather skeptical. "Okay, who is St. Anthony?" as I rolled my eyes. My wife was undeterred. "St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost objects. Pray to him and you'll find your ring. It really works."
I found my ring while vacuuming out my car. It was under the seat and miraculously did not get sucked up by the vacuum. "Remember to say thank you or he won't help you next time" my wife informed me.
Since then he has found: my car keys, my wife's car keys, books, pens, my wallet, my credit card and other objects. Okay, I'm trying to be skeptical, but when he found a $200 gift certificate yesterday after my wife and I both prayed for it's return, I was ready to make a pilgrimage to Rome.
I'm sure someone can explain the psychological and statistical factors for this phenomenon, but all I will say is, "Thank you Saint Anthony."
What are we, Arkansas?
Dick Morris tells the story of when Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas and the teachers had just taken a state-wide proficiency exam. The results were not good. Between a third and half of all teachers failed the test.
Interestingly, the reporter for the Journal Sentinel spoke with one identified statistician about the practice of using confidence intervals to adjust the numbers. Instead of discussing themathematicss, the UW-Milwaukee statistics expert focused instead on the politics and policy-making of the decision.
The solution? Morris was told to poll Arkansas voters and find out what percentage of the teachers they expected to fail the test. As Gov. Clinton had said to Morris, "I can decide what score is passing and what is failing." Morris' polling revealed that Arkansas voters expected 10 percent of the teachers to fail, rather than the 30–50 percent who actually failed. But when the Clinton Administration released the "results" of the tests to the public, it reported that only 10 percent had failed. In the end, only a handful of Arkansas' incompetent teachers lost their jobs.In Wisconsin, the No Child Left Behind act requires schools and school districts to meet certain standards. When those standards were not met, did Wisconsin immediately react in a crisis mode to rescue our schoolchildren from failing schools? No, the decision was made to play with the "confidence intervals" of the data, challenging the results and driving the number of failing schools down from 108 schools to 51 schools.
Interestingly, the reporter for the Journal Sentinel spoke with one identified statistician about the practice of using confidence intervals to adjust the numbers. Instead of discussing themathematicss, the UW-Milwaukee statistics expert focused instead on the politics and policy-making of the decision.
Jay Beder, a statistician and associate math professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, says Wisconsin's use of confidence intervals appears to be reasonable, given the consequences of being flagged as a school failing to make progress.The consequences for the students, or even which students, go unmentioned.
"I'd rather see them be cautious," Beder said. "The consequence to a school is tremendous."
So much for comity in the Senate
Will the fourteen "moderates" controlling the US Senate please report for duty? The filibuster has returned.
The new filibusters are not based publicly on ideologies -- as with several of the nominees to the federal bench -- but on demands for additional information from the administration.And they'll keep on asking for more information until after 2008 if the Democrats are not stopped. When the deal was struck on some of the President's judicial nominees, there was much talk about the definition of "extraordinary cirumstances." Now we're debating the meaning of the word "filibuster." We'll see if the Republicans under Senator Frist have the temerity to shut down this attempt to get around the filibuster compromise.
Already stalled under that strategy is John R. Bolton, Mr. Bush's pick to be ambassador to the United Nations.
Also, Democrats led by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts stopped a federal appeals court nominee last week by demanding that more of his unpublished legal opinions be provided to them.
Mr. Bush nominated U.S. District Judge Terrence W. Boyle of North Carolina more than four years ago to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Richmond. Judge Boyle had a hearing more than three months ago and has been scheduled numerous times for a Senate Judiciary Committee vote.
Last week, however, Democrats on the Judiciary Committee demanded that Judge Boyle's nomination wait another week and that the Bush administration produce more of his unpublished opinions. Committee Chairman Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, reluctantly agreed.
By the way, which one is Pink?
Pink Floyd reunites for the London Live 8 concert. David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters and Richard Wright haven't performed together since 1981. However, the band has apparently found time to study economics.
Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett apparently was unavailable for comment.
"Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G-8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world," Gilmour said.No word what percentage has gone to help out the world's poor of the multi-million dollar earnings for the rock band, money that came from those stingy Americans Gilmour chose to criticize.
"It's crazy that America gives such a paltry percentage of its GNP to the starving nations."
Pink Floyd founder Syd Barrett apparently was unavailable for comment.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
I didn't know until this day that it was Barzani all along
From an Associated Press report:
The Kurdish Parliament on Sunday elected veteran guerrilla leader Massoud Barzani the first president of Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, prompting horn-honking celebrations by his supporters.I have no special insight into this. It just gave me a chance to dust off a Godfather quote.
The 111-member assembly meeting in this northern city unanimously chose Barzani, a Sunni Muslim Kurd and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, to a four-year presidential term.
The Kurdish region comprises three northern provinces and has enjoyed autonomy since the first Gulf War in 1991. The region is expected to remain autonomous even after Iraq drafts its new constitution, which will be put to a referendum later this year. Kurds hope the region will be part of a federal Iraq.
No dog was loved more
...that she would sacrifice her own son for the life of a dog. Now she's lost both.
The mother of a 12-year-old boy killed in his own home by one of the family's two pit bulls says she had been so concerned about one of the dogs that she shut her son in the basement to protect him.It would have been too much, I suppose, to take the boy along instead of barricading the basement door with a shovel. Or maybe once she realized the dog was a threat to kin and kind that maybe one of her errands that day should have been to put the dog to sleep. But she was too busy or too stupid and her son paid the price with his life. The one dog was shot by police and the other dog will probably be put to sleep. No word yet what will happen to the mother.
Maureen Faibish said she ordered Nicholas to stay in the basement while she did errands on June 3, the day he was attacked by one or both of the dogs. She said she was worried about the male dog, Rex, who was acting possessive because the female, Ella, was in heat.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
So you're probably wondering where I'm celebrating my winnings
After all, Afleet Alex won the Belmont Stakes. And even the jockey admits he blew the Triple Crown:
However, I never made it to the track today instead spending the day with family in Sheboygan Falls. Apparently the local tribesmen haven't convinced authorities a casino with a sports book operation would be a perfect compliment to a round of golf.
Which reminds me, would Father Wild be as upset if Marquette went back to being the Warriors but adopted as the mascot a bingo card?
"He should be a Triple Crown winner, but I messed up," in the Derby, [jockey Jeremy] Rose said, referring to Afleet Alex's third-place finish at Churchill Downs, where he was beaten by two long shots.Unfortunately, betting on a 6:5 favorite to win is not the way to win big cash, and I would've fallen down on the exacta and the trifecta. I was not alone, either.
However, I never made it to the track today instead spending the day with family in Sheboygan Falls. Apparently the local tribesmen haven't convinced authorities a casino with a sports book operation would be a perfect compliment to a round of golf.
Which reminds me, would Father Wild be as upset if Marquette went back to being the Warriors but adopted as the mascot a bingo card?
Hockey discovers the forward pass
If the world's most screwed-up professional sports league ever figures out how to play another game, it may not be the game many of us recognize. The NHL has been "experimenting" with essentially elimininating the Blue Lines at an ice rink in the Toronto area.
For the record, the National Football League enacted the Bronko Nagurski rule in 1933 which allowed a forward pass from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. The jury is still out on whether that was a good idea for pro football. Maybe hockey should wait a little longer to see whether the forward pass and higher scoring games are just a fad.
The NHL players and owners meet again monday. They should invite the remaining fans, too, and take the twenty or so of them out to dinner. It would be a nice gesture.
For the record, the National Football League enacted the Bronko Nagurski rule in 1933 which allowed a forward pass from anywhere behind the line of scrimmage. The jury is still out on whether that was a good idea for pro football. Maybe hockey should wait a little longer to see whether the forward pass and higher scoring games are just a fad.
The NHL players and owners meet again monday. They should invite the remaining fans, too, and take the twenty or so of them out to dinner. It would be a nice gesture.
Jackson no longer a Thriller
As the Michael Jackson trial drags on, even the MSM is starting to get bored. Now they know how the rest of us feel.
BTW, I still stand by my prediction he'll be acquitted.
BTW, I still stand by my prediction he'll be acquitted.
A hunka-hunka military file
Forget John Kerry and whether or not we'll ever see the complete record of his time in the military. Forget President Bush and whatever issues surround his last days in military service.
WE WANT ELVIS.
WE WANT ELVIS.
Friday, June 10, 2005
You would think she could beat him up
Someone, please save her. Save her before it's too late. (via: Al Can't Hang)
shhh, journalists at work
Does it strike anyone as odd that it is now day 5 since Marquette University had the final vote tally from the first round for the Marquette team nickname and there has been no reports, no leaks of the vote tallys? Am I really to understand Advantage Research and Marquette University have tighter security than the Vatican? Should I really believe the number of votes cast for Warriors is a more tightly held secret than the number of supporters each candidate for Pope had?
Or should I believe The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff is more afraid of a little old Jesuit priest like Fr. Wild than most journalists were afraid of excommunication?
Or should I believe The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff is more afraid of a little old Jesuit priest like Fr. Wild than most journalists were afraid of excommunication?
This can only help the Brewers
I love this trade.
The Milwaukee Brewers have traded second baseman Junior Spivey to the Washington Nationals for right-handed starting pitcher Tomo Ohka.What a great move by the Brewers.
Ohka, from Kyoto, Japan, is 4-3 with a 3.33 ERA in nine starts this season. He's pitched in the major leagues for seven seasons with Washington, Montreal and Boston, compiling a career 37-47 record and 3.87 ERA.
The Brewers have a number of options to replace Spivey on the roster. Perhaps the most likely is brining up second baseman Rickie Weeks from the minor leagues. Weeks, considered the club's top prospect, is batting .320 with 12 homers and 48 RBI for AAA Nashville.
out and about today and tomorrow
Not likely to be any posting until tomorrow night at the earliest. I'll blame Congressman Paul Ryan.
Update: I lied. Two posts above.
Update: I lied. Two posts above.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Most expensive bingo game ever
The academic rigors of Harvard have led to some interesting outlets for humor over the years. Why should it end on the last day?
Some Harvard Seniors, having heard it all and seen it all, decided to make NBC News personality Tim Russert's standard commencement address a little more interesting with a rousing game of “Tim Russert Bingo”.
I see this game becoming as popular and ubiquitous as Monopoly some day.
Fortunately for Russert, given the Sunday morning timeslot of his current gig, I suspect a companion Tim Russert drinking game is pretty unlikely except at the most hard drinking campuses. Like those in Wisconsin.
Some Harvard Seniors, having heard it all and seen it all, decided to make NBC News personality Tim Russert's standard commencement address a little more interesting with a rousing game of “Tim Russert Bingo”.
Keen ears at yesterday’s ceremonies perceived the occasional scattered proclamations of “Bingo!” from among the audience, as several students marked off cards etched with key phrases culled from transcripts of Russert’s canned addresses.Apparently Russert basically gives the same address over and over, modifying slightly for the different audiences. Probably understandable given the number of addresses he gives.
Max E.S. Brodsky ’05, who helped to organize the game of “Tim Russert Bingo,” said he felt the need to “rib Russert a little for his lack of spontaneity and the fact that most of his speech is totally recycled.”
Brodsky said the “prank wasn’t actually directed at Tim Russert” but rather was a “response to the conservative choice of Tim Russert for Class Day, which usually calls for a funny, more lighthearted speaker.”
I see this game becoming as popular and ubiquitous as Monopoly some day.
Fortunately for Russert, given the Sunday morning timeslot of his current gig, I suspect a companion Tim Russert drinking game is pretty unlikely except at the most hard drinking campuses. Like those in Wisconsin.
Prison quota system
Connecticut has become concerned over the racial imbalance of its prison population. They are so concerned they decided to equalize the penalties for crack and powder cocaine hoping it improves the racial mix of the prison population (hat tip: Fresh Politics).
Possibly the powder and crack forms of cocaine should incur equal punishment under the law. Maybe punishing possession and sale of the different forms with different sentences is unjust. But those aren't the arguments getting made in the Nutmeg State.
Possibly the powder and crack forms of cocaine should incur equal punishment under the law. Maybe punishing possession and sale of the different forms with different sentences is unjust. But those aren't the arguments getting made in the Nutmeg State.
The bill approved by the General Assembly would equalize the thresholds for triggering mandatory minimum sentences for both types of cocaine at one ounce.They are altering public policy which directly affects the safety and general welfare of Connecticut citizens solely on the basis of a wished-for quantitative racial balance. If Connecticut decides that this didn't help bring the racial composition of their prison population more into line with their desires, will they just start arresting white people at random? Or maybe they'll just start letting minorities get a pass on a first offense? Maybe they'll just let everyone out?
Critics of the current law say its discrepancies have contributed to racial discrimination in sentencing, since crack is often called the drug of choice for inner-city minorities while powdered cocaine is favored by more affluent white drug abusers.
"That racial disparity (in the prisons) didn’t exist before we had these drug laws," said state Sen. Toni N. Harp, D-New Haven.
State Sen. Andrew McDonald, D-Stamford, said that 50 percent of the people arrested in Connecticut on drug charges are white, but that only 10 percent of the them charged with drug offenses end up in prison.
Betting on the ponies
Mark Belling of WISN radio has his picks up for the Belmont Stakes already.
Afleet Alex is a great and consistent horse who has been handled brilliantly by his trainer. He’ll be bet like crazy. People love him. But if you’re gambling on the race, there’s no place for sentiment.I was a big fan of Afleet Alex from the beginning of the season. Belling doesn't think he has enough in the stretch. Belling's predicted order of finish:
1. Indy StormBelling gives an analysis of each horse as well as a wagering strategy and the locations where a legal wager can be made.
2. Reverberate
3. Afleet Alex
A tale of two school boards
In the Muskego-Norway School District, the school board upheld a recommendation to keep eight plasma screen televisions and have them installed in the high school cafeteria. The vote was 6-0. The school board agreed that they would only get back $13,000 of the $51,900 purchase. The televisions were purchased out of a $800,000 surplus "left over" from a $36 million referendum in 2001 to renovate the high school. Of the $800,000 only $200,000 will be "returned" to the taxpayers as debt service relief.
There has yet to be any fall-out in Muskego for this wasteful expenditure of funds. No recalls, no board members resigning, no members of the administration resigning or getting fired.
In New Berlin, four members of the school board face possible recall efforts because they have taken direct action to keep taxes low, have avoided going to referendum to ask for more money, and are daring to ask the teachers to contribute more towards their health care.
The four school board members, Matt Weiss, Jennifer Eitel, Tim Cramer and Donna Rathsack are fighting back. They point out one of the recall organizers isn't even a resident of the district, and that they support tax increases.
It's been said no good deed ever goes unpunished. Apparently fighting for lower taxes and keeping government spending in check is more punishable than frivolous, wasteful spending and pushing through higher taxes.
[disclaimer: Matt Weiss is a friend of mine.]
There has yet to be any fall-out in Muskego for this wasteful expenditure of funds. No recalls, no board members resigning, no members of the administration resigning or getting fired.
In New Berlin, four members of the school board face possible recall efforts because they have taken direct action to keep taxes low, have avoided going to referendum to ask for more money, and are daring to ask the teachers to contribute more towards their health care.
The four school board members, Matt Weiss, Jennifer Eitel, Tim Cramer and Donna Rathsack are fighting back. They point out one of the recall organizers isn't even a resident of the district, and that they support tax increases.
It's been said no good deed ever goes unpunished. Apparently fighting for lower taxes and keeping government spending in check is more punishable than frivolous, wasteful spending and pushing through higher taxes.
[disclaimer: Matt Weiss is a friend of mine.]
Taxpayers win 8-7
On Tuesday night, Waukesha taxpayers won a major victory when the City of Waukesha Common Council voted 8-7 to end further discussion with owners of the Joliet Jackhammers to bring a Northern League baseball franchise to Waukesha. According to the Waukesha Freeman, the eight Aldermen were Carrol Waldenberger, Kathleen Cummings, Joe Hoelkinger, Joe La Porte, Joan Francoeur, Steve Panozzo, Eric Payne and Emanuele Vitale. Those in favor of further exploring the idea of bringing a baseball franchise to Waukesha and building a new baseball stadium were James Connors, Jeff Fowle, Larry Nelson, Randy Radish, Rick Tortomasi, Charles Betker and Steve Johnson. The possible location of Frame Park was removed as a possibility earlier in the evening also on an 8-7 vote.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Memo to self: don't buy new bedding after killing spouse
Am I missing something? An American woman in Hong Kong killed her husband with a combo poison milkshake and blunt object over the head, and then goes out and buys all new bedding, telling her maid not to clean the bedroom.
No word yet if the husband's estate will attempt to sue McDonald's for the tainted shake not having a tight enough lid.
...the day after the alleged killing, Nancy Kissel went on a shopping spree, buying a bed, sheets and a carpet. She also told her Filipino maid not to clean the master bedroom, the prosecutor said.Now that's bold. It's one thing to have an affair and then kill your husband, but to then ask the apartment maintenance guys to carry out the body for you is not going to go over well with the jury. But why does everyone immediately buy new bedding after killing someone? Don't they know it's a dead giveaway (pardon the pun)?
Three days after the alleged killing, the wife asked maintenance workers at her apartment complex to help her haul a thick roll of carpet to a storage area, Chapman said. When the maid noted that the roll seemed unusually bulky, the wife said it contained pillows and blankets, the prosecutor said.
The workers who moved the carpet said it smelled like rotting fish, Chapman said.
No word yet if the husband's estate will attempt to sue McDonald's for the tainted shake not having a tight enough lid.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Marquette narrows choice to two nicknames
Just heard on WTMJ, the final two choices are Golden Eagles and Hilltoppers. Not much of a surprise, really. There were 31501 voters, 48688 total votes (each voter could vote twice). No vote totals for each name.
Charlie Sykes' first caller has already mentioned the conspiracy theory that Marquette picked a really bad nickname to end up with the nickname they always wanted: Golden Eagles. The conspiracy theories will only add impetus to the movement to bring the Marquette Warriors back.
BTW, if you take 31501 voters x 2 votes you get 63002 votes. They counted 14314 votes less than the total possible, assuming that in the 31501 voters the votes for Marquette Warriors are part of the total.
To see a different poll that includes Marquette Warriors, John McAdams has all the numbers from the Mark Belling poll where the Warriors were the overwhelming favorite.
Update! 9:30am WTMJ is now reporting Marquette will release the vote breakdowns after the final voting ends June 24th and the "new" nickname announcement is made July 1st. Could it be they don't want the number of votes cast for Warriors to cast a shadow over their final choice?
Charlie Sykes' first caller has already mentioned the conspiracy theory that Marquette picked a really bad nickname to end up with the nickname they always wanted: Golden Eagles. The conspiracy theories will only add impetus to the movement to bring the Marquette Warriors back.
BTW, if you take 31501 voters x 2 votes you get 63002 votes. They counted 14314 votes less than the total possible, assuming that in the 31501 voters the votes for Marquette Warriors are part of the total.
To see a different poll that includes Marquette Warriors, John McAdams has all the numbers from the Mark Belling poll where the Warriors were the overwhelming favorite.
Update! 9:30am WTMJ is now reporting Marquette will release the vote breakdowns after the final voting ends June 24th and the "new" nickname announcement is made July 1st. Could it be they don't want the number of votes cast for Warriors to cast a shadow over their final choice?
Hell no, they shouldn't go
Tonight we learn whether baseball in Waukesha is an idea that just won’t die, like light rail in Milwaukee. The Waukesha Common Council meets tonight at 6:30pm to discuss a proposed baseball stadium at the site of Frame Park, built to support an “independent league” franchise owned and operated by investors from Joliet, IL.
If the aldermen decide to further study the proposal, the owners of the Northern League Joliet Jackhammers hope to bring the aldermen to Joliet, IL to be wined and dined and treated to a good time while they make their pitch for a mega-million stadium that will destroy Frame Park, ruin the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhood, and present taxpayers with a bill for over $20 million dollars, all for almost no benefit to the city of Waukesha and Southeastern Wisconsin.
In Joliet, the stadium cost $27 million, with the city footing the entire bill.
Unlike Joliet, Waukesha is already suffering budget strains and the taxpayers are not in mood to give more.
Southeastern Wisconsin is already saturated with competing interests pursuing the sports entertainment dollar: The Milwaukee Brewers, The Milwaukee Bucks, division 1 basketball at UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University, The Milwaukee Admirals, The Milwaukee Wave, even a division I baseball team at UW-Milwaukee that is a higher caliber of play than the proposed Northern League franchise. The Milwaukee Wave couldn’t even sell out their home game in the league championship. UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University’s basketball teams struggle to get fans to attend their games despite recent successes. The Milwaukee Admirals is a sports franchise living on the edge hoping new ownership can revitalize the team. And of course the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers don’t sell out every game either.
Granted, none of these teams has the city of Waukesha as part of its name. But this isn’t the suburbs of Chicago where it takes an hour minimum to drive from one suburb to another. Waukesha is minutes away from all of these sports entities and all of them (except the Milwaukee Bucks) make an effort to be relatively affordable. Yes that includes the Milwaukee Brewers, who, with all of its ticket and food specials might as well call themselves the Milwaukee Mustangs.
Remember the Milwaukee Mustangs, the Arena football team? They were caught in the squeeze for the sports entertainment dollar and they folded. They had no football competition once the Packers moved all their games to Green Bay, they heavily ran promotions practically giving their tickets away, but despite the football-crazed nature of the sports dollar spender in this area they couldn’t keep themselves economically viable.
The Milwaukee Mustangs went the way of minor league baseball in Beloit and Kenosha. The proposed Waukesha baseball franchise isn’t even minor-league. To expect it to support a fan base in this area is sheer folly.
So when the owners of the Jackhammers offer to load the Aldermen on a coach line bus and whisk them off to the paradise of Joliet, IL, we should expect our aldermen to say, “Hell no, we won’t go.”
If the aldermen decide to further study the proposal, the owners of the Northern League Joliet Jackhammers hope to bring the aldermen to Joliet, IL to be wined and dined and treated to a good time while they make their pitch for a mega-million stadium that will destroy Frame Park, ruin the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhood, and present taxpayers with a bill for over $20 million dollars, all for almost no benefit to the city of Waukesha and Southeastern Wisconsin.
In Joliet, the stadium cost $27 million, with the city footing the entire bill.
Unlike Joliet, Waukesha is already suffering budget strains and the taxpayers are not in mood to give more.
Southeastern Wisconsin is already saturated with competing interests pursuing the sports entertainment dollar: The Milwaukee Brewers, The Milwaukee Bucks, division 1 basketball at UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University, The Milwaukee Admirals, The Milwaukee Wave, even a division I baseball team at UW-Milwaukee that is a higher caliber of play than the proposed Northern League franchise. The Milwaukee Wave couldn’t even sell out their home game in the league championship. UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University’s basketball teams struggle to get fans to attend their games despite recent successes. The Milwaukee Admirals is a sports franchise living on the edge hoping new ownership can revitalize the team. And of course the Milwaukee Bucks and Brewers don’t sell out every game either.
Granted, none of these teams has the city of Waukesha as part of its name. But this isn’t the suburbs of Chicago where it takes an hour minimum to drive from one suburb to another. Waukesha is minutes away from all of these sports entities and all of them (except the Milwaukee Bucks) make an effort to be relatively affordable. Yes that includes the Milwaukee Brewers, who, with all of its ticket and food specials might as well call themselves the Milwaukee Mustangs.
Remember the Milwaukee Mustangs, the Arena football team? They were caught in the squeeze for the sports entertainment dollar and they folded. They had no football competition once the Packers moved all their games to Green Bay, they heavily ran promotions practically giving their tickets away, but despite the football-crazed nature of the sports dollar spender in this area they couldn’t keep themselves economically viable.
The Milwaukee Mustangs went the way of minor league baseball in Beloit and Kenosha. The proposed Waukesha baseball franchise isn’t even minor-league. To expect it to support a fan base in this area is sheer folly.
So when the owners of the Jackhammers offer to load the Aldermen on a coach line bus and whisk them off to the paradise of Joliet, IL, we should expect our aldermen to say, “Hell no, we won’t go.”
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