No diversity?

Charlie, Fred, and Jim take some pokes at this WisPolitics' headline: "PANELISTS LAMENT BLOGOSPHERE'S LACK OF DIVERSITY AT BLOG SUMMIT."

Funny, I try to click through my entire blog row about once a week, and I see lots of diversity out there.

Oh, that's right: diversity of opinion doesn't count.

Dealing with school funding shortfalls

The Janesville Gazette likes this idea:

The "50-25-25" plan would put most of the burden on the local district. The district would cover 50 percent of the budget shortfall with cuts or alternative revenues, such as those from naming rights or advertising. Another twenty-five percent could be raised through property taxes, which Cullen estimates would cost the average homeowner an extra dollar a month.

Now, I haven't seen or read or heard any other details about this plan, other than what's here. So that's a caveat.

But. If something like this went into law, school districts could simply inflate their budgets, use the "crisis" to tap the "25-25" property tax-state money portion of the plan, then make "cuts" from spending they didn't need anyway.

The BBA Shooting Day is Set

It will be Saturday May 19th at McMiller's Sports Center We will meet at Micks at 10am and shoot until 2:30pm I have an event that day at 4pm so I will have to leave but you can stay and shoot if other people are still there with their guns.

The Range is right down the road from Old World Wisconsin. Do not use Mapquest it gives you the wrong directions I will post directions closer to shoot or call the numbers on their website and they can give you directions.

We will be shooting most of the guns on the 25 yard range so if you are a novice do not worry you will hit the target.

I will be bringing a number of guns for people to shoot.

Here is the current list of toys you can come and play with ;)

A 30-06 rifle with scope
A .22 rifle scope scope
A .17HMR rifle with scope
A Semi Auto AK style Assault Rifle
A .44 Mag pistol

I am hoping some others will be coming and bringing other guns so you can try them out.

Once again this is a great chance to try out shooting in a safe controlled environment. I pride myself on being a pretty good teacher when it comes to shooting so no yelling or screaming trust me. Remember my 6 year old has been shooting for over a year so if I can teach him I can teach you ;)

I will supply rounds for all my guns so all you have to pay for is your range fee. Which is $14 for a all day pass.

I will also bring a 12 gauge and if we have time we will try shooting some clay pigeons.

So lets go shooting everyone is invited as long as they are not jerks.

if you have any questions email me at gbfan001@gmail.com

See you on May 19th
Chris SH2

RE: Moss Traded

Lance,

Was just listening to ESPNRadio. It seems the Packers were in the negotiations to get Moss this weekend, but hit a snag -- in the form of Randy Moss and his inability to restructure his contract.

Apparently, he wanted to go to a team that could win the Super Bowl next season, and the Patriots; not the Pack, are it.

Moss Traded

...but not to the Packers.

Raiders dump Moss to New England for fourth-round pick

ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Raiders cut ties with Randy Moss after two unproductive seasons, sending the former Pro Bowl receiver to the New England Patriots on Sunday for a fourth-round draft pick.

A fourth-round pick. This guy was so good five years ago we thought he was from another planet. And now all he's worth is a fourth-round pick.

Let that be a lesson to you, boys and girls. Attitude counts.

Oh, and thank God he's not coming to Green Bay. Guy's poison.

Of course, now that he's with New England, he'll be all-Universe again.

Wisconsin Blog Summit Round Up

The WisPolitics.com Wisconsin Blog Summit was held yesterday at Marquette University. My personal apologies to the first panel for walking in late, but I have a 'dog ate my homework' excuse: I got stuck in a traffic jam. In the little city of Jefferson.

For those of you who weren't there, here is a not-quite complete run down of what panelists and attendees had to say about it.

Fred has a special edition of MRQ. All the quotes are accurate-I watched him type them up.
MyFox Milwaukee has video coverage of the event.
GOP3 live blogged the summit.
Owen enjoyed the event, especially the after summit activities.
Sean's favorite part was the after summit activities.
For Pete, it was a good "get to know you" event.
Jesse at Dane101 has a lot to say.
For WisPolitics.com themselves, it looks like their main focus was the diversity of the blogosphere.
Nick has pretty in depth coverage.

Aaron appreciated the legal advice.
Elliot has a 'rule of 50.'
Steve provides some commentary on the summit.
Rick Esenberg has 9 comments.
Charlie Sykes goes a little deeper into his rule of five and he makes an announcement.
James Wigderson has some comments on the diversity theme vs. the corporate blogging theme.
All I could find from Jay was the text of his non-delivered opening speech.
Scott Feldstein enjoyed the post-summit festivities as well.

If I missed your post on the summit, let me know in the comments.

Bessie is Tooting Too Much

It's stories like this that make me wish I could go into stand-up comedy.

Material like this is too good.

BARMY Euro MPs are demanding new laws to stop cows and sheep PARPING.

Their call came after the UN said livestock emissions were a bigger threat to the planet than transport.

The MEPs have asked the European Commission to “look again at the livestock question in direct connection with global warming”.

The official EU declaration demands changes to animals’ diets, to capture gas emissions and recycle manure.

They warned: “The livestock sector presents the greatest threat to the planet.” The proposal will be looked at by the 27 member states.

The UN says livestock farming generates 18 per cent of greenhouse gases while transport accounts for 14 per cent.

The Urban Dictionary defines "parp" as the noise made when farting whilst tightly clenching buttocks.

PeTA has also attacked cows -- in the name of environmentalism of course -- saying that less cows (since we'd all be vegetarians, thus fewer cows being kept for human consumption) will also heal the Earth.

One thing I've often wondered in this assault against cows for being, well, cows is what will become of the farmers (both dairy and livestock) in this cow-free world. Or have the environmental socialists not fully thought that out yet?

One more post on the draft...

They've got some initial reaction to the Packers' pick of Justin Harrell over at the Journal Sentinel's draft-day blog

I'm still watching for more trade rumors in between forays into my backyard. Nothing so far.

With the 16th pick...

Geez, the guy missed almost all of last season.

He was primed for a banner senior year, but suffered a ruptured left biceps tendon in the second game.

But looks like he has heart:

...the gritty veteran postponed the procedure one more week. He had his arm heavily bandaged and stepped out on the field with the starting unit for a crucial match-up against Florida. The Vols fought valiantly and Harrell produced three tackles with a stop behind the line of scrimmage, but the Gators rallied...

Well, Favre missed his entire junior year after a car accident. The radio guys are all completely shocked, but they're thinking maybe Harrell would have been a top-10 prospect without the injury.

UPDATE - they're still talking potential trade with Oakland to bring in Randy Moss.

UPDATE - my prediction was, as expected, wrong.

UPDATE - geez, he missed the ends of the 2003 and 2004 seasons with injuries, too.

Who?

They don't look pleased with that pick up there in GB.

Here it comes...

...

...

...

Who?

UPDATE: Justin Harrell? DT from Tennessee?

Well, we have had pretty good luck with defensive linemen from Tennessee in the past.

Re: Your guess is as good as mine...

I think they're gonna trade down.

Your Guess is as Good as Mine...

Well, we're on the clock, who you thinking Lance?

Re: RE: Re: Draft Update

What the sam hill is Keyshawn Johnson doing on ESPN? Death to the Jock-ocracy once and for all!

UPDATE: Nevermind, the Jets are on the clock. This oughta be fun. (AND IT IS!!!)

J!! E!! T!! S!! JETS! JETS! JETS!

Re: Draft Updates

Well, at least Homer's prediction came true. He's looking at Reggie Nelson (a safety from Florida) or Greg Olsen (tight end from Miami).

Quinn's still on the board.

Re: re: Draft Updates

Those bastards from Buffalo just took our Running Back. This officially sucks!

Re: Draft Updates

Two years ago, I was apoplectic over the Packers taking Aaron Rodgers. This year, I think taking Brady Quinn would be a good choice if he's still there at 16. I was surprised Houston passed on him. Buffalo's on the clock now, followed by St. Louis and Carolina. I can see any of them taking Quinn.

NFL Draft Updates

- That dream of seeing an all Wide-Out offense with the Detroit Lions is one year closer to reality.

- Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas is going to Cleveland. May God have mercy on his soul and whoever gets to have their blind-side not covered for the Badgers with his absence.

- Uh oh...the Vikes went with Adrian Peterson, best Running Back in the draft class.

- Brady Quinn is officially this year's Aaron Rodgers. The Dolphins just passed on him and no one needs a QB until pick #20 or higher.

More Sports

The Dallas Devin Harrises are down 1-2 in their series against Golden State, and the Miami Dwayne Wades are down 0-3. One more loss and the defending champs are out.

With the First Pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders Select...

...okay, so you'll have to wait...um...fifteen hours, about, from right now to find that out.

Although the smart pundits have settled on JaMarcus Russell.

While we're all on the edges of our seats waiting, a few things:

The pundits have also decreed that Green Bay will take Marshawn Lynch, a long-haired running back from California. But Steve "Homer" True made his Guarantee Of The Week earlier today, and it was that Green Bay will NOT take Lynch.

Also, I heard the Cap Times' Mike Lucas this morning on WIBA (if only their news reporters were more like him). He said the Packers haven't ruled out trading up in the draft, and that a lot depends on what they see as their chances to land Randy Moss.

As I've said before: not just no, but HELL no.

That is all. Draft starts at noon. Pre-draft coverage...well, that started a couple weeks ago.

Sykes just said...

...about tomorrow's blog summit:

"...there'll be more bloggers at Marquette Law School tomorrow than at a Star Trek convention."

Ha. It burns, because it's true.

Re: Milwaukee Unemployment Dropped

Channeling Lenny (my inner) Leftist here:

LL: IT'S ALL CHENEY & ROVES FAULT! IMPEACH BUSH FOR THIS!

PAUSE

LL: Wait a minute, that is a good thing?

PAUSE

LL: MORE PROSPERITY MEANS DAMAGING THE ENVIRONMENT!

LL: IT'S ALL CHENEY & ROVES FAULT! IMPEACH BUSH FOR THIS!

Milwaukee Unemployment Dropped

Milwaukee-area employment improved:

The Milwaukee area added 7,600 jobs in the past 12 months and improved its unemployment rate from March 2006, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development reported Wednesday.

Preliminary data show the four-county Milwaukee area as one of only four Wisconsin metropolitan areas with lower unemployment last month than a year ago.

The unemployment rate for the area - Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington and Ozaukee counties - dipped to 5.2% in March from 5.3% in March 2006, the state reported.

In the same period, the Milwaukee area added 7,600 jobs - more than triple the statewide net increase of 2,400. It was the 34th consecutive month of year-over-year gains in the Milwaukee area's job count.

Now, imagine if the city, region, and state had a pro-growth strategy. There are bright spots to the local economy. Milwaukee is the center for the large digging machine industry. There is also plenty of promise in health care and biotechnology. We need serious leadership that understands the needs of business instead of simply looking at them as sources of money for runaway spending.

Verdict Reached in Dassey Trial

Just breaking...

Expected to be read tonight, live during the 10 PM news.

Will update with what it is, I'll be watching streaming from DC.

UPDATE: Here are the charges Dassey faces.

Second Degree Sexual Assault - Verdict: Guilty

First Degree Intentional Homicide - Verdict: Guilty

Mutilation of a Corpse - Verdict: Guilty

UPDATE II: I commented at Owen's blog why Dassey was convicted on the Sexual Assault and Corpse Mutilation charges. The reason is pretty clear: The Confession of Dassey himself.

The key to that is the confession of Dassey himself. It was aired in this trial, it wasn't in Avery's. Likely because Avery's attorneys would have tried to get it thrown out in his trial.

Without it in Avery's trial, they had nothing [no physical evidence] to tie Avery to those charges.

That's the reality between the two cases.

Both Avery and Dassey look like they're going to die in State Correctional Institutes of natural causes.

May Teresa Halbach's soul finally find peace after these two trials; and may her family finally receive peace of mind.

The risk with Tommy

I have said it over and over again. If all of the cosmic tumblers click into place, Tommy Thompson could come out of Iowa with a shot. But I've also said this over and over again: Thompson cannot afford to make many gaffes like this.

I see Thompson as an excitable, affable guy. That's why he has done so well in Wisconsin politics. But when he is relaxed and/or excited, you never know what he might say. There is a margin of error for that in most political races, but not in a presidential race. The press, radio, and blogs are all poring over everything the candidates say, just looking for something to run with. Right now, people aren't paying that close of attention to his campaign. If he gets himself in a position where they are, something like this will end his campaign quickly.

Feingold and Ryan's line item veto

Russ Feingold and Paul Ryan have teamed up on legislation that would provide a seemingly well defined line-item veto that would allow a President to strike earmarks in budgets passed by Congress. It is both admirable and commendable to see their bipartisan effort to reign in Congress's wild spending ways.

But I still don't like it.

I don't like it for two reasons. First, to me this means Congress is acknowledging that it is unwilling to and incapable of controlling itself and it is willing to cede a little bit of its authority to the executive in order to get their own house in order. I prefer to see Congress and the President trying to balance out one another's powers rather than cede them to each other. Secondly, a full bill veto is difficult to abuse. The line item veto, not so much. It may be possible that this bill is so tight and well written that it is difficult to abuse, but I have a simple rule about underestimating a politician's ability to play the system: I don't do it. And the wild card to all of this is how court decisions may define the use of the line item veto over the years.

I am glad that Ryan and Feingold have been working together to find a way to tighten the purse strings on Congress. I just don't like the result all that much. The line item veto is the expedient route to fix Congress's spending woes, but it is a method that I cringe at the thought of.

Phisherman Spoof the IRS.

I just received an attempt to phish:

Dear Customer,
Internal Revenue Service is glad to announce you that we recalculate tax on 2006 and we would like to inform you that you paid more that it was necessary. We apologize you that we committed this error and now we want to return your money back. We are glad to tell you that we will return your money electronically. Therefore we contact your bank and the institution agree to finalize this transaction.

Please click here to take your money back !

We are committed to the responsible use and protection of your information on our website. We are dedicated to provide you an exceptional service and to ensure your trust.

Obviously, it is a phishing attempt and is obviously so on so many levels. First, I don't use the e-mail address the above was sent to for such matters, second the English is badly mangled you need not be an English major to pick up on that, third if the IRS decided I overpaid, I don't think they are going to work too hard to let me know, next is when I mouse over the link you can see the site involved is not even close to being an official governmental site. Also, if I pay too much in taxes than it is my fault because it is up to individuals to make the determination on how much is owed.

Of course, you are all wise & intelligent and can see all that for yourself. Obviously we are dealing with an outfit outside the jurisdiction of US law enforcement for it would be a very very brave person trying to spoof the IRS.

RE: Re: Re: Green Bay's GP Workers in Fear for Their Jobs

Hey, anyone ask Mr. "Let's Superfund the Fox" about this?

His idea will kill at least as many GP jobs as Sheryl Crow's.

Simply Unhittable

It was one of those days where everything just fell into place for Scott Williams and the Baraboo High School baseball team.

Williams had zip on his fastball and bite on his fork ball. He located his pitches as if placing them in the catchers mit, rather than throwing them from 60 feet, 6 inches away. And, just as importantly, he had a great defensive effort behind him, which made play after play — routine or amazing.

It all added up to a no-hitter, in which the Thunderbirds' ace faced the minimum number of batters, and struck out eight. Williams' no-hitter came in the first game of a doubleheader, which Baraboo won 8-0. The T-Birds (5-2) went on to win the second game 7-4.

Here's the link.

It was also Coach Kujak's 200th win.

Re: Green Bay's GP Workers in Fear for Their Jobs

You don't mean this Crow, who ought to be eating crow, do you?

But, but, but - she's so eloquent and civil... and KKKarl Rove works for her!

Re: Re: Green Bay's GP Workers in Fear for Their Jobs

Like the rumored Sucrets sponsorship of Rod Stewart's next concert tour? Or the rumored Depends deal to sponsor the next Rolling Stone's tour?

Re: Green Bay's GP Workers in Fear for Their Jobs

Anybody else wonder if Crow has a pending endorsement deal with Dial anti-bacterial soap?

Green Bay Georgia Pacific Workers in Fear for Their Jobs

With Sheryl Crow proposing to limit toilet paper usage to one square per visit. Riiiiiigggggghhhhhhhhtttttt.

Good Luck in the Swamp, Kevin

As I'm sure most all readers of the Wisconsin blogosphere already know, Lakeshore Laments is locking its doors and shuttering its windows as Kevin Binversie begins his new career in Washington. Kevin was one of the founding members here at the Badger Blog Alliance when things first kicked off in the months following the 2004 presidential election. As he did at his own blog, Kevin brought intelligence, humor, and enthusiasm to the BBA and the Wisconsin blogosphere, and he's going to do well for himself in Washington.

Kevin, it has been a pleasure to work with you in the blogosphere and to get to know you. Thanks for being a part of our little thing here at the BBA, and good luck in the swamp. Drop in and say hi to us every now and then.

Drinking it Up With the NRO Team

I'll be at the Happy Hour at 6 EDT with the NRO team. Any suggestions as to what to say to any of them? (Jonah will not be there, he's in L.A.)

So far the only thing I can think of is "GO BO SOX!!" when the bar flips on the Yankees-Red Sox game like I know Lowry and Lopez are going to demand they will.

Blogging from the Great Beyond

Former resident of Pewaukee DJB wonders What Happens to the Blog When the Blogger Dies?. Apparently, Julia was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. On January 13, she posted Buhay Pa Tayo (We are still alive), but shortly thereafter, she was found buried in a shallow grave in her new location. I have been to the area around Legazpi (a city named Daet which is in the Southeast of the main island Luzon) but not the Rice Terraces (in the north of Luzon).

Julia's blog is still up and people are posting comments.

Kawawa naman Kay Julia (poor Julia).

Update:
April 23.
Filipino Authorities report they have a suspect in the case. While it is not clear it seems this is a case of rape-slay.

Chi-Hi band bus likely using low beams at time of crash

This popped up this evening at JS Online's NewsWatch:

The bus carrying the Chippewa Falls High School marching band likely had its headlights on low beam when it smashed into an overturned semitrailer truck blocking the road, killing five people on the bus, a witness testified at the trucker's trial today.

Jennifer Morrison, an official with the National Transportation Safety Board, said the light filaments of dashboard indicator lights indicated the high beam indicator was off when the crash happened in the early morning hours of Oct. 16, 2005.

The visibility at the time is among technical issues being raised in the trial of truck driver Michael Kozlowski, 24, of Schererville, Ind.

I've driven that stretch of interstate many times at night, and it can certainly be one dark stretch of road. Just the same, it is hilly and curvy in that stretch and rarely do I personally use my high beams there. Not only is traffic in the south/east bound lanes usually light but regular, but you also find yourself constantly flipping the high beams on and off, making them more a distraction than a benefit.

I know what the defense is trying to do here; they want to shift as much blame as possible from their client to the deceased bus driver. It may even work with the jury. As a practical matter, though, this piece of evidence is not as as significant as it might seem.

The Other White Meat

Has spurred a hate crimes investigation!

LEWISTON, Maine --Police are investigating as a possible hate crime an incident in which a ham steak was placed in a bag on a lunch table where a group of Somali students were sitting.

Such an incident would be offensive to Somalis, who are Muslims and consider pork unclean.

Source: Boston.com – Police investigate ham incident at school You know when I picked up on this this story at Little Green Footballs I thought this heinous hate crime occurred in the UK. But I was wrong, this is in Maine! In Maine!

They put a hot wire to my head
Cos of the things I did and said
They made these feelings go away
Model citizen in every way

Source: Lyrics excerpt from PiL's Rise from their album Alburm

A cousin told me of an instance where fast food workers in the place she worked would place ham onto a regular Jewish customer's order and snicker in the back about it. I came away not offended but disgusted by that lack of respect but to involve the authorities? Absurd.

What is next? Is Blogger Beer going to get investigated for the image of Piglet?

Take your pick...

...ignorance or dishonesty?

Citizen Action of Wisconsin takes issue with the Assembly Republican health care agenda (good rundown of that here).

It's the Health Savings Accounts they don't like:

A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average family deductible for an employer-sponsored HSA plan is $4070 per year.

Funny, they've been using HSAs in Manitowoc County* since 2005, and out-of-pocket costs for families there have fallen by over $4,100. Costs for single employees are down over $1,600.

That doesn't include what the county taxpayers are saving: over $2,600 on each family plan, and over $800 on each individual plan.

Citizen Action don't mention that in their press release. An oversight, I'm sure.

* After clicking the link, click "Local News" (left sidebar), then "HSA Savings Summary."

While we're posting old jokes...

...this one was in my inbox today:

A new pastor was visiting the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door. Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."

Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."

Sheboygan County Board Downsizes

The Sheboygan County Board is downsizing — from 34 members to 25. The change will take effect in 2012.

The vote to downsize the board, which will happen after the 2010 census, was 24-10. Board members also voted, 26-8, to trim the number of standing committees from 10 to seven, effective after the April 2008 election.

Officials said the two moves will save taxpayers an estimated $50,400 a year when they take effect ...

For comparison purposes, you can count the number of members of the Los Angeles County Board — yes, that Los Angeles County Board — on one hand.

Five.

Governmentium(Gv)

Someone sent this to me via email-

A major research institution recently announced the discovery of the heaviest element yet known to science. The new element has been named Governmentium (Gv) has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A minute amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second to take over four days to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 4 years; it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places. In fact, Governmentium's Mass will actually increase over time, since each re-organization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of moron promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalyzed with money, Governmentium becomes administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

Funny stuff.

Virginia Tech shooter sends video to NBC News -- Between the shootings

Wow, after Cho Seung-Hui shot the first two people, but before he continued his murder spree, he took time to make a video and send it to NBC News.

Gunman sent package to NBC News
Sometime after he killed two people in a Virginia university dormitory but before he slaughtered 30 more in a classroom building Monday morning, Cho Seung-Hui mailed NBC News a rambling communication and videos about his grievances, the network said Wednesday.

They haven't released the video, but you can read their coverage at MSNBC. It sounds like there will be an update on the NBC Nightly News at 5:30 (CT).

This picture was included with the package sent to NBC.

Supreme Court Upholds Partial Birth Abortion Ban.

Madison - Jim Doyle plans on trying to veto it anyway.

Now more than ever it is time to take people shooting

It is time for the the BBA spring trip to the gun range. This has been in the works for about a week, I was actually going to do the announcement post on Monday but decided after what happen at VT it would be best to wait a day or two.

But with what we know is coming it is time to help people become gun owners and shooters. We are going to need everyone we can bring into the fold to help us defend the Bill of Rights.

So this will be just like the one in the Fall, but hopefully after seeing how much fun we had more people will show and take advantage of a opportunity to meet some good people and shoot a lot of different guns.

this is a great chance for people who have been on the fence about shooting to try it out for the cost of a range pass. You do not even need to rent guns they will be provided.

No excuses if your over the age of 12 and are not a jerk you are invited. Remember tiny little PJ was the star of the fall shoot so no using the "I am a girl" excuse ;)

There will be enough of us there who are shooters who would be more than willing to teach you. Shooters tend to love to hand on their knowledge to new shooters.

As the BBA Master at Arms and Social Director I get to plan this so as usual it will be at my Home Range McMiller Sports Center in Eagle.

Right now I am looking at either doing this Saturday May 5th or May 12th or May 19th

as usual leave a comment if a day works better I will pick a day in about a week or so based on which day can get the biggest crowd.

I cannot stress enough that this is a perfect time for non shooters to come and try it out in a safe controlled environment.

I will be bringing mostly long rifles since I only have my .44 mag in my hand gun stable at the moment but I will have a number of smaller caliber rifles .17hmr and .22lr for people to start on and also my 30-06 for those who want to try something bigger. I will also bring my AK(really a Mac-90) for those of you who want to see what shooting a death ray oops sorry an assault rifle is like.

I also have some clay pigeons so if there is time and interest we could hit the trap range at McMillers and people can try their hand at wing shooting.

Now this is the point where Liberal blogs will make fun of this and call us hicks and the such but thats cool we had a great time last year and I am sure we will have a good time this year.

So pick a date and let me know and

Lets go shooting.
Chris

A couple of pictures from last falls shoot

Risser in the State Journal

Sen. Fred Risser chairs the Senate's Committee on Ethics and Government Reform, which has been sitting on a constitutional amendment to kill the Frankenstein veto ever since the Assembly passed it.

That's despite the fact that Risser supported the measure last session.

The Wisconsin State Journal has been pounding him pretty good for that. Sunday, they let him write an editorial defending himself.

They also applied the Frankenstein Veto to his editorial.

If Only

Kudos to Folkbum, writing about the Virginia Tech shootings:

...when the event involves a gun, you can bet the most prevalent If Onlies will center around the guns: if only we could magically make the guns disappear, if only everyone in that building had been carrying, if only.

Read the whole thing.

GOP Candidates say they'll be tightwads...for now

I call bull.

ADDED: What's the one thing conspicuously absent from this list?

How to tell when it's a slow news day:

The Democratic Party criticizes Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, and it makes the papers.

Okay, so it was only in the Cap Times. That's actually kinda normal. But still, this is news...how?

That's a lotta taxes.

President Bush got his taxes done early this year.

WASHINGTON - President Bush and the first lady paid $186,378 in federal taxes on their income of $765,801 for last year.

Some versions of the story start with the Bushes' taxable income, while others, like the one I'm citing, start with adjustable gross income. In this particular one, you have to read down a few paragraphs to find:

The Bushes' adjusted gross income of $765,801 was about $30,600 higher than the year before...

The White House reported that the Bushes had taxable income of $642,905.

So their bill was 24% of their adjusted gross income, and 29% of their taxable income. Assuming the story has those numbers right. And check this out:

They paid $27,474 in state property taxes on the ranch — up about $1,000 from the previous year.

Wow.

They Need To Know

H/T to The Blogfather. And cross-posted at THEB.

With all the mixed messages and signals coming out of Washington and the Drive By Media, these people need to know we are behind them and support them in what they are doing for us … namely keeping us free.



They’re our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, grandsons, granddaughters … well, you get the drift.

We Are Downrange!

Of a blast of Neutrinos!

Fermilab Experiment To Beam Neutrinos Through Dairyland

In an effort to pin down the elusive nature and qualities of one of nature's most intriguing subatomic particles - the neutrino - scientists at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, or Fermilab, in Illinois will soon send a beam of the ghostlike particles coursing through subterranean Wisconsin to a detector deep in a mine in northern Minnesota.

Science Daily – Fermilab Experiment To Beam Neutrinos Through Dairyland
Hehehe, it seems like the blast of neutrinos will divide the state from the southeast to the northwest and then enter Minnesota!

There are a number of neutrino observatories scattered throughout the world. Usually deep in old salt mines shielded from the various other forms of radiation and particles. In 1987 there was a supernova and the people manning the neutrino observatories noted a spike in neutrino observations just prior to the visible light sighting of the supernova.

Ahhh, back then I dreamed of being a high energy physics researcher or cosmologist and spending time working in these environments.

The neutrino beam, which is directed in a manner similar to a beam of light produced by a flashlight, is aimed downward at a 3.3-degree angle toward the detector, known as the Soudan Underground Laboratory, 450 miles northwest of Batavia.

Although the beam will course through the earth beneath Wisconsin, it will be unnoticeable, little different from the neutrinos that exist in nature and are constantly bombarding the earth.

Source: ibid.
Of course, 911-truther types will notice the beam and what it does to their fertility. They will have to gird their loins in tin foil.

I toured Fermilab. The physics club put on a trip, the night before... I will not go into lest I provide blackmail material but the day of we stopped at Dick's Supermarket. The chaperone & driver yelled to me as I was making an ATM run "Hey, get some beer", I thought, ha-ha! Well anyway I am back in the van and here comes the 4.0 gpa math-physics-chemistry major with two twelvers (it was his birthday) of I can not recall. It was a very cold day and we all marveled at the sundogs and grumbled at the one prof who was a chain smoker and would open the window constantly to let the smoke & warmth out.

We got to Fermilab and took our tour. I tell you, very few things have impressed me as much as that facility. I remember one area a data-collection system that looked like it was three floors of computers just for one observatory. The size of the facility and equipment was awe inspiring. The biggest wonder in my mind was how does one separate actual data, artifacts, bugs, and defects? That is, how can you be sure what you are observing is the result of the experimental run and not a flash from the sun (or a distant supernova)?

Anyway, we all piled in the van and I sat in back with the birthday scholar and phhhttt-phhhhtttt! Then the birthday scholar and I went to the bars afterwards and then back to my abode for some nightcaps. Last I heard that scholar was in Stoughton doing material science research for IBM trying to etch silicon chips with x-rays instead of ultra-violet.

RTA Shame

As we have written about here before, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has proposed a 650% increase in a rental car user fee from $2 to $15.The $2 fee was instituted in 2005.

Since that time the $2 rental fee has raised approximately $500,000 in taxes.

$496,000 of that money has been used up in a lobbying contract to raise taxes even higher for the proposed KRM (Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee) rail line.

Yes $496,000 of $500,000 in tax money went to lobbyists to try to raise taxes higher.

There is a press conference/rally scheduled for this Monday the 16th of April at the Port of Milwaukee, the site of the scheduled RTA meeting, to bring this information forward to the public.

In a cowardly move, the RTA has cancelled their meeting, but the rally will go on.

Scheduled to speak are Chris Klisemet of Citizens for Responsible Government, Mark Block of Americans for Prosperity, and myself.

The total annual cost of the proposed transit (including capital cost amortization) is expected to consist of an 82% government subsidy --- Taxpayers pay 58% of the $10,900,000 annual operating cost and 100% of the $15,000,000 annual capital amortization cost. Annual cost to taxpayers is $21,300,000; riders, $4,600,000 (that is ---eventually, when ridership peaks).

The RTA wants to tell you that this is tax we will not pay, not true. Fully half of all rental car business comes from the local area. And if taxes are jacked up on rental cars insurance policies that include rental car coverage will be increased to cover the costs. Those increased premiums we will all pay.

And what happens when this revenue line does raise enough revenue to pay for the operating shortfall?

Think about it.

Add that to the fact that the proposed rail line going all along the Kenosha to Milwaukee corridor does not even include a stop at the airport and what do you have?

Transit for transit sake, and a bad plan at that.

I'm all for mass transit, but the KRM line is nothing but a mass folly being thrust upon the taxpayers of the region.

$496,000 of $500,000 to hire lobbyists to increase taxes.

Shameful.

CP @ RDW

Congressman Paul Ryan...

...writing for Townhall.com:

The philosophies of Republicans and Democrats, as spelled out in our respective fiscal plans, could not be more distinct: whether we opt for more government, more taxes, and an ever-growing burden on the Nation's economy; or limited government, more freedom, and a more resilient and robust economy. That is the defining nature of this year's budget debate - and it is the clear choice for our nation's future.

I think we'll be seeing the same dichotomy played out on the state level this year.

Liberals for Lower Taxes

The Institute for Wisconsin's Future (motto: a sickle on every flag!) has a new report out, purporting to show that businesses in Wisconsin pay too little in taxes.

For your convenience, I've boiled their 8-page release down to the following two sentences:

Too many of Wisconsin’s biggest profit-makers are underpaying taxes, compared with their corporate brethren in other states.

...

The nationwide average contribution by business to state taxes is 40%, compared with Wisconsin’s 35%.

Christian Schneider has their number:

...it would be just as easy to get to their magic “40%” number by cutting taxes for individuals, since businesses would be paying more as a percentage of tax receipts. Is this what the Institute for Wisconsin’s Future is advocating?

Schneider says no, that's not what they're saying, but let's not be hasty: we should use this report to demand across the board tax cuts, so businesses finally start paying their share!

In Which I Attempt to Answer a Sports-Related Question

Elliot wants to know why what significance there is that "48 of the 50 NFL players arrested this year pictured on the front page of the USATODAY sports section were black"?

I let fly - now it's your turn.

How's the weather back home?

I just wanted to say that I'm working along the Gulf Coast, and it is pretty cloudy and rather cool at about 70 degrees. I hope the weather is better up by you all (snicker).

Packers' 2007 Schedule Released

And geez, it looks tough.

Re: What is SO funny about Sheboygan?

I could retort with a simple "what ISN'T funny about Sheboygan?"

But I won't.

My grandfather published two books entitled "Odd and Peculiar," and "More Odd and Peculiar:" collections of strange place names, a couple from each state.

Sorry, but he didn't pick Sheboygan. In the first book, he picked Wauwatosa and...wait for it...Baraboo. In the sequel, he chose Beloit, Racine, and Allouez. Those names don't seem all that funny to us in Wisconsin (well, except for Baraboo), but to out-of-staters, they're just weird.

They serve at the pleasure of the President- that's why!

First the Democrats in Congress demand to know why 8 US. attorneys were fired by the President.

Now the Democrats in Congress are demanding an answer as to why some US attorneys were not fired.(ie. Steve Biskupic)

If Gonzales is asked about Biskupic, it would be the first time the embattled attorney general would be asked why a specific U.S. attorney kept his or her job. U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the president.

"The focus has been on the eight forced to resign," said University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias. "However, many observers have wondered about how the remaining 85 kept their positions - e.g., were they pressured to do GOP's bidding, especially by prosecuting Democrats?"

You would think this was a joke, but the Democrats are serious!

RE: What is SO Funny About Sheboygan?

About a year ago, I had the pleasure of meeting NRO's Jonah Goldberg after he spoke at Marquette University.

We spent about two minutes of the five I talked to him cracking jokes about "Sheboygan" and the way to say it.

It's funny what happens when you say the phrase, "Well, I've got to get going. Have an hour's drive to Sheboygan ahead of me."

Try it at parties with complete strangers not from Wisconsin. An amazing ice breaker I tell you.

Packers sign Nick Barnett

Barnett signed a 6-year, $35 million contract extension today.

Let's hope he doesn't pull a Freeman.

What is SO Funny About Sheboygan?

I got a tsunami of funny place names, some of which I should have thought of myself, like Sheboyan, [sic] Walla Walla, and Azusa. Of course, Mona beat me to Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., which always strikes me as a joke when I see it on a board at Penn Station, along with other New Jersey suburbs, like Mahwah or Perth Amboy. Then there's names that follow the rule that the "K" sound is inherently funny: Kalamazoo, Albuquerque (especially as pronounced by Bugs Bunny), Kokomo, Rancho Cucamonga, Lompoc, Kankakee, Poughkeepsie, Passaic, Tuscaloosa, Yakima, Nyack, Muskogee, Schwenksville (Pa.), and Apalachicola. As Yakov Smirnoff (who now lives and works at his own theater in Branson, Mo., of all places) said, "Every country has that one city that everyone makes fun of, even Russia. In Russia, we make fun of Cleveland." And just to round it out, how about Wausau [emphasis added], Puyallup, Yazoo City, and Chattanooga.

From: The Corner – Mark Krikorian (Re: Place Names)

There is an old joke about about Sheboygan, but I guess only Rep. Kagen can get away with telling that one.

Funny, I don't see the classic towns from Pennsylvania mentioned in his post.

This Ain't Going Away Anytime Soon...

Nor should it in a way, but it looks like Wisconsin Democrats are going to try to get as much bang for their buck as they can with it.

Wisconsin Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin is calling on Congress to look into the prosecution of former state worker Georgia Thompson, whose conviction for rigging a bid was overturned by a federal appeals court last week.

In a statement, the Democrat from Madison says that the court's decision raises questions about the integrity and motivation of the prosecutor.

Thompson was accused of favoring a company with ties to Democratic Governor Jim Doyle. Her conviction became an issue last year when Doyle's opponents used it in ads against him in his run for re-election.

An aide to U-S Attorney Steven Biskupic says the office would welcome a review. The aide says Biskupic was not pressured by the Bush administration or the Republican Party to bring the case.

Anyone get a hold of Marc Marotta these days? He's got to have something to say, doesn't he?

Setting up the next Supreme Court race

Doug Hissom on Supreme Court elections, past and future:

...expect WMC to get into the gutter, as it has in its past two political efforts. Don't be surprised that they'll go after (current Supreme Court Justice Louis) Butler (who is up for re-election next year) with racist innuendo, being the only African American on the court. Likely it will be through continuous use of his picture in ads throughout the hinterlands, since unfortunately in the fields of Wisconsin, that stuff still plays against a candidate. Butler was soundly defeated in 2000 when he ran against then-incumbent conservative justice Diane Sykes, who bested him nearly 2-1 in vote totals.

The setup begins. If you use Butler's picture in an opposition ad, you're racist. If Butler loses, Wisconsin is racist.

Way to elevate the debate, Doug.

Re: Uh Oh

Snopes has the story on the revocation and its various incarnations. In addition, find responses to the revocation.

My main concern is to make sure we realize it was NOT John Cleese who came up with it.

***
Update I:
The beer criticisms are so-so. American beer is just getting over its prohibition hangover. Our standard lager beer is somewhat on the watery side but no more so than standard Canadian & Australian beers. However, our micro & specialty brews are as every bit as good as what can be found anywhere else.

Uh Oh.

I was doing my semi-usual run through Wisconsin's lefty blogs and came across this at Marginal Utility:

This came across my e-mail transom this morning. It's attributed to John Cleese, and it looks like it may have been making the rounds since late 2004/early 2005:

To the citizens of the United States of America

In light of your failure to elect a competent President of the USA and thus to govern yourselves, we hereby give notice of the revocation of your independence, effective immediately.

Her Sovereign Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will resume monarchical duties over all states, commonwealths and other territories (except Kansas, which she does not fancy), as from Monday next.

Your new prime minister, Tony Blair, will appoint a governor for America without the need for further elections. Congress and the Senate will be disbanded. A questionnaire may be circulated next year to determine whether any of you noticed.

It then goes into a number of changes that will be effected. I admit, there's a couple good points (notably regarding beer), but then they go after football. Them's fighting words.

RE: Girl Arrested For Writing On Desktop

I don't think it fits in the context of a "broken windows" policy unless you are using a "broken windows" policy for school discipline. That would be a good thing, but schools are almost refusing to discipline over anything. Then one of two things happen: (1) you have a brawl like the one at Milwaukee Tech back in January or (2) educrats overreacting to a simple disciplinary situation by calling the police to arrest students for simply misbehaving.

I would expect police to be called in case of a weapons violation — a real one, not some kid bringing the plastic knife for his lunch. I would expect police to be called in case of a drug bust or a sexual assault, but not for violations of the school code of conduct.

The proper action here, much like the recent case when students as a prank put a laxative in some donuts, would have been to have the student or students spend time cleaning every classroom in the school on their lunch breaks and after school and assign some detention time. Maybe ISS for repeat violators. Students don't need to be perp-walked out of the school when they break school rules. If a principal feels the need to do that to "send a message," that principal and the teachers have lost control of that school long before that point.

No message will be effective.

RE: Girl Arrested For Writing On Desktop

Part of me is playing devil's advocate here and part of me means what I'm about to say, but...

H0w does this work in the context of a "broken window policy?" After all, this girl did deface public property. In the case of the aspirin, that's essentially a victimless crime and outside of school wouldn't be considered a crime at all. Likewise, when schools punish both kids involved in a fight, even if one was purely defending himself, there's another example of a ludicrous application of a zero-tolerance policy. Once again, outside of school it would be very rare for someone to be punished for defending themselves if they were the victim of an assualt.

But outside of school vandalism and graffiti is still an offense punishable by law. Granted, this is a very very minor example of it, and relative to all the other crimes New York police have to deal with this one would probably never even be a blip on the radar. Nevertheless, this wasn't her property she was defacing nor does she have any level of justification for doing so. And, at 13 years old, she should know better than to do something like this.

We're constantly demanding that children learn the realities of life that we often perceive schools aren't preparing them for. I realize that this does seem harsh, but maybe this lesson in consequences now will prevent her and others from growing into adults who believe they can do no wrong or have to answer for their actions.

Or maybe not.

Girl Arrested For Writing On Desktop

Cross-posted at Texas Hold 'Em Blogger.

I swear, folks. We don’t make this stuff up.

A 13-year-old girl was arrested — placed in handcuffs — for writing on a desktop.

(See BS) NEW YORK — In this day and age where young students are frequently charged for serious school offenses such as possessing weapons, dealing drugs, or assaulting other students on school property, one Brooklyn teen’s arrest may come as a surprise. A 13-year-old girl was handcuffed and placed under arrest in front of her classmates in Dyker Heights after she wrote “Okay” on her desk …

Police confirm that that’s exactly what’s written on her arrest record and for the crime, she’s been charged with criminal mischief and the making of graffiti.

This is insane. On the part of the school. Have the people in charge of our gummint-run skoolz lost their minds?

Kids wrote on desktops when I was in school. The standard punishment was maybe spending time after lunch or school washing desktops, maybe some detention time as well.

The student says she was wrongly grouped with some students who were defacing the classroom with stickers. Even if she had been, that is hardly justification for calling the police. Law enforcement, especially in New York City, have far more important tasks that enforcing classroom and school discipline.

But this seems to be a trend. Schools — principals and teachers unwilling or unable to administer classroom discipline or manage a classroom — just call the police as a knee-jerk reaction.

One kid gives an aspirin to another? Call the police and have her charged under intent to distribute laws. Some kid brings a plastic knife to school to use with his lunch? Call the police and have him handcuffed and arrested for bringing a weapon onto school grounds.

We gotta send a message, you know.

The message that is actually being sent is that the concept known as common sense is officially dead when it comes to running public schools.

In thi mid-1990s, Philip K. Howard, a lawyer, wrote a book entitled The Death of Common Sense, a book about how the expansion of government bureaucracy — in particular the culture of bureaucracy — has essentially killed the ability of normally intelligent people to think rationally and use common sense to make decisions.

Instead, everything is based on a handbook, a policy manual, a procedure — words on paper, instead of common sense when applicable. You combine the ninny-nanny “Rules are rules” people with a culture obsessed with protecting itself against potential future lawsuits and you get this nonsense.

The girl here should have been made to wash and clean every desk in the classroom on her lunch period, not handcuffed, placed under arrest and perp-walked out of the school.

Aren’t the teachers and administrators able to enforce discipline at this school? If so, then do it. If not, then fire them and hire some that can.

Open Forum

I've decided to try creating a forum on Subject to Change.

Come play in my world.

WPRI sees the future of UHC

Christian Schneider has unearthed how mandated health care opportunists will package their proposals in the future:

Apparently he prefers a “softer” mandate that requires everyone to buy health care. Maybe when you get your new mandated health care bill, it can be in the shape of a heart. When he signs the new law, he can put a teddy bear sticker on it.

It's the softer, gentler approach to socialism, fittingly enough, from the "reliable conservative."

Speaking of presidential candidates, I wouldn't be surprised to see McCain stepping out of the race pretty soon. His own campaign manager called his fundraising efforts "disappointing," he managed to hurt himself with his trip to Iraq, and his campaign has been slowing down in terms of contacting the GOP faithful.

The Cap Times Headline...

...on Ziegler's landslide win:

Easy victory won't halt ethics probe

Ziegler wins under a cloud

My memory might be failing me, but I think the headlines were a little more positive after Doyle's re-election win.

UPDATE - a friend forwarded this from the November 8, 2006 Cap Times:

Democratic Wave - With Dem Senate, Mandate, Doyle Can Go On The Offensive

After four years of playing defense against a Republican-controlled Legislature, Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle now has an unparalleled chance to lead.

In a night of sweeping victories for Democrats nationwide, Doyle was one of Tuesday's big winners.

Doyle emerged from one of the most bruising gubernatorial campaigns in recent history to become the first Democratic Wisconsin governor since Patrick J. Lucey in 1974 to win a second term.

Not one word about ethics concerns unless you go all the way to the end of the article, and even then it's just the paper quoting Mark Green about the Elections Board fiasco.

Obama Matches Clinton

The Chicago Tribune notes that Barack raised $25 million in the first quarter for his presidential campaign, nosing in on Hillary's $26 million.

Looks like Hillary losing Geffen's support is going to hurt, at least in the early stages.

Kudos to Obama, who "made his fundraising task more difficult by refusing to accept money from lobbyists and political action committees, unlike Clinton." That may hobble him in the long run. We'll have to see if there's any waffling there later this year.

Note to Jib re: endorsements: The Trib adds that Obama raised $6.9 million from Internet sources - thanks to 50,000+ online donors. Don't you want the BBA to share the love with conservative candidates?

Update: As a bonus, here's a link to a hilarious mock Hillary commercial from YouTube via the Llamas. Enjoy!

Now What?

For whats her face who filed the complaint against Owen for the Blogs for Ziegler icon?

Presidential Candidate Tommy Thompson

Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson made it official this morning at Messmer High School in Milwaukee. He'll be a candidate for the the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. For a campaign kick off, it was a nice little event. Messmer seemed to be brimming with pride, and Thompson gave a solid speech. His campaign website does not have the text up yet, and if it does not go online, I'll transcribe it later from a copy that I have.

I expect Iowa and perhaps New Hampshire will begin to wonder if Thompson is their former Governor by next February because they are going to see a lot of him. Additionally, his slogan, "The Reliable Conservative," came up again in his speech today, and it is going to be interesting to see how well his campaign brands him with that slogan. I think a few of his ideas are going to be on the edge of conservatism at best.

I'll hopefully have some more observations up later in the day, either here or at Jiblog, or possibly both. I know there was at least one other blogger at Thompson's announcement today, but I'm not sure if that individual was "officially" there. So bounce around the Wisconsin blogs this afternoon. You might find some first hand observations before I can get my more in depth thoughts online.

Oh, and I should make note of a long standing policy here at the BBA. This blog does not officially endorse any candidates in the primaries, and that policy will not change with Thompson's announcement. Individual members may support given candidates here at the site, though. Given that, because Wisconsin is Thompson's home field, you may see more coverage of his campaign here than at some other blogs around the country.

Update
That other blogger was Sean Hackbarth, and he does indeed have a report up on Thompson's announcement.

Update 2
Here's the text of the speech.

Ziegler wins!

Phew!

Well what've I been saying?

The Cap Times' John Nichols, writing about Tommy's presidential campaign:

...Thompson's ability to appeal to his fellow Wisconsinites makes him competitive for a place on the long short list of Republican vice presidential contenders. After all, Wisconsin has been at the top of the list of battleground states in four of the past five presidential elections.

Don't know how happy I am to have a lib like Nichols echoing something I've said a dozen times, but what the heck. Plenty of room on this bandwagon!

Thought for the day

What have we come to when a conservative judge is one who strictly observes the law, and a liberal judge is one willing to ignore the law?

No Mention of Today's Dominating Performance?

Wow, I thought there would be a whole stream of blogs before the sixth was over!

Anyway how about that start to what promises to be an outstanding season for the Brewers. Yeah, fans are always optimistic after winning opening day.

However, it is not just homers thinking the Crew can go far this year:

No less an authority than ESPN's Peter Gammons, a baseball hall of famer, has tabbed the Brewers to finish first in the National League Central. But he is not the only one. All kinds of people who get paid to put their reputations on the line believe the Brewers are the team to beat — or perhaps just the least of six evils — in the Central.

(Source: Mike Woods in the Appleton Post Crescent.

Lets hope they can stay injury free, if they do it will be a great baseball year!

What a job Ben did today, hey?

Not your father's M-16

Found this picture in USA Today:



I see small elements of the M-16 in the muzzle and the little flap the spent brass flies out of. You know, the thingie. But what the hell is all that other stuff?

You can click the picture for a bigger image. By the way, the soldier is identified as Sgt. Christopher Parks, in Baghdad. Found the same picture here, where it also says he's from Washington DC.

Baldwin and Moore

Charlie pointed out last week that Milwaukee's Congresswoman Gwen Moore voted yes on the pork-laden-cut-and-run-Power-to-the-Insurgency! "funding" bill that lets child-killing suicide bomb squads know exactly how long they have to wait American forces out before they can have their terrorist training grounds back, and voted against a bill to protect American airline passengers who report suspicious activity.

Just wanted to point out that Madison's (and Baraboo's) Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin voted the exact same way.

A little historical perspective is always interesting.

From OpinionJournal on Thursday (emphasis added):

The armed insurrection against French rule in Algeria began in November 1954. The insurgent force, the National Liberation Front (FLN), was a direct prototype of today's al Qaeda and the insurgent forces in Iraq. Its leaders were motivated less by nationalism than by virulent anti-Western (and, not incidentally, anti-Jewish) ideologies. Their goal was not military victory, which they knew was impossible in the face of French conventional force. Instead, they set out to provoke reprisals against Muslims by Algeria's whites in order to trigger an all-out civil war. To this end they employed terror bombings, torture and the savage murder of Muslim moderates and Algeria's professional class. "One corpse in a suit," an FLN leader was quoted as saying, "is worth 20 in uniform." All the while, the main audience they were trying to reach and influence was not in Algeria; it was in France itself. As the American counterinsurgency expert Bruce Hoffman has written, the Algerian rebels "were counting on the fatigue and disenchantment of the French to help turn the tide if the war lasted long enough."

Unlike today's American Democrats, the French didn't cut and run. Instead, they changed tactics and began to win.

That's right. The French.

But:

...while the French military had been concentrating on fighting the insurgency in the streets and mountains in Algeria, an intellectual and cultural insurgency at home, led by the French left and the media, had been scoring its own succession of victories.

Really interesting. Read the whole thing.

No More Joe

I'm a little behind on posting this story, but:

Theismann out of Monday Night Football

Joe Theismann is out as a Monday Night Football analyst after one season, a person familiar with the decision said Sunday.

Good. The only thing that kept Theisman from being the worst NFL commentator was Boomer Esiason.

You wouldn't think that - you'd figure big-time quarterbacks like them would be able to give us some real insight. But no.

Now the good news:

The likely replacement alongside Mike Tirico and Tony Kornheiser is Ron Jaworski. Jaworski worked one end of a Monday night doubleheader last year and is calling Arena League games.

Jaworski rocks.

Thompson's running!

Tommy that is.

Although I find it a little disconcerting that the story is dated April 1.