tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34500266836080565102012-02-13T07:42:11.373-06:00Fiscal Moderate - Social LibertarianOrdinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.comBlogger4201100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-86827663322444582052012-02-13T07:42:00.000-06:002012-02-13T07:42:11.381-06:00

Alice Cooper called. He wants his stage act back.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-69266991483652658702012-02-12T09:01:00.000-06:002012-02-12T09:01:39.229-06:00

Screenrant reports that a reboot of the old sci-fi series Space: 1999 is in the works. It remains to be seen whether it will enjoy the success of the new Battlestar Galactica or the disappointment of the recent version of V by the same creators. I think they should do a bit of stunt casting and get Newt Gingrich to appear, at least in the pilot episode. I don't know what role he should play. He

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-31402745267374312582012-02-08T07:51:00.001-06:002012-02-08T07:52:16.343-06:00

...when the Madison Urban League would support separate-but-equal schools. I believe that Kaleem Caire is sincere in his desire to help close the achievement gap, and in his belief that Madison Prep is a worthy experiment.  However, in his zeal, I believe he has made a deal with the devil.  I think he sincerely believes that he is using them to advance his agenda, rather than being used to

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-19916998741159592522012-02-06T07:42:00.000-06:002012-02-06T07:42:32.281-06:00

Generally speaking, political ads do not air during the Superbowl.  However, Chrysler snuck one past the network.  It's halftime for the Obama administration, and Clint Eastwood reminds everyone to have hope, because Detroit (and by extension, America) is coming back. The ad has been pulled off many websites, "due to a copyright claim by NFL properties LLC" but you can still see it here. There

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-26910569498205265932012-02-01T20:01:00.000-06:002012-02-01T20:01:13.021-06:00

Some observations from the results of yesterday's Florida primary: Rednecks Prefer Gingrich - "Gingrich managed to win more than 30 rural and Panhandle counties, and finished slightly ahead, 39-36, among voters who considered themselves evangelical or born-again." Negative Advertising Still Works - "The Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracked ads in Florida, told CNN that 99 percent of

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-56741359096294532942012-01-29T10:20:00.000-06:002012-01-29T10:20:43.615-06:00

An official statement from Scott Walker's campaign organization claims: “The Milwaukee County Executive's Office expressed policy was that county employees were not permitted to use county time or resources to conduct any political activity. Scott Walker expected everyone to follow the law and made that clear publicly and privately.”  (h/t, Capper) I'm willing to give him the benefit of the

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-8653014211078479312012-01-22T09:53:00.000-06:002012-01-22T09:53:15.003-06:00

Newt Gingrich's victory in the South Carolina primary means that he will continue his book tour (disguised as a presidential campaign) for at least another month. Last year, most of his campaign staff resigned due to the candidate's refusal to actually attend campaign events (instead going on a cruise with his wife). He was unable to gather 10,000 valid signatures in the state of Virginia (

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-59926654249932490312012-01-20T19:06:00.000-06:002012-01-20T19:06:26.679-06:00

Police broke up another parking lot fight overnight at the New Town Pub. Once again, there was a woman on the scene wielding a baseball bat. No word whether it was a pink, Barbie-themed bat.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-81679021598846823262012-01-20T17:51:00.001-06:002012-01-26T19:51:17.072-06:00

The great American vocalist, who straddled several genres, passed away at the age of 73. Her voice was like hot chocolate with marshmallows on a cold winter night.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-26555966946359609052012-01-13T19:50:00.000-06:002012-01-13T19:50:35.538-06:00

Police were called to the New Town Pub overnight after a parking lot melee involving up to 20 women who had been bounced from the bar earlier. Once suspect was found in possession of two knives and a pink Barbie baseball bat. Two victims received non-life-threatening stab wounds. Bats and sticks were also used, which seems to be a pattern among female bar hooligans in Madison.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-16502318524572743332012-01-12T07:43:00.000-06:002012-01-12T07:43:50.927-06:00

Outgoing Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour handed out pardons like candy at a parade, and Brett's brother Earnest was among the lucky recipients. He'd already served his time for killing his best friend by drunkenly driving into a train, but now he can go hunting again. That is, assuming he published his pardon request on time.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-77286130855782681672012-01-06T06:56:00.000-06:002012-01-06T06:56:04.019-06:00

...on being named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week. What a difference a year (and better blocking) can do.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-63654272762551713222012-01-05T07:43:00.000-06:002012-01-05T07:43:13.683-06:00

Back in the 1980s, there was a brief period when the UW administration decided it was inappropriate for the UW Marching Band to play "You've Said It All" (originally a country song, but far better known as a Budweiser jingle) at Badger games. I attended a hockey game during that brief ban. During either pre-game or an intermission, the band played a brief concert. The announcer said something

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-12927096626845003772011-12-31T08:06:00.002-06:002011-12-31T08:06:51.893-06:00

Happy New Year, everyone.  If you go out tonight, have a designated driver.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-33215829890076056552011-12-28T07:40:00.000-06:002011-12-28T07:40:34.873-06:00

I don't usually read the Wisconsin State Journal columns of professional apologist Chris Rickert anymore, unless a particular headline sparks my curiosity. When I do read them, they usually leave me scratching my head and wondering about the alternate universe in which he lives. But this one takes the cake. The headline online is different than the one in yesterday's print edition, which said

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-51455726507124011982011-12-23T07:57:00.000-06:002011-12-23T07:57:06.984-06:00

Reminding us that the best Christmas gifts are those of our time and talents, here is the late, great Johnny Cash. Merry Christmas everyone, and Happy Festivus.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-90837771253286399312011-12-22T07:39:00.000-06:002011-12-22T07:39:15.273-06:00

Most of December was unusually snowless, but this morning Madison awoke to a sea of white. It will likely be gone by Saturday, but at least there will be a white Hanukkah.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-27447193654495818872011-12-19T07:33:00.001-06:002012-01-26T19:44:12.578-06:00

Yesterday, a great man passed away at the age of 75.  Vaclav Havel went from political prisoner to President and helped the Czech Republic become a stable modern democracy.  He will be forever linked with the Velvet Revolution, one of several such transformations that swept the former Soviet bloc in 1989. For those of us old enough to remember, here is Jesus Jones' musical diary of that time.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-79428490412168539382011-12-17T12:00:00.000-06:002011-12-17T12:00:35.645-06:00

This is an instance where Mayor Soglin has delivered more than he promised. During the campaign, he said it wasn't possible to stop the Edgewater TIF handout, but he would ensure that nothing similar ever happened again. However, the developer's own failure to deliver has doomed the project. All along, Dunn relied on special favors and exceptions to the rules (both TIF and shoreline zoning)

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-23749341331699680422011-12-08T00:18:00.000-06:002011-12-08T00:18:20.005-06:00

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-77984450837305510602011-12-05T07:48:00.002-06:002011-12-05T07:48:35.575-06:00

Aaron Rodgers has led the Packers to clinch the NFC North Division.  I always knew he had it in him.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-30383575278369677272011-12-02T07:29:00.000-06:002011-12-02T07:29:44.538-06:00

We’ve had it backward for the last 30 years. Rich businesspeople like me don’t create jobs. Middle-class consumers do, and when they thrive, U.S. businesses grow and profit. That’s why taxing the rich to pay for investments that benefit all is a great deal for both the middle class and the rich.  So let’s give a break to the true job creators. Let’s tax the rich like we once did and use that

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-29452472479917137122011-11-30T08:02:00.000-06:002011-11-30T08:02:22.125-06:00

Back in July, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin was floating the idea of delaying the recall effort against Gov. Walker so that the resulting recall election would coincide with the regular November 2012 elections. Their arguments for this position were concern that holding a recall election in April, which coincides with the Republican Party's presidential primary, would improve Walker's chance

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-53867800517739610272011-11-26T15:32:00.002-06:002012-01-26T19:44:33.848-06:00

Three years ago this month, Yma Sumac passed away at the age of 86.  Most Americans are not familiar with her work. In the 1950s, she came to this country from Peru and recorded many songs in the genre now known as "exotica" (the kind of music one listens to while drinking libations garnished with umbrellas and tropical fruits). She was called an "Inca Princess" (though I suspect that was as

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-50270069407071684422011-11-25T08:39:00.000-06:002011-11-25T08:39:47.194-06:00

Many years ago, I heard a comedian refer to shopping the after-Christmas sales as "gladiating for bargains" -- and that was long before the Black Friday door-busters inspired shoppers to trample and assault each other in Wal-Mart parking lots.  This year, a California woman took some inspiration from Fox News' assertion that pepper spray is basically a food product and used it to beat the crowds.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-8241287596643185182011-11-21T07:53:00.001-06:002011-11-26T15:35:57.299-06:00

The Packers' coaching staff needs to work on teaching Tim Masthay to hold onto the ball for more than a few steps.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-5772284262250072632011-11-17T07:29:00.000-06:002011-11-17T07:29:03.112-06:00

I'm not yet in the mood to write new posts about the post-Thanksgiving holidays and/or the War on Christmas. However, I see by the decorations in the mall and the ads on television for "Black Friday" sales that people are starting to think about it.  So, for those who want a jump start, feel free to revisit these posts from last year: A Brief History of Christmas A Brief History of

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-18343540711521726392011-11-13T09:13:00.000-06:002011-11-13T09:13:03.629-06:00

The Sisters of St. Francis have developed an interesting strategy to try to influence corporations into being more socially responsible. They use their retirement fund to purchase the minimum number of shares needed to introduce resolutions at the annual shareholder meeting and use that leverage to gain private audiences with the CEOs. Other orders have done likewise.  However, they do not have

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-81681859460779650932011-11-11T07:51:00.000-06:002011-11-11T07:51:58.203-06:00

To all of those serving in the armed forces, and all of those who have completed their service, thank you (today and every day). K, I hope you're home for Christmas this year.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-12337220450310907252011-11-08T07:16:00.002-06:002011-11-10T07:57:32.088-06:00

Patriots Partisan Pulls a Plaxico in Parking Lot. Republican Rep. Scott Suder says the Legislature's intent was to leave it up to applicants to determine how many hours of training they needed. Because idiots are so good at recognizing their need for training.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-90529820760009974202011-11-04T07:33:00.000-05:002011-11-04T07:33:22.792-05:00

Great Wolf Resorts actually turned a profit in the last quarter. This is a company that was so badly run, it built its huge Lake Delton waterpark resort without convention space to put heads in beds. When it finally realized that hotels with convention centers can be highly profitable, it built one in Sheboygan, which doesn't even count as a "second tier" convention city. While rivals Chula

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-87031935672802595252011-11-02T07:59:00.000-05:002011-11-02T07:59:40.091-05:00

I get my bills from Madison Gas & Electric electronically. They include "electronic bill stuffers" (basically PDF versions of the glossy brochures and flyers they stuff into their paper bill envelopes). Behold their natural gas scratch & sniff card. Really, MG&E?  For an electric utility, you seem surprisingly unsophisticated when it comes to electronic communication.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-42241839323724509352011-10-30T08:36:00.001-05:002011-10-30T08:40:54.175-05:00

Wisconsin's new concealed carry law takes effect on Tuesday. It will take slightly longer for the first permits to be issued, as the rules for training courses were just completed. Keep in mind the axiom that Bad Facts Make Bad Law.  It will only take a handful of screw-ups by permit-holders to make voters pressure the State Legislature to reconsider.  It won't matter that the same kinds of

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-71551918805424279482011-10-29T08:46:00.000-05:002011-10-29T08:46:48.468-05:00

The British commonwealth is finally ending the practice of male primogeniture, meaning first-born daughters will now inherit ahead of their younger brothers.  The Scandinavian monarchies made that change decades ago. While the change, which has the support of Buckingham Palace, has officially been prompted by the recent marriage of Prince William to the former Kate Middleton, I can't help

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-10375705625044767122011-10-22T13:44:00.001-05:002012-01-26T19:45:00.963-06:00

Ed Thompson has passed away after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. (h/t, Blogging Blue) I voted for Ed for governor in 2002.  I thought he could do less damage than either the incompetent Scott McCallum or the corrupt Jim Doyle.  I also hoped that he (along with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura) would help poke holes in the partisan duopoly of our nation's politics.  Alas, that

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-44473470954168137182011-10-17T19:30:00.001-05:002011-10-17T19:34:27.832-05:00

In the latest episode of the dark comedy that is Randy Hopper's life, the recently-recalled ex-state-senator was busted for driving erratically on Highway 151.  He refused a breathalyzer test but failed field sobriety tests and was charged with OWI.  His reportedly-pregnant girlfriend Valerie Cass was a passenger in the vehicle. I assume she was not drinking if she is pregnant, so it would have

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-75971936638044968742011-10-17T07:57:00.000-05:002011-10-17T07:57:32.814-05:00

The Brewers have once again fallen to the St. Louis Cardinals in the postseason.  I wish I could say I'm surprised.  At least the Packers pounded the Rams yesterday, so St. Louis sports fans can't feel completely superior.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-47736476149390400832011-10-14T08:07:00.000-05:002011-10-14T08:07:43.228-05:00

One of the latest memes making the rounds of the right wing is that only rich people are job creators. "I've never been hired by a poor man" is the sound byte. Perhaps not, but I have been hired by non-profit organizations and cooperatives, which had a distinct shortage of rich people. Members of my family used to tend bar in a neighborhood tavern that didn't even make enough money to support a

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-1109684475949699722011-10-12T07:49:00.000-05:002011-10-12T07:49:26.030-05:00

OK, so that's grammatically incorrect. I should have said revokes rather than prohibits, but I couldn't resist the alliteration. There was an episode of The Sopranos where Tony and his crew went after a small businessman who welshed on a gambling debt. They raided the man's sporting goods store and took whatever inventory they could easily sell, then used company credit cards to buy plane

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-51596466137788500842011-10-07T07:34:00.000-05:002011-10-07T07:34:44.606-05:00

A day after I tried to point out how corporations have more incentive to grow their markets overseas than to keep the U.S. economy strong, I noticed this article. The relevant passage is here: About 10% of revenue is derived from international sales, which have been producing high double-digit growth, said Michael Stayer-Suprick, managing director of the company's international business group

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-55926778297460457392011-10-03T07:43:00.000-05:002011-10-03T07:43:43.360-05:00

After World War II, the American economy embarked upon an era of tremendous growth and prosperity. This was fueled in part by new technologies that were developed for the military during the war, but mostly by a rapidly-growing population and pent-up demand for bigger houses and durable goods like automobiles and household appliances. We have reached a point where our birthrate and population

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-19729402348246068492011-09-30T07:50:00.000-05:002011-09-30T07:50:28.812-05:00

This campaign video for Rick Perry is so bad that one wonders if it was actually planted by someone in Mitt "Bling-Bling" Romney's campaign. (h/t The Mahablog) Of course, it could also be an attempt by these two lovely but otherwise untalented young women to find wealthy Republican sugar daddies.  Hope they have better luck than Stacie Long did.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-11875154605574287062011-09-26T07:31:00.002-05:002011-09-26T07:31:44.744-05:00

That was some very graceful footwork by Nick Toon on Saturday.  He should be nicknamed Il Ballerino.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-60133522402308472032011-09-23T06:23:00.000-05:002011-09-23T06:23:18.746-05:00

Rep. Steve Nass is blaming Capitol police for the escalation of protestors' behavior, claiming the "kid gloves" treatment encouraged disorderly and dangerous conduct. Apparently, Nass would have liked the police to arrest not only those who were breaking laws, but also those who were peacefully assembling. If the police had treated the protestors like their counterparts did during the Vietnam

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-36707851302832118822011-09-21T07:57:00.000-05:002011-09-21T07:57:13.081-05:00

There is an apartment complex on the east side of Madison called Camelot apartments, with an adjacent strip mall called Camelot Square.  The bus shelter on Johnson Street that borders the property used to have a sign that said "Camelot Station" but I don't remember seeing that signage in recent years. The property is older, and the neighborhood has had its problems.  I'm sure the name "Camelot"

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-12714071691325024752011-09-18T08:50:00.000-05:002011-09-18T08:50:22.402-05:00

Legalize Marijuana.  It won't create nearly as many jobs as we need, but it's a start. It will also save some scarce law enforcement resources that are now directed toward busting family farm operations and provide a new source of revenue for our cash-strapped state and federal governments.  It will also allow profits from Wisconsin growing operations to be reinvested in Wisconsin rather than

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-15284494934229475072011-09-16T07:38:00.000-05:002011-09-16T07:38:57.586-05:00

FEMA clearly learned some valuable lessons after Hurricane Katrina:             The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c FEMA's Waffle House Index www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire BlogVideo Archive                

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-62415428739501345622011-09-08T07:39:00.000-05:002011-09-08T07:39:04.503-05:00

There is no one more attractive to voters than a blank slate non-politician, on whom they can project all of their hopes and dreams, imagining the candidate shares their own opinions and priorities.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-44220732659260048512011-09-04T09:51:00.001-05:002011-09-04T19:11:31.287-05:00

I find it ironic that some of the same conservatives who complain about the secularization of Christmas are now complaining about attempts to keep Labor Day observances about labor and its organizers.  Just as John Stewart described the demonstrations at the Capitol in February as "the Bizarro Tea-Party," we now have a mirror image of the December holiday culture wars. With that in mind, this

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-6237389004529691432011-09-04T08:44:00.003-05:002011-11-26T15:37:38.068-06:00

The Packers cut Brandon Underwood.  We no longer have to worry about his annual off-season embarrassing arrests.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-69579721524300151262011-09-03T09:19:00.000-05:002011-09-03T09:19:08.010-05:00

Texas Governor Rick Perry famously asked his supporters to pray for rain to end Texas' record drought. One named storm after another has either teased Texas or bypassed it entirely.  The latest is Tropical Storm Lee. The water-logged Lee was tantalizingly close to Texas but hopes dimmed for relief from the state's worst drought since the 1950s as the storm's forecast track shifted east.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-38253738364784299792011-09-02T07:48:00.000-05:002011-09-02T07:48:28.598-05:00

Many citizens of Berlin (the one in Wisconsin, but not to be confused with New Berlin) are upset that they are being forced to give up their traditional Indians team name. They are convinced that there is nothing offensive about a bunch of white kids pretending to be Native Americans; indeed, it is a tribute, to their way of thinking. I wonder if they (or Rep. Steve Nass) thought the

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-6419205356492759372011-09-01T07:38:00.000-05:002011-09-01T07:38:48.236-05:00

Football is usually played over the weekend -- Friday night for high school, Saturday for college and Sunday for the NFL.  The NFL also has Monday night games and, occasionally, Thursday night games. However, like a blockbuster movie, college football's opening weekend starts on Thursday night.  Tonight, the Badgers will take on UNLV in ESPN's premiere game of the season.  The inherent drama in

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-24789560252207189662011-08-29T07:57:00.000-05:002011-08-29T07:57:03.852-05:00

A mutant strain of bird flu is spreading in Asia. This may put more butts in seats than the movie's all-star cast.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-74857729810096038032011-08-28T08:16:00.000-05:002011-08-28T08:16:53.514-05:00

The price of gold declined this week, leading many analysts to believe a significant correction will continue. "Briese believes a 33% correction from recent highs, to about $1,250, is quite plausible." The proprietor of one Madison retail store that buys and sells gold warned a customer on Saturday that he will not receive the same price for his jewelry on Sunday, and the store has already made

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-22630517570951212892011-08-24T08:06:00.000-05:002011-08-24T08:06:53.777-05:00

Algerian rocker Rachid Taha was joined by Clash member Mick Jones in this 2006 performance.  I'll bet they're playing Taha's cover in Tripoli.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-49523777109667745062011-08-19T07:54:00.000-05:002011-08-19T07:54:29.296-05:00

A jihadist blogger has issued a death threat against David Letterman for joking about the death of Al Qaeda figure Ilyas Kashmiri. While the FBI is taking it seriously, as is its job, this Boston Herald entertainment writer gives it the respect it probably deserves. When David Letterman returns from vacation, I suspect his television audience will grow, as everyone will want to hear his own

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-30143213348820180682011-08-16T07:54:00.000-05:002011-08-16T07:54:00.323-05:00

2011 Assembly Joint Resolution 26 seeks to amend the state constitution to delete the offices of Secretary of State and Treasurer. (h/t, Blue Cheddar). While this is no doubt being presented as a way for the state to save money, since the two offices have very few constitutional duties left, it would look much less like a partisan power grab if the resolution also sought to eliminate the office

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-19197210954840249582011-08-11T07:48:00.000-05:002011-08-11T07:48:23.036-05:00

In Ian Fleming's Goldfinger, the eponymous villain, heavily invested in gold, sought to increase the value of his horde by destroying the United States' gold reserves at Fort Knox. It would have been far more lucrative for him to boost demand for gold, rather than reduce the supply, by destabilizing the world's economy.  Rather than employing a specialist assassin like Oddjob (who probably

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-17305379551421887462011-08-10T07:58:00.000-05:002011-08-10T07:58:33.402-05:00

Today I feel much the way I did last December, after watching the Packers lose to the Detroit Lions.  At the time, I thought there was no way they would make the playoffs.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-45741796896336826072011-08-09T07:41:00.000-05:002011-08-09T07:41:13.705-05:00

It is once again possible to watch television without being bombarded by campaign commercials for Fred Clark and Luther Olsen. Seriously, if you live in a district with a recall race, or in the Assembly district with the special election to replace Joe Parisi, remember to vote today.  You will be asked for ID, but if you forget to bring it, you can still vote this time; you'll be given

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-58969723834402377562011-08-07T08:44:00.000-05:002011-08-07T08:44:55.837-05:00

A wealthy Chicago-area woman of retirement age decided to take her hobby plane out for a spin during President Obama's visit, without bothering to check on flight restrictions first, or even have her radio on during the flight.  When F-16s scrambled to evaluate a potential threat, she claims she thought they were just slowing down to admire her cute little plane (which recently won a prize at the

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-26179001179631029342011-08-01T07:16:00.000-05:002011-08-01T07:16:19.682-05:00

When Norway was hit with two coordinated terrorist attacks on July 22, the media (and possibly law enforcement) were quick to assume a jihadist link. That isn't surprising. In the immediate aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, the authorities checked area airports for men of Middle Eastern origin. Fortunately, those early assumptions (in both cases) did not prevent the capture of the true

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-28218646588363045032011-07-29T07:28:00.001-05:002011-07-29T07:48:25.987-05:00

This is the best Schoolhouse Rock homage I've seen since the episode of the Simpsons where Itchy and Scratchy were banned from television and Krusty had to show educational cartoons on his show. Plus, I've managed to retain a surprising amount of information about the Dodd-Frank Act. The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c Dodd-Frank Update www.thedailyshow.com Daily Show Full

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-36426668614322048002011-07-28T07:32:00.000-05:002011-07-28T07:32:33.078-05:00

Tropical Storm Don could bring some much-needed rain to Texas this week, although the actual rainfall may prove disappointing.  Maybe Rick Perry should pray harder. At the very least, Don should provide some relief from triple-digit heat.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-81496670201139307742011-07-26T20:55:00.000-05:002011-07-26T20:55:39.304-05:00

Since Dan was unfamiliar with the work of Lewis Black when he blogged about the coverage of his Las Vegas show, here is a classic routine (warning, R-rated language): (h/t The AV Club)

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-3222195933402279652011-07-24T08:31:00.001-05:002012-01-26T19:46:17.794-06:00

Amy Winehouse has joined the 27 Club. This has to be the least surprising celebrity death in years. It would have been more surprising if Winehouse had lived to be 28.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-40854622701773959442011-07-20T19:36:00.000-05:002011-07-20T19:36:50.463-05:00

Since just-defeated State Senate candidate David VanderLeest wants to extend his 15 minutes of fame with a ridiculous 10-Commandments-in-the-Courthouse campaign (h/t JB), we may not have heard the last of his ridiculous claims of persecution. This about sums it up: * For those who are unaware, "shorter" is a blogosphere term for a humorous paraphrase that captures the spirit of a statement,

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-52116831731129842362011-07-19T07:38:00.000-05:002011-07-19T07:38:49.247-05:00

While performing at the Ottawa Bluesfest, Cheap Trick literally had the stage blown out from under them. Fortunately, the stage collapsed away from the crowd instead of on top of it, and no one was seriously injured. Two years ago, a similar incident at the Big Valley Jamboree in Alberta turned deadly.  Outdoor Canadian music festivals appear to be more dangerous than previously believed.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-57799577581051008372011-07-12T18:54:00.001-05:002011-07-12T18:55:30.073-05:00

From Tim Morrissey: Your simple act of voting sends a message far stronger than just determining which candidate will win.  Voting scares the hell out of a lot of politicians, whose job security depends on hordes of voters not caring enough to vote.My father often told me that voting lets the politicians know we're watching them. If you don't like any of your choices, write someone in. Staying

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-53923616218170880562011-07-09T09:06:00.000-05:002011-07-09T09:06:55.828-05:00

...if they can't afford $350/bottle pinot noir. Paul Ryan has been in Washington so long that he doesn't even understand why ordinary Americans find this tale of Beltway privilege so offensive. "I was an economist so I started doing the envelope calculations and quickly figured out that those two bottles of wine was more than two-income working family making minimum wage earned in a week."

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-21264391886405084852011-07-06T07:25:00.003-05:002011-11-26T15:37:50.368-06:00

Classy. He continues to be an embarrassment to his family and to the Packers organization. How many times must he be arrested before the organization dumps him? Maybe they need to wait for a new CBA before they can trade or cut him. I wish Mrs. Underwood well in her divorce proceedings. I hope she eventually finds a decent man to provide a good example for her kids.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-21218450663832570612011-07-05T18:15:00.000-05:002011-07-05T18:15:21.248-05:00

I predict that we'll soon start seeing the return of gloves as a fashion accessory for men, with padding to lengthen the ring finger. This is why.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-52363840633814754642011-07-04T09:07:00.000-05:002011-07-04T09:07:03.105-05:00

This video is a favorite from my childhood. It seems appropriate to play it today, even if it does perpetuate the myth that the Boston Tea Party was in protest of the tea tax.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-24650137899378725492011-06-30T20:38:00.000-05:002011-06-30T20:38:57.305-05:00

QR codes are popping up everywhere. They work kind of like UPC barcodes, but they are designed to be scanned by smartphones, bringing up a webpage. It didn't take long for the younger set to start wearing them alongside their tribal tattoos.  Apparently, there is a market for this new spin on body art. While they have a certain practicality as wearable business cards or permanent medic-alert

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-50415367881335741752011-06-30T07:41:00.000-05:002011-06-30T07:41:05.058-05:00

Tropical Storm Arlene has made landfall in Mexico. The area is parched from a severe drought, so although there is potential for destructive mudslides in the mountainous regions, the rain is welcome.  Just yesterday, NPR did a story about the shrinking of Lake Travis near Austin. In Austin, theyre praying for a hurricane, a nice slow moving category one or two, or a tropical storm, that makes

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-73619237744428406762011-06-28T07:36:00.000-05:002011-06-28T07:36:06.496-05:00

The rumors about impending nuclear disaster and a government-ordered news blackout at the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant in Nebraska have turned out to be bullshit. Fortunately, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission did its job a couple years ago and ordered some flooding protection measures. "Bottom line: The floods appear more annoying than destroying for Nebraska's nuclear plants," says

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-80298590901138689472011-06-22T19:50:00.000-05:002011-06-22T19:50:04.275-05:00

Jon Huntsman is promoting it.  The moderate Republican (and former Obama administration ambassador to China) reportedly plans to make it an important issue in his presidential campaign. (h/t, The Paul Ryan Watch). Republican politicians with career ambitions have been wanting to distance themselves from Ryan's plan for almost a month now.  Although Newt Gingrich was punished for telling the

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-64959098457953601062011-06-20T08:05:00.000-05:002011-06-20T08:05:56.339-05:00

Western Wisconsin really got nailed by heavy rains over the weekend.  La Crosse got over five inches of rain in 24 hours.  That kind of rain used to be associated with subtropical states like Florida.  I don't remember Wisconsin getting those kinds of torrential rains before the summer of 2007.  Since then, we've gotten them almost every year (with the exception of 2009, if I recall correctly). 

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-60185823028160062712011-06-14T20:46:00.000-05:002011-06-14T20:46:44.432-05:00

UW Chancellor Biddy Martin, who first invited controversy (and pushback from faculty) with her plan to change the governance of UW-Madison's grad school, and then went all in on the "Badger Partnership" scheme to spin off the Madison campus, has decided to take her ball and go to Amherst College. Don't let the front doors of Bascom Hall hit you in the ass on your way out, Biddy.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-6350485918728586742011-06-08T07:32:00.000-05:002011-06-08T07:32:03.590-05:00

There has been some debate around the Cheddarsphere in the past week over the usefulness of the tactics employed in last week's civil disobedience demonstration that disrupted a meeting of the Joint Finance Committee. Some have cited Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement as proof that civil disobedience should always be supported by the left when it seeks to address social

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-33124924171077634862011-06-05T17:16:00.000-05:002011-06-05T17:16:39.940-05:00

Back in 2000, Ralph Nader mounted a third-party run for President against Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush. While many on the left criticized Nader's run and cautioned that he would help Bush get elected by siphoning votes away from Gore, others felt that he would energize new voters and bring attention to important issues that would otherwise be ignored by the major

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-38035233432933359242011-06-05T10:27:00.001-05:002011-06-05T10:27:54.983-05:00

And all that stuff about camels getting through eyes of needles... with the tax breaks Ryan is giving the rich, they can breed miniature flying camels. The Paul Ryan Watch contributor DownWithTyranny Sounds like a lucrative new enterprise for Sokoblovsky Farms.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-47015968052868367182011-06-04T08:53:00.001-05:002011-06-05T10:10:49.782-05:00

If you are a Madisonian of a certain age, you may have received a brochure in the mail from a company called Life Line Screening.  They are bringing their medicine show to town (for one day only!) at St. Peter's Catholic Church (I assume the church merely rented them a meeting hall and is not actually promoting this snake oil). For about a hundred and fifty bucks, they will do several

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-30418336964365360652011-06-03T07:56:00.000-05:002011-06-03T07:56:18.796-05:00

If you'd like to make an ass of yourself, just throw a hat upside down on the State Street sidewalk and start your rambling: you might even make some tips. Oshkosh blogger Jb, commenting on the protestors who disrupted yesterday's committee hearing at the Capitol.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-86287041546943669332011-06-02T19:14:00.000-05:002011-06-02T19:14:45.149-05:00

He just needs to get those pesky public employees to sleep the day away on July 12.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-69551235054068529112011-06-02T07:36:00.000-05:002011-06-02T07:36:37.841-05:00

...on the subject of New York Pizza. The Daily Show - Me Lover's Pizza With Crazy BroadTags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook I have to wonder at the Donald's sense of hospitality in showing Sarah Palin such a sub-standard pizza experience. Did he think she was too ignorant to know any better?  Or did he feel she didn't deserve a good New York

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-8439715806341180972011-06-01T19:36:00.000-05:002011-06-01T19:36:27.403-05:00

While not nearly as powerful nor as deadly as the Joplin storm, the tornado that struck Springfield (MA) today is noteworthy because New England is well outside Tornado Alley. This is the first tornado in Hampden County since 2008 and the most powerful in over 40 years. The tornado crossed the Connecticut River and caused at least one death. This has been a bad Spring for tornadoes in the

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-21416712689744955012011-05-26T07:50:00.000-05:002011-05-26T07:50:36.273-05:00

The Butcher of Srebrenica has been captured. I wonder who the anonymous tipster was. I'm not usually a supporter of capital punishment, but I would gladly serve on a firing squad to execute that monster. Congress is growing a spine over Libya.  I'm glad to see both parties stand up for the War Powers Act. I usually trust President Obama's judgement, but I don't like any Commander in Chief to

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-89250540515522456652011-05-22T09:52:00.000-05:002011-05-22T09:52:30.611-05:00

Maybe Jesus came back as a pillar of cloud.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-45579683711392887972011-05-21T12:22:00.000-05:002011-05-21T12:22:46.004-05:00

The song selection is obvious, but here is a terrific cover by Great Big Sea.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-84180636060819055832011-05-20T07:56:00.000-05:002011-05-20T07:56:41.377-05:00

The rumor that Tommy! will run for Herb Kohl's Senate seat in 2012 has not been met with enthusiasm by the wing-nuts.  The Club for Growth has gone after him for his support for health care reform.  Senator Ron Johnson has been less than encouraging. If the current Republican Party establishment treats Thompson the way they have treated Newt Gingrich since he dared to criticize Paul Ryan's

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-74052540428274100102011-05-17T08:02:00.000-05:002011-05-17T08:02:48.362-05:00

Blackwater founder Erik Prince has found a more lucrative market for his mercenary business.  His new company, Reflex Responses, is providing security for the government of the United Arab Emirates, where he "hires a mixture of Colombian soldiers of fortune and South African vets of Executive Outcomes, the pre-Blackwater merc firm that fought nasty counter-guerilla wars in Angola and Sierra

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-81740878880555105372011-05-13T17:50:00.001-05:002011-05-31T08:42:20.846-05:00

If you tried to comment yesterday, your comment was temporarily removed by Blogger.  They claim that they will restore the missing posts in the coming hours.  Here's their explanation.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-83309444953644852222011-05-11T19:06:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:31:27.668-05:00

This is somewhere between the sort of story problem you would find on the SAT and in The Onion's old "Cultural Idiocy" quizzes (I was recently reminded of the old CI feature because, 20 years ago, my friends and I used to do them together at the campus-area bar where we all hung out). Can you identify the set to which all of these items belong?  Quarter Half Dollar Baseball Tennis Ball Walnut

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-57217729851443956532011-05-07T11:36:00.000-05:002011-05-07T11:36:27.557-05:00

The Wisconsin DNR plans to introduce three species of Chinese wasps in an attempt to control the Emerald Ash Borer. Bringing in new invasive species to control an invasive pest -- what could possibly go wrong? I heard the buzzing of a crop-duster overhead a few days ago, reminding me that gypsy-moth-spraying season is upon us.  I guess my neighborhood is among the lucky places in Dane County to

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-14563782725625904102011-05-02T19:25:00.001-05:002011-05-02T19:27:14.094-05:00

With apologies to Chris Rock, who used similar words about Tupac in a stand-up routine years ago: Osama Bin Laden was not assassinated. John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated. Benazir Bhutto was assassinated. That al-quaeda bastard was shot. Seriously, do we say that John Dillinger was assassinated?  Or Bonnie and Clyde?

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-33117722792595697222011-05-02T08:07:00.002-05:002011-05-02T08:07:39.434-05:00

A moment of celebration is in order. Sing it, Harry.

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-15655578283596253072011-04-30T09:34:00.000-05:002011-04-30T09:34:42.519-05:00

I have spent the month of April thinking about this. When we invaded in 2001, it was a war of necessity, in my opinion. The ruling Taliban had given safe haven to Osama bin Laden and his followers, who used their Afghan base to plan the 9-11 attacks on the U.S. Unfortunately, the administration's ambitions to forcibly spread democracy through the Middle East led it to fight the Afghan war on the

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3450026683608056510.post-17766438383589339292011-04-28T19:13:00.000-05:002011-04-28T19:13:58.385-05:00

Too few Americans have studied Economics. It's taught less in high school than in past decades (along with other social studies classes), and it's a dry subject that does not invite self-study. The folks at EconStories have produced this entertaining rap video that provides a lively lesson in the debate between the economic theories of John Maynard Keynes and F. A. Hayek. Take ten minutes and

Ordinary Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05967266466238236424noreply@blogger.com0