Random Notes & Links

Here are a few random notes, links and musings.

Can we stop calling Arnold Schwarzenegger a Republican already? Schwarzenegger Signs Bill Creating Harvey Milk Day. What? The California governor also recently signed legislation prohibiting cell phone usage while driving. While these laws are all the rage no one is asking if they are necessary which should be the first consideration when weighing new laws. The concern with cell phones is it could impact ability to safely operate a vehicle. All states already have laws dealing with reckless driving. If using a cell phone causes a driver to be reckless then enforce that law. Don't get me wrong, I don't think people should distract themselves with a cell phone while driving. However, there are hundreds of other things they should not do while driving - apply make up, read the newspaper, so on and so forth.

Speaking of ridiculous legislation, a new version of a hate crime law called The Hate Crimes Prevention Act is on the way. Never mind the fact that it would do nothing to prevent any crime let alone a supposed hate crime. Here is a link to a column titled "Hate Hysteria" by Jacob Sellum of Reason Magazine which addresses the silliness of hate crime laws and points out that the federal version would likely be unconstitutional as a form of double jeopardy. Beyond the constitutional question, is the stupidity of calling some crime hate crimes. Does that mean other murders are not hateful?

A lot has been made of our president with zero accomplishments being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Here is the funniest take on it (beside the drive to award him the Heisman Trophy). If Obama got a Nobel why didn't Neville Chamberlain? He at least delivered peace in our time. Oh, wait a second. That didn't work out too well. Did it? The fools on the Nobel committee fail to understand that peace is provided not by speeches but rather by action.

Looks like Rep. Schmidt (R-OH2) will face a challenger in the Republican primary. This time her opponent will be a conservative.

LEBANON - C. Michael Kilburn, a Warren County commissioner for 27 years known for his outspoken, brash manner, said Thursday he will challenge U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Miami Township, in the Republican primary. Kilburn, 55, who lives in Salem Township, plans to make an official announcement Saturday during the Warren County Republican Party Century Club breakfast at the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast in Deerfield Township.

A hard-line conservative, Kilburn caught the attention of national media this year when he said he would let Warren County go broke before accepting President Barack Obama's "filthy" economic stimulus money.

It is difficult to un-seat a sitting congressman in a primary. However, Kilburn has beaten tough odds before. Break out the popcorn, this should be a fun race.

Not sure what I'll do when I grow up, but landscaping is now definitely off the list. Spent most of the day yesterday digging holes to plant two new trees in our yard. Once you get past the topsoil it is all clay.

I really don't care if Rush Limbaugh owns a minority interest in an NFL team. I don't listen to his show unless I'm driving around during that time frame. I intentionally avoid his show on Fridays during football season because I hate the Steelers and he is a big and vocal fan of that team. Having said all that, it is ludicrous how how people reacted to Limbaugh's inclusion in Dave Checkett's NFL bid. Limbaugh is blackballed and called a racist because he disagrees with socialistic economic policy and occasionally calls out race baiting clowns like Sharpton and Jackson for scorn for their despicable behavior. I'd have no problem if the NFL had a consistent policy of no owners with issues that could be controversial. However, consider the minority owners of the Dolphins and the NFL and Rush's critics seem very hypocritical.

And now a word from an NFL owner:

“And the game done chose me to bring pain to niggas and pussy holes, they one in the same.” - I’m Real, co-written by Jennifer Lopez, minority owner of the Miami Dolphins.

Amidst the uproar over Rush Limbaugh having to step aside from his participation in the bid to purchase the NFL’s St. Louis Rams over racially insensitive statements he never actually made, is the fact that current ACTUAL owners of an NFL team have said much worse than the false and the left says nothing.

Lastly, if you know a ball player 13 years old or younger who wants to play baseball tomorrow send him my way. I have a double header tomorrow and only seven players due to the flu. Usually I'm hoping for good weather and dry fields. Tonight I'm praying for rain and lots of it.