BP announced this evening that they installed a wedding ring around the leaking pipe today and it immediately quit putting out.

And I Repeat Myself Again

What is really troubling, concerning the very clear language of the 2nd Ammendment, is that the court ruling was a 5-4 thing.

Gun owners and freedom lovers, like myself, are dancing around, crowing about their victory today as if they've saved the republic.

That's Bullshit.

I see this for what it is: 5-4 is proof positive that the republic is on it's deathbed.

link

****OK, thats enough.
Comments are down for this post.

Let The Third World Have It

I've tried to watch past World Cups, only to find the whole exercise rather boring:
A bunch of guys kick a ball around and nobody scores. Wow.
And to think... English find this worth rioting over.
Sorry, just not getting that part of it.

Still, it's been fun watching Team USA, and learning a little bit about what's going on. I'm never going to be a soccer fan, but I can see it becoming the same quadrennial(is that a word?) type of indulgence hockey is.
In other words, I only watch it every four years when my country is playing another for some grand prize... and five minutes worth of strutting rights.
Beyond that, you can have it.

What I did like:

• is that beyond all the nationalistic prides, the bitter (it seems) rivalries, and those annoying horns... are fans of one nation congratulating the fans of their rivals on their superior level play, or their fighting spirit (if they lost).
  


• Bill Clinton. Forget politics and whatever kind of a putz he is, when the country is being represented in something like this, I think it's only fitting, and a team morale boost, to have some sort of symbolic presence of it's people. The Brits have the Queen. South Africa was cheered with the presence of Mandela. We can, and should, send a former president, (or present member of the first family) to serve as ceremonial cheerleader.


• Speaking of Bill, he obviously had as much of a clue about what he was watching as I did. I think he was just enjoying being Bill while away from Hilary.


• South Africa has been through a lot in it's recent history. The games have shown that the nation seems to be moving beyond all that, has a lot going for itself when it wants to.


• Despite a poor history, USA had as good a showing, or better, than some of the historical powerhouses. Makes me a little more prouder to be an American, even if I still don't care much about the whole spectacle.
  

I don't know about you, but ready I'm for some real football now.

Democracy Fail

It don't take brains to be a county supervisor.
Peggy West, County Supervisor, Milwaukee:

Yes, moderation is off. Please, behave yourselves.

Immigration Thoughts

I've tried to craft a comprehensive post on the immigration issues going on, but it really is too complex to tackle all at once.

I'll just start by saying that I prefer a liberalized immigration policy with no respect to race or nation of origin. An African Bushman should have just as much standing as a Englishman, in other words.
I also think that the threat of deportation for misbehavior ought to be real, and not mired in years of legal wrangling and appeals, with very little actual deportation taking place.
I would also lower the bar as to what is a deportable offense to include parents whose minor children(citizens or not) are involved in criminal activity.

Greencards would be issued on a first-come basis. People wouldn't be allowed to jump to a higher priority because their brother or sister is already here. Priority would only be granted to spouses and minor children/dependants.

I would make allowances for certain labor needs. If a farming co-op wants to bring in foreign help, I would allow that. Also, if certain skill sets we have a shortage of what can be found elsewhere, I would allow that, too.

And I won't even entertain the idea of what to do with those already here illegally until we've controlled the borders, and kept control for several years, like maybe 15-20.

A nation requires borders, and borders should mean something. When somebody comes here, they should be appreciative and respectful of those who came before them to build the society they want to be a part of.