Instead of getting to the ton of errands I need to do around the house today, I find myself sitting in front of the computer and writing. Well, I guess that’s not all bad, since there’s more for you to read, but I need to get moving soon if I’m going to have a chance of getting to the post office before they close so I can mail the bills and Christmas cards, and have time to swing by the MOB gathering this evening.
Yesterday’s pot-luck was fun. My jambalaya came out well, with a couple additions. I’ve updated the recipe. The guy who has the office next to me made some chili that made my mouth feel like my ears do at an Alice Cooper concert, which was a good thing. But I ate too much, and combined with the too-warm temperature in my office, that led to me cutting out early from work. I was nodding off there, but seemed to be fine again once I got myself into cooler climes, which is just about anywhere else in the state. I think I’m going to have to buy a thermometer for the office so I can convince the building people there’s actually something wrong, but there are times when it feels like a sauna in there, and I don’t know about you, but I’m just not super productive when I’m stewing in my own (abundant) juices.
- Pajamas Media has the Senate Roll Call to end filibuster against Patriot Act reauthorization. 52-47 for ending the filibuster, which wasn’t the sixty votes needed to end it. Minnesota’s senators split along party lines, as I expected. And the vote won’t change my support (or lack thereof) for either. Dayton voted for the Patriot Act before he voted against it, and I haven’t especially liked Norm Coleman since I met him when he was running (as a big-government democrat, before he “switched” to being a big-government republican) for Mayor of St. Paul and couldn’t shut up and watch the Saints game, choosing instead to gab through the first few innings and then leave early, as though he was a Dodgers fan. A pox on both their houses. [instapundit]
- And a pox on Hugh Hewitt and Orin Kerr, too. There’s more than just 3% of USA PATRIOT that’s offensive. Nearly the whole damned thing is, whether you look at it as
actual legislation
or asymbol of the Bush Administration and the War on Terror
. Doesn’t matter. It’s bad and wrong, and of the 10% that I might concede is Constitutional, maybe 3% is worthwhile, but I’d be prefectly happy throwing out this misbegotten baby with the murky Potomac bathwater. [instapundit] - And the ACLU Opposes Patriot Act Provision that gives the Secret Service (who are fast morphing into a more sinister SS) power to charge protesters. Doesn’t it say somewhere that
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
? Sounds to me like Congress is trying to prevent prople from peaceably assembling and petitioning the Government for a redress of grievances, and I find myself wondering who voted for these treasonous bastards (okay, that’s probably over the line — I’m sure at least one or two of them know who their fathers are). [police state] - But then I don’t find someone saying that Martial Law Is Already Here surprising. I thought Article IV of the Constitution guaranteed a freedom of movement, and the Fourth Amendment prohibited unreasonable searches, so obviously I’m completely confused. [police state]