Breaking Weather News

Dateline: Sun Prairie WI

Noted Weather Rodent Jimmy the Goundhog (seen above in an undated picture) came out of his burrow today and DID NOT see his shadow. In a prepared statement, Jimmy declared an early end to winter and a quick transition to spring. Reporters gathered around the furry prognosticator to ask how this forecast jibed with Jimmy's long time disdain for the concept of Global Warming. Before he could answer, a large Redtailed Hawk swept down, grabbing Jimmy in his talons. The hawk had been seen earlier on a lamppost near Hwy 151.
Reporters attempted to contact the hawk but were told that he was at lunch and had no comment.
Mr. Groundhog is survived by his son, Jimmy Jr. When asked by reporters whether he wold continue in the family business, Jimmy Jr answered "Hell no, I'm moving to Florida."
No funeral is planned at this time due to lack of remains but friends say there will be a memorial service to be announced at a later date.

Hoar Frost

Freezing fog the last two mornings.

These shots were taken at 9AM as the sun was coming out. All gone by 10.

Topics in Healthcare

The local fishwrap had a lovely article Sunday about the anti-abortion crowd protesting UW Hospital offering 2nd trimster abortions at it's new surgery center. It had the usual suspects: Hospital officials explaining the need for the center and bearded Taliban members ranting about their religion local protestors explaining how Jesus hates abortions. Pretty routine stuff.
What always amazes me about these stories is that there is never a mention of health care in gereral. I mean if these people really cared about all those unborn babies why the hell aren't they out in front of their local Republican Party office demanding that they help put together a healthcare reform that would cover the prenatal care for every expectant mother? Why aren't they running around with pictures of real live babies that are in dire need of urgent medical care but their parents are too poor to obtain it? With the US infant mortality rate in there with some third world countries, one would think that might be a more important use of their time and energy. But alas, socialized medicine does not appear to be anywhere in the bible so god is either against it or at least ambivilent.  For as much press as these loonies get, you think just once someone might ask them about that.

Just in case you might think I'm a little hard on this crowd, here is a little bio (one of three in a sidebar) of one of the protestors. Tell me this guy isn't certfiable.

Amend This

Since Rep. Bart Stupak has introduced an amendment to the House bill on health insurance reform limiting insurance programs associated with any government sponsored insurance from offering any abortion services, he has taken a great deal of heat from the left. The most mainstream of these offer links to blogs offering links to Planned Parenthood for donations in Stupak's name. The more radical blogs have offered contests to make his name synonymous with some nasty biological function ala santorum.
I'll let others define why this amendment is so vile. What I want to point out is that this is the Stupak-Pitts amendment. Joe Pitts (R-Family) is a paid-in-full member of the looney right wing C-Street crowd. They are the ones laying out this medieval design on women's rights. Stupak deserves every bit of venom aimed his way, but don't miss the point that he's a stalking horse for the real enemy.
As far as I'm concerned, shoot the messenger. Just don't miss who sent him.

Fete De Marquette

The Fete De Marquette benefit for the Wilmar Neighborhood Center has had to move around a bit over the last few years but it has not suffered for the relocations. Once again the fine music line up has made it the closest successor to the late lamented Madison Blues Fest, if not in the breadth of the acts, at least in the joyousness of celebrating musical genres. Here's a couple of shots of the music.

Tab Benoit Friday night.

The Radiators on Sunday night.

A great time was had by all. Make sure that you don't miss it next year.

My habit of reading the local fishwrap every morning goes back decades and has descended into ritual rather that any real attempt at gathering anything more than local gossip. Of course if you follow the blind squirrel philosophy, you occasionally find the requisite acorn. Or acorns.
I read three articles today that seemed to follow a common thread. The theme became apparent by the third story, but I think I'll relate them in reverse order.

Third headline: Many Iraqis Held By US Will Go Free This Summer.
As we wind down the active occupation of Iraq, we will release thousands of prisoners that are being held with no charges and little or no proof of wrong doing. The US has admitted to detaining over 100,000, but that figure is undoubtedly low. The prisoners were to be screened for prosecution but only 129 of the over 13,000 still in custody are slated for trial. Mostly this has been classic concentration camp internment with fores into depravity like Abu Graib.

Second headline: Unit Returns Home From Gitmo.
A digest story about the return of 13 Wisconsin National Guard members who are returning from a year long stint of public relations from Guantonamo Bay.
"Unit members escorted about 400 journalists on tours of the detention facility and wrote articles on the military commissions for dissemination by military radio stations and publications. Members also took official photographs of dignitaries who visited."
Capt. Kim Kleiman was quoted as saying, "We were able to affect world opinion on Gitmo"

First headline: Ex-Nazi Guard, Living Here, Sent Back To Austria.
Josias Kumpf, now 83, was drafted at age 17 into the SSDeath's Head guard forces in 1942 and went on to oversee prisoners at camps in Poland and France. Kumpf's lawyer maintained that he never actually killed anyone but was present when killings occurred. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that "...he presided over and witnessed the torture and murder of helpless people."

Three stories. Three different places. Three unconnected events. I wonder if Capt. Kleiman or one of the US troops who guarded Iraqis prisoners will find themselves somewhere outside of the US, maybe even 40 years from now, and will have to explain just what they were doing in 2009. I guess I won't be reading the morning fishwrap by then.

Justice

The best thing I've read on line this week:

"Michael Vick goes to jail, loses millions, and now is on house arrest for torturing and killing a few dogs. George Bush tortures thousands, kills a million, loots the treasury and retires to a gated community in Dallas."

One of my great hopes for the future is that I will be able to come back and amend this post.