Latest Blog Posts
Not a Fan
As a state Senator, I was a bit of an admirer of Ernie Chambers. I can’t say I’m a fan of his current role as litigant and appellant. I can’t wait to see what trouble Mr. Chambers stirs up once he is officially out of office.
Middle of the Road
I’ve made three trips to Omaha in the past three days. Why do drivers insist on camping in the center lane on the 3-lane portions of I-80?
Money Well Spent?
State Auditor Mike Foley has turned into a bit of a folk hero of late. Now there’s talk he may get involved in Lincoln’s Antelope Valley Project, either by invitation or on his own volition. I can’t help but think his input would be welcomed by a substantial number of Lincolnites. If he were to conduct an audit, and if he were to issue a mostly positive report, it might give the City a small boost going into next year’s arena vote. But if he were to issue a negative report ... Well, I suspect we’d hear a few discouraging words from a whole host of folks.
Will Nebraska See Red if District 2 Votes Blue?
There’s a reasonable chance that Barack Obama won Nebraska’s District 2 (Omaha), meaning that for the first time in history, Nebraska’s electoral vote could be split. Sure, one electoral vote isn’t much, but it’s still a big deal. It is a big deal because Nebraska gained attention from the two major party candidates during the election. And it’s a big deal because Republican state politicians may soon take steps to ensure it never happens again.
I have never liked the all-or-nothing approach to electoral vote distribution. Those who like the system used by most states tend to be those who benefit most from it—Republicans in Nebraska, for example, and Democrats in California. But on what grounds? Surely not on fairness or justice grounds. The current system is far from the principle of “one man, one vote”. Perhaps on the grounds that “to the winner go the spoils”. But the winner of what? The definition of the parameters of the contest—and thus, the definition of “winner”—is an arbitrary act. If we aren’t going to abide by “one man, one vote”, we ought to at least prefer rules that keep us close to that principle.
How do you like Nebraska’s (and Maine’s) system? Is it fair? Right? Should we keep it? Or perhaps we ought to scrap the Electoral College altogether?
Incivility in the Supermarket
Is there anything in this article about a recent altercation at a Russ’s Market that isn’t hilarious?
Even the Police Chief thinks it’s funny.
Liveblogging the Election
Thanks to an invitation from Lincolnite regular Nikkidemas, I will be participating in 10/11‘s liveblogging of the election tonight. You can participate in the liveblogging event by going to kolnkgin.com, or you can participate right here on Lincolnite. You will be able to ask questions and provide feedback throughout the event, which begins at 8:00pm.
Make Your Case
In case you haven’t heard, there’s an election tomorrow. Yeah, I was surprised to hear that, too.
This is just about your last chance to make your case for your favorite candidates or issues. So have at it. Tell us why we should vote for your guy or gal. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m genuinely curious to see what you have to say.
More Bad News for Gateway on the Way?
Could tomorrow bring more bad news to Gateway, the corridors of which are starting to look a tad empty? Rumors are circulating that the locations of 155 soon-to-be-shuttered Circuit City stores will be released on Monday. I don’t have any specific information suggesting Lincoln’s lone CC is on that list. Lincoln’s Circuit City could be the company’s most profitable for all I know. But Gateway’s momentum has been decidedly negative lately. If bad news travels in packs, the outlook for Lincoln’s CC doesn’t look good.
UPDATE: Unbelievably, Lincoln’s store is not on the list. Thanks to Jeff R for the link.
Keep Your Hounds Out of Holmes
You might want to avoid Holmes Lake, the neighboring dog run, and nearby portions of Antelope Creek. It seems you might run into the meatloaf your neighbor ate earlier this week after wastewater backed up into Antelope Creek. Eww. Here’s hoping for a good rain to flush (ha!) things out.
Get Your Scare On
OK, folks, what are the best Halloween activities going on today and tonight? The Wilsons are headed back to Gateway for some safe and relatively bland indoor trick-or-treating. Robbie will no doubt think it’s the coolest night ever. Unfortunately, it means the poor neighborhood kids won’t be getting any candy from our house. Sorry kids.
It sounds like the weather is going to be pretty darn nice tonight. Couple that with the day of the week, and I suspect you’d best hide your jack-o-lanterns if you want them to see All Saints Day. I’m not saying I ever engaged in any delinquent shenanigans when I was a teenager, but if I were a teenager and I were in the mood to engage in a little petty destruction, tonight would seem a pretty darn nice night to do it.
I realized just now that I have given exactly zero thought to what I will wear tonight. Maybe I could whip up a “Palin vs. Clinton 2012” t-shirt. That’d pretty much terrify everyone.
Tonight’s Entertainment
The Missus knows I love the humor behind politics, so for my birthday she got me tickets to see The Capitol Steps tonight at the Lied Center. Are any of you going to the show tonight?
Returning to Lincoln with Tails Tucked Under
Contrary to assurances that Nebraska’s unique “safe haven” law ”would avoid all the pitfalls of ... more complicated legislation”, Nebraska has become a national laughingstock as the number of non-infant children abandoned at state hospitals approaches two dozen. Funny, it’s almost like somebody should have seen this coming. Perhaps Governor Heineman should have listened to his gut. Or to Senator Ernie Chambers, since he was the only person to vote against the bill. (Seven others are in the record as “excused and not voting”.)
State Senators will return to Lincoln on November 14 for a special session to amend the law.
The Devil’s Element
Now that state law requires communities to fluoridate their water, it’s interesting to see the fluoride debate heat up across the state. I’ve never had a problem with fluoride. I see fluoridated water as being very similar to iodized salt. Yet obviously some people get pretty excited by the notion that the government is pumping “medicine” into the water supply. I figure heck, they may be brainwashing me but at least I’ll have good teeth.
If fluoridation were brought to a vote in Lincoln, would we keep it?
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