Latest Blog Posts
When Means and Ends Conflict
Omaha Senator Pat Bourne wants to overrule local anti-smoking ordinances with a single statewide ordinance. Now I’m experiencing an ends/means conflict. I support the ends (property and business owner rights) of Bourne’s bill, but I hate the means (usurping local control). I support the means (local voters decide) of Lincoln’s anti-smoking ordinance, but I hate the ends (squashing property and business owner rights).
But I’m not going to be wishy-washy and try to have it both ways. I’ll be a good boy and pick my side. I do not support Bourne’s bill. Bypassing local democratic processes—even wrongheaded ones—is not something Nebraska ought to be doing. More importantly, the bill’s evil goes beyond overthrowing Lincoln’s democratic decision. Bourne wants to pre-emptively halt similar democratic activity in Omaha, where an anti-smoking ordinance similar to Lincoln’s will probably be enacted within the next few years. That’s no different than Nebraska’s voters bypassing Omaha voters’ democratic rights by booting Ernie Chambers out of office via the term limits initiative.
And so I come out on the side of Lincoln’s anti-rights na… No, no, I’m not going to say it. Let me rephrase: I come out on the side of Lincoln’s anti-smoking advocates. We are an unlikely alliance, but when you have principles to uphold, sometimes you find yourself among odd company.
The Battle Begins
How this is handled will say a lot about our community. For my part I may contact the business and land owners to offer my research services to help them battle any potential abuses of eminent domain. I really want to help them, but current “life circumstances” may prevent me from doing as much as I would like.
We’ll Save You From Terrorism. Unless It Snows
Some people think the United States is run by a giant, sinister government that sees everything you do and knows everything about you. This hypothetical government is capable of just about anything. To them I say: yeah right.
(All joking aside, this is rather disturbing news.)
Jerry Falwell/Tinky Winky Redux
Kudos to FoxNews for the creative name of the link to this story: SpongeBob GayPants?
An Editor Thinks He’s Funny
Am I the only one who thinks this Reuters headline’s double meaning isn’t an accident?
Convention Centers as Economic Development Strategy
Among the many proposed economic development drivers being promoted right now in Lincoln, a new convention center is one of the most publicized and praised. Indeed, Lincoln’s current major convention facility, Pershing Center, is a steaming pile of poo compared to many of the newest convention and entertainment facilities in the country. (Compare to Qwest Center in Omaha, for example.) But let’s not fool ourselves and think that if we build it, they—people with overflowing wallets, that is—will come. As The Brookings Institution notes, nothing is certain when convention centers drive economic development strategy.
Mangled Pig Carcass
Daisy loves pig ears.*
There are now dozens of tiny little chunks of pig carcass scattered throughout the house. Yum.
*For those of you who don’t have pets, pig ears are exactly that: dried (and sometimes seasoned) pig’s ears sold at outrageous prices to dog owners who, for whatever irrational reason, love to spoil their dogs.
Skywave Radio
I stumbled across Skywave Radio today. It’s a quirky little station out of Brighton, UK. They seem to play a mix of pop and lite punk. If you have Winamp or another program capability of playing streaming internet radio, check it out.
Now THIS is a winter day
I hope you all are getting a chance to enjoy this beautiful day. Could there possibly be a more iconic winter day? It’s cold, there’s a fresh blanket of snow, and the skies are sunny and clear. Fantastic. The only thing I can possibly find wrong with today is that the snow is way too dry to build a snowman. But that fact made it a heckuva lot easier to shovel, so there’s no way you’re going to hear me complain.
Daisy is enjoying the day by laying in the sun that is pouring into the kitchen. The missus is out braving the Saturday crowds at Hy-Vee. And me? I’m sitting at the computer gazing out the window rather than getting any work done.
System Upgrade
I upgraded the system to Expression Engine 1.2.1 today. Post comments here if you notice any new wonky behavior. (Excepting, of course, expected wonky behavior from the fact that the site is still in an alpha stage.)
Fox-free TV!
Do you absolutely hate Fox News? Well now there’s a solution!
I am torn between (1) thinking this is yet another example of just how lame partisans can be; and (2) thinking this is yet another example of just how creative a really dedicated group of individuals can be. I’m actually leaning toward 2…
Still, I can’t help but wonder: Shouldn’t the anti-Fox types be out hugging trees, saving whales, or protesting the fact that some imprisoned terrorist had to suffer through regular Cheerios with 2% milk this morning, rather than the Honey Nut Cheerios and skim milk he requested?
Search and Login
You may notice that I finally added search capabilities and a member login form to the column on the right. Neither is very pretty right now, but I’m trying to work on function before form. Also, there still isn’t a way for people to become a website member without my intervention. I’ll get there ... eventually. This upcoming three-day weekend will give me an opportunity to get some stuff done on the website. I hope.
Evening at The Oven
The Missus and I ate at The Oven last night. I’m not typically the Indian food type, so I wasn’t all that enthusiastic about going. The Missus, on the other hand, was adamant. So we went. Gotta maintain a happy home life, y’know?
I’m glad we went. For one thing, my chicken tikka mahkani was very tasty. But beyond the food, The Oven has a nice atmosphere. And it is always good to see a local restaurant succeed.
One of these days I will get around to writing a review of The Oven in Eat Lincoln. One of these days.
Its Official: The 2005 Federal Government Dietary Guidelines…woohoo!
After 5 long years, the new dietary guidelines for the country were released today. Fruits and dark green vegetables are good. As is looking to fish and beans for protein. Avoid deep fried and sugar-laden products, and try and exercise every now and then. Truly earth-shattering.
Anyway, I’m still waiting for the revised pyramid thing.
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