THE PENULTIMATE EFFECT OF TOP-DOWN LEADERSHIP

This guy is not wrong.

No matter what you think of Mike Madigan (and I happen to like and admire him), the net effect of the top down method of legislation is that the rank and file play poker, drink or chase women until the leadership of both parties AT THE TOP, disgorge something that the body is to vote upon.

As you probably know, "penultimate" means "next to last"  The last stage is anarchy.

Anyhow, no matter your philosophy on these things, click the link and enjoy the show.  I think the guy is saying what back benchers on both sides are thinking.

A FUTURE WITH MORE YOUTH AND LESS SACHS

I've known Les and Linda Sachs for about a thousand years.  I hope their retirement years are many and prosperous.

When I was young and full of piss and vinegar, Les and I used to fight about coverage issues and related stuff (the details of which I can't even remember).  After Les' sabbatical, we both mellowed out and that didn't happen any more.

I can say that Les never did or said anything for any purpose except to serve the news-consuming public.  He's earned his rest.  He'll be a valued neighbor for many years. 

Be well and Congratulations, my friend.

GRIN AND BARRETT

I don't normally talk about political contributions I make but, today, an exception.

Sent some money to Tom Barrett--about a half day's net pay.

Barrett's not that impressive a guy but his opponent seriously needs to be in another line of work.  This is so, in my opinion, not just because he opposes the right of workers to organize themselves but also because he's a disagreeable Dickweed and casts gratuitous aspersions upon our State.  His solutions are not better than ours.

I oppose organized labor leaders every day of my professional life but the idea that nurses and teachers should not be able to organize sounds to me like it came from behind the iron curtain.

So join me, if you will, and send a couple of hours' pay to Tom Barrett.  Let's put a stop to this nonsense now.

The election's June 5 so don't dally.

UGLY TIMES

Forty-two years ago, the killings at Kent State happened.  It is difficult to place that into context for someone who was not alive at that time.

For me, a veteran, a college student, a libertarian (with a small "L") and a Nixonphobe, it was a deeply distressing time.  I don't ever want my country to feel that again.

The best way to avoid that is for the next generations to be taught about all that went wrong that horrible day.  One of my children calls me or texts me every year to tell me she remembers, no doubt with David Crosby and Steven Stills in the background.