Honeysuckles and fireflies

A nice way to end May - standing on the back deck with the scent of honeysuckle filling the air.
And fireflies lighting up the night sky.

Bang up idea

The Maryland boy who got suspended from school - after eating his Pop-Tart into the shape of a gun - have been given a membership in the NRA.
What can I make into a gun shape to get a membership?

Bad news inside the numbers

Liberals were crowing last week when California's Obamacare exchange announced its proposed rates for 2014.
See, it's not that bad.
We just needed some time to look inside the numbers. And at ehealthinsurance's current offerings.
So if you’re 40, your cheapest option is the bronze plan. In California, the median price of a bronze plan for a 40-year-old male non-smoker will be $261.
But on eHealthInsurance, the median cost of the five cheapest plans was $121. That is, Obamacare will increase individual-market premiums by an average of 116 percent.

Costly cure for bad penmanship

Via Legal Insurrection, the Razor slices up Electronic Health Records.
The key decision in any software development is to address who the software is for and the key needs it is meant to address. Judging by the current EHR systems available none were designed for doctors. Instead they were designed for the employers of doctors such as large health systems, insurance companies and the federal government who are interested in aggregated data in order to answer questions such as “How many patients are uncontrolled diabetics?” or “How much is being spent on obesity-related illness?”
The doctor will see you now - in between keystrokes and clicks.

Weekend watchdog

Will the Heat return to the NBA Finals?
Which teams on ice will play for the Stanley Cup?
The quests continue this weekend.
We know one member of the NBA Finals - San Antonio swept Memphis and awaits the winner of the Eastern Conference battle between Miami and Indiana. It's Game 6 back in Indiana Saturday at 8:30 p.m. Game 7, if necessary, will be Monday in Miami.
The Spurs continue to rest ahead of the Finals June 6.
On ice, the Penguins host Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday at 8 p.m. on NBC. The Blackhawks, fresh off an overtime victory in Game 7 Wednesday, host the Kings Saturday at 5 p.m. on NBC Sports network. Game 2 of the series will be Sunday at 8 p.m.
The Nationals head to Atlanta for the weekend, with games Friday and Sunday on MASN and Saturday on Fox. The Orioles host the Tigers on MASN2 (Saturday afternoon on MASN).
The Yankees face the Red Sox Saturday night on Fox and Sunday night on ESPN. TBS has another choice from Fox - Giants against Cardinals - Sunday afternoon. Other parts of the country will see the Pirates-Reds and Diamondbacks facing the Cubs.
College baseball's road to Omaha begins Friday, and ESPN2 shows South Carolina-St. Louis at 7 p.m. There's another contest Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2
Fox closes its NASCAR coverage Sunday at Dover. Tune in at 1 p.m. to hear DW say "Boogity, Boogity, Boogity" one more time. ESPN has the Nationwide race Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The Indy car racers head to Detroit Saturday and Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. NBC Sports network has the Tennessee National 450 motorcycle races Saturday at 1 p.m.
ESPN2 continues coverage of the French Open Friday at 5 a.m.
The PGA tour heads to Ohio for the Memorial. CBS has coverage Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday starting at 2:30 p.m.
The NCAA softball World Series continues Friday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. on ESPN with the winner's from Thursday's action. The loser's bracket games start Saturday at noon. ESPN2 has two games in the afternoon, with two more on ESPN at 7 p.m. ESPN starts coverage Sunday at 1 p.m., and ESPN2 carries if necessary contests Sunday evening.
D.C. United heads to Chicago Sunday to face the Fire at 5 p.m. on Comcast. NBC Sports network offers Los Angeles at New England Sunday at 4:30 p.m. The United States has an international friendly against Germany at 2 p.m. Sunday on ESPN2
NBC brings the Collegiate Sevens Rugby championships Saturday at 3 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. NBC Sports network has the action Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Prefontaine Classic brings track and field action to NBC Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

Dark side of solar power

Proponents of solar energy rely on the free access to their power source, sunshine.
Except they need man-made systems to turn that sunshine into electricity.
Ones that last more than a year before failing.
Or starting fires on the roof.

Singing for her state

Miranda Lambert let the emotion flow at Wednesday's concert for Oklahoma relief.

Is it summer vacation yet?

The days have dwindled to six on the Augusta County school calendar.
One of my nephews graduates high school tonight.
Some people struggle with the last month of school.
But cheer up. August 19 is coming.

Inspire and draw fire

Dan Riehl gets to share his thoughts on Michelle Bachmann to NPR.
The left thinks they can laugh, that sees going to go away.
I doubt it.
Like Sarah Palin, she will continue to inspire and draw fire.

Cheers for Cuccinelli

American Spectator likes Ken Cuccinelli.
Time for the rest of Virginia Republicans to join up.
Unless they prefer Terry McAuliffe to a Republican administration.

Buy now, pay later

A nice list of eight bad things coming with Obamacare.
The problem with one-size-fits-all solutions is that everything has been decided for you and you will be forced to purchase a policy that costs more than you’d like, that contains features that you have no interest in.

Ten little Indian foes

Ten members of Congress sent a letter to the NFL, urging the Redskins change their name.
The name Redskins is offensive to them.
Redskins
Redskins
Redskins
Redskins
Redskins
Redskins
Redskins
Redskins.
There you go. Ten mentions of the word the ten of them object to.

Houston's job gusher

The Atlantic tells the good news about the economy in Houston.
The recession in Texas was relatively mild, partly thanks to mistakes learned by the region's real estate and energy industries, said Patrick Jankowski, an economist and vice president of research at the Greater Houston Partnership. Texas "won" the recession not only because of the jobs it's created, but also because of the jobs it's hoarded -- particularly in energy.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Drudge Retort, a left-wing attempt to grab traffic from the Drudge Report.
How's it going?
They are tied with me today.
Nuff said.

Bazinga

A New York Times critic repents of his sin - underestimating "Big Bang Theory."
Now he's happy to be part of the in crowd.
For me, though, true validation came last summer when I was on vacation, walking up a darkened hill in the kind of resort town where the smart TV talk veers toward shows like “Girls” and “Mad Men.” I was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the word “bazinga,” Sheldon’s self-satisfied exclamation whenever he thinks he’s got the better of one of his pals. A car crept toward me, a window rolled down and my shields went up: Uh-oh, I thought, here comes some snarky comment. Instead the driver just said the word, Sheldon-like, quietly but rascally: “ba-ZING-a,” and then moved on. It was an acknowledgment of a shared secret, a coded utterance of the sentence that some people wait a lifetime to hear: How cool are we!

Last man standing

The world's oldest living human is 116 - born in 1897.
The next oldest man was born in 1901.
The world's oldest man retired from his job in 1962 - the year I was born.
Just have to live until 2078 to match his current record.

Sooper new tax form

Sooper Mexican has unearthed a new tax form specially made for Tea Party conservatives.

Here's your sign

No power

The Republicans have done a great job splitting the Democrats on energy policy.
After talking up oil and gas exploration off the coast, Senators Warner and Kaine support the approach.
As does gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe.
Liberals are steaming.
Maybe we should put them in a room and use the steam for power generation.
It will take a lot of liberals to match the energy production of coal.

New classic

After reading the story behind "I drive your truck," I have to post the video.
People will be singing this, and wiping away tears, for years.

Guess she knows she was going to lose

SWACgirl notes a Republican candidate in Rockingham County withdrawing from the supervisors race.
She cites "extremism."
Probably extremely likely she was going to lose next week.

Memorial Day song

Trace Adkins sings of Arlington.

Facebook quote of the week

I could swear this country is being run by a bunch of sorority girls, the way T-shirts keep popping up after every national tragedy.

Do you trust the volume doctor?

California has been among the first states to offer insurance exchanges under Obamacare.
Thursday, they announced the 13 companies that will participate in the individual exchanges.
How do the insurance companies plan to make this work?
Volume.
To get prices at such competitive points, winning health plans built their bids around the expectation of high enrollment, not high profit.
Volume may work at Costco or Sam's Club - stock up on several months' worth of toilet paper.
Do you want the high volume doctor?
The one seeing more patients in a day to make up for lower reimbursement for his services?
Much uncertainty looms before January 1, 2014, when Obamacare takes full effect.

Weekend watchdog

In past years, race fans have been able to catch 1100 miles of action the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
Add a few more hours of action in 2013.
NBC will broadcast the Formula One Grand Prix of Monaco Sunday at 7:30 a.m. after NBC Sports network shows qualifying Saturday at 8 a.m.
After the twists and turns of Monaco, it's off to the brickyard for the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday at 11 a.m. NBC Sports network brings Friday's practices at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Cap the day in Charlotte for NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on Fox at 6 p.m. The Nationwide racers go Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
For more speed this weekend, NBC Sports network has motorcycle racing Saturday at 3 p.m. from Thunder Valley.
The NBA conference finals continue, with Game 2 between the Pacers and Heat Friday at 8:30 p.m. on TNT. The Western Conference final shifts to Memphis Saturday at 9 p.m., with the Spurs holding a 2-0 lead. The Eastern series heads to Indiana Sunday at 8:30 p.m. for Game 3.
The NHL playoffs continue Friday as the Penguins host Ottawa in Game 5 at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network. NBC offers Game 5 of Chicago-Detroit Saturday at 8 p.m. after Game 5 between the Rangers and Bruins on NBC Sports network.
The Kings and Sharks will play Game 6 some time Sunday, and if Ottawa wins Friday Game 6 will be Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
The Orioles host Toronto Saturday on MASN and on MASN2 Friday and Sunday.
The Nationals take on the Phillies Friday and Sunday on MASN, and Saturday night on FOX. Other parts of the country will catch Marlins-White Sox, Cardinals at Dodgers, Mets-Braves and A's taking on the Astros.
ESPN shows the Braves and Mets on Sunday night, while the Yankees and Rays battle on TBS Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Comcast continues coverage of the ACC baseball tournament, with three games Friday beginning at 11 a.m., and two more Saturday. ESPN has the championship at 1 p.m. Sunday, followed by the SEC title game at 4:30 p.m.
The NCAA softball tournament has reached the Super Regional stage.
There's a pair of elimination games possible Friday at 7 and 9 p.m. On ESPN2, Alabama meets Tennessee at 7 p.m. ESPN has three games Saturday, starting with Michigan facing Louisiana-Lafayette at noon. After an elimination game at 2:30 p.m., Alabama plays Tennessee at 5 p.m. Arizona State hosts Kentucky Saturday at 10 p.m. on ESPN2, following an elimination game at 8 p.m. Sunday, Florida plays UAB in the second game of the super regional at noon. There's an elimination game Sunday at 3 p.m., followed by Arizona State-Kentucky at 5 p.m. ESPN2 has an elimination game if necessary Sunday at 8 p.m.
It's time for the Lacrosse final four. ESPN2 has Cornell-Duke Saturday at 2:30 p.m., followed by Denver against Syracuse. The national title game will be Monday.
CBS has the PGA tour at the Colonial Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
The French Open begins Sunday at 5 a.m. on ESPN2.
D.C. United hosts Portland Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. On NBC Sports network, Kansas City takes on Houston Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and the Galaxy meet Seattle Sunday at 11 p.m. on ESPN2.

Best day ever

Google did a decent job picking its contest winner in 2013.

Dancing Queen

Kellie Pickler danced her way to the title at Dancing with the Stars this week.
When she made the field, I used a past picture of her in a post.
Can't go wrong with Kellie.

Know your IRS rules

The internet allows people with inside knowledge to cut through the crap on issues like the IRS/Tea Party delays.
Powerline received a lengthy note about the rules IRS agents live by - which makes the Tea Party delays more striking.
Our reader adds this note: “Believe me, every employee at IRS is acutely conscious of 1203, no matter where they work. After it was passed seizures, liens and levies dropped to almost zero. Took a long time for people to even think about sticking their necks out.”
Sorry Democrats, but more to come.

Can you dig it?

Dustbury knows Oklahoma. And why there aren't underground shelters everywhere.
The Atlantic tries to explain for those just joining in.

Can Weiner be a winner?

Commentary watches Anthony Weiner's announcement video - and wonders if New Yorkers will fall for his comeback try.
The latest Quinnipiac poll does show him not all that far behind the frontrunner, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The poll shows Quinn in first with 25 percent and Weiner in second at 15 percent, with 27 percent saying they don’t know and the rest scattered among a crowded field. Theoretically, that means that there is plenty of room for Weiner’s share of support to grow and give him a chance to win.
But the poll also specifically asked New Yorkers whether they thought Weiner should run. Nearly half said no. Only 38 percent thought he ought to be in the race. When you consider that he already has what must be almost 100-percent name recognition, that means about half the voters won’t even consider voting for him. That will make it nearly impossible for him to win a runoff, which is mandatory if no candidate gets 40 percent of the vote.

On the local protest front

Tuesday's protests at IRS offices included the Staunton location.
It took the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party Patriots two years and 892 pages of documents to get their tax-exempt status.
They want to make sure the IRS remembers their struggle.

From sea to shining sea

From California to South Carolina and many spots in between, taxpayers protested outside IRS offices.
Wonder if MSNBC noticed.

He's already full of bull

So President Obama wishes he could talk straight like the movie "Bulworth."
We know he's full of bull, for what that's worth.

An action with class

Tea Party groups can check out Sue the IRS.
Or just cheer them on.

Today's Tied with me

Technorati has this blog tied with Ticketmaster Presale Passwords.
Get your tickets - ahead of the crowd.

Cooking up help

Among the groups headed to Moore, Oklahoma is Operation BBQ Relief.
People there are going to need food.
These BBQ cookers know how to be mobile and cook plenty of good food.

Obama doesn't need to know

Politico lists all the people at the White House who heard of the IRS investigation but didn't think the president needed to be brought into the loop.
Who joins the list tomorrow?
Maybe Bo the dog?
Bo knows, but Obama doesn't.

Reporting from Tornado Alley

Dustbury tells of the tornado in his town, very close to a big tornado in 1999.

Protest time

Tea Party Patriots has plans for Tuesday at noon - protesting the IRS at their offices.
Won't do much good.
They will be in the middle of their two-hour lunches.

That's the ticket

The Republican ticket for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General are making the rounds of the state.
It's the Valley's turn for a stop Monday morning, and they will be in Charlottesville Tuesday morning after some stops in the western and southern parts of the state.
We'll be see so much more of them the next five-plus months.

Conventional wisdom

Bearing Drift writer survived Republican convention Saturday, and barely lived to tell about it.
And despite the miracles of modern communication, cell phones, Bearing Drift and our livestream, John Frederick’s live broadcast, email, Facebook and Twitter, the convention floor was still rife with rumors and nonsense, including the fake/rescinded endorsement controversy between Corey Stewart and Pete Snyder on the final ballot. Conventioneers were treated like fungi – kept in the dark and fed crap – and that inevitably had an impact on the final selection of E.W. Jackson as our Lt. Governor nominee.  Information trickled out of the counting area, and it was left to bloggers and social media to keep convention goers in the know.  And given the length of the convention, cell phones were dying or dead far before the convention was gaveled closed at 10:30 Saturday night.
True, there are many better ways to spend a spring Saturday than inside the convention.
You've got to be a true believer.
Now, can those true believers convince enough of the state on the wisdom of their choices.

That's irrelevant

The Marx Brothers aren't irrelevant.
The Obama administration spokesman needs to think up another word.

The battle continues

Republicans now have their three candidates for November.
E.W. Jackson jumped to the early lead and grabbed the nod for Lieutenant Governor.
We've had months of fussing about convention against primary.
That question won't matter to voters in November.
The Democratic team will be determined in June.
Here's the team we have ready to go against them.

We need Love in Congress

Utah's Mia Love has announced her campaign for Congress in 2014.
She lost a close race in 2012.
Looking forward to seeing her in Washington in 2015.

We're too fair

It's interesting to see the liberal explanations for the IRS scandal.
Andy Schmookler, Democratic candidate for Congress in 2012, goes back to the "we're too eager to please."
As it is, I do see something really dangerous having happened to the liberal half of America, and to the leadership of the Democratic Party in the past decade plus that is indeed dangerous-- the combination of blindness and spinelessness which accounts for the failure to do battle vigorously against the force that's arisen on the right.
Please.

Facebook quote of the week

Two very happy fishermen! And lots of happy rockfish eaters! YUM!

Saturday song

Hey y'all, prepare yourself for the Spinners from 1976.

Get your IRS news

TaxProf blog offers another day of roundup on the IRS scandal.
Plenty to chew on.

Weekend watchdog

Orb has three letters in his name. Will he win three races?
Orb continues his quest for the Triple Crown Saturday in the Preakness Stakes on NBC. Coverage starts at 4:30 p.m.
After a full house at the Kentucky Derby, there's only nine horses scheduled to go Saturday. Orb drew the first post position Wednesday.
The fillies race in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes Friday at 4 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The NBA has three of its final four in place. The Knicks and Pacers battle in their Game 6 Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN, and the Western finals start Sunday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC with the Grizzlies taking on the Spurs.
The Heat await the winner of Knicks-Pacers next week.
The NHL's conference semifinals continue Friday as the Penguins host Ottawa at 7:30 p.m. Saturday features two contests - Detroit at Chicago at 12:30 p.m. on NBC and Sharks-Kings at 9 p.m. on NBC Sports network. It's Game 2 between the Rangers and Bruins Sunday at 3 p.m. on NBC, then Pittsburgh heads to Ottawa at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The Orioles host Tampa Bay on MASN Friday and Sunday, with Saturday's game on FOX. Other parts of the country will see White Sox-Angels or the Reds at Phillies.
The Nationals continue their west coast trip in San Diego, with games on MASN2 Friday and Sunday, with Saturday's contest on MASN.
TBS shows the Dodgers at Braves Sunday at 1:30 p.m., with the Tigers facing the Rangers on ESPN Sunday night.
In the college ranks, Comcast shows Miami-Georgia Tech Friday at 7:30 p.m., with the regular season finale Saturday at 1 p.m.
Getting ready for Memorial Day weekend, NBC Sports network has qualifying for the Indy 500. The race for the pole starts Saturday at 11 a.m., and they fill out the 33-car field Sunday at noon.
NASCAR's all-star race will be on Speed Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The PGA tour returns to CBS this weekend, with the Byron Nelson Championship Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
ESPN2 features one of the college softball regionals this weekend. Arizona meets Baylor at 3:30 p.m. Friday before Texas A&M and Pennsylvania play at 6 p.m. ESPN has the winners and losers brackets Saturday at 3 p.m., and the regional concludes Sunday at 3:30 p.m., with a game at 6 p.m. if necessary.
D.C. United hosts Kansas City Sunday at 5 p.m. on Comcast. The Red Bulls face the Galaxy in MLS action Sunday at 1:10 p.m. on ESPN2.
It's another X Games weekend on ESPN - this time from Barcelona. Action continues Friday at noon and Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.
In Major League Lacrosse, the Bayhawks head to Boston on Comcast Saturday at 7 p.m.

Six down, more to go

Big Bang Theory closes its sixth season Thursday.
Can we survive until the seventh season starts in September?
Enjoy your summer, Kaley.

IRS training video

Where did the IRS tax-exempt section get the idea to make the application process tougher for Tea Party groups than Progressive groups?
Maybe they watched Southwest Airlines commercials.

Passive-aggressive presidency

President Obama is passive.
His bureaucracy is aggressive.
Ought to be the other way around.

Incompetent and proud

Watching MSNBC is much more fun when Democrats are having trouble.
The guy at the end of the table tried to give cover for the scandals - it's just incompetence.
There's no evil intent there.
Just incompetence in the IRS.
And the phone records.
And Benghazi.
That's a winning slogan to get America on your side.

Not his party and he'll cry if he wants to

Bill Bolling announced a new PAC while Republicans are gathering in Richmond for their convention without him.
How much more will be hear of Bill Bolling the next few months?
The political world moves on.
New candidates will be chosen to battle for statewide office.
Thanks for your work in the past.
btw, after looking at the latest polls, are you sure a primary would have brought a different verdict than the convention?

And no cake at your goodbye party

Were you impressed by President Obama's IRS statement?
DaTech Guy wasn't.
The poor fall guy was leaving the IRS soon anyway.
Now there won't be a party on his last day.

There goes that conversation

Chris Graham asks a good question - why are these political groups tax-exempt?
It would have been a great conversation to have.
Too late.
Politicians set the rules.
These Tea Party groups were playing by the rules.
The rules were broken.
We're checking out why the rules were broken.
It's not time to question the rules when your opponents are trying to join in - and find a paperwork tsunami waiting for them.

Obamacare's enforcers

Byron York reminds us why the IRS scandal hits home - they become responsible for enforcing Obamacare in January.
Last August, IRS official Nina Olson testified before Congress on the changes Obamacare will bring to Americans' dealings with the nation's tax collector. "Do you believe that most Americans are going to update the IRS or state exchanges when they change jobs, get married, move states, whatever?" Michigan Republican Rep. Tim Walberg asked Olson.
"I think it's going to be a very great learning curve," Olson answered. If Americans don't keep the IRS up to date on their financial status, they might incur penalties, which the IRS will collect by withholding income tax refunds. "I think it will be a surprise to taxpayers if they don't update their information," Olson said.
That's what is in the bill they passed. Now you know.

Does Cooter have cooties?

It wasn't too many years ago that Ben Jones, Cooter from Dukes of Hazzard, ran for Congress in Virginia.
Now, Democrats from Massachusetts don't want him near their fundraiser.
They bar the Stars and Bars - forever.

IRS also has eyes for Graham

Sister Toldjah highlights news that the IRS also questioned the Billy Graham organization and his son's relief organization Samaritan's Purse during the 2010 campaign season.
Targeting political groups who oppose this administration’s agenda is bad enough, but targeting religious groups on similar grounds – which we learned earlier today happened a few years ago with some Jewish groups who are (shockingly!) pro-Israel, unlike this administration – just adds one more troubling layer to this already deeply disturbing and still-developing story.
Time for the IRS to repent of their sins.

Best and brightest bumblers

Mark Levin has a first look at the IRS Scandal Report.
His victory lap will be continuing for a while.
Our IRS specialists don't seem so special now.

Read this

The IRS asked an Ohio Tea Party group for its reading list.
They sent back a copy of the U.S. Constitution.
If only they had read that.

Woodward was right

Legal Insurrection remembers how Bob Woodward was treated when he questioned the Obama administration's treatment of the press this winter.
Woodward turned out to be prescient, the wisdom of his years and experience informed him as to the dangerous nature of the Obama administration’s treatment of the press.
Woodward had a reporter’s nose for scandalous tendencies in an administration.

Freedom from Information

Via Instapundit, Reason has a 15-page memo released by the Justice Department after a Freedom of Information Act request.
All information after the header was blanked out.
Great job, Justice Department.

Tea Party educates America

In seeking tax-exempt status, Tea Party and Patriot groups must show their activities are not just political. They must also be educational.
The treatment of these Tea Party groups has been an education.
We sure have learned plenty about the IRS in the past few days.
And more bad information over the IRS is going to flow.

Jack Bauer in the Obama economy

We've had many stories of job cut backs due to Obamacare.
Now, Jack Bauer will only be working 12 hours in a new "24" event.
Half the hours, but he'll still be expected to get the job done.

Don't mess the AP

The Obama crew could mess with Tea Party Patriots during the first term.
Mess with the AP?
That's trouble.

Everybody under the bus

PJMedia tries to figure if Victoria Nuland is main figure in the change of talking point, or just a warrior in the "blame them" battle between the CIA and State Department.
Meanwhile, DaTech Guy has his eyes on the IRS.
Because they have their eyes on all of us.

IRS - In Real Crap

How has focusing on the tax-exempt status of Tea Party groups worked for the IRS?
They are used to audits - just not this side of audits.

Gone but not forgotten

Howard County, Maryland was rocked Friday by the stabbing death of a local realtor, allegedly by his daughter and her boyfriend.
Since he had a blog and did a podcast, reporters can find more information about his life - even when questions made after the death are not ready to be answered.
I found he worked with the husband of one of my cousins.
His blog remains, and his friends and readers will honor his memory.

Safe names for tax-free groups

The IRS got a lot of applications for tax-free status from Tea Party and Patriot groups.
How do you know which one is legit?
The Tea Party groups should have called themselves Obama Tea Party Patriots.
Would have been waved right through, no problems.

Blast from the past

Powerline finds the perfect picture of Jay Carney - looking like Baghdad Bob.

Zooey, version 2

Dustbury keeps up with the Zooey news, and remembers my comment when the show debuted.
Good enough reason to run a 2011 photo of Hannah Simone not looking like Zooey. You'll have to visit Dustbury to see that.

Hillary's misdirection

Pundette likes Mark Steyn's column on Benghazi.
Instead of responding, the most powerful figures in the government decided that an unseen YouTube video better served their political needs. And, in the most revealing glimpse of the administration’s depravity, the president and secretary of state peddled the lie even in their mawkish eulogies to their buddy “Chris” and three other dead Americans. They lied to the victims’ coffins and then strolled over to lie to the bereaved, Hillary telling the Woods family that “we’re going to have that person arrested and prosecuted that did the video.” And she did. The government dispatched more firepower to arrest Nakoula Basseley Nakoula in Los Angeles than it did to protect its mission in Benghazi. It was such a great act of misdirection Hillary should have worn spangled tights and sawn Stevens’s casket in half.

Saturday song

I'm making Huey Lewis work on Saturday.

Facebook quote of the week

Sugar-free cookies taste exactly like the name implies

He remains in jail

How long with the Benghazi story continue?
How long with Nakoula remain in jail?

Hokie Pokie editing of the talking points

So ABC has found 12 drafts of the Benghazi talking points.
The White House said only a word was changed.
How can both be true?
It's like the White House version of the Hokie Pokie.

"You put one word in, you take one word out.
You put that word back in and you shake it all about.
We do the Hokie Pokie and send Susan Rice out
saying that's what it's all about."

Audtiors audited

Nice to see lots of coverage of the IRS bothering Tea Party and Patriot groups.
I know, liberals.
What difference, at this point, does it make?

Weekend watchdog

The busiest time of the NBA and NHL postseasons are here, with multiple games on TV almost every night.
The NBA continues its conference semifinals this weekend, while the NHL - starting the playoffs later due to the lockout - closes the first round. ESPN has the doubleheader Friday, with the Bulls hosting Miami at 8 p.m. before the Spurs take on the Warriors. It's the Thunder at Memphis Saturday at 5 p.m. on ESPN, with ABC bringing the primetime action between the Knicks and Pacers at 8 p.m.
ABC shows Game 4 of the Warriors and Spurs Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
On the ice, the Capitals and Rangers meet in Game 5 Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast. The Ducks can finish off the Red Wings at 8 p.m. on CNBC, and it's Blues at Kings for Game 6 at 10:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
The Penguins and Islanders will play Saturday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network, with Game 7 Sunday if necessary. The Capitals have another contest with the Rangers Sunday at Madison Square Garden, and other games may join the weekend slate.
The IIHF World Championships continue on NBC Sports network, with the United States against France Saturday at 5 a.m.
NASCAR spends Mother's Day weekend at Darlington. The Sprint Cup racers go Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on Fox, after the Nationwide racers hit the track Friday on ESPN2 at 7:30 p.m. Then the racers take off Sunday to be with mom.
The Formula One circuit hits Spain, with the race Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports network. Qualifying is Saturday at 8 a.m.
The PGA has it's unofficial fifth major - The Players Championship - this weekend on NBC. Coverage starts at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Nationals face the Cubs on MASN this weekend, while the Orioles visit Minnesota for the weekend on MASN2.
While Fox takes the weekend off from baseball, TBS has the Red Sox and Blue Jays Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Angels meet the White Sox on ESPN Sunday at 8 p.m.
In the college ranks, LSU plays Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. on Friday on Comcast and Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN. For Comcast, it's off to the ACC Saturday at noon for Florida State-N.C. State and Sunday at 2 p.m Mississippi State meets Mississippi.
D.C. United takes on Dallas Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on Comcast, while NBC Sports network has Philadelphia against Chicago Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
ESPN2 offers the Mexican League contest between Cruz Azul and Monarcas Sunday at 6:55 p.m.
The NCAA men's lacrosse tournament airs on ESPN2 Saturday, with Lehigh-North Carolina at noon. Cornell plays Maryland Sunday at 1 p.m.
Comcast brings the ACC softball tournament, with the semifinals are Friday at 1 and 3:30 p.m. ESPN2 has the finals Saturday at 6 p.m.
ESPN shows an SEC championship Saturday at 8 p.m. The Big East title game will be Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN2.

Don't mess with Sabato

Blue Virginia doesn't like the moaning about Terry McAuliffe's chances.
Or Larry Sabato saying so.
Terry McAuliffe knows raising money.
That's why he's in trouble.
Larry Sabato knows politics.
That's why you trust his analysis.

Sanford gives them hope

Amazing the spin Terry McAuliffe is getting for his "left my infant and wife in the car to fundraise" story.
In the end, however, what may save McAuliffe is the same thing that saved Mark Sanford this week in the South Carolina special House election. Women—and men for that matter—didn’t like what Sanford did to his wife, his kids, or his state. But their conservative political principles prevailed, just as Virginia’s increasingly moderate-to-liberal tilt could help McAuliffe. Even if he can’t overcome his image as a manic husband out of the Mad Men era.
If T-Mac is better than Sanford, you have to remember that Cuccinelli is much, much better than the comedian's sister.

Benghazi hearing - what difference did it make?

Flashier news overtook the Benghazi hearings Wednesday - the Cleveland kidnappings and Jodi Arias.
The Republicans brought out news, and that will continue.
Democrats whined, and that will continue.
Questions remain.

Keeping up with Benghazi

PJMedia's Bryan Preston kept track of the entire hearing Wednesday.
And offers the lessons.

Birds of a feather

Troglopundit has a hotel for birds in Wisconsin.
We have our crew of robins here in Fishersville.

Sanford's call

What did Mark Sanford say in the concession call from Elizabeth Colbert Busch?
Take a hike.

We wanted you to do something

As we get ready for the Benghazi hearings Wednesday, it will be a fun day of liberal whining.
"We couldn't have stopped the attack."
We'll never know, because nothing was done.
The fight at the U.S. consulate waxed and waned for ten hours. Yet during that time, the Marine Force Recon unit on Sigonella Air Base, 500 miles away, was never deployed and not one F-16 or F-18 was dispatched. Granted, Force Recon and fighter aircraft weren’t on alert and did not appear on the Pentagon’s official list of “hostage rescue forces.” But they were one phone call away, and no general asked for them. Ten hours provided adequate time for a range of ad hoc responses. Commanders are expected to adapt in battle.
We wanted to see something tried.

Morning Joe shooting blanks

DaTech Guy may be giving up on Morning Joe. They've gone stale.
As a 6 AM Morning Joe they are pretty much the best source of the left’s daily talking points. If I want to see where the left will be going during the day, and if I want to see the arguments I’ll have to consider or rebut (depending on their quality) Morning Joe provides it.
Unfortunately lately this has been less and less of the case.
Since December it’s become guns, guns, guns, guns. There might have been a day when gun control has not be a topic on Morning Joe since Newtown, if so I don’t remember it.

Take the money and run

Drudge headlines the report that Rush Limbaugh may change New York flagship stations after 25 years.
Let WABC and WOR fight. EIB will go on.

He tripped over the red line

Commentary marvels at the story of how President Obama added a "red line" to the Syria situation.
This would seem to be more evidence that the Obama presidency is in trouble. That “senior officials” in the White House are willing to talk under a cloak of anonymity about how the president blew it diplomatically and for the most liberal major newspaper in the country to make a big deal of it is not good news for the president.

Gideons keep giving

Our church had a presentation from the Gideons this morning.
The speaker reminded us that Gideons gives Bibles in the United States and throughout the world, looking for new ways to get God's word into the hands of the people.
You never know when the Bible in a hotel room will make a difference. But Gideons make sure it's available.

Visit the feud

The New York Times tells of Kentucky's attempts to gain tourism from the Hatfields and McCoys.
Bring your off-road vehicle.

Looking at the news

Paco brings the Sunday funnies.

Palin fires them up

Sarah Palin make a big splash at the NRA convention, as usual.
Palin said what drives her -- and those who are likeminded -- when they are scorned, vilified, and discounted is the spirit of Americans who stand up for the country's freedoms even in the face of such relentless hostility.
"What keeps us reloading in this fight is the faces I see here today," Palin said. "I love you guys."

Drink up

Via Instapundit, Mitch McConnell offers a site for photos of people having a drink with an empty chair - since President Obama didn't seem to enthused to meet McConnell for a drink.
Looking through the photos, I found Smitty.
Cheers.

5 million strong, and growing

The NRA, holding its annual convention, announced it now has five million members.
I trust the numbers.
They shoot straight.

Saturday Derby song

Dan Fogelberg's anthem to the day.

Facebook quote of the week

Sometimes it just feels sooooooo good to get things off your chest and to tell some people to shove it!

Dustbury advances

Among the features of Dustbury's blog is roundups of Oklahoma City Thunder games.
The Thunder won Friday, moving to the conference semifinals.
More posts with observations on Kevin Durant and crew to come.

Back to Benghazi

Weekly Standard has the timeline of Benghazi - when Washington knew and when they switched talking points.
As intelligence officials pieced together the puzzle of events unfolding in Libya, they concluded even before the assaults had ended that al Qaeda-linked terrorists were involved. Senior administration officials, however, sought to obscure the emerging picture and downplay the significance of attacks that killed a U.S. ambassador and three other Americans.
Rates a flaming skull at Ace. Worth the read.

1,000 days of good news

Bible Summary celebrates 1000 days of putting out daily tweets from a chapter of the Bible.
The benefit these days (other than the inherent benefit of reading any part Scripture) is mainly in the sheer discipine of the project, and the sense of pilgrimage.
I've actually only got six months left to go now. I can't imagine what it's going to feel like the first day I wake up without a chapter to summarise. To be honest, I think it will be almost easier to just start again than to do nothing...
His journey has provided many benefits through the internet.

Weekend watchdog

We've waited since 1978 for a Triple Crown winner.
Will this be the year?
Twenty horses are in the lineup for the Kentucky Derby. Have you heard of any of them before this week?
Saturday evening, you'll remember the name of the Derby winner. And two more wins will make him one for the ages.
NBC has coverage Saturday starting at 4 p.m, with post-time of 6:24 p.m. For the fillies, the Kentucky Oaks goes at 5 p.m. Friday on NBC Sports network.
The NBA's first round concludes this weekend, and the Spurs and Warriors await their second round schedule.
Boston survived to play Game 6 at home, Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN. It's Hawks-Pacers at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, then at 9:30 p.m. the Thunder visit Houston on ESPN and Grizzlies host the Clippers on ESPN2.
There's a Game 7 in Brooklyn Saturday, with the Nets trying to take down the Bulls. The Heat will face the winner.
Sunday's schedule will be determined by Friday's results.
The NHL's postseason began Tuesday, and four games are on the slate Friday. NBC Sports network has the Islanders at Penguins at 7 p.m. followed by the Minnesota-Chicago. Over on CNBC, the Canadiens meet the Senators before Vancouver takes on San Jose.
NBC has Game 2 from Washington Saturday at 12:30 p.m., and NBC Sports network's twinbill starts at 7:30 p.m. with Anaheim going to Detroit for Game 3. The Blues head to Los Angeles at 10 p.m. while CNBC offers Boston-Toronto at 7 p.m.
The top seeds get coverage on NBC Sunday. The Penguins visit the Islanders at noon, with Game 3 between the Blackhawks and Wild at 3 p.m. Montreal goes to Ottawa at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by San Jose at Vancouver at 10 p.m.
In other hockey postseason play, NBC Sports network shows the IIHF World Championship contests between the United States and Austria Saturday at 5 a.m.
The Nationals head to Pittsburgh for games Friday and Sunday on MASN. Fox has Saturday afternoon's game.
The Orioles continue a four-game set with the Angels Friday at 10:30 p.m. on MASN2. Saturday's contest is on Fox, along with the Cardinals and Brewers.
TBS shows the Braves and Mets Sunday at 1:35 p.m., while the Dodgers head to San Francisco for ESPN's Sunday night contest.
Florida faces LSU in SEC baseball Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast and Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN2. Maryland battles Clemson Saturday at 1 p.m. while Vanderbilt meets South Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m.
If you like Sunday afternoon NASCAR racing, this is your only weekend in May for daytime action. Fox has the race from Talledega Sunday at 1 p.m., after the Nationwide racers go Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
The IndyCar racers are in Brazil, with the Sao Paulo 300 Sunday at 11 a.m. on NBC Sports network.
The PGA tour heads to Charlotte for the Wells Fargo Championship Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
The Galaxy hosts Houston Sunday at 11 p.m. on ESPN2.
ESPN shows Tennessee and Missouri in SEC softball Saturday at 7:30 p.m. There's a doubleheader Sunday, with Texas against Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. followed by LSU-Georgia.
The Chesapeake Bayhawks face New York in Major League Lacrosse action Saturday at 7 p.m. on

Sold out

Can Storage Wars survive legal wars?
Nope.
We'll miss Dan and Laura.

Non-profit organizations

The NCAA top football schools bring in the fans, but they don't bring in the bucks.
Only 23 schools in the bowl subdivision made a profit in 2012.
Lots of numers to keep you busy until the football season starts in a few months.

Blogaboration

Troglopundit coined a new word.
Pass it on.

Happy birthday

A new robin chick beats his brothers and sisters out of the eggs in Fishersville.

Balcony strategy

Maureen Dowd gets more entertaining as Obama flails.
He still thinks he’ll do his thing from the balcony and everyone else will follow along below. That’s not how it works.

How can the president star in a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner satirical film pretending to be Daniel Day-Lewis playing Barack Obama in Steven Spielberg’s movie “Obama,” and not have absorbed the lessons of “Lincoln”?