The “Show Me State” gets Shown

The “Show Me State” gets Shown

As predictably as the snake handling preacher dying of a venous snake bite, Missouri is dying of gunshot wounds: Via Atattatuk.
Researchers claim a new study provides some of the most compelling evidence yet for tighter gun controls in the US. The team followed the consequences of the State of Missouri repealing its permit-to-purchase handgun law in 2007.
Yeah, you can guess what happens, and no it was not freedom! breaking out across the land.
El Somnambulo Hosts Blues Bash This Saturday!!

El Somnambulo Hosts Blues Bash This Saturday!!

Yes, this is shameless self-promotion. In one of my many other incarnations, I am Symphony Steve, and I am a volunteer producer with the Arden Concert Gild. I'm bringing in a killer blues/blues-rock show to the Arden Gild Hall this Saturday night at 8 p.m. The opener is the Mikey Junior Band. Mikey Jr. is an amazing harp (harmonica, for those of you who are not blues aficionados) player and showman. Originally from Trenton, Mikey is making a big name for himself regionally and nationally. He's made it to the finals of the International Blues Competition in Memphis. He always has a kicking band, and now he's got a new CD as well. Check him out for yourself inside...

Tuesday Open Thread [2.18.14]

Teabagger Senator Ted Cruz is apparently not very well liked by his fellow Republican Senate colleagues, and last week was yet another example as to why. You see, the debt ceiling bill, which had passed the House by a bipartisan majority of all of the Democrats and 28 of the non-gutless Republicans. Ideally, what the Senate Republicans wanted to do was to pass the bill with little fanfare, quickly and quietly by unanimous consent. Then Ted Cruz stepped in, and filibustered the bill, requiring a recorded vote that needed 60 votes to pass. That meant 5 Senate Republicans had to vote yes. But the Senate Republicans are even more gutless than the House, and the Republican leadership were having a hard time coming up with the votes. So they, the leadership, i.e. Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn, had to vote yes. And the votes probably guaranteed McConnell's defeat in his primary, and gave a serious boast to John Cornyn's teabagger challenger. Go read Dana Millbank's account of the incident. You will be amazed at how close our nation came to utter disaster because of the cowardice of Senate Republicans and Calgary Cruz.