Snowflakes in Hell

I’ve heard a lot of theories over the past few days about what would motivate Marion Barry to propose lifting the DC gun ban.  I think Gun Law News came up with the most probable sounding:

Having spent 35 years in the D.C. area, I always had the impression that Barry was running on about 20 watts - not the brightest bulb in the pack. My suspicion is that Marion has sourced a gun for himself and just wants to be able to register it. Unfortunately, he is probably a prohibitted person due to his criminal convictions.

I have to agree here folks, setting up people for later confiscation, or trying to eliminate standing for the Parker case, I think is giving the former Mayor way too much credit.

I’ve never been in favor of public financing of campaigns, because of one very simple reason:

Independents can also participate in the program, but would get less money.

And everyone thought that public financing will clean up politics.  It will not.   It’ll just allow the current set of politicians and government bureaucrats decide who will get the money.  That’s too much power to have in the hands of government anyway.

The desire to get special interests out of politics is a desire of those in power to insulate themselves from criticism, and not have to work as hard to hold their seats.  Everyone is a special interest, and we have a constitutional right to lobby our government, and I do believe that means I have a right to give however much money I want, either directly, or through interest groups, in support of candidates who agree with me on the issues.

but can’t pass the LSATs?   Well, don’t try to bribe the LSAC employees for a copy of it.

Well, Philadelphia City Council passed the sucker:

Trans fats would be banned in Philadelphia eateries beginning in September under legislation unanimously approved by City Council Thursday.

City Council passed a bill sponsored by Councilman Juan Ramos 17-0, sending it to Mayor John F. Street. If signed into law, eating establishments would be banned from using oils, shortenings and margarine containing artificial trans fats for frying or in spreads on Sept. 1, and for all other uses the following year.

Or not:

Those who fail to comply would not be fined under the legislation, which Ramos’ office said was being used more as an educational campaign.

Seriously, I couldn’t make this crap up if I tried.

It’s not just Americans that can be total loons. This post, in the “Second Amendment” community on my old stomping grounds of LiveJournal, shows that Canadians can be just as batty. The LiveJournal guns community is actually worthwhile, though. It tends to focus more on the interest of shooting. than on the politics, which is refreshing sometimes.

In case you can’t tell, I’m at a loss for things to blog about today. Yesterday was bowling lunch hour with the coworkers. I scored 204 and 213, which beat them all handily (add that to Bitter’s meme of things people don’t know about me — I’m a reasonably decent bowler). After work it was happy hour with some other coworkers and former coworkers. Because of that, I don’t have much to say tonight.

and raise you an Atomic Cannon:

Now that’s some serious firepower.

In case you’re wondering, I’m referring to this post by Conservative Scalawag.

Norm Pattis has something out of the strange files, having questioned the low bail amount set for Lisa Marie Nowak, the Astronaut that stands accused of attempted murder and kidnapping.  He managed to get a hold of the transcript:

Court:  Ms. Nowak, you understand that you are required to appear in court for preliminary hearings and can be orderd rearrested if you fail to appear?

Ms. Nowak: Yes.

Court:  The state is recommending a $1 million bond, but I think that is too high.

Ms. Nowak:  I forgot my diaper, and I have to pee.

Court:  One minute. Do you promise to appear as ordered?

Ms. Nowak: Yes.

Court:  OK. Bond set at $25,000. Ms. Nowak is not to leave the planet.

Man, talk about weird.  I don’t know if any of you read Crime and Federalism, but Norm and Mike both post some good stuff.  Some of it is a bit esoteric for us non-lawyer types, but I’ve always enjoyed reading their blog.