Today in history, greetings, and social banter here. (More)
Pope Gregory XIII announced his calendar today (1582). Also, Claudio Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo, one of the earliest operas, premiered (1607), as did George Frideric Handel’s Rinaldo (1711), the U.S. Supreme Court established the principle of judicial review in Marbury v. Madison (1803), the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Ahmedabad the first Swaminarayan Sampraday Hindu temple, was inaugurated (1822), Arizona became a U.S. territory (1863), the House passed articles of impeachment against President Andrew Johnson (1868), British Foreign Minister Arthur Balfour passed the Zimmerman Telegram to U.S. Ambassador Walter Page (1917), Estonia declared independence (1918), anti-aircraft crews fired on unidentified flying objects, probably weather balloons, in the “Battle of Los Angeles” (1942), the Cuban Constitution took effect (1976), the European Union and Roman Catholic Church marked February 24th as a leap day for the last time (1996), and Fidel Castro retired after almost 50 years as Cuba’s head of state (2008). And Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score a double hundred in One Day International format (2010).
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
February 24, 2013 at 6:01 am
Yesterday on Campus
Morning Feature – Ideological Blinders, Part II: Slippery Slopes and Ancient Aliens (Non-Cynical Saturday)
Campus Question – Does cognitive flatulence explain half-baked laws?
Today on Campus
Morning Feature – Watch those Moguls? (Ask Ms. Crissie)
Furthermore! – Winning Progressive with Weekend Reading
Noontime News at noon
Campus Question at 6pm ET
Evening Focus at 7pm ET – Silly Sunday: The Oscar Acceptance Speech
Our Earth at 8pm ET – Eco News Roundup
February 24, 2013 at 7:04 am
Good morning! It’s currently 30 degrees and cloudy here. We had about 4″ of snow overall, and there’s a chance for light dusting or additional snow today, but not much. Yesterday was a busy day for the local businesses, there were a lot of snowmobilers out, and they were busy spending money.
There’s apparently some dissension in the Republican ranks when it comes to the sequester. which comes down to “where you stand depends on where you are.” A number of Republican governors aren’t happy about it, at all, and I’m pretty sure that some Congresscritters are getting “local feedback” from their side saying “do you know what’s going to happen?”
February 24, 2013 at 7:17 am
Every once in a while you read something that makes you realize that you don’t have to use the adjectival phrase “looney right-wing nut job” to describe every Republican.
February 24, 2013 at 7:29 am
Mike, I was just thinking the same thing when I read this.
He voted for the amendment to define marriage as one man, one woman but has changed his position. It reminds me that change is possible and not all is lost.
February 24, 2013 at 7:54 am
One of the original sponsors – actually, the one who wrote it – for NY’s marriage right’s bill was my Republican assemblywoman. She’s now retired, but would have won had she run again. Her son was one of the first to take advantage of it when it passed.
February 24, 2013 at 8:00 am
I think at least some Republicans are recognizing that the sequester – or any other immediate austerity measure – is a Really Bad Idea. For some that may be just polls telling them Americans will blame Republicans for the hardships. I guess we’ll find out in March.
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
February 24, 2013 at 8:05 am
WaPo has a great chart related to the sequester. It is worth a look to see how the public thinks we should handle various program.
February 24, 2013 at 7:31 am
Good morning. On the theme of the looming sequester cuts, LaHood has announced the potential FAA cuts for Minnesota. All are small regional airports and although some commuter connections may be affected, the private jets will feel it a lot more.
Here’s the link but you’d have to know the local area to understand.
February 24, 2013 at 7:56 am
It’s going to hammer a lot of the lesser populated areas (read: Republican) when it comes to their airports.
February 24, 2013 at 7:41 am
Re the sequester, the NYT specifically mentioned that the airport in Boca Raton would be affected by the sequester, same dilemma for many small airports. Big ones, too, but they get to stay open, in a funky sort of way.
February 24, 2013 at 7:49 am
Unless something major happens here, we’re headed into a cool-down later this week: from mid eighties to sixties. I don’t mind saying I’m looking forward to it. This winter has been mostly too warm.
We may also get some rain today, which we desperately need, although there’s a threat of severe storms brewing for Tuesday. I’ll take ‘em.
On the sequester…I’m hoping it doesn’t last long. A lot of screaming should happen very quickly….
Hugggs and good morning!
February 24, 2013 at 8:03 am
The thing that’s giving most of these governors heart palpitations is that the cuts play havoc with their budgets. Most of those “strongly conservative” governors are looking at the looming defense cuts and realizing that all those military bases in their states are going to be … not spending money, hiring people, and laying off people.
Along with that, all the federal money they’ve been using to keep their taxes low and balance their budgets will evaporate. 
So they’ll be forced to … raise taxes. 
February 24, 2013 at 8:09 am
South Blogistan has been exceptionally … South Blogistanish … this winter. We could use a few cool days.
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
February 24, 2013 at 8:22 am
IT help needed!
How do I e-mail a sleet storm???
February 24, 2013 at 8:38 am
But, but, but…have you named it yet?
February 24, 2013 at 7:56 am
The other day I thought I’d reacquaint myself with my pre-gout golf swing by hitting balls at the driving range.The results: Clang, clunk, shank. Hmmm…this is bad. Review the fundamentals: set-up, shoulder turn, strong right leg, left arm straight, turn through the ball, head steady. OK, swing: clang, clunk, shank. Hmmmm…this really bad,
What-a-gonna-do, call Scott the golf pro, and wail as loud as you can — I need your help.
Scott watched my swing…Mike, everything looks OK, just step an inch or two away from the ball, and reposition the ball more in line with your left heel with the driver, other than that, we need you to RELAX. empty that brain, loosen those arms, swing freely.
OK, swing — beautiful high arching shots. Zen and the art of the golf swing. It was in me all the time. Probably a good life lesson, too. Stay relaxed no matter what the challenge.
February 24, 2013 at 8:02 am
What a great lesson and metaphor for life. When I started playing golf I remember telling the coworker who was teaching me that I could not focus on 101 details.
February 24, 2013 at 8:13 am
A friend (a scratch golfer) used to say he wanted to write a book titled 23 Key Golf Swing Points to Keep in Mind at the Moment of Impact. He always said it with a wink. His point being … you can’t ‘think’ your way through a golf swing. The mechanics have to flow from muscle memory, so you can let your mind focus on visualizing the shot you want.
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
February 24, 2013 at 8:19 am
I’m glad you got your swing sorted out. A few weeks away can really increase your self-doubt. Thank goodness it was still there.
And I’m very glad you feel up to playing again.
February 24, 2013 at 8:31 am
Good morning!
Brrrr……… The sky was clear last night, which yielded an overnight low around 23 degrees. There’s still a lot of sleet and snow around too. Yesterday was clear, so the greenhouse got a good dose of heat, was 75 in there…..
Yesterday evening was a Valentine’s party hosted by friends, one of whom is a former co-worker. Was fun to catch up on the workplace news, and talk to my retired pals. PW and HMG went too, was a good time. I made my famous OR infamous BBQ hamburgers. The women here won’t touch ‘em, but one of the retired Conductors ate heartily and at my invitation, took 4 of them home. My kinda guy!
Church today, then I think I’ll spend the rest of the day staying warm. Hope you all have a decent day!
Best, G
February 24, 2013 at 8:40 am
You have a good one, G. Glad you had a good time at the party.
February 24, 2013 at 8:55 am
Can we get a recipe for those BBQ hamburgers?
Good morning! ::hugggggs::
February 24, 2013 at 9:10 am
Sorry….. If people find out that all you do is pan fry regular old hamburgers, drain well, and put in a crockpot with your favorite BBQ sauce for 4-5 hours my mystique would be gone…….
Mmmmmmm….. makes them delicious, succulent little morsels!
February 24, 2013 at 9:43 am
We won’t tell, then.
Good morning! ::hugggggs::