Reader help

Since I added labels to posts, there have been problems with some browsers displaying error messages when the page gets loaded. I use Firefox, so I haven't noticed the problem, but I know a number of my readers use other browsers.

It would be a big help if you leave me a comment or an e-mail letting me know what browser you use and whether you noticed any problems.

Thanks!

So just in case you're interested...

Congress is trying to resurrect the Fairness Doctrine (which ended by Presidential veto in 1987) this week. Why? Maybe because they're in the majority again and can't figure out how to compete economically with the strength of conservative talk radio.

On the face of it, that's bad enough. But the thing many people have found alarming is that there was an attempt to apply the rule to bloggers above a certain level of readership. So what's the big deal, right?

According to wikipedia, in 1969:

Although similar laws had been deemed unconstitutional when applied to newspapers, the Court ruled that radio stations could be regulated in this way because of the limited nature of the public airwave spectrum.

Is the blogosphere more limited than newspapers? On the contrary, most anyone who can use a computer can start a blog, and people are open to comment on whatever they wish. As long as the Fairness Doctrine remains a liberal fantasy, that is. So would that make the Fairness Doctrine supportive of the First Amendment or would it be more restrictive of our rights? You be the judge.

So as I said, there was an attempt to apply a resurrected Fairness Doctrine to bloggers. How did the vote go? The results are here. But how was the split?

Yea (favoring the amendment to scuttle the inclusion of bloggers) 55 (48 R, 7 D)
Nay (opposing the amendment) 43 (43 D, 2 Ind.)

So, which one would be the party of individual rights? And stepping on those rights helps whom? Just checking.

H/T: The Liberty Papers

Nothing to see here.

Well, maybe that's not the best title for a post when you get a sudden traffic surge. Most traffic I've had in months, and it seems to be because I've been adding labels to the existing posts.

Glad you stopped by, though. Please look around!

Subtle

As I may have mentioned before, our youngest son is something of a challenge most of the time.

The terrible twos was something of a mystery to us when our older two children were in that age range. But we truly got introduced to the concept by our younger daughter, who seemed at the time to be making up for the good behavior of her older brother and sister. She was, and remains at times, an extremely willful child. However, she's become positively delightful over time.

Our youngest seems to have followed in his sister's footsteps. He's probably more difficult in some ways than she was, but we're starting to see (we hope) the light at the end of that tunnel.

Earlier this afternoon, I'm working at the computer when he rushes up the steps from the basement to the kitchen. It's clear that he's on a mission.

"I'm sneaking your candy."

What are you doing?

"I'm sneaking your candy." He gets a chair and slides it up to the kitchen counter. It's obvious he knows where the good Christmas-stocking candy is kept.

Nearly incapacitated with laughter, I glance at my wife in disbelief. At her urging, I compose myself to rein him in.

So I correct him over violent protest. I let him know he isn't allowed to take what's not his without permission, and further that he isn't allowed to climb on the counter. I wouldn't need to tell the older kids this, but since he's only a day away from his third birthday, I tell him also that it technically isn't sneaking if he announces it.

For my trouble, I get a swat on the side of my head. He gets a brief time-out until he's prepared to apologize, which invariably comes, but not yet. He sulks, cries, and stops to return briefly to the basement.

"Guys," he hollers down to his siblings, the Instigators, "Dad says no candy." He climbs all the way down the steps, and I'm still listening, wondering what he's going to do next.

He returns in a moment, and enters the living room to talk to his mom. He sees me out of the corner of his eye and says with a hint (perhaps) of remorse, "Sorry, Dad."

"What are you sorry for?" she asks.

"Sorry I took the candy."

He turns three tomorrow, and the terrible twos... Well, I'm sure they're not gone, but their time is running short.

Post-industrial economics lesson, Christmas Edition

Conversation with the seven-year-old:

He: Dad, why does my new guitar say Made in China?

I: Well, that's where it was made. Lots of things are made there.

He: I thought it was made by elves?

I: Well, it came from the elves, but they probably subcontracted out the manufacture.

He: Oh. Dad, what does subcontract mean?

Another sign the holidays are here

Today was the last day of school, and our oldest has posted holiday visiting hours for her room. Apparently there are no exceptions.

You know it's Christmas when

... the radio in our office lobby is playing Christmas At Ground Zero.

Everywhere the atom bombs are dropping
It's the end of all humanity
No more time for last-minute shopping
It's time to face your final destiny

It's Christmas at ground zero
There's panic in the crowd
We can dodge debris while we trim the tree
Underneath the mushroom cloud

Seriously. It's catchy, though.

Election day

This is funny because it's there's so much truth to it, but nevertheless: Get out and vote!

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. "Now it\'s time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning..... Today you voted."

Sugar rush

Took all four kids trick-or-treating tonight. It was a clear, starry night, which was a major improvement over the rain we got the year before.

The youngest was old enough to walk this year. (Last year, he rode in the stroller. Unconcerned with keeping up with his siblings, he sucked the chocolate off candy bars right through the wrappers.) Since the weather was nice, they filled up their buckets in half an hour and went back out for more on the next street. I'm pretty sure their haul weighs more than the two-year-old.

Hmm, I already wonder how many more times the oldest will want to go out with dear old dad trailing along behind.

Lutheran Guy

In honor of Reformation Sunday (tomorrow) and for your amusement, I present a song written by my wife's aunt. I think she did a great job.

LUTHERAN GUY (to the tune of American Pie)
By Cynthia Strieter-Boland

A long, long time ago
We must all remember
How the Reformation got its start

A boy to Hans and Margaret born
Was baptized on the following morn
The child of the Luther’s was named Mart

Young Martin Luther got the call
When a lightning bolt caused him to fall
He sold his books for law school
And took up studying God’s rule

He entered the monastic life
In the peaceful Erfort countryside
And something touched him deep inside
The day he took those vows

REFRAIN

My, my this here Lutheran guy
May be famous, but he’s dangerous
And a thorn in our side
Them good ole boys at the Vatican cried
Saying, “Just recant or you will be tried”
‘n’ he said, “Here I stand, I won’t be denied”

He started on his quest with love
And the utmost faith in God above
‘n’ let the Bible be his guide
But he stood up to the monks who told
How works could save your mortal soul
And tried to teach “by grace we’re justified”

Well, he said John Tetzel was a crook
‘cause of the indulgences he took
Then late one Halloween night
He gave the Vatican a fright

He nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door
Never meant to start a holy war
But this is what he was called for
The day he took those vows

REFRAIN

Archbishop Albert with the Pope
And Cardinal Cajetan all spoke
‘bout Martin Luther’s heresy
So they called him back to Rome to see
If a Diet of Worms could ever be
Enough to make him stop his blasphemy

He was excommunicated then
By a jury of his former friends
The courtroom was adjourned
The verdict was returned

And while Martin left that day from Rome
To Castle Wartburg his new home
He recalled the fervor he had known
The day he took those vows

REFRAIN

He met a girl who’d been a nun
And escaped the convent on the run
Katharina Bora was her name
In Wittenburg as man and wife
Mart’n Katy started their new life
And pretty soon six new Lutherans came

Now the printing press was all the rage
And Martin’s words were on each page
The Word was also spoken
For the rules had all been broken

And the three that he admired most
The Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Were praised with an angelic host
The day he took those vows

REFRAIN