After the Cross

Join me on Wednesday's show for an interview with Mike Lynch. He is the co-author, with Brandon Barr of a new, fast paced book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The book is "After the Cross", a tale of two archaeologists chasing a legendary Biblical artifact.


"And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet."~ Luke 11:29

Big Sarge Could Use a Hand

If you're able to listen to CP and Annieb's Blog Talk Radio show tonight, please do so. If not Here's a link to Big Sarge's site. Americans are the most generous people on Earth. Here's a chance to take care of our own.

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." ~ Matt 25:34-40

Just a Quick Visit and Entitletown

When I go to visit my family in Madison, I like to visit the capital as well. It gives me the opportunity to talk to my legislators(if they are in - it helps if you call or e-mail first)This trip was no different. So, for those of you who are farther away from Madison, here is a quick rundown and some photos of my visit to the capital. (capitol/capital, I can never remember which one is the proper one to refer to the building itself.)

To start, I wanted to see the "tent city" that the inhabitants have dubbed Walkerville, but that conservatives refer to as Entitletown. As you can see, it's not too imposing. That may be because of the lovely thunderstorm that went through the evening before, or this may be the size it always was. (I'm assuming that those tents I saw had been taken down and put up again after the storm passed through, because with the tornado warnings and the hail, it would take a really stupid person to stay in a tent when they had better shelter available.)



The sign said "Welcome to Walkerville pop: awesome". I don't doubt they were motivated by some degree of self interest as they had signs and other supplies available for the "campers".



"Solidarity City" was next in line. these folks seemed to be truly enjoying their stay.



And the last group was on the next block up. There were no tents on the capital grounds, for which I was thankful.



This is where the drummer was sitting for a short bit before I snapped the photo. I suspect he or one of his fellow war protesters were responsible for the noise complaint call from Mrs. Risser. (Yes, that would be Mrs. Fred Risser, wife of one of the fleebaggers.)



There was also the usual unique types of people common to Madison. (I would kind of like to see a kitty circus.)



I saw no chalked messages on the sidewalks.



And the lawns seem to be recovering.



While I still had to go through the metal detector, the atmosphere was markedly different. There were signs posted on the doors and near the security screening area, but they were helpful and informative signs to let visitors know what is and is not allowed in the building.





It was lighter and much closer to the dignified and welcoming feel of pre-protest visits.



A far more amenable atmosphere in which the actual business of the building may take place.



Even though the day I visited was overcast, the rotunda still felt much airier and lighter than on the day I visited towards the end of the protests which had been a bright and sunny day. I've always enjoyed standing under the rotunda dome and lookiing up. If you happen to be visiting Madison, stop in and see your legislators. They are, for the most part, personable and polite when they disagree with you and downright welcoming when they agree or are looking for input before making up their mind how to vote. It's a participatory process, folks. Participate. You'll be glad you did.



"And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty: for it was perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD." ~ Eze 16:14

A Happy Flag Day to Wisconsin indeed.

Quick update: "
The Senate has backed the measure dubbed the "bill to pay the bills" on a unanimous vote.
The legislation now heads to Gov. Scott Walker after Assembly passage last week. Among its provisions:
- the bill would repeal $29.8 million in lapses that were planned under the collective bargaining changes, but not realized because it had been held up by a Dane County judge.
- it would reduce required lapses to $67 million; they were originally to be $200 million.
- it would transfer $235 million to the Patients Compensation Fund by June 30, 2012, to pay back the fund with interest for the illegal $200 million transfer made as part of the 2007-09 budget that was invalidated by the state Supreme Court."


Happy Flag Day! If you don't know the history of our flag take a minute to review it.

There is other good news to report on the Wisconsin front.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has overturned judge Sumi's ruling on the collective bargaining bill passed by the senate earlier this year. (The one with the fleebaggers in absentia.) You may read the decision here. The significant line of the judgement is: "This court has granted the petition for an original action because one of the courts that we are charged with supervising has usurped the legislative power which the Wisconsin Constitution grants exclusively to the legislature."

Also the Senate passed the concealed carry bill. That would be Senate Bill 90. I can't help but note that the current law(until this is signed by the governor) is in violation of the State Constitution of Wisconsin, which states in Article 1, section 25: "The people have the right to keep and bear arms for security, defense, hunting, recreation or any other lawful purpose." So it is a relief to have the law brought a little bit more into line with the Constitution. Next step - Constitutional Carry.

Last week the Assembly voted to approve, by a vote of 84-12, Assembly Bill 148, also known as "the bill to pay the bill." Although it doesn't mean exactly what you would expect it to mean, it has a reassuring sound to it. "The bill to pay the bill". Almost sounds serious about becoming fiscally responsible.

It's almost enough to inspire optimism. Now if only the Congress would behave as responsibly. I know there has been much disparagement of Mr. Obama and his administration(And rightfully so, in my opinion.), but the bottom line is that the Congress has the power and the authority to have stopped nearly every action of the executive branch if they only had the resolve to do so. (As well as a heaping helping of backbone, character, sound moral values and basic human decency.)

"But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." ~ Luke 12:17