Conservative Musings

Bernheim Forest Stargazing

Those in the Bardstown and Lebanon Junction areas might be interested in a stargazing event tomorrow evening.  That is, if the clouds actually leave us before then (and the forecast doesn't look good).

Anyway, the Louisville Astronomical Society is holding it starting at 8pm at Bernheim Forest.  Many members will be setting up telescopes.  I'll be there if the skies clear. 

The event is in conjunction with an eclipse of sorts.  As the crescent moon appears at roughly 8pm, it will be surrounded by and blocking part of the Pleaides.

-Colonel Steve

Narnia and Painting The Map Red

You may ask what does Hugh Hewitt's latest book and the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have to do with each other.  Glad you asked.

That's what I'm getting ready to order from Amazon this evening.  After listening to all Hugh has said over the past few days, I'm more than intrigued as to what he has to say in his latest book.

Also, April 4th is the release date for the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.  So while I'm at it, I'll be adding it to my order.  Disney is releasing 3 DVD versions.  One is wide screen, one is full screen, and one is a 2 DVD set with the second being a collector's edition, with all the behind the scenes "stuff".  I'll be getting the 2 DVD set.

-Colonel Steve

Our Condolences and Prayers.....

go out to Greg Reynolds and family on the death of his grandmonther.  See his writings at Instapundit.

-Colonel Steve

Total Solar Eclipse

Tomorrow brings a total eclipse for extreme eastern Brazil, Africa, Middle East, and Asia.  Although it misses us in North America, astronomy buffs like myself still think it's pretty neat.

The next times we'll see a total eclipse in the U.S. will be August 21, 2017 and April 8, 2024.   They'll both pass very close to Kentucky, with the 2017 peaking in Western Kentucky.  Lord willing, you could probably guess where I'll be hanging out.

For those interested, the pic above is a shot of a solar eclipse from space.  The dark spot is the shadow created by the moon as it blocks the sunlight from earth.  Those below it are briefly in darkness.  (Full size pic here).

-Colonel Steve

Immigration Bill Passes Committee

The latest immigration bill has passed the Judiciary Committee 12-6.  Problems as I see it:

1) Ted Kennedy was instrumental in getting the bill in it's final form out of committee.  Anytime Teddy is behind something, I've got to question it.

2) As World Net Daily states:

"Under the legislation, illegal aliens in the United States would obtain six-year nonimmigrant visas under which they could work in the country and travel outside the country. The aliens would have to pay a $1,000 fine and undergo background checks."

Basically, the original criminal penalty part of the bill was removed for language like this.  Granted, it would be tough for courts to process all 11 million illegal immigrants through the criminal system.  However, this slap on the wrist doesn't do anything.  Illegal means something.  Stop them at the border. Those actually caught, ship them back.  Period.

3) A guest-worker program is setup.  Another word .... Amnesty.  Again, illegal should mean something.  Not with this bill.

Good stuff in the bill:  more funding for border security.

I'm not convinced the good outweighs the bad on this one. 

Linked to Mudville Gazette, Outside the Beltway.

-Colonel Steve

What A Memory

The saying "An elephant never forgets" may be true, but I think this lady has one up on the elephant species.  "AJ"has a perfect memory of things.  Ask her what happened on a particular day, she'll come back with the major events, the minor events, the weather that day, and what she had to eat.

Jame McGaugh is still attempting to figure AJ out.  They've gone past thoughts like she might be a savant due to her being normal and balanced in every other way.  So they have come up with a new definition:

They call it hyperthymestic syndrome, based on the Greek word thymesis for "remembering" and hyper, meaning "more than normal."

So the next time someone calls me hyper, I'll pretend they mean I have a good memory.

-Colonel Steve

Top Ten Salaries For College Grads

As an engineering school graduate myself, I found the following survey very interesting.  The National Association of Colleges and Employers have come up with the top ten most profitable starting salaries for college grads.  They are:

1. Chemical engineering, $55,900
2. Electrical engineering, $52,899
3. Mechanical engineering, $50,672
4. Computer science, $50,046
5. Accounting, $45,723
6. Economics/Finance, $45,191
7. Civil engineering, $44,999
8. Business administration, $38,850
9. Marketing, $36,260
10. Liberal arts majors, $30,828

-Colonel Steve

Go Cards

Two years in a row for the final four!!!  Well, ok, this year it's the NIT in place of last year's NCAA final four appearance.  Again, I'll take what I can get.

After last night's 74-56 win over Missouri State, we'll be playing South Carolina in New York next Tuesday.  The winner of that game will play on Thursday against the winner of Old Dominion and Michigan.

-Colonel Steve

Conservatives As Whiny Kids

There's been discussion today about a study associating whiny kids becoming conservatives as adults.  You can see the summary of it at Michelle Malkin's site, both here and here.  I won't bore you with the details, she does a great job with the story.

I couldn't help but remember this little guy.  Now there's great news for his future life as an adult.  Conservatism.

-Colonel Steve

Latest In KY Legislation

Some of the latest in Kentucky's legislative sessions:

Bill to protect mourners at military funerals

Eminent Domain Bill

Both KY and IN expand right to kill intruders

-Colonel Steve