Conservative Musings

Voter Registration for Kentucky and Indiana

October 6th is the deadline for voter registration in Indiana and Kentucky.  For Kentucky, you can get the mail in voter registration form here.

Internet Now a Fuel Saver

The Courier-Journal noted in yesterday's print version about Kentucky's and Indiana's use of the internet.  State agencies have been moving more and more online.  "Taxpayers can file business forms online, buy hunting and fishing licenses, check campaign finance records and book nights at state park lodges."  They have also added "open government" features like watching state court proceedings and legislative sessions.

In a study released last year, the Traubman Center ranked Kentucky's state government site as fourth best in the country and Indiana's as 16th best, based on services available to taxpayers and privacy protection.

Way to go!

-Colonel Steve

Rattled???

I hear there was a whole lot of shaking going on this morning.  Even caught on tape in Evansville, IN and here in Louisville.  But alas, all three of us here at the "Colonel" house slept right on through it.  Not even the animal instincts of our golden retriever noticed anything during the wee hours.

If you're in an area that felt the quake today, whether you personally felt it or not, you can log that at this USGS site here.  These folks even use the data from those of us who didn't feel it to get a better idea of the earthquake's effects.  The data recorded there is presented in the map Red referred to earlier.

Today's quake came off of a fault associated with the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone.   Some debate whether this is just an extension of the faults in the New Madrid Seismic Zone or "a whole 'nother" set of faults. 

In either case,  we're practically surrounded by active and potentially strong producers of seismic activity (New Madrid recent activity and Wabash Valley recent activity).  So much so that it's been noted that earthquakes in Louisville are considered moderate risk hazards right along with severe winter storms (which we've had our share of).  Our area's high risk hazards are considered tornados, severe thunderstorms, hailstorms, and floods.

-Colonel Steve

We're Still Not There

They still haven't started building Louisville's east end bridge.  But at least they are showing pictures.

-Colonel Steve

Another Bridge to Nowhere

Our local version of Alaska's "Bridge to Nowhere" differs in many ways from theirs, like it didn't require pork to build and it already exists.

The "Big Four" railway bridge has been closed since 1968, with it's connecting spans removed in 1969.  Many of the locals around Louisville remember this as the bridge that radio station WLRS used to light up every Christmas in the 70's and 80's.   Debates as to what to do with the bridge has been going on ever since.

Now there are plans to turn this into a pedestrian walkway across the Ohio River, connecting it to Waterfront Park on the Louisville side.  Of all the ideas floated so far, I rather like this one.  Although, I'm sure, when we have weather like we've had recently, there won't be much use for it.

-Colonel Steve

New Kid on the Block

Anybody tried out the latest web search engine, ChaCha?

You may have noted my discussions earlier about a guy I know whose company entered an autonomous vehicle in the DARPA challenge.  He's also behind the ChaCha search engine, as noted in yesterday's USAToday.

I'm kinda curious as to what others think of the approach they've taken, of actually having helpers called guides assisting folks in finding what they need.  It's at least a novel concept.

-Colonel Steve

Ground Breaking Move

This past Monday was the ground breaking on the first part of what will finally be the east end bridge.  In this case, they were turning shovels where the Gene Snyder will be moved 800 feet to place it more in line with where the east end bridge will cross the Ohio.

Plans are to have the bridge by 2020.

-Colonel Steve

Indiana Voter Law

As noted by Rush on his radio show today, the democratic party is appealing a federal court ruling today.  It seems the group that claims to be a party of law does not like Indiana's law requiring photo ID's at polling places.

These are the same folks who desire easy access for illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.  Rather obviously so they can vote easier.  Like working their schemes from both ends.

But seriously, just how hard is it to get an id?  Their complaint is that "minorities, the poor, the elderly and the disabled -- will be adversely affected."  What about all those get out the vote folks?  Couldn't they help those adversely affected get their ids?  Even pay for them. 

Those in Indiana can start here.

-Colonel Steve