Oh, how times have changed

Yours truly thought ye socks would enjoy the following excerpt from one of the old Harney letters I mentioned a couple of days ago. He is responding to an unflattering editorial about Florida that appeared in a New Orleans newspaper in late 1875:

It is not pleasant to observe that an editor of ability and character goes out of his way in a little jealousy of the prosperity of a sister State to associate the origin of Florida’s present popularity with persons of pronounced unpopularity in the South,* as if that could affect her deserving. The real cause of Florida’s occupying so much attention in current literature is that her scenery is yet wild, novel and fresh. The stated sameness of civilization has not shaped it into rectangular monotony; and the romance of Spanish possessions and Indian warfare still lingers, leaving footsteps on her mounds.

I wonder what he'd say about the present "rectangular monotony?!!?" I guess we caught up with our Louisiana cousins . . .

*He refers to Harriet Beecher Stow and her family, who had recently relocated to Florida.

March Madness

Having had another 24 hours to further digest the recent constitutional travesty, I am pleased to see our state's attorney general Bill McCollum is taking the lead on filing a lawsuit against the ObamaNation's stealth scare scheme.

Florida, along with eleven other states (so far!) have filed suit in federal court at Pensacola, claiming the socialist agenda is unconstitutional. I'm pleased to see the AG from Louisiana, a Democrat, standing by our side on this one.

Virginia, for a variety of reasons, has filed a separate suit up in Richmond. The basis of their claim is that the mandates issued from on high by Pelosi, Reid, and their ilk, conflicts with existing state law.

Furthermore, it is my understanding that at least 32 other states have either put into place, or are in the process of creating, legislative and constitutional challenges in a variety of forms.

So, America isn't just sitting back and taking it.

I love it!

It sounds like this version of "March madness" may just be settled in the courts, too!

Hope and change, y'all!

Any more loop holes we should be aware of?!

So, the latest absurdity surrounding the Stealth Scare legislation up in DC involves the Amish.

That's right, the Amish. You know, the people who have sworn off all modern conveniences and tool around Pennsylvania in quaint little horse-drawn carriages.

We all know about the Cornhusker Kickback, whereby Senator Ben Nelson exempted his home state of Nebraska from the increased costs that the other 49 states will have to pay.

Here in Florida, our own illustrious Senator Nelson (Bill) got a similar exemption for the three southernmost (and most-Democratic) counties.

We also know about the Second Louisiana Purchase, whereby Senator Mary Landrieu netted her home state hundreds of millions of dollars to buy her vote.

We learned recently of the unions winning exemption from the new "Cadillac Tax" on their health insurance plans.

Now, we hear that the Amish are going to be exempted.

I guess my question is this: If this is such great legislation, and is going to be such a good deal for the American people, why are SO many people scrambling to find a loop hole to escape being subjected to it?!?!? Hmmmmm . . . .

Super Saturday

I've got to get to bed, so can't stay up to see how exactly Washington state is going to go. But, the margin between Mike Huckabee and John McCain is razor thing out there.

If Huck ends up with the most votes out there, he will have swept all this weekend's GOP contests.

Kansas was a complete blow-out. Huckabee beat McCain there by a margin of 2 to 1.

Louisiana was closer, but Huck still ended up on top.

So, I'm going to turn-in now on the prayer that Washington goes Huckabee's way, too.

Go, Mike, go!

Super Tuesday Song Dedications

To Mitt Romney: "West Virginia Mountain Mama," by John Denver. And, if you'd like a little cheese with that whine, we'll see what we can do for you in that other W state of Wisconsin . . .

To John McCain: "Georgia on My Mind," by Ray Charles. Close, but no cigar.

To Wolf Blitzer: "Tennessee River," by Alabama. Aren't you glad you didn't call one state before all the precincts came in?!

To all the prognosticators (especially Gloria Borger) who said there was no other alternative for conservative Republicans: "Sweet Home Alabama." I'll let them choose their own cheesy cover band.

To Hillary: The N'Sync song of your choice, since you look like Lance Bass in drag.

And, as the results tonight looked so good for Mike Huckabee, I'd also like to send this one out to all my Cajun friends who will be voting this weekend: "Louisiana Saturday Night!"

Get down your fiddle, and take down your bow, y'all!