Does the SCOTUS write legislation now?

The Supreme Court in 2003 outlawed capital punishment for the mentally retarded but never established a clear standard over defendants claiming some form of mental illness.

According to CNN, I'm a psychotic.

Last week I was wondering if the Senate posturing over Attorney General Alberto Gonzales had finally died down. This week they are back to burning Gonzales in effigy. If Gonzales does decide that the headache isn't worth it and resigns, I can only hope that Bush uses a recess appointment to stick everyones favorite boogieman John Ashcroft back in there.

Wouldn't that be a hoot?

My .30 caliber M-1 Carbine finally arrived from the Civilian Marksmanship Program. I timed my order perfectly and it arrived at the CMP Store on April 30th, the first day they began accepting orders. Its a good thing too, because they sold out less than 3 weeks later. The order was processed this week and FedEx delivered it this morning. (Thankfully it wasn't coated in cosmoline the way my M1903 was.)

The replacement Italian stock is gorgeous. I already have some USGI Mags, but will need to pick up a sling at the next gun show. This one is an Inland, who made 43% of all WWII M-1 Carbines. I can't wait for the other manufacturers to go on sale.

Here are the pictures:

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Fabbrica Armi Terni
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I wonder how many German or Jap kills it was used for.

The Washington Post spotlights Barbara Holland, the elderly author of The Joy of Drinking:

"I was getting sick and tired of being lectured by dear friends with their little bottles of water and their regular visits to the gym," she says. "All of a sudden, we've got this voluntary prohibition that has to do with health and fitness." She pauses. "I'm not really in favor of health and fitness."

But isn't it good to be healthy?

"I suppose so," she says, "but it's largely a crapshoot. The ghost of my sainted mother hovers around, talking about how self-centered it all is. They're always thinking about themselves -- how far I ran, how much I can bench-press, how I ate three servings of broccoli. For heaven's sake, get over yourself."

Look under the fold for my theory on what's going to happen on Sunday's Soprano's finale.

It's anybody's guess, but I don't think Tony's going to get clipped. I think Phil is overplaying his hand by going after a fellow boss. He's a relatively new boss, and one of the first things he does is try to whack another boss? I wonder how the rest of the five families feel about that. You would think that taking out a boss would require permission from the commission. Granted The Sopranos storyline has never really focused on the commission, they have been mentioned in passing and with reverence by Christopher.

Then again I'm certainly biased in that I don't actually want Tony to get it.

Other theories have AJ killing Tony, Paulie ratting Tony out to the New York family, Tony's family getting whacked, and or course indictments coming down. So there's no shortage of opinions.

UPDATE: **SPOILERS**

So I was half right. Leotardo got his.

The tax-exempt Million Mom March (NoVa chapter) scheduled a public meeting at a public place, but when people showed up with video cameras they asked them to sign releases saying they wouldn't show the video to anyone. When one cameraman refused to sign away his First Amendment rights, the Million Mom Marchers became mean-spirited, belligerent, and cancelled their meeting so that they could hold it in private.

VCDL's Philip VanCleave notes how they played the victim:

"We have been threatened by them [gun owners] so many times. And abused and badgered by them so many times that it is nothing to us." [Threatened and abused? Oh, please. Laughed at, yes. - PVC]

"Can (we take turns) standing in front of the camera? I mean legally we can do that."

"We apologize for him [the gun owner who wouldn't sign the MMM's agreement]."

"He can't help it. His penis size is too small."

"Permission to call him an asshole?"

Pre-meeting footage:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

The meeting was advertised in the local newspaper as "open to the public", yet the MMMer basically told the guy "Turn the camera off or sign the release." I wouldn't have signed it either.

You would think that an activist group would want to reach as many people as possible, and not worry about their message getting out.

Gotta have one of these

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I know this is old news, but do we really need a MILF reality show?

AFP sheds some light on the reason for the increasing crime rate:

Criminologists told the [Washington Post] that gangs and the release of large numbers of prisoners were in part responsible for the rising crime.

Parole Board chairman: They've got a name for people like you H.I. That name is called "recidivism."
Parole Board member: Repeat offender!
Parole Board chairman: Not a pretty name, is it H.I.?
H.I.: No, sir. That's one bonehead name, but that ain't me any more.
Parole Board chairman: You're not just telling us what we want to hear?
H.I.: No, sir, no way.
Parole Board member: 'Cause we just want to hear the truth.
H.I.: Well, then I guess I am telling you what you want to hear.
Parole Board chairman: Boy, didn't we just tell you not to do that?
H.I.: Yes, sir.
Parole Board chairman: Okay, then.

Useful idiot Steve Hargreaves continues to beat the high gas prices drum. The CNN/Money "economist" who once listed raising gas prices as his #1 way to lower gas prices explains why "Big Oil" doesn't just open a few more refineries.

I've only got two Hillary quotes on the quote page:

"We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society." -- Hillary Clinton

"Many of you are well enough off that . . . the tax cuts may have helped you. We're saying that for America to get back on track, we're probably going to cut that short and not give it to you. We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." -- Hillary Clinton

But reader Mike A points to many more.

Presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton outlined a broad economic vision Tuesday, saying it's time to replace an "on your own" society with one based on shared responsibility and prosperity. . .

"I prefer a 'we're all in it together' society," she said. "I believe our government can once again work for all Americans. It can promote the great American tradition of opportunity for all and special privileges for none."

That means pairing growth with fairness, she said, to ensure that the middle-class succeeds in the global economy, not just corporate CEOs.

"There is no greater force for economic growth than free markets. But markets work best with rules that promote our values, protect our workers and give all people a chance to succeed," she said. "Fairness doesn't just happen. It requires the right government policies." . . .

Beyond education, Clinton said she would reduce special breaks for corporations, eliminate tax incentives for companies that ship jobs overseas and open up CEO pay to greater public scrutiny.

SayUncle: Half of Americans want stricter gun laws

The founder of the newly formed organization, GMU Students for Concealed Carry got some local TV time and did a good job holding his own.