"GJim: "At least CNN is not selling wheat like Roscoe Filburn in the Wickard case" I've posted about the case before. I think it's the case that the SC decided that led us away from a republic. SCOTUS has largely led us down hill since.

Things I'd like to see in regards to WuFlu spikes: 1. Total increase in tests. 2. Total increase in cases. 3. Total increase in hospitalizations. 4. Total increase in deaths. 5. Total hopitalization in July 2019. 6. Total ICU bed usage in July 2019. In addition to get a better handle on what is going on I'd like to know: 7. Was there a decrease in hospitalizations after 1/1/20 due to hospitals not taking in individuals for otherwise normal hospitalizations, especially elective surgeries. 8. As testing has ramped up, is there a correlation between 'new' cases and increased testing. I have a hunch that the current 'spike' in cases is actually an increase in 'discovery' of cases. If we quit testing tomorrow, would we see a 'decrease' in new cases? If we had the ability to test every single 330,000,000 americans tomorrow, would we see an 'increase' in new cases? I think we are being lied to? What is 'positivity' when a test is conducted? Does 'positity' mean the same thing for an 18 year old that it means for a 73 year old? Were I to have a greater attention span, I could probably come up with a couple of more questions...

GUS, I really look up to my Big Bro. He did all the things that I read about as kid but lacked the courage to do. After his stint in New Mexico, he eventually wound back up in Indiana and got another slot with the Indiana Guard. While here he did the whole CGSC curriculum at Leavenworth and worked his up the ranks. Became the 'Education officer' for the 38th infantry division. Eventually, he was offered the slot at I.U.P.U.I as the military history guy where he had a corner office and had it made. When Gulf War started, Indiana mobilized a 'postal company' but were short handed. He volunteered. I told him he was crazy. He was at the 'big base' (whatever that name was..) and soon adopted a Kentucky national guard inf company and would go on patrols with them as an extra hand. He had acquired an M1987 trench gun before he left the states and requistioned rounds still in cosmoline from some place in NJ. It's in his hands or on his back in every pic from his two 18 month tours. Came back and worked for CentComm for a bit, transitioned outta the guard and went full time army agian. He meet some peeps there who wound up getting him a job at AfriComm where he wound in Kenya running guerrilla camps in Somalia while officially working on anti-piracy. Retired from there. Came back home to Indiana. Got a job at I.U. building up student recruitment from Europe and Asia. Couldn't hack H.R. in the civilian world. Took a job at Terre South HS doing ROTC. Gave him a chance to put his oak leaves back on and yell at people. Done with that he is now fully retired and grows microgreens, tends honeybees and raises chickens for the local farmers market. He considers himself a 'gentleman farmer' these days and looks forward to the day when his youngest his done at I.U. and he can move to Croatia and live like a king on retirement. I'm good with that as long as he spins yarns of days of old.

Gus, my bro is great. Started out as armor. Switched to airborne and found his niche shooting things with rifles. When he got outta the army after 4 years he did 'security' work in Cabinda for about 18 months. Came back to the states and went to I.U. While at I.U. joined the Indiana Guard and did OCS. Did a short stint with an infantry battalion. When he moved to New Mexico, the only slot he could get was with a hawk AA missile company. between that and coaching bball, he refers to that as 'the dark years'.

MM is right. My youngest Sis was a cheerleader for Bloomington North in 1997 when they won the last TRUE state bball championship. The IHSAA ruined everything because the reason then was 'only the big schools could win. Class sports meant they could hand out more trophies. Ironically,my hometown of Washington, IN, bore a dynasty of giant ball players from about 2004 to 2012 known as the 'Zeller Brothers', Luke, Tyler and Cody who could've won the old TRUE title multiple times. Tyler's senior year he was paired up with another 7 footer. Two 7 footers on a team from a school with about 800 kids. Not exactly Hickory High sized but compared to the consolidation schools with 2500 to 5000 students, they were the heir to that legend who never got the chance to fulfill their destiny. The Zellers all went on to play NBA. Tyler at North Carolina and Cody at Indiana probably had the greater careers but, Luke will always be remembered for The Shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N-qQfgn9MA The Greatest Sports Moment of my life.

Porch, I've swam in the limestone pit shown in 'Breaking Away' many times. I never jumped off the cliff though which is known as 'rooftop' locally. The bike race, The Little 500, is now an even bigger local event then the movie portrayed. Probably due to the movie. I used to look forward to it when I was young. These days I avoid Bloomington that weekend and warn my children of the hazards it poses. I'm getting old...

"I know the Jicarilla Apaches..." In 1990, my older bro and his new wife were freshly graduated from I.U. school of ed. Coming outta church one morning a gent approached them and said 'hey, I'm trying to find some teachers for a small catholic school in New Mexico that serves the native american propulation right off the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in New Mexico. I've heard your ed grads, interested?' With no other prospects or entanglements holding them back, they said 'Sure!' and soon enough were in Dulce and teaching at nearby St. Francis Catholic School. Since my bro is hoosier bred and born, they naturally made him the basketball coach. He was never into sports and he soon made a call to my dad, a former grade school bball coach, asking how the hell to coach grade schoolers. I had just left a factory job in bloomington and was getting to move to columbus, oh to start my life with the future ms. bubarooni. My dad called me up and apprised me of the situation and since I had played some ball in school and didn't have anything firmed up in columbus just yet, asked if I could go to new mexico with him for about a month. I responded with 'Roadtrip!'. It was on his dime so what the heck. Anyway, we got there and it was a mess. My dad jumped in though and soon we had them conditioning, shooting free throws, layups, dribbling around fold up chairs and just in general doing the things 4th, 5th and 6th graders do in southern Indiana in order to learn the Sacred Art. We were there for about a month and took some serious drubbings but, eventually started winning some games. Our last week there we went to play a local (relatively... maybe an hour drive?) anglo public school and beat them on their home court. We had started to get parents showing up at games due to the novel experience of winning some games and had a good group that evening who stormed the court in celebration. It wasn't quite 'Hoosiers' or 'Rudy' but, I've always thought I could write a Disney movie out of the experience by using writers license to embellish just a bit.

on personal hygiene: about 12 yrs ago one of sis's (i have 6...) had breast cancer. When she got chemo and her hair fell out, I shaved my head in solidarity. I quickly discovered shaving your was a chore tossed on top of the already existing drudgery of daily shaving my mug. I bought a set of clippers and take my unsubstantial mane down to about 1/16 of an inch on monday and thursday each week. It's actually been liberating and I've never looked back. About a year or so ago I made 'my stand' and dumped Gillette for their social preening and switched to Harry's for taking care of the mug. I hate Gillette but, I'm probably gonna throw in the towel this weekend and buy Gillette again because of razor burn. I did what I could...

MrsJ by any chance DrJ?

"Mine was yesterday..." How unfortunate. You'll get 'em next time tiger!

Narc, Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck would be a good story too. He was The Dude.

"The sheer weight of the bobcat used to deliveri the materials to the worksite left impressive ruts, the fixing of which added meaningfully to the work." SigOther's plan is me and a wheelbarrow.

The Prince of Kolonton was definitely not an athlete. A little short and plump for such an appellation. Was definitely living the high life since a kid and while at I.U.

I'll wager they are quicker Jib. More easily distracted by 'Squirrel!' too so you might have a shot.

No Mel, just no........................

'Both Ashanti princes of some sort.' Had a buddy at I.U. in the late '80's whose dad was the 'King of Kolonton' or some such place in the general area of Borneo. As the 'Prince of Kolonton' he loved to tell the story and when pressed further delighted in explaining Kolonton was roughly the equivalent of a county in the U.S. Hell of Scrabble player.

I read it too Narc. Pretty interesting side bit of history.

...Bubarooni... Ha! Third times charm!

"The Chinese are trying to gauge the Indian response, I'm sure." I think the ChiComms just wanna get rid of the McMahon line in general. The Indians have been making a concerted effort to build up their infrastructure and forces in Lakakh. I think there is a chance the Indians are gonna give a shot so 'de-escalation' might be a bit away.

"art a science of hydrology." Jack Lillywhite, The hydrology project appears to be working really well. My swamp has turned into a pleasant, savanna like area. On my bucket list this year is to build a paver patio in the same general area, provisionally about a 12 by 14 area. I'm up for it though I think I'll by stock in Doan's Pills before starting. I was surveying the backyard with SigOther on Sunday for the best spot. Her suggestion puts it right over the new french drain. I said 'No. This is non-negotiable.' She asked 'Why?' I replied that I'd have to go on JoM and ask for hydrology advice. She said 'Where?' I said 'Forget it Babe. It's Chinatown.' Perplexed, she followed me all the way to the Bub Club with me gesticulating meaninglessly towards the Sky Dragons.

Quick side note on turning 59. I've spent my life avoiding doctors. They tend to carry sharp, metal, poky things. The prospect of turning 59 led me to break string of successful avoidance, perhaps 30 or 35 years, and meet up with a doc about 3 weeks ago. She told me to not drink beer, smoke cigarettes, not eat red meat, stay away from spicy foods, walk more and exercise and just in general not to enjoy myself anymore. She also told me that at 6'1" and 190 lbs it'd be good for me to be 180, maybe 175. I asked the SigOther last Thursday about this 'watching my weight' thing and inquired who to operate the fancy digital scale in the bathroom. She showed me and said 'Step on it now'. It read 183.6. She looked at me and said 'I hate you.' Progress?

Happy Bday to Buckeye Jr too!

59? 60? Meh! They're starting to kinda be indistinguishable...

Thanks all. I've been on the site since L'Affaire Plame so maybe 17 years without mentioning it before. I'll probably skip the mention next as I will turn 60 Sheesh... time flies...

Happy Bday MT. It's mine as well so I feel in good company. Just got done spreading out mulch for management. Quite the celebration. I am hiding out in the Bub Club now though don't know how long I'll get away with that.