Saturday Ramblings

Iraqi Citizens Kill Terrorists: From Free Iraqi a story about a village who's citizens were attacked because they dared to vote in last Sunday's elections. I believe in allowing the government to protect it's citizens - to a certain extent. In this story, there was no governmental force available and the citizens of Al Mudhiryiah had to take control themselves. And, at this time in Iraqi history, until the government is able to offer protection to its citizens, the citizens must protect themselves.

The Hitchhiker: Great story from Mountain Mama about her adventures with a mouse in the car. Found via American Warmonger.

From Denver: This story about two teenage girls wanting to do something nice for their neighbors. Apparently, they delivered home-baked cookies to neighbors. When they got to one house, they scared the woman into an anxiety attack that landed her in the hospital. Please. I realize the girls may have used poor judgement in delivering cookies after dark. But I think a lawsuit was a little over the top. An apology from the girls and paying the hospital bill should have been enough. I also think a little therapy and maybe some Prozac might help, too. Not for the girls, for the neighbor. I think she needs help for her anxiety issues. Link via Florida Cracker and at the Denver Post.

Presenting ID to vote: From the Captain's Quarters: Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison), the former Dane County clerk, said getting rid of the vouching system would make it virtually impossible for homeless people to vote. Why are the homeless voting? They have no residence, so can't be assigned to a precinct. And I doubt that the homeless care much about voting anyway unless it's because some politician has offered them something in exchange for their vote. And this: Karla Smith of Madison, who uses a wheelchair, told lawmakers that the measure would disenfranchise disabled people, because they would have trouble lining up transportation to get an ID. Disabled people who want to vote can line up transportation, so why would lining up transportation to get an ID be more difficult? The disabled can find transportation to shop, go to doctor's visits, banking, visiting family and friends and a whole host of other places transportation is needed. Doesn't Ms. Smith need ID when she goes to the bank? I can't believe that a bank doesn't require some form of ID to cash a check. Or maybe she uses ATM's where she doesn't have to present ID. And that raises the question of how does she get to the ATM? I am required to show ID when I vote, why should the disabled or homeless be any different? Disenfranchising people by requiring them to get an ID to vote is a crock, pure and simple.