Actually, I think there are too many laws period. Perhaps I should have said 'should only'.

Yeah, that was a bad example. Gun laws, if we must have them (there are many who say we must), should be directed to ensuring those who own guns know how to use them safely and efficiently. They currently tend to be directed at removing guns of most types from the hands of law abiding citizens. Even though owning a gun is a right, one which I fully support, there are common sense rules that should be followed. In a perfect world, everyone would have plenty of common sense, be well trained in everything they attempted, and never panic. I don't believe there is an epidemic of accidental shooting, but there are a few. I would think even one is too many if training and practice could prevent it.

Regarding the story about the mob in Peoria, there seems to be some question of the reliability of the resident who made the statement quoted in the story as reported nationally. This Peoria Journal Star story gives some additional details.

That said, although I don't own a gun (Mrs. Buck won't stand for it...), I fully support a strong 2nd amendment. I do agree with Karen though. Gun control laws should focus on training and keeping mentally unstable and criminal types from owning guns. They should also cover mandatory training (ya can't get a drivers license without proving you can safely operate a car). In addition to making it more likely that one can safely handle a gun, training also makes it safer for the innocent folks around the wielder and at the same time deadlier to those who need to be dead.

"Planned Parenthood sued the state May 10, arguing that the de-funding measure is unconstitutional and violates federal law."

Anyone have any idea where this comes from? I can't remember any clause or amendment in the constitution that guarantees funding for Planned Parenthood. Perhaps our founding fathers were clairvoyant and wrote that one in invisible ink?

Excellent! Another validation of my goal to move from #41 Illinois to #5 Missouri.

So, basically, we are back to the 4 food groups. Just like I learned in grade school waaaaaay back in the 60's.

I did think it odd that after several years of doctors pushing me into low-fat diets, non of which worked, the Atkins diet had me losing plenty of weight! Funny how that works.

Sorry, got lazy there. Question 14 is: "To fight against terrorism restrictions of civil liberties are acceptable."  Perhaps it loses something in the translation?

Well, I ended up to the Socioeconomic right of all parties, closest to Milliyet Hareket. Never having even been to Turkey, I am sure I don't understand all of the implications of each question. I went with neutral on the headscarf question. I generally don't care what people wear, but I guessed that was probably a contentious issue in Turkey since it was even on the questionnaire. Oh, and what's up with question 14? Is that something akin to our Patriot law issue?

Where is Al Gore when we need him? I want my Global Warming Back!

Welcome to the Peoples Republic of Illinois. Having lived in the PRI all my life, I can no longer feel the disgust that Diane does. I simply roll my eyes and think, "Here we go again!"

The question that comes to my mind from time to time lately is: When socialism fails here, as it has everywhere else it's been tried (so far), what comes next?

This award may have been the result of a clerical error. According  to the article, the woman claims she was never offered amniocentesis, and the doctors claim she was and refused it. I have it on good  authority (Mrs. Buck is an RN that deals in the maternal/infant area) that when one of these tests is refused, the patient is requested to sign a refusal form documenting that they are refusing the test. If she refused it, there is no way the doctors could know about the abnormality. Simply producing the refusal document would take care of the claim.

So, either she was never offered the test, or she was and no one had her sign the form. in either case, the insurance company probably did the right thing, from a business perspective, in settling. A jury award may have been even more outrageous.

It seems to me that a good campaign slogan would be:

"It's the Economy, stupid!"

We can steal that from Mr. Clinton, can't we?

A GPS has got to have an antenna.

And you can still buy aluminum foil...

So, it takes a train wreck? Illinois must be next in line then.

The Japanese might be able to get it for you. What's a little mess between friends?

Knew that. However, I believe it is only the Inuit people of Alaska who are allowed to take whales.