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Since its inception, Congress has used commemorative legislation to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions; dramatize the virtues of individuals, groups, and causes; and perpetuate the remembrance of significant events. During the past two centuries, commemoratives have become an integral part of the American political tradition. They have been used to authorize the minting of commemorative coins and Congressional Gold Medals; fund monuments and memorials; create federal holidays; establish commissions to celebrate important anniversaries; and name public works, scholarships, endowments, fellowships, and historic sites.
Current congressional practice for commemoratives includes a House Rule (Rule XII, clause 5, initially adopted during the 104th Congress (1995-1996)) that precludes the introduction or consideration of legislation that commemorates "any remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a special period of time." Such a rule does not exist in the Senate. This change to House Rules, together with the passage of more restrictive laws, rules, and procedures governing the enactment of several other types of commemoratives, has substantially reduced the time Congress spends considering and adopting such measures.
This report summarizes the evolution of commemorative legislation as well as the laws, rules, and procedures that have been adopted to control the types of commemoratives considered and enacted. Included in the discussion of commemorative options for Congress are those that require legislation, such as
Also included are commemorative options that do not require legislation. These include
Since its inception, Congress has used commemoratives to express public gratitude for distinguished contributions; dramatize the virtues of individuals, groups, and causes; and perpetuate the remembrance of significant events. The first commemoratives were primarily in the form of individually struck medals. During the 19th century, Congress gradually broadened the scope of commemoratives by recommending special days for national observance; funding monuments and memorials; creating federal holidays; authorizing the minting of commemorative coins; and establishing commissions to celebrate important anniversaries. In the 20th century, it became increasingly commonplace for Congress to use commemorative legislation to name buildings and other public works, scholarships, endowments, fellowships, and historic sites.
This report provides a discussion of commemorative options available to Congress. These commemorative options are divided into those that require legislation and those that do not. Types of commemoratives requiring legislative action include naming federal buildings, including post offices; creating postage stamps; minting commemorative coins; awarding of Congressional Gold Medals; authorizing monuments and memorials, both in the District of Columbia and on federal land in other parts of the United States; establishing commemorative commissions; authorizing commemorative observances and federal holidays; and requesting presidential proclamations. Non-legislative options include sending certificates of recognition, making floor speeches, and sending flags flown over the Capitol Building to constituents.
Beginning in the 1960s, several initiatives were undertaken to reduce the number of commemoratives proposed through legislation. These initiatives were in response to concern that the legislative time spent on commemorative measures was excessive.1 Efforts to curb commemoratives can be divided into two categories: creating an advisory commission to recommend appropriate commemorations and amending congressional rules on the introduction and consideration of commemorative legislation.
Between the 89th Congress (1965-1966) and the 104th Congress (1995-1996), several proposals were introduced to shift the responsibility of recommending commemorative celebrations to a presidential commission. First introduced in 1966, the proposed Commission on National Observances and Holidays would have served to review proposals for national observances and "report to the President with respect to any proposal for a national observance which, in the opinion of the Commission, is of national significance."2 In both the 89th Congress and the 90th Congress (1967-1968),3 measures were passed by the House, but no further action was taken by the Senate.4
In the 104th Congress (1995-1996), the House adopted a new rule to reduce the number of commemorative bills and resolutions introduced and considered by the chamber. House Rule XII, clause 5, prohibits the introduction and consideration of date-specific commemorative legislation. Additionally, Republican Conference Rule 28 prohibits the Republican leader from scheduling commemorative legislation under suspension of the rules, a practice also addressed in a committee rule of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.5
As part of the rules adopted by the 104th Congress,6 House Rule XII was amended to preclude the introduction or consideration of any bill, resolution, or amendment that "establishes or expresses any commemoration." The rule, which is still in effect, defines a commemoration as any "remembrance, celebration, or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a specified period of time." Further, in the House Rules Committee's section-by-section analysis of the House Rules resolution (H.Res. 6, 104th Congress), the following explanation was provided on the rule's intent:
The new ban on date-specific commemorative measures or amendments applies to both the introduction and consideration of any measure containing such a commemorative. This is intended to include measures in which such a commemorative may only be incidental to the overall purpose of the measure. Such measures will be returned to the sponsor if they are dropped in the legislative hopper. The prohibition against consideration also extends to any measures received from the Senate which contain date-specific commemorative. While it does not block their receipt from the other body, it is intended that such measures would not be referred to the appropriate committee of the House or be considered by the House. Instead, they would simply be held at the desk without further action. Should such a commemorative be included in a conference report or Senate amendment to a House bill, the entire conference report or Senate amendment would be subject to a point of order.
While the ban does not apply to commemorative [sic] which do not set aside a specified period of time, and instead simply call for some form of national recognition, it is not the intent of the rule that such alternative forms should become a new outlet for the consideration of such measures. Thus, while they could be referred to an appropriate committee, it is not expected that such committees should feel obligated or pressured to establish special rules for their release to the House floor. Nor should it be expected that the Rule [sic] Committee should become the new avenue for regular waivers of the rule against date specific commemorative [sic]. Such exceptions should be limited to those rare situations warranting special national recognition as determined by the Leadership.7
In relation to the current operation of House Rule XII, clause 5, the House Republican Conference adopted a rule (Rule 28 (6)) that prohibits the Republican leader from scheduling "any bill or resolution for consideration under suspension of the Rules which ... expresses appreciation, commends, congratulates, celebrates, recognizes the accomplishments of, or celebrates the anniversary of, an entity, event, group, individual, institution, team or government program; or acknowledges or recognizes a period of time for such purposes.... "8
Additionally, the House majority party leadership has issued protocols "intended to guide the majority leadership in the scheduling and consideration of legislation on the House floor." Included in the protocols is guidance on possible exemptions to Conference Rule 28.
A resolution of bereavement, or condemnation, or which calls on others (such as a foreign government) to take a particular action, but which does not otherwise violate the provisions of Rule 28 is eligible to be scheduled under suspension of the Rules.9
Party conference rules and protocols, however, are not enforceable by points of order on the House floor, although they may reflect a general reluctance on the part of the majority party to schedule any legislation with commemorative intent.
In addition, in the 114th Congress, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (which has jurisdiction over holidays and celebrations) adopted a new committee provision. Its Rule 13(c) states,
The Chairman shall not request to have scheduled any resolution for consideration under suspension of the Rules, which expresses appreciation, commends, congratulates, celebrates, recognizes the accomplishments of, or celebrates the anniversary of, an entity, event, group, individual, institution, team or government program; or acknowledges or recognizes a period of time for such purposes.10
The committee has issued additional guidance that "in accordance with the intent of this rule, it will be the policy of the Committee that resolutions deemed to fit these criteria shall not be considered by the Committee."11
Since House Rule XII, clause 5, was adopted in the 104th Congress, it has been waived on at least one occasion. Specifically, the "House by unanimous consent waived the prohibition against introduction of a certain joint resolution specified by sponsor and title proposing a commemoration,"12 to allow for the consideration of H.J.Res. 71 (107th Congress, 2001-2002), legislation establishing Patriot Day as a day of remembrance for September 11, 2001.13
Congress's commemorative options fall into two general categories: legislative options and non-legislative options. All legislative options require passage of a bill or resolution by the House, the Senate, or both chambers, while non-legislative options can be accomplished by individual offices without legislative approval. Legislative options include naming federal buildings, designing postage stamps, minting commemorative coins, awarding congressional gold medals, creating monuments and memorials, designating commemorative observances, establishing federal holidays, and requesting presidential proclamations. Non-legislative options include creating individual office awards, giving floor speeches, sending official letters, and ordering flags.
Several legislative options exist to honor individuals, groups, and historic events. For each of these commemoratives, action requires passage of a bill or resolution by the House, the Senate, or both chambers. In some cases, House and Senate committees, or the majority party, have specific rules or guidance associated with commemoratives. These include requiring a minimum number of cosponsors before the bill can be considered by the relevant committee, prohibitions against commemorating sitting Members of Congress, and some restrictions on commemorating living persons.
In each Congress, many bills are introduced to name a post office or other federal building in honor or in memory of locally esteemed individuals, deceased elected officials, fallen military personnel, and celebrities. To name a post office or other federal building after an individual an act of Congress is required. This section details congressional involvement in the naming of post offices and other federal buildings.
Legislation naming post offices for persons has become a very common practice. In recent Congresses, almost 20% of all statutes enacted were post office naming acts. Legislation has named post offices for a variety of persons, including locally esteemed individuals (e.g., Reverend Abe Brown),14 deceased elected officials (e.g., Ronald Reagan),15 fallen Armed Forces personnel (e.g., Army Specialist Matthew Troy Morris),16 and celebrities (e.g., Bob Hope).17
Post office naming statutes commonly identify the address of the postal facility and provide for naming ("designating") the facility.18 Renaming a post office through legislation, however, does not result in the new name being etched or painted on the facade of the building or signs. Further, for operational and logistical reasons, a post office that has been dedicated or renamed will keep its original name and geographical designation within USPS's addressing system. Instead, to commemorate the designation, a small plaque noting the designee and designation is installed within the post office.
Over the years, both the House and Senate have adopted policies and practices for considering and enacting post office naming bills. These policies and practices, sometimes expressed in "Dear Colleague" letters or committee rules, have varied from Congress to Congress.19 Frequently, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has adopted a policy (though not a formal rule) that a post office naming bill would not be approved until all Members from the state where the post office is located have signed on as cosponsors of the bill. Similarly, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) adopted practices for considering and reporting post office naming legislation.20 For example, under its current rules, HSGAC
[will] not consider any legislation that would name a postal facility for a living person with the exception of bills naming facilities after former Presidents and Vice Presidents of the United States, former Members of Congress over 70 years of age, former State or local elected officials over 70 years of age, former judges over 70 years of age, or wounded veterans.21
Once post office naming legislation is reported by the House and Senate Committees, the legislation, if considered on the floor, tends to pass the House under suspension of the rules and the Senate via unanimous consent.22
For more information on naming post offices, including sample legislation, see CRS Report RS21562, Naming Post Offices Through Legislation, by [author name scrubbed].
Bills to name other federal buildings or facilities may be considered and reported in any committee, typically in relation to the agencies under each committee's jurisdiction. Legislation naming a veterans medical facility, for example, would normally originate in the Veterans' Affairs (VA) committees in the House and the Senate. Legislation naming courthouses—which are constructed and maintained by the General Services Administration (GSA)—is considered by the committees with jurisdiction over GSA, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I) and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW). Historically, the large majority of non-postal facilities are named through legislation originating in these four committees: VA and T&I in the House, and VA and EPW in the Senate. Occasionally, legislation is introduced to name buildings held by other agencies, such as National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) training facilities. The principle of jurisdiction applies in these cases as well: NASA is under the jurisdiction of the Science, Space and Technology Committee in the House (SST) and the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee in the Senate (STC), so naming legislation for NASA facilities is considered by these committees.
Committees vary as to whether they have specific rules regarding the introduction of naming legislation. Some have written naming rules. In the 114th Congress, for example, the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs committees have identical language in their committee rules that identify specific criteria for naming legislation.23 These rules prohibit naming a VA facility after an individual unless the individual is deceased and is
In addition, each Member of the congressional delegation representing the state in which the designated facility is located must indicate, in writing, his or her support of the bill. Finally, the pertinent state department or chapter of each congressionally chartered veteran's organization with a national membership of at least 500,000 must indicate, in writing, its support of the bill.
By contrast, the committees with jurisdiction over courthouse naming in the 114th Congress—T&I in the House and EPW in the Senate—do not have identical written rules. Currently, T&I does not have a formal rule pertaining to naming legislation, although it did have written policies regarding naming legislation in previous Congresses.24 While no longer part of the committee's written rules, some or all of these requirements may still be in place—albeit informally—and enforced. Contacting the committee is the only way to determine what informal rules are in place, if any.
EPW, on the other hand, has its requirements in committee rules.25 According to Rule 7(d) the committee may not name a building for any living person, except
As with T&I, neither SST in the House nor STC in the Senate have written rules pertaining to naming legislation.
Each year, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) issues commemorative stamps to celebrate persons, anniversaries, and historical and cultural phenomena. For example, USPS has issued stamps for former Representative Shirley Chisholm, the Year of the Horse, and Harry Potter.27 The USPS issues these stamps at its own statutory discretion and operates the program as a profit-making enterprise.28
Legislation to direct USPS to issue a stamp to commemorate persons, historical occurrences, and groups is occasionally introduced. CRS has been unable to identify any instances of such legislation being enacted into law. On selected occasions, however, Congress has enacted legislation directing USPS to issue a semipostal stamp, which is a stamp sold at a premium to raise funds for a particular cause. For example, the Save the Vanishing Species Semipostal Stamp was created pursuant to H.R. 1454, Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Act of 2010.29
The House committee of jurisdiction (Committee on Oversight and Government Reform) has a rule against considering legislation that proposes the issuance of commemorative stamps. Committee Rule 13 states, in part, "[t]he determination of the subject matter of commemorative stamps and new semi-postal30 issues is properly for consideration by the Postmaster General."31
For more information on commemorative postage stamps, see CRS Report RS22611, Common Questions About Postage and Stamps, by [author name scrubbed].
Commemorative coins are produced by the U.S. Mint pursuant to an act of Congress. These coins celebrate and honor American people, events, and institutions.32 The first commemorative coin was authorized in 1892 for the Columbia Exposition in Chicago.33 Since 1892, Congress has authorized 122 new commemorative coins. Between 1954 and 1981, however, Congress did not authorize any new commemorative coins.34
In 1982, Congress restarted the commemorative coin program when it authorized a commemorative half dollar to recognize George Washington's 250th Birthday.35 In 1996, additional clarifications were made in the commemorative coin program. These adjustments
In past Congresses, the House Committee on Financial Services has adopted a committee rule to prohibit (1) the scheduling of a subcommittee hearing on commemorative coin legislation unless it was "cosponsored by at least two-thirds of the Members of the House," or (2) reporting a "bill or measure authorizing commemorative coins which does not conform with the minting regulations under 31 U.S.C. § 5112."37 This rule was not adopted as part of the Committee rules for the 114th Congress.
In the 114th Congress, the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee rules require that a commemorative coin bill or resolution have at least 67 Senators as cosponsors before being considered by the committee.38
When considering commemorative coin legislation, both the House and Senate banking committees often seek advice from several different sources, but doing so is not required. Among the groups normally contacted are the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, the American Numismatic Association, editors of numismatic publications, the head of the Smithsonian Institution's numismatic division, renowned metallic sculptors, and numismatic artists (previous winners of design competitions).
Although Congress has approved legislation stipulating requirements for numerous other awards and decorations,39 there are no permanent statutory provisions specifically relating to the creation of Congressional Gold Medals. When a Congressional Gold Medal has been deemed appropriate, Congress has, by legislative action, provided for the creation of a medal on an ad hoc basis.
In the 114th Congress, Rule 28(a)(7) of the House Republican Conference, however, prohibits the Republican Leader from scheduling any bill or resolution for consideration under suspension of the rules which directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike a Congressional Gold Medal unless
The rules of the House Republican Conference also place an indirect restriction on the number of gold medals that may be awarded annually. Rule 28(a)(7) prohibits the Republican leader from scheduling, or requesting to have scheduled, any bill for consideration under suspension of the rules which "directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike an additional Congressional Gold Medal in a particular calendar year if the Secretary has already been directed to strike 2 medals in such year."41 A waiver on the restriction can be granted by the majority of the elected leadership of the conference.42 In addition, because the restriction only applies to bills considered under suspension of the rules, it appears that an otherwise-prohibited bill could be brought to the floor under an alternative procedure, such as a special rule.43
In the Senate, the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee in the 114th Congress requires that at least 67 Senators must cosponsor any Congressional Gold Medal bill before being considered by the committee.44
For more information on Congressional Gold Medals, see CRS Report RL30076, Congressional Gold Medals, 1776-2014, by [author name scrubbed].
On many occasions, Congress has authorized the creation of monuments and memorials to commemorate historic figures, events, and movements. Whether the monument or memorial is intended to be built in the District of Columbia determines the process for placement, design, and approval of the commemorative work.
In 1986, the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) was enacted to provide standards for the consideration and placement of monuments and memorials in areas administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the General Services Administration (GSA) in the District of Columbia.45 The CWA provides that no "commemorative work may be established in the District of Columbia unless specifically authorized by Congress."46
Legislation proposing a new commemorative work in the District of Columbia generally consists of three main sections: a short title, definitions, and authorization for establishing the memorial. First, most authorizing legislation has a short title. This is the name of the authorizing legislation, which often includes the name of the memorial. Second, the definitions section contains terms used in further sections of the legislation. These can include "memorial," "association," "foundation," or other relevant terms. Finally, the authorization generally consists of four parts:
Following introduction, CWA-related legislation is generally referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Policy, and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Either one or both of the committees (or subcommittees) will hold hearings on the proposal, inviting testimony from representatives of the National Park Service and the organization seeking approval for the monument or memorial. Important considerations will include historical importance of the commemorative work, estimated cost, and how private funds needed for construction are to be raised. Additionally, the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission will often provide advice to the committees on the proposed memorial.47
For more information on the process after a commemorative work is authorized by Congress, see CRS Report R41658, Commemorative Works in the District of Columbia: Background and Practice, by [author name scrubbed]. For a list of commemorative works authorized since the enactment of the CWA in 1986, see CRS Report R43743, Monuments and Memorials Authorized and Completed Under the Commemorative Works Act in the District of Columbia, by [author name scrubbed]; and CRS Report R43744, Monuments and Memorials Authorized Under the Commemorative Works Act in the District of Columbia: Current Development of In-Progress and Lapsed Works, by [author name scrubbed].
Congressional involvement in monuments and memorials outside of the District of Columbia is not governed by the Commemorative Works Act. Instead, the process for creating the monument or memorial is determined based on whether the work will be placed on existing federal land. Recently, Congress has handled the creation of monuments and memorials outside the District of Columbia in two ways: by directly authorizing a new commemorative or by making an existing commemorative a "national" monument or memorial.48
Periodically, Congress authorizes a new memorial outside of the District of Columbia. On these occasions, legislation is required to statutorily authorize a group—either federal or non-federal—to design, construct, and maintain the memorial.
For example, during the 107th Congress (2001-2002), legislation was enacted to authorize a memorial at the crash site in Shanksville, PA,49 for "a national memorial to commemorate the passengers and crew of Flight 93 who, on September 11, 2001, courageously gave their lives thereby thwarting a planned attack on our Nation's Capital."50 During debate on the bill (H.R. 3917), Representative William Shuster summarized the importance of Congress creating a national memorial and making it part of the National Park Service.
As we debate this measure, in this most revered of halls, I cannot help but contemplate the possibility that Flight 93 was headed to a target here in the Nation's Capitol—quite possibly right here to the Capitol itself. We will, however, never know for sure where that doomed flight was headed. We will never know, because men and women, put love of country ahead of self preservation. These were not super heros [sic], but individuals just like you and me. Individuals with families and loved ones anxiously awaiting their return, who put aside their own desirers [sic] and stood up to combat terrorism and save countless lives....
The legislation before us today lays out a fair and balanced approach for construction of a memorial for these brave individuals. The legislation calls for the creation of the Flight 93 Advisory Commission which would be composed of representatives from the families of victims, the local community, the state of Pennsylvania and the United States Government. The Commission would then submit their recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior.51
In authorizing the Flight 93 Memorial, Congress also created an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior and Congress on the design, construction, and management of the memorial.52 Creation of such a commission is not uncommon and can aid government agencies with the planning and execution of commemorations.
Instead of authorizing the creation of a completely new memorial, Congress has also considered legislation to recognize existing works as national monuments or memorials. Enacting legislation to provide national recognition of a monument or memorial, but maintaining local operation and maintenance, generally requires no federal oversight or funds. For example, P.L. 113-132 designated a memorial in Riverside, CA, as the "Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial."53 The memorial honors military aviators who have received the "Distinguished Flying Cross [which] is the oldest military award for aviation..." with a national memorial, which does not already exist.54
Commemorative commissions are entities established to oversee the commemoration of a person or event. These commissions typically coordinate celebrations, scholarly events, public gatherings, and other activities, often to coincide with a milestone anniversary. For example, the Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission was created "to prepare a comprehensive program for commemorating the quincentennial of the voyages of discovery of Christopher Columbus, and to plan, encourage, coordinate, and conduct observances and activities commemorating the historic events associated with those voyages."55
Bills creating commemorative commissions are introduced regularly in Congress. For example, in the 113th Congress (2013-2014), multiple bills were introduced to establish commemorative commissions. Most of these bills, however, are not enacted.
A statute establishing a commemorative commission generally includes the commission's mandate, provides a membership and appointment structure, outlines the commission's duties and powers, and sets a termination date. A variety of options are available for each of these organizational choices, and legislators can tailor the composition, organization, and working arrangements of a commission, based on the particular goals of Congress. As a result, the organizational structure and powers of individual commissions are often unique.
In fulfilling their duties, most commemorative commissions have encouraged, worked closely with, and provided coordination for private groups, state and local governments, and other federal government entities taking part in the general commemoration of the person or event. Because of these cooperative efforts, federally created commissions are often only a portion of planned celebratory events. Therefore, federal funds appropriated to a commemorative commission are generally only a portion of the total funding ultimately expended nationwide for commemorative activities and events.
Commemorative commissions have been funded in two ways: through appropriations or through solicitation of nonfederal money. At times, commissions are authorized both for appropriations and to fundraise or accept donations. In addition, some commemorative commissions are not provided with explicit authorization to solicit funds or accept donations. Commissions without the statutory authority to solicit funds or accept donations are generally prohibited from engaging in those activities.56
For more information on commemorative commissions, see CRS Report R41425, Commemorative Commissions: Overview, Structure, and Funding, by [author name scrubbed] and [author name scrubbed].
As discussed above in the section "House Ban on Commemorative Legislation," House Rule XII, clause 5 prohibits the introduction or consideration of commemorative legislation that includes a "remembrance, celebration or recognition for any purpose through the designation of a specified period of time."57 Additionally, House Republican Conference Rules, as well as House Oversight and Government Reform Committee rules, restrict the scheduling of such bills under suspension of the rules in the House. Consequently, the number of commemorative observances and days designated by bills, concurrent resolutions, joint resolutions, and House resolutions is small. The House prohibition on commemorative observances and days, however, does not preclude the Senate from using Senate measures to honor individuals, groups, and events.
In the past, the Senate Judiciary Committee has had unpublished guidelines on the consideration of commemorative legislation. These guidelines were not officially part of the committee's rules and may not be currently applicable. Past guidance restricted consideration of commemorative legislation without a minimum number of bipartisan cosponsors and prohibited commemoration of specific categories.58
The United States has established 11 permanent federal holidays. They are, in the order they appear in the calendar: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Inauguration Day (every four years following a presidential election), George Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.59 Although frequently called public or national days, these celebrations are only legally applicable to federal employees and the District of Columbia, as the states individually decide their own legal holidays.
To create a new federal holiday, legislation is required. In recent Congresses, legislation has been introduced to create holidays such as "Cesar E. Chavez Day,"60 or to formally establish Election Day as such.61 Recent legislation to create a new federal holiday has suggested adding the day to the list of holidays at 5 U.S.C. §6103.
For more information on federal holidays, see CRS Report R41990, Federal Holidays: Evolution and Current Practices, by [author name scrubbed].
On many occasions, Congress has requested that the President issue a proclamation recognizing an event or individual. Usually associated with the creation of a patriotic and national observance, statutory language requests that the President issue a proclamation each year to commemorate an event or group. For example, the National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day statute requests that the president issue a yearly proclamation "calling on ... the people of the United States to observe National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.... "62
Commemorative proclamations can also be issued by Presidents without any congressional action, and have been regularly issued throughout American history. Since 1789, when President George Washington issued the first proclamation declaring November 26 of that year a National Day of Thanksgiving, there have been hundreds of such designations.
In addition to the legislative options for commemoration listed above, several non-legislative options exist to commemorate individuals, groups, and events. These include certificates of recognition, floor speeches, and the purchasing of American flags.
Certificates of Recognition are "awards" given by individual Member offices to constituents or groups to acknowledge accomplishments. Members are generally free to create and distribute certificates of recognition to individuals or groups to constituents.
In the House, official funds can be used for the creation and distribution of certificates "in connection with official and representational duties,"63 provided that the certificates comply with Franking Regulations and do not contain political or partisan references, solicit support of a Member's position on an issue, or advertise or endorse benefits not available to all constituents.64 Additionally, the House Ethics Manual reminds Members that all constituents are to be treated equally, regardless of "political support, party affiliation, or campaign contributions ..." when deciding to provide assistance to constituents.65 This would likely extend to the sending of certificates of recognition as well.66
In the Senate, the Standing Orders of the Senate place restrictions on reimbursable expenses payable from a Senator's Official Office Account. S.Res. 294 (96th Congress) and S.Res. 176 (104th Congress) specifically prohibit the use of official funds for "expenses incurred for the purchase of holiday greeting cards, flowers, trophies, awards, and certificates" (emphasis added).67 Further, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. §3210(a)(3)(F), the Senate Ethics Manual provides guidance that "[m]ail expressing congratulations to a person who achieved some public distinction may be franked only when the occasion involves a public distinction, rather than a personal distinction."68
Many Members have honored individuals and groups of constituents by giving a floor speech, and then sending copies of the Congressional Record to the individual or group that was honored. This activity can include a single Member or a group of Members that want to jointly honor constituent(s) either with a group of special order speeches or a series of individual—perhaps one minute—speeches.69 To inquire about floor time for a commemorative speech, Members may contact their party's leadership.
In 1937, a Member of Congress made the first request to fly a flag over the United States Capitol building. Since that time, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) has managed the flag program for the House and Senate.
Generally, flags flown over the Capitol can be purchased by a constituent through his or her Representative's or Senator's offices. In both the House and Senate, the Member office collects flag requests from constituents and facilitates the purchase of flags from the House or Senate office supply store and coordinates with the Architect of the Capitol for the flying of flags over the Capitol building.
For more information on the Architect of the Capitol's flag program, see http://www.aoc.gov/trades-and-areas-practice/capitol-flag-program.
Members may obtain flags from the Office Supply Service (OSS). "Initially, the costs of the flags will be charged to the [Member Representational Allowance] MRA. "Once payment for a flag is received by the Member office, the office may submit the check to OSS. OSS will credit the MRA. If a request is made to have a U.S. flag flown over the Capitol, an additional flag flying fee must be paid by the individual purchasing the flag."70 Additionally, Members may use official funds to pay for a flag flown over the Capitol that will be used for an official gift.71
For more information on the House of Representatives flag program, see https://housenet.house.gov/serving-constituents/flags/flag-faqs.
Senators may obtain flags from the Senate Stationary Room. Senators collect the cost of the flag, shipping fees, and flag flying and certification fees from the constituent, obtain the flag from the stationary room, and then work with the Packaging and Flags division of the Printing, Graphics, and Direct Mail (PG&DM) office to arrange for the flag to be flown over the Capitol.72 Additionally, pursuant to S.Res. 294 (96th Congress), "Senate offices can use official funds to purchase flags. The legislation limits the groups to which a gift of a flag may be made to public organizations only, such as churches, schools, and patriotic service groups."73
For more information on the Senate flag program, see http://webster.senate.gov/pdgm/flag-packaging-services.
Author Contact Information
Key Policy Staff
Area of Expertise
Monuments and memorials
[author name scrubbed]
[phone number scrubbed]
[email address scrubbed]
Naming post offices
[author name scrubbed]
[phone number scrubbed]
[email address scrubbed]
Congressional Gold Medals
[author name scrubbed]
[phone number scrubbed]
[email address scrubbed]
Naming federal buildings
[author name scrubbed]
[phone number scrubbed]
[email address scrubbed]
House and Senate rules
[author name scrubbed]
[phone number scrubbed]
[email address scrubbed]
Roger H. Davidson, "The New Centralization on Capitol Hill," The Review of Politics, vol. 50, no. 3 (Summer 2008), p. 353; and Craig Volden and Alan E. Wiseman, "Breaking Gridlock: The Determinants of Health Policy Change in Congress," Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law, vol. 36, no. 2 (2011), p. 236.
"Commission on National Observances and Holidays," Congressional Record, vol. 112, part 18 (October 3, 1966), p. 24828. The commission would not have been allowed to make recommendations calling for a national observance for any fraternal, political, or religious organization, or a commercial enterprise or product.
"Commission on National Observances and Holidays," Congressional Record, vol. 113, part 6 (March 20, 1967), pp. 7258-7263.
The proposed commission was introduced in six succeeding Congresses beginning in the 98th Congress (1983-1984). These proposals were each called the National Commemorative Events Advisory Act and were introduced as H.R. 4571 (98th Congress); H.R. 692, (99th Congress); H.R. 998 (100th Congress); H.R. 539 (101st Congress); S. 1112, H.R. 68, and H.R. 1882 (102nd Congress); H.R. 624 (103rd Congress); and S. 1236 (104th Congress). None of these proposals was reported out of committee.
For more information on suspension of the rules procedures, see CRS Report 98-314, Suspension of the Rules in the House: Principal Features, by [author name scrubbed].
"Ban on Commemoratives," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 141 (January 4, 1995), pp. H29-H30.
"Rules of the House," Congressional Record, vol. 141, part 1 (January 4, 1995), p. 476.
U.S. Congress, House Republican Conference, "Conference Rules." Pursuant to Rule 28(b), "a waiver of this rule can be granted by the majority of the Elected Leadership as defined under [Republican Conference] Rule 2." The elected leadership of the Republican Conference is defined in Rule 2(a) of the Conference Rules to include the Speaker of the House, the Republican Leader, the Republican Whip, the Chair of the Republican Conference, the Chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the Chair of the Committee on Policy, the Vice-Chair of the Republican Conference, and the Secretary of the Republican Conference. A copy of the House Republican Conference Rules can be found at http://www.gop.gov/114th-rules/.
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Rules, "General Protocols for the 114th Congress," at http://rules.house.gov/sites/republicans.rules.house.gov/files/114/PDF/114-Protocols-Post.pdf; and U.S. Congress, House of Representatives, Office of the Majority Leader, "Floor Protocols," at http://www.majorityleader.gov/protocols.
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, "Rules of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, 114th Congress," at http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/OGR-COMMITTEE-RULES-114-FINAL.pdf#page=11.
U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, "OGR Committee Policies on Post Office Namings and Commemorative Resolutions," Dear Colleague Letter, March 16, 2015.
U.S. Congress, House, Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives of the United States, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, prepared by Thomas J. Wickham, parliamentarian, 112th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Doc. 112-161 (Washington: GPO, 2013), §823, p. 621.
"Authorizing Introduction of Joint Resolution Designating September 11 as United We Stand Remembrance Day," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 147 (October 24, 2001), p. H.7300; and "Making in Order on Thursday, October 25, 2001, Consideration of Joint Resolution Designating September 11 as United We Stand Remembrance Day," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 147 (October 24, 2001), p. H7300.
P.L. 112-159, 126 Stat. 1270, August 10, 2012.
Several post offices have been named after President Ronald Reagan. They include Dixon, IL (P.L. 111-235, 124 Stat. 2495, August 16, 2010); Billings, MT (P.L. 108-143, 117 Stat. 1877, December 2, 2003), and West Melbourne, FL (P.L. 107-7, 1159 Stat. 9, April 12, 2001).
P.L. 112-107, 126 Stat. 328, May 15, 2012.
P.L. 108-120, 117 Stat. 1334, November 11, 2003.
Post office naming statutes also include a "references" provision. The practical effect of this provision is that it informs agencies that they need not amend or replace existing documentation that refers to the designated post office by another name. Thus, for example, the U.S. Postal Service would not need to change its internal documents to reflect the post office's renaming.
For example, see U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, "Rules of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives," 114th Cong., 1st sess., p. 11, at http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/OGR-COMMITTEE-RULES-114-FINAL.pdf.
In recent Congresses, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee have had jurisdiction over post office naming bills.
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, "Rules of Procedure of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs," 114th Cong., 1st Sess., p. 9 at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-113SPRT79634/pdf/CPRT-113SPRT79634.pdf.
For example, see P.L. 112-107, 126 Stat. 328, May 15, 2012.
U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rules of the Committee On Veterans' Affairs, U.S. House of Representatives, for the 114th Congress, Rule 10, pp. 11-12 at http://veterans.house.gov/sites/republicans.veterans.house.gov/files/documents/FINAL%20Committee%20Rules%20for%20114th.pdf; and U.S. Congress, Senate, Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rules of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 114th Congress, Rule VIII, at "Committee on Veterans' Affairs Rules of Procedure," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 161 (January 21, 2015), pp. S341-S342, at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2015-01-21/pdf/CREC-2015-01-21-pt1-PgS341.pdf#page=1.
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Public Buildings and Economic Development, The Naming of Public Buildings, internal committee memorandum dated July 16, 1995. This memorandum identified criteria for the subcommittee to consider in naming a public building. These criteria were that: the building must be under the control of the General Services Administration (GSA) or the Architect of the Capitol (leased buildings are normally not named unless the building is under a lease purchase authority); the building must not currently be named for an individual; subcommittee consideration does not occur unless the Member in whose district the building is located sponsors the legislation or otherwise consents to the naming; age requirements are not applicable; priority is not given to any particular class or occupation of individuals; the subcommittee generally does not name buildings for sitting Members of Congress; and the person for whom the building is named must have a "good reputation."
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Rules of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate, and Standing Rules of the Senate Relative to the Activities of Committees, 114th Congress, Rule 7(d), at http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=CommitteeResources.CommitteeRules.
U.S. Postal Service, "Shop USPS," at https://store.usps.com/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=subcatS_S_NewStamps&categoryNavIds=catBuyStamps%3AsubcatS_S_NewStamps.
39 U.S.C. §404(a) (4-5); and CRS Report RS20221, Commemorative Postage Stamps: History, Selection Criteria, and Revenue Potential, by [author name scrubbed]. USPS profits when commemorative stamp buyers save, rather than use, the stamps.
P.L. 111-241, 124 Stat. 2605, September 30, 2010.
By law, semipostal stamps (e.g., the Breast Cancer Research stamp and the Save Vanishing Species stamp) are "issued and sold by the Postal Service, at a premium, in order to help provide funding for a cause." 39 U.S.C. §416(a)(1). For more information on semipostal stamps, see United States Postal Service, "Fundraising Stamps (Semipostal Stamp Program)," at https://about.usps.com/corporate-social-responsibility/semipostals.htm.
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, "Rules of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives," 114th Cong., 1st sess., p. 11, at http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/OGR-COMMITTEE-RULES-114-FINAL.pdf.
U.S. Department of the Treasury, United State Mint, "Commemorative Coin Programs," at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/?action=commemoratives.
27 Stat. 389, chap. 381, August 5, 1892.
U.S. Department of the Treasury, United State Mint, "Commemoratives from 1892-1954," at http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/commemoratives/?action=premodern.
P.L. 97-104; 95 Stat. 1491, December 23, 1981.
P.L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-349-3009-351.
U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Financial Services, Rules for the Committee on Financial Services, 113th Cong., 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 2013), p. 6, at http://financialservices.house.gov/uploadedfiles/113-a.pdf#page=12.
"Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 161 (January 27, 2015), p. S539.
See "Decorations, Medals, and Badges," in the general index of the United States Code: 2000 Edition (Washington: GPO, 2001).
U.S. Congress, House, Republican Conference, Rules of the House Republican Conference for the 114th Congress, Rule 28(a)(7), at http://www.gop.gov/114th-rules/
For a list of elected leadership, see footnote 8.
Special rules may waive all or certain points of order against consideration of a bill. For more information, see CRS Report 98-612, Special Rules and Options for Regulating the Amending Process, by [author name scrubbed].
"Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Rules of Procedure," Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 159 (January 27, 2015), pp. S538.
40 U.S.C. §8902(a)(2). "The term "the District of Columbia and its environs" means those lands and properties administered by the National Park Service and the General Services Administration located in the Reserve, Area I, and Area II as depicted on the map entitled "Commemorative Areas Washington, DC and Environs", numbered 869/86501 B, and dated June 24, 2003." For a map of the commemorative areas of Washington, DC and environs, see CRS Report R41658, Commemorative Works in the District of Columbia: Background and Practice, by [author name scrubbed]. Memorials to be located on land under the Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia are governed by D.C. Law 13-275, the Commemorative Works on Public Space Amendment Act of 2000.
Pursuant to the Antiquities Act of 1909 (16 U.S.C. §§431-433), the president may establish national monuments on federal lands. National monuments generally contain "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest." (16 U.S.C. §3213). For more information on national monuments and the Antiquities Act of 1909, see CRS Report R41330, National Monuments and the Antiquities Act, by [author name scrubbed].
P.L. 107-226, 116 Stat. 1345, September 24, 2002; 16 U.S.C. §431 note.
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Resources, Flight 93 National Memorial Act, report to accompany H.R. 3917, 107th Cong., 2nd session, July 22, 2002, H.Rept. 107-597 (Washington: GPO, 2002).
Rep. William Shuster, "Flight 93 National Memorial Act," remarks in the House, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 148 (July 22, 2002), p. H5005.
P.L. 113-132, 128 Stat. 1727, July 25, 2014.
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, "Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act," remarks in the House, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 159 (October 29, 2013), p. H6853. See also, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Natural Resources, Distinguished Flying Cross National Memorial Act, report to accompany H.R. 330, 113th Cong., 1st sess., May 17, 2013, H.Rept. 113-79 (Washington: GPO, 2013), p. 1.
P.L. 98-375, 98 Stat. 1257, August 7, 1984.
U.S. Government Accountability Office, Principles of Federal Appropriations Law: Third Edition, Volume II, GAO-06-382SP, February 2006, pp. 6-162, http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/d06382sp.pdf.
U.S. Congress, House, "Rule XII, clause 5," Constitution, Jefferson's Manual and Rules of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, 113th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Doc. 113-161 (Washington: GPO, 2013), §823, pp. 620-621.
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on the Judiciary, "Committee Policy for the Consideration of Commemorative Measures: 106th Congress (unpublished)." Categories for which the committee has not considered requests for commemorations included a commercial enterprise, industry, or specific product, or a fraternal, political, business, labor, or sectarian organization; a particular state or any political subdivision of a state, city, town, county, school, or institution of higher learning; or a living person.
5 U.S.C. §6103(a).
For example, see H.Res. 130 (112th Congress); H.Res. 1524 (111th Congress); H.Res. 105 (107th Congress); and H.J.Res. 356 (103rd Congress). Each measured was referred to the committee of jurisdiction and did not receive further attention in the House.
For examples, see H.R. 62 (107th Congress), which would have amended Title 5, United States Code, "to establish election day in Presidential election years as a legal public holiday...."
36 U.S.C. §129 (b). For example, President Barack Obama issued a National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Proclamation on December 5, 2013. For text of the proclamation, see The White House, "Presidential Proclamation—National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2013," press release, December 5, 2013, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/12/05/presidential-proclamation-national-pearl-harbor-remembrance-day-2013.
U.S. Congress, Committee on House Administration, "Certificates," Members' Congressional Handbook, 113th Cong., 1st sess., December 16, 2011, at http://cha.house.gov/handbooks/members-congressional-handbook#Members-Handbook-Office-Expenses-Certificates.
U.S. Congress, House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards, Regulations on the Use of the Congressional Frank by Members of the House of Representatives, pp. 7-9.
U.S. Congress, House, Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, House Ethics Manual, 110th Cong., 2nd sess. (Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 308. See also, CRS Report RS22771, Congressional Franking Privilege: Background and Recent Legislation, by [author name scrubbed].
Ibid., p. 160. The House Ethics Manual notes, however, that "while letters of congratulations for a public distinction are frankable, other letters of congratulation, such as for years of service at a business, or retirement, are not. Under House rules, a Member may use campaign funds and resources to create and send cards, letters, and certificates of these types to constituents. However, such materials may not be produced in or sent from any House office, and may not be produced or sent using any other House resource, including office equipment or staff while on official time."
U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, "Standing Orders of the Senate: Restrictions on Certain Expenses Payable or Reimbursable from a Senator's Official Office Expense Account," Senate Manual, 110th Cong., 2nd sess., S.Doc. 110-1 (Washington: GPO, 2008), §107(2)(2), p. 107; and U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Handbook 111th Cong., 2nd sess. (October 2010), p. I-46; IV-11.
U.S. Congress, Senate Select Committee on Ethics, Senate Ethics Manual, 108th Cong., 1st sess., S. Pub. 108-1 (Washington: GPO, 2003), p. 164. Examples of public distinctions include recent naturalization as an American citizen; receipt of a high school diploma by a senior citizen through an adult education program; enlistment or re-enlistment in the Armed Forces; becoming an Eagle Scout or a VFW Commander or an American Legion State Commander; being elected to a public office; becoming director of a state museum; being commissioned upon graduation from one of the U.S. Service Academies; being the recipient of a Harry S. Truman Scholarship or a Robert Byrd honor scholarship; or receiving the ''Employer of the Year'' Award presented by the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped.
For an example in 2015, an honorific speech was given to celebrate the 129th annual groundhog day in Punxsutawney, PA. See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2015-02-03/pdf/CREC-2015-02-03-pt1-PgH710-9.pdf.
U.S. Congress, Committee on House Administration, "Flags," Members' Congressional Handbook, 114th Cong., 1st sess., December 16, 2011, at http://cha.house.gov/handbooks/members-congressional-handbook#Members-Handbook-Office-Expenses-Flags. For more information on the Member Representational Allowance (MRA), see CRS Report R40962, Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage, by [author name scrubbed].
Ibid., at http://cha.house.gov/handbooks/members-congressional-handbook#Members-Handbook-Office-Expenses-Gifts.
U.S. Congress, Senate, Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Handbook, 111th Cong., 2nd sess., October 2010, pp. I-42-I-43.
Ibid., p. I-44. S.Res. 294 (96th Congress) was amended by S.Res. 176 (104th Congress). Further, "the legislative history of S.Res. 294 limits the groups to which a gift of a flag may be made to public organizations only, such as churches, schools, and patriotic service groups." For more information see, U.S. Congress, Senate, Select Committee on Ethics, Senate Ethics Manual. 108th Cong., 1st sess., S.Pub. 108-1 (2003), p. 173, at http://www.ethics.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=f2eb14e3-1123-48eb-9334-8c4717102a6e.


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Keeping Your Floors Squeaky Tidy
Some say that how your dwellings look would most likely describe your personality. A clean, nice and organized home or office is most probably run by a clean and organized individual. A dirty, smelly and topsy-turvy office or home on the other hand is being run by the alternative.
Actually, you could consider this saying or statement as true. An prepared person will perform his best to keep the place he is at clean and organized.
One of the most commonly omitted areas in our homes and in offices when it comes to cleaning will be the floor tiles. A few are contented with simply sweeping and cleaning these tiles with soap and water. This should not be the case. The floor is the dirtiest area in our homes, practically in any place. Simply being contented with water and Tile Cleaning Melbourne would prove to be damaging to the healthiness of the people in that area and even compromises the toughness and life span of these tiles attached to the floors.
Are there any idea how expensive it is to change floor tiles? It is very expensive and think about the hassle that comes with having to live in a place where there is an on-going repair or renovation. Keeping your floors clean is very necessary.
It would be preferable to find a professional to clean floor tiles than by simply doing them yourselves. Hiring somebody who is experts in this field of cleaning will guarantee you happen to be getting the best and address service that you really need. That they may have the tools and knowledge necessary not only in keeping porcelain tiles cleaning but in extending their serviceability.
Another details is often forgotten when cleaning tiles as well, the tile grout areas or the areas in between tiles. These areas are usually filled with molds and other harmful particles due to prolong disregard. These areas will never be neglected if specialists would be the one who would be doing the cleaning.
You can clean your floor floor tiles once a month or twice with regards to the traffic your area gets. Floor ceramic tiles at home can be cleaned once per month while office buildings can get tile cleaning services every two several weeks. This will guarantee untarnished floors as well as a great impression from the people who would be seeing how clean these floors are.
Continue to keep your dwellings neat and clean not only for aesthetic purposes but in addition for promoting a healthier environment not only in your homes but also in every area around you.

subset: commoncrawl


text: The P16-HC Crown Jewel is constructed using Birdseye Maple and features four Ebony framed Maple & Ebony points with simulated Ivory diamonds. The sleeve showcases matching box designs. Throughout the cue are Maple rings with ebony diamonds. The wrap is Irish linen & The Crown Jewel shaft has a matching inlaid design. All Pechauer cues come with a lifetime warranty that include warpage.


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The big news yesterday was the Red Sox finally getting their man JD Martinez. They signed him for 5 years at a cost of $110m. Very similar to Justin Upton's deal with the Angels. Today is the last day without any baseball games. Tomorrow the Arizona Diamondbacks kick off the Spring Training games when they play an exhibition game against Arizona State.
Here are my notes for the NL West:
Arizona Diamondbacks
- The Diamondbacks signed the speedy 33 year old outfielder Jarrod Dyson on a 2 year deal for $7.5. He stole 28 bags for the Mariners last season.
- Team President and CEO Derrick Hall said the D'Backs are not done adding players to their roster. The D'Backs currently have about $125m committed in payroll for this year, a club record.
Colorado Rockies
- It looks like three pitchers are competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. The three are Kyle Freeland, Jeff Hoffman and Antonio Senzatela.
- Ryan McMahon, 23 year old first baseman and the Rockies' number three prospect has got a real shot at making the Opening Day roster. Bud Black said they will watch him closely during Spring. Looks like the job is his to lose.
LA Dodgers
- The Dodgers look hungry after coming up 1 win short of winning it all. Manager Dave Roberts are confident that the Dodgers can make it back to the World Series this season as all their key pieces are back for another shot at glory.
- Walker Buehler, 23 year old righty, threw his first bullpen of the Spring after struggling with some discomfort in his back last week.
San Diego Padres
- Eric Hosmer new first baseman was introduced at a news conference today. Hosmer batted .318/.385/.498 with 25 homers. A lot has been said in the media about this signing, but ultimately I think it was a good move for the Padres.
San Francisco Giants
- The Giants are continuing to strengthen their team. They signed reliever, Tony Watson to a two year deal for somewhere between $7-9m.


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Local Stories
MATURE SUBJECT MATTER, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED: WEDU is honored to present the personal Vietnam War experiences of our local citizens. The stories presented here have not been edited and are presented as originally shared by the author. The content may contain coarse language, images, or remembrances that may be disturbing to some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.
Thomas A.'s Story
Shared on August 2, 2017
Here's a link to the sketchbook of Vietnam War platoon buddies of New Orleans artist & astronomer John T. Brown (Long Dinh, 1969):
I inherited after John passed away, and scanned & posted the pages for Ken Burns' project. Being a writer and good friend, I jotted down many 'nam stories John told me over many years. Many were tragic, horrifying; some humorous.
The bigger story, however, is what John did with his life-after-Vietnam, despite returning to New Orleans with full-blown PTSD. Here's that story:
Sponsored in part by
Retired Officers' Corporation at Freedom Plaza
Production Credits: THE VIETNAM WAR is a production of Florentine Films and WETA, Washington D.C. Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. Written by Geoffrey C. Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, Lynn Novick and Ken Burns.
Funding Credits: Funding provided by: Bank of America; Corporation for Public Broadcasting; PBS; David H. Koch; The Blavatnik Family Foundation; Park Foundation; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; National Endowment for the Humanities; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Ford Foundation Just Films; Rockefeller Brothers Fund; and Members of The Better Angels Society: Jonathan & Jeannie Lavine, Diane & Hal Brierley, Amy & David Abrams, John & Catherine Debs, Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, The Montrone Family, Lynda & Stewart Resnick, The Golkin Family Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, The Roger & Rosemary Enrico Foundation, Richard S. & Donna L. Strong Foundation, Bonnie & Tom McCloskey, Barbara K. & Cyrus B. Sweet III, The Lavender Butterfly Fund


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I can see why swat the college tour group hadn't posted any info for their upcoming college snowboarding trip to Tahoe which is called SWAT-72. The "72" refers to three days of non-stop partying. I checked their Web page recently and see that they have modified the program and thus the program name. It's now called, very straightforwardly, College Winter Break 2010. I called their corporate office located in Orange County and spoke with a staff member to get the full scoop. I found out that
1. Lodging is now at the Grand Sierra Resort, an upgrade from their previous lodging at Circus Circus and Sands Regency
2. Package price now includes buffet breakfasts, lunch and buffet dinners which includes crabs legs, previously no meals were included
3. Package now includes riding at Northstar Resort, rather than Squaw Valley, which according to swat is "the second best resort in the U.S. for boarding"
4. As a result the package price has increased from 299. to 399. per person
What has not changed:
1. Remains on the Martin Luther King weekend in January
2. Nightly entertainment still included in all-inclusive price
3. Bus transportation from campus to Reno continues to be optional
I asked the staff member why they made the changes and he said basically that they've been doing swat-72 for 12 years or so and thought that is was a time for a change. This year's entertainment guest will be LMFAO. Now I'm tempted to check it out, although participants will need to be prepared to get no sleep during these trips (I'm sure they're used to that already) as I found out on my first trip with them, but that is compensated by the fact that you'll be partying with lots of hot boarder chicks.
On my first night at the hotel on my first swat trip, during the early morning hours, there was a catfight between two drunken girls in the hallway outside our room. The spectacle was no doubt recorded on several cell phones and cameras, and produced such a humongous ruckus that it caused sleeping families to complain to security. Rapper E-40 was the guest one night at some livestock exhibition hall in Reno. I was standing on the main floor when suddenly some drunk chick came up behind me, grabbed me and kicked me in the back several times with her knee for some reason. By the time I turned around she had disappeared into the rowdy crowd.
Believe me, swat trips are adventurous, eventful and memorable.
These type of tour group traveling is ideal for boarders who like to pay one all-inclusive price that includes most everything, who don't mind riding and hanging out with a bunch of other crazy people, most of whom are strangers that you've never met before, who don't mind getting little if any sleep, and who don't mind following a rather regimented itinerary.
But for riders who are more the "solo adventurers" (I've met many over the years) who prefer to be independent from group itineraries, groups of people and crowded resorts, who like the backcountry, and are serious about their riding, these programs are definitely not recommended.
This may not have been the optimum time for a significant price increase considering the current state of the economy. Families are cutting back costs, and luxury items, recreational expenditures, and things like dining out are usually the first to go. And with many students struggling to pay the sharp increase in college and university fees, I think more people will be prevented from participating.
Here is a slide show of my first snowboarding trip with swat:


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Mini Table Top Ping Pong Table
The good look is simply essential. No less than, that is what the most people think about a really perfect home. From the good look, the good environment will likely be created. That is make a way, especially considering concerning the energy of color. You may consider Mini Table Top Ping Pong Table as well. However however, you will have to have the ability to make it true and swimsuit it along with your interest. That is your home. For this, it have to be comfy at least for you.
The function of the essential coloration is so essential. As a basic coloration, it will need to have the sturdy impression and be capable to be a stable base of the home decoration. It doesn't have to have an entire set of impressions. One factor for sure, it should be capable to support the furniture that will likely be placed.
In fact, you need to use Mini Table Top Ping Pong Table as well. You may decide the plain design or the fully patterned design for this. However be wise. On the small room, no-motif wallpaper is better. It makes the room to look somewhat bit larger. It is also straightforward to mix and match with nearly any styles of any home decoration stuffs. In case you have a large room, a fully patterned wallpaper could be a good choice. It makes the room to look full without leaving empty spaces.


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I'm going to have to try this. Switching to as much organic chemical free products that still make me feel good and smell good. It is a process. Love your tips.
Hey everyone!
Over the years, I've become more aware of what I put on my skin and not to mention my body. As you might all been aware, the word 'Organic' has become a label that you see everywhere in the beauty world, and I started to see a shift in me where I notice that I'm more concerned about organic ingredients and well natural products.
Natural and organic products are only just starting to appear on 'drugstore' and supermarket shelves with a big bang. That's why I'm so excited to share my two cents opinion on this awesome organic body wash by Neolia that I've been reaching out for the last two weeks. This is the best organic body wash I've tried so far and I'm hooked.
Too good to be true! Read on to find out!
The fresh scents is divine and the formula so nourishing. The fragrance smell (my favorite aspect of this line as a whole) lingers on the skin, which is nice. It comes with a pump applicator which I really like.
This product helps to cleanse and moisturize your skin. It contains 100% organic extra virgin Italian olive oil and aloe vera. They're free of animal ingredients, not tested on animals and biodegradable. Oh, did I also mention that it's paraben free!
And the best part of all? You can find them in any drugstore and even Costco!
All in all, I'm really impressed by this Neolia line as a whole, especially considering that they're using organic ingredients.
What do you think of this product? Leave your comment below.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sharon ♥
snapchat: sharonbprime
Sounds great! I love Whole Foods organic beauty products.
I actually just finished my body wash so if I can find it, I'm picking this up for sure!
I'm going to check this out… I've been slowly changing up things around our house, especially since my boys suffer from eczema. Thanks for sharing a new product!
I love this skin care review and great that this olive oil body wash can be find everywhere!


text:
Changelog - Archipel Beta 4.0 (Vesta)
Beta 3 changelog available here https://gist.github.com/1075765.
Beta 3.1 changelog available here https://gist.github.com/1099528
Beta 3.2 changelog available here https://gist.github.com/1106841
XMPP Bus (StropheCappuccino)
FIX: Improve some APIs
GUI Core
FIX: Crash like Javascript Array (-1) out of bounds
FIX: Crash when accessing an entity in DND mode
FIX: Crash when pressing ESC from the filter field
FIX: Crash when trying to expand a contact
FIX: Drastically improve performances of Avatar manager (with a platform wide caching system)
FIX: Fix a modal conflict with preferences window
FIX: Fix all cradhes when clicking on modules' menu from main menu
FIX: Improve crash reporting allowing upper level exception catching
FIX: Improve disconnection process
FIX: Improve module loading (fix crash that can happens when using Archipel in other locale than english)
FIX: Remove all zombie popovers
NEW: Allow multiple selection in roster (and create a temporary group)
NEW: Allow to define new entity types directly in info.plist
NEW: Guess the BOSH service according to the JID when not saved
NEW: New documentation theme
NEW: New module API to allow module requesting to be visible
NEW: New shared Push Center: improve push performances by n where n is the number of loaded modules
NEW: Support for setting additional admins accounts without need to rebuild GUI
NEW: Update version of Cappuccino
NEW: Update version of TNKit
Module Controls
FIX: A bug preventing toolbar control buttons to work sometimes
NEW: Allow to disable screenshot feature in archipel.conf (to avoid a monster libvirt bug in 0.9.5, 0.9.6)
Module Creation
NEW: Support for managing/unmanaging libvirt domain (like a better archipel-importvirtual)
Module Definition
FIX: New API for determining if VM is defined or not. (do not rely on error anymore)
FIX: Wrong domain type and wrong emulator used sometimes
NEW: Allow to add up to 255 CPUs for virtual machines
NEW: Allow to see the XML description of a running virtual machine
NEW: Allow vertical scrolling for definition controls
NEW: Support for vdX buses
Module Drives
FIX: Support Debian for recognizing types of drives
NEW: Support for 'x86 boot sector' files as raw disks
NEW: Use python-magic to get the type of files
Module Health
NEW: Display the libvirt hypervisor driver version of the hypervisor
NEW: Display the libvirt version of the hypervisor
Module Networks
NEW: Manual XML editor for networks
NEW: Support for inbound/outbound bandwidth limitation
NEW: Support for using macvtap interfaces
NEW: Use out shiny model system
Module VNC
FIX: Problem with Firefox and their new websocket implementation
NEW: New version of websocket proxy
NEW: Support for enabling websocet debug mode (archipel.conf)
NEW: Support for norwegian and UK keymaps
NEW: Update noVNC
Module XMPP Server
NEW: GUI feedback for commands (success or error)
Platform request
NEW: Add explicit error if ejabberd doesn't support needed feature
FIX: archipel-importvirtual that doesn't generate a XMPP password
NEW: Add archipel-commandsbytags: allow to send chat commands to tagged entities


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Me...I'm learning how to lead on the dance floor and she's trying to learn to follow. It would be hilarious if she'd relax and admit she's a domme. We're actually getting quite good together, though I've given up thinking there's any chance of sexual combustibility.
But on Wednesday night when I got up to offer the other one, the new blind date, the wall seat at the little local neighborhood restaurant where everyone seems to already know my name she said, "Of course I'd like that spot, and you should immediately sit here", she smiled and pointed to the outside chair. Be still my heart! Senorita Kinky did pre-screen!
Our conversation just flitted and flowed from this subject to that one. She asked if our mutual friend had told me anything about her and I said only that she was beautiful. It made her eyes sparkle and her glossed lips curve into an appreciative smile.
"So do you do both roles", she asked.
"You mean am I a switch?" I asked. "Well let's put it this way, I'm actually learning to lead on the dance floor. Does that count?"
She laughed.
I yattered on.
"Well, I have this dear friend who thinks it's a team sport and you should choose a side," I smirked a bit. "But life is change, who knows. Stranger things could happen."
She held my hand as we waited on Hudson for a cab to take her home. I put my other hand over hers and softly ran my fingers around her fingers. I lingered a bit. As the cab pulled up she took my face in both hands and kissed me, just left of my mouth, long and slow. I helped her in, shut the door and began the two block walk home.
I reached for my phone as I passed by the Louboutin boutique and to my surprise there was a message.
"You're supposed to wait and watch as the cab pulls away. You are out of practice. Naughty, naughty."
Somos novios? Hmmm...maybe I'm jumping the gun just a bit. But maybe, just maybe, I'll get some practice one of these fine evenings after all.
A Munch Guide
2 weeks ago


text:
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text:
Enjoy your holiday at the sunniest side of Hungary!
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- Voucher validity in ground package
3 days / 2 nights
- number of adult guests
2 guests
- reduction for children
available for 1 child(ren): from 0 till 14 years 5 000 HUF
- catering in grundpackage
half board (büffet breakfast + luch or dinner)
- Package includes services as follows
barbecue, well-equipped room, stop /station, non-smoking floors, parking lot, wifi
- Other services incl. in the package
* The voucher is valid on weekends ( Friday and Saturday) with extra charge: 4.000 HUF/package
* 1 ticket/ person to the thermal bath of Cserkeszőlő, one occasion
* details of the halfboard: breakfast in the pension, and the main course at Sunshine Restaurant on the beach (12:00-19:00)
* The price of the discount prolongation refers to the night spent at the hotel
* Accommodation: in doubleroom (TV, WIFI, bathroom)
*Unlimited use of the wellness in Hotel: infrared sauna, Jacuzzi
- Validity / expiry of voucher
til Oct.31.2017.
- Exception times in the "Buy it now" package
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Bank holidays including long weekends.
- Discounted prolongation
13 995 HUF / package / night
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Royal Hotel ***
Cserkeszőlő, Hungary
ROYAL Hotel Tiszazug a lowland village located Cserkeszőlő. Cserkeszőlő most important asset of more than 60 years ago to the surface 90 c-a thermal breaker, in this building, spa and swimming pool.
The composition of water due to the beneficial effect of different musculoskeletal, gynecological diseases, but the relaxation can also find their proper entertainment of the adventure.
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text:
The best way of traversing through Central America, from my experience, is by bus, flying is extortionate, trains don't exist and boats serve little purpose unless you're island hopping. Now when I say bus, I mean the coaches and not the Chicken Busses. For those unaware, the chicken busses are old US school busses that have been given a sort of Blackpool slut style makeover with the addition of trashy lights, spiked wheels, bells, whistles and any other tat that can be found to adorn the yellow abomination. The chicken busses exist throughout Central America and are primarily used for shorter distances, it is possible to travel far on various busses but it isn't an option I'd recommend unless you are down to your final pennies.
Prior to this journey I really wanted to experience a journey on a chicken bus, the name itself conjures up images of madness, crammed busses with pets, people and luggage, and it sounded exciting. I quickly faced the realisation when I arrived here that my only desire to get on a chicken bus was so that I'd be able to say 'I did that,' a horribly ostentatious way to travel. With this said, I haven't taken a chicken bus anywhere and intend to avoid those bacteria infested, bumcheek breaking, bandit filled busses for as long as humanly possible. I have spoken to countless people and read countless accounts of their experience on the busses and have no reason to think that my journey will be any safer or more comfortable than theirs.
The only flights I have taken, or intend to take are from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba and from Panama to Colombia. The former I decided to take in advance with my only purpose being to get out of SPS as quick as possible. The flight was only $60 so not much more expensive than the bus, it only took 45 minutes as well. The latter flight, I will be taking to overcome the Darien Gap, the only break in the Pan-American highway where an overland journey simply isn't possible. Flights in the majority of Central American are spellbindingly expensive. I am writing this from the coach down to San Jose from Managua, a trip that has cost me $27, the flight for the same journey would have been just a shade over $600, utter madness!
The majority of the busses I have taken have been comfortable, basic, but comfortable, think National Express circa 1995. No wi-fi option (of course) plenty of stops for food, drinks and cigarettes, border crossing have been pretty basic too. If you can, many of the companies offer an executive bus, for a little bit extra you can get better comfort, more space and less pit stops for food which means you hit your destination far quicker.
For any of you who plan to get through Central America by bus, there are a few things that are important to know, having made mistakes in planning for these, I feel that I'm well placed to advise. Firstly, booking online is simply not an option, you must go to the station and purchase your ticket. Secondly, buy your ticket as far in advance as possible, I found this hard due to the speed in which I'm travelling but as soon as you arrive at a destination, I'd advise you to plan your escape as soon as possible. Thirdly, don't be put off if a bus is full, there are usually 2 or 3 different companies that offer the same journey, ask about and do lots of research online. And finally, make sure that if nothing else, you take headphones and some music or a film for the bus, they will subject you to some of the worst films on the planet and crank the volume up as high as possible regardless of the hour, if you are taking a long bus there is no way to stay sane without some aural distraction.
My favourite part of bus travel, providing there is daylight, is to put some music on, look out of the window and use the time to reflect, to plan and to figure things out. It's important to take time out from life for a while and there is no better way of doing that than putting yourself into a mobile prison for 10 hours!!
My favourite mode of travel is the train, speedy and comfortable, unfortunately Central American did away with these for some madcap reason so I guess I'll have to wait for my return to Europe to enjoy that again. For now, however I'll make do with the National Express- ba-ba-ba-da-ba-ba-ba-ba.


text:
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text:
High School Baseball
St. X, McCracken County first to advance to state semifinals next week
St. Xavier and McCracken County won on Saturday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark to earn the first two spots in the state baseball tournament semifinals.
The Tigers knocked off West Jessamine 3-2 thanks to walk-off heroics in the bottom of the seventh. The Mustangs strung together hits in the second and sixth innings to build a four-run lead that was too much for Johnson Central to overcome in a 4-1 victory.
St. Xavier and McCracken County will meet in the first semifinal next Friday at 6 p.m.
St. Xavier 3, West Jessamine 2
The first game of the day saw the defending champs fall in dramatic fashion — a walk-off homer in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Colts struggled to get anything going at the plate against St. Xavier senior pitcher Adam Elliott, who did not allow a run over the first six innings.
The Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. With runners on first and third, Samuel Mudd bunted down the third-base line to score Brandon Tucker. A West Jessamine error brought in another run.
In the top of the seventh, the Colts found new life. A single by Seth Taylor brought in Tucker Greer for West Jessamine's first run. Spencer Blancet's sacrifice fly scored Ryan Layne with the tying run.
St. Xavier got out of the inning without giving up another run, and the game went to the bottom of the seventh. Mudd wasted no time, hitting a leadoff homer over the left-field wall.
"I saw him hit the ball and everybody kind of went quiet," Elliott said. "I looked out and saw the ball flying, and knew that it was gone. It was really just unbelievable."
The walk-off home run knocked out the defending state champions and earned the Tigers a spot in the semifinals next Friday, but even the hero knows that the real goal still lies ahead.
"I was never really worried," Mudd said. "I knew we had it in us, but we have to win two more."
McCracken County 4, Johnson Central 1
The next quarterfinal had a bit of a slower pace, but a three-run sixth inning proved to be the difference as McCracken County pulled away.
The Mustangs struck first in the bottom of the second. Rook Ellington tripled, and catcher Derek Schneider followed with an RBI double.
McCracken County added three runs on four hits in the bottom of the sixth inning for a little insurance.
Grant Davis scored a Johnson Central run on a passed ball in the seventh, but it wasn't enough as the Mustangs advanced to the semifinals next week.
"What can you say about the kids, they just grinded it out and hung in there together," Mustangs Coach Geno Miller said. "We just kept swapping punches defensively. They made plays and we made plays. We were just fortunate to come out with the win."
State tournament
Semifinals at Whitaker Bank Ballpark
Friday, June 17, 6 p.m.: St. Xavier vs. McCracken Co.
Friday, June 17, 8:30 p.m.: Bullitt East-Scott Co. winner vs. Hazard-Campbell Co. winner


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There has been talk (on Sound Politics and on other local blogs) about a possible challenge of the results of the Washington gubernatorial race all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. I have a few thoughts on the matter.
Taking this case to the US Supreme Court is a bad idea. It's likely that they would decline to hear the case, because this case involves only the voters of Washington state, in a statewide (not national) contest. Unlike the Bush vs. Gore debacle of 2000, the outcome of this race does not impact the rest of the country in any way, and SCotUS is likely to decide that they don't have jurisdiction. (If Bush vs. Gore had been a state-level race, rather than federal, I believe they would not have interceded, despite the clearly illegal tactics being employed by the Dems and their SCoFla enablers.)
This case should go no higher than the Washington State Supreme Court; if the proper remedy is not forthcoming, the voters of the state need to be reminded, ad infinitum, of which party supports voting rights for the dead (this isn't Chicago or Miami), the criminals (felons who have not had their voting rights restored), the non-citizens (voting rights are one of the strongest incentives for pursuing citizenship), the dissociative (people who voted more than once) and the imaginary (ballots without voters). It won't matter to the extreme leftists in Seattle and on the university campuses, but it might resonate in the rest of the state. Remember the 1994 elections, in which Washington's congressional delegation went from 8 Dems and 1 Republican to 7 Republicans and 2 Dems. Voter anger can be an awesome thing, if properly channeled. The Washington Republican Party will need to nurture and harness this anger in 1996 and beyond.
It's an open question whether the feds could step in; voting is a US right, so that suggests up front that the federal government has jurisdiction.
Plus, Bush v Gore was a bizarre and whacked-out decision, and is probably capable of sustaining a challenge to jurisdiction.
Given how quickly the GOP broke out the lawyers in the 2000 Florida debacle, I'm pretty surprised they haven't been as agressive in Washington.
Actually, the court specifically stated that Bush v Gore could not be used as a precedent (It stated that the findings were limited to the one case), so any of the cases since then that have cited it as a precedent have done so in error.
As to the slap against the GOP re: the 2000 election, it was the Democrats who mobilized their army of lawyers first. Bush filed the first lawsuit because of the uneven and capricious standards used for counting ballots in Palm Beach and Broward counties. They probably could have done the same thing again here but I believe they chose not to do so because of the PR boost it would have provided the Democratic Party, who surely would have used it as ammunition.
I can't disagree with your first point, but I'm still not sure that the court would agree with that line of argument. It's one of those questions that will likely remain hypothetical, however.
For those who have been following the Washington Governor's race theft, today's rulings were of enormous significance. Nathan Azinger of Pajama Jihad has three lengthy posts (here, here, and here), which cover the text of each sides' arguments, and provides a brief, clear summation of what each ruling means. Be sure to check all three out, and don't forget to swing by Sound Politics for breaking news on the contest and other items of interest in the region.
Being the slug that I am about such things, I have finally updated the blog list. I have updated a few links and/or names, removed a few links (mostly to dead blogs), and added a bunch of Seattle-area blogs, people whom I met at the Sound Politics Blog Bash last weekend. Imagine my surprise at traveling 85 miles and discovering another blogger, at the same party, who lives three blocks away from me! Neither of us was aware of the other prior to the party, which is funny, although we blog about different subjects (I blog on politics, and his focuses on Pennsylvania, hence the name).
Athena Runner points out this article, which notes a frightening number of high schoolers favor governmental regulation of the press:
The survey of 112,003 students finds that 36% believe newspapers should get "government approval" of stories before publishing; 51% say they should be able to publish freely; 13% have no opinion.
That's disturbing. While I really think that the news media need to do a better job of story selection and fact-checking, I know I don't want the government deciding what can and cannot be published. That is censorship, and I don't want it in this country. If I wanted press freedom like that, I would move to Cuba. The only things that should not be released relate to active criminal investigations, intelligence sources, and military data.
Some of the other data in the study indicate that civics classes, if they are part of the core curricula of these students, are failing to inform them of the constitution and the rights enumerated within. Three quarters of the students believe that burning the flag is illegal, and 74 percent believe that it should be prohibited. The first is factually incorrect, and the second is unconstitutional. A proposed constitutional amendment to ban flag-burning has (rightfully) not gone anywhere in congress.
That's exactly why the first amendment and the rest of the Bill of Rights were necessary. Some of the founders understood that usually when something "goes without saying" it needs to be said or it will be forgotten.
Da Goddess (who is active in the San Diego chapter of Protest Warrior) has been having a running battle (in person and on her blog) with a San Diego communist/ANSWER leader named Carl. Today, she slapped him into submission with this fantastic takedown. RTWT; it's definitely worth the time and effort. I am so glad that I'm on her side...
(Link courtesy of Mad Mikey.)
Thank you for the kind words.
Carl pushed the wrong button last night. The back was acting up, the nose was dripping, and well, he really ticked me off.
How can ANYONE deny the Iraqis their victory over evil? It boggles the mind.
Right now, my site is being targetted by a particularly aggressive trackback flood (90 trackback pings in the last couple of hours), but he's not going to get any benefit at all, since my archives don't display trackbacks. I had set mt-close to allow trackbacks to archived posts, but it looks like I'll have to rethink that policy. Bloody spammers.


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#7 ("Jackstands? Hah! Who needs 'em?")
#6 (Necessity is the mother of invention...)
#5 ("And to think... those wimps at the power company use straps and cleats to get up this high!")
#4 (I'm sure this guy still wonders why he got fired that day.)
#3 ("Gee, guys... that seems like an awful lot of protective gear for such a small chlorine gas leak...")
#2 Step 1 : Remove shoes.
Step 2: Place metal ladder in water.
Step 3 : Begin using power tools while standing barefoot on metal ladder in water.
And the winner is...
(How drunk do you have to be before this starts looking like a good idea?)
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