See, I told you the economy sucks.

Somewhere in central Iowa a satisfied diner is picking his teeth and savoring the last taste of good, greasy swan.

Meanwhile, a family mourns.
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S&P reaffirmed its investment-grade credit ratings on the U.S. long- and short-term debt itself. But it said the U.S. government is in danger of losing the top ranking if it doesn't come up with a credible plan for reducing its debt.

The Washington braying we hear is about reducing only the deficit. It is as though all parties have conceded we lack the will, the discipline, the desire to ever pay down the principle.

King of the Wild Frontier

A lad just old enough for Cub Scouts would have loved finding it in the toe of his Christmas stocking,  a gin-yoo-ine Davy Crockett Barlow.  Later in life he scores, proving it's a good idea to rummage through the knife dealer's one-dollar junk box.

"Mary gave him a bran-new "Barlow" knife worth twelve and a half cents; and the convulsion of delight that swept his system shook him to his foundations. True, the knife would not cut anything, but it was a "sure-enough" Barlow, and there was inconceivable grandeur in that...."  Mark Twain

Sidney School Buzz Nixed

Go to school in  the state of Victoria? The lessons make you lethargic? Ask Teach for a magic drink to perk you up.  Teach says "Sure, Mate, we'll get right on it; got some grant money,  don't you know?"

Alas for the tykes and compliant bureaucrats,  citizens horse-laughed the idiot idea out of the water.  Sounds like the Aussie masses are still shaking off their English heritage.