Weather

Well, my KC friend just blogged about the lack of South Dakotan blood in Kansanians. Imagine their reaction to this weather in the morning:
Also, we just received at least 5'' of snow yesterday. I suspect that it was closer to 6''. Better yet, we are supposed to hit the 40s on Sunday and Monday! Ah, South Dakota, the land of infinite change! ;)

The Best Theme Song On TV

Latest Rick Reilly Article

A Pirating I Will Go...

Another update from my Age of Pirates PC game. I have turned on all of the European powers and began to build (with the help of the pirates) a free nation in the Caribbean Sea.

I am currently prowling the sea with a Frigate (Ocean) (46 guns), a Line Ship (Insolant) (~80 guns), and a Man-O-War (Atalante) (102 guns). I really like the names of these ships (I didn't name them, I captured them. Which is much cheaper than buying a ship ;) )

I have captured the colonies of Tortuga and La Vega, the latter (in my game) is a colony on the northeastern coast of the island of Hispaniola. La Vega is booming for me, I have built a new fort, a church, silver mines, and upgraded the shipyard. Tortuga has had a harder time. it just got over an epidemic, but should begin grow as well.

To pay for the additions to La Vega, I, of course, raided European shipping, but I also attacked and razed Petit Goave, San Juan, Santa Domingo, and Saint Martin. I have become a Sea Terror to the European powers in the Caribbean, can I continue? Most likely! I am packing an amazing amount of fire power!

A couple of shots of my Frigate, The Ocean:

In the first shot, you can see that I had a ship, the Bloody Michelle, with me. I captured this ship from a pirate to prove to another pirate that I had what it takes to become the pirate "governor". (I later defeated the pirate "governor" in combat to succeed him.)

A Real Party

A nostalgic trip to a REAL PARTY!

Age of Pirates

As of late I have been playing a PC game entitled Age of Pirates, not so surprising huh? Much has happened to my character so far in the game. A French ship caught me dealing with smugglers and attacked me. I managed to defeat it and take the ship as my own though. It was a Corvette, much better than my previous Luggers, Brig, and Schooner. I had much fun sailing around with that corvette but the French were ticked at me. I had war galleons, ships of the line, and frigates after me. Some how though my crew and I managed to capture a ship of the line and later, a frigate.

These ships have allowed me to have some fun in the Caribbean. I attacked and razed the fort and colony on Tortuga. I would have made it my own colony, but I had no free officer to command it. So I gained a hefty sum of gold by razing it ;)

I have just received a letter of marquee from Holland, so things may get more interesting!

I'll try to take some screen shots for a future post!

The World Without Engineers

I stole these pics from some website a long time ago. I no longer remember the site but who cares. A blog doesn't need to cite references ;)

Smitty

When I play the 'computer' in Madden 06 football (Yes, I am too cheap to by the newer version) as the Carolina Panthers, I like to read the defense. And lately the I've noticed the computer (no matter what team) sneaking one or both safeties forward to either stop the run or blitz my QB. So I have gotten into the habit of audibling to a play-action pass. The safeties are already forward so the fake is even more efective giving me ono on one coverage on the outside. And any die-hard Panthers fan will tell you, "Go to Smitty," in single coverage, racing down the sideline!

Here are a couple of examples of what I have managed to do:


I have also managed to do well running with RB Deshaun Foster when the safeties stay back. Hopefully, a new Offensive Coordinator will help Carolina return to the Super Bowl next year!

Life Long Dream Completed

I am sitting in Dunn Brothers in Rapid City, SD enjoying an Irish Cream Latte and perusing the internet.

... Just kidding! It isn't a life long dream of mine, but it is something I wanted to do sometime and now that I have a laptop I can do it!

Actually, I came to RC today to visit a few stores that I don't get to visit in Pierre. Borders, Scheels, Office Max (cheap ink for my printer), and of course to taste the joys of the Golden Phoenix and Dunn Brothers Coffee!

Also, Pierre in the News:

You may remember that late in November I told you we saw Sydney Palmer of Pierre win her 8-9-year-old girls division of Punt Pass & Kick in the Vikings regional finals at the Metrodome. I hadn't heard she had advanced in PP&K, but there she was on national television Saturday night, and Sydney is the national champion of her age group! She and the other national winners earned their titles at the Superdome in New Orleans before the Saints-Eagles playoff game, and the winners were shown briefly on TV between the third and fourth quarters. Sydney is the daughter of Pierre/Fort Pierre teachers Todd and Jenifer Palmer. Way to go, Sydney!

Walmart... Not Completely Evil...

Today I was browsing my local Walmart's selection of DVDs and I cam across what is probably may favorite old scifi movie ever! I even remember the first time I saw it. Back (in the day) when TNT had MonsterVision. The movie? MYSTERIOUS ISLAND!

This great movie is based on Jules Verne's sequel to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (also titled Mysterious Island). The movie may look like a B-movie but take into account that it was made in 1961.
I will even give away a bit of the movie... Cpt Nemo created the large animals to help solve world hunger (my theory was that the animals would kill off the surplus population, not feed it ;) ).

I believe stop motion animation was used for the critters in the film, so either go out and obtain a copy of the film or come on up to Pierre and watch it with me!

of college majors and trends...

From an email I received from the SDSMT Alumni Assoc.:

More students in the South Dakota public university system appeared to be interested in careers in engineering, nursing, and history, according to the latest data on major enrollment trends from the South Dakota Board of Regents. Four bachelor degree-level majors – history, mechanical engineering, nursing, and civil engineering – experienced at least a 15 percent increase in enrollments when data is compared between 2002-03 and 2005-06 for those degree programs with more than 300 majors in the South Dakota system. Two other bachelor-degree majors had at least a 15 percent decrease in enrollments – computer science (25 percent) and elementary education (19 percent). The report also noted that 86 percent of the students in the public university system have a single major, while the remaining 14 percent were seeking two, three, or four different majors, which is consistent with data reported in the last four academic years. For more information about public higher education in South Dakota, please visit www.sdbor.edu.

More Coooking...

As you might have expected, I cooked this weekend. I made pizza, baked cookies, and even made fajitas (no pics).

Pepperoni Pizza (homemade crust)

(Moist) Chocolate Chip Cookies

Some Of My Recent Meals

Breakfast Pizza, this time with a biscuit crust 9much better)

Chicken Strips, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Chicken Enchiladas

Sack-Master

I am a football nut. Most of you already know that. In college, I got into playing Madden football with friends and, initially, I was really good thanks to my football knowledge. But my lack of video game skills allowed others to catch up to me. One thing I could always do well was take control of defensive linemen and break through an offensive line.

I recently was playing Madden on my PC and I managed a new feat for myself... I managed to get 8 sacks with one player (Kris Jenkins) in one game!

New Year's Resolution

Sorry about my brief absence from the blog 'verse, but I have been saving some pictures on my camera to blog about in the coming days.

My friend posted a Year In Review on himself. I don't have a whole lot to say for my own Year in Review, but here is an attempt.

• 2006 began with me deciding to look for a job back in SD and I succeeded by a landing a job in the SDDOT Office of Bridge Design.
• 
  
• I some how managed a promotion in the WSDOT for my last 3 months.
• 
  
• I managed to enjoy many concerts including, The Clumsy Lovers, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, and Gaelic Storm.
• 
  
• Though I did fail at trying to be more outgoing and overcoming shyness.
• 
  
• I have to admit though that the last coupe of weeks have showed promise in that department. Last night was the first night in a long time that I actually stayed up until midnight on a New Year's Eve. Well, that and I am feeling far more confident than a year ago. We'll see ;)
• 
  
• Towards the end of my time in Washington I had gotten real lazy when it comes to running (or any work out) but since coming back to SD I am running as well as I did in my sophomore year of college.
• 
  
• So my New Years resolution is to continue to work at becoming more outgoing.
  

How Pat Saved Christmas (Pie)

Well, my mother had a biopsy this week and don't worry too much it is expected to turn out fine. But because she is in pain after the minor surgery she is unable to bake pies for Christmas.

I have stepped in and as I type I am finishing up my apple pie. I have already completed the pecan pie. So Christmas (Pie) is saved. No store bought crap for us ;)

I NEED a cloaking toaster!

from the News Briefs section of my ASCE Civil Engineering Magazine:

Researchers at Duke University have developed a device that bends microwaves around an object in such a way as to make it seem that the object is not there at all. The device cloaks a 0.4 in. (10 mm) tall metal cylinder that is overlaid with patterned metallic materials called metamaterials, which enable the device to bend the waves around the object. The device uses microwaves instead of visible light because microwaves have longer wavelengths and interact better with metamaterials. The researchers are no working on a larger version that will cloak an object approximately the size of a toaster.

In the news...

• Bush wants to enlarge the military.

• A Virginia congressman refuses to apologize for Islamphobic comments.

• Immaculate Dragon conception?!

More Alternate History

A few more items from my alternate history book:

• President Blackford (a socialist) is in power (U.S.) when the stock market crashes... so we have Blackfordburghs!
• 
  
• Japan bombs Los Angeles but the U.S. is able to protect Hawaii and occupied Canada from Japanese attacks. The war never really develops... or at least not yet.
• 
  
• Calvin Coolidge (Dem) wins the 1932 U.S. election but dies before inauguration. his VP, Hoover, becomes president.
• 
  
• The new C.S.A. party mentioned in my last post (the Freedom party) sweeps the 1933 C.S.A elections (fyi, the CSA has 6 year terms for president but limited to one term). Jake Featherston is the new CSA president.
• 
  
• I am not sure about Okies, but a couple from Toledo is about to venture to California looking for work.
• 
  
• References to FDR are building but his name has yet to be mentioned. First, he was seen with his cousin TR. And apparently, he is the current secretary of war for President Hoover.
• 
  
• There are parties similar to the Freedom party in France and England. Not much has been said about the English one, but the French party seems to be founded by some radical catholics.

I am nearly through the second book in the second trilogy... so just 4 more books to go!

Christmas In My Apartment

Last week my apartment did not have a Christmas feel to it (though it did feel like winter thanks to my reluctance to heat it ;) ). The past week has brought many changes... ok only a few but still... I bought some Christmas lights to hang in the window and my mom got me a little artificial Christmas tree for $2.50 and also some little snowmen ornaments.


So, I guess it is going to be Christmas in my apartment after all!

Can a straight guy talk about shoes? I hope so...

I just decided to share a pic of my new running shoes. A pair of Asics Nimbus VII's. When my ankle started hurting after runs I decided that I needed a new pair of shoes (my old pair of asics are at least 2 years old and are shot). Let me tell you, the nimbus line may cost a little more, but it is well worth it (and they are well named). This is possibly the most comfortable show I have ever worn.

And shiny! (Barney would be proud)

Piracy Invaded Pierre

Some of you may recall I promised a "Piracy Invades Pierre" post a while back. Well, I came across the pics that inspired that thought. So here they are... better late than never.

Any good pirate keeps a parrot around. Not so much as a pet than to act as a tape recorder/bug. It is always good to know what your crew is saying behind your back!

The Sea Dog has even been dressing the part this winter! Just don't mess with his ration of biscuits if you value your hand! ;)

Bow before me...

fore I have consumed the General Tsao's Chicken of the Golden Phoenix. The best Chinese food in Rapid City, SD and, in my opinion, the best Chinese food between South Dakota and Washington!

Feast your eyes on it's glory!

Btw, they do not deliver to Pierre :( My parent's brought it back for me (they were in RC for a doctor appointment).

Pie Day 2006

No, I do not mean Pi day (March 16). Today was pie day at the Capitol, here in Pierre, SD. Free pie was given to anyone visiting the Capitol and the Christmas Tree displays.

Capital Journal

Attorney General's Office

I am not entirely sure but I believe it started because some group in the state was not allowed to give pie out at the polls on election day. It was considered to be paying people to vote. Seems like a crazy notion, but I got free pie today... who cares ;)

Celtic Woman: A New Journey

Well most people know that I am a huge fan of irish/folk music. While I was in Washington I started listening to the Celtic Woman CD and purchased the DVD. The women making up this band... er show have beautful voices that could soothe anyone. Is there any doubt why they have been number 1 on the World Billboard chart for over 60 weeks. Currently, the Celtic Woman Christmas albulm is #1 on the World chart!.

On Wednesday night, I saw the second PBS special by these lovely ladies and it was GREAT! They have even added a new member, Hayley Westenra. It even got me thinking a little. The best fiddlers are the ones that can move around considerably. Screw Charlie Daniels. I would rank Natalie MacMaster and Máiréad (from Celtic Woman) as two of the best fiddle players the world has seen!

from laptops to pillows?! WTF!

After seeing my friend's couch pillows, I decided that the blogdom (or is it a blogocracy? I prefer blog 'verse!) needs to see mine!
This pillow was a Christmas gift from my parents couple of years ago and displays he railroad bridge over the Missouri river between Pierre and Ft. Pierre, SD. Actually, his pillow was always a nice reminder of SD while I was in Washington ;)

Bow before me...

...for I am a great cook!

This morning I made a great breakfast!

• normal pizza crust
• country gravy
• scrambled eggs
• bacon
• cheddar and mozzarella cheese

The picture didn't turn out very well. But trust me it was delicious! Though I think I can improve upon the crust. We'll see.

Alternate History

Well, I have good news regarding my laptop... I am now dual booting between Windows XP Media and XP 64bit. The wireless internet is even working in XP64 (thanks to a driver from Gigabyte). Also, it seems Acer's Europe site has a ftp link to a better supply of drivers than their U.S. site ( I am still exploring it a bit though). But this is not my planned blog today so...
.
As some of you already know, I am reading a series of alternate history books by Harry Turtle dove.

The series is really a trilogy of three trilogies (what does that make it?). To be even more correct there is a single novel to begin the series. But I am jumping ahead...

Imagine what the world would be like if the Confederacy had won the American Civil War. That is exactly what the author does in the Great War Series. A few minor points before the great war itself:

• The South won the Civil War.
• After a second loss in a major war, the republican party is in turmoil... Abraham Lincoln breaks off and forms the Socialist Party. Making the major parties in the U.S. the democratic and socialist parties.
• Most of Europe backs the C.S.A. so when the Mexican War breaks out the U.S. loses again.
• The major parties in the south are the Whigs (similar to republicans) and the Radical Liberals.
• General Custer is the oldest officer in the U.S. Army (Yes, he is still alive!)
• Philadelphia is the de-facto capital of the U.S.
• The Statue of Liberty was never built, rather Remembrance was built. A female figure holding a scale and sword. Remembrance Day is celebrated in the U.S. to remember the two losses to the C.S.A. U.S. citizens are ashamed of the past losses.
• Teddy Roosevelt (Dem) is the president of the U.S. to start the great war and Woodrow Wilson (Whig) is president of the Confederate States.
  

Borders at the breakout of the Great War.

At the breakout of the great war (WWI and it is started the same), the U.S. allies with Germany, etc. while the C.S.A allies with England, France, and Russia. Canada is a British province, so the U.S. and Germany are faced with two front wars. Let me not forget that Japan is also allied (loosely) with England, etc.

In Europe things, progress (early on) as they really did. Germany invaded France, but slowly through trench warfare. In America, the Confederates quickly took Washington D.C. But it is nothing to look at after relentless shelling from both sides. The U.S. pushes into Kentucky, Texas, and even Sonora. In the Great White North (hehe), The U.S. pushes into Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba.

The story of the war is told from various perspectives... soldiers for both the U.S. and C.S.A. Also, politicians and women behind the lines.

As you may have guessed, the U.S. and Germany prevail and win the war. Kentucky is forced back into the Union, Houston is a new state in the U.S., Sequoyah (Oklahoma), Quebec is now the Republic of Quebec, and Canada is occupied by the U.S.

Post-Great War Map

A few things that occurred during the war:

• The U.S. squashed a Mormon uprising in Utah.
• The C.S.A squashed a Red revolution attempts by blacks all over the C.S.A but primarily in South Carolina.
• Russia withdrew from the war due to a Red Revolution.
• Ireland is freed from British control.
• Custer finds the best use for barrels (tanks). Rather than just one or two used with infantry, Custer lined up numerous barrels and had infantry follow them as they 'charged' (rolled?) forward.

After the war, the second trilogy begins (I am currently reading this one).

• The heavy reparations forced upon the C.S.A. destroys their economy. A new political party, blaming incompetent whigs and Red blacks for the loss, emerges in the C.S.A..
  
• Upton Sinclair wins the U.S. presidency for the Socialist party.
• U.S. economy is booming.
• Canadian Uprising squashed by the U.S.
• Northern Ireland uprising squashed by the U.S.
• Military occupation of Utah (to prevent another Mormon uprising).

As I continue to read i will ry to add more tidbits from this series for everyone.

My lap is warm, is yours?

Well guess what! I am typing this blog on my new laptop! But not any laptop, this baby has a AMD Turion 64bit dual core cpu (1.6GHz), among other great features:

Operating System Windows XP Media Center Edition
CPU Type AMD Turion64 X2 TL-50(1.6GHz)
Screen 15.4" WXGA
Memory Size 2GB DDR2
Hard Disk 120GB
Optical Drive DVD Super Multi
Graphics Card ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 IGP
Video Memory shared memory
Communication Modem, LAN and WLAN
Dimensions 14.1" x 10.6" x 1.2-1.3"
Weight 6.2 lbs.
CPU Type AMD Turion 64 X2
CPU Speed TL-50(1.60GHz)
CPU L2 Cache 2 x 256KB

Not mentioned is the nifty (but not necessary in my mind) web cam on top of the screen.
This is a great laptop, but when I installed Windows XP 64 I lost much of the functionality thanks to driver issues (wireless nic, webcam, among others). So I used to restore discs to go back to Windows XP Media Center. But don't worry folks! I will install XP64 on a different partition and try to resolve the driver issues ( I wasn't patient enough last night).

As one of my readers (one of two I believe ;) ) posted earlier this week I was not alone looking laptops. Actually, he found the same laptop for much cheaper at Circuit City for their day after Thanksgiving sale, but as you already know (you do read the blogs i link to, right?) that he did not get it because CC only carried one in stock and he was 2nd in line! Sounds like a reason to avoid CC (or take over for the incompetent management ;) ).

Man, it is nice to actually use my wireless network myself for a change and, did you know, that google talk allows me to be logged in on multiple machines (unlike MS Messenger)? Well my lap is warm enough, so I will go ahead and post now ;)

UPS Wormhole in Philly?

UPS never ceases to amaze me. Apparently a package I have coming from California needed to be routed through Philadelphia, PA to on it's way to me (in Pierre, SD). See below.

News and the Spread of Cobloggeration

A few news blurbs...

Outsourcing education.
As a former college tutor this amazes me. I see a business opportunity. Use American college students to tutor HS students and other college students online! It could be LEGEND-wait for it-DAIRY ;)

Console Kill The PC Game
Well, it is sure looking like it, but FPS games and real-time strategy games are still better on the PC (in my opinion).

And, wow, cobloggeration can occur in the same post as the original post! Check out Stinson vs. Stinson.

PIE!

In honor of thanksgiving yesterday, here is what I prepared: Apple Pie!

I went with my parents and my sister to my grandfather's home for Thanksgiving. Last year, while in Washington, I traveled to my Aunt's home for Thanksgiving and baked a pecan pie to take along. Well, this year I decided to prepare a dish to take along too. I chose apple pie. I purposefully used more apples than were called for, but I like a "big" pie ;) I may have used larger than normal slices, but I was very happy with the results of my pie.

The Most Dangerous Road

Americans always complain about the roads or road construction, but do they really have that bad? Apparently not.

Last week I watched a very interesting show on The History Channel entitled Death Road. The show is about a road from Bolivia's (administrative) capital, La Paz, to the remainder of the country. The death road winds it's way down through the Andes Mountains from La Paz to the remainder of the nation.

The worst stretch of the death road is less than 50 miles long and yet it is the site of 200-300 fatalities per year. I was amazed to find out that at times it had a grade of 14%!

A great article from the BBC, very similar to the History Channel presentation.

War Over

The war is over. The advertisers have won. The Chicago White Sox managed to sell their game time! Next season, all Chicago White Sox home games will start at 7:11 P.M.! 7-Eleven paid $500,000 for the White Sox to start all home games at 7:11PM for 3 years.

Read Rick Reilly's response:

Backwards?

As a friend hinted at, the republicans had this country going backwards... maybe now we can get things turned around? I certainly hope so!

Engineering To Navigate The World

A friend of mine made the Rapid City Journal today, but sadly he did not give a shout out to the blog 'verse in his interview. Any how, I won't hold that against him, so here is the interview.

Chili Cheese Fries

Lunch/Supper today is a nice, delicious pan of chili fries! And they were great!

Where's My Big Stick?

I need it to teach some political journalists about checks and balances. Apparently, someone thinks that having more than one party hold seats in congress is a bad thing because nothing gets done. He also seems to think that nothing good comes from a different party controlling congress than the presidency.

I do not agree with this at all. With one party in complete control, too much can be done. When both parties are forced to work together fewer laws get passed, but the laws are better for the nation. The democratic process is better when cooperation is maintained. Just like blogging is better when cobloggeration is maintained ;)

Damn, another political post... maybe I should take the big stick to myself too ;)

The World's REAL Shortest Political Quiz

A little political humor on post election day

How I'm Voting This Afternoon

Go ahead, ask anyone that knows me. I hate politics. There are many issues that people argue over and no one is going to change their stance, abortion being the main one. But as the contributer of the word cobloggeration, I feel I need to add my two cents on the SD election.

Constitutional Amendment C - South Dakota statutes currently limit marriage to unions between a man and a woman. However, the State Constitution does not address marriage.
Amendment C would amend the State Constitution to allow and recognize marriage only between a man and a woman. It would also prohibit the Legislature from allowing or recognizing civil unions, domestic partnerships or other quasi-marital relationships between two or more persons regardless of sex.

I do not support this amendment. Heck, I don't support the current law. I do support separation of church and state. If a church doesn't want to marry a homosexual couple that is fine with me. But why can't they get a marriage license from the county? They are living together, supporting each other, and loving each other; why can't they get the tax benefits too?

Amendment D - The State Constitution currently requires that all taxable property be valued for tax purposes at no more than its actual value, and that all property be classified and taxed uniformly. The proposed amendment to the State Constitution would base the taxable value of property upon “acquisition value” for property sold after January 1, 2007. The Legislature may authorize the assessed value of such property to be annually adjusted by up to three percent, using the 2003 assessed property valuation as the base year. The taxable value of the property may be further adjusted if the property has changed use or classification or has been subject to
addition, improvement or destruction. The limitations of this amendment will not apply to centrally assessed property or to any property sold prior to January 1, 2007.

I do not support this amendment. This amendment does not support the economy. This amendment claims to support the elderly, but doesn't. What this amendment does is base the property taxes off of the selling price rather than the assessed value. This will lessen the tax on people living in homes for long periods of time. It hurts the elderly, most older people do not stay in the same home they raised their children in. The move to a smaller home or one all on one floor. This amendment hurts new home buyers (like myself). It won't keep me from buying home sometime, but I would have to take on a larger share of the tax burden than say my parents (who have more savings and make more than I do).

Amendment E - Citizens serving on juries, school boards, city councils, county commissions, or in similar capacities, and prosecutors and judges, are all required to make judicial decisions. Their decisions may be reversed on appeal, or they may be removed from office for misconduct or by election. However, they cannot be made to pay money damages for making such decisions. This allows them to do their job without fear of threat or reprisal from either side. The proposed amendment to the State Constitution would allow thirteen special grand jurors to expose these decision makers to fines and jail, and strip them of public insurance coverage and up to one-half of their retirement benefits, for making decisions which break rules defined by the special grand jurors. Special grand jurors are drawn from those who submit their names and registered voters. The proposed amendment is retroactive. The special grand jurors may penalize any decision-maker still alive for decisions made many years ago. If approved, the proposed amendment will likely be challenged in court and may be declared to be in violation of the US
Constitution. If so, the State may be required to pay attorneys fees and costs.

The first time I heard about this amendment I supported it. But since I have learned too much about it to even consider such a thing. My democratic colleague was right in his comment. I learned from my sister, a political science major at USD, that it was started by someone who lost a case or suit (I forgot the details). I would consider supporting it in the case of judges and the attorney general's office, but I do not support it in the case of a jury. Serving on a jury is a civic duty, but you should not fear the consequences of an honest decision. And the amendment should not let this special grand jury make up it's own rules. That and the retroactive bit are just foolhardiness ;)

Amendment F - This proposed amendment to the State Constitution includes recommendations by the Constitution Revision Commission. The amendment would remove the current limitation on expense reimbursements received by legislators, and would allow legislators to receive salary, per diem, expenses and mileage reimbursement as provided by law. The amendment would remove the current specific prohibitions against enacting private or special laws. The Legislature would be restricted by a general prohibition against enacting a special law when a general or local law can be made applicable. The amendment would remove the Congressional term limit, which the federal courts have found unconstitutional. The procedure for introduction of a bill would be shortened. The amendment would require a two-thirds vote to close a legislative session to the public and prohibit any vote to be taken in a closed session. The amendment would allow the Legislature to exercise emergency powers in the event of man-made and natural disasters.

I do not support this amendment. While the beginning of it sounds good, I do not support allowing the legislature to close any meetings or sessions to the public.

Initiated Measure 2 - South Dakota currently taxes tobacco products. The proposed law would increase taxation on tobacco products sold in the state. The tax on a 20 stick cigarette package would be raised by $1.00; the tax on a 25 stick cigarette package would be raised by $1.25.
The tax on all other tobacco products such as cigars, roll-your-own, and chewing tobacco, would increase from 10 percent to 35 percent of the wholesale price. The proposed law would deposit up to $30 million of tobacco tax revenue into the state general fund. The next $5 million, if
any, will be deposited in the tobacco prevention and reduction trust fund. Tobacco tax revenue in excess of $35 million, if any, will be divided among the property tax reduction fund, the education enhancement trust fund, and the health care trust fund. The proposed law also establishes continuous appropriations out of the tobacco prevention and reduction trust fund for specified purposes.

I support this measure. It is a use tax, so you can avoid paying it by not smoking. Even better would be a law like Washington passed last year banning smoking in ALL public places including bars, etc. There is an exception for clubs like the VFW and American Legion in it.

Initiated Measure 3 - State law currently allows local school boards to establish the start of a regular school term on any date. The proposed law would prohibit local school boards from establishing the start of a regular school term prior to the last day of August.

I do not support this measure. School boards should be able to choose their own start date and end date.

Initiated Measure 4 - This initiative would allow persons, including minors with parental consent, with a debilitating medical condition, to be certified to grow (not more than six plants), possess (not more than one ounce) and use small amounts of marijuana for medical purposes.
“Debilitating medical condition” is defined to include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, or a chronic, debilitating condition that produces cachexia, wasting syndrome, severe or chronic pain, severe nausea, seizures, including epileptic seizures, severe or persistent muscle spasms, including spasms caused by spinal injury, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease or fibromyalgia or any other
medical condition approved by the Department of Health. Certification may be accomplished by submitting medical records to the Department of Health or by submitting a doctor’s recommendation. A person may not drive while impaired by marijuana and may not smoke marijuana in any place where tobacco smoking is prohibited. Growth, possession and use of marijuana will still be illegal under federal law but certification is a defense to criminal prosecution under state law.

I do not support this measure. The law would still forbid the sell of marijuana. By allowing growth of it for medical purposes, it will make it even easier for youth to get a hold of it.

Initiated Measure 5 - State law currently allows state employees to use vehicles owned or leased by the State only for state business. There is a limited exception for state employees with a supervisor’s approval. The Governor and certain law enforcement personnel are
exempt. The proposed law requires aircraft owned or leased by the State to be used only for state business, with no exceptions. A person violating this provision would now be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

I do not support this measure. Currently, when the state plane is used for non-state business the state is reimbursed. This additional cash flow may be small compared to the budget but it is useful in maintaining the state plane.

Initiated Measure 7 - The State operates video lottery as authorized by State law. During the last year, the State received approximately one hundred twelve million dollars ($112,000,000.00) from video lottery which is 11% of the state general fund budget. The proposed law would repeal video lottery and eliminate this source of revenue.

I do not support this measure. It would be nice to be rid of a state funding source dependent on gambling, but I do not see a logical successor to the funding. Also, this is like a use tax, so no one's arm is being twisted to play the games.

Initiated Measure 8 - State laws impose a four percent tax on the gross receipts of companies providing wireless telecommunications (cell phone) services instead of a property tax. Last year the State received approximately eight and one-half million dollars ($8,500,000.00) from the cell phone tax. Forty percent (40%) of these revenues are distributed to counties based on population; the balance goes to the State. The proposed law would repeal this tax, and eliminate this source of revenue.

I do not support this measure. I own a cell phone and yet I support this tax. I am still paying less than I did in Washington and this is a use tax... so no one is forced to pay it.

Referred Law 6 - Current South Dakota law generally allows a pregnant woman to obtain an abortion during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Beyond 24 weeks, abortions may be performed only if necessary to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman. House Bill 1215 would prohibit any person, at any time, from providing any medicine or other substance to a pregnant woman for the specific purpose of terminating her pregnancy. However, a person may provide a contraception substance to a woman without penalty prior to the time her pregnancy could be determined by conventional medical testing. HB 1215 would also prohibit any person, at any time, from using any instrument or procedure on a pregnant woman for the specific purpose of terminating her pregnancy, unless the person is a licensed physician performing a medical procedure to prevent the death of the pregnant woman. Any person other than the pregnant woman who violates the provisions of HB 1215 would commit a felony. If approved, HB 1215 will likely be challenged in court and may be declared to be in violation of the US Constitution. If so, the State may be required to pay attorneys fees and costs.

I do not support this law. It gives no exceptions for rape or health of the woman. It will likely be declared unconstitutional. This is an issue that I cannot stand. It is nearly impossible to change anyone's mind on it. So I will not say anymore about it.

More F.E.A.R. XP

Well, I finished Fear XP (Extraction Point) this morning. It was short, even for an expansion. Possibly not worth the price, but still very enjoyable. Unlike most games, this one doesn't have a happy ending... OK, it depends whose side you are on. In my opinion no one (except the main character) is good and even that is questionable.

I do have a few more screen shots for you though.

I hope they have insurance! And the civil in me loves that the game makers added rebar to the concrete ;)

He needs some aspirin.

That sign is meant to be ignored!