Apparently, the Dude has a following. Hilarious article in the NY Times about “Lebowski Fests“, where a bowling alley is taken over by hundreds of White Russian-swilling Lebowski fans, often in costume.

It turned out that management was following a directive from the event’s organizers. “When we line up a venue, we always have the White Russian talk,” said Will Russell, a founder of the Lebowski Fest.

Mr. Russell has learned from experience to lay in provisions. He recalled an incident at an early festival in his hometown of Louisville, Ky.

“Milk sold out within a one-mile radius of the bowling alley” where the event was held, he said. “We had to go to every local mini-market and gas station to satisfy the requirements of the achievers.”

At Lucky Strike Lanes, the line at the White Russian station was often 10 deep, and it wasn’t uncommon for someone to sidle up to the counter and say, “I’ll take four.” The bartender would lift a 12-quart plastic tub, straining to hold it steady as the mud-colored liquid sloshed.

For those that view the White Russian as a downmarket drink, “there’s the variation called the White Trash Russian. ‘You take a bottle of Yoo-hoo … drink half, then fill it with vodka and enjoy.'”

Proposition 8 opponents, all major media outlets,  and even the official California state ballot title and description all state that the amendment bans same-sex marriage.  Nearly everyone, including most people reading this post, agree.  I feel compelled to point out that Proposition 8 does no such thing.

Don’t believe me?  Read the text of the amendment (emphasis mine): “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”  Proposition 8 restricts legal recognition of marriage to that between one man and one woman.  The government will provide neither recognition of nor benefits and obligations to same-sex marriages.  By contrast, any individuals and groups are free to provide such considerations.

(I note that the amendment doesn’t single out same-sex unions, as the ballot description imposed by the state attorney general misleadingly claimed.  It also codifies in the constitution a ban on recognition of polygamous relationships and those involving non-humans.  And state law already declares incestuous marriages void.)

Any couple remains free to “enter into marriage”, “exchange nuptials”, “unite in holy matrimony”, “begin a domestic partnership”, or engage in any other ceremony celebrating their union.  Same-sex couples may call their relationships “marriages” and refer to each other as “husband” or “wife,” if they so choose.  The amendment in no way prohibits a religious official from conducting a same-sex ceremony.  Nor does Proposition 8 prevent families, religious groups, businesses, and other groups from recognizing same-sex relationships and granting benefits to same-sex couples.

Moreover Proposition 8 does not prevent state lawmakers from providing to same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as are provided to legally married couples.  State law currently provides similar coverage for registered domestic partnerships as it does to marriages.

It’s true that the federal government doesn’t recognize domestic partnerships.  But federal authorities won’t recognize same-sex marriages enacted between June 15th and November 4th either.  Same-sex couples would be denied federal benefits with or without Proposition 8.  No California amendment can change federal law.

It’s also true that other states recognize California marriages, but may not recognize domestic partnerships.  But in this case, too, most states reject same-sex marriages (such as those performed in Massachusetts.)  No California law can force other states to recognize same-sex unions regardless of what they are called.

Whether the state of California should limit its recognition of marriage to that between one man and one woman is a subject for another post.

On Dec 6th, people in the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana get to make a big choice.

William “Cold Cash” Jefferson, or Joseph “Not William Jefferson” Cao.

From Mr. Cao’s website:

As a community leader, Joseph Cao is making a difference in New Orleans by promoting recovery and helping to rebuild schools, medical clinics, and retirement communities. Over the years, he spent time as a seminarian helping and inspiring those less fortunate to overcome adversity. A former professor at Loyola University and member of the National Advisory Council to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, he understands the importance of education, values, faith and family. With a law degree from Loyola New Orleans, a masters from Fordham, and an undergraduate from Baylor, Joseph has the credentials, discipline, and spirit needed to dependably represent Louisiana. With the drive needed to fight against the odds, he has dedicated his life to preserving the dignity of all people and serving the greater good.

And really, RedState sums it all up in a few words:

PS: Again: …in his freezer.

Posted by WLS Shipwreckedcrew:

From today’s Washington Examiner here are Harry Reid’s remarks upon the opening of the new Visitors Center of the US Capitol:

“My staff tells me not to say this, but I’m going to say it anyway,” said Reid in his remarks. “In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol.  It may be descriptive but it’s true.”

And that’s not all. “We have many bathrooms here, as you can see,” Reid continued. “Souvenirs are available.”

I’m not sure we have suffered through a bigger buffoon at the top of an institution of government during my lifetime.  Harry — you’re a stinking pile of horse dung.

Descriptive, but true. 

People of Nevada — PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family was having breakfast in Old Town Albuquerque last summer when we struck up a conversation with an Indian couple at the next table. My daughter mentioned that she was trying to learn the new name of Indian cities like Bombay (Mumbai), Madras (Chennai), and Calcutta (Kulkata). She thought that he would be pleased with her awareness of the change, but he frowned – he said that he likes the old British names.

This essay explains the background of the change.