IS THIS REALLY KANSAS, TOTO?

"Clearly the goats don’t like it."

As we should probably have expected, the post-tornado devastation in Greensburg, Kansas has been massively exacerbated by half the Kansas National Guard being in Iraq and, as a result, ability to shift emergency equipment has been severely handicapped. Kansas (Dem) Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said the government’s response to the disaster was undermined by ongoing National Guard deployments to the Middle East. “I don’t think there is any question if you are missing trucks, Humvees and helicopters that the response is going to be slower, and the real victims here will be the residents of Greensburg.” Also having the totally unbelievable Sam Brownback as one of its Senators may also hamper Kansas more than a little. Brownback, who has spent all his time in the Senate fighting evolution, gay marriage, and broadcast indecency, is now running for the Republican nomination, as the GOP “Rapture” candidate.

MEANWHILE MISS TEMPLETON IS NOT AMUSED
"Mondays are bad enough as is, what with the going back to work and all, but when one comes home to a story on the evening news where one's president (strategically shaved chimp though he may be; we are still a republic when last checked, E Pluribus, Divided we Stand, No Money Down, etc. etc.) is freakin' COMING ON to the Queen of England in some mixture of Dallas used-car salesman sincerity crossed with ankle-bracelet wearing "bringing sexy back" predator charm, then one knows that the seventh seal is not only broken; it's long past its warranty. Cue the locusts."

NEW BOOK = NEW BOOK = NEW BOOK = NEW BOOK (See Saturday’s blatant self promotion.)