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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

That's Racin', Boyz

Last Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Race from California, the Auto Club 400, had one of those wild, "have at it boys" finishes. The continuance of the feud between Joey Lagano and Denny Hamlin resulted in the two of them wrecking on the final lap, Kyle Busch "lucking" into a win, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. "lucking" into the Sprint Cup Points Lead.

NASCAR Auto Club 400 Tower at Fontana CA
NASCAR Auto Club 400 Tower at Fontana CA (Photo credit: goarmyphotos)
The bad blood between Hamlin and Lagano was carried over from their run-in the previous week at Bristol in which Hamlin intentionally wrecked Lagano. However, this time things turned out very badly for Hamlin. The injury he suffered in the wreck, a compression fracture in his back, will keep him out of action for at least six weeks (read the latest update on Hamlin on NASCAR.com here) and end any hopes he had of winning the 2013 Sprint Cup Championship. He will lose at least 250 points over the next six weeks by sitting out. That's way too many to give away to makeup. Go ahead and stick a fork in Hamlin for 2013 - he's done.

Tony Stewart and Lagano had their issues in California, too. Stewart took offense to the block Lagano laid on him after the last restart as the field went barreling off into Turn 1. I turned to my wife when it happened and said, " I'm surprised Tony let him (Lagano) get away with that." Last year, in a similar situation with Juan Pablo Montoya, Tony caught Montoya's Target Chevrolet in the rear quarter panel and sent him spinning into the wall. When interviewed after that incident, Stewart put his fellow competitors on notice by saying that he would do the same thing to any driver who cut him off or blocked him for the rest of the year. Therefore, I was really surprised Lagano didn't get "drop kicked" on Sunday.

Instead, Tony Stewart chose to settle his beef with Lagano by attacking him on pit road and then unleashing a plethora of profanity when asked about it by a reporter. In my opinion, Stewart looked like a punk reminding me of Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick just a bit. My level of respect for Tony Stewart went down several notches on Sunday. I think he should have handled his ire with Lagano at the moment of the block on the racetrack by sending Lagano spinning across the track and into the outside retaining wall backwards. Lagano would have finished the race in the garage area with a car that was about three feet shorter but learned a valuable lesson about respecting other drivers and holding his line on the track. Plus, if memory serves me correctly, I've seen Stewart block a driver or two in his day, also. Put the kid (Lagano) in the fence, cost him a race car, and a ton of points and he'll learn. Don't act like a punk on pit road.

NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin in August 2007 at B...
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin in August 2007 at Bristol Motor Speedway (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Speaking of respect, the lack of respect NASCAR's current drivers have for each other may be the biggest problem with the current state of the sport. For instance, let's go back to the Hamlin / Lagano feud. Since Lagano made his NASCAR debut about five years ago, I've watched as drivers have pushed the kid around on the race track. They've bumped him, turned him around, hung him out to dry, sent him flipping down the track, and even caught him up in their squabbles with other drivers, such as the "Phoenix Debacle" with the Jeff Gordon / Clint Bowyer brouhaha last year. There also now appears to have been some bad blood between Lagano and his teammates at Joe Gibbs Racing that resulted in his departure there last year.

Lately, we've heard a lot in the press about bullying. I think the events in the Auto Club 400 are mostly a result of bullying directed at Joey Lagano. In my opinion, the kid has changed since joining Penske Racing. He is now standing up for himself and tired of being pushed around. He is serving notice that he's not gonna take it any more. I hate that Denny Hamlin was injured in their feud, but at the same time I wonder if it would have even happened if Hamlin and other drivers, over the last few years, would have laid off the kid a little. The thing is, though, that there is at least one more driver out there who needs to send a Lagano-like message. Her name is Danica Patrick.

The question is, how long will she put up with being pushed around before she ruins some driver's day, or season. I don't think we'll have to wait as long to see her erupt as we did with Lagano. The other question is that when Danica does, will there be weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth ? Or, will it simply be a case of "that's racin', boyz."

I wouldn't mind having a ticket to that "eruption," either.
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Thursday, March 21, 2013

The University of Sodom and Gomorrah

Late last week, I learned via an e-mail from PatriotUpdate.com that my alma mater, The University of Tennessee (in Knoxville) would be holding it's first ever "Sex Week" in April. You can read the entire shocking report by clicking here.

English: Ayres Hall, The University of Tenness...
English: Ayres Hall, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As a UT alumnus, who happens to be a Christian Conservative, I was appalled at what I read in the report. It bothered me that my alma mater was holding this week of immorality, but I was also ticked that it was being paid for with taxpayer funding and student fees. I suspect the students had no voice in approving or disapproving their fees being used for this crap. I'm sure there are many in the student body who disapprove.

So, a couple of days ago, I forwarded the e-mail below to the Tennessee State Senators and State Representatives who represent the Knoxville area. I also copied the UT President.

Dear Knoxville-area State Representatives and State Senators,

I grew up in Knoxville, but now live in Mt. Juliet, TN. In December 1992, I earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee with a major in accounting.  In 1997, I completed the requirements for the CPA designation.

Over the last several years, a number of things occurring at UT have concerned me as an alumnus and a Tennessean, including dozens of male athletes having run-ins with the law, the mens basketball team’s scandal, and several other things. Each incident has left the university with a black eye and its alumni embarrassed. These incidents have shown a lack of discipline and character within the athletic program and the UT administration turned a blind eye to all of it. As I explain below, these problems have now infected the rest of the student body in a manner that pales in comparison to the aforementioned problems within the athletic department. Something needs to be done.   

In my opinion, UT has a deep-rooted, university-wide problem in the form of a lack of any moral compass. For example, last fall, the big news from UT was the “butt chugging incident” where a UT student was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning leading to one of the campus fraternities being suspended. In my opinion, none of the punishment handed out for this incident was severe enough, and it’s likely some criminal penalties should have been handed out, too. If experimenting with ways to get drunk quicker is what the kids at UT are spending their time doing and learning nowadays, then apparently their course work is not pushing them hard enough.  

However, what really has me concerned about UT as an alumnus and taxpaying Tennessean is a news report I saw the other day. Apparently, UT will soon be holding its first annual “Sex Week.” If you are not familiar with it, you can read all the details at this link. The report is what has necessitated this letter.

The report says “Sex Week” events will include a scavenger hunt for a “golden condom,” a drag show, a workshop about oral sex, promotion of homosexuality, and other immoral sexual behavior that is so shameful that I would be embarrassed to even type it out here. Furthermore, the week’s activities are being hosted by a so-called “lesbian bondage expert” and the whole thing is being paid for by student fees, university money, and university grants. In other words, these activities are being paid for by taxpayer money. I find that completely unacceptable.

Additionally in the linked article above, a UT student named Brianna Rader, supposedly one of the founders of “Sex Week,” stated, “This is one way people can get a better sense of what others in Tennessee and this region of the country are about.” Really ? Is this really what we want Tennessee to be known for ? I think not. I’m not sure where Miss Rader is from, but I can assure you she is mistaken if she thinks the promotion of immoral, deviant sexual behavior is what Tennesseans want. As a UT alum and native of East Tennessee, I take serious offense to her characterizing my alma mater and the region of the country I grew up in as approving of such. Rader also stated that the UT administration is “overwhelmingly supportive of Sex Week.” The administration should be setting the example for the students, but in this case they are enabling the immorality. I have never been so ashamed and embarrassed to be a UT alum in all my life.

Furthermore, if such a “Sex Week” had been held while I was attending UT and paid for by student fees and taxpayer money, I would have transferred to another university at the end of the semester it occurred in. Student fees and tuition are supposed to be spent to educate the student and help them work toward obtaining their degree and preparing them for their career, not promoting immoral sexual behavior. I have also spoken to a number of other UT alumni in the Nashville area about this, and they feel the same way.

I am not only a UT alumnus and Knoxville native, but I am a Christian, too. The bible teaches that the immoral behavior being promoted during “Sex Week” is sinful. Based upon what the article said, it appears that no topic is off limits during this event which makes me wonder if the university will soon be to changing its name to “The University of Sodom and Gomorrah.” Speaking of Sodom and Gomorrah, I wonder how quickly and how loudly the ACLU and others would have cried “foul” if instead UT had held a “Bible Week” paid for by student fees and university funds ?

If UT students have so much time on their hands that they can participate in “butt chugging” and “Sex Week,” then UT is not adequately preparing them for their careers. They are not receiving the education and skills they will need to tackle the problems that confront our state and our country currently and in the future. In other words, the UT president and the rest of the administration is not getting the job done we taxpayers pay them to do. Therefore, it is time to fire the entire administration and replace them with people who will prepare the students for such challenges.

I have four nephews and two nieces who will be going to college one day. In fact, my wife and I have started college funds for each of them in order to help pay their way. The “Sex Week” embarrassment is the last straw for me. When it comes time for my nephews and nieces to pick a college, I will exert all the influence I can to make sure that none of them attend college in Knoxville.

I hope that people in authority at UT will reconsider and stop “Sex Week.” However, if they choose not to, then I trust that you, the elected State Representatives and State Senators for the Knoxville area, will step in and stop this misuse and immoral waste of taxpayer money. If UT has a funding surplus to the extent that it can spend it on “Sex Week,” then funding to the school needs to be cut substantially.

“Sex Week” is unacceptable and the ones with the authority to approve it should be held accountable. The UT student body, UT alumni, and the taxpayers of the state of Tennessee deserve better.

Sincerely,
Johnny Black

Carmack Statue -- Tennessee State Capitol Buil...
Carmack Statue -- Tennessee State Capitol Building Nashville (TN) 2011 (Photo credit: Ron Cogswell)
I have heard back from a couple of the elected officials I contacted. They basically said they would look into it. I hope they were not just pacifying me and live up to their word. If you are a Tennessee taxpayer or UT alumnus, I would like to encourage you to speak up and voice your displeasure, too. I have listed the e-mail addresses of the the elected officials I contacted, as well as that of the UT President below to make it convenient for you to copy and paste them into an e-mail.

Rep. Joe Armstrong - rep.joe.armstrong@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Harry Brooks - rep.harry.brooks@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Bill Dunn - rep.bill.dunn@capitol.tn.gov

Rep. Gloria Johnson - rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Steve Hall - rep.steve.hall@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Ryan Haynes - rep.ryan.haynes@capitol.tn.gov
Rep. Roger Kane - rep.roger.kane@capitol.tn.gov

Sen. Randy McNally - sen.randy.mcnally@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Becky Massey - sen.becky.massey@capitol.tn.gov
Sen. Stacey Campfield - sen.stacey.campfield@capitol.tn.gov

UT President Joe DiPietro - jdipietro@tennessee.edu

I'm sure I will take some heat over this blog post from the Libs who desire for the morals of this country to continue to degrade. Bring it on, I say, but please note - as long as the Good Lord continues to bless me with a pulse and the strength to draw a breath, I will stand for what's right even if I'm the only one doing it. I answer to Him and Him alone (Exekiel 33:1-9 (NIV)).

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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The FBI Scam

The online scammers are getting more creative and somewhat bolder. Below is a copy of a scammer's e-mail that I received about two weeks ago from someone posing as FBI Director Mueller.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Anti-Terrorist And Monitory Crime Division.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc

Attn:Beneficiary

Official portrait of the Director of the Feder...
Official portrait of the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Robert S. Mueller. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am Mr.Robert S.Mueller, The FBI Director; After proper investigations,we discovered that your impending payment that have been withheld by imposters, claiming to be LAMIDO SANUSI LAMIDO (Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria), Mr. Patrick Aziza, Mr. Frank Nweke, None existing officials of the Oceanic Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank, UK winning Lottery, Andy Lear of Hsbc bank, Coca-Cola winning lottery and among a list of others is now under our custody with the help of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Local Police Force. Investigations revealed that you have spent a lot on your personal earned money just to conclude the successful transfer of your funds to your nominated bank account by obtaining transfer documents as requested by the imposters, costing you a lot of money but all to no avail.
The FBI had to send some financial crime investigators from our headquarters in Washington DC to Africa in other to carry out proper investigation, after receiving series of other reports similar to yours as you are not the only person awaiting the legal transfer of funds from Africa.

The FBI has giving authority to the International Monetary Funds (IMF) to assist the Federal Ministry  of Finance and all the organization involved; such as the Central Bank, Zenith Bank, and Legit lottery organizations to immediately commence with the compensation of all the beneficiaries awaiting the successful transfer of their funds. With the help of some of the best Internet investigators attached to the FBI, we traced your information from the Internet as one of the beneficiaries awaiting the successful transfer of funds to your nominated account.

I am pleased to inform you that a meeting was held as regards the best way to carry out with the compensation exercise for transparency and most especially to avoid reoccurrence of the delay in transferring your funds and the high cost of procuring transfer documents and came to a final conclusion as all head of organizations involved was duly represented.

It was approved to be issued to you as a valid international ATM card cashable at any ATM machine designation in the world. The ATM account has already being credited with two million, five hundred thousand United States dollars. ($2.5,000, 000.00USD) , with a daily Limit of withdrawal of Ten thousand United States Dollars. ($10.000, 00USD).The ATM card has already being packaged and approved to be delivered to your door step via express courier delivery service.

Contact Mr.Ben Johnson {Our FBI ATM Rep.} at the ATM PAYMENT CENTER and reconfirm your delivery information as stated below and your security code with five digit (FBI12) number has to be submitted alongside with your delivery information for security reasons.

DELIVERY INFORMATION

FULL NAME:

AGE:

DELIVERY ADDRESS: '

CELL PHONE NUMBER:

CURRENT OCCUPATION:

CONTACT INFORMATION:

NAME: AGENT BEN JOHNSON.


CELL PHONE NUMBER: +234-80-6077-4261

HAVE IT IN MIND THAT THE DELIVERY FEE OF YOUR PACKAGE DELIVERY TO  YOUR  DESTINATION HAVE BEEN SETTLED BETWEEN WE AND THE COURIER COMPANY IN CHARGE OF YOUR ATM CARD DELIVERY.SO YOU ARE MANDATED TO PAY FOR THE SECURITY KEEPING FEE ONLY FOR YOUR ATM CARD TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU.

A RELIABLE AND A TRUSTED COURIER COMPANY HAS BEEN CONTRACTED TO DELIVER YOUR PACKAGE TO YOUR DESTINATION,AS SOON AS YOU CONTACT MR BEN JOHNSON HE WILL UPDATE YOU WITH THE COURIER COMPANY EMAIL CONTACT ADDRESS IN OTHER TO AVOID ANY UNDUE DELAY OF YOUR ATM CARD.

NOTE: Under normal circumstances you are suppose to come and collect your ATM CARD in person and sign some documents as proof of the collection of your ATM CARD but the IMF and the Finance Ministry insisted that you pay for the SECURITY KEEPING FEE ONLY of your ATM CARD via western union money transfer, which will cost you only  $150.00 USD to cut down travel expenses in other for the western union payment receipt and the receipt of payment of $150.00 USD to the nominated courier company that will carry out with the delivery to your door step  to be  documented in your file as proof your collection.  We hope that is very clear.  A receipt to this effect will be sent to you and a copy kept in your file for future documentation.

We also advise that you stop further communications with these imposters and forward any correspondence / proposal you receive from them to Mr. Ben Johnson in other for the FBI to bring justice to does still at large.

GOD BLESS US.

REGARDS.
Mr. Robert S.Mueller III
FBI DIRECTOR

The poor grammar, the request for money, and the request for personal information within this e-mail makes it obvious it is a fraud. Since receiving this e-mail, I have also received one from someone claiming to be the assistant to Director Mueller. If you receive similar e-mails, just delete them. They will only lead to trouble. So, don't be a sheep and fall prey to these wolves.

The Sheepdog
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Friday, March 15, 2013

What Is An "Assault Rifle" ?

There has been a lot of discussion lately about so-called assault rifles and assault weapons. The discussion has generally been centered around whether or not to ban them and / or high capacity magazines. There has also been a lot of misinformation disseminated during these discussions. Therefore, I felt it was necessary to ask the question - "What is an assault rifle ?"

I think the video embedded below, which can also be watched by clicking here, answers that question in a very clear, concise way and sets the record straight. In fact, it makes understanding what an assault rifle is so easy that even a Congressman or Congresswoman can do it. Enjoy.


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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Do As I Say, Not As I Do

A couple of days ago, I heard a news report stating that former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, had recently bought an AR15. Since the tragic shooting incident in which the Congresswoman and a dozen others were wounded and six were killed, both her and her husband have been outspoken proponents of the need for more gun control, including a ban on so-called "assault weapons" and high-capacity magazines.

English: United States Congresswoman Gabrielle...
English: United States Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords at her desk. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Therefore, Kelly's purchase of the AR15 seems hypocritical. When asked about it, he claimed he bought the rifle to "make a point about background checks" and will turn the rifle over to police. My question is what point is he trying to make ? Does he have a criminal background that would preclude him from purchasing a gun legally and wanted to see he would get caught ? Has he been convicted of domestic violence or had a restraining order issued against him and wanted to test the NICS system ? What's the deal ? I don't get it.

Oh, by the way, one more thing - I saw where Kelly recently purchased a .45 caliber pistol, too. However, he says he has no plans to turn it over to police, like the AR15. He's keeping it.

Hmmm. Keeping it, huh ?

Personally, my opinion is that this is another example of liberal Democrat logic telling the rest of us to "do as I say, not as I do."
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Monday, March 11, 2013

Music Monday on Skid Row

My last two blog posts have been on politics. I thought it was time to break from politics and get back to some tunes. Today, we'll take a trip back to 1989 and spend some time on Skid Row. You '80s metalheads can probably guess where this is going.

It's the second Monday in March, so it's time for a double shot. I've picked two songs from Skid Row's first, and self-titled, album. We will start with the band's single "Youth Gone Wild." It is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.



Now, the problem with youth, or any age group for that matter, going wild is that it can lead to song #2 - "18 and Life." That song's video is embedded below or can be watched by clicking here.



I hope everyone enjoys today's music, and that I made up for the last two weeks of politics.
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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thank You Speaker Harwell

While watching the news last night, The Sheepdog realized it was time to sharpen his fangs and commence to chewing on the wolves again. The news that got my attention was that Beth Harwell, Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, had strolled into a committee hearing yesterday and cast a tie-breaking "aye" vote, not once, but twice. Her votes allowed a controversial bill, HB 610 / SB 837, to advance in the legislature. If it becomes law, grocery stores across Tennessee can legally begin selling wine.

Beth Harwell
Beth Harwell (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit that I am no fan of Speaker Harwell. The primary reason is that she does not meet my definition of a pro-gun Republican. During the last two years, she has made it very clear that she has no intention of allowing the right to carry to expand in Tennessee, especially when it comes to increasing the number of places where the state's permit holders can legally carry. She reminds me of the former anti-gun Speaker of the House, and Democrat, Jimmy Naifeh. I "affectionately" referred to him as "No-Guns" Naifeh.

Last year, the Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA), the NRA, and other pro-gun groups and law-abiding gun owners, like myself, worked and encouraged the Tennessee Legislature to pass the Safe Commute Bill. While I did not always agree with the rhetoric and discourse that was used during the course of debate, I always agreed that the bill was good legislation and needed to become law. The bill would have allowed carry permit holders to store their defensive firearms in their locked vehicle, even if the property where they were parked was posted "No Guns." It would have applied whether they were at work or somewhere else and protected them from any ramifications, such as being fired or jailed.

The TFA has documented on multiple occasions that last year's Safe Commute Bill was opposed by Speaker Harwell, Liet. Governor Ron Ramsey, then House Republican Caucus Chair and now former Rep. Debra Maggart, and big businesses across the state. The TFA consistently alleged that the legislature, and its leaders listed above, was "pandering" to big business by not allowing the legislation to come to a floor vote. It ultimately cost Debra Maggart her house seat. I, however, suspect there were also other forces at work against her besides just the gun folks.

One of the big businesses that TFA mentioned as an opponent to the bill was Federal Express. I became curious and decided to look into it. So, I began looking at campaign finance reports for Speaker Harwell, which are public record and available online. I found that over the last couple of years she had received about $35,000 in campaign contributions from the Federal Express PAC. I also found that over the same time period, it appeared that an overwhelming majority of Speaker Harwell's campaign contributions came from big businesses / PACs. These findings led me to the opinion that TFA's allegations were not only reasonable but also credible. Please, though, don't take my word for it. As Glenn Beck would say, "do your own homework." Click here to visit the Tennessee Registry of Election Finance website and look up the campaign finance reports for yourself.

"Grrrrr ......"
I say all that in order to make my point about Harwell's tie-breaking vote in the committee hearing yesterday. Keep in mind that Speaker Harwell, over the last few years, has repeatedly made it clear that the ability, and right, of Tennesseans to defend themselves and their families with firearms is not a priority to her. In last year's legislative session, she made it clear that she did not want gun bills to be considered, because other things were more important. She did not want any time being wasted on gun bills. Then, yesterday she made time and went out of her way to prance herself down to the committee hearing in order to first cast a tie-breaking vote to prevent the bill from being delayed and studied further. I guess the wine bill was soooooo important that it had to move on immediately. Next, she turned around and cast the tie-breaking vote to keep the bill alive and advance it on to the next committee. Apparently, self-defense is not a priority to the Speaker but making it more convenient to buy booze is.

Republicans are supposedly supporters of small businesses. Yet with this bill, the GOP is turning it's back on small businesspeople across the state who own liquor stores. They don't want this bill, because it will, of course, hurt their businesses. However, the big grocery store chains want it, because, of course, it will improve their bottom line. Could it be that Speaker Harwell and the Tennessee legislature are once again attempting to make big business happy ? Or, is she just wanting to make alcohol even more readily available ? Or, is it a combination of both ? Personally, I'm anti-alcohol, but that's a story for another day.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that law enforcement across the state is wholeheartedly against this bill ? The Speaker might want to listen to them.

As the title of this article says, I want to thank Speaker Harwell. Why ? Well, it's because her actions yesterday confirmed my suspicions and the allegations of the TFA and others that she is more concerned with keeping big business happy than she is with doing what's right for the people of this state. She has made it perfectly clear that the safety of Tennesseans is low on her list of priorities as she does not want to expand lawful concealed carry. However, high on her list of priorities is making big business happy and expanding the number of places where Tennesseans can legally purchase wine. As a conservative, I think she has her priorities completely screwed up.

So, in other words, thanks for nothing, Madam Speaker.

Before I go, I would also like to congratulate Speaker Harwell. She now has the dubious honor of being the absolute worst Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives in my lifetime. That's quite an achievement, too. "No Guns" Naifeh held that honor for a long, long time before her, having served as Speaker for 18 years. It's only taken Harwell a little over two years to knock him off his throne. Speaker Harwell doesn't need to thank me for this prestigious honor, either - she earned it all on her own.

Well done Madam Speaker (sarcasm added).

P.S. Before anyone brings it up, yes I know a version of the Safe Commute Bill has passed the Tennessee Legislature this year. I will be dealing with that in a subsequent post. Stay tuned.
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