In case you missed them, or just want to read them again (and that’s ok) here are this week’s highly interesting reads:
Today’s highly interesting read (03/29/18): When I Was 17…
Today’s highly interesting read (03/28/18): The Stupidity of the ‘March For Our Lives’
Today’s highly interesting read (03/27/18): Fake Storm
Today’s highly interesting read (03/23/18): Give Me Your Dreamers
A look back at the people and events that made news the past week. Week-ends is a regular weekly feature of This Just In…
HEROES OF THE WEEK
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“Sunday night’s 60 Minutes interview with ex-porn star Stormy Daniels ended up being the Al Capone’s vault of anti-Trump news. A big, fat nothing.
“Back in 1986, Geraldo Rivera hosted a live, two-hour special surrounding the opening of a vault owned by the late gangster Al Capone. After two hours of buildup, all Rivera found was dirt, empty bottles, and an embarrassment he will never live down.
“On Sunday night, all 60 Minutes was able to deliver was dirt, empty promises, and defeat.”
John Nolte, Editor-at-Large, Breitbart.com
“I do not agree with those — right or left, religious or secular — who contend that adultery invalidates a political or social leader. It may invalidate a pastor, priest or rabbi — because a major part of their vocation is to be a moral/religious model, and because clergy do not make war, sign national budgets, appoint judges, run foreign policy or serve as commanders in chief. In other words, unlike your clergyman or clergywoman, almost everything a president does as president affects hundreds of millions of Americans and billions of non-Americans. If a president is also a moral model, that is a wonderful bonus. But that is not part of a president’s job description.”
Columnist/talk show host Dennis Prager
“Rarely in my lifetime have I seen the type of civic engagement schoolchildren and their supporters demonstrated in Washington and other major cities throughout the country this past Saturday. These demonstrations demand our respect. They reveal the broad public support for legislation to minimize the risk of mass killings of schoolchildren and others in our society.
“That support is a clear sign to lawmakers to enact legislation prohibiting civilian ownership of semiautomatic weapons, increasing the minimum age to buy a gun from 18 to 21 years old, and establishing more comprehensive background checks on all purchasers of firearms. But the demonstrators should seek more effective and more lasting reform. They should demand a repeal of the Second Amendment.”
John Paul Stevens, retired associate justice of the United States Supreme Court
“Chanting crowds of emotionally charged protestors aren’t exhibiting any great American virtue. Mass protests aren’t only often antithetical to the aesthetics of republicanism, but sometimes they undermine its purpose, as well. In our system, inalienable rights — including the one to self-defense — can’t be swept away by angry crowds.
“Simply because you scrawl your thoughts on a sign rather than tweet them to your friends doesn’t imbue them with any more pertinence. Yet we live with the insufferable need to act as if protesting is tantamount to patriotism rather than a collective act of frustration…it’s debatable whether most of these kids understand that they attend schols that are safer than ever in a nation that has bequeathed them more freedom and wealth than any other group in the history of the world.”
David Harsanyi, senior editor at The Federalist
“This is dangerous political territory for Democrats. A new poll just out last week found that 58 percent of Americans believe gun ownership increases safety by allowing law-abiding citizens to protect themselves. Even among Millennials, four in ten still believe ‘protecting gun rights is of chief importance.’
“And while support for the NRA has fallen recently—37 percent favorable, 40 percent unfavorable— that’s still more than 100 million Americans with a positive view of this ‘child murdering’ organization.
“If these Americans get the message that Democrats and the Left are declaring them Public Enemy #1, if they feel like their culture and values are under assault, that’s one way to get a relatively unmotivated GOP base fired up for the midterms.”
Michael Graham, columnist for the Boston Herald
“The level of ignorance goes beyond stupidity. Again, the National Rifle Association are a bunch of American families who have a voice to stand up for our God-given constitutionally guaranteed right to keep and bear arms. We have no blood on our hands. No NRA member have ever been involved in any mass shootings at all, in fact the National Rifle Association is the lone organization that has taught firearm safety in schools, and for law enforcement, and for military, and for children’s organizations and family organizations around the country for 100 years. So once again, this poor pathetic individual (student David Hogg) is a liar.
“The dumbing down of America is manifested in the culture deprivation of our academia that have taught these kids the lies, media that have prodded and encouraged and provided these kids lies. I really feel sorry for them because it’s not only ignorant and dangerously stupid, but it’s soulless. To attack the good law-abiding families of America when well-known predictable murderers commit these horrors is deep in the category of soulless. These poor children, I’m afraid to say this and it hurts me to say this, but the evidence is irrefutable. They have no soul.”
Ted Nugent, an NRA board member when asked why the “media” had turned on the NRA
“For those of us that are in states that Trump won we would really appreciate if she would be more careful and show respect to every American voter and not just the ones who voted for her. I understand the point she was trying to make, but it felt like she was criticizing Missouri voters. I would draw a line there. I have great respect for Missouri voters, and there were a lot reasons why they voted for Donald Trump, some of them I understand.”
Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), is the latest Democratic lawmaker to speak out against what former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said in India. Clinton said the places Trump won were “looking backwards” and described those voters as racists and sexists.
“Those who do not repent and cannot therefore be forgiven disappear. There is no hell, there is the disappearance of sinful souls.”
Pope Francis
“What did Christ die on the cross to save us from? If Francis made such a statement, it would be rank heresy.”
Pat Buchanan
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
Jerry Brown pardons five immigrants facing deportation
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
Most votes in the Legislature are bipartisan, even when the debate is not
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
Stormy Daniels
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of This Just In…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Morning light rain. Winds up to 35 mph. Partly cloudy skies later. Wind advisory in effect until 6:00 PM. High of 49. “F”
SUNDAY: Mostly clear. High of 37. “F”
Now, here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer, with this week’s main blog.
I’ve covered just about every topic possible relating to dogs since I started this blog back in 2008. 2008????!!!! It’s been TEN YEARS????!!!! Honestly, I can’t believe it. I’ve learned so much from researching published articles and other blogs. Kevin’s segments have brought me to tears from unfortunate sadness to absolute joy to complete laughter.
I’ve reminisced about my own childhood dogs Sugar & Skippy and related my experiences with them to many contemporary discoveries. Kevin & I have gone round and round about why we should and should not get a dog. I’ve come close to agreeing with him on certain points, but I’ve never given up the hope that we would someday adopt our own four-legged friend.
Of course, I specifically said adopt. I’ve always been in favor of our family rescuing a pup in need. I’ve mentioned many times that I am not personally opposed to anyone buying from a reputable breeder; it’s just my own preference to rescue.
I never truly realized all that goes into adopting a rescue dog! The forms! The questions! The pre-approval then approval process! Goodness gracious it’s nerve-wracking. “What are you willing to spend on your dog if it gets sick?” “Who will take care of it if you have to be gone unexpectedly?” You can’t get a puppy unless you can guarantee you won’t be away from home more than four hours. I swear they almost want a waiver that you will donate your own kidney to your potential dog, if one is needed and you are a match.
Once you are approved and you’ve chosen your dog from a list of candidates and all the stars align, you get the green light. You are officially a pet parent! You can’t believe you are finally bringing a new member to the family home!
Of course you have to shop like a madwoman before your pooch actually joins you. Bedding, toys, food, bowls, collar & leash, the list is endless. Literally it’s like when you bring home your baby from the hospital except no one threw you a puppy shower – you have to buy it all on your own.
But then that sweet little face, those amazing eyes, he looks at you and he knows. He knows that the long and scary trip from Kentucky to Wisconsin was all worth it. He knows you are his forever home and he knows he loves you & you love him. I mean really how could you NOT love this face?
Please welcome Knox as the newest member of the Fischer Family!
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Um, you do realize that the Fischer family extends well beyond the KEVIN Fischer family, right? It’s even possible that we have a niece who loves dogs as much as we do. Additionally it’s possible that said niece recently adopted Knox and provided all those great details about adopting a rescue from Kentucky.
Sorry, just couldn’t resist a little April Fool’s prank to all our loyal readers. No, I truly wish Knox was getting used to our home. Still not quite ready to commit to a pup. But we get to meet him tomorrow and we’re over-the-moon excited!
Congratulations Kari, on the precious addition! You will make so many wonderful memories together and you’ve given him a great home. We are so happy for you!
—-Jennifer Fischer
Thanks Jennifer!
Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Coast Guardsman faces $31K price tag for shipping dog home from Japan.
For military veterans suffering from PTSD, are service dogs good therapy?
Dog Walkers Become North Texas’ Unassuming Citizen Patrol.
He’s cuddly — and this ‘comfort dog’ calms cops and crime victims alike.
Column: The Parable of the (Expletive Deleted) Comfort Dog.
The Most Popular Dog Breed in the United States is…
These housing markets are going to the dogs, in a good way.
Millennials are shelling out hundreds to wear pics of their pets.
‘The world needs a sausage dog museum‘, so German owners provide one.
Final wish granted as dog visits dying owner.
THAT’S IT FOR DOGS IN THE NEWS.
HERE’S OUR DOG PHOTO(s) OF THE WEEK.
Authorities in Southern California were mourning one of their four-legged crime fighting partners who died last week. The Chula Vista Police Department said Griffen, a 7-year-old Belgian Malinois, suffered from an undisclosed medical condition. Griffen’s handler, Officer Curtis Chancellor, his handler’s family and other members of the department’s K9 program were present when he passed, police said. The department posted a photo on Twitter of Griffen’s handler giving an emotional last goodbye, embracing the dog with both of his arms.
On a much lighter note, before they walked down the aisle last Saturday afternoon, West Virginia natives Matthew and Mara Dudley spent the morning parading with more than 400 dogs and fellow dog lovers at the first annual DoG Street Strut, a local fundraiser in Williamsburg.
Matthew and Mara Dudley shared their wedding day with 125 guests and 400 dogs.
During the photo session after their wedding, a stranger walked by with his dog. The newlyweds called him over and posed with the dog.
Photo: wydaily.com
We close as we always do with our closing video.
Let’s head to Oshkosh, WI:
And one more, from San Marcos, California:
That’s it for this week.
Thanks for stopping by.
We kindly ask that you please share with other dog lovers you know.
See ya, BARK, next Saturday morning!
STORMY DANIELS
GUNS
THE CENSUS
PRESIDENT TRUMP
Every Friday night we smooth our way into the weekend with music, the universal language. These selections demonstrate that despite what is being passed off as art today, there is plenty of really good music available. Come along and enjoy!
This Sunday marks the most important festival in the Christian calendar. Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from, three days after he was crucified.
On what is now known as Good Friday, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave tomb. The tomb was guarded by Roman Soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.
On the following Sunday, Mary Magdalene, followed later by some of Jesus’ disciples visited the tomb to find that the stone had been moved, and that Jesus’ body was gone. His followers knew that God had raised Jesus from the dead.
This week, sounds of the season.
Let’s get started.
In the late 1960’s Edwin Hawkins was studying interior design in Oakland, California. At the same time he and a friend were working with a youth choir that released a local album. The group had hopes of selling enough copies to fund a trip to Southern California to participate in a Gospel competition.
The album was anything but state of the art, recorded on a friend’s small two-track machine according to Hawkins. There were no thoughts of going commercial.
One of the tracks caught the attention of a disc jockey at the Bay Area FM station KSAN, Abe Kesh.
As Kesh continued to play “Oh Happy Day” on the air it became more and more popular. The single sold seven million copies and won a Grammy for best soul gospel performance.
Legendary jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis covered “Oh Happy Day” in a 2005 album, “With One Voice.”
The live album was recorded at the J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church in Maywood, Illinois, where the Rev. Lucille L. Jackson, Ramsey Lewis’ sister was the the co-pastor. She passed away in 2013.
More than 50 members of the J.W. James Memorial A.M.E. Church Combined Choir are featured on the album, including “Oh Happy Day.”
“That’s one of my favorites,” said Lewis. “When that record came out, the Edwin Hawkins Singers, I probably wore out–it was on an LP, of course, so I probably wore out two or three of those, and I always wanted to play it, even in person, but I couldn’t come up with a way to do it without the voices. And so now we have this version, of course, with my church choir, that is the church I belong to.”
We’ve posted this a few times in the past and it’s especially perfect this time of year…
There’s actual thought and planning that goes into this weekly feature. We just don’t come on here and say, “Hey, it’s Friday. Here’s some Led Zepellin.”
And I never know when, where, or how a theme or a particular piece of music will hit me.
For example, the other night the family was sitting at the dinner table. Kyla was getting excited about her upcoming spring concert at school where she and some other students would be singing several songs. That prompted the obvious question from Daddy.
“Like what?”
Without hesitation she replied.
“Well, Wade in the Water.”
Completely surprised I almost dropped my fork.
“Wade in the Water?”
Uh huh.
“You mean like this?”
I started to hum it and Kyla jumped right in with the words.
“Wade in the Water” is a Negro spiritual that refers to the Christian tradition of baptism. The religious rite can be performed by sprinkling water onto a person’s forehead or immersing a person’s body in water. Baptism symbolizes purification and choosing to live life in the Christian faith.
Watch Damien Sneed & Friends at Jazz for Young People, the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.
Who’s that young girl dressed in white
Wade in the water
Must be the children of the Israelite
Oh, God’s gonna trouble the water
Wade in the water, wade in the water children
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water
Who’s that young girl dressed in blue
Wade in the water
Must be the children that’s coming through,
God’s gonna trouble the water, yeah
Speaking of holy water…
John the Baptist lived in the early first century AD. A Preacher, prophet and second cousin of Jesus, John used baptism in his ministry. He even baptized Jesus.
John always emphasized that the Messiah was coming, and the Messiah was Jesus. To prepare for God’s judgment, John urged people to repent and be baptized.
One of my favorite groups, “Blood, Sweat and Tears” had a gigantic self-titled album released in late 1968. It went multi-platinum four times.
There’s no way they could get any bigger and they never did, even though they’ve been successful ever since.
This is from their gold album, “B S & T 4.”
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Back in 2014 while recovering and recuperating from hip surgery I had the chance to read Bill O’Reilly’s fascinating book, “Killing Jesus.” There’s a great line that ends one of the chapters. Jesus has been placed in the tomb, and a nervous Pilate agrees to a precautionary move to prevent anyone from stealing the body. O’Reilly writes, “And so it is that a Roman guard is placed at the tomb of Jesus, just in case the dead man tries to escape.”
Mark wrote in a gospel that on the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices to apply to Jesus’ body. When they arrived at the tomb they saw the stone placed in front had been rolled away. They became alarmed when they entered and saw a young man dressed in a white robe.
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified,” he said “But he has risen! He is not here! See the place where they had put him.”
Again from O’Reilly’s book, “To this day, the body of Jesus of Nazareth has never been found.”
Headed to church Sunday?
Long before I ever understood Christ’s atoning sacrifice or appreciated his glorious resurrection, I formed strong associations with Easter. Sure, the candy and family gatherings created fond, joyous memories. But it was the music—the same songs every year in my Methodist church—that blossomed with new meaning after my teenage conversion.
Chief among these tunes is one most will surely recognize—”Hymn for Easter Day,” written in 1739 for the inaugural service at the Foundry Meeting House, London’s first Wesleyan chapel. You know the hymn as “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” composed by the most famous hymn writer of all, Charles Wesley, one year after his conversion.
As with many of the most popular hymns, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” has survived the centuries thanks to a successful marriage of lyrics and music.
In the years immediately following Christ’s resurrection, alleluia particularly connoted praise for Jesus’ victory over death. Early Christians began greeting each other on Easter with the now-familiar call and response: “Alleluia! He is risen!” “Alleluia! He is risen indeed!” Alleluia is meant to convey emphatic joy, thanksgiving, and triumph.
Still today, Roman Catholics and Anglicans refrain from speaking or singing alleluia during Lent, but they reintroduce the word into their liturgies to express their thanksgiving on Easter morning.
That’s it for this week.
Goodnight.
Sleep well.
Have a great weekend and Happy Easter.
We close with singer/songwriter Paul Anka.
Yes, that Paul Anka.
Who knew in the late 1950’s that teen idol Anka from a talent perspective was actually eons beyond putting her head on his shoulder.
A creative genius was Anka (Can we say “My Way” for Sinatra?).
He wrote the following rock-gospel song in the early 1970’s and performed it in concert years and years later.
This month pop music lost a few more artists.
Bill Burkette, original lead baritone of the Vogues died on March 1 of lymphoma at a care center near his home in Murrsyville, Pennsylvania. He was 75.
Burkette formed the Vogues with his school buddies. They cut their first record, a cover of Petula Clark’s “You’re the One,” in 1965. It went to #4.
Between 1967 and 1970, they appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “American Bandstand,” “The Red Skelton Show” and more, and toured overseas.
Here in America they worked nearly 300 one-nighters a year, transported by two twin-engine Cessnas. The schedule took its toll, and the Vogues went from a national to a local group in Pennsylvania.
“I have always thought of him (Burkette) and the Vogues as having super tight harmony and a smooth sound,” said Donna Groom, a longtime member of the Skyliners. “Every song stuck in my head after shows we did with him. Always a class act.”
Here’s Burkette singing lead.
You may not know who Steve Mandell is but you’ve probably heard him.
Mandell played the guitar and Eric Weissberg played banjo on the hit duet, “Dueling Banjos” in this 1972 film. It went all the way to #2.
Originally titled “Feudin’ Banjos” in 1954, the song was a traditional bluegrass tune.
Mandell and Weissberg traveled to Clayton, Ga., where “Deliverance” movie was being filmed and directed by John Boorman. Local Clayton actor Billy Redden, who played the character Lonnie, a banjo-playing teenager, did not know how to play the instrument. A musician hiding behind a special shirt actually did the fingering, and the memorable scene was accomplished by using selected camera angles. It took nearly four days to film.
Actor Ronnie Cox really played the guitar in that scene.
“Here’s the thing. The kid, Billy Redden is his name, couldn’t play the banjo at all. He didn’t even know enough about the banjo to even make it look right. That’s not even his left arm,” said Cox.
Redden put his left arm behind his back as far as it could go. That’s actually another musician’s arm and hand.
“Dueling Banjos” was nominated for Best Original Song by the Golden Globes in 1973. But it lost, to Michael Jackson’s “Ben.” Good Lord.
The duet did win a Grammy Award.
Mandell died on March 14 at the age of 76. He had been suffering from prostate cancer.
What if we were to focus solely on free-throw shooting? How would the Final Four schools rank in team free-throw shooting percentage?
This is according to the NCAA for the season in games played through March 29, 2018, meaning the absolute up-to-date stats.
Villanova is the best free-throw shooting team left in the tournament at 78%. That’s very, very good.
Who’s next in second? That would be Loyola at 72.2%.
Kansas comes in at 70.5%.
And then Michigan at 66.2% which could be a problem.
If you think this analysis is unimportant or not significant, watch these video clips from the 2008 Memphis/Kansas championship game.
AP photo
She was her energetic, magnetic, adorable self, clearly reveling in the attention, disappointed her media session couldn’t last longer.
Regular readers know that I’ve been a staunch supporter of the proposed Ballpark Commons development in Franklin.
One of the final major hurdles for details pertaining to the project was approval by the Milwaukee County Board last fall. In this review from 2017 you’ll find that Supervisor Steve Taylor was quite vocal in his support on the County Board floor last September when the issue was up for a vote.
We definitely know where Steve Taylor stands.
Two years ago I endorsed Patti Logsdon in her race against Taylor. At that time we did talk about the project and she was not all that thrilled about it.
A few weeks ago on March 15 in an e-mail to Logsdon I asked about her position.
When we had our lengthy discussion the last time you ran you said you’d have an open mind. I’ve heard that you are vehemently opposed. To be fair I’ve not written anything about this issue as it pertains to the race but I might. So, did you oppose the project while it was being deliberated? Did you voice opposition in any discussions or meetings with neighbors who are opposed? Now that’s it been approved what are your feelings about the project?
Logsdon responded.
Kevin, I have an open mind about the project, which, as you note, is already approved. Any opposition you heard that I held for the project is directly related to the dissatisfaction that the residents living near to it have shared: they feel like elected officials are not listening to them and their quality of life is affected in the end. It is easy to support economic development, but a division has been caused in our community that I think could have been largely avoided if those closest to the project had earnestly worked to appease many of the concerns raised by the citizens. Instead, they feel run over and I have compassion for that. I have spoken up, specifically at Steve Taylor’s town hall meeting. I respectfully asked a question about why other options proposed by John Weishan in a county board meeting were not considered, and Taylor’s response was to attack me publicly, saying that I was being a liberal and was against the project. I didn’t attack the project, I asked a question; and Steve Taylor doesn’t know the difference.
I wrote back.
Thank you, but you didn’t answer my questions.
On March 22 I offered Logsdon another opportunity to respond and have not heard from her.
This is a big deal to me and a lot of other folks.
IF I lived in that district and could vote on Tuesday, I would definitely take this matter into consideration.
From Bible Gateway:
“Although crucifixion could take a variety of forms, it was common to have the victim carry the crossbeam to the place of crucifixion where the upright was already in place. Occasionally the victim was tied to the crossbeam with leather thongs, but most often nails were used, as in the case of Jesus. The nails were five to seven inches long and were driven through the feet and wrists, not the hands. Crosses in the shape of an X or a T were used, but since the title was attached over Jesus’ head we know the style used for Jesus’ cross was the shape we usually imagine, a t, which was also a common form. The person was laid on the ground and nailed to the crosspiece, which was then hoisted into place. Often the person was only a short distance off the ground, though the fact that a stick was needed in order to offer Jesus a drink suggests his head was higher than arm’s length above the people on the ground. The nail wounds would cause a great deal of bleeding, but death often took place through suffocation. A little seat rest was attached to allow the person to maintain a position in which it was possible to breathe, thus prolonging the agony.”
Actor James Burke-Dunsmore of the Wintershall Player performs “The Passion of Jesus” for crowds in London’s Trafalgar Square on Good Friday, April 18, 2014. Good Friday is observed by Christians as the anniversary of the crucifixion. The Wintershall Players production of “The Passion of Jesus” included a cast of 80 actors, horses, a donkey and authentic costumes of Roman soldiers in the 12th Legion of the Roman Army. Photo: Oli Scarff / Getty Images
Christians re-enact the crucifixion of Jesus Christ to mark Good Friday in Mumbai, India in 2014. Photo: Rajanish Kakade / AP
Catholic devotees kneel before a makeshift altar of Christ as a form of penance during holy week on April 17, 2014, in Pampanga, Philippines. The bloody practice is a form of reenactment of Christ’s suffering before being nailed to the cross. Although the act of self-mortification is condemned by the Catholic church and frowned upon in the modern age, thousands of Filipino faithful still practice it to this day as a form of popular piety and has become a part of Philippine tradition in Asia’s largest predominantly Roman Catholic nation. (Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images)
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This Just In... From Franklin, WI 
