Thursday, February 17, 1944 German defeat at Korsun and near victory at Anzio. Japanese setbacks in the Pacific.

German forces escaped the Korsun Pocket but abandoned most of their heavy equipment, ending the Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy.  

35,000 troops out of the original 56,000 escaped.  General Stemmerman was killed in the breakout. Six German divisions were rendered combat ineffective.

While the bulk of the German forces escaped, their evacuation is not regarded as particularly triumphal, given that these formations were basically destroyed.

At Anzio the German counterattacks continued, with the Germans nearly breaking through the 45th Infantry Division.  The HMS Penelope was damaged offshore by a torpedo attack.  A British counterattack briefly takes Point 593, but the Germans retake it.  On this day, therefore, the Germans nearly prevailed in pushing the Allies back into the sea.

Soldiers of the 7th Infantry Division preparing to leave Enubuj Island for another small island, February 17, 19.

US forces land on Eniwetok Atoll on islets near Engebi, commencing the Battle of Eniwetok.

The U.S. Navy launched a massive areal offensive against the Japanese at Truk Lagoon in Operation Hailstorm.  Japanese losses would be massive.

Japanese shipping under air attack at Dublon Island, February 17, 1944.

U.S. destroyers bombarded the Japanese at Rabaul and Kavieng in a nighttime raid in what is known as the Battle of Karavia Bay.

Blog Mirror: Trump’s hubris has brought about the downfall of his family’s business empire

From the Guardian:

Trump’s hubris has brought about the downfall of his family’s business empire

A very interesting article detailing the history of Trump's wealth, and his long time connection with the Democratic Party.

I know at least one Republican who feels sorry for Trump, and views him as a victim of legal persecution designed to destroy his wealth, but the term "hubris" here is well put.  What is more mysterious is why so many rank and file Rust Belt, Southern and Western, Republicans see something of themselves in him, which is simply baffling.

This is, I'd note, far from over.  Trump might never pay a dime of the judgment, and his loyal acolytes stand ready to fund his legal battles, seemingly at least through the election.  If he loses, he's done for as a politician, as he'll likely not survive the advance of boatman over the River Styx that comes for everybody that long.

The 2024 Wyoming Legislative Session. Part 2 Appendix. The start of the budget session.

 February 17, 2024

Bill status after week one.  Only bills that have advanced, failed, or didn't get introduced are listed here, for the most.

You cannot read too much into this, as getting a bill introduced during the budget session is difficult by design.  But of note, almost all of the populist bills backed by the Freedom Caucus, if in fact not 100% of them, failed.  The group predicted that it woudl be more effective this legislature than last, but it has not proven to be the case so far, in so far as advancement of their legislative agenda via bills is concerned.

HB0001 General government appropriations. Appropriations H COW:Passed

HB0002 Nonresident fishing license fee increase. Travel H Failed Introduction 39-22-1-0-0

HB0005 Behavioral health redesign amendments. Labor H Failed Introduction 40-21-1-0-0

HB0006 Light and high profile vehicle closures. Transportation H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0007 Alternative fuel tax-electricity amendments. Transportation H Failed Introduction 40-20-1-0-1

HB0010 Grace period-state land lease renewals. Agriculture H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0011 State land lease amendments. Agriculture H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0014 Prior authorization regulations. Labor H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0015 Health insurance-reimbursement of overpayments. Labor H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0016 Sutton state archaeological site-legal description. Travel H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-1-1-0-0

HB0017 Fishing outfitters and guides-registration of fishing boats. Travel H Failed Introduction 38-22-2-0-0

HB0019 Education savings accounts. Education H Failed Introduction 41-19-2-0-0

HB0020 School finance-regional cost adjustment study. Education H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0021 Charter school leasing. Sel Sch Fac H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0022 Sales tax revisions. Revenue H Failed Introduction 1-59-2-0-0

HB0026 Emergency protective services-effective period. Judiciary H 3rd Reading:Passed 44-17-1-0-0

HB0027 DFS and law enforcement-cross reporting. Judiciary H 3rd Reading:Passed 44-17-1-0-0

HB0028 Interference with parent-child contact. Judiciary H Failed Introduction 41-19-2-0-0

HB0032 Geologic sequestration-unitization amendments. Minerals H 3rd Reading:Passed 61-0-1-0-0

HB0034 Solid waste municipal cease and transfer funding. Minerals H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0037 Election offenses-intimidation. Corporations H Failed Introduction 36-24-2-0-0

HB0039 Campaign reporting. Corporations H Failed Introduction 37-23-2-0-0

HB0040 School district trustee oath of office. Corporations H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0041 Candidates for state legislature-residency requirement. Corporations H Failed Introduction 40-20-2-0-0

HB0047 Solid waste-illegal dumping remediation grants. Penn H Failed Introduction 28-33-1-0-0

HB0049 By the people act. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0050 What is a Woman Act. Ward H Failed Introduction 37-24-1-0-0

HB0051 Public indecency-intimidation. Neiman H Failed Introduction 36-25-1-0-0

HB0053 Public health emergency-definition amendments. Ward H Failed Introduction 27-34-1-0-0

HB0055 State budgeting and reserves-account repeal. Cap Fin & Inv H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0056 State budgeting and reserves-general funds. Cap Fin & Inv H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0057 Parental rights regarding vaccination. Ward H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0059 Prohibiting mask, vaccine and testing discrimination. Ward H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0061 Fiscal accountability and transparency in education. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0062 Local impact assistance payments-percentage discretion. Larson, JT H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0063 Sex and gender changes for children-prohibited. Larsen, L H Failed Introduction 33-28-1-0-0

HB0065 Public officer fiscal training-amendments. Sommers H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0068 Obscenity-impartial conformance. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0069 Mine permit and reclamation plan changes-landowner approval. Hornok H Failed Introduction 20-41-1-0-0

HB0071 Broadband development subaccount-amendments. Appropriations H 2nd Reading:Passed

HB0076 Reproductive Freedom Act. Yin H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0078 Pornography and obscenity-crimes and penalties. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0080 School finance-dates for fund transfers. Larson, JT H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0082 Cities and towns-abandoned and nuisance buildings. Sherwood H Failed Introduction 38-23-1-0-0

HB0084 High Plains Research Station and Arboretum-historic site. Appropriations H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0085 Social media-parental consent for minors required. Harshman H Failed Introduction 36-25-1-0-0

HB0087 Brucellosis testing amendments. Davis H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0088 Public display of obscene material. Ottman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0091 Health mandates-CDC and WHO jurisdiction in Wyoming. Ward H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0094 Net metering. Heiner H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0095 Health care providers-submission of insurance claims. Stith H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0097 Forcible entry and detainer amendments. Stith H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0098 Duties of registered agents-amendments. Crago H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0099 State funds-prohibition for slave or child labor. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0100 Critical infrastructure resiliency. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0101 Attorney general opinions. Mgt Council H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0102 School safety and security amendments. Bear H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0105 Insurance payments-not taxable. Slagle H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HB0106 Hemp-limitations on psychoactive substances-2. Lawley H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0107 Commercial driver license-medical certificate downgrade-1. Styvar H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0108 Protection of health care providers. Zwonitzer, Dn H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0109 Wind tax exemption-repeal. Slagle H Failed Introduction 36-25-1-0-0

HB0110 Wyoming Underground Facilities Notification Act-exemption. Slagle H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0111 Restricted class C and M driver's licenses-amendments. Slagle H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0112 Real estate transfer tax to offset property tax. Yin H Failed Introduction 8-53-1-0-0

HB0113 Hathaway scholarship program. Henderson H Failed Introduction 40-21-1-0-0

HB0114 Wyoming teacher shortage loan repayment program. Henderson H Failed Introduction 39-22-1-0-0

HB0115 Donated blood-mRNA disclosure. Penn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0117 Bond elections-voter threshold requirement. Styvar H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0118 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments. Appropriations H Failed Introduction 37-23-2-0-0

HB0119 School finance-mental health service grants. Sommers H Failed Introduction 38-23-1-0-0

HB0120 Interactive gaming. Davis H Failed Introduction 25-36-1-0-0

HB0121 Kelly parcel-sale and leasing requirements. Walters H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0122 Carrying of concealed weapons-age requirement. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0123 Mandatory immunizations-repeal. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0124 Vaccination for smallpox-repeal. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0127 Property tax exemption-specified real property. Locke H03 - Revenue:Do Pass Failed 3-6-0-0-0

HB0128 Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act. Andrew H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0129 Statutory standing committees-federal review. Pendergraft H Failed Introduction 25-36-1-0-0

HB0130 Driver's license renewal amendments. Jennings H Withdrawn by Sponsor

HB0132 Ban on teaching and training critical race theory. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0133 Property tax-holiday. Locke H Placed on General File

HB0135 State funded capital construction. Appropriations H Failed Introduction 37-23-2-0-0

HB0136 Gender identity-definition repeal. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0137 Chemical abortions-ultrasound requirement. Neiman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0139 Denturist practice act. Winter H Failed Introduction 31-30-1-0-0

HB0140 University of Wyoming governance-elected trustees. Rodriguez-Williams H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0142 Peace officer standards and training commission-funding. Provenza H Failed Introduction 19-42-1-0-0

HB0146 Property tax relief program-rental property applicants. Henderson H Failed Introduction 31-30-1-0-0

HB0147 Electrical generation tax. Larsen, L H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0149 Hit and run-responsibility and penalties. Smith H Failed Introduction 28-33-1-0-0

HB0150 Protecting religious assembly in states of emergency act. Smith H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0151 Firearms merchant category code-prohibition. Crago H Failed Introduction 37-24-1-0-0

HB0152 Sex offenders-child care facilities. Ottman H Failed Introduction 37-24-1-0-04

HB0153 Sex offender registration requirements. Knapp H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0155 Newborn safety device funding for safe haven providers. Rodriguez-Williams H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0156 Best interests of a child-gender affirming treatments. Rodriguez-Williams H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0157 Use of full fair market value in taxation. Locke H Failed Introduction 30-31-1-0-0

HB0158 Refugee resettlement plan accountability. Locke H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0159 Prohibition on unauthorized fees-veterans benefits. Knapp H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0160 Protect Firearms Rights Act. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0161 Appointment by judge for vacancies in office-amendments. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0162 Public meetings-executive sessions amendment. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0163 Data privacy-government entities. BlockChain/Technology H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0164 Alcohol infused foods. Zwonitzer, Dv H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0167 Restoring state sovereignty through nullification. Strock H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0170 Administrative procedure-regulatory costs. Western H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0171 State land exchanges-public notice. Western H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0172 Purple Heart Memorial Trail. Neiman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0173 Pharmacy benefit manager amendments. Zwonitzer, Dn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0174 Paid family and medical leave. Sherwood H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0176 Restoration of civil rights-amendments. Haroldson H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0177 Natural asset companies prohibition. Slagle H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0178 Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Washut H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0179 State park peace officers-definition and scope of authority. Niemiec H Failed Introduction 41-20-1-0-0

HB0180 Freedom from government seizure act. Provenza H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0181 Coroner's inquest-amendments. Oakley H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0182 Firearm purchase protections. Allemand H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0183 Prohibiting foreign property ownership in Wyoming. Allemand H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0184 Legislative order-department of education rules. Mgt Council H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0185 Enhanced oil recovery-severance tax exemption. Burkhart H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0187 Historic horse racing amendments. Walters H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0188 Centralized electronic notice system. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0189 Generation facility closure requirements-natural gas. Burkhart H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0190 Parental rights in education. Bear H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0191 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments-3. Sommers H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0192 County and municipal roads on state lands-easements granted. Locke H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0193 Ban on sanctuary cities and counties. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0194 Statewide student assessment system-amendments. Andrew H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0195 Defend the guard act. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0196 Sales of real property to the federal government. Northrup H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0198 Court automation fees-assessment on filings. Nicholas H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0199 Election ballots. Zwonitzer, Dn H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0200 Electricity generation-equity and consumer protection. Burkhart H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0201 State Auditor payment transparency. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0202 Unemployment compensation-promoting a drug-free workforce. Hornok H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0204 Decriminalization of cannabis. Provenza H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0205 Development agreements. Storer H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0206 Pari-mutuel wagering activities-amendments-2. Newsome H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0207 Moose and bighorn sheep hunting license-restrictions repeal. Newsome H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0208 Hydrogen severance tax. Tarver H Failed Introduction 39-21-2-0-0

HB0209 Possession of alcohol-amendments. Andrew H Failed Introduction 21-39-2-0-0

HB0210 Checking account disclosures-repeal. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0211 Property tax-acquisition value. Jennings H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0212 Poverty level specificity in Wyoming law. Ottman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0213 Wyoming preschool provider grants. Storer H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0214 Trailer permanent registration-amendments. Tarver H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0215 Integrated test center-governance. Conrad H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0216 Advanced practice registered nurses-certification. Trujillo H Withdrawn by Sponsor

HB0217 American rescue plan act appropriations-amendments-2. Heiner H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0218 Semitrailers-maximum trailer length. Allred H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0219 Business reporting to secretary of state. Knapp H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0220 K-12 school facilities appropriations. Sel Sch Fac H Did not Consider for Introduction

HB0221 Wyoming Community Development Authority-bond investment. Harshman H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0001 Property tax-classes of property and residential value. Revenue H Failed Introduction 34-27-1-0-0

HJ0002 Political expenditures. Corporations H Failed Introduction 35-26-1-0-0

HJ0004 Right of health care access-constitutional amendment. Chestek H Failed Introduction 7-54-1-0-0

HJ0005 Support of Israel. Sommers H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0006 Convention of states. Olsen H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0007 Individual right to privacy-constitutional amendment. Provenza H Did not Consider for Introduction

HJ0008 Prohibition of carbon taxes. Singh H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0001 General government appropriations-2. Appropriations S COW:Passed

SF0004 Rehiring retired firefighters-continued retirement benefits. Labor H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0005 Organ transplant recipient protection. Labor S COW:Passed

SF0007 Behavioral health redesign-vulnerable adults. Labor S COW:Passed

SF0008 Health insurance for volunteer emergency responders. Labor H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0009 Parental rights in education-1. Education S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0010 Eminent domain-energy collector systems. Agriculture S Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0011 Eminent domain energy collector systems amendments. Agriculture S Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0012 Meat processing plants-hides and carcasses. Agriculture H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0014 State fair board-powers and responsibilities. Agriculture H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0015 Acceptance of retrocession-federal military installations. Transportation H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0017 Plane coordinates system-amendments. Transportation H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0020 Electricity rates for costs that do not benefit Wyoming. Corporations H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0028 Federal natural resource management coordinator. Fed Nat Res S Failed Introduction 10-21-0-0-0

SF0029 Major political parties-state central party voting members. Case S Failed Introduction 8-23-0-0-0

SF0031 Sex offender registration-promoting obscenity. Judiciary S COW:Passed

SF0033 Wyoming rural attorney recruitment program. Judiciary S Failed Introduction 16-15-0-0-0

SF0038 Financial reporting amendments-2. Mgt Audit S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0040 Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Administration. Travel S Failed Introduction 18-13-0-0-0

SF0043 Pore space-severances and separate conveyances prohibited. Minerals S Failed Introduction 10-21-0-0-0

 of action-2. Nethercott S Introduced and Referred to S01 - Judiciary 31-0-0-0-0

SF0046 Compulsory school attendance-minimum age. Schuler S Failed Introduction 7-24-0-0-0

SF0047 Law enforcement retirement-contributions. Appropriations H Did not Consider for Introduction

SF0056 Special districts-limit on tax levy. Revenue S Failed Introduction 9-22-0-0-0

SF0060 2024 large project funding. Nat Res Fund S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0062 State Parks-recreation management authority. Mgt Audit S Failed Introduction 15-16-0-0-0

SF0065 Temporary water use agreements amendments. Water S COW:Passed

SF0070 Investment modernization-state nonpermanent funds-2. Cap Fin & Inv S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0078 Carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery stimulus. Minerals S Failed Introduction 20-11-0-0-0

SF0081 Hospital or healthcare district created entities-immunity. Baldwin S COW:Passed

SF0084 School facilities-use fees. Brennan S COW:Passed

SF0087 Boutique hotel liquor licenses. Gierau S Failed Introduction 20-10-0-0-1

SF0088 State law violations by counties, cities and towns. Ide S Failed Introduction 19-12-0-0-0

SF0090 State-managed local government equity investment pool. Gierau S 2nd Reading:Passed

SF0091 Regulatory reduction task force. Gierau S Withdrawn by Sponsor

SF0093 Wyoming dividend account. Ellis S Failed Introduction 12-19-0-0-0

SF0099 Chloe's law-children gender change prohibition. Bouchard S Introduced and Referred to S10 - Labor 25-5-1-0-0

SF0101 Low-carbon energy standards-repeal. Steinmetz S Failed Introduction 15-16-0-0-0

SF0104 Wind and solar facilities-state lands amendments. Boner S Failed Introduction 8-21-0-0-2

SF0108 Protecting water from chemical abortion waste. Biteman S Failed Introduction 16-15-0-0-0

SF0111 Mule and whitetail deer-separate hunting seasons. Driskill S Introduced and Referred to S06 - Travel 31-0-0-0-0

SF0112 Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act-2. Boner S Withdrawn by Sponsor

SF0116 Wind tax moratorium exemption-repeal. Jones S Failed Introduction 18-13-0-0-0

SF0117 Education-retention for reading failure. Scott S Failed Introduction 20-11-0-0-0

SF0122 Disposition of water rights-amendments. Kinskey S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

SF0124 Teachers' labor organizations-strike prohibition. Hicks S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

SF0127 Sales tax distribution rates. French S Failed Introduction 16-14-1-0-0

SF0129 State funded capital construction-2. Salazar S Withdrawn by Sponsor

SJ0001 Resolution demanding equal footing. Ide S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

SJ0003 Constitutional amendment vote requirement. Laursen, D S Failed Introduction 14-17-0-0-0

SJ0004 Convention of states-2. Brennan S Failed Introduction 17-14-0-0-0

February 21, 2024.

House Bill 203, paased the House Revenue Committee. The Bill exempts $200,000 of the fair market value of the assessment of single-family residential properties for this current tax year and $1,000,000 of fair market thereafter in exchange for an additional 2% sales tax.

I have mixed ffeelings about this bill, and I'm mostly mixed against it. Wyomingites fail to appreciate how much they actually depend on tax revenues simply for local governments to function and also are in the odd situation of not equating a host of things that encourage property value inflation with things they don't like.  Basically, a lot of Wyomingites would like the state to remain what it was in some priro decade (and I confess I hold those views) while also having booming local economies and the like.  Things have to give somewhere, and where they've been giving is in inflating property values.  Removing $1M in valuation in this fashion will actually encourage that, and bring about additional problems.

Most people will like the bill, however, until they pay the sales tax, and then they'll be made about that.

And also:

House passes bill to rein in insurance providers

Going Feral: Blog Mirror: Studies: Climate change, lake trout could impede Yellowstone Lake cutthroat recovery indefinitely

Going Feral: Blog Mirror: Studies: Climate change, lake trout ...:  

Blog Mirror: Studies: Climate change, lake trout could impede Yellowstone Lake cutthroat recovery indefinitely

 

Studies: Climate change, lake trout could impede Yellowstone Lake cutthroat recovery indefinitely

Going Feral: Another lawsuit over wolves.

Going Feral: Another lawsuit over wolves.: 

Another lawsuit over wolves.

Ten entities intend to sue the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for not extending protection for wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

When wolves were first introduced, it was my opinion that wolves themselves would not be a problem in the Rocky Mountain West, but the people who surround them.  

That has proven to be correct.

Tucker "Lord Haw Haw" Carlson on Leadership.

Carlson, as an apologist for the vile, has crossed into territories heretofore not trespassed onto.  Lindbergh and Fr. Coughlin would be aghast.

Emad Eldin Adeeb: In your interview with Putin, you didn’t talk about freedom of speech in Russia, you did not talk about Navalny, about assassinations

Tucker Carlson: Leadership requires killing people

Carlson is becoming the embodiment of Yeoman's Twentieth Rule of Behavior, or as Jimmy Akin would say, "sin makes you stupid".  He's gone from being sort of a political shock d.j., to just flat out saying stuff that's stupid.

Carlson lies, and he knows he's a liar.  Lying is sinful.  His audience likes being lied to. Self-delusion is also sinful in some instances, particularly in believing slanderous lies.  Carlson's lies have made himself, and frankly his audience, increasingly stupid.

The question is how darned dumb can this get before even his followers have had too much.

Removing your hat.

When I was a kid, it was emphasized to us that when we entered a building the polite thing to do was to remove your hat.

Heavily emphasized, I might add.

"Head cold?" was the semi sarcastic comment you'd get from some folks about taking your hat off if you were wearing it indoors, or just flat out "take your hat off".  

"Remove your cover" was the comment you'd get from NCO's if you absent-mindedly wore one indoors where you were not supposed to.  You had to wear them, however, in formation in a drill hall, although that was indoors, the military had somewhat inconsistent rules on this.

I suppose they still do.

Little did I realize that earlier in the state's history, it had been statutorily emphasized:

Wyoming Statutes, 1910.

That shows, I suppose, just how common that wearing was.

Caps, Hats, Fashion and Perceptions of Decency and being Dressed.

Some time ago the Old Picture of the Day blog ran a Hat Week, featuring photos of men wearing hats.  The introductory comment to that thread observed that men don't wear hats much anymore, but that the blogger suspected that they'd like to.

 A farming crowd. . .everyone wearing a hat or cap, courtesy of the International Museum of the Horse.

The lengthy thread goes on from there.

Hats have, of course, yielded to caps on a widespread basis, but as that thread explores, caps weren't uncommon then.  Baseball caps as headgear for adults were, of course.  Children wore them informally, but newsboy caps were the cap of the era,

And no wonder. They're superior to baseball caps in every way.

Anyhow, this standard certainly has changed.  A certain percentage of people, and not all of them young by any means, have caps, and occasionally hats, glued to their heads constantly.  People, including men older than me, come in the office with their baseball caps on and do not remove them.  In the courthouse you'll see people wearing them.  People have to be reminded to take them off in court.

Churches are about the only place that you don't see this, or at least I haven't so far.

This shows (and this isn't the only thing), how much standards in this area have really changed.  In the first half of the 20th Century, when hat, including real hats, was a universal feature of being dressed, to wear a hat indoors in some circumstances was a crime. Later it was just rude.  Now, it's common. . . unfortunately.

The death of Alexey Navalny.

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, who had survived several poisoning attempts, and who was 19 year sentence on charges of extremism, died after a walk at the remote penal colony where he was serving.

He was 47 years old.

Look for Tucker "Lord Haw Haw" Carlson to inform us on how wonder healthcare and the justice system are in Russia.

Wednesday, February 16, 1944. Explanations.

Wyoming's Senator Mahoney was reported as having said that victory in the Second World War was closer than most imagined, and the country should be prepared to rapidly convert to a peacetime economy.

The optimistic Mahoney was a Democrat who served four terms as a U.S. as  Wyoming's Senator, first from 1934 to 1953 and then again from 1954 to 1961.  Orginally from Massachusetts, he moved to Wyoming in 1916 as a writer for the Cheyenne State Leader, which was owned by John B. Kendrick. When Kendrick became Senator, he accompanied him there as a staff member, and graduated from Georgetown with a Bachelors of Law in 1920.  He was considered as a running mate in 1944.  He lost his seat when Dwight Eisenhower won the Presidential election in 1954, but regained a position of Senator upon the suicide of Lester Hunt.

The prior day's raid on Monte Cassino already drawing controversy, Lord Chancellor John Smith appeared before the House of Lords and defended the raid.  He claimed that most of the destroyed abbey's structures dated to the 19th Century, and most of the artwork had already been removed.

German ground attacks at Anzio resumed, supported by Luftwaffe close air support.  Sarah Sundin, in her blog, reports this as the first use of Panther's in the west by the Germans. She also reports that mud defeated them.

New Zealand forces continued their attacks at Monte Cassino.

Goebbels went on the radio in Germany and exaggerated damages from an Allied air raid on Berlin that occured this day, in hopes that would draw the Allies off re bombing the city.

German forces trapped in the Korsun pocket launched their final, and somewhat successful, breakout attempt just before midnight.

Stalin replied to Roosevelt's letter of February 7 and stated that the Polish government was anti-Soviet and incapable of friendly relations with the USSR, and also that "The basic improvement of the Polish government appears to be an urgent task."

A Finnish diplomat arrived in Stockholm to receive peace terms from the Soviets.

 Commander Rieter demonstrating calculator for firing, atop of turret #3 on board USS Quincy February 16, 1944.