respublica

This is so wrong-headed

Reading Frank Rich's editorial in the New York Times this morning, I thought I might be reading a parody in The Onion.

But no.  In Rich's mind Joseph Stack, the angry at the IRS man who flew his plane into the IRS building in Austin a couple of weeks ago, "had a rage which overlaps with some of those marching under the Tea Party banner".

Incredible.  Stack was a guy who hated Bush, the IRS, and complimented communism.  How this jibes with the Tea Party movement is something which Rich must dearly want to be true.

That does not make it so.

Thankfully I'm not losing my mind.  Jim Treacher Twittered today:  "Wow, I didn't realize how wrong I was about everything until I read this Frank Rich column."

Next Sunday maybe we'll read about how the frighteningly mad Amy Bishop who shot up a faculty meeting in Alabama and who was obsessed with Obama to the point of being off-putting, was another Tea Party crackpot.

Rural King

Has opened in Collinsville.

When you walk in the door you might think...hmmm...this isn't much.  But as you walk around the store more and more things catch your eye until you're having fun.

This is a store for people who work outside, who till and plant, build and construct.  The clothes are meant to stand up to cold and rough wear.

However, there are so many things here that will appeal to most everyone, garden goods, hunting stuff, toys, snack food, pet supplies, kitchen gadgets.  All things large and small.  Give yourself some time for a walk around.

  I loved these rain and mud boots.

 
More hummingbird feeders than I've ever seen in one place.

Log splitters

Carhartt clothing for men, women and kids.

The cutest baby chicks which reminded me of Clayton's domestic chicken issue.

Buddys

Sam and Riley

Tsunami in Hawaii

The Chilean earthquake is causing Tsunami waves to roar across the Pacific and are approaching Hawaii.

The last time Hawaii had a Tsunami warning was in 1994.

You can follow updates on how the state is doing.  By reading stories from Hawaii, it looks as though state and local officials have procedures in place and have been communicating with the people on what to do and where to go.

Twitter updates from Hawaii.

Intruding cows

In Arkansas, a woman came home to find 3 1000 plus pound cows in her house.  Needless to say the inside of the house was messed up, furniture upended, glass broken.

Her insurance policy does not cover, "intruding cows". 

Picture of one cow sleeping in the bedroom at the link.

Moving in a Hyundai

Maine State Police publicize the "Speeder of the Week".

This week's winner is a 17 year old boy clocked driving at 120 mph in his father's Hyundai.

We also learn something we didn't think possible-Hyundai's can move.

The boy has a court date.

Keys

We've bent the only two keys to our Ford and need to get new ones made.  For some odd reason, putting the key in the trunk lock these days deforms it.  Do you know how hard it is to get a car key made these days? 

Normal key makers won't do automobile keys and ours do not even have all the tricky, one click lock opening systems in them.  It's just a key with a black plastic top.  However, it is a transponder key with a microchip inside the black plastic which tells the car it can turn on the ignition. 

A dealer needs to know some sort of number that may or may not be on the car's body. 

Now I have to run all over looking for a car dealer or some other locksmith who will make a replacement. 

Kohl's in Collinsville

The Post-Dispatch runs a lengthy story on the future Kohl's in Collinsville.

As a sidebar to that story comes the news that Kohl's profit was up 28 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

Just as exciting as the new Kohl's on Belt Line is the work being done to get the new Rural King open.  Rural King is such a fun place to go, I can't wait.

Updated:  Rural King to open Monday March 1.

Top burgers in St. Louis

Two St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporters set out to find the best burgers in St. Louis using a top vote getting list from readers.

Oddly, neither of these burger experts found a lot to like about the top five, negating the 60 point headline font.

They went to 6 places, the top four picks among reader/voters and the top two write-in votes were:

Carl's Drive-in on Manchester just west of Brentwood.  The reporters did seem to like these burgers, but in a 'good once in awhile lunch' kind of way.  I do want to try Carl's one of these days, most people I talk to really like his burgers. 

Fast Eddie's Bon-Air in Alton.  The reporters liked the fact that the hamburgers were cheap (99 cents) but did not like the fact that they were made from frozen patties.  They felt the way to make the burgers taste better was to order kabobs, shrimp and popcorn to go with them.

Seamus McDaniels on Tamm in Dogtown.  "Hometown favorites that have amassed a big following over the years but don't necessarily live up to the hype".  Seems the problem with this burger is a lack of salt according to the two guys.  Too critical, Seamus does a good burger.

Write-in-Tucker's Place in Soulard and two other locations.  Tough and dry meat and needed salt according to the P-D.

Write in-Newstead Tower Public House on Manchester in the city.  Burger may have been too salty (!) but made from meat that comes from cows in Fruitland Missouri and fed grass, meaning local.  "The local, grass-fed protein had a wonderfully beefy and fresh flavor, and a pleasing and solid steaklike texture."

The top burger according to the P-D reporters, O'Connell Pub on Kingshighway at Shaw.  "It's always correctly seasoned and cooked perfectly. The seared exterior and juicy, pink interior provide the ideal contrasts in texture and appearance."   

I've always loved the hamburgers at the Sandwich Shop in Collinsville and thought they were worthy of some top burger poll.  I haven't had one in a while and now want to go and see if they're still as good as always.

Health care reform hint

Treat me like a dog.

What human health care can learn from pet care.