Major Accomplishment

Remember when climbing Mount Everest was hard? Now, they're doing it while carrying a freaking torch!

Study: We publish results with no data

Blacks in the Badger State are 42 times more likely than whites to be sentenced to prison for drug convictions, according to studies by Human Rights Watch and The Sentencing Project.

[snip]

According to the research, blacks are sent to prison for drug offenses at a rate at least 10 times that of whites in 16 states, with the disparity the greatest in Wisconsin.

The article says nothing about the details of the study. Are blacks sent to prison for the same drug offenses? Are whites being given lighter sentences, or are they committing more of the minor offenses? A study like this only has merit if the blacks in the study are being sent to prison for the

exact same offenses

for which white people are being sent home. If that's not the case, then the study and the article are doing nothing but promoting racism.

Car Emergency Kit

I'm putting together matching car kits for our vehicles. These aren't intended to be Bug-Out-Bags, but they are intended to serve as 'Get Home Now' bags, supplements to our BOBs and all-around emergency bags.

Here's the plan:

SHTF:
Crank-Powered radio with built-in flashlight (this or this. The first has weatherband, the second will have better reception) Update: I'm going with this one. I ordered it. It will go red when it is delivered. This radio/flashlight combo has am/fm/weatherband radio, a reasonably bright flashlight and the ability to charge usb devices. My phone doesn't qualify but the iPod in my car does. Update: Got it. The light works, but I'll wait to test out the radio until I get home. Red_Tag is a great company to do business with.
Crank flashlight (included with the radio above)

Wool blanket -Already have this one. I also have 4 more in my Bug-Out Bag at home.
Water filter - This one is a filter straw. Since this is for emergencies only, or to get home to the real supplies, I'm going to keep the size to a minimum, and make it easy to use. This will connect to any standard water bottle. Update: I got this, but apparently, I added the wrong item to the cart. I got the pills I was looking at, not the filter straw. It'll do.
High-energy food bars
100 hour candle
Lighter
Sterno
Toilet Paper! How could I forget toilet paper?

Standard Emergency:
Jumper cables -Already have
Fire extinguisher
First-aid kit. We were at Cub Foods last night. They had a decent first aid kit for about $15. It's not full-featured, but it's a good starting point. I'll be adding more bandages, more pain killers, and a CPR shield.
Folding shovel - I'm going with this one. Update: Got it.
Fix-a-flat
Road Flares Decided to do without. The 4 way flashers will suffice.
Small toolkit(ratchet set, screwdrivers, and a vise-grip) - Looking at this. It won't do major repairs, but all of the minor stuff will be taken care of. Update: I checked the truck and the car. Both have tool kits with screwdrivers, ratchets, and pliers.
Air Compressor - Have 2 of these already
knife

Need it right-freaking-now:
Window hammer -Have two of these(Link) I bought these shortly after 35W dropped into the Mississippi River. Call me paranoid, but it helps me sleep at night.


Pepper spray
Stun gun -Have 2 of these



The last category will be within reach of the driver at all times. The first two categories may or may not be in separate bags.

This will be updated with links and prices as I acquire/organize the items. I have quite a bit of it, already.

Key: Green means it is ordered, red means I have it on hand, blue is an item scratched from the list.

Update 4/23/2008: Color coded selection. Added a few items, removed one.
Update 4/24/2008: Added Sterno. We are in Minnesota. The 100 hour candle will be nice, but sterno will be better. The date of this post will get updated every time I update the list.
Update 4/28/2008: Updated with my weekend purchases.
Update 5/1/2008: Updated with latest purchases. Added TP to the list.
Update 5/22/2008: Updated with latest purchases.

Wow

Submitted without comment:

Reason #47852 to Own a Gun

MADISON, Wis. — A college student apparently called 911 from her cell phone shortly before she was killed but a dispatcher hung up, failed to call back and never sent police to investigate, authorities said Thursday.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,353938,00.html

I feel bad...

...because I keep failing this Rorschach test.

Homeowner catches goblin

A man in St. Paul caught a thug at gunpoint during a home invasion. Good for him.

Economics and Politicians

How do we end up with so many people in office, thinking they can adjust the economy, without understanding basic economics?

If you raise the cost of labor, fewer people get hired, and the overall lot of low-wage earners goes down.

But, it feels good to pass laws raising the minimum wage.

Quit spending my money, or forcing me to spend my money, on your feelings.

Don't Buy Stuff You Can't Afford

Quote of the Day

"I'd hit that so hard whoever could pull me out would become the King of England."

Found here.