Updates

Update I

My dad's surgery has been moved up to July 11th. I am taking the day off to hang out with my mother. Thank you for all your prayers, feverish and otherwise. My mom is nervous about the surgery, but it is sooner and my dad will get well.

Update II

"She Who Will Not Be Named" has a new book out. You all know who I am talking about. The book is, of course, an utter waste of trees. Tony Norman of the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette has an interesting idea on how to claim the identity of "Christian" from those whole stole it and the best spot-on description of "She Who Will Not be Named", to wit:

"Because her blond mane and feral eyes give her an uncanny resemblance to all four horses of the Apocalypse.."

Moving on now...

Update III

Also in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning was a short article titled Pa. may lift ban on wine shipments.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has particularly restrictive blue laws. Wine and liquor can be purchased via a state store, beer only from a licensed bar or beer distributor. Wine can also be purchased directly from vineyards and wine stores and shipped from in-state vineyards directly to a consumer's home.

When the Supreme Court ruled that in-state and out-state wineries could not be treated differently, the PLCB attempted to ban in-state shipments, and were promptly slapped with a restraining order so shipments could continue while the commonwealth studied the situation.

Governor Rendell is developing a bill to permit out-of-state shipments of wine. There is a catch, however. Wineries would not longer be permitted to sell directly to restaurants, and all shipments would be taxed at 18%.

The 18% tax provision is a holdover from the Johnstown flood and needs to be abolished. Forbidding wineries to sell to restaurants is stupid and indicates that the Governor is not interested changing the law, but in making people think that he will do something about the situation.