Facing Off

Let Freedom Ring!

Jeanne Mancini addresses the #LetThemServe rally

Today the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the landmark case Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged v. Burwell, which involves a clash between 1st Amendment religious freedom and an administrative regulation from the Department of Health and Human Services requiring the provision of insurance coverage for contraceptive services.


Constitutional lawyer David A. French provides a thorough explanation of the case here.

Meanwhile, it is heartening to see so many women's organizations and groups standing together in defense of religious freedom.

Some political battles don't seem worth the cost to fight. This one does. If an administrative regulation can trump the 1st Amendment's free exercise clause, the progressives will use that outcome as the basis for a staggering number of further encroachments on individual liberty.

It is difficult to overstate the overall importance of this case. My prayers are with the Little Sisters and with their courageous supporters.

"You're just biased because you had so many nuns as teachers growing up."

That has nothing to do with it...right is right, and the nuns in this case have right on their side...

Treading Water

Last night the Republican presidential primary continued with the Utah Caucuses, the Arizona Primary, and final delegate selection in Idaho.

Not much changed in the race. Asshat Donald Trump picked up 70 delegates total, and is still behind the pace he'll need to get to the 1,237 required to be the party's nominee.


Texas Senator Ted Cruz picked up 60 delegates total. He also picked up the endorsement of former candidate Jeb Bush. We'll see whether that helps or hurts his campaign.

Unfortunate News

I learned yesterday that my beloved Kansas City Chiefs may be without the services of Pro Bowl LB Justin Houston in 2016.

Justin had ACL surgery back in February, although the team did not announce that right way. His ACL was not torn, but still required surgery to restore it to proper functioning.




Everyone is being coy about how soon Justin might be able to play, but personally
I'm skeptical that the team will risk playing him in 2016 at all.

Not good news for a team that relies so heavily on its defense to win games.

"Baseball season hasn't even started yet, and you're worrying about football already?"

All part of being a fan, old friend...

Lest We Forget

From the acerbic pen of Michael Ramirez, whose editorial cartoons you should read often, as I do.

Until Next Time...

Even the most successful performing artists occasionally need to shake things up to recharge their creative batteries. That was the plan when my hero Joe Bonamassa and his producer Kevin Shirley journeyed to Black Rock Studios on the Greek island of Santorini during a break in Joe's hectic touring schedule in early 2010. Although Joe's three previous albums had all hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart, Kevin wanted to get Joe out of his comfort zone. He even brought in some Greek musicians to add some unusual instrumentation to the process.

On March 23, 2010 the results of their efforts in the form of an album simply titled Black Rock were released.

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart, and contained a number of songs that became concert staples over the next several years.

As was usual in those days, the album is a blend of covers and Joe's own songs. There is a little something for everyone here, from dyed-in-the-wool blues purists to fans of heavy British blues-rock.

My personal favorite is one of Joe's original compositions, "Athens to Athens." It's a rollicking bit of acoustic blues featuring those native Greek players and instruments Kevin thought would bring out Joe's creativity. Mission accomplished!

Since the album's release, "Athens to Athens" has become a regular part of Joe's live shows, and I'm hopeful of hearing it yet again when his spring tour visits Omaha this coming May 4.

Today's send-off is the original album track. Enjoy...