Bill's Notes

So, some are talking secession
Apparently a group of southerners and a group of Vermonters are talking about finding a way to peacefully secede from the United States.

So what of secession? Well, the Vermont secessionists are hysterical liberals and the Southerners want to return to the Old South. So, no, they don't get to leave.

But I'm not necessarily against secession on principle. But only in the most extreme cases -- after everything else has failed and patience exhausted. I think we're nowhere near this political state right now. The most likely scenario would be continued judicial usurpation of states rights and legislative and executive perogatives. For example, 9th Cir. Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt tried to postpone a state gubernatorial election back in 2004 ... but it was immediately overturned by a 10-judge en banc panel. If that was upheld, that is, judges start canceling elections, then we have a problem. But we're not near that state.

But I really don't know when I would support secession. It would have to be something really extreme. In fact, I'd be more likely to leave the U.S. than support a secessionist movement unless the Republic itself was at stake.
Nice try, Phils
Not a bad game. Get 'em tomorrow, Phillies!
Congrats to the Rockies!
Note to Padres: Trevor Hoffman usually blows the big games. I don't care if he's the all-time saves leader. He blew it against the Yankees in 1998; he blew the save in the All Star game a couple of years back; he blew a two-run lead last night. Gave up three runs and got only one out. Granted, the Rockies benefited from what may have been a bad call — Holliday looked out to me.

Still, Hoffman got rocked. Two doubles and a triple.

Anyway, the Rockies have now won 14 of 15. Nothing like having the hottest team in baseball coming into town. I hope the low altitude and long trip affects their game, you know, in a bad way.

Go Phillies!

NOTE: In the morning, I still think it was a bad call. Reminds me of the phrase, "Punch some holes in that mask, blue."

More on the Phillies
I've lived in the Philadelphia area for 15 of the past 17 years. Last time I left the country, they won the pennant. I have only recently decided to leave the country for a one-week vacation in Europe. Since that moment, the Phillies have done nothing but win ...

Knock on wood, there's some mystical connection going on.
Fightin' Phils!
Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win! Phils win!

Plus, the Mets lost!