As Becki Jayne of The Real vs the Spiel reports that Michigan revote chances die when the Republicans in the upper chamber decide to adjourn without voting on the measure, it is time for Plan B.

Quiddity of UggaBugga has it, the ultimate, the bestest ever: The Plan.

So I wander out the mailbox and what is waiting for me, but a plea for money disguised as a survey for the Democratic National Committee.

I think question 12 is the one that really, truly demonstrates the disconnect from reality that surrounds these people:

12. How concerned are you that Republican voter suppression schemes will disenfranchise Democrats and impact the outcome of the presidential race?

Just a few friendly hints, Howard:

1. This is really not a good time for the DNC to be asking for money from Floridians.
2. You really shouldn’t mention disenfranchisement for the next two or three decades in the Sunshine State.
3. It is now the 48 State Strategy.

Update: Rasmussen just called on the landline for a political survey, but I couldn’t participate because the numbers on the phone currently connected to the landline weren’t working. Well, at least it reminded me to fix the phone and it saved Rasmussen from recording my opinions.

that the V-22 May Need New Engine.

OK, almost immediately after arrival in the area the “spanner spinners” responsible for keeping British equipment working, raised hell because vehicles where shipped to Iraq without “desert” air filters, and the special air filters weren’t readily available.

Ever seen David Lean’s film, Lawrence of Arabia? Did you notice the abundance of sand? Ever heard of “sandpaper” or “sand blasting”? What do you think happens if an engine sucks in a lot of sand? Think there just might be some wear on mechanical devices in a sandy environment?

Everything, and I do mean everything, experiences erosion when exposed to the sand filled air in Iraq. Paint is worn down, windows get scratched, clothing takes a beating. The best you can do with engines is use special desert air filters. They are problem for jet engines because they restrict the flow of air and get clogged quickly. The time periods for routine maintenance are radically reduced in desert warfare and no one should have been surprised that the engines on the V-22 were going to require a lot of maintenance.

Planning for equipment maintenance and repair based on conditions when the equipment is at a US garrison is just incredibly stupid when you launch a desert war.

It’s that time of year. Spring arrived at 48 minutes after midnight [CDT] this morning [that was also the temperature in degrees F]. You can watch the seasons come and go at Archæoastronomy.

The air is already filled with pollen, the live oaks are starting to drop last year’s leaves, and some of the feral cats are preggers.