This is what happens...

...when 20 odd turkeys sleep in a redbud tree.

(In case the picture is unclear, the horizontal tree used to be a good bit more vertical, no thanks to this guy and his buddies.)

CHILDREN IN AMERICA fare worse than those in most Western nations.

ON THIS DATE 101 YEARS AGO, members of the United Mine Workers began their historic Paint Creek/Cabin Creek strike that marked the beginning of the Mine Wars--and eventually inspired the writing of the song Solidarity Forever, which has become the international anthem of the labor movement. Too bad people don't know the verses better than the chorus...

CALLING OUT THE SENATE. This op-ed by Gabrielle Giffords is getting a lot of attention.

AND AGAIN, this time by WV native Michael Tomasky.

AYN RAND WOULD NOT BE AMUSED. According to a new poll, most Americans think the distribution of wealth is unfair and that the federal government should do something about it.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED

They're back

One nice thing about this time of year in El Cabrero's beloved state of West Virginia is the blooming of the redbuds, which come to think about it aren't exactly red. These little trees are pretty inconspicuous most of they year but in the spring (earlier these days due to weird weather), they burst into glory and can make even a human-trashed landscape look pretty. Or prettier anyway.

SAVING LIVES, CUTTING COSTS. Happy 2nd birthday, health care reform! Here's hoping it doesn't get gutted by the supremes.

I DID NOT WRITE THIS scathing editorial about right wing Whackadoodles. But I kind of wish I did.

GETTING TAX BREAKS, BUYING POLITICIANS. Here's a look at some corporate tax dodgers and what they do with all that spare money.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED