June 2, 2012

"Illinois lawmakers may have gotten stymied on the issue of pension reform..."

"... a multi-billion-dollar mess affecting every taxpayer in the state. But at least they managed to pass a bill involving miniature horses."
Under a measure the House sent to Gov. Quinn Thursday night – the evening members were supposed to consider a cost-saving pension bill – people with disabilities could use miniature horses as service animals in public places, much like guide dogs are used.
That's what's happening in our neighboring state — and I do mean neighboring...



Nice leadership under a Democratic governor. But don't worry, Wisconsin. We might get a Democratic governor too, very soon. Just a couple weeks. There's a 2.7% chance.

54 comments:

Leo said...

Wow Ann, you've got really into intrade in this election.

Have you noticed that Obama's chance of winning has been slowly decreasing over the last few weeks, What do you think of that? Especially in the light of financial theory telling us that the prices should be Martingales?

Original Mike said...

As a participant in the Wisconsin Retirement System, this is why I support Walker's reforms. Illinois is Exhibit A of what happens when you ignore economic reality. In the end, their pensioners are likely to end up with pennies on the dollar. You can not get blood out of a turnip.

Chip S. said...

I enjoyed this line from the Isthmus article (second link):

Fair or not, Walker's appointees are "tainted" by association with the polarizing governor.

Fairness? We don't need no stinkin' fairness!

At least, thanks to the arrest of that lone pro-Walker demonstrator in Milwaukee, I now understand what "polarizing" means to Wisconsin Dems: "agitating the [wrong] people".

traditionalguy said...

Getting stymied is the name of the game when Unions are boss. They are the eternal parasite that kills its host.

Poor Illinois. That legislator losing it on U-tube was sad to watch. He basicly said without Chicago Votes electing the Speaker, the state is eternally stymied by total corruption. What a perfect place for the Kenyan imposter to learn politics.

Ann Althouse said...

@Leo Yeah, when we first started looking Obama's reelection, Walker's win, and Supreme Court striking the individual mandate were all equally likely, I think at 61%. Since then Walker's gone way up and Obama's gone down. It was a funny divergence.

traditionalguy said...

Hint: Walker is a man of sincere faith in God and that gives him both a vision of right and wrong and courage to stand in the evil day.

Leo said...

@Ann

It was quite funny and it seemed like so many commentators were and still are, talking about how these things are so related. Watching intrade seems to make me far more skeptical about their pronouncements. Also I wouldn't take the percentage chances at face value because intrade isn't paying any interest on the contracts so the prices will be slightly distorted.

Sorun said...

I didn't know you could housebreak horses. Shouldn't that be a prerequisite for an indoor service animal?

Automatic_Wing said...

"Keep digging, there's bound to be a miniature horse somewhere in there"

Petunia said...

Horses can be housetrained. The ADA allows miniature horses and dogs to be considered as service animals. Used to allow just about everything but people were claiming cats, monkeys, etc. as service animals and there was no way to disprove the claims under the ADA. So it was amended.

I wonder why the state decided to pass a law allowing miniature horses? They're already allowed under the ADA, which is federal law. Too lazy to research that right now though.

Bob Ellison said...

If a standard-sized horse self-identifies as a miniature, can he or she work as a service animal in public places? Wouldn't it be uncivilized to disallow that?

Original Mike said...

What if she's 1/32 miniature?

Titus said...

No one really gives a shit about Wisconsin, as much as you believe.

You are in hell Helen.

No ocean or beaches or beauty.

Just fucking farms and endless elections.

edutcher said...

This is why Walker has been able to poach companies to come to WI.

IL is playing games while the state sinks in a mass of debt.

The phrase, "People vote with their feet", is going to take on much more significance in the next few years.

rhhardin said...

Flower patterns on the shower curtain make a horse feel at home, according to Thurber.

Ross said...

Titan,

You need to learn manners. Didn't your mother teach to respect ladies?

Respectfully,
Ross

Ross said...

By Titan, I meant Titus.

FleetUSA said...

Neigh-boring. Ha Ha

Rusty said...

Here in Illinois we have a king.
His name is Michael Madigan.
He is treated like royalty.
Nobody dares question his authority.

Anonymous said...

I'm ashamed to live in Illinois.

MadisonMan said...

@rusty if that was meant to be a poem, it wasn't.

Titus said...

Fucking Libtard states.

Why are all the libtard states and cities so fucking horrible?

Thank God for Republicans.

Titus said...

None of this shit ever happens in Mississippi or Alabama.

Thank God for the South.

No wonder the rest of the country is heading to republican states.

Democrat states and Illinois in particular are the worst and most evil places in the entire world.

Thank God Althouse pointed this out to us.

Please point out more horrible libtard democrat things in the country. Specifically evil cities.

I need sustenance and affirmation bitch.

Pianoman said...

Glad to oblige, Titus:

Here in California, the state is facing a $16B shortfall. That's BILLION, with a "B".

So what is our Democratic-controlled legislature focusing on?

http://narth.com/2012/05/california-senate-approves-counseling-ban/

Soon to be signed by Governor Brown.

Screw budgets. What MATTERS is to make sure young homosexuals stay that way.

David said...

Has anyone ever done a retrospective look on how accurate intrude is? On what kinds of elections is it accurate? At what point in the campaign? Is its accuracy even measurable?

David said...

Illinois politics in a nutshell: "Here's your pony."

David said...

Madman Rusty wrote a limerick not a poem. They are different.

Beta Rube said...

No ocean Titus? Big fucking deal. I am hanging out in Newport this week and it's a high price shithole.

No Milwaukee Symphony,Florentine Opera, Museum, Calatrava Art Museum, Zoo, or pro sports teams to spoil the ocean views.

Fuck New England. Hugely over rated.

Roman said...

Perhaps I am just a bit cynical, but using miniature horses for service animals could be used my Muslims,as dogs are unclean

AllenS said...

I have no problem with horses as service animals so long as they're big enough to ride.

Palladian said...

The eyass that went aloft early today has returned.

Meade said...

He just took off again.

Meade said...

And back again!

Anonymous said...

Boy, Titus got out the wrong side of somebody's bed today.

Beth said...

Louisiana's Republican Gov. Jindal, and the GOP-controlled House and Senate did not pass most of his proposed pension changes (call things "reform" when they've been in action, and the results can be assessed; otherwise, "reform" is just propaganda). This is a conservative, right-to-work state, and governors here have enormous influence over the legislature. But changes to pension systems are more complex than campaign slogans and bumperstickers can account for. Employee pensions are part of employees' contracts with their employers. Jindal's proposals targeted some state workers and not others, and some details were judged to be arbitrary. There will be changes, but I'm glad to see that our lawmakers are demanding a better effort.

Guildofcannonballs said...

Obvious is the day, Sinatra.

High, in the sky, apple pie hopes (but not Mormon: Obama couldn't hack it were he to give it a shot, I presuppose even his most ardent followers would supplicate their hatred to allow).

Palladian said...

Althouse & Meade visit the hawks: 1, 2.

CLH said...

Neigh-boring-

Puns. Really? Sigh. Oh well, at least the rest of the article was funny. Illinois passing pension reform, that's a good one >.O

bagoh20 said...

Our host has been demonstrating for a while now that neutrality and balance are not the same thing. From my point of view it's Kind Neutrality.

Titus said...

I am sorry but libtard states are so horrible and I m so thankful that Althouse and not working Meade point this out to us.

Thank God for Republican and Southern States...that hate, really hate the gays.

Please, more pointing evil libtard states, thanks whore.

States that hate the gay and preach it get extra credit. Bonus points if there 5 year old spouts it.

KCFleming said...

Reality is painful, Titus. Growing up is hard. You're not an adolescent anymore. It's over.

Meade said...

Palladian, no, not us. Nice try though. I was there around 7 EDT.

The one guy in your pics looks a little bitter and gloomy. Could it be titus?

Cedarford said...

Sometimes you just have to admit Democracy and rooms full of lawyers representing their political donors in certain countries or States have failed. Failed so badly it is often time for a junta to take over at the point of a bayonet and straighten things out.
Heads on spikes, burning the failed Constitutions of nations that screwed up badly - optional.

Palladian said...

I was doubtful, but I thought it was kind of funny even if it wasn't you two.

Titus said...

Thank you so much Pogo.

Wow, that was really really difficult.

KCFleming said...

It gets better, Titus.

Titus said...

Please I demand more horrible cities and states.

But don't go off on Jackson, Mobile or Sioux City.

Thanks Doll

KCFleming said...

Cities that reach fabulousness always seem to spiral down into oblivion. A fabulous city may have reached its apogee, followed by the return to earth.

Titus said...

Meade, you need to post something on a libtard webiste so we can all cheer you.

Now go, Meade (who doesn't work) you brave soul, so we can cheer you on.

Anonymous said...

You say you want a revolution, well, you know we all wanna change the world....

Titus said...

How does one live in a liberal city?

The restaurants, food, people, fags, must be horrible.

It is time to move to Provo, to experience real Americans.

Titus said...

Beth, you are a lezzie and live in Lousiana.

Move bitch.

Rick said...

In Re Chickadee. I don't know if I can find a copy of this esteemed opinion, which addressed the question of whether an Indian who killed his pony, which had broken its leg, thereby violated the Small Birds Act.
Among other things, the court found that the "two leg" part of the definition of a bird was a minimum requirement. The court also determined that since the Indian had been riding his pony sitting on a feather pillow, that the animal met the "covered with feathers" portion of the definition. Finally, as I recall, the court found that "Small" modified "Act" and not "Birds."
I don't see this opinion on the internet, but scholarly law professors may have it at their fingertips.

Anonymous said...

Assistance ponies are all the rage. Muslims who need assistance refuse dogs because they are "unclean" so are demanding ponies instead.

I wonder who is required to clean up after them, or do they wear pony diapers?