ICYMI: We Drove a Stake Through the Vampire Rule's Heart

Christian v. James (2d Cir. 2026). 

If "vampire rule" leaves you mystified, it is time to re-read one of the masterpieces of late Victorian literature: Bram Stoker's Dracula. In Stoker's novel, vampires could never enter a house uninvited. He used his hypnotic powers on Lucy Harkness (if my memory serves me correctly) to get her to invite him in. As Stoker's novel hints, Dracula's hypnotic powers were akin to spiking a young lady's drink.

Anyway, what is the connection? The fiercely anti-self defense states had to go shall issue on concealed carry licenses, but they were going to make licenses nearly useless by requiring licensees to get explicit invitation to carry in businesses open to the public, either by a sign in the window, or an expression permission from the owner. Imagine if you needed a sign "Black people are allowed" in a business window  

This decision struck down New York's rule on this while leaving intact its prohibition on licensees carrying in parks.

Are Three Strikes Laws a Bad Idea?

Progressive objections to three strikes laws included that sending criminals away for life wastes resources because "justice-involved persons" stop being a hazard as they age.

So imagine why surprise at reading this 5/18/26 CBS Boise article:

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — District Judge James Cawthon sentenced 65-year-old Robert Johns on Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct and Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under 16....

Johns has a criminal history spanning over four decades, including prior felony convictions for grand theft, burglary, robbery and Murder in the First Degree, for which he received an indeterminate life sentence.

Maybe he is exceptional. I can remember some others, however. The old guy who raped a 14-year-old ib California and cut off her arms with a hatchet was released after just a few years. (Not a very serious crime by progressive California standards. ) He moved to Florida and was then convicted of murdering a woman. Florida not being progressive sentenced him to life.

World War I Antique

 We are going through or collection of stuff seeing what does not need to come with us. I found this World War I antique U.S.N. GAS ALARM.

The USN Gas Alarm Antique is an original period item from World War II, specifically designed by the United States Navy. This collectible piece falls under the theme of militaria, reflecting the historical significance of the era. With a vintage design and origin from the United States, this gas alarm antique serves as a tangible reminder of the sacrifices and precautions taken during the turbulent time of World War II. Condition is pretty good for a device made of wood more than a century old. Three of the clacking parts have minor cracks. There is one nail not fully seated (see pictures). It does not affect functionality. It is still capable of making quite a racket!

As you can see, the U.S.N. Gas Alarm marking is clearly visible. This seems to be branded into the wood, not painted.

Help me not move it. Available on eBay.

Boomers As Leeches

I am seeing an increasing flood of complaints that Boomers take "an infinity of resources" from later generations. They are looking at Social Security and Medicare. 

Many of us resented those mandatory taxes for SS and Medicare.  We could have invested that money in mutual funds and come out way ahead. Even then, for every high wage earner like me with $3000/month SS checks, there are far more with $1200/month SS checks struggling to pay rent or mortgage payments and Medicare premiums and deductible.

And younger people upset about health insurance premiums. They were not absurd when Boomers were young because we were not battling the damage Obamacare did by requiring no age discrimination on insurance costs. To cover the costs of coverage for older insurers, young people were saddled with higher premiums. To make sure they did not make a perhaps rational decision to skip insurance, Obamacare punished them for failure to buy. The deductibles are huge. 

My wife had students who insisted that Obamacare would mean they would get an insurance card in the mail, free of charge. My, were they disappointed. Elect politicians who make absurd promises, get screwed. 

We also worked our butts off instead of whining. The SS returns compared to equity funds is awful.

Cargo Carriers That Can Use Padlocks?

 I am looking for a cargo carrier that has edge holes for padlocks. I am told the Thules all use the same key, so they are not secure. Why you would do that eludes me. There is nowhere to look at them, and the Amazon pages are useless for this. JEGS says none of theirs will accept padlocks.

Astronomy

I have been struggling for several years now, intermittently, to get my Losmandy G811G goto mount to work. I am quite sure it us pilot error. Supergrok has been walking me through the process. Every night I get a bit closer. Tonight's discovery was that the watch battery that keeps static knowledge of date and time needs replacing.

Semester is Over

Grades submitted. For the first time in many semesters, no one failed. A number of students withdrew who were clearly either not ready or too busy for this class.

I was pleased that A students were largely the ones who most clearly relied on HI not AI. This may be my last semester teaching. College of Western Idaho only employs Idaho residents.  This makes sense: Idaho taxpayers are paying the salaries; we are no longer short of well-educated people here. I am not sure what my chances are of getting an adjunct position in eastern Tennessee.