Random Thoughts From Marybeth

Okay, "Mexico Flu"

What's in a name? U.S. pork producers are finding that the name of the virus spreading from Mexico is affecting their business, prompting U.S. officials to argue for changing the name from swine flu.

At a news briefing, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack took pains to repeatedly refer to the flu as the "H1N1 virus."

President's Jet Terrorizes NYC

The event was intended to update a stock photo of the presidential plane that is used for distribution to media and others, according to a person familiar with the matter who was spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. The photo, featuring the Statue of Liberty, is to replace one of the aircraft flying near Mount Rushmore, the person said.

Next time they should try Photoshop.

Voting Isn't a Coup d'État

Comments about yesterday's tea party protests have been interesting. I heard one reporter on public radio characterize some protestors who wanted to elect new representatives in the place of incumbents as "wanting to overthrow the government".

Louisville Tea Party

My younger son (15) got a couple-hour break from school to attend the tax day protest in downtown Louisville with me.

All of these photos were taken at the Louisville Tea Party on April 15, 2009 between 10:45 and 11:30. If anyone has information about what happened later, please leave a comment and use the URL field of the comment form to leave a link if you have posted pictures online.

There was a good sized crowd, especially considering it was only about 45 degrees, overcast, and in the middle of a work day.

Diverse too...by that I mean there were people wearing both (Louisville) Cardinal red and (UK) Wildcat blue.

There was singing and flag waving.

The media seems to be paying more attention now...

I mean the news vans, not the guy who appears to be a citizen journalist doing an interview with his digital camera. Bloggers have been paying attention all along.

I think the somewhat dazed looking man on the left is a reporter. I saw him interviewing a woman who came to the tea party with a child in a stroller. He was taking notes in his notepad while another man was taking pictures.