Two quick items you might have understandably missed in the news.

1. Union membership is down, nationally, by over 600,000 members versus last year. This downward trend continues and places union popularity back to 1930s levels (pre-New Deal!). Expect next year to get even worse for them. Good news follows good news: declines also occurred in the inexcusably unionized public sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics—perhaps not entirely open-minded on the issue—only puts union membership for both sectors at 11.9% of the entire workforce.

2. Residents of Pima County are moving fast to recall Sheriff Clarence Dupnik from office. Residents need to produce 110,000 signatures in 120 days; however, organizers are optimistic. If nothing else, it sends a powerful STFU message.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.