Eclipse Insights + News + Commentary

ECLIPSE E-REPORT SUNDAY 10/20

I'm going to need to keep this much shorter than yesterday's post. I'm leaving soon for the Worley's in Lincoln, where I will enjoy an undoubtedly tasty repast. Then it's on to my brother-in-law [M--- B----] & sister's [C------ B----] place in Beatrice for tomorrow's eclipse event.

SAT 8/19, 6:00p:  Early birds don't always get the bird. Based on rumors I may or may not have been seeing on one of my favorite on-line resources, I sent my CSBLEC * on a last minute road trip to check out our neighbors to the East. These rumors turned out to be accurate, more or less. Many Iowanians got confused last night, mistaking SUN 8/19 for the date of the eclipse. Fuel was added to their frenzy when the following occurred. 

• The sky started darkening before sunset. 
• The sun actually disappeared.
• Many birds & other animals' familiar behaviors ensued, typical of what you would exhibit when the sun completely disappears.
• The moon suddenly appeared after the sun was gone.

Most Iowanians caught on after the sun, regretfully, didn't reappear.

* Cornhusker State Blog Lite Eclipse Chasers

SUN 8/20, 6:30a:  Here's another item that I may or may not have seen on one of my favorite Internet sites. Thousands, perhaps millions of people in CA are furious at Governor Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown for using his executive powers to enact a $500 tax on each pair of CPDEG's *. Those Californiates who thought, "Ha Ha . . . I bought my "eclipse eyewear months ago, did not realize that the CA legislature created a state CPDEG registry. Conservations are pointing to this as another example of the nanny state. Liberals welcomed this provision . . . or at at least they did until now.

* Cornea Permanent Damage Eye Guards

I gleaned this helpful information from the Omaha World Herald's SUN 8/20 edition. I also added my helpful commentary and/or insights. You are welcome.

• "Rumors of celebrity sightings, or pending arrivals, were swirling around Alliance. The list included actors Harrison Ford & Johnny Depp & rapper Snoop Dogg."  COMMENT:  Johnny & Snoop may attract liberal visitors from red states. Blue state Cornhuskers will only be impressed if they see Harrison. Or Mike Pence. Or that goofy, former rock star who sings "Cat Scratch Fever."
• "(Paul) Auguston, the early-arriving camper at Carhenge, said viewing a total eclipse is unforgettably spiritual. "It's a celestial experience, 'he said.'"  COMMENT:  Do you think it's a coincidence that Carhenge is located just a hop, skip, & jump from Colorado? Yeah, I don't think so either.
• "One of [a Nebraska eclipse hotline volunteer]'s favorite questions from the thousands of calls to the tourism office was the one from a woman who asked if it would be OK to tape eclipse glasses for on dog . . . " COMMENT:  Suspicions were raised when the phone # was back-traced to a # in the Twin Cities, believed to be connected to PETEEAP *.
• "Some disgruntled visitors, however, have posted social media complaints about price gouging at private campsites." COMMENT:  Undoubtedly these are people who would rather see prices fixed by a socialistic government. My take on it? Boo Hoo! Too bad. So sad!
• "[An Alliance native],"said some residents may awaken MON morning, look out a window & find a visitor sleeping in a caar parked in the street. 'If that's what you find, walk out there w/a cup of coffee, knock on the window, & give them the cup & welcome them to Alliance. COMMENT:  As per my previous comment, check their license plate or otherwise interrogate them first. If they are residents of a blue state, offer them a cup of coffee, but practice some price gouging. My suggestion? If they're tree-hugger liberals, tell them your $20 cup of coffee is tax deductible & will be forwarded to the "Save Nebraska Mountain Lions."

* People for the Ethical Treatment of Eclipse Eye Abuse Pets.

One last comment, then I really need to get going. It's already 2:00p. For all I know, traffic on U.S. Hwy 81 between Norfolk & Columbus, State Hwy 15 between David City & Seward, & State Hwy 34 between Seward & Lincoln may already be bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go. The weather forecast for Beatrice tomorrow, in fact all of eastern NE, especially SE NE, call for a significant chance of overcast skies. As I have pointed out before, the sky will still turn dark. However, many visitors who have NOT booked non-refundable, price-gouging rates at hotels may choose not to check out our primo viewing sites. That will be a plethora of convenience stores way overstocked w/a plethora of wide-brimmed hats, water bottles, power drinks, etc. This will only benefit some of us, who will take advantage of rock-bottom prices later tomorrow & the days following.