This post will be dedicated to the life of Michael Jackson. Just kiddin'. As I was talking to a friend of mine concerning the mind-numbing television coverage of Jackson's death, he deadpanned, "I didn't think it was that big of a deal." Right there with you on that one. It's not like Anna Nicole Smith died.

I'm just starting to tune in to CNN again, where we can get some real news. Such as in the resignation of Sarah Palin as governor of Alaska.

As the talking heads ponder the reasons, let me weigh in with "Follow the money." Book deals and honorariums abound.

Recently the good sheriff of Ellis County visited with Kiwanis on new laws. One thing I found interesting is a homeowner can be ticketed and fined up to $1,000 for having a party in their home -- even if they didn't know about it. Here's what could happen:

Glenn: I reported a break-in at my home while I was on vacation. You got here extremely quick. Thank you.

Policeperson: We came over as soon as you contacted us, since we were trying to get a hold of you.

Glenn: Oh, you knew about it already. Fantastic work!

Policeperson: You have excellent neighbors. We had calls from the neighbors on either side of you the very night of the break-in, and we investigated immediately.

Glenn: Again, all I can say is fantastic work!

Policeperson: Here is your ticket for $1,000 dollars for having an underage drinking party in your house.

With the changing of the guard at the Tonight Show, I was left imagining how Johnny Carson and sidekick Ed McMahon would have handled a recent controversy involving a Supreme Court nominee.

Johnny Carson: Ed, who said this? "Because when a case comes before me involving, let's say, someone who is an immigrant -- and we get an awful lot of immigration cases and naturalization cases -- I can't help but think of my own ancestors, because it wasn't that long ago when they were in that position ... When I get a case about discrimination, I have to think about people in my own family who suffered discrimination because of their ethnic background or because of religion or because of gender. And I do take that into account."

(Hays, Kansas) This is the way I started last year's pre-Memorial Day column, but I believe it deserves to be duly noted once again. Go grab a pen. Now, mark on your calendar: Monday, May 25th; Memorial Day; 9:45 a.m., Ellis County Courthouse Square, Memorial Day Services by and for my area's dedicated veterans. The ceremony starts at 10 a.m., but there is a flyover at 9:50 a.m. that you won't want to miss. After Hays, the flyover is scheduled for Ellis, then WaKeeney. WaKeeney also will have a ceremony at the Veteran's cemetery beginning at 10 a.m. Check your local papers for your town's salute to our nation's best. There is also a ceremony at Hays' American Legion Park at 7 p.m.

"All gave some. Some gave all." We can give an hour, don't you think?

Here are some random thoughts and stuff that have built up over the past four weeks. I took a vacation from the column to go along with a vacation trip to the East Coast.

Albeit briefly, I visited New York City. I didn't think I ever would nor did I have any desire to visit the Big Apple, but our first layover was three hours in JFK airport. We arrived at lunchtime. And although my traveling companion was Dorothy from Kansas, we didn't have to click our heels three times to realize we weren't in Kansas anymore.

August 1994. My first duty as the newly elected chair of the Ellis County Democratic Party was to attend a reception for a state representative that was running for insurance commissioner. I was introduced to the honored guest by our host, state Rep. Delbert Gross, as one of Ellis County's most avid Republicans. As heads turned our way, Delbert sheepishly corrected himself on which party I avidly support. That is the first time I met Kathleen Sebelius.

Tis the season. It's that time of year when Democrats from all over the state gather in Topeka for our Washington Days celebration. As the First District Democratic Libations Chair (duly appointed by the First District Chair), I have many duties, so it will be an excellent time to clean up the mail bag.

Not only that, our keynote speaker Friday will be Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer; last seen giving one of the greatest speeches of last year's national convention. And finally, I will get to see and visit my favorite governor, Kathleen Sebelius, and see many of my great friends in our state party.

Stimulus package. I can't remember if I'd ever heard that term before a few weeks ago. And if I did, it just didn't take like it has recently.

Some folks think our country faces certain financial Armageddon if not passed as is. But if you listen to Rush Windbag, Bill O'Surly or Scum Hannity, you would think these tenets had been handed to the Congress and Senate from the devil himself (or herself -- to be P.C.).

The Republicans want more tax cuts for the wealthy. Hmmm. That has served our economy so well these past eight years. Let's do some more. Duh.

Here's the deal. I'm running a little late this week because I was taking some Continuing Education classes for my insurance license. In order to sell you a home or auto policy, I need an hour ethics class, along with another 11 hours of a la carte classes. To maintain my life and health license, another 12 hours is required, including the all-important hour-long ethics class.

With my thoughts on next week's inauguration and this year's legislative session, I'm going to return to my mail bag and random thoughts as I look for my edge to return.