Today is May 23rd. On this date in 1430, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English, who tried her for heresy and burned her at the stake. Which once again proves my long-standing theory: don’t lead the French army and then get sold to England, because it hardly ever goes well. Also on this date in 1788, South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, despite the fact that their idea for a NASCAR amendment was rejected. On this date in 1934, infamous bank-robbing couple Bonnie and Clyde were killed in a shoot-out with police. Worst. Honeymoon. Ever. And finally, today is World Turtle Day, when turtles everywhere celebrate very slowly. Consider this an Open Thread.

Free speech blogburst: Show solidarity for targeted bloggers | Michelle Malkin
“I will join and I hope you will find a way to spread word about this horrifying saga, too (it gets worse, believe me). The targeted victims — past, present, and future — will need not only media support, but sustained financial support.”

Dog Bites Man, and the New York Times Beclowns Self | Pejman Yousefzadeh
“To say that the New York Times ought to be embarrassed is to understate matters.”

I’ve made good on my promises to taxpayers | Gov. Scott Walker
“Since I took my oath of office, I have stood by my word and made good on these promises. We have helped businesses grow and in the process created more than 33,000 new jobs in Wisconsin.”

Tom Barrett’s Been Bragging About Falsified Crime Reduction Figures | Jim Geraghty
“Tom Barrett? Where do I know that name? Ah yes, he’s the Democrat challenging Scott Walker in the recall election. Say, let’s look at his campaign web site?”

Shocker: Obama WH leaked sensitive info for The Obama Is Totally Awesome blockbuster movie | Hot Air
“I know, I know … who would have ever guessed that a blockbuster film about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden and was scheduled to open just before the election might have been used for political propaganda? ”

The Sound of Retreat! from Bethany

chrestomathy (kres-TOM-uh-thee): noun; A collection of selected literary passages.
(via Dictionary.com)