Today is April 9th. On this date in 1865, Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederacy to General Ulysses S. Grant in Appomattox, Virginia, ending the Civil War. After the terms were agreed upon, a band struck up a celebratory song, but General Grant famously shushed them, saying “The war is over. The Rebels are our countrymen again.” And since the band was Nickelback, nobody minded. Also on this date, in 1881, Billy The Kid was found guilty of murder after a one-day trial, and was sentenced to death by hanging. He later escaped custody and went on to coach a rag-tag youth hockey team all the way to the championship. On this date in 1991, Georgia voted to secede from the Soviet Union. The economy took a brief hit but eventually came to rely upon their chief export, golden fiddles. And finally, today is National Name Yourself Day, when you pick a different name for the day. Until next time, this is Han McClane “Snake” Reagan McLovin, signing off. Consider this an Open Thread.

Media Matters Dumps M.J. Rosenberg | Washington Free Beacon
“Months of public pressure and outrage from across the pro-Israel spectrum forced Media Matters for America staffer M.J. Rosenberg to tender his resignation Friday from the left-wing media watchdog group.”

Gas Price Hypocrites | The New Editor
Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Rahm Emanuel holding presser in front of gas price sign blaming President Bush for high gas prices that are “burden” on Americans.

Wisconsin recall effort against Gov. Scott Walker now at center stage | WaPo
“But at least for the next two months, the Badger State will be at the epicenter of American politics as voters decide for only the third time in the nation’s history whether to recall a sitting governor.”

Ace, Twitter call out the unbearable whiteness of being Obama’s campaign HQ | Twitchy
Twitter reacts to photos from the Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago.

Today’s Word of the Day comes via Dictionary.com.
cumshaw (KUHM-shaw): noun A present; gratuity; tip.