Here is your Morning Brief for the morning of April 2, 2012. Give us your feedback below and tune in to Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty for these and many more topics from 6-9 am

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1. Stand Your Ground (link)

When Democrats aren't swept up in race-baiting or in manufactured outrages they actually support legislation like Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' laws. According to the Daily Caller:

One Democrat, Fort Lauderdale state Sen. Mandy Dawson, missed the vote. But the rest of the Senate chamber supported it, 39-0.

The Florida House vote was 92-20. Twelve Democrats voted in favor.

And of the 15 states that have passed variations of the law since 2005, the year Florida’s model legislation became law, eight — a majority — had Democratic governors when the laws were enacted. None issued a veto.

The fact is, when you have a clear mind and can think rationally, stand your ground legislation makes sense. Defending your home, car, property, and yourself is something we should all be allowed to do. Democrats who are now arguing against this type of legislation either want you to be a victim, or just want their name in the news during this manufactured outrage regarding the Trayvon Martin case.

2. The Joke of 19th and University (link)

On Saturday night, the tiny group of squatters protesters known as Occupy Lubbock posted on their Facebook page that they were going to leave the space and hand it back over to the City of Lubbock. Well apparently that was just their version of an April Fool's Joke... a day early. According to reports:

Organizers for the self-proclaimed Occupy Lubbock movement urged occupiers to move their tents and meet for a 2 p.m. Sunday meeting.

But the tents remained by 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and several occupiers said they had no intention of leaving — even with warnings  to move from city officials hoping to treat the grass on the city-owned property.

“We’re going stronger than ever,” said Melissa Borrett, an Occupy Lubbock founder who serves as an administrator for the group’s Facebook page.

But the tent encampment’s numbers have dwindled over last several months. Only five tents and a few tables remained at the sight by Sunday afternoon.

Kenny Ketner, the future Lubbock County Democratic Chair and current organizer of the group told the AJ, "We'll see.", when asked if the April Fool's Joke was a wise choice. What great insight.

I'm not sure why this group is still allowed. They are never protesting. It's basically a trash heap with signs. This has got to be the laziest group of protesters I have ever seen. Not real shocking though.

3. Paul Ryan Thinks it Could be All Over Soon (link)

If Mitt Romney wins Wisconsin, is the GOP Primary over? Paul Ryan thinks so.

“I think Rick [Santorum] would need something like 82 percent of the rest of the delegates, and that’s just not going to happen," Ryan, a vice presidential short-lister who recently endorsed Romney, said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"So if Mitt wins Wisconsin – and they also have Maryland and D.C. the same day – if he gets a big delegate count, which I think he’ll get, then we believe as conservatives we should coalesce around the nominee and focus at the task at hand, which is the fall election, and not drag this thing out which I think becomes counter-productive,” Ryan said.

What do you think about Paul Ryan's statement? Is it time to focus on Obama?

4. 1940 Census (link)

It's time to go back and do some digging on your family history starting at 8am our time.

Want to know who was occupying your home, or the houses your parents grew up in, 70 years ago? Curious how many kids were living there, what the breadwinners did for a living, if they graduated from high school?

You'll be able to find out from the comfort of your computer chair beginning 9 a.m. Monday. That's when almost 4 million digitized individual forms filed in the 1940 census will be available at 1940census.archives.gov.

Regulations require that census forms remain private for 72 years, so such data becomes available only once a decade. And this is the first time it will be accessible online to all — at no charge. A search pulls up an image of the original form, which is likely to be handwritten.

How cool is this? Will you be looking up your family history today?

5. Dumb story of the morning (link)

Food Stamp Fridays!

A nightclub in Alabama's capital city has come up with a unique theme night involving food support for needy families.

The Rose Supper Club in Montgomery will host a "Food Stamp Friday" theme night in April.

A flyer for the April 6, 2012 event says that entrance will be $5 up until 10:30 p.m. with a valid food stamp card and free shots will be given at the door.

Manager Harman Wilson says the night is meant to complement the club's other theme nights, such as Fat Tuesday, Karaoke Wednesday or Thirsty Thursday.

Wilson says patrons will not be able to use their food stamps to buy alcoholic beverages. He says he hopes the novel approach will draw people to the club.

Human Resources Department spokesman Barry Sparks says the department does not approve of the promotion. He says food assistance benefits are meant to provide nourishment for hungry families.

Pathetic.

6. Good Brews Good News of the Day (link)

Boy robbed of $250, get's $25,000 in donations.

A 12-year-old North Carolina boy was working hard to raise money in hopes of introducing his schoolmates to his favorite sport, wheelchair basketball, when his fund-raising cash was stolen.

That single act of selfishness by one stranger has resulted in thousands of selfless acts from strangers nationwide — and surprised and delighted Nolan Turner.

On March 22, Turner, who was born with spina bifida, was sitting in his wheelchair collecting donations in his Cary, N.C. neighborhood when a man approached him, made some brief small talk and then nonchalantly made off with a jar containing approximately $250. Turner screamed, but the man walked away before cutting through the nearby woods and disappearing. Local police are still searching for the man.

Turner had hoped to raise $1,000 for a wheelchair basketball event at Briarcliff Elementary School put on by Bridge II Sports, a non-profit organization that helps physically challenged children and adults play team and individual sports. Once news of Turner’s situation became public, the donations came pouring in. He has now raised nearly $25,000 in increments of $5 to $500, according Ashley Thomas, the founder of Bridge II Sports.

Read the rest of the story at the link above!

Everyday, Good Brews Coffee & Tea Lounge brings you the Good News of the Day! Join Chad and Rex Tuesday morning at 7am at Good Brews!

Other Top Stories:

These and many more topics coming up on today’s edition of Lubbock’s First News with Chad Hasty. Tune in mornings 6-9am on News/Talk 790 KFYO, streaming online at kfyo.com, and now on your iPhone and Android device with the radioPup App. All guest interviews can be heard online in our podcast section after the show at kfyo.com.

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