First, they came for the lawnmowers . . . .

. . . and I didn't speak out, because I lived in an apartment, and had no lawn. Then they came for the chainsaws, and I did not speak out, because I am no lumberjack. But now, I must speak out:

This month the California Air Resources Board fined Orange County-based On the Edge Marketing and Phoenix-based CSK Auto Inc. (Kragen Auto Parts) $240,000 for selling Chinese-made gas-powered blenders -- gaze in wide wonder at the picture here -- with two-stroke off-road engines. Two-strokers are all but prohibited in California.

"Gasoline-powered blenders may be this year's tailgate sensation, but drinkers should not be polluting our air while having a good time," said board chairwoman and buzz-kill-in-chief Mary D. Nichols.

How is a free man to produce large-batch Mojitos, frozen Daiquirís for the adoring ladies, and Margaritas (when you've run out of Patron)? The line must be drawn somewhere.

From the L.A. Times.